Daily Dad continues to improve. The therapists are working him hard and he is rising to the challenge! He is trying hard to build back some muscle. It is amazing how such a strong man can become so weak in such a short time. We are grateful he is still strong at heart and the muscle lost can be regained.
Dad’s brain injury is getting much, much better. He has fabulous long term memory and his short term memory is doing very well also. He knows the answers to our questions as well as the therapists and has even resumed giving instruction on how to do this or that. I love it that we can ask Dad questions again. I can’t tell you how many times during the last few months we have wondered about something and said to ourselves “Dad would know”.
Unfortunately Dad still will not be able to put any weight on his legs for a few more weeks. This will present a whole new set of challenges and rewards for Dad, but will certainly be accompanied by super hard work and I would speculate a great deal of pain.
Justin is doing super well! His fingers are great and healing just fine, and just this last week he has been able to resume walking on his foot without the boot. One of the most exciting things for him is the ability to resume his mowing business. He has some great friends who have carried the load while he has been out, but he is ready to keep saving for a car! This Tuesday is Justin’s 15th birthday!! Whoo-hoo!
So with Justin doing great and Dad doing well with continued improvement this blog will begin to serve two purposes: Give you updates on Dad and give Dad updates on us. He should be receiving an iPad in the next few days and is excited to be able to “get out” through the world wide web. We will continue to update on Dad as change happens. Please continue to pray for healing, strength, grace, wisdom, and peace. Please continue checking the blog as often as you’d like so you will know how to pray. We are so glad to have you with us on this journey.
Gratefully,
Rachael
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Character Week 2010
This is a highlight video we played at Western Hills Church a few weeks ago to share the results from Character Week 2010. There were 171 different children in attendance this year! 121 of those children were visitors (mostly from the community around us). Fifteen children rededicated their lives to the Lord and there were 16 FIRST TIME SALVATION DECISIONS! God is moving at Western Hills Church! Praise the Lord!
Oh yeah, and we added up the total registered salvation decisions as a result of The Mission at Western Hills Church since August 2009... 177 total decisions! God is doing some amazing things! If you are interested in joining The Mission at WHC, visit http://www.westernhillschurch.com/ for contact information.
Thanks for your continued prayers for Dad. Dad has had several good days in a row! We plan to post another update this weekend.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day Blessing from Dad
Dad recorded a Father's Day encouragement and blessing to the fathers at Western Hills Church. This video was played in the service today - not a dry eye in the church. God is really working and Dad is improving. However, as you can see, there is still a lot more healing that needs to take place. Please continue to pray.
Sorry there haven't been many updates recently. We plan to post more this week, so check back often!
Happy Father's Day!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Dads Birthday
Today is Dad's birthday. He is having a tough day. His pain levels are
up and he is agrivated. Mom has asked for no visitors. She even asked
the kids to wait until tomorrow. Thanks for honoring this request and
thanks for your prayers.
up and he is agrivated. Mom has asked for no visitors. She even asked
the kids to wait until tomorrow. Thanks for honoring this request and
thanks for your prayers.
Sent from my iPhone
Thanks,
-Brandon
Monday, June 07, 2010
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!
Because He lives, all fear is gone!
Because I know, He holds the future!
Life IS worth the living just because He lives!!!!!
AMEN!
Therapy is underway and they are working Dad hard! Although the pain is ever present, Dad pushes on and we are seeing slow but sure progress.
On Wednesday I brought the girls up to see Dad for a short visit. This was Katherine’s first time to see him and Elizabeth’s second. They get so excited when I say we are going to see Papa! They both did well and Dad loved seeing them, too. He misses them so much and is looking forward to the day he can play with them again. I hope they will bring some joy to him that only grandchildren can bring. The next day, during one of Dad’s therapy sessions, he did not want to do it.
“Greg, what’s the goal?” Mom questioned
“To play in the yard with the girls.” Dad responded and on the therapy session went.
Friday Mom and Dad met the Psychologist. She was amazing and the Lord really orchestrated her working with the family. A day or two after the accident Mr. Compton spoke at a concert at Crossings Church. He shared about Dad and the accident, and a woman who attends Crossings was at that event. The Lord put our family on her heart. Now, weeks later we are at Jim Thorpe. They currently do not have a psychologist on staff, so we asked about bringing our own in. The man over the staff there said he had someone he would call to come see us. Today as Mom and Dad visited with her she put two and two together to discover Dad was the man she heard about so many weeks ago. The family the Lord had placed a burden on her heart for was now her patient. The blessing of the Lord is a person’s greatest asset! Praise the Lord! She was a huge blessing to Mom and Dad as well and we look forward to working with her through this process.
