Thursday, June 23, 2011

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13 (NIV)

What seems small in your world? That place where your vision is grand but your reality isn't. Your influence? Your opportunity? Your business? Your ability to give? Your ministry?
Look at that small place and tell me what you see.
Now, might I be so bold as to slip a little note into your world to tell you what I see?
I see the strings of a gift that when appreciated will spill forth as wisdom and understanding you can't get any other way. Oh the beautiful gift of small.
The delight of knowing what small really is.
Small isn't a belittling of one's calling nor an indication of one's future.
It's a place. A grand unnoticed place. A place to be protected and remembered. A place that keeps all things big in good and right perspective.
Small isn't what keeps us from that grand vision.
Small is what keeps us for that grand vision.

Dear Lord, help me to embrace the small today. I want to see with Your eyes what You have planned for me today. Give me the ability to understand the beautiful gift of small. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hello Everyone, so happy to share some great news from last week the 22nd. Ashley had an eye exam and we were told that she has perfect vision. 20/25 infact! See back in her Senior year 2010 she started complaining of blurred vision and headaches. We took her to the eye doctor whom prescribed her glasses to help her vision. He did not understand how she had gone so long without any corrective eye lenses. Ashley did better with her vison once she started wearing her contact lenses and eye glasses. Well now after her accident we were not sure about her vision because since she was not reading or speaking an accurate eye exam could not determine her vision. Well now as she is progressing and able to read and identify letters she a a very successful eye exam!. I cannot explain it but she does not need glasses!!!. AMEN!!!

Alyssa made the Edinburg Little League All-Stars and started with her games. GO ALYSSA!!

On Thursday, June 23rd Me and my kids, on our way to Houston. What an awesome sight! GOD is so beautiful!!

Friday, June 24th Ashley is working with Physical Therapist Lisa on making eye and hand contact, with the ball and push it back and at the same time she has to reach up and extend her arms without moving her feet.

Ashley has to reach up and turn the pole above her head without moving her feet. Great extension and concentration.

Ashley with Dr. Mega. Always with a smile and very understanding. Plus a very good dancer!

This is our view from our room in the sixth floor of TIRR Memorial Hospital.

Saturday, June 25th. The girls got each a "DUNDY".

This explains what is a "DUNDY". Sorry was not ablt to rotate the picture.

Friday, June 24th. Alyssa painted Ashley's nails. What a great work of ART!!. Anyone needs their nails done my Alyssa loves to do nails plus is becoming a very good artist! Thanks baby.

I will try to send a another update soon. I am using a computer here in the family room but it is time for dinner. Please Keep Ashley in your prayers. Thank you Love the Olivarez Family

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

Every Sunday at 11:00am families at TIRR gather together for prayer wordship with different prayer groups from the Houston area. Today we were excited to meet & pray with Choir members Joe & Dell Mara Lovell from the Joel Osteen-Lakeswood Church from Houston.

Here we met Sue Marsh the mother of Chad who was in a very unfortunate Traumatic Brain Injury about 8 months ago. While vacationing in the jungles of Costa Rica Chad & his wife Eden were on a White Water rafting trip & while sitting on a raft all of a sudden Chad looked up & was hit on his head by big falling big branch. It took about 15 hours to get him out of the jungle & to a medical hospital. He had been asleep for the past 8 months & is experincing multiple complications. His newly wed wife, Eden & mother Sue Marsh along with other family members have been by his side throughout this long journey. We are asking for you to please keep him in your prayers as the family continues to look for medical answers to help their loved one before having to make the hard decision. They are very strong in faith but also understand what is God's will & what is Medicine. David & I decided after Ashley wearing her cross for over a year now, it was time to pass on Ashley's cross & after praying & with the help of our chaplain Henrietta, Sue Marsh was very excited & in tears to receive such a small but meaningful gift.

