Yeah! Keri is finally in a deep sleep. This has been a very long day for all of us. Keri was in quite a bit of pain and they had to roll her from side to side and into different positions every 2-3 hours today. She did not tolerate that very well. She was very alert and periodically would ask us what time it was. As it would get closer to the time to put her into a different position she would become very irritable and start to cry. With the help of a one time dose of Ativan tonight she should get a good stretch of sleep. I'm hoping that the sleep will help to put her in a better mood tomorrow and maybe we can get her to elevate the bed and possibly try some jello or a popsicle.
Keep the prayers coming! I know that they are helping her. Something else to pray for is that several times today Keri asked if she was going to die and wanted to know why God didn't like her. It's heartbreaking to hear that but also understandable...so pray for her to feel God's love!
Thank you!
Tonya
I don't know about you, but as glad as I was to hear better news, my heart broke when I read Keri's questions. It seems unbelieveably unfair for a nine year old to have to process and understand things like this. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but I then took a few minutes to read some of the notes left in Keri's guestbook on the site, and I saw this one from a very dear friend who helped me through a very traumatic time in my life, Terry Bley. He's a pastor at Keri's church, and I think he answered it well:
I want you to know, you can trust God through this stuff. I know you must question why He has allowed all of this. I know I do. I sat their at Riley Hospital on Monday thinking to myself, 'Why do you allow good things to happen to wonderful people?' I found myself even angry over the situation. My anger wasn't necessarily aimed at God, but just mad that surgery and sickness had to happen to such a sweet little girl that has so much excitement for life.
One thing I do know is that God has a plan to use you through this. How? That is still to be determined as you step into the next portion of the journey. There aren't a lot of things you can trust right now - but you can trust God. You may want to consider praying the prayer I've prayed since Friday night when I first heard you had a tumor -- 'God, this is messed up and seems so wrong - but I choose to trust you!'
You know who needs a Keri sized hug from you? Mom and Dad. Those two have been amazingly strong. I can tell you confidently as a dad of four kids that I love so very much that if they could trade places with you, they would. They hurt for you. They feel helpless, because so much of what is going on is out of their control. Believe me - we parents like to be in control. We would go to great lengths to protect you and keep you from pain.
Unfortunately, for all moms and dads, we can't protect our children from all pain. Pain is something every person must experience for their own growth. I guess God felt that you were so mature and ready to handle growth that He allowed it. Thing is, we are all growing in your pain. I'm so sorry for your pain. I'm so sorry that you're afraid. I'm so sorry that none of us can fix life for you right now. We wish we could.
Keep showing that sweet smile. Keep being the social butterfly that you are. Keep being that spunky leader got has created in you from day one. And above all, don't lose heart and continue to trust Jesus. He's there with you ya know. At times you probably even feel his warm embrace of peace. He isn't going anywhere either.
I ask Olivia every night this question. 'Who loves you more than anyone else?' Her response -- 'Mom and Dad. Then I ask, 'Who loves you more than mom and dad?' Her response -- 'Jesus'. Keri, he does love you more than anyone else -- just close your eyes and picture yourself leaping onto his lap and giving him the biggest hug in the world.
The Bleys are praying for you kiddo.
I couldn't have said it better myself, Terry...and these words can not only comfort Keri and her family, but apply to each and every one of us, no matter what we're facing.
Thanks for praying for the Rohrs...and don't stop!
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Terry Bley has been there for me and my family too through very difficult times. I first met Terry as a kid in Nebraska when he stayed the night at our house while passing through as a basketball player for Vennard College. Years later and three states away, my youth pastor was killed in a car accident while I was in high school. At that time, Terry was at Beulah Missionary. Although we were "competing" youth groups at Concord High School, Terry & Kelly wrapped their arms around our youth group and adopted us in. We joined their Tuesday morning prayer times, and ever since then, Terry has been a dear friend and pastor to me. He was also there for my younger brother when he was going through a tough time. There's something comforting about having a person who knows you, your family, and your circumstances. I honestly don't know where me or the rest of my family would be if it wasn't for Terry.
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