We celebrated Jesus’ birthday with our immediate family (Luke, me, and the kiddos) on Wednesday morning. Then on Thursday evening we celebrated Erin’s 24th birthday. (She’s Luke’s sister who lives in Florida.) And, of course, we celebrated Jesus’ birthday again today. I want to post pictures from all the fun, but for now I will just leave you with one shot of the entire Rumley family – including beautiful Emily.
My dearest Luke,
Yesterday was our sixth anniversary. We are always so busy on Sunday mornings that it didn’t even occur to me that it was our anniversary until you were on stage playing bass! A quick, whispered “Happy anniversary!” during the sermon just doesn’t really cut it for how wonderful you are. So, I’m going to attempt a not-too-mushy, just-enough-honesty kind of letter. This is a public website after all! 
It struck me recently that we met when I was 17 years old. Seventeen! That’s practically a baby! And yet God knew that we were ready to begin the love story He’d prepared for us since before we were born. How faithful He is to us!
Six years ago, I was a senior in college. I’d finished final exams three days before our wedding. You were working at Steelcase. We’d rented a teeny apartment to live in after the wedding. I felt so ready to be your wife. I anticipated a beautiful life with you.
And I had no idea the amazing blessings God had in store!
Here we are now, with a house, a wonderful church family, and (more importantly) four beautiful children. Though many things have not gone as I would have planned them, God has a far better plan for us than I could dream up. I never would have thought He’d bless me with a man so amazing as you, and yet He’s given us so much more than I could’ve asked for.
You are a very gifted individual – so talented with music and computers and web design. You are a hard worker in every area. You are a good leader – willing to do what’s right and necessary and also skilled in interpersonal relationships. You have a superb sense of humor, which almost always makes me smile (and only sometimes annoys me). 
You are so even-keeled and laid-back, which is a great balance for my high-strung nature.
You like to sleep in late with me, if ever the kids are willing to stay in bed, too.
You are my best friend.
You have dedicated your life to being all that God wants you to be, in every capacity, and that is why my life is so amazing. If you didn’t love the Lord with all your heart and encourage me to do the same, I know our marriage would not be what it is today. He is the *life* in our marriage, and I pray that it always stays that way.
Thank you for being my one and only.
I’m looking forward to the next sixty-ish years with you.
Yours always,
Lacey
Good news! Emily has been making GREAT progress at Mary Free Bed, and she will be going home on December 22 – just in time for Christmas! Praise the Lord!
Here’s the latest from Dan:
Emily leaves Tuesday, December 22!!!
We go home and begin outpatient therapy here at Mary Free Bed. It’ll be 11 days here in therapy and 10 days shorter than the doctor expected her to be here. The first meeting he said “Our average stay here is 2 1/2 weeks, but I think you’ll probably be here for 3…” which put us after Christmas. Emily shot back that she was going to be home for Christmas and she is. Thank God!
Saturday she couldn’t move her arm at all. Today she is continuing more and more exercises to strengthen her arm and shoulder, as well as her wrist and hand. Getting more strength and moving her wrist and hand are the next steps toward a complete recovery.
Everyday she gets more and more strength. She walks very well with a cane now and is expected to begin walking without a cane in a couple days. She walked up 5 flights of stairs and did a ton of walking today. Yesterday and today she did some exercises with weights on her ankles to build muscle in her legs and she is now EXHAUSTED. But she loves it.
She has a great spirit; when she gets tired she puts her nose down and keeps going. It’s showing with constant improvement from day to day and more and more strength.
Shes most excited to see her dog, never mind the other junk. We’re going home after 39 days. Thank God!
We think this is exciting progress for Emily, but it sounds like she is bummed about how she is progressing. She should be moved to Mary Free Bed by now.
The latest from Dan:
We are packed up and waiting for transport to take us to Mary Free Bed.
Emily had a rough night last night with a high amount of pain as well as little sleep, due to the pain. She’s taking a nap now but the transport will be here 22 minutes ago, so she isn’t going to get enough of a nap in.
She is feeling defeated. She is having a difficult time dealing with things. Hopefully the change of scenery will be a blessing in that she won’t feel like we’re going nowhere. Please pray that she stays strong, motivated, and upbeat. Three things that have always come naturally for her.
I really want to sleeping at the moment, so I’m going to make this as quick as possible.
Em’s improving steadily, which is very encouraging. In fact, tomorrow (Friday) she will move to Mary Free Bed rehabilitation hospital (which is where my dad received therapy care after his accident three years ago – a WONDERFUL place for rehab!).
Here’s an excerpt from an email from Dan today:
She’s doing much better all the time. Her legs are much more stable and her left foot is much better. Still no movement in the left arm or hand but it’s much better.
And Mom Rumley said…
EMILY WALKED 15 FEET WITH MINIMAL ASSISTANCE!!!!!
Exciting things are happening! Thanks for your continued prayers!
GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD!
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