Here is an update on Josiah as of Wednesday, December 15th at 8:45 PM.

I am continually amazed… and please, do not take that as a phrase that I am just throwing out there… I am amazed at the progress that I see in our son from morning until evening each and every day that we are here.  I really do feel as if Josiah is a walking miracle.  I especially can see that as I meet families that are up here that have children that have been here for 4 months already, or another family whose 3 year old daughter was on an accident on the same day as Josiah (December 1st) and yet cannot walk. “When I’m found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name.”  I would never have wished this upon my son, and I wish I could have been the one in the accident and facing this, but ultimately, God is in control, He is sovereign and He has a great plan and purpose for Josiah and my family. I am confident of that.

Here are some highlights from the day:

• He started with speech therapy today, and seems to be doing very well with it.  The speech therapy is not really teaching him how to talk.  He has no problems with that.  It does help him to relearn the thinking process and fill in the gaps that he has due to his accident.

• Occupational therapy then came in a supervised him getting himself ready for the day.  He pretty much did it all on his own. In fact, he even tied his own shoes today!

• Physical therapy came in and gave him a special wheel chair today that he hates because he has to use his left arm to crank it to make it move.  This will help continue to strengthen his left arm.  I did see a HUGE increase in strength on his left side today.  In fact, there was a big difference in his strength just from this morning until tonight.

• His therapies just absolutely wear him out!  That is a good thing.  He wants to nap when he has a break, and it puts him in bed early.  He has had some pretty restless nights, so tonight they actually gave him something to help him rest
• Lastly, I just wanted to share this video with you:

Please continue to remember Josiah in your prayers.  Though he is making great progress, I believe it is because people are praying.  It is needed as much right now as day one.

Here are some specific requests that we have as of right now:

• Pray that his left side continues to gain strength.  He is doing so well, and I would expect it to continue, but I do not want to take that for granted.

• Continue to pray for the swelling in the right side of his face to go down so that the nerve that is being pinched will heal and he gets that side of the face working again.

• Pray for his attitude.  That it would remain strong and determined.  He does not like being away from home, and especially his mother, but he knows that he is where he needs to be.

• Pray for our family that we would remain strong during this time.  It is taxing to be here 24/7, but I would have it no other way.  I still have 2 weeks off of work that I can spend here to make sure he gets what he needs, but it does get overwhelming at times.

• Pray that we can minister and encourage some of these hurting families while we are up here. Our faith gives us great strength during this time, and I want to be able to pass that on to others here.

Psalm 77:11-14 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”  Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?  You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”