Here is the update on Josiah as of Monday, December 6^th at 8:30 PM

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, today has been another day of great progress.  I will take that broken record any day of the week though!  He has only one tube left in him at this point, which is his feeding tube.  He is chewing on small ice cubes and holding regular conversations with people.  He is remembering more and more each day.  I am so thankful for this progress.  The smallest things are real victories and miracles right now!

Here are a few highlights for the day:

• His night was a little rough as far as sleep goes (do to the medical staff interrupting his rest), so he slept a good portion of the morning, waking up at short intervals when the medical staff would need to do something to or for him.
• They were able to remove the neck brace that he has had on since his arrival at the hospital last Wednesday night/Thursday morning. This will make things much more comfortable for him and should make it easier for him to speak.  He also had the catheter removed today, which was also a great relief for obvious reasons.
• Today also was the start of some therapy. Physical and occupational therapy both came in to work with him and got him in a sitting position on the edge of the bed for about three minutes.  He was very dizzy during this and wanted to lay down so bad.  He is also getting more and more use out of his left arm and leg now and able to do things at command much better with them.  He will probably see a speech therapist tomorrow.
• The swelling in his face has really subsided and he is looking awesome!  He has some other issues that will be checked out over the next couple of days, like a broken eardrum.  He will get a hearing test to see where he is.
• No more CT scans are scheduled as of this time. Everything has stabilized, and his lead Dr. says now we just need some time to heal!
• He will likely be moved out of the ICU tomorrow and be put into a regular room.  It amazes me that in less than a week this could happen!

Here are some specific things to remember in prayer for Josiah:

• Please continue to pray that confusion and irritation will be minimal, and instead that he will keep that peaceful and quiet spirit.  Many times a head trauma patient will be irrational and very irritated.
• Pray that the therapists will have wisdom as they plan a course of action for his recovery.  We do not know the level of rehab as of yet.  We will find out more of that over the next few days.
• Continue to pray for my other kids.  Pray that they will have understanding and patience as we deal with Josiah. Also, pray for his older sister Jordan that she would be comforted as she is over 900 miles or so away.
• Pray for Jennifer and I to have patience.  We know God is in control, we count on that, but we want to see him healed!  Also, pray for strength, endurance and the ability to get rest as fatigue is setting in a bit.  We have been fortunate to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald Family Room here at the hospital.  It is a wonderful place to be able to go and sleep in a private room.  They also provide meals which has been a huge blessing!  They take volunteers to help man the place in three hour shifts.  If you are looking for a place to serve people who are hurting and in need of a smiling face, this is a great place!
• Pray that we can minister to other hurting people that are up here as well. This is a place the is filled with very high highs and very low lows. It is a place that the love of God needs to be shined!

Someone put these verses on one of our facebook walls last night.  What a great comfort it is as we claim it as our testimony”

2 Corithians 1:10-11 “God saved us from the threat of death, and we are sure that he will do it again and again. Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.”