Two Days at Pathways
It's been a few days since we updated everyone on Shea's progress. We're moving right along in rehab. Shea is fine with it, but is a typical teenager when we awaken her early to get ready for "school." Tonight Shea told us about all the different activities she has to perform. At this point, it doesn't seem at all hard for her, but it was frustrating when she first met the therapists -- they enunciated every word slowly and clearly and asked very elementary questions. Shea thinks that because one side of her face doesn't quite work yet and is missing teeth it makes her look a little "slow." We teased her that she's in HR -- Honors Rehab!!
We have had some difficult days. It's interesting to us that coming home is a new reality to us. Shea is home where everything is familiar, but everything isn't the same. Mike is no longer here, and Shea has many limitations and uncertainties. The other night she was struggling with how her face looks --wondering if God spared her life but maybe would allow paralysis to remind her of the miracle of survival. She was feeling a little guilty asking for yet more. She asked us, "Have you ever looked in the mirror and not recognized the face looking back at you?" It seems that for every other situation in our kids' lives we have been able to say that we've been down the road before and can see around the corner. This whole situation is new to us. We have never experienced what Shea and Luke and the guys in the band have gone through. It's comforting, when you have no words to say, to turn to The Comforter. We read Psalm 30 together. "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord . . . . Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes in the morning . . . You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mouring and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
This afternoon 500 of Shea's CDs arrived at our house! We are excited that they are finally here. Many of you have asked about purchasing the CD, and we will let you know about a website where you can do that very soon. Shea's desire is that this blog be one of prayer and praise and not for the sale of her CD.
God bless and thank you for continuing with us on this journey,
Steve and Susan
We have had some difficult days. It's interesting to us that coming home is a new reality to us. Shea is home where everything is familiar, but everything isn't the same. Mike is no longer here, and Shea has many limitations and uncertainties. The other night she was struggling with how her face looks --wondering if God spared her life but maybe would allow paralysis to remind her of the miracle of survival. She was feeling a little guilty asking for yet more. She asked us, "Have you ever looked in the mirror and not recognized the face looking back at you?" It seems that for every other situation in our kids' lives we have been able to say that we've been down the road before and can see around the corner. This whole situation is new to us. We have never experienced what Shea and Luke and the guys in the band have gone through. It's comforting, when you have no words to say, to turn to The Comforter. We read Psalm 30 together. "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord . . . . Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes in the morning . . . You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mouring and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
This afternoon 500 of Shea's CDs arrived at our house! We are excited that they are finally here. Many of you have asked about purchasing the CD, and we will let you know about a website where you can do that very soon. Shea's desire is that this blog be one of prayer and praise and not for the sale of her CD.
God bless and thank you for continuing with us on this journey,
Steve and Susan
posted by admin | 9:38 PM
26 Comments:
Dear Shea, it surely is proper for you to "ask for more!" God is Papa, and He is Yaweh Yireh, the Lord who will provide. He looks at you with love, and He will supply. Surely, Phil. 4:19 does not only refer to material needs: "And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." [Amplified Bible] May He continue to give you grace for each day and liberally and sweetly answer each prayer. We love you and your family. Gaylard & Sharon
Dear Shea, I am not too enthusiastic about quoting Scripture at people who are in a hard place, but I was just reading this passage when I was at your house and so when I thought of you it came to my mine. It is from Isaiah 43. It was written at a time when the nation of Israel had been completely destroyed,and God was now bringing them back from their exile in Babylon to the promised land. Everything they thought they knew was gone and God was remaking them. God had chosen those people just like he has chosen you and I, to bring praise to HIS name. I love you dear girl and will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs,
Aunt Liz
P.S. Don't take this too seriously, it wasn't written to you specifically, but it is food (or Water) for thought:
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Shea Girl,
Do you realize the difference you have made in the lives of SO many people? This accident has brought families together, brought people to church, got kids talking to their parents, and it because of you and the power of all this prayer. The beauty I see in your face is there and I still see "Our Shea". You are AMAZING and don't let those doctors give you stupid questions at the hospital.
