Today we took another trip to Grand Rapids to have the 6 week checkup since he was released from Mary Free Bed. We did not expect to learn a lot of “new” things at this visit primarily because we have been with him every step of the way, and we were just checking in with them. There were some questions that we got answers to about his future, which directly affects our direction as well.

He is progressing very well. There is no doubt about it, as every doctor that we talk to basically says the kid is a walking miracle.  We know that he is. God has been good to Josiah and to us as we have walked through this.

Of course, Josiah thinks he should be making a quicker recovery on the things that are left. He knows and understands that time is what is needed, but no teenage boy wants to be told that he still cannot drive, cannot work, cannot move out right after graduation and other things of that sort. He wants everything to right back on track with the plans he had before his accident. He will get to that point, but it will likely all be delayed by about a year.  He will still get to graduate, but driving will be at least put off until late summer, and work will have to come after school is under control.  It just all takes time.

There are some things that we are specifically praying for.  We would be honored if you would take the time to pray for him in these areas:

• Pray for the right side of his face. Nerve damage takes quite some time to heal. We are starting to see some tone come back into his face, and the right side of his mouth is starting to move better as well. So, PROGRESS!
• We are also praying for him to get back into school here soon.  He has been cleared by all the doctors, but we have to walk through all the hoops of getting what is called and IEP (basically a helper for him in classes). He will start out part time to see how he keeps up, and will slowly get into a full time schedule.
• Pray for the brain to continue to heal.  It takes up to 18 months for complete healing to take place. That seems like a LONG time to him, but we know it will go by fast.
• Next week we go back up to Grand Rapids for an eye exam to see how his vision is healing. Pray for the travel and testing.
• Pray that we can be an encouragement and blessing to those that we meet and those that may happen to come across our story on this blog.  More than anything we want people to be drawn to God through this. We truly believe this has happened so that God would be made big!

1 Corinthians 14:25 “they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”