A series of unfortunate events

I have been debating the past couple of days about whether I wanted to post anything about a significant family event that has been occupying my thoughts. That said, it would be omitting a large part of my emotional state to NOT write about it, and so I will, with the hope that you all will be in prayer for it.

On Sunday night, my aunt Carol and uncle Larry were taking a bike ride in their beautiful little town of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. ( Carol and Larry are like second parents to me, and their home has been one of welcome and hospitality for as long as I have been alive. Carol has been a reference librarian at Bethel for years, and I enjoyed being a surrogate daughter to her during my years at school.) As they reached their driveway, Carol had trouble stopping the bike and took a tumble, head over heels, down the hill and into a tree. Thankfully, she was wearing a helmet, but that did not stop her from doing some serious damage. At this point in time, we know that she broke several vertebrea in her neck, as well as some lower in her back.

When I heard about this from my mom via email Tuesday, I was a wreck. I imagined the worst of all possible scenarios - that Carol, as we have known her, was no more. It turns out that she was not knocked unconcious in the fall, and has been awake in the hospital the past few days. Nevertheless, it is a very serious injury, and we don't yet know the extent of the damage to her spinal cord. She has had some sensation in her legs and has been able to move parts of her arms - but there is no movement in her hands or lower body. I have been taking this as a good sign - that things can improve from here. My mom's email, today, however, indicates that the Dr. has said this is the best it will get.

The simple thing I am feeling now is that I don't believe this to be true. I don't want to be naievely hopeful, but I also know that seemingly miraculous things happen with spinal injuries all the time. I have seen miracles with my own eyes, and I believe that God desires to show His glory in all our circumstances. I am asking for your prayers. I am also asking for prayer for my family and extended family that, regardless the outcome for Carol, God will show His glory in these circumstances. It seems trite to say that God can use this tragedy and pain - we've all heard these platitudes before. But I know in my gut and my core that we serve a God of stregnth and power, one that my family has worshipped and devoted our lives to over the generations. We wait to see His glory and His tender love for us.