Day 14 Morning

Have been in touch with the hospital, again Gracie has been unsettled over night. Please continue to pray that she will become more settled and sleep better overnight. Hopefully tonight I shall have more info for you again. Have a great day  :)  All you friends of Gracie.

Day 13 Evening

First let me say, today was a great step forward. Our God is certainly rather wonderful!!! Grace has had almost all her tubes removed today. She still has a cannula, a feeding tube, which will come out real soon I should think, heart and oxygen monitors and I think that's about it. She has been allowed to start eating some pureed fruit, and she is very thirsty. She has had her hair washed for the first time in two weeks. Can you imagine the knots in her lovely long hair? Honestly, its a bit like a birds nest, poor thing. Next time we wash it well deal better with the knots. She has also been able to sit up for a bit today. Jonnie was able to come in to see her today and she thoroughly enjoyed seeing her big bro. THEY had a conversation about Star Gate. She has hardly said anything else. There must be something special about Jonnie!!! When we left her she was sleeping. Hopefully, again, we might get out of ICU tomorrow! Well have to wait and see. The Lords timing is best so we will wait and continue to take one day at a time. Praise God with us that He is healing our Gracie girl! :)

I (Kel) got to spend some time with Grace this afternoon.  I took my bible in and Grace asked me to read Psalm 8, 'When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which You have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?' ^'A great Psalm that gives praise to our Creator.  A friend of mine told me that her little girl prayed for Grace and asked God that no matter how sick Grace was, she will still know that her God loves her.  Praise God that Grace knows her Saviour and wanted to hear a Psalm all about how great our God is. 

Day 13 Morning

Gracie has had a pretty unsettled night. We now seem to be on a waiting list to get out of ICU. This is a good step, but as I said yesterday I think, we still have a long way to go. So at this stage this morning not much to report. Hopefully I will be able to tell you more later today after my visit with her.

Day 12 Evening

Gracie is still in ICU. Although she has made it to the list to be moved to another ward. Only 3 people ahead of her! Her bed was taken around to a balcony outside today. This was great. It gave her her first taste of wonderfully polluted Sydney air in almost 2 weeks. It was quite warm outside and she had a lovely sleep out there. There was even a few drops of rain, which didnt spoil her fun. She has been pretty settled all day. Because she has been lying in bed for almost 2 weeks the bottom part of her lungs has collapsed slightly. Not to worry, the physio has given us exercises to do and Grace is, as always, very diligent. She understands what is required and is willing to work with me. The physio will check on her each day, so I will keep you posted. The latest is that she is continuing to stay settled. More in the morning! Sleep well all of you and my dear Gracie as well.

Day 12 Morning

Grace has had a fairly uneventful night. She has been able to sleep more. Yesterday she did a lot of sleeping which was good as she had been more unsettled the night before. I see this as progress, that she is catching up lost sleep. I will be sitting with her today so I will let you know how she goes through the day when I get home.

Day 11 Morning

I have just got off the phone from the hospital. Gracie is well but she has had an unsettled night. Lots of moving around in her bed. It is wonderful to see that she is so lively, but she does need to settle a little so that the healing process can complete itself. I am taking some videos in today to try and distract her. Please pray that she will remain calm. thanks again all of you for praying.

Day 10 Evening

Gracie had a bit of an unsettled day today. She seemed to be coughing up lots of goo, which we found made her a bit agitated. When Christie and I went in to see her this evening, we were very pleased to see her sleeping peacefully for at least 15 mins before the wardsperson came to make her even more comfortable in her bed. She is now sleeping in a sort of a 'W' shape - head up, bottom down, knees up and feet down. Hopefully this way she will not slide down the bed as she has been doing and will sleep much better so in the morning we will again see a marked improvement that always comes after a good sleep.  More in the morning. Sleep well all you friends of Gracie  :)

Day 10 Morning

I have been in touch with the hospital early this morning. They say that Gracie has had a very quiet night and a restful sleep, so I am really hoping that when we get there some time today they will be saying that she will get to move to the high dependency ward. But I keep telling myself that I must be patient. After all, I don't want her to move out and then take backwards steps and have to go back to ICU. Slowly, slowly is the best.

But while I am here I wanted to share with you all a couple of photos. the first one I just can't find on my computer, so I will need the help of one of Gracie's siblings! This technology stuff is way above parents - hence the need for children!!

