FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE. HEBREWS 11:1

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

DAY 109

Well, our first full day at Pate was a total success! Dr. Carlile and the team said to expect a bit of a backslide just because of the adjustment to a new place...but Rick's not a backslider! He would've made Dr. C and all the gals at BIR proud today. We had our first successful trip to the potty today...that is HUGE! He had is OT eval this morning. His OT's name is Leah and she had a lot of time to spend with him. She asked him to take his shirt off...and with a little assistance and about 5 minutes he successfully took it off! And he's using his left hand and arm more and more. He was able to follow every command asked of him, and did a lot of tasks while standing in the standing frame. This has been another thing we worked on at BIR...standing and doing another task at the same time. He performed several tasks while standing today...I was so proud of him. He had his speech eval today too, and handled about 10 sips of water from a teaspoon without a single cough. He didn't have any voice today, but was able to get some good breath sounds. The other BIG thing he did today was write the # 2 on a piece of paper. The speech therapist asked him to write his name, which he tried and as all attempts before it's too small and scratched to read. But then she drew the # 2 and asked him to make one as well...it was perfect! Then he walked with a smaller, less sturdy gait trainer. It had no harness support at all and he walked about 120 feet. He has really impressed everyone here. The other thing that is so funny is that at meal times we now eat in a dining room with everyone else, and although Rick has made several attempts to feed himself and does well, now it's like he looks around and sees everyone else feeding themselves and knows he needs to, too.

I figured today would be a dud especially after the rest he got last night which wasn't much. His bed was too short and his feet were hanging over the footboard. I didn't get any sleep either as I was constantly checking on him...just like having a newborn...you jump at every little peep!

God continues to bless us and guide our path. Thanks again to all our encouragers.

Our new address is:

Pate Ranch
10057 County Rd 472
Anna, TX 75409

Attn: Rick Kieschnick West Campus

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard for out of it flow the springs of life. Put away from you false and dishonest speech and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Let you eyes look right on (with fixed purpose), and let you gaze be straight before you. Proverbs 4:23-25

I will post pictures ASAP!

Love,
Crystal

6 comments:

  1. Crystal,
    Glory be to God in the highest, praise the name of Jesus for evermore! Thank you Jesus for all you have done for Rick and Crystal and all you are planning to do!! This is the news that all of us need to hear, what a faith builder and refreshing message.
    Let's pray and agree, Father in heaven, we are so thankful and grateful to you for this wonderful work in Rick and Crystal. Father we praise you and bless you for all the blessings you have given to these two, their families, and all their friends. Lord we pray for the continued healing in Rick and the love, strength, and care in Crystal. Father we thank you for sending your angels to watch over the children.
    Lord we pray for blessings for the Morris family, the Mooreheads, and all the Tongue River Ranch family. Father we pray for all of our leaders and those in authority around the world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen and Amen God Bless America, later, Rick

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  2. Great news. Praise God in whom all blessings flow!
    Love,
    Ann & Cliff

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  3. Crystal,

    Awesome news! Hadn't read the blog for a while. WOW...keep up the hard work!

    Beloved, refuse to allow frustration to hinder your progress. Calm yourself and quiet your soul, and allow Me to bring you through every challenge in peace. Obstacles will literally melt away if you will just trust Me to undertake as you pray your way through. I will give you strength to accomplish all that is before you and the wisdom that you need to surmount every obstruction and clear every hurdle. Be strong and set your will to conquer, says the Lord.

    Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

    Love ya,
    Bobby, Sandy and Tatum

    P.S. There is not a night go by that Miss Tatum doesn't pray, "Please God, heal our friend Rick so he can ride a horse and be free again". (When Tatum runs her horse in the pasture she always says it makes her feel free!)

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  4. Yep, there is a saying that goes THERE IS NOTHING SO GOOD FOR THE INSIDE OF A MAN AS THE OUTSIDE OF A HORSE.
    When I read your post Crystal I know Rick is a great guy but you are one of the top women I have ever had the pleasure to know. There are great things in store for you and Rick and your family. All of us are in a better place just for knowing the two of you.

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  5. Keep up the great work, Rick! You two STILL amaze me!! Jake requested prayers for you again last week at church, so many who've never met you continue to pray for healing and strength. I also prayed last night for the continued support of your friends and family. It's a giant circle of LOVE!!

    Love y'all!
    Brenda & Jake

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  6. Crystal...so great to hear the good news. We are constantly praying for you! We are back in NM...Kyler was heartbroken that he didn't get to go to PATE. He wanted to brush the horses. We will be going to the Blind Institute in Alamogordo. We will keep in touch.
    Love & Miss You, Tanya

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