This is my song...

Our minister, Rick, is currently preaching a series called "This is my song", based on Psalm 23. I have always loved this passage...memorized it as a child...sang it as a member of the Texas Girls Choir...and tucked it away in my heart as a comfort during so many times in my life. But, it took on a whole new meaning this past Sunday, April 20.



Most of you have read about my sweet Emily...daughter #2...amazing Christian...more like her mom that she wants to admit (that's a whole other post!) - she's just amazing. Emily is the person you want in our corner...the one who brings reason to the table and compassion into lives.



This is Emily and her boyfriend, Clay. They have been in each other's lives for over two years now. They love to hang out with friends, go the the creek, try new recipes, play with Lily (Em's little dog), and spend free time together.

This past Sunday, Clay was preparing to leave town for his job for a while and so after church, they decided to ride bikes on a local bike trail. Just after beginning their ride, another rider came upon them riding very erratically. After swerving to miss Clay, he ran into Emily. Emily was thrown from her bicycle and landed on her head and slid several feet on the concrete. The initial impact knocked her out and after Clay got up from also wrecking his bike (to avoid hurting Emily), and went to her, he realized she was unconscious and was blue...not breathing. He immediately went into a mode that even he cannot explain. He gently immobilized her and about that time, a jogger came upon them and she just happened to be a paramedic. Coincidence? I don't think so. Clay had already called 911 and so with the help of the paramedic, they began to work on Emily, clearing her airway and keeping her still . Because of the remote nature of the trail, the fire and EMS teams were unable to get the trucks to her, and so the first fireman on the scene borrowed a bike from another rider and the remainder of the firemen came in the back of someone's 4-wheel drive pickup. At the same time, a young man came upon them and began to pray for Emily's salvation. He realized the seriousness of what he was witnessing and felt moved to pray for her. Other bikers stopped and circled them in prayer. The paramedics worked to immobilize her and she came in and out of consciousness. The entire time, Clay stayed at her head talking to her and reassuring her. She was loaded onto CareFlight and taken to the local county hospital which has a level one trauma unit.

Clay called me and told me that Emily had been injured and was being taken to the hospital. He held off on the details so that I wouldn't go nuts! After getting to the hospital, it was a waiting game. Clay had watched the copter take off and had no idea of her condition. When he got the hospital, we just waited. After over an hour, they allowed me and Christine to go back and see her briefly. She was in pretty rough shape, but she was talking and I knew God had given me a miracle. Amazingly, she was released later that night and we took her home. She has a severe concussion and some serious burns from he impact on her face, head, shoulder, torso, hip, knees, and hands. She has no memory of the accident...and for now, that is a blessing.

"And though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil...for thou art with me..." - that verse kept ringing over and over in my mind while I waited to learn Emily's condition. God gave me that verse as comfort and I just kept thinking it over and over.

Our family has dealt with so much illness and I am ashamed to say that sometimes it just seems normal. I pray daily for God to heal Christine and Roy. But nothing I know can explain the emotions I felt on that day when I didn't even know if my Emily would be my Emily anymore. Everyone we have talked to, doctors included, cannot explain why her injuries were not more severe. Our own doctor said "her head should be mush...". God's hand was on that pavement before Emily hit it on Sunday and for that, I will be forever thankful. His grace never ceases to amaze me. "...my cup runneth over."

Emily walked around her apartment today talking to God asking Him to reveal to her the reason this happened. She knows that His purpose is far greater than she may ever know. But, I know one thing...on that day, as my daughter laid unconscious, not breathing, she was cared for by the great physician. All those people who tended to her, first and foremost...Clay, worked to keep her safe and alive until help arrived. Those people who prayed for her while she laid there took her to the Father without even knowing how special she is. To all those people, my hearts cries out with thanks.

And to Emily's friends and family who have offered help, support, prayers unending...thank you! Some events in our lives become defining moments...this is one of those times. Emily, though in great pain and with a long recovery ahead, knows that God has worked a miracle in her life. "...surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."

Emily asked me to post a couple of photos...show them to your kids and remind them why you make them wear a helmet! The last one is one of my very favorites...it is my sweet Emily!








Keep her in your prayers...you are always in ours.

Be blessed...