So many of you prayed and hoped that I would be able to enjoy Christmas this year with my family. You also prayed that I would be able to eat again. I believe the Lord rewarded your prayers, hearts’ desires, and faith, because I’ve had four wonderful days in a row!
Saturday was a difficult day in that I was not able to get out of bed until late evening. However, it was a good day in that I had many hours of peaceful sleep. After resting again on Sunday morning, I was able to wake up in time to help Mom with last-minute preparations before family and friends arrived, starting at 5:30pm. Sunday evening, our home was filled with laughter, singing, meaningful conversations, scripture reading and joyful tears. Except for a brief nap while everyone ate supper, I was on my feet the entire time Sunday night. I even assisted Mom with the cleaning after the company left! I went to bed Sunday grateful for a wonderful evening, but still having a cautious attitude knowing that my body may not be up to another full day of celebrations.
Well, after sleeping the entire night without pain medication, I woke up yesterday morning refreshed. I even surprised my grandparents at the breakfast table with my presence, since I had already said goodbye to them the night before in case I wasn’t able to get up in time to see them leave. Monday was a leisure and fun day. I was able to play with Qavah while Mom and Dad did some last-minute errands. Then, last night we had our immediate family Christmas. This time, I not only joined everyone at supper, but I also ate some of the scrumptious food! Then, we opened gifts. Fortunately, Colin has a video camera, so we were able to capture Qavah’s first Christmas with her “forever family”. As with Sunday night, my health stabilized enough for me to stay with everyone throughout the entire evening’s festivities! And finally, today has been another “near-normal” day. We had breakfast this morning as a family, before Colin, Jenn and Annelise had to leave and Paul Burton had to go to work.
Regular readers of this website will know how quickly my health changes. Therefore, my family has learned over the past seventeen months to enjoy the “good” days to the fullest. However, it is rare that I’ve had four absolutely wonderful days with minimal or no pain, no spasms, and no electrolyte imbalance issues. Today, I’m rejoicing that I had the opportunity to truly celebrate the Saviour’s birth with friends and family, instead of imagining the events from my bedroom.
Many pleasurable memories were created over the last four days and soon, I will post pictures to show you the Christmas miracles of 2007. However, for now, I want to close with the lyrics of one of my favorite Holiday songs. The birth of Jesus was only the prelude to God’s symphony of human redemption and eternal salvation. This song captures the essence of Christ and His ministry, which began as a tiny baby wrapped in swalding clothes in a little town called Bethlehem.
He Made a Way in a Manger (Integrity Music)
Longing for a savior
A hopeless world would wait
Sin demanded justice
At a price we could not pay
But God displayed his mercy
The greatest gift of love
When we could not reach heaven
Heaven came to us
He made a way in a manger
A way to the cross
Messiah the promised
Before time had begun
For God so loved this world
Though he knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross
In Bethlehem a stable
Became a throne of grace
As God himself our Savior
Drew near to take our place
His mother smiled in wonder
As shepherds stood in awe
The sacrifice of heaven
Lay sleeping in the straw
He is the life that died our death
The precious Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head
He made a way in a manger
A way to the cross
Messiah the promised
Before time had begun
For God so loved this world
Though he knew what love would cost
He made a way in a manger
To make a way to the cross
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay
We had a great Christmas here as a family and I was thankful for a break from work, even if it was just for a long weekend. 
December 25th, 2007 at 2:41 pm e
Wow, that’s really a blessing that you’ve had such great days over Christmas!
December 25th, 2007 at 8:53 pm e
Katy,
What a joy to hear of your wonderful health over the last several days. Thanks be to God for His indescribeable gift—-of your health over these last few days!!! We have had a wonderful Christmas here and look forward to seeing your family soon, I hope.
~Amy and family
December 25th, 2007 at 10:08 pm e
Dear Katy,
We had a great Christmas here as a family and I was thankful for a break from work, even if it was just for a long weekend. 
I pray your good health continues!!
While I have not been as faithful a commentor as usual, I nonetheless have been reading each day and praying for ya’ll. I praise God for the wonderful health He’s blessed you with for the past four days! What amazing Christmas memories you’ve been able to make. I’m so glad you were able to share in Qavah’s first Christmas with her forever family.
Love and prayers,
Jen
December 25th, 2007 at 10:32 pm e
A Christmas miracle indeed! This is wonderful news and an answer to so many prayers. God is good!
Sandy
December 25th, 2007 at 10:47 pm e
Katy,
I am so grateful that many prayers have been answered for you to be able to enjoy Christmas, and am honored to have been able to participate in that with so many people. I am still praying that you continue to have many more good days to come, and even more in the New Year.
Love Always
Karen Tillman
December 26th, 2007 at 12:16 am e
Katy, my heart’s prayer for many weeks has been that God would give you better days at Christmas to celebrate His birth! I am so glad so many others were joining me in that prayer and that Jesus has granted it! I’m sure the family times have been very wonderful, and especially the devotional times when everyone could take part with sincere devotion to the Lord God we love and serve. May the year ahead be one of many victories and successes - in your health and in the spiritual realm! I have a couple of picturesque Christmas memories I’ll share with you later. Love, Aunt Lil
December 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pm e
Katy!!! What an enormous blessing! Praise the Lord!! My heart is so joyful right now for you. I can only imagine how wonderfully exciting it must have been for you to be a part of the celebrations. And to see Qavah enjoy it as well. That must have been so much fun!
I am having a wonderful time over here in Norfolk with the family. It has been a nice time to sleep in, rest, and forget about work and school. And of course it is always entertaining to watch the kids open their gifts Christmas morning. They are currently running around in their night clothes at 12:00 in the afternoon playing with their new toys.
I hope to see you when I get back in town. I pray that your good health would continue, and praise God for the blessings He has given already.
Love you Katy!
December 27th, 2007 at 10:25 am e
Hey Katy!
I’m so thankful for these amazing days! It really is a gift from the Lord. I know how you have longed to have a pain free Christmas - where you could participate, enjoy the preperations and festivities surrounding Jesus’ birthday. What a blessing! I’m so happy for you - because I know how much you wanted that and because I know you truely will cherish these memories and they will sustain you in the months to come!
We had a wonderful Christmas as well! I could totally relate to your mom’s comments about Qavah singing Happy Birthday as she was washing her hands. Noah and Lydia randomly break into the birthday song while playing with a new toy. We had a cake for Jesus and the kids made Him birthday cards. Noah wanted to know if he could take his to Jesus up in heaven and we said “not yet, but He knows all about your card and he loves it”….to which Noah replied “Mom, I really want to take it to him”….When I asked him why he said “Because I love him and he takes my sins”…it made me cry! I’m so thankful this year for the innocence of children - who help us see things through their eyes - with a newness and sense of wonder!
We love you Katy and are so thankful for your good days!
Jess