You CD is out there and playing for everying to here.
I love you,
Anna (plus the Jones/Lazzara crew)
Dear Shea: I'm still praying for you and still checking the blog. I'm remembering you to the Lord as often as you come to my mind. Blessings. Debbie Miller(linda evans friend)
Hickok family,
I am still praying for you and all that you are going through. Keep trusting in the Lord,he will take care of all of you. Shea I am sure that you are still as beautful and sweet as you were before the accident. Even though I have never meet you I feel that I know you just from the blog updates.
Keep trusting God
Marlene
Hey beautiful girl!
I was able to hang at your house for a bit last night and even though you were getting your beauty rest it was wonderful just being in the same house as you... and of course your fantastic family. It just made me so happy that you were sleeping in your bedroom and not a hospital room.
Sheaster, I have been listening to your CD pretty much since we left your house last night and it makes my eyes well up because your voice is such a gift from the Lord. As well is your life! I know that you have heard that a million times, but our God is a God of purpose. Great purposes! I have been praying that you would get an excitement to see how God is going to use you because I know that it is going to be beyond anything you could have ever dreamed.
Ryan told me your dad said you started singing along to a song when you had your trach in and your voice sounded amazing when most people cannot sing with a trach in. What in the world? Great plans!
Sheaster about your appearance, you need to give yourself grace as this is only 5 weeks into it. And even when I saw you 3 weeks ago you still had this angelic face and beauty that only the Sheaster can pull off. But we will still pray big prayers as God has been faithful to answer them one after another! Please keep giving us your concerns because we want to pray like crazy for you!Shea I am so proud of you and how you have reacted to everything.
One of these days girl, I want to come over and teach you and your mom how to knit, o.k.! It's all the rage... scarfs, hats, the options are endless. I don't care one bit what you look like Shea, I am just thrilled that you are alive and our friend is back!
I wanted to write a quote from Amy Carmichael that I was reading last night that gives insight into Gods thoughts for us..."It is written, He restores my soul. The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. Let some word of Mine restore you. Let Me love restore you. Did you think you had a Father who did not know that His child would need to be restored? I will heal you of your wounds. I will restore to you the joy of My salvation. I will renew a right spirit within you. I will not cast you away from My Presence. Child of My love, trust your Father. If the Spirit speaks some word in your heart, obey that word. And before you are aware, you will know yourself restored." ...Amen.
I love you "Child of His love"
Jenny Ingram
Love you...I better stop now=)
Jenny Ingram
Dear Shea and Steve & Susan,
I have been praying for Shea and your family since I heard about the accident on 11/19. I have just read the blog, after missing some time during the Christmas holiday, and it is so comforting to see the miracles God has performed thus far. I have never met any of you, but I feel like I know you. Thank you for the time you spend updating the prayer warriors so we can see God working and answering prayer! I will continue to pray. My connection is through an e-mail from Pastor Steve Johnson. I believe his son & his wife are friends of Shea. God has a plan for Shea's life as you know. He is so awesome and we all look forward to the days ahead.
Blessings on you all,
Denise Hulcher in Arizona
denise@hulcher.net
Hi Shea Shea,
I just need to tell you that no matter what face you think is looking back at you in that mirror,(I know physically it's just as gorgeous as always), your Countenance radiates Christ! You have always glowed both inside and out, and now, in such difficult times, your glow is being seen all over the world through this blog sight. People are getting a glimse of what some of us have had the blessing of seeing for years. What Joy you must be bringing to our Savoir!
Your fighting the fight well soldier! Keep Pressing on.
Love Terri
Hey Shea, Shea... I miss you girl and think of you all the time. Here is what I think that God thinks about your and your lovely face. Know Him and His character He never leaves His work undone. There are many more miracles to come in your life. You are beautiful no matter what, and He will finish what He started, I strongly believe this. He is too good. His love is so huge for you that I am not sure that we can ever know it's fullness. Hang in there Shea. I don't know how hard it is for you, I can only amazine, but you have showen such a strength in the whole situation that it is so obvious that only God have do thru you. He will finish His work. Take is slowly, one step at a time, just like you did this far. For we all know that all things work for good for those who love the Lord Jesus. And your love is shining thru every step you make. I love you and wish that I can hug you and talk to you and laugh with you. I bet you eat some good food too. Can I come to eat? You know me... always hungry and always chewing. Love you a TONE.