Story behind Ashley's cross. This cross was given to us by David's sister Elsa Rodriguez back in May of 2010 when Ashley was asleep at the Edinburg's Children's ICU room. It was given to Elsa by a mother who's son (DPS Officer) was involved in a car accident & he wore this cross while he was asleep, he woke up & recovered from his injuries. She told my sister-in-law that it was given to her while her son was very critical. It came from the Holy Land from an Olive tree. She had full faith & prayed with it faithfully. When my sister-in-law told her friend about Ashley's accident & condition she gave her son's cross to Elsa to give to us to place on Ashley. We immediately placed it on one of many bracelets that Ashley had received while she was asleep & also faithfully prayed. Well Ashley woke up & is now walking & now eating very well also & in God's time relearning to do everyday things that are the most simplest to us. Thank you My Lord!! We placed it on one of Ashley's bracelets that I had bought at the Cristian book Shop that reads P.U.S.H. which stands for Pray Until Something Happens!!! We Ask for your continued prayers for Ashley & all the special people & families here at TIRR especially all the therapists & doctors.

Friday, June 17th, 2011

We thought you might like to see how hard Ashley is working! One of the exercises that Ashley does is work on carrying the ball and turning her upper body to extend the ball to place it on a table, all while keeping her feet together without moving them. This is somewhat difficult in that Ashley has to stay balanced while doing it! It's not as easy as you would think!

I am so proud of my Ashley. Here she is re-enjoying a "cold" chocolate fudge ice cream which she did not want to share with mom. Taking her daily afternoon walk out side to get her out of the hospital room. She worked very hard in the morning during her therapy sessions.

Ashley & Alyssa play with dominos while me & david work on updating the blog page from a family room at TIRR. Ashley couldn't wait & sneeked up behind Alyssa to start off the domino ripple fall. It was very interesting to see the different activities Alyssa could come up with to keep Ashley entertained and interact together. Alyssa is always finding different ways to have fun & play games with Ashley. One they play a lot is "Touch Your It".

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Ashley sitting pretty at one of the bus stops in front of TIRR. Taking a break from her mid-day walk with dad.

Daily David and Ashley take a walk outside around the front of the hospital to get some fresh air. Ashley practices tying her shoes. They have been working on strengthening her grasping with her hands and fingers. She understands what she needs to do at times but has difficulty with strength and sometimes motor planning. It takes a lot of time, repetition and patience to complete one shoe.

Ashley,playing fetch with Jesse the therapy dog as Rachel the Speech therapist stands by and watches Ashley through the ball to Jesse. Every Thursday the patients at TIRR are introduced to these therapy pets and they do different activities. Ashley being a pet lover really enjoys this time with different dog breeds.

On Thursday June 16th we celebrated a Happy 20th Birthday to our friend, Jazmin Wilson, from New Orleans, LA! Jazmin is Ashley's roommate at TIRR. She and her family have been a great blessing to us. Jazmin was riding her motorcycle going home from work when she was hit by a drunk driver this past April. Please pray that she will begin to walk again soon. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAZMIN!



Mama Lynell n b-day girl Jazmin with Olivarez family.

Two Beautiful daughter's of Christ

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Dear Lord, thank You that You have gifted each of us differently. Help me discover the gifts You have given me so I may use them to administer Your grace to everyone around me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hello Everyone just wanted to share this beautiful picture of Ashley and brother and sister in Christ Joel and Laura Castillo. Please keep these two strong and remarkable daughters of Christ in prayer as they are both in Houston to receive healing. Thank you brother and sister for giving you personal time to spend with Ashley. We appreciate your support, motivation and love that you showed her today. You are in our prayers and we will all make our Lord Proud in this test of FAITH!! Love The Olivarez Family Phil. 4:13. P.U.S.H.

Ashley's Great Appetite on Wednesday's Lunch!!!

Look out stomach here it comes!!!

All Gone!! Awesome Baby Girl!! We knew you could do IT!!

