This entry is not Shakespeare but it should get the job done. Below is an email I sent to some of my fellow-laborers at Meadow giving a sketch of what we might expect with Amy’s next steps on the road to recovery. Thank you all for caring, praying and reaching out to us. We cannot respond to every contact but we are receiving them all and drawing strength from them. – jeff
Warning: Long Email Below!
Friends, I’ve spoken with one of the surgeons after today’s surgeries on Amy. Here’s a rough sketch of what we might expect with Amy if no setbacks occur: Mid-week next week, Amy is likely to be moved to a rehab center (if insurance approves it) where she will remain and learn how to use her repaired foot and regain motion in her arms. She has various pins, rods, plates and screws in three of her four extremities – only the left leg and foot escaped damage. Right ankle has to be completely rebuilt at some point in the future when the current swelling and tissue deformation normalizes. She will likely spend 3 weeks to 1 month at the rehab facility. The remainder of the recovery process will be at home after leaving rehab. In a perfect world she will likely regain strength over a 4-6 month period working at home after leaving the rehab. I’ve been told not to expect “normal” life to resume before Christmas.
Medically speaking, she will not be able to have coordinated use of arms and legs for a while. Getting showered, clothed and normal life duties will not be possible for a couple of months. She will not be walking at all for at least a month. She will be fully dependent upon me and others for taking care of the children and home, not to mention caring for her. She is currently expected to make a full recovery but it is anticipated to be a slow one. Life will be very different for the Lyles for the rest of 2011. The Meadow church family will need to understand that the way I fulfill my duties is about to change and this will be a God-ordained opportunity for the whole church to reveal the type of bonds and commitments to one another that characterize our faith. We can figure out how my duties will be accomplished later when things with her are not so up in the air. We have the next two weeks covered in the pulpit and our deacons and staff are in communication and will be establishing a plan for carrying on the work of the ministry while I’m unable to go at full capacity.
All of this is subject to change. It may be better or it may be worse. She may have a limp when all is said and done but she is alive and will be able to have a normal life. We are very thankful for this. That’s all for now. I’ll keep you all updated.
Thank you for all prayers, emails, texts and calls. The love of Christ is clearly strong and visible at Meadow. You all are greatly loved.
Thanks,
Jeff Lyle (sent from my mobile)
HEAL AMY HEAL !!!!!!
Heal Amy heal!!!!!
I am so sorry to hear about this. My Aunt (Shirley Nagy) attends your church and sent me this news. I just had to respond and tell you that I would be praying. Though we do not know one another we know the same Lord, Savior, and Way-Maker God. May He lift you all up at this time, continue to encourage and give extra strength when most needed.
In Christ,
Eileen Ahart
P.S. I want you to know that I often read your blog and find the depth wonderfully refreshing at a time when many dare not scratch the surface.
Dear Pastor Jeff,
Brother Steve preached his heart out at the 8:00 service this morning, but we still missed You and Amy so much. I just wanted you to know how much we love both of you and I am praying for the pain to subside and healing to begin. Please give Amy a gentle hug for me.
Dear Bro. Jeff, We missed you very much this morning, but know that you are right where you should be. You and Amy are so special to me and I love you both very much! Please know that we are behind you both 110% and want to help in any way we can. I will contact the appropriate people to get my name on the list to help out. Your family is in our constant thoughts and prayers. Please tell Amy that I love her! -Ashlyn
Pastor Jeff, I am so sorry about this dreadful accident but God is in control and will be with you through this terrible tragedy. He never fails! I’ve called friends all over several states to pray for Amy’s healing, your strength, the doctor’s wisdom, her mother and all the family involved. I am at your “beck and call” if there is anything I can do. When folks get home, I’m a pretty good cook and will be happy to bring meals and I even know how to clean a house! Really, I and all our beautiful congregation are willing and want to help any way we can. God bless and give Amy a more rapid healing than the doctors predict. He is able!
