Isaiah 43:18, 19
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness,
and streams in the wasteland.

These verses have been meaningful to us in this journey.  We have tried to surrender the "old Lydia", and not dwell on who she was, or what she was able to do.  We have held with open hands, her most recent school photo: the one on the blog spot with her dazzling smile and sparkling eyes, not wanting to cling tightly to that which captured the essence and vitality of the "old Lydia".  

This past week, wow!  Has God ever given us a new Lydia - and many parts of the old Lydie are present.  How could we not perceive this new thing that He is doing?  He is answering prayers and healing Lydia.  He is making a vibrant green stream in the wasteland.  She is remarkably changed.  Her eyes sparkle and her smile is bright and big, and her levels of comprehension are increasing daily.  We stand in awe of this magnificent work of God.   

Today, Lydia continued to interact with us, letting us know with head nods, or pointing, what she wanted.  She worked hard at putting in order some numbered cards, sorting colour, and building with blocks.   She has been working on standing up, and standing tall.  When she is upright, we regularly take those opportunities to hug our girl, and to feel her give a hug (however small) in return.  This evening she surprised us, when we had her standing up, by taking a few steps forward.  We were on either side of her, and could support her the entire way, but she wanted to walk!

Her brothers love their new responsive sister.  They have delighted in teaching her all kinds of hand signs and gestures.  Sam even queried whether he could teach her to scratch his back!  Lydia laughed at Ben's jokes at supper , as she ate the same dinner we did - only hers was pureed.  What a blessing it is to be together.