(ALL IN GOD'S TIME)

Please keep praying. Thanks a great bunch for all your support. By the way David is feeling much better and thanks for the prayers. Love The Olivarez Family

Ashley PT Session On Tuesday June 14, 2011

"You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless." Song of Solomon 4:7b (MSG)


Dear Lord, help me to be purposeful in putting Your truth about who I am into my heart and mind so that am not swayed by the opinions of others. And when the time is right, I can pour Your truth into the hearts and minds of my children and friends. When my child feels rejected, help me remind them that in You they are accepted. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hello everyone Ashley continues to work hard during her first week at TIRR. Here in this picture she is outside taking a ride on the bike along side is her PT therapists. She started off from inside the building worked her way outside. David could see that she immediately remembered how to ride a bike and for a while took off quickly and they had to slow her down. She is improving on feeding and her speech. Please continue to pray for the G-tube to be removed in the near future. I don't I had mentioned it to you all before that Ashley's room was right next to the Congresswoman from Arizona. We heard she is doing really well! Love The Olivarez Family

A note from my Heart to Yours

For those of you readers that are not familiar with me, my name is Patti and I created this blog back in May of 2010. The original intentions of this blog was to first and foremost, keep everyone informed of Ashley's recovery and then secondly, to share specific prayer needs as they arose. Having walked through another miracle situation, I knew how important it was going to be to get everyone who cared about this family and Ashley, on board. Prayer is so VERY important at a time like this, and corporate prayer is even more so important. Lately, I have turned this blog over to Lourdes (Ashley's mom) since she is with Ashley all the time. It's easier to tell you what's happening with Ashley, when your right there beside her. However, a plus of being the creator, means I still have access to the blog and can come in the back door and make a post without anyone knowing... which is what I'm doing now.

I am here to share a couple of things with you that is heavy on my heart. First, let me say that I know there are many of you out there. In fact, I am able to see how many of you there are, so I know there is a large audience that cares about this family - and you have reason to. This family is a very special part of the community and is loved very much. We don't know why things happen the way they do, we only know that God will take what the enemy means for bad, and turn it around for good. It's not important how Ashley got to this point, only that she IS at this point, and she is making leaps and bounds forward because she wants to get better.

Second, and the reason for my post is that I feel led to tell you that this family could really use some extra monetary help over the next few weeks. They are going to need traveling expense money (gas, food, lodging, etc). When we make our household budgets, I don't think any of us ever take into consideration that we would ever need to budget items in for such a situation as this.

Bottom line, is this family needs help - and while they have "mentioned" it here on the blog, they have not come right out and said "HELP". That's why I'm here before you today... to say "HELP!" I want to challenge any of the ENHS Cougars to support her with $20 bucks- that's less than a night at the movies, guys! I want to challenge business owners, ACTS Brothers and Sister,s and friends of the family to support them with $100.00, which is the equivalent of a couple bags of groceries.

This family needs your support. The Bible says we are to bear one another's burdens, so I am laying it out there - and just for the record... no one has asked me to do this, so please don't be offended. If you are not in a position to help, we surely covet your prayers.

An account has been set up at First National Bank and the account number is shown in the window to the left. All you have to do is walk into any First National Bank branch and give them the account number and they will help you do the rest. If you are a FNB Customer, you can also call customer service at 1-877-380-8573 and do an account-to-account transfer. Just think what could happen, if everyone reading this post would consider a $20 gift?!

Thank you for letting me share what's on my heart. I know for a fact that TIRR is going to help Ashley do amazing things. She is working so hard... for herself, her family and all of you that love her and care about her. You can honestly say that you know a real modern-day miracle! What a privilege!

Blessings,
Patti

Here We GO! Ashley's Great Start at TIRR!

"...though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again..." Proverbs 24:16a, (NIV)

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to fail. You know the ones who don't even consider defeat when they blow it; people who see a personal setback as just another goal to conquer.