So we will look at this photo instead. This is a verse that has been very precious to me for some time now. In this psalm the psalmist encourages us 'to rejoice and be glad in THIS day that God has made.' I know how very easy it is to be in THIS day and yet to be either looking ahead, 'won't that be wonderful when that happens' or 'what if that horrible thing should come about?' or looking at the past, 'if only....'.   For the majority of my 51 years I have lived in either of the latter 2 places and not in the present day that the Lord has given me. Some time ago God graciously laid this verse on my heart and encouraged me to live this was. Taking just the present 24 hours and not looking forward in detail or back in detail. Of course we need to still make general plans, but not to day dream etc.  If we do look forward or back in too much detail we truly miss the blessings that God has graciously given us to fill each day. I have found this to be so useful in the current situation with Graice. I have found it very easy to be tempted to look at the 2 paths that have laid before us, but by God's grace I have forced myself to just look at TODAY and to find all the blessing that THIS DAY contains. And let me tell you, there have been many, many wonderful blessings that I would have missed otherwise. Things like the fact the ICU and all its wonderful staff exist. The many friends who have so faithfully prayed continually for Gracie and us as a family. There have been so many, many blessing. To those of you, Gracie's friends and loved ones let me encourage you to start TODAY and to practice this verse. It will not be easy. You will need God's grace to accomplish it, so if you do not know Gracie's precious Lord Jesus that is the thing that you need to sort out first. Then ask her wonderful God to please teach you to live THIS DAY to His glory and look for His blessings everywhere. Each day is full of them and then you don't have time to dwell on what was that you can't change or on the future that may never eventuate. Live this DAY and glorify God in it. Have a great day :) from Gracie's very blessed MUM

I'll trust you in the darkenss - Rob Smith

Rob Smith has very kindly given me permission to reproduce the words of his song 'I'll trust you in the darkness' here for you. I have found this song to be of enormous value over the years and again in the current situation with Gracie being so sick. Please enjoy :) and thank you to Rob Smith :)

1. I will trust you in the darkness
I will serve you in my pain
I will worship in the wilderness
And will follow to the end
For you are the suffering shepherd
And you know your sheep by name
So I will trust you in the darkness
— once again
2. I’ll believe your word of comfort
When the light of life grows dim
I will heed your voice at midnight
When the tempests rage within
I will cling to Christ my saviour
Who has borne my sorrow’s sting
And I will trust you in the darkness
— once again
O Lord Jesus
Saviour, brother, friend
Come release us
Lord come back again
3. I will praise your name in winter
When the skies are cold and grey
I will feed upon your promises
And will cry to you each day
I will lean upon your Spirit
And your word will I obey
Yes, I will trust you in the darkness
— once again
O Lord Jesus
Saviour, brother, friend
Come release us
Lord come back again
4. I will trust you in the darkness
On your faithfulness depend
As I long for your appearing
And the day that never ends
I will glory in the gospel
And your word of truth defend
Yes, I will trust you in the darkness
— once again
Yes, I will trust you in the darkness,
— O my friend
© 2001 Rob Smith

Day 9 evening

Not much has changed with Gracie today. She is remaining stable and hopefully will be out of ICU by the end of the weekend. I am finding this phase a little frustrating as things seem to be going so slowly, but I need to just be patient and let the Lord finish His healing work. More for all her praying friends soon... :)

9:30pm
I have also just checked with the hospital and Gracie is doing fine for the night and should have a good sleep ready for tomorrow - hopefully with some more progress and you never know we may find out what has caused all this. Maybe not, but you just never know!!

Isaiah 43:1-5

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.  Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.  Fear not, for I am with you

God Is sooooo Amazing!!!  :)

Day 9 Morning

I have just rung the hospital so I could give you all an update on Gracie's progress. This morning not a lot has changed since yesterday, which is a great sign. Now that she is progressing they are also trying to get her back into a day and night routine. So being quiet all night is a good thing. I want to thank you all again for your continued support and prayers for Gracie and us. Watch this space and I will give you a run down of the days events this evening when I get home. Yesterday she had a 'stay at home and in bed day' - meaning no scans or anything else. I'm not sure what they have in mind for today :)

Day 8 evening

Gracie has improved a bit more today. We are hoping that by the beginning of next week she will have been moved out of ICU, but we will have to wait and see. The scan that she had yesterday doesnt seem to show anything that may be causing her the problems, so we are still in the dark as to cause.

