Monday, November 22, 2010

A message from Elizabeth

(( I was asked to post the following message STRAIGHT from Elizabeth! ))

Hello everyone!  I want EACH and every one of you to know how thankful I am for you! This Thanksgiving is one that definitely overflows with blessings from above.

"Thank you, Lord for all the wonderful people reading this blog- for all the people who have diligently prayed for me and have portrayed an example of spiritual commitment. Lord, I especially want to thank you for my sweet friend, Heather. Thank you for her gentle, Christian spirit. Thank you for her deep love for you and enabling her to write this blog."

I am most grateful for my Lord and Savior. He has saved my life and has a purpose for it.  I deeply appreciate all of you for lifting me up in prayer, praying without ceasing, and asking our Heavenly Father to help me every step of the way and having faith that HE can answer your prayers. I know that HE heard your fervent prayers.

Today was a great day! I showed my first house since the accident and that felt good. I am slowly getting back to the real world! However, I am having problems with coming to terms with the accident and my injury. I never thought it could happen to me. A friend sent me this quote and it really is true. “God never calls the able, He calls the Willing and makes them able”

I don’t think I could say THANK YOU enough, but I hope you all truly sense my sincere gratitude!! I do appreciate it and am overwhelmed with letters, food, cards, flowers prayers, etc! I am so grateful I am not alone. I am blessed by the abundance of people who care for my family and me. I am so grateful to my God.

I would like to ask you to pray for Mark. I don't know him personally, but he is in need of urgent prayers and a miracle. ( I of all people know that God is capable of performing a miracle!) Mark is active at New Life Church in Conway and had an accident Sunday night and has a brain injury. I don’t know him- but I ask that you pray that God will heal him.
__________________
PRAISE. "Thank you Lord for Elizabeth's life! We praise you that 2.5 months after an accident that should have taken her life that she is writing a message of gratitude!"

PRAY: "We pray for Elizabeth as she adjusts to the changes that have occurred in her life. We pray that you give her grace and peace."

PRAY. "Father we lift up Mark. Many of us don't know Him, but we pray you be present during this tragedy. We pray that You would heal him! We pray for he and his family during this scary time and pray that they would turn to You for help."

(E also provided the following verse and video.)

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Joy

Please pray for Elizabeth. Pray that she would be encouraged and motivated. She has made wonderful progress, but she is still in need of healing. At times it is hard that her life is completely different today than it was just a few months ago.

Please keep the entire Parsley family in your prayers. They are going through some valleys at this time! In addition to Elizabeth's accident, a close family friend has become ill and Bill and Michelle are caring for him at their home. Rachel has also been sick and needs our prayers for healing. Elizabeth has therapy every day and it can be exhausting. Mentally she can become discouraged and physically drained.

Our God is faithful! If you are friends with Elizabeth on facebook, you probably know of the way that she continues to encourage people by constantly posting her favorite Bible verses. 2 months ago we did not know the function that Elizabeth would have at this point... my heart rejoices every time I see her post! Please give thanks to God for all He has and is going to continue to do in the life of Elizabeth.

Please lift Becca in your prayers today as well. The wounds on her leg are having some trouble healing and she is still on a vac and infection is still a concern. Pray that these wounds would heal completely!

PRAISE. For God's grace and faithfulness.
PRAISE. For the life of Elizabeth. For the way her life has impacted others.
PRAY. Pray for Elizabeth. Pray for her complete healing, her encouragement, a positive attitude and hope for the future.
PRAY. Pray for the wounds on Becca's leg to heal and that she wouldn't have any other issues with infection.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3

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t-shirts: If you paid for a t-shirt, it is ready to be picked up if you havent already! If you haven't picked up your shirt, from ReMax in Conway, PLEASE do so this week.There are still about 28 shirts there that need to be picked up. If you live in Northwest ARkansas, please contact me at heather.richardson@live.com to arrange pick up. If you are having your shirt mailed it will be mailed by the end of the week.  I am happy to announce that you all helped us to raise $3,500 for Elizabeth's family through the sale of t-shirts and bracelets! Thank you so very much. (Now please pick up your shirt. :) )

Little Rock Marathon 5-K: You have a couple more weeks to sign up to participate in the Little Rock Marathon 5K race with Elizabeth on March 5th at the $25 rate. Here are the directions again on how to sign up:




