They were giggling as Daddy was making silly noises with his hand. Over the hum of the juice machine and the noise of others gathered in the donut shop, Matt didn’t think Rhyan would be able to hear. He put his hand up to Evynn’s ear and she laughed. Then he put his hand up to Rhyan’s ear and made the noise.

She looked at him. “I heard it when you did it over there.”

Then she leaned in toward him and whispered, “You know why? ‘Cause it’s a miracle.”


Rhyan’s miracle began with her birth, continued with her diagnoses, followed us through her first surgery, and maintained it’s splendor with her second. Our path has been one that continues to bless and amaze me.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
I believe God gives us enough light at our feet to illuminate only a few steps in order for us to avoid stumbling. The darkness in the unknown ahead is filled with such excitement and promise that if we could glimpse it, we would be unable to resist running toward it, and we’d miss His present miracles. Because of this, these last few months we have walked with slow and steady steps, waiting for this day with all the hope and anticipation He loves to be witness to.

Even before we started Rhyan’s Hope, we knew baby Jillian and her family. Jillian was going to be our very first recipient, and before I even spoke to her mommy, Andrea, we shared an unshakable bond. Once I talked to her, I knew I had a friend for life. Shortly after we spoke, their insurance agreed to pay for Jillian’s initial implant.

While we rejoiced with them, we continued to pray for our first candidate. Door after door closed and then Matt asked what I thought of raising money for a bilateral, or second ear. I absolutely loved the idea. The reason Rhyan heard that noise in the donut shop is because she has two ears. Her second ear is as big a miracle as her first, and we are just as grateful. The following day, I received an email from our audiologist asking if we’d ever considered raising funds for a bilateral. And the door swung open with one grand and heavenly shove.

We prayed, and then I couldn’t call Andrea fast enough. We cried and laughed and that was the majority of our conversation! Then, on March 8th, Jillian’s first implant was activated. I was so privileged to be able to talk to Andrea afterwards and to relive Rhyan’s activation all over again. Miracles.

The next day, I talked with Andrea once again, and she said that while she was in another room, she said ‘good morning’ to Jillian, and Jillian looked for her voice. My heart is so full. When we started Rhyan’s Hope, I just kept moving and never looking back. A baby looking for her mommy’s voice after living in silence for 17 months has shown me why.

For those of you that donated, I pray that God blesses you as you read about Jillian and what your contribution will do for her life. Times are so tough for so many people and if you aren’t able to donate money, the greatest thing you can do for us is pray. God is listening.

I’ve said it before, but while this is about Jillian hearing with full capacity for her protection and quality of life, it’s even more about you. This is about your relationship with Jesus and how that relationship will grow through her story.

I love you!! And I can’t wait to tell you about what the lamp at our feet reveals next. I might not be able to see into tomorrow, but the light on our path right now is the brightest I’ve ever seen.

In His love,
Courtney

Meet Jillian now and see our updated ‘Rhyan’s Story’ on www.rhyanshope.org