Ian’s therapists were very happy with his work with them today. He was working really hard to respond to their commands and do what they were asking him to do. He seems to be fully recovered from his battle with the stomach flu which is great.
I’ve been very encouraged lately to continue to pray for Ian to be able to speak. He has communicated to me several times that he wants to be able to speak to us. That’s what motivates me the most. Ian knows that he can’t talk but he knows that he wants to. God needs to give him the strength and knowledge to be able to ever speak to us again. I know that God is big enough to give him that strength if it’s His will.
It seems to me that communication is all that we need. I could care less if the man I marry is in a wheelchair. We just need to be able to talk to each other so that we can move forward with our lives, like everyone else is doing.
Join us in fasting on Wednesday. I’ll be praying specifically for Ian’s communication.
Thank you always,
Larissa
anonymous
January 22, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Yes! Hooray — I’m glad you are asking people to fast. I read this quote yesterday and of course Ian was the one I thought of immediately:
“We need more than a human solution, dont we?! And by humble and persistent prayer and fasting, we appeal to God to do what only He can do. We express our faith that He is not only able but also willing and eager to hear and to answer. We acknowledge our dependence on His grace and our hope in His goodness.”
sheep wanderer
January 22, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I will be joining you.
anonymous
January 23, 2008 at 2:54 am
I prayed this morning that your heart would be encouraged and praising Him for His faithfulness!!!!! He knitted us together and certainly has no problem with restoring any type neuro-motor function. I will be praying for Ian to speak – by your side in prayer!
anonymous
January 23, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Larissa, I will be praying for Ian today. Thank you for always sharing your faith to keep praying for him – for exhorting us to keep on. Even on days when you may feel weak in your faith, it is so good to know that God hears and still answers. I was struck by how well Ian looked the other day at church. He just looked very healthy and alert. So encouraging. Sara B.
anonymous
January 23, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I have a calendar on my desk with a daily Bible verse on it.
Here is the verse for 1/22:
“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”
Psalm 5:3
Still praying!
Mary Ann K.
anonymous
January 23, 2008 at 8:03 pm
This post touched my heart. You have made me so aware of the little things I take for granted – like being able to hold a conversation with my husband and children. I have never thought about not being able to do something as simple as that before. Yet, how many times do I raise my voice, or take a harsh tone, or say something I sooner than later regret? I am so sorry for what you are going through, but please know that in this one post you have changed me.
I pray that you will one day soon hear the voice of your loved one.
anonymous
January 23, 2008 at 9:36 pm
praying with you, laris.
god is good.
love you.
-amber
anonymous
January 24, 2008 at 2:20 am
Larissa —
I wanted to let you know that Bill and I are thinking of you right now…and always praying for Ian. We may be far away and somewhat fading into a distant memory of IUP, but we still remember the people that made a difference in our lives.
-Rose Huber and Bill Harder
anonymous
January 27, 2008 at 7:22 am
Larissa ,
I think that if Ian is able to love you then that is all you will ever truly need in order to be with him 🙂
is he able to learn sign language or write?? Zacharias couldn’t speak for awhile , but communicated other ways. Maybe even just nodding or blinking will be the way you communicate? would that be so bad? I don’t know how much brain damge there is as far as Ian’s awareness or ability to think and reason ? Does he know that you wanted to get married?
hang in there the best is yet to come.
anonymous
February 7, 2008 at 4:07 am
i didn’t see this post until today. but i will be praying for ya’ll!
danielle (new orleans)