January 8, 2020 -- Hope Proclaims re: Disability Awareness

Hi everyone!  This is Hope, and I wanted to share with you that I started a YouTube channel to be able to share some of the things that are important to me.  Last semester, I made a video called, "Disabilities 101," and as part of an action plan for my Social Studies class, I would like to share it with you.  It took my mom and I two months to make this video with a LOT of takes and retakes as I really struggle to remember and speak my lines in front of a camera.  You get to see the final "polished" product . . . well, as polished as my mom is able to do, according to her!  You would probably laugh with us to hear about some of the video bloopers, such as when my standing pole fell over on me when I was trying to do a transfer . . . don't worry, no one was seriously injured in the making of this video . . . well, unless you count the wall . . . it has a nasty gouge in it now!  I did choose to leave in some of the bloopers of our cute little doggie, named Connor, just because who doesn't want to see a cute little fur ball!  I'll tell you more about him later in another post.

So, back to my Disabilities 101 video.  My life changed drastically about 8 years ago and has never been the same since.  I've had to learn so many new things and different ways of doing things as a severely disabled person.  And, the people around me have also needed to learn how best to help me, to engage with me, and to love me through a lot of really hard circumstances.  I'm so thankful for the people that God placed in my life to walk through this journey together and learn from each other . . . nurses, doctors, therapists, friends, teachers, educational assistants, church family, my dear family, prayer warriors like you, and even strangers at times, but most of all my Saviour who has been with me through it all!  

I think that people with disabilities are often lonely, isolated, and excluded for a variety of reasons that are often just practical because we can't do what many typical people do.  I think sometimes people don't talk to or hang out with disabled people because they don't know how to.  I can't imagine going through what I have gone through without Jesus and the many people who have loved and supported me through it.  I realize that not everyone has that and that is heartbreaking.  So, I wanted to make a video that helps people learn a bit more about what disabilities are, what a day with disabilities might look like, and how you can engage with disabled people more effectively and meaningfully.  Have you heard the song, "Dream Small" by Josh Wilson?  It's one of my favorites and it has a line in the second verse that says, "dancing on a Friday with a friend with special needs, these simple moments change the world."

I really hope you enjoy my video and can take something helpful away from it so that God can use you to be a light and blessing to someone who lives with disabilities.  They need to know that Jesus loves them and you can be the one to show them His love and that they are special and loved just the way they are!  And through that, you can change the world and how great would that be!

Signing off for now, 
Hope

Link to YouTube Video:
(you will need to copy and paste this link to get there)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJbffflsAI 

February 20, 2018 -- Hope's Journey to Walk

Well, this was a post that I have been wanting and meaning to share for a long time.  As such, a lot has happened over the long while since I first started out to write this post, including some significant ups and down.  I even noticed that I referred to it in my last post back in Dec 2016!  Well, you have waited long, and God is so worthy of all praise, so here is an update on Hope's walking progress. . . 

January 21, 2016 -- Sister Knows Seizures

Another update on Hope and her continued seizures (today was another rough day for her), but I'll tip you off . . . there is a "sweet ending" . . . 

December 25, 2015 -- Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

A very blessed and Merry Christmas to each and every one of you, from all the Peacock flock!  We pray that each of you had a blessed celebration today with family and friends, remembering the greatest gift that we have ever received. . . the birth of our Saviour!  At our Christmas Eve service, Trevor reminded us in his message of the wonderful attributes of Jesus that we celebrate and treasure from Isaiah 9:6-7 . . . 

December 9, 2015 -- Goodbye Beast! Hello New World!!!

Hope has a new wheelchair!  We were all so excited for this big day.  Here are some highlights and pictures. . . 

December 16, 2014 -- Three Years Ago, This Journey Began. . .

It was three years ago from today that we sat in the Stollery Hospital in Edmonton in the PICU next to our sweet Hope, wondering if she was going to live. . .

Sept 3, 2014 -- Post Op Day 1

An update on Hope's first post op day. . . 

Crisis Morning but Better Now

Hello dear prayer warriors!  It has been an eventful day and I'm finally getting a quick few minutes to send you updates for prayer needs. . .

April 13, 2014 -- Update on Hope in School

. . . and now for an update on how Hope is doing in school!!!  It has been amazing watching how far God has brought Hope since school started!  We literally had no idea that she was going to take off like she did!  She has continued to surprise and delight us throughout this first semester.  We just received her first progress report and honestly, it is nothing short of a miracle that she is being able to complete work at par with the other Grade 6 students.  I'll maybe break this update into subjects to start with and then share some general information. . .

