It has been some time since I posted anything on this blog. There are a couple of reasons. The main one being that since last August, I feel that Iliana has been in the same place developmentally. I would like to share with you what has happened recently.

Iliana's vision has always been a concern of mine. However, every time we would see the ophthalmologist at Nemours they would say that her vision is fine and there was nothing they could do for her. Iliana, for years now, has had to tilt her head back in order to center both eyes at the same time and see clearly. When you see her walking, she will tilt her head back to see where she is going, unless she is familiar with the surroundings. For the last couple of years, we have been trying to find a doctor that specializes in children that do this without success. However, almost 2 months ago I was talking to a friend about Iliana. I was explaining all of the above and she said she would ask and see if she knew anyone that knew of a doctor. It wasn't long after that that I received an e-mail from her with a link to a pediatric doctor. I immediately contacted them through e-mail and received a phone call within 30 min. I had to get a referral for her, and knowing how long this could take, I just prayed that this would all be resolved before November since we will have a newborn then. The very next day, I got a call from Iliana's pediatrician with the date and time of our appointment. Just an additional note, this doctor is not from the area and travels to certain locations one day a month. We were still able to be seen in July.

Can you already see how God has orchestrated this whole thing? The bible says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him" Romans 8:28 . It also says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3. I have been praying for this for some time. It wasn't until this very moment that the Lord decided to answer. God hears each of our prayers, how and when he responds to them is up to God.

We went to our appointment in Destin and met with the doctor. She determined that Iliana could benefit from surgery. She used a lot of medical terminology. Some I don't know how to say and others I can't even remember. Basically they will perform surgery on the muscle on the top of her eyes. She said those muscles were a bit tight which is common with neurological issues. She also noted that the inside muscle of her left eye needed to be moved in order to bring her eyes to center with her head held straight. Iliana did not enjoy having her eyes dilated and then a bright light shined on them. It was difficult to keep her looking at a certain spot in order to get a perfect measurement to know how much to move that inside muscle. We were then scheduled for surgery in Dothan, Al, which is where their surgical center is located, on Friday, August 27. She will have a pre-op appointment the day before to try and get a better measurement of the left eye and then a post-op appointment the next day. The results of the surgery should be noticable immediately. Basically, she will be able to tell if Iliana needs to have more surgery or if the one was enough. We will then schedule a follow up appointment for a month after her surgery.

I am updating her blog because I am asking you to pray for her. You have been so faithful in offering prayers for her since before her birth and I am asking that you pray for her without ceasing. Please pray that all of the details with the trip and surgery will fall into place. That a perfect measurement may be taken the day before in order to avoid further surgeries. Wisdom for the doctor and everyone that will be involved in the surgery. That God would protect her, give us a safe journey there and back, and that Christ will be glorified in all things.

Thank you so much for loving her enough to pray,
Litka

Iliana Grace has taken her first steps!!! She is walking a little more every day. I will try to post the video soon if I can. We are praying that God will now work in her to allow her to begin communicating with us.

This is from my sister Abdi. I pray that you will consider the following and pray for those who will be seeking God in prayer on behalf of Iliana.

My small minds is fascinated at times on how God works.

Take for example this week: I have been attending a church here in Nashville and have enjoyed the service. This past sunday the message was on fasting. The pastor spoke on the questions and answer. Such as what it is, the purpose, should I, ect... Two things that stayed with me was when he said, 1- "Fasting is a time to temporarily deny the natural part of you in order to grow the spiritual side of you" and 2 - "Fasting ask the question, how bad do I want God to hear me and breakthrough on my behalf?" The church was asked to fast as a whole for the church body and for what ever personal need from Feb 15 and breaking the fast on Feb 22.

I was inspired but unsure. What do I want to hear God in and breakthrough on my behalf?