Natasha
Hey Shea, well, its hard to read your blog today. I know how every woman treasures her looks. Actually im sitting here now with two huge puffy chipmunk cheeks! My family just decided to call me alvin from that old cartoon with those stupid animals!!! lol. I know it may not be comforting to hear all that but i know that god HAS gotten you through this far, why would he stop here? And that is why i wouldn't stop asking God for continued progress. he wants to hear from us.
So your cd's came in today? good! that's got to be exciting! I mean I love those two songs on here, but im ready to get some other songs stuck in my head!! well, this has to be short today, because my mouth is starting to hurt, but i love you and will chat later.....
rach
id love to hear from you if you have any time on your hands
( rachel.sunderland@my.chefs.edu )
Hi Shea,
I miss you terribly at work.I miss those great hugs we gave each other. I so wish I could give you one now.I just wanted to let you know that you and your entire family have been such a inspuration and have witnessed to so many people.Shea, I adore you and know with all my heart that know matter what you are faced with YOU SHALL OVERCOME.
I Love You,
Casey
Wow! You are the most amazing girl ever Shae! To think of the long, hard, painful journey you went through. And to think God has saved yourlife and been by yourside throughtout the whole time along with family friends, and others across the nation is AMAZING! You are an inspiration to me and I am so sorry you had to go through it, yet I know it is somewhere in God's plans for your life. You are strong, faithful,and courageous. I am so proud of you. And keep sticking with it. Everyone prays for you and loves you and is always there for you!
Hey there Shea!
Since Aunt Liz quoted Isaiah, I decided to tell you the story that I have been waiting to tell you. I wanted to tell you during your therapy because it seemed most appropriate.
About 1986 we were going thru a very difficult situation, and it looked as if we would have to accept that God wanted the "bad" outcome. We were kind of at the bottom, trying to accept His will, but very sad.
One Wednesday night Don had traffic school :) so I went to Prayer Meeting by myself. Your grandpa said "I was going to teach a different passage tonight but the Lord has laid on my heart a passage out of Isaiah 49-someone in this room needs this." He then preached the passage and here are just some of the verses I love to this day....
vs 8 ....In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you.
vs 11 I will turn all my mountains into roads
vs 13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his affliced ones.
vs 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
At the end your grandpa asked who that passage was for so he could pray. Everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes (we always knew to do that) and then I shot my hand in the air. I was appalled that a few other people raised their hand too. I wanted to say "NO--that was God's message to ME" and it WAS! Only one other time has the Holy Spirit ministered to me so absolutely directly.
When I got home I told Don the story--I said--"it is all going to be okay." And the next day a miracle happened that completely changed our situation.
BUT, the story isn't the miracle (I mean that was really cool), it was that God ministered to me through His Word--the living, breathing Word.
Did you notice in that passage that He called them "HIS" mountains--he will make roads thru HIS mountains. Your sweet little face and your body are HIS and he can make the impossible happen because it's all HIS anyway. AND your walls are before Him--you're in the palm of His hand--what a blessing.
Point is this--I hope and pray like everyone that God continues to perform miracles in your healing. BUT even more, I believe that He can minister to you in such a personal and specific way.
I'm praying for all the AHH--HAA moments when you get a glimpse of God and you know that no matter how high the mountains, or how thick the walls, that He is making a way through for you.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Love, Karine for
"Da Beards"
Susan,
It made my day to run into you at the grocery store on Monday. I've missed you! I didn't even know how bad it was storming outside. I hope your drive home was not too bad.
Shea,
I was so glad when your mom told me you were able to eat the soup I made. It's a favorite with our Jessie.
