Emily (Weimer) Geisler ’08 sees God’s faithfulness as she cares for daughter Abigail

Emily (Weimer) Geisler ’08 has a bachelor of science in elementary education and early childhood education from the university. She said one thing that stands out in her mind about her time on campus is the sense of community. She said she remains in contact with many former professors and classmates. Growing up in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) church, she said she didn’t know much about other denominations, but that her time at the university helped her to understand the differences between the LCMS and other denominations. It also helped to reaffirm her faith. 

“After graduating from Concordia Nebraska, I served one year as the full-day preschool director at a church in Springfield, Illinois, I then was a substitute for several school districts,” she said. “I taught at a different preschool, then Kindergarten. When my twins were born, I taught ESL online before God called me to teach four years at Immanuel Lutheran School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.” 

In 2010, Emily married Mark Geisler, who attended Concordia Nebraska for a time but didn’t graduate from the university. In 2015, the couple welcomed twin girls Abigail and Elizabeth. They also have an 18-month-old son, David.  

It is thought the various connections that God has given us that we have been able to draw strength, comfort and support.

In May 2021, Abigail fell from a loft half wall in the Geisler’s home, landing on the stone tile floor 15 feet below. The fall resulted in a shattered skull and traumatic brain injury. Surgeons had to remove part of Abigail’s temporal lobe due to the damage. 

“I was shocked when I heard there were no other injuries, no broken spine, no broken bones, as tragic as it was, only her brain and her skull had been affected,” said Emily. “God preserved her life during her initial accident, He preserved her life during the surgery, and she was still alive.” 

She said that throughout the initial experience and through the days and months that followed, her family received an incredible amount of support from many. 

“Throughout this experience, my family and I have had so much support from people, many of whom we don’t know, and probably will never get to meet,” she said. “It is thought the various connections that God has given us that we have been able to draw strength, comfort and support.” 

Time and time again, throughout Abigail’s hospitalization, Emily said she witnessed God’s faithfulness in caring for Abigail and for her family. Abigail continued to astound doctors with her recovery, meeting and exceeding medical milestones again and again, despite her severe injuries. 

“Abigail has been able to talk to us, she can understand us, she recognizes all the important people in her life, she has the same personality that she had before her accident,” said Emily. “She does now have some physical and visual limitations. Her left arm and leg were paralyzed and limp, but through physical and occupational therapy her ability to move her arm and leg is coming back, slowly.”  

In October 2021, Abigail had an undetermined episode. Emily described it as short circuit in her brain, after which her left leg started working. She regained the ability to walk, ride a bike, climb, run and jump. 

After 196 days in the hospital, Abigail was discharged on December 2, 2021. 

“The doctors, nurses, technicians had become family, and we were saying goodbye to them, we knew we’d be back in a few months for reconstruction surgery, but it was still difficult to say goodbye,” said Emily. 

Abigail then attended the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Albuquerque campus (NMSBVI). She enjoyed school and classroom activities, and Geisler said they found joy in a “new normal.” In March 2022, Abigail underwent a reconstructive cranioplasty to place a protective prosthetic skull into her head. But after initially strong recovery from the procedure, she experienced a cerebral spinal fluid leak. This eventually led to removal of the prosthetic and the placement of an external ventricle drain to relieve spinal fluid pressure in her head. Abigail was then discharged again on May 31, 2022. 

“In spring of 2022, I wondered what her life would be like if she never regained use of her hand,” said Emily. “If she can’t grasp things, how would she cook, cut vegetables or use markers. Then I remembered the amazing story of another young woman, who had a tragic accident: Bethany Hamilton, the shark attack victim who lost her arm. I looked her up to see the things that she is able to do, and it gave me such hope and encouragement, another example of God’s miracles, and the amazing things that people can do even after a tragic event.” 

Abigail continued to attend a school for the blind and visually impaired and saw her neurosurgery team on a weekly basis. She wore a helmet which was purple and festooned with rainbows and unicorns and designed to match her twin sister’s bike helmet to protect her skull. After months of treatment and recovery, Abigail had a repeat cranioplasty in January 2023 and the procedure was a complete success. 

In June 2023, the Geislers moved from New Mexico to Lincoln, Nebraska, to be closer to family. Elizabeth attends Messiah Lutheran School in Lincoln. Abigail attends a local public school that offers the therapy services she needed and also attended Messiah for a short time each day – accompanied by her Grandma Deb - to continue to deepen and grow her faith. 

In late 2023, Abigail was admitted to the hospital with meningitis, which meant that her cranial prosthetic would have to be removed again. Throughout Abigail’s many hospitalizations, Emily drew on her education training and experience, seeking age-appropriate activities to entertain Abigail and keep her engaged and always learning. During a snowy period in 2023, Emily went to a local craft store and purchased sparkly foam craft balls. Abigail and other hospital patients had fun having pretend snowball fights with the nurses and therapists.  

As Abigail was preparing to discharge from the 2023 hospitalization, the family learned that Abigail’s prosthesis had tested positive for a fungal infection.  

“When a fungal infection takes hold inside the body, it does not have the same physical symptoms as other illnesses,” explained Emily. “Fungal infections if not caught and treated early can be deadly. Why had Abigail gotten meningitis? The answer was now obvious: it may have saved her life.” 

In early 2024, Abigail had her prosthetic placed for the third time. The procedure went well, and just months later, she completed her first grade year in school. The family then enjoyed a memorable summer, traveling to Colorado and St. Louis, relishing days filled with swimming and precious family time. Abigail continues to enjoy school and is now reading and working to improve her handwriting. She helps with chores around the house and helps in the care of her brother. 

“God is faithful. Without a doubt, the education I received from Concordia Nebraska has helped me care for my children,” said Emily. “It is incredible to look back on this journey and see God with us during each step. I am so grateful. Be thankful in all circumstances, rejoice and pray without ceasing.” 

At Concordia University, Nebraska, faith is more than just a part of our tradition—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Here, we believe that a Christ-centered education not only prepares you for a successful career but also nurtures your spiritual and personal growth, shaping you into a compassionate leader who is equipped to lead and serve in your church, communities and beyond.