June 2008

Well, my goodness…where has the first part of this year gone!!! Between Lisa’s teeth project, her signing, and my job…this year is zooming by like no other….but we’re totally blessed by the Lord through it all! The update on Lisa’s teeth is fabulous and a HUGE praise to our Lord!  After some delays and then waiting for our dedicated and loyal oral surgeon, Dr. Michael Ellis, to return from his tour in Iraq , our three doctors got their schedules coordinated and Lisa had her surgery. Dr. Cunningham performed the surgery, with Dr. Ellis overseeing it and Dr. Todd Baumann (her Prosthodontist) checking it all out too. Lisa had 13 teeth extracted and 8 implants put in all at the same time!  You talk about a little trooper full of courage….that was Lisa! To allow Lisa the capability of continuing her signing in between dental appointments, Dr Baumann re-fashioned her old “ California ” teeth as a short, temporary fix to give her some healing time before prepping her remaining molars for crowns and fitting her new permanent, temporary teeth. YEAH! Her new temporaries look so good and she no longer has to take and/or switch her teeth out in public to eat any more! Oh, how she enjoyed that first meal!  Her headaches have ceased and she no longer flips or nearly loses her teeth in the middle of a song or sentence!  Yeah!!!! God is good!!!

Lisa’s gums have healed “like she was a 15 year old” says Dr. Ellis. We are now waiting until he gives the go ahead for Dr. Baumann to begin “loading” those new implants. The entire project should be completed by September. How very thankful we are to Drs. Baumann, Ellis and Cunningham for the incredible job they are doing for Lisa. But most of all, the care, love and attention they show for Lisa just makes a mother’s heart glad! {Lisa really has enjoyed all this….you see….she had her sights on Dr. Ellis until she learned he’s been married for 25 years…then she quickly, and I mean quickly… rebounded and said she would “take” the young Dr. Cunningham instead!}. She never loses that sense of humor!

Lisa’s travels with Women of Faith came to an end this year which saddened Lisa deeply.  However, in January, Lisa was asked to join a grass roots ministry for women in crisis called the Journey of Sisters. The ministry is comprised of 13 young ladies (including missionary Heather Mercer, who Lisa has yet to meet)…all with unique stories of God’s faithfulness, hope and grace showered upon them as they’ve walked through their journey’s in life. These young ladies are incredible and shower Lisa with love, acceptance and inclusion. Every month they minister to battered and/or homeless women. They are a beautiful testimony of God’s unconditional love. The Executive Director, Amy Jones, is also a professional speaker for Zig Zigler and is eager to work with Lisa to publicly be able to give her testimony and share of God’s goodness in her life. These ladies not only include Lisa in the ministry, but take her shopping, out to eat (one of Lisa’s favorite things to do), and sharing other fun times together. This is something I have always prayed for Lisa…and I couldn’t have hand picked a better group of friends for Lisa than those God has chosen to put in her path right now. The more she is with them, the more I see God growing Lisa…and I love that!!!! Lisa is learning when God closes one door, He opens another ….and through this door, and God has shown Lisa another path full of unconditional love and new friendships!

Besides the Journey of Sisters, Lisa is still signing at our home and area churches, as well as special events, and of course, Best Buddies. She had the distinct pleasure of joining Kathy Troccoli on stage in March at the Spaghetti for the Soul Conference with Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro. We had an outstanding time and if Kathy and Ellie are ever in your area…it’s a “must see” event.   You’ll laugh and cry and get to spend some personal time with Kathy and Ellie. These conferences are small, in comparison to WOF, but you walk away feeling like you’ve been touched not only by the Lord, but by two women who care deeply about YOU and other women. You’ll absolutely love it!! We are making plans to join Kathy and Friends on her cruise in February 2009.  Kathy told Lisa if she comes, she can sign everyday with her…so Lisa is pulling out all the stops and practicing her little heart out on all of Kathy’s songs! Make your plans to be there too….Ellie, Avalon, Chonda Pierce and Mark Lowery are among Kathy’s special quests next year!

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes that have come Lisa’s way. She loves hearing from all of you. Please continue to pray as she follows God’s direction and ministers to the hurting with the Journey of Sisters. May all that they do and say bring honor and glory to Him, and Him alone. God Bless!