Smiley Rilee :)

Anyone who knows me knows my cousin, Rilee. You may not know her personally, but I ask for prayer for her all the time. If you don't know her situation, I'll give you a brief summation. She is thirteen years old - beautiful, funny, adorable. She is absolutely the cutest thing you'll ever meet. However, she has been in and out of the hospital for 7 years now. I don't know the specifics of it all, but she gets really excruciating headaches. So much so that sometimes she can't bear them. It really limits the things she can do. She's thirteen, ya know? She should be able to do all the things that a thirteen year old wants to do, but sometimes she just can't. The doctors are unsure of what is causing the headaches. She has to have procedures done almost every month, which isn't the way any child should have to live.

Right now, she is in the hospital having a spinal tap done to remove the fluid from her brain. When the fluid builds up it makes her headaches worse. She has been in the hospital for a few days now, and chances are she will have to travel to Ohio to see a specialist. This is a trip she has made a few times before. I know it can't be easy on her, her mom, or her dad.

The beautiful blessing in this situation is that Rilee knows God has a plan. During all this, she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior! Hallelujah! What a blessing! She knows that she has struggles, but she trusts that God has the ultimate plan for her life. She is only thirteen, and a lot of the time understanding the bigger plan is hard for her, but she hasn't given up. She is the toughest and bravest little girl I know. I couldn't be more proud of the young lady she has turned out to be. On her good days, she is able to get out and play and swim and just enjoy her life. On her bad days though, she is still trying to enjoy her life to the best of her abilities. She is an inspiration to me. She has the strength of an army. She isn't afraid of the future because she knows God is the one holding her future! I am so blessed she is a part of my life.

I am asking that you please continue to pray for her during this time in her life. Please, write her name down, Rilee Rhodes, on any prayer lists you have and remember her when you talk to God. She is a tough little cookie, but all prayers are appreciated. I strongly believe in the power of prayer! God is a miracle worker, and He does have her life already planned out. Just pray for her continued strength as she goes through each day. No matter what is ahead, God is in control. Thank you for reading this, and thank you for all your prayers!

God Bless!