A couple days ago Dad had several hours that were just amazing! Brandon and I were fortunate enough to visit during that time. We had great conversation with him and even spoke about specific things. It was wonderful to have a glimpse of what could be in the future. Later in the afternoon Dad woke up again confused and agitated. This up and down progress is to be expected, but the glimpses of the “real Dad” seem to give bursts of energy that we, especially mom, find so encouraging and helpful to push on and face tomorrow.
Today the family all had lunch together at Jim Thorpe. To my surprise, Dad was in a wheel chair outside of his room. He was able to join us for a while and we all prayed together and sang Dennis Jernigan’s song “Thank You”. Dad says the best prayers! Each prayer is so passionate. He loves the Lord so much! While we sang, Dad would sing along and lift his hands in praise. Afterward he even spoke a few words thanking each of his children for doing their part and stepping up. He listed specific things. It was wonderful to hear from Dad. Our Dad. There is still a very long road to recovery but, wow, what I saw today…there just isn’t words. We are all so grateful for what the Lord is doing.
Thank You:
For all that You’ve done I will thank You
For all that You’re going to do
For all that You’ve promised and all that you are
Is all that has carried me through
Jesus I thank You!
Thank You for loving and setting my free!
Thank You for giving Your life just for me.
How I thank You! Jesus I thank You!
Gratefully thank You! Thank You!
The current prayer requests are:
Continued healing for Dad’s brain
Pain management; especially during therapy sessions
Strength for Mom and Grandma who tirelessly stay by Dad’s side each and every day
For the Lord to be glorified and for those who don’t know the peace and comfort He brings to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ now! You may not have tomorrow.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are grateful for each prayer lifted on our family’s behalf.
Rachael
Because He lives, all fear is gone!
Because I know, He holds the future!
Life IS worth the living just because He lives!!!!!
AMEN!
Therapy is underway and they are working Dad hard! Although the pain is ever present, Dad pushes on and we are seeing slow but sure progress.
On Wednesday I brought the girls up to see Dad for a short visit. This was Katherine’s first time to see him and Elizabeth’s second. They get so excited when I say we are going to see Papa! They both did well and Dad loved seeing them, too. He misses them so much and is looking forward to the day he can play with them again. I hope they will bring some joy to him that only grandchildren can bring. The next day, during one of Dad’s therapy sessions, he did not want to do it.
“Greg, what’s the goal?” Mom questioned
“To play in the yard with the girls.” Dad responded and on the therapy session went.
Friday Mom and Dad met the Psychologist. She was amazing and the Lord really orchestrated her working with the family. A day or two after the accident Mr. Compton spoke at a concert at Crossings Church. He shared about Dad and the accident, and a woman who attends Crossings was at that event. The Lord put our family on her heart. Now, weeks later we are at Jim Thorpe. They currently do not have a psychologist on staff, so we asked about bringing our own in. The man over the staff there said he had someone he would call to come see us. Today as Mom and Dad visited with her she put two and two together to discover Dad was the man she heard about so many weeks ago. The family the Lord had placed a burden on her heart for was now her patient. The blessing of the Lord is a person’s greatest asset! Praise the Lord! She was a huge blessing to Mom and Dad as well and we look forward to working with her through this process.
A couple days ago Dad had several hours that were just amazing! Brandon and I were fortunate enough to visit during that time. We had great conversation with him and even spoke about specific things. It was wonderful to have a glimpse of what could be in the future. Later in the afternoon Dad woke up again confused and agitated. This up and down progress is to be expected, but the glimpses of the “real Dad” seem to give bursts of energy that we, especially mom, find so encouraging and helpful to push on and face tomorrow.
Today the family all had lunch together at Jim Thorpe. To my surprise, Dad was in a wheel chair outside of his room. He was able to join us for a while and we all prayed together and sang Dennis Jernigan’s song “Thank You”. Dad says the best prayers! Each prayer is so passionate. He loves the Lord so much! While we sang, Dad would sing along and lift his hands in praise. Afterward he even spoke a few words thanking each of his children for doing their part and stepping up. He listed specific things. It was wonderful to hear from Dad. Our Dad. There is still a very long road to recovery but, wow, what I saw today…there just isn’t words. We are all so grateful for what the Lord is doing.
Thank You:
For all that You’ve done I will thank You
For all that You’re going to do
For all that You’ve promised and all that you are
Is all that has carried me through
Jesus I thank You!
Thank You for loving and setting my free!
Thank You for giving Your life just for me.
How I thank You! Jesus I thank You!
Gratefully thank You! Thank You!
The current prayer requests are:
Continued healing for Dad’s brain
Pain management; especially during therapy sessions
Strength for Mom and Grandma who tirelessly stay by Dad’s side each and every day
For the Lord to be glorified and for those who don’t know the peace and comfort He brings to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ now! You may not have tomorrow.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are grateful for each prayer lifted on our family’s behalf.
Rachael
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