Reflections

It is not surprising that David and I have been in a vigilant state of reflection this last week. David came home from Huntington Hospital December 24th! After 49 days spent in the hospital, David has done an amazing job with this transition. David has started outpatient therapy at Casa Colina Rehab center, which is only a couple miles from our home. His occupational and physical therapist's specialize in neurological trauma and have done a great job with David so far. Based on his OT's experience with GBS patients and after reading his report, he was expecting something very different. At David's first evaluation, his OT told us that he would have expected his level of progress and recovery to have taken YEARS. At this point, David has about 33% strength of what the 'average' male has. God is GOOD! David is already using his walker more than the wheelchair and is even starting to take a couple steps at a time with no assistance! There is only one explanation. David survived, he can eat, he can speak and now he is learning to walk. God is performing a miracle before our very eyes.

While our transition home has been wonderful and joyous, it has also been very difficult. Close friends have asked us if we have experienced any post-trauma "issues". The answer is yes. Each day has brought new challenges, bad attitudes, frustrations and the list goes on. We are so thankful that we can say, above all, God has still granted us joy. We have reflected on this "joy" a lot lately. And, we are coming to understand more and more how awesome our God is. Bottom line, this is nothing of our doing.

We realized very quickly that our hospital mentality was so focused on God's strength to make it through each day, but somehow we lost sight of this on the drive home from Pasadena. We're not quite sure why we thought it would be different when David got home. We were both so excited that we lost sight of the only way we have survived thus far. It took less than 24 hours for us to stop, look at each other and ask, "what on earth are we doing?" The fact is, we still need God's strength every minute of every day. So, while we are definitely having our "moments", we are thankful each day for the ways that God is molding us through this trying process.

Our time of reflection has left us with one dominant theme. We have literally been carried by God. Never before have we experienced God in this way. David describes it as God's supernatural peace which enveloped his every thought, every worry, every fear and ultimately controlled the well being of our family. I couldn't agree more. He lifted this burden and gave us rest in the knowledge that ..
"those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Needless to say, David's life verse has taken on a whole new meaning.

God has carried us in so many ways. It seems as though we could never express them all. We have been carried through prayer. David's prayer pager still buzzes throughout the entire day! We are being carried by people's generous financial gifts. To say that we have been overwhelmed by people's support is an understatement. We are truly being humbled as we accept gifts of all kinds. Thank you.

Since being in the "real world" with David's disabilities, we have been effected in profound ways. David is experiencing the stigmatizing impact of being seen as "handicap", while I am learning the life of a "care-giver". In our weak moments of self-pity and complaint, we have lost sight of those people surrounding us who do not have the ability to get out of their wheelchair. While we are wrapping our minds around this temporary change in lifestyle, other's are facing this reality for the rest of their life. We pray that we do not lose sight of this perspective as David continues to improve.

My mom gave me a devotion early on in our journey, "Pearls of Great Price" by Joni Erickson Tada. It has been such an encouragement for us. It is no surprise that the timing of scripture and the message was eerily close to what we were experiencing at the time. The last 2 days of 2009 were no different.

Here are a few excerpts that had a profound impact on us as we closed the roller coaster of a year that was 2009!

"Every promise of God that has blessed you this year ultimately finds its conclusion in Christ. Every insight and bit of wisdom you've garnered, every obedience you've learned, every step higher into a more prayerful life, all of it finds it center- it's beginning and end- in Jesus Christ".

The last entry for the year highlighted Christ's return. This is a portion of what the author noted we WILL experience on that glorious day!
"You will stand amazed at how your perseverance through pain sent repercussions rumbling through the lives of people you never knew were watching. You will be awestruck to see how your endurance through hardship forced others you hardly even knew to make tough decisions about God and suffering."

This is David's reality: "While I laid in bed and did nothing, God was doing everything!" For those following his progress, David and I find great joy that you might be encouraged!



David's great team of therapist's the morning he was released!


Anxiously waiting for his discharge papers!!


Christmas Eve...happy family!


Zach had a one track mind...Daddy!!! He is checking back in with his daddy constantly these days. It always comes with a huge grin! :)


Happy boy Christmas morning


Lot's of hugs and kisses to make up for!


Great family time...so thankful!


Daddy's buddy...the two are inseparable


Awesome visit with our dear friends from Portland. They helped with David's first "outing" and baby proofed our home!