Kel and I have been very encouraged by all the support our family has had, and all the people who are praying for Grace.  Everyday we see her, we tell her that people are praying for her.  We are pleased to see her slowly improving, keep praying that God will give the doctors wisdom in diagnosing her and their treatment.  From her big bro

Forever

How good it is to know this as true

Prayers

Thank you to those who have continued to pray for Gracie and our family. Thank you especially to those who have take time out of the way to do this - whether that be weeknights, recess and lunch breaks, mornings, afternoons, nights, as part of regular meetings - we really appreciate you bringing our Grace before God in prayer.
An extra thank you from me (Christie) as I've really known and felt this prayer. It's been hard to be 2 and a half hours away from my family in this time - especially Grace. Thank you for considering me in your prayers too.
xo

Day 8 Morning

Gracie has been a little unsettled overnight. The nursing staff are trying to lower the sedation that Gracie is on and this makes her uncomfortable. Please pray that God would give her quietness and peace as she walks through this tough time. ( I know - it will be a miracle in itself for Gracie to be quiet - she is such a special treasure. thank you to all who pray for her :)

See that yellow dot?  Well that is Gracie's favourite car! It's a yellow Suzuki Swift.
She was sooooooooooo Excited the day she saw her first yellow Suzuki Swift. Love that Kid

Day 7

Today was Day 7. I really dont know where the week has gone. I have been blown away by the amount of love and support and prayers that are being said on her behalf. Let me just say a huge thank you to all of you who love Grace. Today she seems to have improved slightly. It makes me very excicted but I know she still has such a very long way to go. She had another scan today, as they are still perplexed as to what the cause is. Maybe some results tomorrow :)

27 Jan 2012

Here is her beautiful yellow ribbon!! Reminds me somewhat of Eeyore's tail

Such a Noob Cake!!  On one of her better days in year 10!!  :)

A couple of days ago, Josh took me over to the hospital in the evening. He read to her from Romans 8. The verses at the end of Romans 8 are some of Gracie's favourites. We weren't sure where to read from so we read the whole chapter. All so very applicable. Here I will just post the end.

Romans 8:28 - 39

  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."   Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad:
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad.

What if tomorrow's cares were here
Without its rest?
I'd rather He unlock the day,
And as the hours swing open, say
"My will is best."

The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For, groping in my misty way,
I feel His hand; I head his say,
"My help is sure."

I cannot read His future plans;
But this I know;
I have the smiling of His face,
And all the refuge of His grace,
While here below.

Enough: this covers all my wants;
And so I rest!
For what I cannot, He can see,
And in His care I saved shall be,
For ever blest.

J. Parker 1830-1902
 

Aunties with Noah and Maddie

So gorgeous!

Hannah and Gracie

Aha! You guys are so cool!

Yellow Ribbon

Josh and I got to spend some more time with our beautiful Grace today who had a lovely yellow ribbon in her hair.  The nurse was happy that her OBs are stable, and she reduced the sedation a little bit.  We need to keep praying that our God will give the Doctors wisdom in finding the cause.  I pray that they will see the healing hand of God.   Noah and Maddie (Nephew and Niece) blew her lots of kisses!

Favourite Grace moments, sayings or jokes?
One of my fav's is "Your such a noob!" ha ha

Mum, Josh and Jonnie visited Grace tonight and the nurse was expecting a stable night ahead for Gracie. Let's pray for that!

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besties

Beautiful ladies :)

Share other encouraging verses you have found by commenting here:

Gracie had another MRI today, it showed not a lot of change. So we need to keep praying!

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have NEVER forsaken those who seek You."

Psalm 9:9-10

Christie and Gracie (the coolest sisters!)

Love this girl

We will post medical updates in here for you to read and pray for xo

Photos

Hey guys,
If you have a favourite pic of Grace please send it to us. We will be able to print these off and take them to stick up in her room and put up on this blog :)
xo

Reminds me of you Gracie! Looking forward to singing it out really loud again in my car like we're the coolest!! Love you xo

Hello fellow NOOB-CAKES!
This page has been set up for our lovely Gracie, Gracie-Lou, Noob-Cake, lil-sis, best friend (and whatever else she is so affectionately called :)
We (her family) will be posting any medical updates here and encourage everyone to post whatever they like on this page for Gracie. This way we can include pictures, videos, songs etc.
I'm sure she will be completely overwhelmed by this when she wakes up!
Please also put up verses and prayers (if you're that way inclined) as we can encourage and support each other this way.
Thank you for the part you play in Grace's life. As a family, we've been blown away by all the love and support, but then not surprised, as we know she has an unusually big heart, and a genuine gift of friendship.

We have a very good God watching over us, and our Grace. Let's continue to pray for healing together.
Lots of love,
Greg, Gillian, Jonnie, Josh, Kellie, Noah, Maddie, Neil and Christie xoxo