Friday – January 14^th

It’s 8:20 a.m. and Elizabeth’s Daddy and I are waiting with her for the surgery.  Dr. Sittig is going to do surgery on her right hand.  I know that all of you are praying for her daily and we are truly grateful for your prayers!!

I read all of the e-mails to her last night before we had to leave.  We can’t go to her room until 11:00 a.m. and I have to leave at 9:00 p.m.  She was so amazed to find out how much e-mail she had gotten!!  Her Uncle Harrie forwards them to the house and we print them out for her.  I’ve started keeping them in a notebook for her so that she will always have them.  It’s amazing to her and me that there are so many people from all over praying and thinking of her.  You can’t possibly know how much it has meant to us and how much this cheers her up.  I thank you all for the continued support through your prayers and encouraging words!!  Could you please add where you are from – We couldn’t believe how far some of these were sent!!

As we wait for surgery – I think about how anxious and nervous she must be right now!  BUT – my Elizabeth seems to have such a peace about her this morning!!  She told me that everything is okay and she feels good about today!  It’s something else how my 18 year old daughter is comforting me much more than I her – Once again – it is by our precious Lord’s presence that she is able to overcome her fears!!!!  She is becoming so strong in her faith through all of this.  She has touched my heart so many times with her strength and faith!! I’m not saying that we don’t still have our bad (very bad) days – But – I’m saying that through it all – the good and the bad – We can see God’s hand in this.

We were talking again last night about what’s happened to her.  She told me that she knew that we as a family have not been as close to God as we should but that she was noticing that God was bringing us back to a closer walk with Him. 

As I read the e-mails to Lizzie last night – we noticed the strangest thing!!  In almost every other letter we read, these words were written:  “That God would wrap his arms around us and comfort us.”  From the very first day that I prayed with Elizabeth in the Intensive Care Unit and every day since – I pray that God wraps his loving arms around us and holds us tight and comforts us!!  This is another sign that our God is always in control and that He will hold on to us and never – never – let us go!!

We still have our daily “worship services” in Lizzie’s room.  She continues to pray the sweetest prayers.  She’s added all of those who are praying for us – that God will bless you daily and draw you all closer to Him.  I think that I have the most wonderful and beautiful children in the whole world – not bragging – just thanking God for them!!  Please pray for my other children too!  Leah is 20 years old, Matthew is 11 years old, and Nathanael is 10 years old.  While I am here with Elizabeth, Leah is tending to the house and watching Matthew and Nay for us while their Daddy is on the road most of the time.  I appreciate so much how Leah has stepped in and taken over my responsibilities!!  We live a little more than 2 hours from Shreveport – So – Leah has been a great help!!  I love you Leah!!

Elizabeth’s pain is still unbearable at times – but --  we’ve noticed that these times have lessened somewhat!!  Therapy continues to be a struggle – it takes so much out of her just to get up and down – but she’s determined to do it with very little help.  I know that this is through the power of prayer!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

There is a CD that I listen to a lot!  The title of it is, “In Honor of the Father.”  Jonathan Martin, with his beautiful voice, sings a song called, “I’ve Got You Covered.”  I played this for Lizzie before her surgery – I would like to share some of this with you:

When you’re out there on your own
And you’re feeling so alone
When you’re hope is almost gone
I’ve got you covered

You need to know that everyday
You’re in every prayer I pray
No matter how far away
I’ve got you covered

I’ve got you covered – covered in prayer

In everything your Father is there
Just when you needed someone to really care

When life’s so unkind and the world’s so demanding
I’ll stand in the gap when you don’t feel like standing
Anytime, anywhere I’ll be there
I’ve got you covered

my favorite verse:
I’ll be there as I should be
That’s why God gave you to me
In your darkest hour of need
I’ve got you covered

This is how we both feel right now Lord – Lizzie and I are covered in prayers from all of those around us.  Please, Lord, continue to bless all of the people who have been so faithful to pray and encourage Lizzie everyday.  Send us Your precious love Lord – Just wrap Your loving arms around us Lord, hold us tight, never let go and comfort us Lord, just comfort us.  Thank You for Lizzie’s spiritual growth and the healing that has already taken place.  I give You all the glory – In Your most precious name I pray.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Thank you so much,

Marian Riles

*  The surgery lasted 2 hours.  Dr. Sittig had to graft each finger – the top and bottom of her hand and some of the wrist.  He has also told us that Lizzie will need more surgery next Friday!  There is a place on each thigh – a place on her stomach – one on her ankle – one on her chest – and one on the back of one her leg – and possible the bottom of her left hand.   Please remember her next Friday!!  God has done so much for her already.  Your prayers help us grow stronger every day!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!