This is Cruzela Maria Ortiz writing.  I thought I would update you on our lives since I last wrote several months back (like back in December of this past year!).

Suhani Nichole, our daughter, will be eight years old next week.  She has been through so much in her young life; she is my little miracle-girl!  (People tell me all the time I should have named her Milagro, which is Spanish for miracle, but I already planned on keeping her original name, which is Suhani; I thought it was very pretty when I heard it.  She joined our family when she was a baby; we adopted her from India.)

Suhani has spina bifida; she has had over 30 surgeries and will probably need more in the future.  She has made amazing progress in her therapies and continues to astound her doctors.  When doctors said she would never walk, she took her first steps at age five and gets around quite well on braces and crutches (or a wheelchair for longer distances).  Not even falls slow her down (much).

Suhani still wants to be one of three things: 1.) a mommy; 2.) a teacher; or 3.) a singer.  She has a lot of dreams, but these three areas are what captivate her the most.

When Suhani was five, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour.  Besides singing, helping me with the chores, going to school, or playing with her friends, Suhani dearly loves going to church.  We go to Holy Redeemer Assembly of God Church every Sunday and Wednesday, and she enjoys church very much.  (So do we, her parents.)

Well, I hate to go, but speaking of church, we have to grab a bite to eat and then head off for tonight's service.  I will write in here again soon; until later, take care and may God bless you mightily!

~Love, Cruzela Maria Ortiz, San Antonio, Texas.  :)