On Thursday, I knew. As many know, my niece, Iliana Grace, has had many struggles since birth. The doctors have stated that she is developmentally delayed because they have no other terms for her condition. We had hope to have some answers and medication for her this week, but again nothing. From a neurological point, she is fine. But for a 4 year old she is unable to walk or talk. She is what I want to hear God in and she is the breakthrough.

One of the questions was "Is fasting always a private matter?". The answer: "No, there are times in the scriptures when people of a common bond and with a common challenge fasted together corporately. See Daniel 1; Joel 2:15; John 3:5-10; Ester 4; Ezra 8:25-33; Acts 13:2-3.

The Bible makes reference to different people who fasted as well as different ways of fasting. In others words, it is abstaining from a physical gratification for a period of time, in order to achieve a spiritual growth. The way I have decided is how Daniel fasted: no meat or wine (see www.danielsfastcookbook.com for help).

Please join me in lifting Iliana up so that we can hear how we are to help her, what doctor to go to who will not rest until he knows how to help and have ABBA Father Jehovah Rophe breakthrough.

Thanks

(ilianagrace,blogspot.com)

For the first time this past Sunday, we did not use a stroller to take Iliana to church. She walked to her class holding on to her daddy's hands and then walked back out after church holding on to mine. Her balance is still not the best, but she is able to stand and move her body in a way that seemed impossible at times. Glory to God for having done this in her life, but most importantly I praise Him for his unconditional love for those of us that are his children. Whether He chooses to completely heal Iliana or not, I will still praise him.

The following is a video I took about 2 weeks ago and just realized that i had not posted this on her blog. Iliana has begun to self feed finger foods. Cheerios, apples, bananas, etc... She is also clapping quite a bit, and like any other child, she doesn't perform when you want her to. I will get that on video soon.

I was remembering that during her last therapy session in Miami, Oct 2006, we were asking God that she would begin chewing food, and now she is feeding herself. What a huge answered prayer this is for us. Please continue to pray for her development.

Just a couple of recent pictures. The first is of Iliana in the pool with her new float. It looks strange, but it is really the best thing I've had for her for the pool. She can swim around without flipping over and she loves it. The next two are of her feeding herself a banana for a snack. She has gotten very good at taking the spoon and feeding herself. The other morning she fed herself her oatmeal. She isn't able to scoop up the food yet, but we are working on that.

Getting ready to look for eggs

I think I see one!

At church

Just the girls

Waiting to take our family picture


I wanted to share some pictures from Easter Sunday. Iliana is on spring break from school this week. It has been nice having her with us all day. She is learning how to make her needs known. For example, if she is hungry she will crawl to her chair and sit in front of it until you come to get her and feed her. I love that! She has also been giving me hugs. Love that too! She is interacting more. She has also been trying to stand on her own, without the use of furniture, but she isn't strong enough. She's not quite sure how to get her upper body to do what she wants it to do.

Sometimes I forget the journey we've had the last couple of years. I get so focused on the present situation that I forget, for a moment, what we have already overcome. I was talking to a mom on Reece's ball team recently about Iliana. She met Iliana before our last trip to South Florida for Therapy. We talked about all of the things Iliana is doing now that she couldn't do a year and a half ago. Chewing food, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand and some other little things like looking at me and hugging me, reaching out for me. God has been good. I was reminded that God has not brought me to this point in my life with Iliana to just leave me here.

These are a few pictures from Christmas.

Iliana is doing well. She likes going to school and has made new friends. We are working on walking with a walker, self feeding and following simple commands like give and take. With all of the weather changes, she has been sick for a little while. I am hoping she will be over it all soon.

I forgot to add this one

Love to give kisses to my daddy

Going down the big slide at the Fall Festival

Having fun with daddy

Teaching my baby sister to swing

It was a beautiful day to be at the park


Iliana has been adjusting well to school. She seems to enjoy going. The other day when I went to drop her off, her teacher Mrs. Kim called out to her and she immediately threw herself at her. She seems to like her a lot. I was very pleased to see that reaction. She has been a little bit under the weather the last few days, but was finally able to go back to school today. Please pray that she would be completely well soon.

