Happy 7th Birthday Kensley!!

One Year Later...

It's been one year since the accident. We celebrated. When Kensley started talking again she would say "Praise the Jesus" when we told her things. We have no clue why. But now we all say it. So last night we had a "Praise the Jesus" party. We Praise God for the year of miracles that we have had. We Praise God for the way he has blessed and touched Kensley over the past year. She talks (oh my...does she ever! :)), she walks (and in the past few weeks does it even better than before), she has a head full of hair (with curls), she is back in school full-time and is making great grades, she has had a blessed year.

She still has some healing yet to come. She doesn't use her left arm often, and she still has a limp - but we are looking for those things to work themselves out. We have patience, we can wait. We have faith, and expect it to happen in and at the right time.

Dustin, Melissa and Konnor are all good. Dustin still has some back issues at times and Konnor still has the scars from the road rash but things are great.

Here are pictures.....one year later.

Just a quick pic.....

I know we don't blog a lot here anymore but I wanted to post this cute pic. She lost another tooth!

Graduated!

I know the blog has not been kept up as well as it should have been. Kensley makes progress every day but it's just a long road. She's had some bumps in that road lately - she has fallen a couple of times, broke her wrist during one of them. But that was an accomplishment! She fell because she was walking. On her own, with no help, while playing hide and seek with the kids. The wrist breaking wasn't necessarily good but it healed and she doing okay! Today, there was an accomplishment that is worthy of video. Today, seven months after the accident, Kensley graduated from Kindergarten. She was soooo excited! I didn't get to be there - had something at work that I couldn't get away from, but they videoed and texted it to me. It isn't the greatest video in the world, but it will get the job done!

What an awesome awesome accomplishment!

Marty

Rescheduled and Great News!!

The Caring for Kensley concert has now been rescheduled. It will be March 5th, 2010 at New Century Technology High School from 7:00 to 10:00. Hope everyone can make it and that the weather cooperates this time!!

Also..........KENSLEY IS WALKING!!!! By herself, with no walker and no help! HOW GREAT IS THAT!?!?

Will try to get better pictures soon!!

Marty

Concert Postponed & Additional Prayers Needed

TO ALL - The Caring for Kensley Concert scheduled for this Friday night has been postponed. The threat of wintery precipitation is just to great to risk the safety of those who would be travelling to attend.

The organizers also wanted to give consideration to Br. Darrin Isbell, his family, and those who have been helping in that situation this week after his terrible accident.

A rescheduled date will be announced as soon as possible. Please continue to pray for Kensley, and also join in praying for our dear friend Darrin - plese visit his FB page for details.

http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=303712295725&ref=nf

Caring for Kensley Concert

On October 7th, 2009, Dustin and Melissa Kelly and their family were in a terrible accident. Through God’s mercy Dustin, Melissa and Konnor made it through the accident with minor injuries. However, as many of you are aware Kensley received severe head injuries and was in the trauma center for quite some time. With a lot of support and through many prayers, Kensley has made tremendous improvements. Nonetheless, this has brought change to their lives in many ways. Kensley is having to receive therapy several times a week, and no one really knows how long this could go on. We all know that with God, all things are possible and that is what we are leaning on.

Through the Praying for Kensley blog and FB page literally THOUSANDS have prayed for this sweet family. So many have sent messages that, even though they do not know this family personally, they have taken time to pray and send encouraging words to help lift the family's spirits.

Dustin and Melissa have always been so generous and traveled many miles to sing at funerals, weddings, and countless singings. In return, we would like to have a benefit singing for the family on January 29th, 2009. We realize many have already made contributions, which have been very much appreciated. We also realize that many of you would just like to meet Dustin, Melissa, Konnor and Kensley and see what God has done. They too would love to meet you and thank you for your prayers over the last few months. This singing will be a perfect venue to celebrate God's mercies and undeniable miracles in Kensley's life.

The singing will be Friday, January 29th from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. It will be held at New Century Technology High School. (Click here for directions.)

We look forward to seeing all of the Praying for Kensley army to thank each of you for your prayers and support. Most of all we ask that you continue to remember the Kelly family, and keep Kensley in your prayers.

Love always,

Friends and Family of Kensley Kelly

The highlight of our morning! Here is what we posted on Kensley's facebook page earlier:

BREAKING NEWS!!!! :) Just got this from Melissa....."I'm at therapy with Kensley & just got all teary eyed! My baby stood up a whole 8 seconds by herself and did great walking on the treadmill too! Now she is walking on the walker & moving it by herself. I just wanted to share a bit of good news with everyone and thank everyone for praying for us!"

Melissa called when she got out of therapy. Kensley was soooo excited! They sent her home with a walker for the night to practice. She told Melissa before she went this morning that she was going to walk, she was getting out of that chair! Wow. When she goes for it she doesn't hold back does she? :)

Looking for more great things soon!

Marty

A new year!!

How is this for drama queen?!? ha! Kensley is decked out in accessories that Grandmother bought the girls for Christmas! They got a whole tote full of necklaces, bracelets, glasses and stick-on earrings! They put them on immediately! All Kensley really asked for from Santa was a babydoll...and she got her! She named her "Katie." Guess the "K's" are passing on down! For those that don't know, we have Kylee, Kade, Kamron, Keelie, Konnor and Kensley....yeah, we're close like that...lol.

Kensley is starting off her new year well! She is opening her left eye much wider and her pupil has started moving more. She is moving her left arm and has recently started opening and using her left hand. The doctors were afraid she would not be able to "grasp" things with her hand and use it as well as before, however, she has been showing us how she can pick up books and things with that hand.....never underestimate the power of Kensley! :)

Kensley is still working with a homebound teacher. She has physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy weekly. Keeping her mom on the run! It's amazing at the improvements she is making. She looks more and more like herself daily. Her expressions, her body language, and the way she says things reminds us of the previous Kensley over and over.

Please continue to pray for her. She still isn't walking and is in a wheelchair, we would love to see her walk. Her short term memory still needs work. But we are sooo thankful for where she is right now! And we are looking for wonderful things with her in 2010!!

Marty