I really liked what Jenny wrote to you about giving yourself time. You've made rapid progress in so many ways. With more time to heal and subsequent surgeries, you are likely to see a more familiar face in the mirror. Grace to you.
Steve,
So glad to hear that we will be seeing you at The Bridge on Sunday. Welcome back!
Jess,
Hope your first day back at school went well today.
Luke,
Heard you'll be homeschooling for now. I think you will enjoy the freedom (and flexibility) that can bring.
Praying for all of you,
Lisa
Sweet Shea,
When I read your blog, I cry and laugh all at the same time...sometimes the things you say make me laugh so hard that I cry. We should be lifiting your spirits, but I often find that you are lifting mine. What an example you are! Your good attitudes are simply amazing! You are in our prayers. We love you, baby girl. Love, Shannon Moore
Shea,
We wanted to write to say hello and let you know that we are praying for you and excited to hear about your progress. We know that the road ahead is still long but we know that you do not walk it alone.
Much love, the Samras
Shea, dear...
I was thinking today about what a wonderful thing it is that you have the support system around you that you do. So many of my patients over the years have indicated that it was when they got back home, and the routine of life began again for everyone around them, that it was the hardest emotionally. If this is, or becomes true of you, my prayer will be that you feel an extra outpouring of love in those moments. I just have a feeling that you're hurting more than those of us on the Web are able to sense, and I want to tell you again that we, and I, love you very much. We will pray for you specifically, as long as you need us to. I've said it before, but if words could fix your pain, I would write until I had no fingers. I agree, strenuously, with your Aunt Liz about flinging Bible verses at loved ones going through difficulty, but will pray that God will lead you, Himself, to passages in which you and He together find great fellowship, rest, and comfort. You are of endless worth, to Him and to us, and I feel great satisfaction in knowing how you're being cared for through your Mom and Dad and the boys. Take care, sweets...
Hayes
Shea, Shea, Shea (I am singing),
I just talked to your mom and she said that you love getting letters from me (she did not really say this, but because I am such a humbled person I thought I will let you know this). I will not make any correction on my misspelled words( sorry I could not handel the pressure and did the spell check) , because it is me....Russian. Well, you better get ready because I will write about anything and everything. You might have to tell me ‘stop’, at some point I will but I will keep you entertained at least for few days. I know I promise a tone but will be able to give only a pound. After thinking thru I realized he scary thing that everything that I will be saying will be on the web and everyone can read this and say like ‘what she is talking about’, but then there is a beauty of it. I will be famous.
I just got an idea. I have something’s that I wrote while back for a friend who was going to Russia on the mission trip. It is a little serious, but I think it is good (statement of humility). It is also weird... a little. I used some illustrations that might be strange, but you will experience the depth of Russian mind and heart, which is my mind and heart. No one ever read this before. I know I did say that it was for a friend but I never sent it out. So, you are the first one to read this. I am a little nervous about it but hey... everything is scary for the first time, right? May be it is my chance to become a great Russian writer. Nothing is impossible. I just need to take some writing classes and I am ready to go... that is all I need....writing classes. Now, I have a question...how to you spell word ‘writing’ ...one 't' or two? Exactly, Natasha.
I will post first story tomorrow morning.
I love you Shea. Praying for you. Your strength is amazing. I just had one more idea. May be you are to start prayer ministry. While you are at home you can pray. You can start with praying for me.
Jesus is always, always, always with you. He knows when you cry, when you laugh, when you are hungry, when you are sad or happy, when you are lonely or when some one don't understands you. When you are going thru all this, He is going thru it too. And the most important is that He is so in love with you.
Hang in there girl. He is still working.
Hugs and kisses, Natasha
hey shea!
we all miss you at junior high!and cant wait until you to get back so we can see you! --us
-----------------------------------
hey sheaster!
When u said you didn't recognize yourself in the mirror, i remembered a similar experiance that happened to me, in a car reck a couple of years ago. It's tough from my experiance,to wake up and look differently, but God is great and will help you through everything!
