Answered Prayers

 God hears all of our prayers and always answers, but sometimes those answers are no or not yet. This past week was a week of answered prayers in many ways some completely unexpected. I am not even sure where to start so I apologize if this is a bit all over the place. 

This was the first year I didn't trick or Treat in 21 years!!

Last weekend Maddy had the Appaloosa World Show in Fort Worth. Maddy has shown at this show every year since 2021 and typically has been extremely successful! Maddy has 7 World Champion and 2 Reserve Champion trophies from this show. This year she rode beautifully and still walked away with top 10 finishes in all her classes, but did not place as high as usual. But she never cares about placings and she had a lot of fun laughing and joking with her friends and just enjoying her time with Quigley. Sweet Quigley has the best personality and most of what we are asking of him is new to him. She is incredibly patient and loves how hard he always tries to do what she asks of him. Some days that communication is just a little more clear than other days! The NSBA always have signs up that say, "Love the horse first, and the sport second" and Maddy lives into that completely. It was at this show that we experienced one of our answered prayers. Last year when we left our old barn there were so many hard days and so many tears. Not only was Maddy ripped away from her horse and the only coach she had known, but an entire circle that we had lived life with for 3 years. (For those who don't know almost everyone stopped speaking to us, unfriended me on social media, and were not nice when we would run into them at shows) I prayed relentlessly for healing and restoration of those relationships. But those prayers weren't answered. Throughout the last 18 months maddy and I have often talked about the beauty of unanswered prayers as we have found ourselves encircled in a new team full of friends and teammates who have loved us and encouraged us and offered so much more camaraderie than we had ever experienced. Along with that Maddy has had two horses she loves dearly and a coach who believes in her and uses a much softer approach that has resonated with her. I have watched Maddy flourish in so many ways at Stable Strides and have loved how clearly we have seen that God's plans are so much better than what we can imagine. Maddy and I truly believed we were over the hurt and trauma and had no idea there was healing we still needed. But last Saturday we had a long forgotten prayer answered and in many ways was our favorite part of the show. As we made one last trip to the bathroom before I needed to get maddy ready for her first class, we ran into the mom that we were closest to. I said hello and was shocked when she not only responded but started a full blown conversation where we caught up on the kids and life. Maddy and I walked out with our mouths hanging open in shock. We spoke twice more that day and even got to catch up with her son. I came home in tears of thanksgiving as I realized how badly I needed that last bit of healing for my heart. It was such a beautiful reminder that sometimes God answers prayers when we least expect them!

Q is extra cuddly with his girl at shows!

And he always makes us smile!

Wade is so good with maddy and Quigley!

Let's see what else... Alex continues to thrive in every way possible. He amazes me daily with his faith and his servant heart. Not only is incredibly diligent as a student, but he pours into the community and the people around him at every turn. DBU would not be the school for everyone,  but for Alex it is the perfect place. And he takes advantage of all the opportunities that are offered. He loves to attend the honors symposiums where they have guest speakers and twice this year he has attended luncheons with chapel speakers. This past week he listened to an Iranian refugee and she was so touched by Alex's story and testimony that she has asked him to speak on a radio station that is broadcast to Iran where they are trying to spread Christianity. he also volunteered at a refugee apartment full of Afghan refugees who were not as open to  being surrounded by the DBU students, but they were amazed when Alex could repeat things from the Koran. I truly believe God has always had his hand on Alex's life and he has never shied away from the call to share his story and his heart with others. I could not be more proud of the young man he has become.

As I have shared, Maddy has had a rough six months medically. For several years she has felt like she needs to pee near constantly. It is a constant struggle that leaves her near tears often. She will sometimes be in the bathroom up to 5 times an hour. But beginning in late April she started experiencing more and more symptoms of a UTI along with extreme fatigue that has interfered with her favorite activities. We have done extensive testing that eventually led our pediatrician to refer her to Nephrology, but the wait for an appointment has been several months long. We finally had that appointment this week. We both loved the Doctor and especially that she had reviewed all testing and came in prepared with her impressions and a plan moving forward. She is almost certain Maddy has renal tubular acidosis which is seen frequently in Mitochondrial Disease. Basically, the tubules in your kidneys have millions of mitochondria to function. In Maddy's case those mitochondria are not removing the acid from her blood (causing the fatigue) this also means her urine PH is VERY high which leads to crystals in the urine and the formation of kidney stones ( multiple stones were seen in both kidneys on ultrasound). The crystals also cause the burning sensation and the inflammation that causes the feeling of needing to pee constantly. She has started one medication, but we may need to increase the dose or add a second medication if she does not get relief. The nephrologist wanted to be sure we weren't missing anything else so she also did some genetic testing to check for other causes of kidney stones, but does not expect anything to come back. After a few months of treatment we will need to have another ultrasound and repeat some other testing so we can be sure we are treating adequately to prevent long term kidney damage. She also let us know that any side or back pain or increase in symptoms should be considered a medical emergency and we need to head to the ER immediately. We have had several other appointments as well as an upcoming 4 hour appointment to prepare for her knee surgery next year. We are just so thankful for an amazing team of doctors that continue to treat Maddy and Alex and keep them as stable as possible so they can live their best lives. 

This has become a pretty common site!

This has been a long few weeks for me as we continue to struggle to adequately treat and keep my thyroid levels in range. Between managing the kids care, their activities, my volunteer work and a thyroid that won't cooperate the exhaustion is pretty bad at times. I try to keep going because as soon as I allow myself to sit and relax I doze off and Maddy is stuck waking me up! But I am hoping the latest medication adjustments and treating my allergy issues and inflammation will alleviate the fatigue soon!

I am so very thankful for our village. I am constantly reminded of how blessed we are by the family and friends in our lives. I cannot imagine walking this journey without those who love us so well!

Ali