Lord, I'm so thankful for Your grace that reminds me there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Because my steps are established by You, Lord, I will believe that You delight in me even when I fail or fall. Today, I want to take Your hand and trust Your heart as You pull me back up again and use my failures to help me become the confident woman You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Good Morning everyone just wanted to share an update on Ashley’s official 1st day of therapy at TIRR hospital on Monday, June 13, 2011. Her day started early because they bring her breakfast @ 7:30a.m. to 8:00a.m. so David gets her up early and gets her washed up and dressed so she can eat some breakfast to be ready for her first therapy session. During Speech Therapy she was ordered a swallow study to be done on Monday. David says she did very well during her swallow study with the different thicken barium liquid that she was tested on. She will continue eating food orally verses thru her G-tube. Dr. Tastard’s plan is to remove the G-tube by sometime next week. (AMEN!) Let me add that Ashley is not on any medications and has not been for about nine months now. David has just had her on a variety of vitamins which doctors have encouraged and approved of. In Physical Therapy they had her do sit ups. This had not been done before because of the CAUTION of her G-tube but Ashley did very well. David says she looked so strong just as if she were training for a cross country or track meet. She did about 15 sit ups on her own with the therapists holding her feet.(HEY Ashley! Go Baby Go!) During Occupation Therapy they observe and assist with her feeding and dressing herself. Ashley is off to a great strong start but David is experiencing sinuses, red itchy watery eyes, headaches and not sleeping well. As a caregiver in a hospital setting or home it is very tiring and stressful mentally and physically especially when the patient is dependent and requires 24/7 supervision. Please pray that David may continue to stay strong and can overcome and keep up with Ashley and the therapists. Also I request prayers for the doctors and therapists here at TIRR. When I talk to Ashley on the phone, I remind her to be strong and keep working hard, there are many people praying for her, and that love and believe in her so much. Please keep praying for Ashley and all the beautiful MIRACLES at TIRR hospital fighting to recover from their Brain Injury to someday soon go back home to their loved ones. Our lives have taken a different exit from the normal lane that a lot of people set to follow and they think that something traumatic may never come into their lives. As Jesus was different and many turned their backs on him, but he kept moving forward carrying his cross knowing that there was a great reward at the top of the mountain. We to continue to carry our cross because Jesus is around my Ashley everyday! Do not be blind, continue your strong faith, reach out and give, help the ones in need without being asked to and await your blessings. Do not get lost in the misleading and materialistic world, open your hearts to our LORD and worship and praise him. May God Bless and Protect You and Your loved ones. Love the Olivarez Family. Phil. 4:13. P.U.S.H

"The Climb" at TIRR on Saturday, June 11, 2011

Hi Everyone, we attended the powerful n very motivational group session "The Climb" hosted by John, James n Jan Keller at TIRR hospital. It was awesome meeting so many beautiful families that we could relate to. We shared our story n they just loved meeting Ashley and now her prayer group keeps growing! I told them God don't quit and Ashley don't quit so none of us will quit! I can't wait to see them again. So many stories of painful trauma but these families have so much faith! We wore our Ashley T-shirts. We told the group that Ashley has a large powerful group back home praying for her everyday even after a year has passed! We love u all very much for your continued prayers n reaching out to our family in any way u can to help Ashley get to where she needs to be. Thank u for being a part of our MIRACLE OF GOD! Love the Olivarez Family. Phil. 4:13 P.U.S.H.

SUNDAY EVENING, June 12, 2011

Hi Everyone!

Adrian, Alyssa and I are on our way home from Houston for the week. We will go back next weekend. We are so proud of Ashley! Keep us in your prayers as we travel tonight!

Love to everyone!
LuLu

Arrival at Tirr

Friday, June 10, 2011

HI Everyone!

