Hello dear friends!

I know you have all been anxiously awaiting an update on Hannah, and I first want to apologize for how long its taken me to write this. Between being a new mommy to a 2 ½ week old daughter, to frequent hospital visits to see Hannah, I'm swamped! Thank you so much for your patience, and please forgive any delays in response or updates.

Now to the update! (I apologize in advance for the length)

DIALYSIS
Hannah has been doing dialysis daily, and this is an area that we have really seen prayers answered. Her first couple days of dialysis were quite rough, but things seem to be going more smoothly now. It seems like Hannah's kidney function is stabilizing, if not getting better, and with each dialysis treatment, the swelling is going down...there are still 20 lbs of extra fluid on her body that we hope the dialysis will address. The plan is to continue to do dialysis daily. Once Hannah is out of the hospital, she will be going in to get dialysis three times a week.

BLOOD COUNT
This continues to be the biggest prayer need. Hannah's body is still rejecting the blood in her body. She had a transfusion the day before yesterday, and they are looking at doing another one soon. Until this improves, Hannah cannot leave the hospital. Thank you for continuing to pray that Hannah's body stops fighting itself, and accepts the blood that the hospital is giving her.

HANNAH
Thank you all SO very much for praying for Hannah's encouragement – I have personally seen the effect of your prayers the past couple days I've gone to visit Hannah...she is noticeably more upbeat and cheerful (more like the Hannah we all know and love). The nurses at the hospital are all delighted by how cheery Hannah's room is. Your cards, gifts, flowers and posters have made Hannah's room so fun and cozy...I know this helps brighten each of her days.

VISITORS
Especially since dialysis has started, Hannah has been extra worn out, so Daniel and I feel the need to reiterate some guideline for those who would like to visit Hannah. Please make sure to call or text Hannah or Daniel at least an hour before going to visit so that we're not interrupting Hannah's dialysis, naps, or visits from family. Most importantly: while visiting Hannah, please keep an eye on the clock, and keep your visit to strictly 15 minutes or less. **Hannah may seem chipper and talkative, but is much more tired than she seems**. Hannah is so thankful to each of you who have taken the time to visit Hannah – I know this has cheered her up a lot.

BIG NEWS
For those of you who don't know, mine and Hannah's parents are currently living as missionaries in Mozambique, Africa, along with our younger brother (18 yrs) and sister (16 yrs old). Due to the high cost of airfare (about $3,000 a person), they have been unable to come back to the US since Hannah's been in the hospital. As you can imagine, it has been heart-rending for them knowing the things that Hannah has been going through and not being able to be here with her in this time. Just this week their home church told them to come home, offering to pay most of their airfare. This has overwhelmed and blessed us beyond words. My family quickly bought tickets, and will be arriving this next Sunday (the 28th). They will be staying for 6 months (but will be able to change the date if necessary), and will be living with Hannah and Daniel, helping care for Hannah, prepare healthy food, and take care of the kids and house. If Hannah is still in the hospital when they get here, my Dad will be taking an active role in talking with the doctors and sorting out all the medical advice so that we can better decide the best way to help Hannah. My mom will be making sure that Hannah is eating much healthier (so that she recovers faster), and being there to comfort her like only a mother can. My parents will also be helping out a lot with the kids. After praying about it, we feel this is an opportunity for you to give financially if this is on your heart. If you would like to give, your gift will first go to covering the rest of my family's airfare, and then will go towards other expenses my family will have while they're here including gas (trips to the hospital, doctors, etc. and food for them and Hannah and Daniel's family).

If you would like to contribute toward this, you can make checks payable to Daniel Maddux (Hannah's Dad) and your gift can be sent to:
Daniel Maddux
1124 E Westerfield Place
Olathe, KS 66061

Or if you would like your gift to be tax deductible, you can make checks payable to Daniel Maddux and your gift can be sent to:
B.E.A.
c/o Thomas and Linda Ledford
31625 Summit Ridge Dr.
Crystal Lakes, MO 64024

HUGE thanks in advance for your generosity...this deeply blesses us. One last prayer request would be for my parents as they're swamped trying to get ready to leave Africa on such short notice: packing, getting ministry and finances in order, etc.

I'll bring this long note to a close now. May God richly bless your hearts as He has ours. You all are treasures!

Much love from us all,
Chloe (Hannah's sister)