A visit to the Hickok plantation
It was just a week ago that DeDe and I visited the Hickok clan. It was my first time ever to visit them since they moved to Atlanta, and what a precious time it was! For the first time we were able to see the way God has answered the prayers of those who have prayed for Shea...to see the healing that has taken place there and the beauty that God has restored to her physically. To God be the glory!
While we were there, Shea's dentist was able to replace her retainer-like "removable teeth" with some semi-permanent ones that more closely resemble her own. What a remarkable difference! We will surely miss the jokes though as she took out her retainer and did her various "impressions". But there is a beauty that the Lord did not need to restore to Shea, which comes by His grace. It is that inward spiritual beauty of a girl whose first waking thought was centered upon Jesus and how much she loves him.
How thankful we are to have witnessed God's amazing way of delivering and healing this family. But there is still a long journey ahead for them. All four of Shea's surgeons will be meeting on June 6 to discuss a game plan for Shea's upcoming surgery in July. That meeting will include 2 plastic surgeons, a dental surgeon and an ortho-periodonic surgeon. Pray for wisdom as they work through procedures that will be performed during that first surgery. They will be rebreaking the left eyesocket and grafting bone for that from her skull, grafting bone from her hip to her top jaw below her nose to make dental implants possible and rebreaking her jaw and spreading her palette to give her room for teeth and an ability for the teeth to meet so that she can finally chew. Most all of the teeth that remain in her mouth must be repaired, so that will also be addressed. This will be an important meeting as they strategize about that upcoming surgery.
We do want to close by speaking a word about the unseen struggles that are daily being dealt with by the Hickok family. Pray for God's wisdom as Steve and Susan seek to guide their children through these difficult times. We went to the Hickok plantation hoping to be an encouragement, but instead, came home with a harvest of blessings and precious memories. What an amazing family!
Uncle Johnny (UJ)
While we were there, Shea's dentist was able to replace her retainer-like "removable teeth" with some semi-permanent ones that more closely resemble her own. What a remarkable difference! We will surely miss the jokes though as she took out her retainer and did her various "impressions". But there is a beauty that the Lord did not need to restore to Shea, which comes by His grace. It is that inward spiritual beauty of a girl whose first waking thought was centered upon Jesus and how much she loves him.
How thankful we are to have witnessed God's amazing way of delivering and healing this family. But there is still a long journey ahead for them. All four of Shea's surgeons will be meeting on June 6 to discuss a game plan for Shea's upcoming surgery in July. That meeting will include 2 plastic surgeons, a dental surgeon and an ortho-periodonic surgeon. Pray for wisdom as they work through procedures that will be performed during that first surgery. They will be rebreaking the left eyesocket and grafting bone for that from her skull, grafting bone from her hip to her top jaw below her nose to make dental implants possible and rebreaking her jaw and spreading her palette to give her room for teeth and an ability for the teeth to meet so that she can finally chew. Most all of the teeth that remain in her mouth must be repaired, so that will also be addressed. This will be an important meeting as they strategize about that upcoming surgery.
We do want to close by speaking a word about the unseen struggles that are daily being dealt with by the Hickok family. Pray for God's wisdom as Steve and Susan seek to guide their children through these difficult times. We went to the Hickok plantation hoping to be an encouragement, but instead, came home with a harvest of blessings and precious memories. What an amazing family!
Uncle Johnny (UJ)
posted by admin | 12:33 PM
18 Comments:
Uncle Juan...
Thanks for updating us this week...I have no doubt that yours and Deeder's humor and fun-lovingness (a word I made up myself) were wonderful additions to the home (writing this just made the REM song "shiny, happy people" go through my head...lol..). Our prayers and love are with all of you, and always will be, especially in regard to the continuing details of Shea's surgeries and recovery.
Love always...
H.
Shea,
It was so nice to finally meet you on Thursday night at Highgrounds. You really encouraged me and made me feel special when you remembered my comment about singing. It shows what a truely genuine person you are. I hope to see you and talk to you again soon and get to know you better. I'm not sure how else to get in touch with you so my e-mail is pinky25298@hotmail.com if you ever want to get in touch with me!
Love,
Beth Motley
Greetings Shea and Hickok family,
You don't me, but I have become very familiar with the blessings that have been flowing into and through your family. My name is Steven Young and I am a friend of Deric Miller's.
I remember the day that Deric first asked me to pray for Shea and the entire Hickok family. Out of obedience I did begin to pray for God's healing and restoration. Deric told me about this website and from my first visit onward I have been totally blessed by you all.
I posted a comment long ago when the accident first occured. I have stayed involved with this website though through frequent visits and continual prayers. God has placed within your family a stunning radiance. Shea's life is a beautiful portrait of God honoring testimony. The outpouring of love that has run freely all around your family is touching the lives of people that you know not of.
My reasons for writing this are unknown even to myself. All I know is that I could remain quiet about the way that you have all served as a conduit for blessings into my life. I'll remain prayerful for you, and one day we will meet even if it is no sooner than when we sing around His throne.
God bless,
Min. Steven Young
oneoftherighteous@hotmail.com
SHEA! it was so great to see you again the other night at higher grounds. i had so much fun talking to you! hopefully ill see you again soon!
love!
emily
Shea
I don't know if you remember me, but i met you many years ago in Arizona when your family first came to Scottsdale Bible Church. My name is Erin McFarland (my parents are Steve & Sandy Richards). Though i didn't get to know you well while you were here, I knew the kind of person you were from a distance (from youth gruop mostly). I just want you to know what an incredible testimony your life is! You have blessed so many people, even through this most difficult trial and give glory to God in it. Today, i stumbled onto your blog again and the Lord laid something on my heart that i wanted to share with you. My husband and I are expecting a baby girl any day now. Well, when you are choosing a name for your child, even names that you might otherwise like are ruined because of someone else you knew with that name that you don't want to relate to your baby. Anyways, we have always loved the name Shay and when i was thinking if i knew anyone with that name, the only person i could think of was you... and when i think of you, i think of a God- fearing woman with so much love for our Jesus and other people (and that's exactly what i would hope my little girl grows up to be). So thank you for making the name we are giving our little girl even sweeter...
Some people on this earth seem like angels sent to bring light to others... you are definately a light Shea. May God bless you a hundred fold as your have blessed others with your life.
Hi Shea. We will be heading to Florida for Big Stuf tomorrow. I will be sure that we are all praying for your doctors on the 6th as they plan your surgery.
We will be praying for you as well, that you will be encouraged for the long road ahead, and strengthened to heal quickly and completely.
We sure do appreciate what you and your family mean to our family and the Bridge family.
Tim
Hi there,
God knows all, and I am praying His mighty plan for healing will just be revealed so clearly to each Dr.
Step be step He leads us, may you each just keep following His path.
I lift each of you up for such peace right now, and for every area that needs a touch of the Master's Hands. May you just hold on to his Hands that are reaching out in love.
Blessings to each of you,
Denise N
Shea and family -
Glad to get the update, and know that I will be in prayer for those medical personnel as they meet tomorrow (the 6th).
I sent a portion of this message to 2 of the folks in my "community group" -- the host of the group, and my dentist: Dr. David Anderson. Both are following your progress, needs, etc. and are very interested.
I continue to pray for you and your family.
Ginny Snodgrass (Portland, OR)
Hi Shea,
I wish you could have been with us in Florida. The music was spectacular, and I know you would have loved it.
I probably won't be able to make the dinner on Saturday, because I have to pick up Julie and the girls at the airport about 8pm.
I hope I get to see you at church, because I have a CD for you.
Love and prayers continue.
Tim and the Family
Hickok Family,
I just want to say how blessed I was to have had the chance to say "hi" to Steve last Sunday. I'm so glad to hear how well everything is going, and I'm excited (and prayerful) about Shea's upcoming surgery. I pray God's continued blessings on all of you as you walk the road before you. Your story is impacting so many lives.
In His Love,
Kristen J.
I LOVE YOU SHEA-STER! =]
we need to have those girl
night with me you and dor dor.
haha. ill see you sunday love
and get to draw a flower on your
nails. ahha yes.. :D have a good
weekend! love you. p.s. try not
to get a grasshoper stuck in your
hair. haha! much love and prayers-jenn
You are still in my thoughts and prayers. I loved the song at church this morning that you and your dad wrote- boy you guys are so talented! Purely amazing. Again, what a witness your family is to God's amazing love and power. It will be exciting to see the blessings come to fruition that God has stored up for you! Love and prayers, Marian Madden
Hope you are staying strong in Christ and believing for His great timing in putting this perfect team together!!!!!
Blessings Shea.
Thinking of you,
Denise
Just want to let you all know that we are still praying for you and checking in regularly. We know that the next few months have some big hurdles but we know that God will not only help you clear those hurdles but He will allow you to soar over them on wings like eagles because that is what He promised to those who hope in the Lord. And, clearly, that is what you all do. God bless you,
The Walshes
It is remarkable to see God's provision for you and your family from the first blog until now.
You have had believers from all over the U.S. praying on your behalf, some whom you know, some whom you have never met, myself included. What has been an awesome thing to see is how all of God's people have pulled together for one cause, your healing and restoration. God truly does hear every prayer offered, is working and answers.
God has great things in store for you and for your family, every tear, every moment of suffering all teach us a new meaning of the cross. For it is only through suffering that we become more like Him. It has been so exciting to read of God's daily work in your lives and the impact that you have had by your faithfulness to Jesus to probably more people than you will ever be able to count...
Thank you so much for continuing to share your story, for your transparency as a family and for allowing God to use each piece of your life to build everyone's faith.
You are all a shining example of what it means to be true disciples of Jesus...
Anxious to get updates -- esp since the drs. meeting (if they did).
I keep checking and keep praying for Shea and all the rest of the family when I do!
Is July 17 still the date to look toward?
Know my family adores having Luke @ the Coffeehouse!
from Sarah's Grammy/ Dan's Mom : < )
Hey Shea!
I'm so happy I got to see you just even for that breif time I was there in A-Town! If you ever run through Kansas come find me!
Sincerely,
David Huckabee
Hi Shea and Bloggers! Prayers and praises continue for the way God has blessed us through Shea!
I want to ask you all to pray for someone close to my family, and to Zach Rogers (one of our youth leaders).
Doug Fletcher is 20 years old, and a counselor at Kenakuk Colorado, where my son is also a couselor. They went to highschool together and also both attend Valdosta St.
On Thursday, Doug had a stroke at camp, and was flown from Durango to a Denver hospital where he remains in intensive care.
They will start testing on Monday to see what kind of damage has oocured. All we know for now is that it has affected the fine motor skills on one side, and he is having short term memory problems.
Doug is a pilot and aspires to be a Marine, so he is in tremendous physical shape.
Please pray for his family - his sister is also working at the same camp, and parents - who have flown from Atlanta to Denver to be with Doug.
God isn't surprised by any of this, so we must pray that hH will encourage the Fletchers and use them to advance His kingdom through all of this.
Beyond that, I don't even know what to ask God for. That's why I'm putting this here. My hope is that the same fervent prayer circle will gather around Doug and his family, and that God will be made more famous through this event and Doug's recovery.
Blessing to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.
Tim and the family
Post a Comment
<< Home