Here is an update on Josiah as of Friday evening at 8:00 PM:

We had an early visit from an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor to look at Josiah’s right side of his face.  They are going to schedule a special test that looks at and compares the nerve activity on both sides and will let us know if there is any surgery needed.  Obviously we hope that there is no surgery needed, but we are glad they are doing everything they can to treat him.

Here are some highlights from the day:

• Today Josiah has more strength and stamina than he has had yet.  I can tell each time I help him move into his chair or into the bed that his strength and balance are returning.
• He normally would do one lap and rest in his chair during his physical therapy.  Today, he did up to four laps at a time and kept his left foot up as he walked.
• This kid will NOT stop eating!
• We had a great time visiting with some folks from Cornerstone Church.  It is such a blessing to get to meet people of God that have been praying for you.
• We had a special Christmas dinner in the cafeteria tonight.  Josiah really likes going down the cafeteria to eat, and responds very well to all the stimulation.
• We have enjoyed getting to know some more of the families that are here. They are all special in there own way and each has a story of God’s healing and grace.  We are praying for opportunity to let them know that they matter to God.

We would love it if you would remember these specific requests for our family:

• Pray that the left side of his body will continue to strengthen.  His left side is his dominate side, so getting that strength back will help him to be able to function much better.
• Pray for the testing and results of the nerve tests that will be run here in the next day or so.  We do not want him to have surgery if he does not have to, but we certainly want his healing to continue.
• Pray for our ability to share God’s love to the people we meet each day. We met another family that follows Christ and had a time of prayer tonight for Josiah and their daughter.  It has been a sweet time getting to know them.
• We are supposed to get some snow, so pray Jennifer gets here tomorrow safely.  She will only be able to come for one day, but both Josiah and I are grateful for that and will be thrilled to see her.
• We are still praying about what to do for Christmas, but I think Jennifer and I are both leaning on staying up here in Grand Rapids, as it will be less stressful for everyone.

Psalm 145:1-3 “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”