Pray for Izzy!

Isabelle continues to do really well.
We had a neurologist appointment today, I was really hoping she would be perky and alert today.
She was tired and not really very alert at the appointment, but still continues to make improvements.
The neurologist said it was 'dramatic' that she is not on any medication and not having any seizures, she also said it was 'huge' that at one year out from her accident she is not being fed by a tube anymore.
It was a year ago yesterday that Isabelle got into the pool. Since yesterday, I keep having these overwhelming realizations of how much God loves us and has blessed our family. That may sound a little strange, being as my baby drowned in a pool and all... but this last year with all it's trials has been filled with more blessings than trials. I don't quite know how to articulate how I am feeling. I am getting some sense of how deep & how wide His love is for us.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
The last couple of days I have had some small sense of what I think this scripture is talking about. Also I have found lately that my prayers have been filled with more praise than with requests. In the beginning, it was more of "Lord get me through this night." and then "Lord get me through this moment." with a little praise sprinkled in there and from there it went on with prayers and petitions for Isabelle's recovery. Now my prayers are full of extreme thanksgiving and praise, so much so I can not find the words to express the gravity of the knowledge I am beginning to grasp. I have started to study the Psalms to find words to speak what I am experiencing. Some of the words I have been using to describe God are: shield, shepherd, refuge, stronghold, helper, King, defender, rock, deliverer, savior, dwelling place, and resting place. I'm not finished, but that's what I have come up with so far.
This may sound like a lot of rambling, but I guess what I am trying to say is that the Lord has lavishly and richly blessed us here in Choctaw and has blessed us with the love shown to us by our family, church family, friends, coworkers, and all of Isabelle's new friends in cyberspace.
Please join us in praising and glorifying God for what He has done for us this last year and what He continues to do.
Sincerely,
Matt P.
p.s. When wondering why Isabelle's recovery is slow, I realize that a slow-cooked miracle probably tastes a lot better than a microwaved one!!!

Psalms 34

I will bless Jehovah at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in Jehovah: The meek shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 Oh magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought Jehovah, and he answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded. 6 This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. 8 Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him. 9 Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. 12 What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cried, and Jehovah heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles. 18 Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. 22 Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned.