Beautiful Plan
Shea's surgery was almost eight weeks ago. It's hard to believe the time has passed so quickly, and even though it seems slow, it's good to see the healing take place from week to week.
Shea spent the first four weeks without her three front teeth, but surprisingly that didn't stop her from living life. She went to an Atlanta Braves game, church, Salon 124 to get her hair trimmed and out to coffee with friends. This may be a little crass, but sometimes we all just need a little comic relief! We were driving to an appointment on the 85 and passed a trucker who had a sign taped to his window -- "FLASH ME!" Do you dare me, mom? Next thing I knew Shea smashed her face to the window and flashed the biggest toothless smile!! She loved his reaction -- "Scared him to death!"
Shea finally got temporary teeth again. Dr. Mills did an excellent job, and just this week Shea went to Dr. Salama's to get braces . . . again! We did have trouble with the palate expander as it expanded her palate too far, especially on one side. So now she has to turn the "key" the opposite direction every other day. The concern is that if this does not work, they will have to rebreak her hard palate.
We are surprised that Shea has considerable swelling in her face. Her left cheek bone still appears to jut out, making it appear that her cheek bones still are not symmetrical. According to the x-rays it looks good, and we probably won't really see much change until after her jaw surgery. Shea has an appointment soon with Dr. Nunn who will give us an honest evaluation of her progress.
None of this seems to be of much concern to Shea. She continues to surprise and delight us. God has blessed her life with the most amazing and unexpected blessing, and even now, Shea continues to say that all she has endured, even though the path has twisted and turned, is part of God's beautiful plan for her life. Psalm 119:71 -- "The suffering you sent was good for me . . ."
Love and thanks to all of you --
The Hickoks
Shea spent the first four weeks without her three front teeth, but surprisingly that didn't stop her from living life. She went to an Atlanta Braves game, church, Salon 124 to get her hair trimmed and out to coffee with friends. This may be a little crass, but sometimes we all just need a little comic relief! We were driving to an appointment on the 85 and passed a trucker who had a sign taped to his window -- "FLASH ME!" Do you dare me, mom? Next thing I knew Shea smashed her face to the window and flashed the biggest toothless smile!! She loved his reaction -- "Scared him to death!"
Shea finally got temporary teeth again. Dr. Mills did an excellent job, and just this week Shea went to Dr. Salama's to get braces . . . again! We did have trouble with the palate expander as it expanded her palate too far, especially on one side. So now she has to turn the "key" the opposite direction every other day. The concern is that if this does not work, they will have to rebreak her hard palate.
We are surprised that Shea has considerable swelling in her face. Her left cheek bone still appears to jut out, making it appear that her cheek bones still are not symmetrical. According to the x-rays it looks good, and we probably won't really see much change until after her jaw surgery. Shea has an appointment soon with Dr. Nunn who will give us an honest evaluation of her progress.
None of this seems to be of much concern to Shea. She continues to surprise and delight us. God has blessed her life with the most amazing and unexpected blessing, and even now, Shea continues to say that all she has endured, even though the path has twisted and turned, is part of God's beautiful plan for her life. Psalm 119:71 -- "The suffering you sent was good for me . . ."
Love and thanks to all of you --
The Hickoks
posted by admin | 11:01 PM
21 Comments:
Thanks so much for the update..I have been checking every day since the last one...
Such good news...Praise the King!
Great to hear from you again. You are such an encouragement
The Walshes
Thank you for letting us know how things are going. We have not forgotten you.
I bet that truck driver will enjoy telling that story to all his buddy's. Did you doubt that dare, Susan? What a precious daughter you have, actually, precious family.
We were to Phx. twice this summer, (where would you rather be than Phx in June and July?) graduation and Jessica's wedding.
I'm sure you heard to the accident and death of Stephen Demchik. Betty Anne spent much time with the family.
I need to know where or how to get Shea's latest CD, please let me know.
We love you all and will pray for complete healing, it's been a long journey, the Good Shepherd continues to protect, comfort and touch you with His love. You are so loved and you have touched so many with God's love and faithfulness. May God continue to send unexpected as you follow His path. Love Bob and Greta Wade
Hey Shea!!!
So happy to hear of your progress. You are such a special person and I am honored to know you. I start taking clients at Genesis this week- so come and see me- I'll do your hair anytime!!:) I miss you so much. Hope to see you again soon.
love ya-
Paige Hayes
Shea
I'm glad to hear you are doing well. I can't wait to see you, we all need to get together soon! I miss you so much. Call me sometime..love ya girl!
Love, Dani
hello beautiful!
its always a pleasure to see you on Sunday mornings. i hope your week is amazing! and i will see you soon.
much love
HELLO AGAIN AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF SILENCE FROM ME. I AM JONI FROM BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN JAMESTOWN NY. SO I AM NOT GOING TO LIE AND SAY IREAD SEVERAL OF THE BLOGS DRY EYED. THEY WERE TEARS OF JOY THOUGH......THE MIRICLE CONTINUES FOR YOU SHEA. WHAT A TESTIMONY YOU AND YOUR PARENTS HAVE!!!.