Hey Pastor Jeff,
I just wanted you to know that our Sunday School class is joining in prayer with all of you there. I will continue to update them as I get information. May God hold all of you close & comfort you as Amy and her Mom go through this time of healing & rehab. And I’m praying that anyone who has anything to do with the medical care & treatment is given divine wisdom as they think on the next steps. Doctors are wonderful, but God is the Great Physician, and His wisdom is above all.
Love to you all,
Rosemary
Pastor, You and Amy and her Mother and your children and whole family are on my mind. I am praying for you. Jimmy and I are thinking of you all with much concern and love. We know that the Lord is holding you in his hand and under the shelter of his wing.
Jeff, wanted you to know that we are praying for you and your family. Just read your blog and learned of the accident. We will ask others we know to pray as well. – Cliff and Cathy
Pastor Jeff and Amy,
We are praying for Amy, her mom, and your family. May the Lord be glorified, and may He give you the strength, courage, perspective, comfort, and endurance needed in this time. Much love.
Bro. Jeff & Amy
You are in our prayers daily!! We love you and are here for anything you need. I know is all over this. You are going to need lots of help and support, and you have it!! Thanks for all you do for all of us now it’s our turn to be there for you!! God is sooooo good!! Love y’all and God bless!!
That should be, I know God is all over this!!! Love y’all!!! Amy is such a trooper!! Wouldn’t of thought anything else!!! Sending hugs and prayers from my family to yours!!! God bless!!
Pastor Jeff,
We just heard the news about Amy and her mom. We are lifting you and your family up in prayer.
In Him,
Greg & Christine Knedler
(Abby’s Dad & Mom from basketball a few years ago.)
Hello Brother Jeff,
You and Amy have been on Meredith and my thoughts and prayers since the moment we heard. You two mean so much to us – I know things are fluid right now and know your making adjustments – we are so grateful to God for protecting Amy and keep her mother in our prayers too. God’s love and grace does seem to shine brighter when all seems darkest. What a rock of Salvation we have – He truly is a shield and a comforter. Please make sure you get the rest you need so that you will be well during this time – Let me know any time how I may be of assistance to you and your family.
In Christ,
Kathy
Pastor Jeff,
I am praying for Amy, her Mom and for you and the kids. Times will be difficult for a bit, but the Lord is ever present. I thank Him that they are alive! I thank Him that He is able to heal, He is able to sustain! You are all such a blessing to everyone! And I know HE will take care of things for all of you, and send His comfort as He always does.
Love to you all – In Christ
Rosemary
Pastor Lyles:
My heart is broken for you and your family. I rejoice as do you and the church family that it WILL get better and that the church family is responding as one would expect from the family of God. My brother I am in the States until August 4th and if there is ANYYYYYYYYYY way I can be a help and blessing do not hesitate to either Email me or call me (864-921-7272 We are in prayer for you,Amy,her mother and the children. We have also alerted the “ARMS” net (Amateur Radio) and you all will be on the world wide prayer chain. Fred wall
The Floyd family would like you to know that we are praying for your wife and mother-in-law. We have known Danny for a very long time. My brother Mike and Danny were friends in high school. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless Pam
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge ofGod. How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways.
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor? or who has given a gift to him
that might be repaid?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.To him be glory forever.Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
Oh,the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways
34 For who has known the mind of theLord,
35 Or who has given a gift to him that might be repaid?
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.To him the glory forever.Amen
Praying with love from 4000 miles away
Brother Jeff,
You and Amy are in my constant thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I am on vacation from school for five weeks beginning the last week of July and can offer some overnight help as needed. Please do not hesitate to ask. Nothing is too big or too small of a request. I know Aubrey was willing to help with child care as well and just did not know the best way to reach you. We just live around the corner so please call us if you need us.
Sheila
Brother Jeff, Praying for all of you and esp. those who are in charge of Amy and Deborah’s care. You all are dearly loved and appreciated. IN Christ love, sister Deborah
Jeff,
We were so sorry to hear about the accident. Sounds like you have s long road ahead of you. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeff,
We were so sorry to hear about the accident. It sounds like you have a long road ahead of you. Your family will certainly be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeff,
Even though Christy and I left years ago to pursue God’s will for our life, know that you and the church have been in our thoughts and prayers. Now as your earthly and church family go through a tough time know that we are constantly keeping you lifted up. I know that your faith in God and His leading will allow you to see His plan in all this. The Meadow family has always been and will be in this time strong enough to persevere. Your leadership and example has made sure of this.