1. Go to http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/
2. Click on 2011 Registration on the right hand column
3A- Click on Register Now button to register online (recommended)
3B- Click on Download Form button to mail in registration form
4. Fill out form
* There is no need to sign up for the Pasta Dinner, Post-race party, or starter perks, unless you want to! Sign up for the 5K Fun Walk/Run if you want to walk with Elizabeth. If you would like to participate in any other race that weekend (marathon, half or relay) we welcome you to wear a Team Elizabeth shirt to show your support.
* On the form you will need to select a charity to support. This is your choice. Elizabeth has supported the NF foundation in the past so if you dont have a preference that is a good one.
5. Send an email to
prayersforliz@live.com letting us know that you have signed up to race. Just include your first and last name, phone, and email address. We will contact you with more race day details as the day gets closer
* The cost until Dec 1 to participate is $25, after that it goes up by $5. Please know that the money that you are paying is going straight to the LR Marathon and NOT to Elizabeth or her family. This event is simply to show our support for our friend and walk along side her.  We will be making another shirt specifically for the race and we will sell those to anyone who would like one. More details on that later. You do NOT have to purchase a t-shirt to participate! 
*We are also planning on having a tent to "party" in once we complete the 5k. We would love to provide food and drinks to everyone who participates. (If you would like to be involved in the committee working on this event, have a tent(s) we can use, or would be able to donate food/drinks for this event on March 6th please email us as prayersforliz@live.com!
Were excited about this and so is Elizabeth! Please email us at the address above if you have ANY questions! 

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Healing is in His Hands

PRAISE. "Thank you Jesus for healing Elizabeth. Thank you for making her your child. Thank you for saving her life physically over 2 months ago. We praise you that she is home with her family and is gaining strength daily. Thank you that she feels well enough to gather with other believers and worship the God of the Universe!"

PRAY. "Lord we pray for continued healing. We pray that you would hold Elizabeth in the palm of your hands. We ask that You would heal her body physically, mentally, emotionally, and that she would grow spiritually.  We pray that you would send healing in Jesus' name."

Amen.

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Run with Lizzie!

Elizabeth has had a long week of therapy in Little Rock. She is doing very well and is excited to be doing therapy in Conway beginning next week.  Our Father has heard and is answering our prayers... Elizabeth is healing! We have also prayed that there would be no other answer to her healing than God's amazing grace.  That is exactly the case- doctors and therapists are stunned. There is no medical explanation as to how Elizabeth has progressed like she has. Only time will tell what functions she will have trouble regaining long term. As I stated in a last post- we must never put limits on God. He can heal Elizabeth with just a simple breath.  We must continue to petition in prayer for her complete healing.

At this time, Elizabeth is having some issues with her vision. If you remember, they sent a specialist to check her vision in the hospital and they believed at that time that it was due to her medication and just a side effect from her brain injury. They will recheck her vision in 6 months as it should be improve by then. She has some trouble reading and just seeing clearly because of this.  Please be in prayer for her vision to improve and heal.

Elizabeth is still experiencing "tingling" on the left side of her body. Her left side has moved a little slower since the accident and she definitely favors her right side when doing things. She  has gained more function on her left side since she has been home, but it still is not 100%. They have ran tests and there doesn't seem to be an explanation for this.

Elizabeth has therapy every day all day. It can be exhausting for her and her family as she must relearn skills that seem so easy to all of us. They are so gracious to God for all He has done and for placing such a wonderful support group around them.  Please pray for the encouragement and energy levels of the entire family. There are also times of sadness and fears about the future. Please wrap Elizabeth and her family in your prayers. Its is still a very difficult time and they need our prayers!

Here is the link to sign up to take food to the family. (You may have to copy and paste!)
http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=LHMX4684
or you can go to takethemameal.com the last name is "Family" password is "pars"
 I am hoping that we can provide food for the family through the month of November. There are a few days still available if you would like to sign up.   The delivery location will be changing to Bill and Michelle's house on College and they would like food delivered around 6pm.

I would also like to tell you all about an opportunity that many of Elizabeth's friends are putting together to show our support! Elizabeth wants to participate in the  5K race at the Little Rock Marathon this spring! We are going to run/walk along side Elizabeth and make this day one of celebration for her.  We would like to welcome anyone to join us- whether you know Elizabeth and her family personally or have just read about her here. Here are the race details:
Race Day: Saturday March 5, 2011
Time: 8 am
Location: President Clinton and Commerce Streets, Little Rock AR