You are a beautiful girl Shea, and that wont ever change... and dont forget on the inside you're even more amazing!love you!
xoxo
doryyy
Shea and Susan and Steve and Luke and Jesse,
I haven't stopped praying, and will keep on! My God (Your God, Our God) WILL supply ALL your needs!
With continued love,
Betty Anne
shea is always beautiful! no matter what.
<3shay
Sweet Shea,
You are still in my thoughts and prayers. You really make me smile at some of the things that you say. I can see how much you love the Lord and it just blesses and encourages me. Dianne Robinson used to talk about "being a lighthouse" My dear, you are that lighthouse. I've often asked myself if I could go through what you have endured and actually think some of the things that you have said. I don't know that I could. You are quite an inspiration.
Thank you,
Christy
God is so amazing! I'm so glad to hear of your little everyday miracles. You bring a smile to my face everyday. Thank you so much for your strong heart and sense of humor! You have taught me so much more than I thought I'd learn from a person I only know through letters written on a page. How awesome is it to know those letters make revelations around the world. Be strong and carry on, God is with you. God's grace eternal.
-Stephanie Lewis
Hey Shea. This is prat one.
It is about US. You, Me, Kids, Parents, and people that you will meet on the street; old and new friends that you are about to make, it is about those who God will bring your way TODAY.
I love watching people. Even thought it is not a nice thing to do, I always loved to do it. When you watch someone very close you feel like you know them and like they are your friends.
I love to study faces of people around me, strangers who have no idea that i am looking at them. Have you notice how amazing our faces looks like? God must have a lot of fun creating us. There are two parts of our body that absolutely amaze me every time I look at some one closely. It is ears and toes. Just once…try to pay attention to how different those two are. Absolutely incredible. Anyhow… see I get so distracted by such a little thing like ears and toes. See what happen to me when I think about something bigger and greater? My mind just wonders around about ears and tows.
But today just look around, look at people and watch them. Ask yourself, who are they? What are they thinking? Who do they love? What are they deepest dreams and desires? What makes them laugh? What makes them cry? Watch them closely just like you would watch someone who you in love with. Don’t try to guess what’s going on inside of them. You will see awesome things, things that God can see when He looks at you and me. Can you imagine that He is watching you today because He is so in love with…. you, Shea. There is no one else in the whole wide world for Him today, just you. There are a picture that was taken by NASA. It called ‘the eye of God’. It is huge, and it speaks for itself.
In English language there is a great saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” Do not rush thru the day. Stop and smell the blessing that He bring before you. And while you are smelling roses, I will be praying for you that those roses will be an aroma to your heart.
I am praying for you to have an awesome day with just watching people and enjoying the life that He's given you.
Love, Natasha
Dear Hickok family & Shea - we visited "The Bridge" once, got on the mailing list and thus, learned of this Blog. I have read it from beginning to end and just want to say how touching and impactual this is. I know the blog was a way to communicate about Shay to concerned friends and family ~ but how inspiring for anybody who reads it. The continuous description of Shea's faith is so amazing. Her recovery a certain miracle. The love and support of your family speaks much to the family that you are. I am filled with joy at this story and Shea's recovery and the prayers that have been answered for each of you. Prayer is powerful and God is great. Shea, I don't know you except through these blogs and without ever having seen you (at least to my knowledge), I know that you are a beautiful person - inside and out, no matter what your face happens to look like at this moment. And you are without a doubt not only a child of God but one of his precious angels as well. Thank you for allowing me to read this through whatever means. I am in a stronger place spiritually for having done so. May God continue to bless you and your family in health and happiness. You truly are a chosen one. I hope you will keep the blog going forever .... because I want to know how you are doing but also because who you are gives me so much inspiration. Ever praying...
Love in Christ,
Jeanna Plants - formerly of Ball Ground GA now in Massillon, OH
Shea, my clients ask about you all the time, I am so excited to tell them how amazed i am by your stories i read daily on this blog. We miss you around here and continue to pray all the time. Keep your strong faith. You have been such a witness to so many :) I can't wait to see your smiling face again! I listen to your songs you have on the blog they are beautiful. Love in Christ, Amanda
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