THE WODS OF THIS LOVELY HYMN COMES TO MY MIND. IT IS SO APPROPRIATEFOR YOU
You are my anchor
My rock and salvation
You are my refuge
Myheart will not fear........
God bless and good night!
In Christs love,
Joni
Shea,
I smile as I write this; so thanks for bringing joy!!! That is too funny what you did to the trucker!!
There is no medicine like laughter, and the kind of great attitude that comes with that.
Contentment is what we all need; to know that wherever we are in life is exactly where God has us and is using us. He will take care of it all.
Thanks again for lifting us up, and helping us wherever we are at, to keep our eyes on God and not ourselves.
May we all let go and have fun and be free spirits in Christ and not be so tightly wound up.
Praying for you all and thanking you for sharing this journey with us to help us too,
Denise
I was waiting for one of these updates so I could address it to Toothless in Suwanee but Dr. Mills' spoiled it for me.
I just have one piece of advice: Be careful which trucker you flash that smile to . . . you might get an eager toothless smile right back! Thanks for keeping us (and all the Georgia truckers) entertained Shea. We love you.
Uncle John
I am still praying for your recovery! The Zockolls love you!
Brad Z.
I told my friend that I was related to you because I think singers are cool. Her name is Hannah Jones.
Hannah Eimers, age 6
Shea,
We are continuously astounded by your strength, grace and perspective. We continue to pray for you and your family.
The Jackson Family
Glad to hear that you got back at the trucker!
Hi Shea: Well, I mailed your angel that I bought last January-ha! Hey, this morning our pastor spoke on suffering and the Big Idea was that "Suffering is Grace Disguised." He talked about how it enlarges our soul and he read excepts from from a book by Jerry Sittser called "A Grace Disguised". The man that wrote the book lost his mother, wife, and daughter in a car accident. He talks about how suffering enlarges our heart. I can see in your blog that you and your family have these great big hearts all puffed up with the grace that it has taken to meet the challenges you have faced. He also talks in the book about the amazing co-existence of sadness and joy, doubt and confidence, weakness and strength. It is a feeling that you can't explain to anyone--I think that is why the Bible calls it a peace that passes all understanding. Anyway, you went to your own church so I won't repeat our service but it reminded me to pray again for you and I love to hear the stories of laughter because as I've said in my previous blogs, that is how I always remember your family--the "make me laugh out loud family" Well, you have a good week--I will pray for your face and praise God for your teeth--did you put your other little teeth under your pillow--should be good for a new car at your age :)
Well, we are heading to Dillons for cobler---gotta go! Love, Karine
I am still praying for you and am so glad to hear that things are coming along. What a year you have had. God will keep blessing you and your family and he will continue to give you the grace you need for each day! Your testimony is absolutely amazing.
Lots of love and prayers- Marian Madden
Shea!! i cant thank-you enough for talking with me on Sunday! my week has been so much better, i hope your doing amazing too! and i will see you Sunday, Beautiful!
-Melinda
Dearest Shea,
You are absolutely a ray of sunshine!! When I see you at church, there is just such a glow about you! And I feel especially blessed when you stop to talk to me. You never seem to be in a hurry, you're such a sweet, soft spoken, glowing woman of God. You radiate Gods love and peace! I love to give you a hug, and you give me two! Just to get a glimpse of what God has done in your life, and to be able to see and feel this being in your presence is a blessing I will cherish always! I sure do love you girl. "Now to him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above ALL that I ask or think..."! Wow, what a great God we serve. Love, Julie Hoag
Hi Shea, Susan, Steve, Jesse and Luke! We always anticipate your updates. Love hearing how you guys are doing. We still think of you all often and pray for you guys. Sending lots of crazy love from AZ-christian and jenni
Dear All: It's been a while since I've written, but you are on my favorites and I am always blessed when I check in to see how your Shea girl is doing. What a blessing. I still get choked up. I hope you continue this for quite some time to come. Love in Jesus from Kansas. Debbie Miller (Linda Evans friend)
Oh, Shae, what a morning. I could barely contain myself when you came to the stage to rehearse. What an amazing surprise!
What an answer to prayer that was! It really choked me up.
Even more amazing was hearing you during the service. When we sang "Song in me" I closed my eyes and thought I was hearing your CD. Luke nailed the guitar, and you and your Dad made the vocals perfect. What a blessing!
Now the special music ... you are really missing something that you can't be in the audience to hear just how good that was. God spoke to me (and I am sure many others) through that, and there weren't many dry eyes. Certainly mine weren't.
Thank you for being such a role model for my family, and for sharing that beautiful voice as an outward expression of the inner joy Christ has given you.
We serve a great God, and the "sog in you" is another example of how great He is!
Blessings!
Tim
Hello Shea...
Hope you all will update soon...for those of us who do not live in the area and wonder how things are going.
xo
Shea -
Heard from Sarah that you sang @ church recently!
Yea, God! You have an incrdible faith, even though so many difficult times. I think of you often, Luke, too, as he struggles w/ his losses. And also your whole family. I do have some great photos of your dog, too. Bet he loves having you around!
Continuing in prayer
From Sarah's Grammy (Dan's Mom, Ginny)
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