Here is an update as of Sunday evening at 8:00 PM:

Today brought another round of nothing but miracles and great progress in Josiah’s condition.  I do not take any of this for-granted.  God has moved on our behalf and shown favor.  I believe it is due to the people of God all over the world that have lifted my son up in prayer. I know we have not been able to respond to all of you that have contacted us.  There is just not enough time right now. Just know that we are eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and concern.  And please, keep praying!

• This morning we were able to witness him moving his left fingers and toes on command.  The Dr. came in and had him move his toes and hold up two fingers on each hand.  He had not been able to do this, so we took it as a great victory!  That was a great start to a great day!
• Not long after that, as I looked into his eyes, I told him to say “hi” and he did!  I finally got to hear his voice after these many days!  That was a starting point for great strides in his speech all day.  His very first word on his own was “milk.”  I am not sure why, but even at 8 PM this evening he is asking for milk.
• For most of the day he had basically only been speaking when spoken to, and then it was only one word answers. But this afternoon he actually started a conversation about none other than his phone! He said the word “phone,” I had him repeat, which he did.  I assured him that his phone was intact and that I had it.  He then said “get it.”  And when I told him we would get it to him later, he said “now.”  Of course, he is still not able to text or talk on a phone, but just that he is asking for it is signs of who he is.
• He has spoken many other things today, and to our amazement, his speech has progressed very quickly throughout the day.  His sense of humor has come out today as well.  I asked him to identify people in the room, which he did, and then I asked him who Josiah was and he pointed at himself and then said “stupid” in reference to the little game I was playing with him. He also tried to get kisses from his girlfriend, to which his mother reminded him that she was still in the room.
• I could go on and on about all the different things he has said.  But I will only tell you one more.  This evening he looked at me and said, “I need help.” and then in reference to the nurses he said, “Get them to help me.”  You talk about ripping my heart right out of my chest.  My boy sits here and knows that something is wrong with him and I cannot fix it.

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

• He has been very peaceful and quiet today, which is already an answer to prayer.  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.
• Pray for my younger kids.  Joshua came to see his brother again today and did pretty good. It was still upsetting for him to see his “Superman” like this. He got to talk to him!   Jenna also got see him today and did remarkably well. We will still wait a couple of days before we bring Jaidyn in to see him.  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!

Psalm 10:12 “Do something, Lord God,  and use your powerful arm  to help those in need.”