Update on Josiah as of Monday, December 27^th at 4:00 PM:

Today was a bittersweet day for Josiah (and me too, really).  He woke up with what seems extra strength today on the left side of his body, which is awesome, but he also had to get back to his weekday schedule for rehab and say good-bye to the family.  The last several days have been so nice to have everyone together again.  Jordan and Daniel left Grand Rapids around 7:15 AM to head back to Wichita and Jennifer left with the kids to go back home around 1:00 PM.  We only have a few days apart.  The plans are for Jennifer and the kids to come back up this next weekend again.  Josiah and I are already counting down the hours!

Here are some highlights of the day:

• Josiah really seems strong on the left side today!  I do not mean his normal waking up with a little more strength.  I mean like a doubling of strength overnight!  His walking is excellent today and he was actually writing with very neat and legible handwriting with his left hand.  A HUGE improvement from last week!
• If you have ever seen someone with a traumatic brain injury, then you know what I mean when I say that they have a glazed look in their eyes.  Josiah’s “glaze” seems to be almost gone today!    I have no other way to describe it than to say that I can “see” my son again through his eyes.  I am so thankful for this.
• His “modesty” has come back as well.  Not that he liked having nurses shower and dress him before, but I just do not think he cared because of how he felt.  Today, he pretty much refuses to let anyone help him shower other than me. In fact, this morning he said, “Dad, she is an older lady.  I mow lawns for older ladies, they do not help me shower!”  Funny kid!
• He is learning to recognize when he is about to reach his limit as far as stimulation goes.  He lets us know when something is too loud or there is too much going on.  This is all great progress for him!

There are a few specific things that we would like for you to pray for with us:

• Pray for movement on the right side of his face.  I still believe that God is going to heal the nerves on that side of his face.
• Pray for that strength in the left side to continue to increase as quickly as it is.  I am amazed every day when I see what he is doing compared to last week.
• Pray for his focus to continue to improve.  He has make remarkable progress in this areas as well over the last two weeks.
• Pray for us this week as we try to figure out our schedules for work.  I will need to get back to work next week sometime.  Both of our employers have been very understanding, considerate and generous during this time.
• Pray that we will remember this quote that I read on a friends twitter feed this morning: “Every person you meet today has infinite worth. Each one an image-bearer of God. Each one loved so much that Jesus gave his life for them.”  We want to be used by God to help people here know that they matter to God.

This is what we believe and hold to for Josiah:

Romans 9:17 “…I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”