Merry Christmas from the McConomy's - 2010

She's growing up FAST!

Sam and Esther

Just watch for 2 minutes… then you can turn it off and have a nice day.

I know I can't. This video continues to haunt the quiet moments of my day. Is God stirring my heart to do something more? Is He whispering to you too?

Bill

More photos

Easter

Happy Easter!

We have not posted in a while but all is well. Praise enjoyed her 2nd Easter with us. She is growing fast as you can see. She has quite a personality and keeps us all laughing. She is quite a singer and likes to watch American Idol.

The Dr.s are amased at her health, she is doing great!

John 3:16

Her first memory verse. We pray that she will soon come to know what this means.

1 Year Later

It's hard to believe that a year ago today we met our daughter in the Kidane orphanage in Ethiopia. Many of you were praying over us in our journey there and our journey here as the physical and emotional healing of Praise began. This has not only been about unraveling medical mysteries and physical healing but also about unraveling the mysterious ways of God in our personal lives and the spiritual healing in our souls. We have witnessed again first hand that God's grace, mercy, and love is far greater than whatever situation or circumstance we find ourselves. Her name, Praise Tinsae, speaks volumes to us in ways that we never would have imagined.

If you have been following our blog you know that because of dealing with her other medical challenges we could not start her HIV meds until about 4 weeks ago. Today, on our one year anniversary, we received a report from the doctor's office that her HIV is at undetectable levels in her body. What great news! Yes, we believe God timed this news to commemorate in our lives that He remembers each and every moment...of every year... in our lives more than we do.

Do we just believe this way about God because of our daughter's amazing health and progress? What if God chose to lead her to greater sickness or even death? Would we still be able to 'Praise' Him? Our praise of God cannot rest in our perspective of the circumstances that surround us. Our praise of God must find its rest in the nature and character of a Holy God that does all things well even if we never see or understand the 'seemingly' dark and hopeless moments of our lives. It is only from God's vantage point or perspective in His grand scheme of things that we can see how all things work together for His praise and glory. It was God's plan to send His son to a brutal death on the cross. Can you imagine how His disciples felt as they watched Jesus die such a horrible death? They did not understand the price that He had to pay to satisfy the debt for our sin. They did not know about the resurrection. They did not understand the depth of His love. Praise's middle name, Tinsae, means resurrection. Her name everyday reminds us of His love and to Praise the Resurrection.

Thank you for standing with us and praying for us.

His love is...more than we can ever begin to imagine,

Bill & Michelle McConomy

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

My first braids!

Is'nt she cute, she was so pround of her hair! I made this last for about a week!

overdue update

We have been so busy we have not posted in a while. In August and September we had hospital admissions for wheezing.Praise was diagnosed with a parasite, which may have caused the wheezing.She seems better now but is being watched for Asthma.
She started her HIV meds about two weeks ago, that is going well. She takes three liquids by mouth twice a day. When she can swallow pills it will be much easier.

She also had her first dental visit.Of course she has a problem and will require oral surgery,what's one more thing!

She is running and talking. She is so friendly and social! She gets alot of attention, and loves every minute of it.

Summer Fun

We just got back from vacation, Praise had a great time. She loved the "big wa wa", the ocean, and loved playing in the sand. She napped on the beach or at the waterpark on a towel, she was so easy! She also loved having her Grandmom and Poppop along. She goes for a checkup tomorrow, her health has been stable. She is 21 lbs and 31 inches long. She is so much more social now then she was just a few months ago.

Before and after

Wow!!!I just had to put some pictures side by side. Here is December of 2007 and July 2008.

Praise has been on her new medication for her digestive problems since June 25th, it is helping her. She has gained over 2 lbs, and continues to gain.She has much less stomach pain and is very happy.She is walking everywhere now, no more crawling, she is almost running. It is amasing to see how far she has come. She goes back to the Dr. Sept 9th to start on her HIV drugs.
She had some recent blood work come back with high white blood cells, they are trying to find an infection to explian this, we have not gotten any results yet.
Thanks to all those that faithfully pray for little Praise.

more health issues

Praise was diagosed with pancreatic insufficency, which means that her body does not make the enzymes to digest proteins and fats. She is going to be on a special medication that she takes before meals to help her. Hopefully this will stop the diarrhea and help her to gain some more weight.Please pray that this works for her and that she is able to put on some more weight. Thanks!

Walking!

Praise is starting to walk! It started with standing alone, then walking pushing her cart, now she has walked about 12 steps! She has made some amazing progress in just 6months.