I was reading through the “Let Ian KNow You’re Praying Post” and was gently reminded by God of how many of you are still praying for Ian. It doesn’t make any sense- most of you don’t know us. And if you’re anything like me, you wouldn’ve moved on to praying about something else by now. But I was so encouraged to think of all of the people praying with us, from all over the country.
I’m praying that one day Ian can write on this blog himself and thank you for your faithfulness to him.
Ian did a great job at therapy yesterday. I’m not sure on the details. Friday is aqua therapy and botox.
….for not posting and freely admit that we are losers. Haven’t felt “inspired” lately to post, but we do want to keep everyone updated and are very thankful to everyone who reads and prays.
Ian had a somewhat home-bound week. His chair broke in a reclined position and has now been through two replacement chairs until his real one is fixed. The first chair was awful and didn’t allow us to get out much but this second one is better. He had acquatic therapy again on Friday and did a great job. His therapist there is really, really tough on him but therapy isn’t meant to be fun and he needs to be pushed. He responds well to her and does what she asks.
Ian has been eating a lot by mouth lately- so much so that we can sometimes eliminate his tube feedings for a meal. And he sure still loves a good iced coffee or cold beer.
Specific prayers would be continued improvement on his communication with us
Thank you for your prayers. Praying that that we don’t have to surpass the two-year mark…
On Friday, Ian had another first. One of the therapists wanted to get him in the water, so Mary and Larissa took him to a pool specially designed for therapy where he met the therapist. She and a couple of others began the session by standing him up and “walking him”….outside the pool! Each of them put his arm around them and walked him upstairs in the gym. Then, once in the pool downstairs (about up to his chest) they put water noodles under his arms, and he walked around the pool that way with the assistance of the therapist and floated on his back as well. After a while, Larissa couldn’t stand it any more and found a bathing suit and some shorts and jumped in the water with him. He had a very content expression the whole time he was doing it and said he was glad he got in the pool. We don’t know yet if he will continue with this therapy.
Please consider joining us in fasting on Wednesday. Specific prayer requetss would be: Improved ability to communicate Encouragement spiritually for Ian
How can I stay in love with a man who hasn’t spoken to me in a year and a half? A man who can’t plan a special date for us, can’t tell me anything without me asking first, can’t challenge me, earn money for us, lead us in devotions or call me at work to see how my day is going. I dont’ know how. I also don’t know how God still loves me, someone who has nothing to offer Him. But both have happened and have made my life infinitely better.
Ian has had a rough week. He had a fever for a few days and only went to therapy on Monday. He seems to be feeling a little bit better today, though. Specific prayer is that he would continue to communicate clearly with us through nodding or shaking his head.
I see God in the way that Larissa has stayed with Ian through this. I don’t know the future; I don’t know what the Lord has for her. I wouldn’t be at all bitter if she decided it was time to move on. I wouldn’t at all begrudge her that course of action. But, right now, I see the Savior in her devotion. I know she’s a sinful person created by God like me, and I know she’s limited in her capacity for devotion…unlike God. Yet God allows her to reflect himself through her care and devotion for Ian.
God is limitless in his capacity to remain devoted to me though I don’t deserve his care. I sin against him time and time again day after day, but the Bible says that his mercy never comes to an end. Even if I had never sinned against him, compared to God’s infinite nature we’re nothing that he should consider a treasure. Yet, that’s exactly what the Bible says about those who have offered their feeble, limited devotion to him. “What is man that you are mindful of him or the son of man that you care for him?”
Larissa’s devotion directs my attention to the Savior. It is a glimpse of Christ. If in saying this, I’ve caused your mind to dwell on her devotion, I’ve messed up. If in any of our posts we have directed attention to ourselves, we have messed up. When we see Larissa and Ian together, we should not be amazed by her devotion and love. Instead we should be pointed to Christ, amazed by His love for us and the miracle it is that we can reflect even a portion of that. Please don’t insert comments in response to this post with high praises for her because this is not about her or myself or my family. It is a pirture of Christ’s devotion to me. Christ’s devotion to me as I reflect on it from the vantage point of heaven will no doubt take my breath away. I don’t deserve it, but I’m amazed by it.
Larissa, Caleb, Devon, and I will be at our church’s annual youth camp this week. The week includes lots of worship, sermons, and talking about God. There are also lots of sports during the day. Larissa and I are counselors, and Devon and Caleb are campers.
Ian was a camper at this camp for eight years and a counselor for two years. Youth camp is where God began to show the truth of Himself to Ian. In his teenage years, Ian really benefited from youth camp.
Let’s pray that this will be the last year that Ian won’t be there as a counselor.
(Pictured is Ian and some friends at youth camp several years ago)
I was reading through the “Let Ian KNow You’re Praying Post” and was gently reminded by God of how many of you are still praying for Ian. It doesn’t make any sense- most of you don’t know us. And if you’re anything like me, you wouldn’ve moved on to praying about something else by now. But I was so encouraged to think of all of the people praying with us, from all over the country. 