Jeff,
I am thankful for the update on Amy. I cannot believe all of this happened in a split second.
You must know and Amy as well that Elmer and I have you in constant prayer. There was a ladies lovely prayer meeting at MBC last evening. If I don’t write often please know that this household is holding you up. I know you are getting many notes of encouragement, but do know if you don’t hear from us you are still being held up. Please assure Amy’s parents that they are being prayed for as well. We are concerned and we care and we love you!
Count us in for the long haul. There is no request too great or small that we will not happily fulifll. We will be Amy’s hands and feet for as long as needed. Oh how we love you all so much! I pray that you can feel all the love and prayers from your church family! Bob, Jen & Brian Woodruff
Pastor Jeff,
We are praying for your family and we can very much understand the kinds of life changes you are experiencing right now. God will be your strength and the love of His people will amaze you. Love and Prayers-
I am praying for God’s strength and comfort for everyone. I will be glad to help in any way that you need. Alicia has been on my heart especially today! Know that I am praying especially for her. My love to all of you.
Nancy
I am not a member of Meadow but all of you are our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My husband and I want you to know that Sister Lyle and her Mother as well as all of your families are in our prayers. I am so sorry about the accident, and thankful that things are not any worse than they are. I pray that healing will take place more quickly than anyone can imagine and I believe it will because of the Great Physician.
You don’t know us, but that doesn’t matter, we are praying!!! In Christ,
Bill and Ann McMillian
Jeff, thanks for the long email.. you can’t say all of that in just a few sentences. Although this will be a long road, as you know God will give you strength when you need it the most and feel you can’t go any further. We love you all and are here to help in anyway we can, please don’t hestitate to call. I bring her Advil if need be, Amy will understand..
Praying for all of you as your transition through this healing process.
Hey man, we are praying for you and your family. I know God is faithful. Job 23:8-10
Pastor Jeff,
I will continue to pray for each and every one of you. I am more than willing to do whatever
I can watch the kids, cook, clean, run errands, or whatever you need or ask me to do.
We love you and yours very much.
Love in Christ,
Mary
In it all the way with you and your family. Harry and Gail Barton Jen and Bob Woodruff
Jeff, know that we are praying in Texas and have let our Sunday School class at Lake Sharon know about it as well. We love you and your family.
Jeff and Amy: Our prayers are with you and your family! We love you! PLEASE-PLEASE call us for anything–we are available and willing. (Ed just told me yesterday that there is a reason why the Lord has not brought a job to me yet…Praise God I AM available for your Family) Sue
Jeff – please know that we are praying for Amy, you, the children and Amy’s family. We will do anything that you need us to do – – babysit, cook, clean, whatever is needed. We love you all.
Jeff, If there is anything I can do to help in this situation please don’t hesitate to give me a call I will do anything that I am able to. Dwayne
I’m so glad she is on the road (long one for sure) to recovery. I’ll tell you that the phrase “just give it time” will get old real quick but really, it will get better in time.
How is her mother doing????? I keep hear all sorts of things but thought I would try to get an answer from someone who would know.
We are praying for her and her mother and both of y’alls family as the months ahead will not be easy ones but God will give you the grace and strength to get through them.
Love,
Derick and Mary Beth
Jeff, please know I love you and your family. There is no request great or small that with the Lord’s equipping, I will not be obedient to oblige. I can babysit, cook a meal, provide cleaning services to the Lyle home, or carpool, etc. Please don’t hesitate to call on me. Until the call, you all are in my prayers.
In Christ,
Love Nadine
We are at your service, whatever it takes! I love that girl and I love those precious kiddos (you’re pretty ok too!). Please know that there is nothing that is too much to ask!