Hope's Terrific Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Several of you asked for Hope's Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe, and. . . here it is!!!  I videotaped her telling the recipe as I thought you'd enjoy that most!  : )  So without further adieu. . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDU6iQ8mPAs

January 11, 2014 -- Hope Proclaims

It has been too long since my last entry for Hope Proclaims. . . I'm sorry for that!  I want to get better at sharing these with you more often.  Thankful that God continues to pour grace over me, a definite "work in progress!"

Click on Read More to continue reading this post. . .

December 14, 2013 . . . Our First Annual Celebration of Life Day!!!

Two years ago today. . . what a different place we were in!  We woke up to the most life altering circumstance we have yet experienced in our lives and family. . . Hope was unconscious and barely breathing.  Not long later, en route to the hospital, her heart stopped.  By the end of the day, she was on a heart and lung bypass machine, airlifted to Edmonton, and uncertain if she was going to live or die. . .

First Week of School and Hope in Walker!!!

The girls started school this past week!  We were praying and hoping to step it up this year in Hope's schooling and try to start challenging her academically as she was able, as well as encourage her to interact with her peers more, without help from a supervising adult!  Well. . . 

Click on "Read more" to continue. . .

August 22, 2013. . . Tent Trampoline Backyard Family Campout!!!

We had our first tent trampoline backyard family campout back on Aug 22nd, before it got too cold at night!  We had a great time, and thought you'd enjoy some of the pictures and videos of our precious family time together!   There are videos of Hope telling a "ghost" story and then praying before bed at the end.  Thought you'd enjoy hearing her voice!  Click on the "Read More" to continue. . .

July 12, 2013 -- Sitting Around!!!

Here is a picture and little video of one of the first times Hope showed off the newest ability she has regained. . . sitting!!!  She did it first in the middle of the night when she asked for a drink of water. . . when I let go of holding her, to grab the water bottle, she didn't fall over!  We tried it again the next day on the new trampoline and she was able to do it again for you on the video camera!  So now you can share in our excitement for the Lord's grace and continued healing!

Click on Read More to read the rest of the post and see the picture and video. . .

July 12, 2013 -- A Big Surprise. . . A "Peacock Nest!!!"

The girls were super surprised and excited to receive a new trampoline, generously donated by a loving family that has been praying for Hope for a long time!  This is one of those blessings where God's grace and love goes far beyond our simple needs and into lavish extras that are just plain fun!  How God delights in giving good gifts to His children!!!  And we praise Him and thank the compassionate family that chose to remain anonymous in their desire to see God receive all glory and praise!!!  We have some video of the fun discovery of the girls' surprise and their reactions and thanks!

July 2, 2013 -- "Steely" Determination!!!

We had our sweet little nephews staying with us.  So we took the kids to the local splash park and playground. It was very sweet to watch Gabi push Hope around in the jogger stroller that was given to us by the Woolsey family, and see Hope enjoy a bit of splash park fun. Her temperature regulation is still off as even in the 30+ degree weather (Celsius), she was freezing after just a couple minutes.  So she would come back to her daddy and I, get covered with a towel and warm up. . .

A Day at the Farm July 1, 2013

We went to my parent's farm to celebrate my mom's birthday.  Hope and Gabs were super excited to be able to ride the horse and snuggle the dogs there!  They have always loved animals!!!  Here are some pictures and a video from the day. . .

Snuggles with Daddy!!!

School's Out!!! June 21, 2013

This is an old post but I thought I'd still share it. . . 

School finished up towards the end of June.  Bearspaw Christian School held their annual elementary awards night, which we took both our girlies too.  It was a sweet night to thank our dear teachers that have poured into our children over these past months.  Here are a couple pictures and a video from that night. . .

Hope's Spelling Test

Hope and Gabi love to play school!  They always have!  So it's very fun to see them starting to be able to do that somewhat again with Hope's continued recovery by God's grace!

We have shared that Hope's memory has really started to return. Here in this video taken early June, she applies some memory but also shows the comprehension and new learning required to start spelling words again!  Isn't God's power and mercy so very great!!!  June marked some exciting advances in Hope's ability to start doing academic work at school. And although school is now out, we are hopeful and eager for what The Lord will continue to do in Hope this fall when school starts again and a plan to start some academic goals begins!

Hope you enjoy seeing answered prayers in this video. . . prayers for Hope and Gabi to continue to find more ways to interact and prayers for Hope's continued recovery!  All praise to the One who is able!!!  God is great and greatly to be praised!!! 

You are loved!!!

Video Link is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Henil7efrJA