So much has happened. So many of you have journeyed faithfully with us through so much. I've met so many awesome people, heard so many inspiring stories, and have learned so much about myself. God has not wasted this year. We've all grown in different ways than we ever expected.
Recovery from brain injury is a long, slow process. They say it can take up to 3 years to make a full recovery. That's a reality that is starting to sink in more and more. We had all hoped for a miraculous 6 month recovery, then 8 months, then 1 year...but God's plans are always better than our plans. One year ago Garren lay lifeless in a hospital bed. The ventilator was responsible for keeping him breathing. Tubes and needles, beeping machines, and a tv monitor with all of his vital signs were constant reminders that things had gone terribly wrong. That was a year ago.
Here's Garren today. He can stand with the help of his crutches all by himself for about a minute or so. He did this for the first time this week!
We continue to believe that God is going to restore Garren. And we continue to pray for that daily. We have many more lessons to learn, and even in the midst of helping Garren recover, God is giving us opportunities to lean on Him even more.
1 year down.
Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement.
8 comments:
"God has not wasted this year." That says it all. How gracious of you to continue to share your story.
Wow,it is amazing,looking back, how awful it all seemed...and such a good reminder, too, of how far God has progressed him...we will continue to pray as progress may seem much slower now, but, it is still progress...and, if all of this had not happened, your lives would not be nearly as full as they are now...how wierd is that? We love you...praying, Sandy & Russ
God is good. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing us to pray for you and your family.
I was going to wait until tomorrow to post, but after reading your entry, I decided to go ahead. There are things I want to say to you guys when I see you, but I just can't seem to get it out. Maybe for me, typing my thoughts works better.
One of the first things I remember reading early on in your blog is that this process was going to be a marathon, not a sprint. How true that has proven to be. While it hasn't gone as fast as I'm sure you hoped, for those of us who don't get to see Garren often, the amazing improvements are drastic. Before tonight, the last time I saw Garren was at the 5K in May. He still had head support, couldn't speak, and could only do a very slow nod to respond when I spoke to him. And today, I had a conversation with him, the head support is gone, and he's independently going on shopping sprees for gummy worms. I was so blown away. I told him I was proud of his hard work and I hope he knows how much I really mean that.
If you would have told me prior to Garren's AVM rupture that I could pray for someone I didn't know for an entire year, without missing a day, I wouldn't have been confident that I could do it. I'm thankful God has given our family the ability and the heart to pray for yours.
Watching you and Nancy handle your own situations, yet constantly being aware of all the help and dedication you give to others, is, and will continue to be an inspiration.
Garren's birthday is just around the corner and I know celebrating at home this year will be a blessing for all of you.
Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us. Still in for the long haul, The Sisk Family
God Bless You and your family. Thank you for sharing your life with us and allowing us to be part of a great prayer circle. You and Your family are trully an inspiration to me.
Last year about 10 days before Garren's birthday the question was posed at Youth Group what are you looking forward to... His response was his birthday. I have pondered over that statement over this past year.
We have been praying for him, keeping up with his progress here,& watching every new hurdle. Thru all of this God has been in the center of it all. People from all over the world praying for someone they never met. Hospital doctors, nurses, & other families watching the faith of a family & community coming together. A family's faith stretched & grown beyond their belief. And a boy that has grown to a young man who has shown us all what a Testimony his life is for God's Glory. Happy Birthday Garren.
Kathleen, John & Marc Trzcinski
What an amazing difference! I love the heart of children. Last night, as the boys and I prayed before bedtime, it struck me how their prayers for Garren are unceasing! Thank you for taking us on this journey this year.
We continue to pray for Garren and your family. I know this year has been very difficult. Our year has been difficult in a different way after losing Emma-Grace. I have to remind myself daily that God knows what is best for all of us. We love you all! Praying for a better year for both of our families.
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