I have to take a moment to speak something from my heart because my conviction is so strong. You can chose to tune me out or you could read on, your choice. Why has Almighty God chosen to put Iliana in my life or allowed her to be different? Some have said that God is somehow punishing me for some sin because my daughter is not healthy or normal. That this is some sort of twisted payback because I have done something wrong that needs confession. Can I ask you one question? What makes me worthy of any blessing or any good that He gives me? Am I to assume that I am capable of working to earn blessings from God? If your thinking is true on this matter, why didn't God just put an end to all of humanity after the fall of Adam and Eve? Instead, because of His love for us, He sent His most prized possession, His son, to die for me. Me. Because of that love, He has displayed mercy. Am I also to assume that if all is well in my life that I am doing well spiritually, that God is pleased with me? Absolutely not! In fact, my focus on God could be so far off the mark that I may not even recognize His voice anymore, or the Spirit's leading. His word is full of examples of people with a heart for God that had to endure many trials because it was what would bring glory to God. Did He not endure the suffering on the cross because it was God's plan? Am I saying that sin doesn't have consequences? No. The truth is this. I am His. He can do with my life what He chooses because He can. My job is to bring glory to Him in all that I do.

I challenge you to speak to me directly although I know that you lack the courage to do so. Your views and ideas are not from God but Satan. He is a good God who does not seek every opportunity to punish His children, but desires an intimate relationship with each. My daughter may not be perfect by your standards, but your standards are not what I live by.

Let me end with this. Iliana is a blessing, a gift from God to me and I would do nothing to change what He has given me.

at school

On my way in to school. Don't I look like a big 3 year old?

First day of school

Ok, we are on our way to school. It has been a difficult morning for me. Please pray for me.

One day...

Check out my new wheels!

Beep! Beep!

I had fun eating my birthday cupcake!

What's in this bag?

At the circus

Swinging with my sisters

My first haircut


Iliana has been doing well this past week. She seems to be very alert and aware of her surroundings lately. She seems to take notice of when someone walks in or out of a room more often. She is babbling A LOT. She will probably be starting school soon, so please pray
for all of us.

the birthday girl

my family

taking a picture with Thomas the Train

I sat up in my stroller so that I could see everything

Daddy and I on the train ride. I liked looking out the big window.

My baby sister and I

I was so tired

I took a picture with Gordon

My mom order me some macaroni and cheese, but I had my eye on her lasagna. I loved it!

Sitting like a big girl with my sister. My abuela was nearby to make sure I didn't fall.

My baby sister thought she could take my toy, so I had to show her who was the boss.

I like my brother's sword. I think I could fight him and win.

I wonder if I can get this in my mouth?

Oh! So close!

Loving on my Mimi.

If her hair was a little longer, I could pull it right now.


I've tried several times to update this blog, but have had problems downloading the pictures. As you can see, I had no problem doing so today.

Iliana turns 3 tomorrow. In the past year she has learned to crawl, pull up on furniture to stand, she'll take walking steps when held by both hands, and has clapped her hands. She learned to do a lot while 2, and they call them the terrible two's, right? It can only mean she will do that much more while 3. At least I hope so.

This past week we went to visit a school that Iliana may be going to. I ask that you pray for the Lord's guidance and that he will provide the wisdom necessary to Dwight and I. I have a hard time letting her go, as any mom would. She is only 3 and her school may be downtown. Not a very desirable location, but I know that God can use anything. For the most part, I felt comfortable with the program and the teachers. I have my favorite, so I'm praying she will be enrolled in a particular class. There are currently 3 pre-k classes at this school. I know it is to her benefit to be there.

Currently, she is sick. She had several seizures yesterday and has had a high fever. I think she is feeling better now, but still has a low grade fever. Please pray for her health.