Dear Friends,

I wanted to write a letter to let everyone know how things are going. Today is Monday, May 28th and it has been more than a year since I wrote the last letter and things are going pretty good. I have had two surgeries since the last letter. The most recent one was Thursday, May 10th. I had to have another surgery on my right hand. The doctor had to do a lot of bone work, scraped some of the scar tissue off of the bones that were fused and put pins in my fingers again. Last Friday, my mom and I noticed that the middle finger was beginning to swell and looked real red. So we called the hospital and went Saturday morning. The doctor wanted to check for infections. He said that since they had to do a lot of bone work on my fingers there was a chance that I had an infection. Sure enough that's what it was, so they admitted me to the hospital and gave me antibiotics through the IV. I'm home now and taking antibiotics by mouth. Hopefully this will get rid of the infection.

Every time I have to go back to that burn unit, I have to deal with so many painful memories. I am so lucky to have wonderful, smart, and caring doctors and nurses that understand how painful it is. They always make me feel very comfortable when I'm there. While I was laying in the hospital bed, I began to think about how lucky we are as Christians. I just cannot imagine how someone could go through something like this without God's help. I am just so thankful to have grown up in a wonderful Christian home with parents and family who taught me that when you go through something tough, all you have to do is put your trust in God because he always knows what he is doing. Even though there are times when we feel like he doesn't - we are always reminded that he's still with us taking care of us. I know and trust that when this is all over with and I look back years later, my faith will have grown stronger and I will be a stronger person for it.

I just wanted to let all you know what has been going on. I still check my e-mails regularly and I thank all of you so much for your continued prayers and stories of encouragement.

Love in Christ,
Elizabeth Riles

Dear Friends,

I, too, would like to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support for our family. As Elizabeth has told you, she had to have another surgery a couple of weeks ago. Going back to the hospital does bring back so many unpleasant memories, but it also reminds me once again that I have to put all of my trust in our Lord. And the most wonderful feeling in the world is when you can feel his presence during the difficult times.

I'm still so very proud of Elizabeth. Even though there have been quite a few hard days and times, I can see the hand of Jesus leading her through. My mom gave me a book to read. I'm sure you all have heard of this book. The book is, The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. If you haven't read this book - please do. He tells how praying this prayer every day has changed his life. So after reading the book, I began to pray the prayer of Jabez. "Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested.

The very first day I prayed this prayer - not just for me, but for my children, husband, and family as well, I began to see the blessings sent from heaven. Elizabeth's attitude started to change in a big way. After her surgery, she had very little pain and we started to see her spirit change. She started to laugh again and look at the positive things and disregard the negative things. I had a long talk with God that day. Elizabeth and I have always prayed that God could use this situation to his glory. While praying, the Lord made me aware of something. He made me see that I haven't asked Him lately to use us for His glory nor had I done anything about it. I told Elizabeth the Lord can't use us if we are sitting on the couch every day watching TV. We have to get up, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and get out once again so he can use us.

One way that he has began to use us is while we are in the hospital. As we sit in the waiting room, we are able to talk to other family members who have loved ones in the burn unit. It always helps to talk to others who have been and are going through the same things. I've been letting the Lord use me to try and help others understand a little better what it will be like and what it has been like for our family. I always talk about the hundreds of prayers sent to my Lizzie from all over the country. They always ask me to tell you to pray for their families too. So I'm asking for your prayers for all of the families from the burn unit. Not only does talking to other families help, but we are able to appreciate through their stories how fortunate we are that we have wonderful people praying for us and that we have a relationship with our Heavenly Father who is helping us through this. It breaks my heart to realize that there are so many that do not have a relationship with our God. For it is He, the Almighty One, who will see us through any situation.

Once again I have rambled on. God has done so much for us. There was a time when I began to doubt his presence. But, as always, he reassured me that he never left me - that I was the one who moved away. Isn't it wonderful to know that he is always there, even when we - for one reason or another can't seem to feel his presence. He has promised that he will never leave us and we have to always remember this. He is always waiting with open arms to welcome us back home. To shower us with blessings, so that we can share our blessings with others and bring them home to our Lord.

Thank you again for your prayers. I know that through your prayers the Lord will provide for us spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially. Elizabeth and I will be going to Shreveport for her therapy sessions (which is a 2---2 ½ hour drive). For now it will be only one day a week -but when the pins are removed it may be more times. Continue to pray for her courage and strength. Pray that she will always feel his presence. Pray that her faith continues to grow. Pray for the doctors and nurses at LSU medical center. Pray for all of the families that are going through this horrible ordeal. Pray that the Lord will open many doors for us to use her experience to share with others. And pray that our Lord will continue to bless Joyce, Judy, and Johnathan's ministry so that people all over will come to him and enjoy his blessings.

I pray that our God will bless you with many blessings --- so many that you know they could only be from Him. I pray that He uses you to spread His word and that you resist anything satan puts in your way that may cause you pain or others pain. And I pray that you enjoy the many blessings given to you from heaven!!

We love you all,
Marian Riles