Here is an update on Josiah as of Saturday, January 1, at 8:30 PM:

Today was a day off as far as therapy sessions were concerned.  It was a well-deserved day of rest for Josiah, and a great day for a family day out!  We took advantage of his day pass and went out on the town!

Here are some highlights from our day our with Josiah:

• We decided to go to the mall here in Grand Rapids (Grandville actually).  It was a very nice mall, and we had a great time shopping and just being together in a setting that we have not been in for quite some time.  Josiah was able to spend some of his gift cards from Christmas as well.
• Josiah did very well in this setting.  He did not seem to get over stimulated at all.  He dealt with everything just fine.
• We also got to eat at Applebees today thanks to some gift cards that we had received.  After eating so much hospital food, it was a treat to get to eat out!  Josiah’s girlfriend and her family were on their way home from a ski trip and stopped at the restaurant to say high as well.  He enjoyed getting to see her!
• We also got word that he has no therapy until afternoon tomorrow.  Weekends are a bit less scheduled, so we requested a little alter start so we could take Josiah to church. We are really looking forward to this!

Here are some specific requests we would ask you to pray for as we pray as well:

• The doctors and therapists are anticipating his release this next week. We are excited for that, but also are concerned that he gets the right treatment once he leaves. Please pray for the right program to be set up for him.
• Pray that he acclimates back into living at home and getting use to a new schedule as well.  We will hopefully find out more this week about what this new schedule will be like.
• Pray for the right side of his face.  We still are expecting the nerves to “wake up” any day and show us movement again!
• Pray for Jennifer and the kids as they travel home tomorrow.
• Pray for continued opportunity to show the love of God to those that are hurting and searching.

Psalm 99:3 “Only you are God! And your power alone, so great and fearsome, is worthy of praise.”