Guest post - Grandma Laura!

Dear friends,
Many of you have been asking about how Anna and I have been doing during this time, so I thought I'd let you all in on Grandma's perspective. I don't often have time at the computer, but I'll work on this a little at a time and give you all a peek into The Other Side Of The Story.
We spent our first night with a family friend in the Phoenix area, and our second night with Crystal's folks in Mesa, but the family really needed a place of their own for the long term. (David will probably be in the hospital for 3 or 4 months.) We were able to get a room at the Ronald McDonald House, which was very convenient, and we spent the next two nights there. But it was just one room with two beds, and a bathroom, and we could have NO food or drink in there except water. It was clearly not going to be a long-term place to stay.
Joel had inquired about apartments when he first contacted the RMH, but was told that our situation didn't qualify us for one. I was unaware of that information, and was chatting with one of the volunteers while watching Anna play in the yard our third afternoon here. As Nancy heard our story, she asked why we weren't in one of the apartments. I said I didn't even know there were apartments. She left for a few minutes, and came back announcing that there was an apartment open and available. I called Joel right away, because I knew he was spending a great deal of time and emotional energy finding us a place to stay. He said yes, he knew about the apartments, but we couldn't have one. So I hung up the phone and told the volunteer that we didn't qualify. She gave me a very kind and understanding you-are-not-listening-to-me look and said, "I know, but I got you one!"
All of a sudden our world changed. No more worry about finding a place to stay. That was a huge load, especially off Joel's shoulders. It didn't seem real until the manager handed Joel the keys to the apartment with a big smile, no questions asked. I almost cried. Joel went straight upstairs and looked at the apartment, and came out dumbfounded at how perfect it was for us. It was just too good to be true. Just like Jesus, isn't it?
The apartment has two bedrooms, a full bath, cozy living room/dining room area, and a kitchenette with frig, micro, sink, and stove. It even has its own washer and dryer. It's fully furnished, and suits our needs very well. The only drawback is that it is on the second floor, with a very long concrete staircase going up to it. The stairs were really more than Crystal could manage so soon after her C-section, so Joel had to carry her up. She could get down very slowly on her own. After Joel left on Monday, Crystal has limited her trips upstairs to just one a day. We leave the apartment around nine in the morning, and take Crystal to the hospital. She stays there with David until late in the afternoon. We pick her up and come back to RMH, where there are great play areas both indoors and outdoors. We watch Anna play until 6:00, which is dinner time. After dinner, Crystal makes her one trek up the stairs and reads to Anna a bit, and I give Anna a bath and put her to bed about 7:15. Then I head to the hospital to spend a couple of hours with David. That's been the schedule this week!
The second-floor apartment makes things a bit more difficult with Anna as well. When we were in our downstairs room, I could leave the door open and let her wander in and out, and I could make quick trips to the laundry room, without having to worry about her. Now I have to be right with her when the apartment door opens. And no more quick trips anywhere. We must either go through the very slow process of letting her walk down the stairs holding my hand, or I have to carry her down (which means I can't also be carrying anything else!). Other than that, the apartment has been perfect, and I am not complaining!
Anna and I spend our days getting things done around the apartment, or wandering downstairs to visit the concrete rabbit and turtles which decorate the courtyard, or taking a ride in the wagon, or just playing in the rocks. There have also been several trips to Walmart and the dollar store to get little things we need to make this apartment work for us. We have also discovered the toddler story time at the local library, so that will be part of our Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The routine will change some when Joel is here on weekends. And perhaps we'll change things up a bit when Crystal is able to drive. But until she is able to lift Anna (probably about a month from now), Anna and I will be buddies. Many, many blessings to Mark, who is home alone during this time. I'm hoping he may make a weekend trip down here, but we're just taking things a little at a time.
I can't say how much we appreciate all the prayers that have been set before the Father on our behalf. Please continue to pray for David's growth and healing, for strength and healing for Crystal, and for Anna's world to remain calm and secure during this time. And please pray for Mark as well, as he maintains the home front on his own. The Lord has been faithful, and we know He will continue to be! Thank you, thank you, precious Jesus.