We got to TIRR on Thursday, about 5:30 pm and I must admit it felt very different - but good - walking in with Ashley, rather than her using her chair or stretcher. As she walked in, she was saying and waving "Hi" to everyone. We are sharing the room with an awesome 19 year old young lady named Jasmine, who is form Louisiana. Already, Ashley's nurses are amazed with her walking and talking. This morning was a busy morning starting off with drawing her blood and the morning nursing shift introducing themselves. She was assessed by therapists for PT, OT and ST. They have great goals and are very excited to get started with Ashley.

Already, Ashley is showing more interest in eating by mouth, so we pray that she will no longer need her G-Tube soon. We took a walk outside and she was playing "Touch It" with Alyssa. All the people here at TIRR are so understanding and provide so much care for their patients. WOW! They are so full of energy and faith. We have met some awesome families who have their loved ones here and I ask for you all to please pray over them.

We hope Ashley can motivate them to not loose hope and faith. Ashely is so amazing that already, she is talking more. I tell her we are not allowed to say "I can't" or "I'm tired" and we will keep working hard every day.

Tomorrow she will meet all different therapists and then we look forward to attending The Climb Support Group with John Keller and his family. Ashley brought her cross country picture and her favorite scripture with her to keep her motivated. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

We met a wonderful man who was drawn to Ashley and came over and gave us a card that said: Happy Moments- Praise God! Difficult Moments- Seek God! Quiet Moments - Worship God! Painful Moments- Trust God! Every Moment - Thank God!

Roger Duplessis, who is a spiritual volunteer at M.D. Anderson, will now be giving us communion on Sundays plus be assisting the Chaplain communion services for other families!

We will keep you posted!

Love,
The Olivarez Family
P.U.S.H.
Phil 4:13

FINALLY!

Ashley is at TIRR!

It has been a great challenge to get everything finalized and ready for her trip and admission. We thank you all for your faithful and continuing prayers. Please continue to pray that our Might Lord would continue his healing work on his beautiful miracle, Ashley, so that she may soon live an independent life and speak her testimony. It is up to us to be His servants and continue doing his will that he has put upon us here on earth and to someday soon, receive His great reward and be by His side rejoicing. Thank you to our ACTS brothers, sisters and friends who made monetary donations to help us out. YOU have made this possible for us.

All of this has been very hard for me to take in, but I am thankful to you who have been there for us since day one. We plan to travel to Houston on the weekends to help David rest and keep Ashley motivated. If you are in a position to help us, please text me. May God Bless and protect you and your families.

Love,
The Olivarez Family
P.U.S.H.
Phil 4:13

Whoo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!

Look Out Houston- HERE WE COME!

Ashley and the family are officially on there way to Houston to check in a TIRR. TIRR is an amazing place and will do so much for Ashley!!! Please pray for traveling mercies for the family tonight, and patience for Ashley as they begin to work her out in the next day or so. Once the family gets there and gets settled in, we will post more information. I will be standing for Lourdes while they are away and try to bring you as much information as I can get!

In the meantime, just keep them in prayer!

THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD!!!!!

~Patti

Blastoff!

Dear Ashley:

It's finally time! I know you are getting ready to leave this weekend. I just want to tell you how proud I am of you for all that you have done, and all of the hard work you are putting forth. TIRR is an amazing place, and you, are an amazing woman! They are going to work you hard, but you are no stranger to the pursuit of excellence. All of the training you ever did for athletics in school is going to help you in the next few weeks. Just remember to leave "frustration" at home and any attitude of "I Can't." There is no place for either of those at TIRR. You must take your winning attitude and drive to succeed with you, and you will do awesome! Make no mistake, they are going to push you to work as hard as you can, but you just smile back in their face and show them what you are made of!

As you pack up to leave this weekend, just know that we will be thinking about you here at home while you are gone. All of your family and friends will be praying for you and we can't wait to see the pictures and hear of the wonderful things that you learn to do! Remember to tell everyone that you are a friend of John Keller's!

Your a winner, Ashley! In everything that you do! Proud of you sweetie! Go get 'em!

Love,
Patti