INSPIRATION

How many times in life do we wonder "how on earth we will ever make it" or say to ourselves..."I can't do that"? How many times have you found yourself fighting to accomplish something or in tears because the struggle seems so tough from time to time? We've all had days where we just wonder what on earth "L-I-F-E" is all about, haven't we? It's just such a big, big world out there. I felt that the photo of Kenidi above depicts or reflects smallness in the largest of environments. Even with my strong faith in Christ, I will find myself tired and worn down at times in life. With that said, I'm confessing that I had another emotional moment the other day that really struck a cord within me. I was sitting in my office working on some orders. I was feeling tired - cranky - and just simply beat up from my day to day routine. Out of the corner of my eye, I just so happened to look over and notice my little "Kenidi Grace" doing sits ups - yes sit ups by herself on the entry way floor. This might sound meaningless to you if you don't know Kenidi personally or if you know nothing about her medical struggles. She's 4 now and has been through so much in those short 4 years - more than most of us could possibly bare. Yet....she is still such a trooper thru it all. She endures grueling physical therapy sessions each week for her hypotinia (low muscle tone) as well as multiple other therapies and always seems to keep smiling. She has continual testing for her seizures at our local children's hospital and still smiles through it all. Even with three different medications - three times a day - she keeps smiling. The significance of her doing the sit ups by herself has to do with her physical therapy sessions. Her therapist has her doing those to help strengthen her core which in turn helps her to walk better. Just to lift her feet and step on or off a curb is a major task for her. Although she is four, she interacts at an age range of about two years old. Brent and I are always so proud of her progress and her ability to stay determined. She has more strength than I ever thought about having and it shows in her eyes and in her smile. She was off on her own - working - struggling to pull herself up on her own - but she kept going. I counted 19 sits ups from the time I noticed her doing it until the moment she caught me watching and stopped. Her drive and will to succeed never ceases to amaze me!

As you can see, I was able to reach for my camera and snap some shots of her working that core area of hers. :) She found the whole moment funny at that point and began laughing hysterically as I started counting out-loud for her to keep motivated. With her daily exercises as well as the therapy she endures, life is never stagnant. We are always on the go and typically have her at a doctor's office more in one month than most visit an office in one year. Again, she never stops smiling. She is truly one of the most affectionate, social, and loving children I've ever known. There was a day when Brent and I didn't even know if Kenidi would ever walk let alone talk or understand what we were trying to tell her. By God's grace, Kenidi is now walking and even has a minimal but understandable vocabulary. Speech is the hardest for us right now. She is extremely delayed in that area but we are praying that God will continue to see her through and that our prayers will be answered in regards to her "catching up" and reaching the normal milestones for her age someday. Either way, she and her brother (who is completely wonderful and healthy) are such blessings to us. We know that her life is in God's hands and that anything is possible. With that said, if you haven't heard the new version of "Anything's possible" off of Johnny Lang's upcoming CD (due out in September), then you should take a listen. I've included a link to it below. (Just click on "anything's possible" on the top right hand side of the page to hear it)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=31407943

Here are a couple of pictures of Kenidi with her new puppy "Sydnee" from yesterday.

Thanks to all of my friends, family, and customers who continually ask about Kenidi and her progress. Your interest in her success means more to us than you'll ever know. She manages to inspire me and helps me to keep putting one foot in front of another every day.

We love you Kenidi Grace!