Happy Thanksgiving

I'm sitting at the hospital watching Garren walk on the Locomat machine. He's got three therapists working with him, helping his body learn to walk. Sometimes it seems like this is taking an eternity. But looking back over the past several months we have a lot to be thankful for.

Last week while I was gone in Haiti, Garren did something pretty amazing. He surprised us all! One night, while Nancy was upstairs putting Kelsey to bed, he realized he needed a shower (of course that is an amazing realization for any 14 year old boy!)

So he went into his bathroom and got himself into the shower, washed himself, washed his hair, got dressed, brushed his teeth, and brushed his hair...all by himself. Garren has really begun to become more independent. He continues to surprise us with the things he does. He baked cookies and brought them to me when they picked me up from the airport.

The other night I gave him a surprise. I rented one of his favorite Xbox 360 video games. It's one he's been asking for. I wanted to see if he would play it before I paid the money to buy it. Amazingly, he hasn't stopped playing it since I brought it home! He's pretty good at it too (don't tell him it's good therapy).

We have a lot to be thankful for. And though we know that God isn't finished with Garren, we do want to remember to give Him the glory for all He has done.

I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!

Another Baby Step

Remember the tarsorrhaphy? The procedure where the eye doctor stitched Garren's left eye partially shut because he wasn't strong enough on that side of his face to shut it himself? Well today the doctor decided that Garren's eye has gotten strong enough to function properly...so he removed the stitches. Another baby step toward recovery. It's so great to see Garren's eyes both open and looking normal.


Just when it feels like things aren't changing, God gives us a little glimpse of hope. 

Grateful

It's easy to get caught up in what isn't changing for Garren. It's so easy to take for granted all the good things that God is doing. Garren is still continuing to progress...slowly but surely. Here are a few things I've noticed recently:

• Garren's fine motor function is fine tuning. He is able to pick up a cup and set it back down without spilling it.
• Garren is able to high five without missing 5 times before hitting his target. He can usually hit his target the first time.
• Garren is getting strong. We wrestled on the floor the other night. That's the first time in 9 months that I have gotten to love on my son that way. He had me working pretty hard!
• Garren is able to use his iPad now. He plays games and posts on Facebook regularly. He is able to tap and touch the screen with hardly any trouble at all.

As we continue to pray for Garren's swallowing to come back, I don't ever want to seem ungrateful for all that God has done and continues to do in Garren's healing process. 

Not Yet

I woke up tentatively expectant on Friday morning. Nancy woke up excited, like a kid on Christmas. Prayer is a funny thing. Many of you joined us yesterday in praying, fasting, and crying out to our God for a miracle. "Please God, let Garren swallow!"

I'd love more than anything to be writing about how God did perform a miracle...that Garren suddenly started swallowing, that he not longer needs to spit, that he finally slept through the night with no need for constant observation.


But I can't. Because that didn't happen. 


"If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God." - E. Stanley Jones


Prayer is not about me. Prayer is about God. This is not easy to understand, nor is it easy to accept. I want what I want and I want it now. I have plans. I have good ideas. I know what's best for me!


But once again I'm reminded that it's not about me.


I know God put it on my heart to spend a day in focused and intentional prayer for Garren. I am so thankful for the number of people who joined us in that yesterday. I trust that as you "pulled" on your "boathook" that God was able to align your will with His will. 


We will continue to pray for Garren's complete healing. We will continue to trust that God's plan is better than our plan - every time. Thank you for being a part of our special day yesterday. Thank you for your continued prayers.