memories of hard tearful days , filled with pain, worry, faith and hope. Heidi has come a long way. She works on her balance every day so she can become even more independent. Her sister Aubrey takes her to the gym every day to work on strength exercises. She learned that this can help her balance greatly. Daily she works on her speech by reading The Book of Mormon out loud. This week she is going to meet a man who also suffered an A.V.M. years ago and he can give her some good advice on what to do mentally and physically to a better recovery. Heidi will put a more recent photo of herself on her blog soon. We are feeling so much better about things. Her blessings of promise are definitely happening. That she will completely recover. Heidi went to her friend Megan's missionary farewell this last Sunday and her friend Kelsie is getting married in Married in November and Heidi will be one of her bridesmaids. Heidi's new little nephew just received a baby blessing and his name is Blake. Heidi was able to witness this little miracle and so many other wonderful blessings continue to happen for Heidi and our family. It is not hard to be thankful for the small things now. To see joy again is something we can't take for granted.

early pictures of Heidi

early beginings in Idaho of many mountains to climb!

Here is the latest on Heidi and her progress. Heidi has come a long way. She is able to say anything she would like now with little effort. She still would like to improve on the clarity and pronounciation of some words. She is much more optimistic and is enjoying life much more. In the last two weeks we have noticed much more independence on her part. She gets up and goes from room to room without any aid. She does her own laundry and fixes her own meals. Her balance is improving still and is working hard at that. Heidi still goes to her three therapies every week and has many good friends there. She went to see a neurologist the other day and she had an angiogram done of her brain to make sure that the avm was completely removed and we found that it had been. So the Lord has truley blessed us in the healing of Heidi and we are so grateful to him. He has been with us through it all and brings us comfort and joy everyday.





Either 12:27



"And if ment come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themseves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things strong unto them."





"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."



- Confucious

Heidi was really fortunate to have such good Dr. in the ICU in Idaho. Heidi and Dr. Aplyn have just exchanged emails recently about Heidi's progress and what is going on in each others lives. Heidi's Dr. is from Germany and currently lives her in the U.S. She was one of Heidi's many Dr.s, but was special because of how very kind and understanding she was. She meant a lot to Heidi and the family. Here is a very sweet email she sent Heidi...........

Hello Heidi,

this is so wonderful to hear from you! This is great progress, although, I am sure, it still could be faster for you! Nobody can understand how much it takes to come through this, unless one has experienced it her/himself. and it takes always longer, then you think.
We have a dear friend, was our best babysitter, who 6 years ago, when he was 18 felt 80 feet on a mountain and survived, had many fractures, but no head injury. He went to college in a full body cast, it took him a year to recover physically. And yesterday I wrote him a recommendation letter for his medical school application, he his currently working as a flight paramedic in Alaska, that was one of his dreams, when I talked with him a long time ago, he was 13 then.
Your story is very different, the brain is the most complex organ, we have and a very beautiful one. But your story is one of hope, like the one of my friend. And it is some of your story, I am thinking about, when I see a very sick patient, unable to do anything for himself.
I wish you, that you can continue to have hope for yourself, when it is difficult and slow, when you are in a dark valley.
Yes, me and my family are moving to the east bay area, Berkeley, to be exact and I will be working In Oakland, starting June 1st.

Please give your parents my warm regards, they are brave too.

Take care
Monika Aplyn

Its been awhile since we have updated the blog about Heidi and we can tell you that she is continuing to make great progress! Heidi works everyday very hard to continue her recovery. She is very determined and we are so proud of her and what she has done and continues to do. She is improving in her walking and her balance is getting better. She is also sounding much better with her speech.Her eyesight is also improving a great deal, but still has some double vision that requires her to focus in to see detail. She is feeling more optimistic about her situation and knows that she is getting better everyday. She is still going to therapy three times a week and has made good friends there.

Heidi was able to attend the Kelly Clarkson concert last week and loved it all. She went with her good friends Kelsey and Chelsea and some of her family members. She also attends institute once a week. She is happy that she is able to go to more places and do more things.

We thank our Heavenly Father Everyday for this miracle that has happened and continues to happen. We love Heidi! Thanks again for all your concern and prayers,

Heidi's Family

This is a recent email Heidis bishop wrote to Heidis ward in Idaho:

Heidi is speaking again, not like she wants to, but she is speaking. She is starting to walk by her self without the aid of a walker or anyone else. The steps are slow and very careful but she is doing it. The night we were there she showed us how much she had progressed. She said her plan was to be back in Rexburg this Fall and be in the 30th ward. As we watched and visited with her she said "I am learning patience!" We watched as she walked around the front room and into the kitchen, at times she had to fight gravity and gain her balance. After we left I thought about these to things and then came to mind two blessings that I gave her during her stay at the hospital in Idaho Falls. In one I said that the lord had given her this challenge to teach her patience and that her recovery would take time but it would be steady. In another blessing I remember saying that as she learned to walk Angels would be on her sides to help buoy her up. As I thought of how she would start to lean and almost fall to one side she seemed to be almost caught by something or maybe someone and then regained her balance.
We have watched a miracle happen in our ward, what a blessing it has been to all of us. Thank you for your continued faith and prayers, she has felt it and knows that you are a big part of the reason she is doing so well.
Have a great evening!
Bishop Sevy