Here is how to sign up:
1. Go to http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/
2. Click on 2011 Registration on the right hand column
3A- Click on Register Now button to register online (recommended)
3B- Click on Download Form button to mail in registration form
4. Fill out form
* There is no need to sign up for the Pasta Dinner, Post-race party, or starter perks, unless you want to! Sign up for the 5K Fun Walk/Run if you want to walk with Elizabeth. If you would like to participate in any other race that day, we welcome you to wear a Team Elizabeth shirt to show your support.
5. Send an email to prayersforliz@live.com letting us know that you have signed up to race. Just include your first and last name, phone, and email address. We will contact you with more race day details as the day gets closer
* The cost until Dec 1 to participate is $25, after that it goes up by $5. Please know that the money that you are paying is going straight to the LR Marathon and NOT to Elizabeth or her family. This event is simply to show our support for our friend and walk along side her.  We will be making another shirt specifically for the race and we will sell those to anyone who would like one. More details on that later. You do NOT have to purchase a t-shirt to participate! 
*We are also planning on having a tent to "party" in once we complete the 5k. We would love to provide food and drinks to everyone who participates. (If you would like to be involved in the committee working on this event, have a tent(s) we can use, or would be able to donate food/drinks for this event on March 6th please email us as prayersforliz@live.com!
Were excited about this and so is Elizabeth! Please email us at the address above if you have ANY questions! 
Just because our girl is home, we can NOT stop praying! Please remember your commitment if you made one to pray for Elizabeth every day! This precious girl still needs our prayers.
PRAISE. Thank you Father for healing Elizabeth! Thank you for allowing her to come home 1 week ago. We praise you for the progress she has made and for healing her how only You can!
PRAISE. We praise You Father for the people that love Elizabeth and her family. Thank you for putting your people on earth in their lives to show Your love to them.
PRAISE. Thank you for Elizabeth's personality, sweet spirit, and endless FAITH! Thank you for her testimony.
PRAY. We pray that You would heal Elizabeth! We ask in Jesus' name that You would heal her whole again. We pray that you would correct her vision problems and that the tingling on her left side would go away.
PRAY. We pray for Elizabeth's encouragement. May You be right beside her every moment of every day. When she feels lonely and sad we pray that she would be comforted. When she is hurting physically or emotionally may You ease her pain.
PRAY. We pray for those who don't know You. May they find hope in what You have done in Elizabeth's life.
 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
A facebook friend of E's posted this on her wall today. I think it is so very appropriate. I pray it encourages you today if you going through a valley.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Happy Halloween from Elizabeth

This sweet girl says hello! She is home and doing fantastic. She dressed as a cat for the Halloween Party at BRI on Friday. What a fun way to celebrate her last day in the hospital!

Elizabeth and her family are glad that she is home. She went walking at the park twice over the weekend and updated her facebook status for the first time in 2 months. She updated with her favorite verse and personalized with "God has not given ME a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a SOUND MIND."

At times it will be easy to be fearful, there is a very long road ahead. Elizabeth is still having some memory problems and is dealing with the fact that her life has been changed. She will have to constant rehabilitate her mind and body and re learn certain functions like driving.  We must continue to pray for her healing and encouragement. I am happy to report one happy girl. Her sweet personality and loving spirit are PRESENT! She carries on conversations like you would never know she nearly lost her life. Those who don't know about her situation would never dream that she is recovering from a traumatic brain injury when speaking to her!

Elizabeth will have outpatient therapy every day in Little Rock beginning at 8 am! (E was not thrilled about this time, ha!) She will work hard every day all day. The next week she will go three days per week then she will be re-evaluated by her treatment team. I want to point this out for 2 reasons.
1) Pray for encouragement and energy. These will be LONG days for E and her family. 2) She/they will be exhausted. Please continue to be patient as we ask that visitors stay away for a couple more weeks.

Elizabeth is blown away with the amount of people that love and support her but most of all have PRAYED for her. Her and her family ask that you please not stop praying and that most importantly you evaluate your relationship with our Savior since they now understand the statement that "life is too short."

 1 There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven:
 2 a time to be born and a time to die,
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
       a time to tear down and a time to build,
 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
       a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

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Tshirts! I promise we haven't forgotten! T-shirts are available and we will be distributing Monday, Nov 1 and Tues Nov 2 in Conway at Re/Max from 5-7 pm.

These folks are to pick up at Re/Max Monday or Tuesday. If you can't pick up at this date and time, please email Britney at b_mcrae_05@yahoo.com.

Kristen Foster
Becca Johnson
Britney McRae
Quin Brumfield
Jan Barrow
Morgan Hopkins
Mark Bailey
Clint Bailey
Vickie Crutchfield
Austin Clowers
Shari Adams
Shawn Graham
Janet Llyod
Taylor Hall
Natalie Smith
Beckye Ezell
Lance Heer
John Woodward
Kathy Payne
Adrienne Davis
Ragen Fiddler
Jackie Moon
Courtney Bishop
Caroline Nipper
Maddie Scarbrough
Lacre Acre
Megan Estes
Hilary Smith
Mary Richmond
Marissa Powell
Amanda Jocz

These folks will need to contact Tara Wittenburg at trwittenburg@gmail.com to schedule pick up.
 
Holly Vance
Lauren Rodebush
Brittany Moss
Patricia Vance
Jessica Gobin
Tasha Lowe
Meredith Wilson
Lindsey Kindy
Jennifer Davidon

These folks contact Heather at heather.richardson@live.com to schedule pick up.
 
Kristin Shehorn
Heather Fite
Casey Hale
Kim Pope
Brittany Dearien

These folks we are planning to mail your shirts. We will mail them by the end of the week.
Beth Vines

Carrianne Pitsch
Eloise Brown
Brittany Watson (Alex) 
Lisa Hogue
Kassy Whitener
Terry Owens
Glenda Smith
Ruth Hill
Kathleen Miller
Kelli Pierce

Thank you again for your support!