Mikhaila and her tender, sweet heart!!

Mikhaila and cousin Veronica after heart procedure 27 September

Thank you so much to everyone who lifted our family up in prayers, well wishes and good thoughts!! God heard from on high and used an excellent pediatric, cardiac surgery team and hospital to work through.  There were some anxious moments for Grandma Jilly being so far away. For example, in hour 3 receiving the report that the surgeon was having trouble "tricking" the heart into symptoms that would then lead to diagnosis and repair. The choices being - burning or freezing the troublesome tissue.  In actuality, (reported in a couple anxious (for me) hours later), the problem was super easy to induce and diagnosis.  The surgeon chose to freeze rather than burn the tissue and that took longer. Whew! After a couple hours in recovery, Mikhail was moved to her hospital room and the party began! She came home the next day, Friday 28th and is recovering. She says her legs ache but if they are better on Monday, she will return to school.

Mikhaila is extremely grateful for the prayers poured out from around the world!! Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, South Africa, Israel, Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, Ukraine, Canada and many, many people, churches, ministries and prayer groups & networks all over the USA.  We were/are all overwhelmed with God's goodness, people's loving response, notes, calls, emails and the prayer coverage.

When I came to the mission field in 1997 we still used snail mail, faxes or very expensive long distance calls.  Now with the internet, FaceBook, FaceTime, Skype, emails and such we can be in much closer contact almost instantly.  I love when the Lord is glorified in this way!!

I will say, too, that God really expanded my heart and stretched my Faith during the hours of praying and waiting.  I was so relieved to hear and experience that in one procedure, Mikhaila's heart could have a 98-100% chance of being corrected, never to have another incident and not needing to be on medication.  I have a number for friends who's children and/or grands have diagnosis that can not be solved in one procedure. My heart is stretched for them, and my Faith is becoming greater to believe with them that God can make a difference!! Let's keep connected, Let's keep praying for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven!  

Mikhail will soon be back to her bouncy self and will turn 15 (not 16) on October 16 and what a celebration that will be!!

Thanks again!!