July 5, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
How are you doing? I've thought of you a lot this week and I need to give you an update on things around here that have been a little rough. First off, Leah is fine and actually doing very well. But late Friday night something happened and she got a bit down about something. She says now that she can't even remember what she was thinking but it felt like she was sleeping, so we're not sure about everything, but she went out on the roof to think and I didn't know it until I went to check on her. She said when we started talking to her and asking her to come down, she couldn't figure out why we were talking that way, why we would be so worried about her. This is where she felt like it was a dream she was having. In the end, she stepped off the roof to where dad and Nikki were standing and landed feet first and broke her right leg pretty badly. We all spent the night in the ER with her, then she got transferred downtown to St. Luke's where she had surgery yesterday on her leg and had a long rod placed in her leg to help it heal. She broke both bones in her lower leg. Because she went off the roof on purpose she's had to have psychiatric people talking with her and watching out for her, but her heart has been so softened by this whole thing. We had a wonderful talk tonight and it's almost like she's a different person. She keeps saying that she will never do anything like this again and how much she loves her family and how well she had been doing right up to that point (which is so true, she's been awesome). So that's why this whole thing was so perplexing. If it's because of a side effect of her new medicine, they will be switching it, and her Dr. will be working very closely with her. Leah knows that she needs to earn everyone's trust back and we have talked about trials in life and it's about what you learn from each one and how you change.
Physically she is in a lot of pain and this is going to be a long road back to physical health, but I told her to take it one day at a time. She said she also has felt so much more love for dad because of this, that her heart has really softened towards him and she's so happy about that. We talked about how sometimes big trials can actually start us facing in the right direction.
Alex and Savannah drove up yesterday to be with us and especially to give some time to Nikki. They're leaving tomorrow night and Sean and Blair are coming in tomorrow night. Kirk and Sarah wanted to come up over the weekend, but I told them not to. Leah has chosen not to tell everyone what happened. She is just saying that she was out on the roof on the 4th and fell. It's her story, our private family story and I'm respecting that. The psychiatrist told us that's how we should handle it. But she asked me to tell you everything. In fact, just a few hours before the accident she had written back to you. I'm mailing that letter tomorrow.She really is doing well and I really believe she has a chemical imbalance in her brain that just needs to be corrected, but that it's not an easy fix. I also know that she is so willing to do what it takes to feel better. She will probably be coming home from the hospital on Tuesday. I'll keep you posted during the week if we have any other updates.
I'm sorry for that news, but really each day has gotten better and Leah has been in good spirits right from the start. She's so kind to everyone in the hospital, her friends have come to visit, etc. Strange as this may sound, this may have been a good thing to happen to her. I know you already do, but keep her in your prayers and she loves getting letters from you. Talk to her about your experiences and things you are learning. She loves that.
I don't remember much else about last week now…My mind's a little mush, but we've been doing little things each day to try and keep cool. It has been soooo hot here and I look and see how wonderfully cool it is where you are and I'm totally jealous. Not only does it look beautiful, but you have beautiful weather too!
I hope you've had some wonderful opportunities to serve this week. I can't wait to hear about your new mission president. Tell us all about him and his wife and their family. I know that Kelson Adcock came home last week, but I haven't heard any stories yet from anyone, just happened to see an Instagram post. I was totally blown away by Emily's mission call…I had no idea, but I'm so happy for her. I just can't say it enough, but you have such a wonderful group of friends, both in high school and in college.
Sean and Blair are moving along with all the wedding plans. It's fun to hear them talk about everything, finally!! Also Sean bought a new car this week. They both love it and it has a large engine, so Sean really loves it. I'll send pics.
Here are a couple pics from our week:
Sean's new car
Blair loves driving the new car
Sarah said she was in the kitchen and turned to do something, when she turned back she saw this!!
Our 4th of July girl
In the hospital with Leah
Addie watching fireworks
Savannah braiding Leah's hair.
I want you to know that I have felt an unusual amount of peace these last couple days. There is no other source of that than my Savior and He hears your prayers for us, He hears our prayers and He knows our hearts and desires. He knows Leah's heart and she has the best family in the world. Our prayers are answered through each other especially in our own family and it's so wonderful to have the fullness of the gospel in our lives. It was not by chance that I got adopted by such awesome parents who love the Lord and passed that love down to me. It has been a gift from my Father and because I have been given this, I too must and want to give. Thank you for taking that love and knowledge and turning it into such a beautiful testimony that you now want to share with others. I don't think I'm expressing it very well, but sometimes there aren't words to share how I feel, but just know that I feel so blessed and am so grateful for so many blessings in my life. You bring me such joy!! Keep up the good work so others may feel what we feel.
Love you forever,
Mom xxoo
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