In respect of Ashley's continued healing please do not copy/print any blog pictures.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Us with the James and Jan Keller and John Keller (The Tall One)




Amanda and Ashley



Alyssa gving Ashley a kiss! It can't get much better than that!





Friday, October 15, 2010

"...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

James 5:16b (NIV)

Dear Lord, I believe that You are the giver of life and Lord over all things. Thank You for providing me with exactly what I need, even though it isn't always what I may want. I trust that You have my best interest in mind today. I desire to have an authentic connection with You right now. I need You Lord. Show me the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hello Everyone,

Ashley continues to progress through the Lord’s hands. Even though we may not see it on a day to day basis, a lot of people are amazed with her fast progress. We thank you so much for your continued prayers. One thing we have been able to do is return to mass at Sacred Heart. Ashley always walks in with a smile. She makes the effort to stand aside with us then sits to rests her legs. I ask her to point to where Jesus is and she points up to the sky. I show her that is he looking at her with a big smile from above the Alter. Sometimes she will rest her head on her dad’s shoulders and loves to be hugged by him. I sometimes want to stand in front of everyone and tell and show them the beautiful miracle the Lord has done. He gave my daughter a second life. She is re-born and free of sin. She gave a big smile when her friend Louie Vega approached her at church. She pointed at him and shook his hand. Louie responded with a big warm hug and kiss. Thank you Louie for coming over to spend time with Ashley.

Since it was Columbus Day on Monday and I was off from work, I was fortunate to accompany David and Ashley to her therapy session at Milestones. We met with one of the Speech Therapist that will be working with Ashley. They will be starting a session of Intense Therapy for the next three to four weeks. We set goals and look forward to see her progress at the end of these coming weeks. At home while getting Ashley ready for her bath, I stood her in front of the mirror and asked her what is your last name and she answered "Olivarez". I then told her repeat after me. I said: "My name is Ashley" and she slowly repeated! I said "I am beautiful!" and she repeated slowly. Then I said "Jesus loves ME!" and she repeated as well, all the while looking at herself in the mirror with a big smile. Then I tried several other questions and words for her to repeat and she gave me a tired look so I then had to stop and proceed with her bath. This was very exciting for me because we are working on her speech motor skills. When I returned from my outpatient surgery last week, I sat to rest on the sofa next to her and David had told her that I was not feeling well and she reached out to hold my hand.
I am still praying that more of Ashley’s friends or anyone with information will step up and call the School PD with any information. You all have a lot of information but may find it easier just to say “I don’t want to get involved or I don’t have time”. We will continue praying for the Lord to bless you with courage, wisdom and strength to fear no evil.
Please continue to pray for Ashley’s progress and for her therapists and doctors. David hopes to someday return to work. He worries a lot about our financial situation. I worry a lot about his health. Without him I have no one else to care for Ashley. Little by little our lives are becoming a little easier. I know someday she will recover 100 % because our Lord is so amazing and He loves us so much. I know someday our home will be filled with Ashley’s loud funny laugh, her and her sister rolling around tickling each other in my bed, her funny drama stories, her yelling out "mom" every five minutes! Her saying to me "Mom lets go to the MALL" numerous times throughout the week, and most of all her BEAUTY, LOVE and COMPANIONSHIP! She went everywhere with me. So now I find myself crying everywhere I go because she cannot go with me yet but she will very soon!
Alyssa is now keeping busy with new things in her life which are volleyball and 4-H with her goat “Billy Ray”. She loves playing volleyball and is getting really good at it. Plus she got all A’s and Perfect Attendance for the first six weeks of school! I never thought any of my kids had a thing for farm animals but Alyssa shows a lot of interest. Though she tells me she wants to be just like her sister, in a lot of sports and a Cheerleader! I know Ashley would be right there by her side helping her with volleyball and maybe with the goat?
We love you all and May God Bless and Protect each one of you!

Lourdes Olivarez and family

FAITH, HOPE & LOVE