Thank you all for praying for Elizabeth during her surgery. The surgery went fine - but - we had a scare afterwards. Wednesday when it was time to see her, her nurse came to get me in the waiting room. Elizabeth was having some kind of reaction to some of the medicine again. When I got to her room, she looked like she was having a stroke. The nurse (Rick Vaughn) told me that the doctors had been in and they had determined that Elizabeth was not having a stroke because she was able to answer the questions that they were asking her and tell them where she was and who she was. But - when I saw her in her bed and all of her muscles were going to her left side it scared me so bad. I just leaned down by her and prayed to God. I told God that enough's enough - that Lizzie has had enough of this and please let us start to see a big change in all of this. It wasn't that I was mad at God - It's just that I couldn't bear to see her go through one more thing. I knew that she was so scared of the surgery to begin with and now this. I just prayed for two hours. They gave her a really big dose of Benedryl to counteract the medicine and told us they would have to see how she was when the medicine wore off. Dennis called to see if we were on our way home and all I told him was to get to Shreveport now!! When he got there, Elizabeth was still asleep. We just kept praying. Finally, she woke up - looked at me - and said - "So momma, can I go home now?" I just started crying - because once again - God had taken care of my Elizabeth - I knew that he was still in control. For a split second - I felt bad about being so angry when I first got there - but I know that God understands our fears and I know that he understands our love for our children. I apologized for being so upset - I know he hears my prayers!

Elizabeth isn't able to use either hand right now - so we are her hands! The right hand is all bandaged up and she has pins in each finger that will be left for at least four weeks and her left hand is in a cast to prevent surgery on it. Of course this is very aggravating at times - but she's okay with it for now. She is always fine during the day - but - at night her emotions run wild. After a good cry and talk she settles down though. I was talking to my sister, Karian the other night about all of this. I told her that I wish someone would please tell me what to say to her when she asks why - after praying to God to heal her - why he hasn't. She says that she's not a bad person - she hasn't done any of the things that others do to deserve all of this. She prays out to our God at night with all of these questions! I keep telling her that although it's hard to see right now - that God has brought her a long way! I always tell her that I am so proud of her! She has showed a lot of strength through this. But, as a mother who loves her children, I have questions too! I know that our God is a loving God who can do all things! But, as much as I hate to admit it, there are days where we are overwhelmed with anger! I just put in the Martins tapes as well as others and watch Gaither videotapes and let God speak through them. After a good time of praying and crying out to God my fears are once again calmed. I still here her at night praying to God for some kind of answers - I know that in time - she will have them! Convincing her of this, though, is getting tougher! SO PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CALM HER FEARS AND PRAY FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING - AND PERSERVERANCE - SO THAT SHE WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE ALL OF THIS SOMEHOW!!

Please forgive me for rambling on all of the time - but - this seems to somehow be my own therapy. By writing my feelings and concerns down - it somehow helps! Thanks again to Dr. Sittig and his staff - Elizabeth has a couple of favorite nurses - Rick and Debbie. They are always so good to her when we are there and take time to talk to her and to us! Thanks Rick and Debbie you both will always hold a special place in our hearts! Thanks also to Precious, Ernestine, and Queen - you've had to endure her cries of pain when I wasn't there - you too are special people! And to all of you who have sent cards and e-mails - again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You will never know how much it has meant to us. We feel like we know some of you personally now! GOD IS AND HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US THROUGH ALL OF THIS - HE SPEAKS TO US THROUGH ALL OF YOU!! Once again all of you always say the right things - we love you all with a Christian bond of love! I pray that God will bless all of you in a way that he only knows! We continue to pray for your requests too! ISN'T IT GREAT TO BE BONDED TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER AND LOVE FOR OUR ALMIGHTY GOD!

Harrie and Joyce - thanks again for your love for my family! We could never make it if we didn't have your support and all of our family's support! God uses the Martin's ministry in so many ways - this is just one more example of his almighty power!

We love you all,
Marian Riles