Minnich Family

Thank you for all of your prayers and support over the last week and a half. God is healing our family and we truly covet your prayers. As Sunshine draws nearer to rejoining us during our worship service our one request to everyone is to not ask her how she is doing as at this point this only brings up negative feelings. Instead we ask that you tell her that you are glad to see her and that you are continueing to pray. We are blessed to have a support system that cares about our family and is agreeing with us in prayer. Thank you all!

 

Travis

 

Kari Update

Thanks so much for this update.  I was wondering last week and I am so happy that you have sent this note.  Please know that Kari, as well as your entire family, remain in my prayers and thoughts.  Take care of all of you.  God truly is wonderful.

Yvonne

 

From: Kaziah Williams [mailto:kaziah.williams@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 5:43 PM
To: Alicia; Amy Vasquez; Megan Miller; Michelle Seitzer; Julie Wicklund; Jubi Williams; Patricia Ocasio; DORIS B. MANZANO; Broome, Marcell; DEBBER; Sherrie; Kim; carusoc@arcadia.edu; Heather Walters;Jareem.dowling@sprint.blackberry.net; Cathleen Petrucci; Valeria; Krista B; Aimee Vozenilek; Kimmy; Amanda Taylor; Karen Taylor; Baronsky, Lynn; Lucie Hale; Charis Steffel; Eunique Lawrence; Ashleigh Seccurro; LEAH M. MACKIE; James Taylor; Steve Lee; omoik1@lsu.edu; Roslyn;vmoore2763@verizon.net; Genie Vafakos; Lauren Lazzopina; Jennifer MacCauley;roobella@aol.com; Carrie Drake; Raven H; Linda Maun; Christina Feil; Mike Feil; Helena Rice; Erica Benardo; Coach Lewit; Kristi Rivera; Pastor Ben; Pastor Petrucci; Bower, Teresa; lizbroadway@gmail.com; Eva Martin; Kristal H; Angela Williamson; Taylor, Beth (MED US); Grace Shores; Leslie & Antionette; pwv57@comcast.net; Juanita Martin; Nicole Green; lcotton@ccps.org; Monique Ireland; Brian Nick; Tanisha Sem; Jackie Dobzon Lanzi; Sandra Lane; Renee Kutys; Kathryn Mingoia; Mike Polito; Jason Seville; Rosemary Keys; Aracely Cain; Stormy Johnson; Tappi Waggenspack; Yvonne Balentine; Christine Courtney; Dylan Schultz; Faith Draine; Sally Steffel; Cathy Myers; Thurman Bell; christi brownell; Charlene Vafakos; Carolyn Fletcher; Steven Singleton
Subject: 6/17/11-7/11/11

 

Good evening!
     Hope you're all doing well.  During VBS at church the first day's theme was "Superstar," the verse that went along with the them was.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14  God created us all to be superstars, whether we realize it or not.  We are all so complex, and the organ that seems the most complex...at least to me at this time is the brain.  
     Kari was very much her old self during the visit from the team from Delaware.  She was silly, cracking jokes and making them laugh.  Many of them mentioned that they didn't know what to expect, as far as Kari and what she would be like, but in the end they said they aren't sure if they would have know that anything was wrong if she didn't have the crutches, her hair being shorter, and the patch.  I say Praise God for that, because she has come a looooooonnnnnngggggg way!
     This morning Kari had a CT-scan and then another follow up with the surgeon that did her surgeries.  While we waited for him to come in we talked about the evaluation that she had at SAGE on Thursday.  I asked how it went and she said good, and even smiled.  I asked what happened, what she had to do and she said she had to answer some questions, at the end she had to walk with her forearm crutches and then without them with some assistance.  I asked if that was all, and then she said they also tested her strength and then said, "then they said the normal things like, your so amazing...awesome...stuff like that."  We both laughed, but I thought that that is so true!  She's been fearfully and wonderfully made, and we just get the opportunity to see her become the superstar she's always been.
     The doctor came in and made a remark about her walking in rather than being in the wheelchair.  He also reminded her how "lucky" she was, but we know that that is not luck, but God's grace and mercy.  He also said that her head is healing up nicely, and the only concerns that he had last time have been cleared up courtesy of the CT-scan, and she'll not have to have anymore surgeries as far as he is concerned.  He told her to continue to work hard in therapy so when she comes in 6months from now she'll be walking on her own.  
   Kari's eye doctor has been pushed back a couple times, but it is now tomorrow.  Her eyes do look better, but she still says that she can't tell the difference.  Dr. Soleau said that the part of the brain that she had the bleed in controls her eye movement, and we've learned over the last months that it also controls her balance as well, so that is why she has having some difficulty in those areas.  It can be a little frustrating to her and to us, because that part of the brain kinda controls everything, but this is also what makes me pause and stand in awe of the Master Creator!  
   I pray that just like Kari, you'll remember how much of a superstar you are because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  I praise God for you all and I appreciate you continuing to keep Kari in your prayer!  
Be blessed
Kaziah

Kari Update

Hi Ya'll,
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer.  Sometimes I realize that I get so hung up on what I am doing that I don't enjoy the journey, even the struggle.  I know that everything that we go through can help us learn, grow and mature if we choose to.

"5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ~ 1Peter 1:5-7

Kari right now is struggling with enjoying the journey, but I guess if I had major brain surgery and things weren't how they "should be" I'd be having issues, especially since I tend to have issues now, from time to time.  Kari went to the PA from the Rehab hospital that she was in and she told Kari that she is doing well.  She also commented on Kari's lack of smiling, as did a random guy in target last week, he told her, "It's gonna to be alright."  That in turn made her tear up.  I asked if she understood why people keep saying things to her and she said, "BECAUSE THEY'RE ANNOYING!" I know she knew that wasn't why and I reminder her she has plenty she can smile about.  I can't remember exactly what I said, but by the time we were out to the car she was smiling and laughing.

Kari's therapist wants her to start using her forearm crutches more.  In an effort to encourage her to do that we reminded her that her wheelchair had to go back at the end of July.  To that Kari replies, "Well, me might as well get our money's worth."  She is doing really well on the crutches, she still struggles with her balance, but she is getting stronger.  I can even see muscles starting to develop in her calves.  Of course she still can't see or at least struggles to admit improvement.  

Kari currently goes to therapy at two different Rehab centers.  As of last Friday she was told that she can be in the day treatment program, at SAGE, where she has her speech therapy.  This rehab center specialized in brain injury.  She'll attend 3 days a week for at least 3 hours.  This is what we have been praying for.  She has been on the waiting list since she was at the Neuro Medical Center, but they didn't have an opening until now.  She actually said that she is happy about it because she doesn't have to go back and forth and they will break the therapy up into 30min sessions.  I think the last fact was what she is most thankful for.  

We're currently getting ready at the house and church for a group of lovelies to come down from Delaware to help out with VBS and some service projects.  We have been talking to Kari about it for a while and I am excited for her to interact with youth and leaders that she had a chance to influence over the years.  I am so excited to see what funny things might transpire over those 9 days.

Thank you for continuing to lift Kari up in prayer.  Her follow up eye-doctors appointment was moved to next Thursday so I'll let you all know how that goes.  (Her eyes are looking much better though! Praise God) 
Be blessed
Kaziah