Thank you everyone who responded to my post last night. While I’m writing this, there are exactly 300 comments- that’s incredible. And I know that’s not a full list of everyone who is praying. Ian would gladly lay down his life so that any of us could learn more about our Savior. That’s what’s happening now and these comments are an example to me of that.
Thank you all
Laris
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I was thinking today that it would be really cool to be able to read to Ian a list of the people who are reading this blog and praying for him. So, if you read the blog and pray for Ian, leave a comment on this post with your name and where you’re from. I think it would be very encouraging for him as well as for us.
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The Lord shut him in. “Noah was so shut in that no evil could reach him. Floods did but lift him heavenward, and winds did but waft him on his way. Outside of the ark all was ruin, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety. Noah was so shut in that he could not even desire to come out, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in him forever.”
My good friend shared this devotion from Spurgeon with me and how it made her think of Ian. What she shared was such good truth to line up against my fears in this situation.
I have no idea what kind of place Ian is in right now, but the Lord has shut him in there in divine love and has shut Himself in there with Ian. Ian has expressed to us several times that he can feel God’s presence, showing us that his accident, in comparison to Noah’s flood, “did but lift him heavenward.” In Christ, there is rest and peace and there is perfect safety. To be experiencing this communion with the Lord is far better for Ian than to be back here with us. While we will continue to pray that he would return to us and continue to believe that it would be a good thing for him to be completely healed, there is sweet comfort knowing who he’s with in the meantime.
Ian has been nodding his head a lot for us today to communicate “yes.” We continue to see great steps like this leading us back to our Ian.
Thank you for praying.
Larissa
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Ian has been on a different “wake up” drug for the last couple of days. We’ve noticed a big difference in the amount of sleep he gets now. I’m wondering if it’s the adjustment to a new medication.
He’s been swallowing more lately and doing it more quickly after being asked to swallow. That’s a good thing…like sit-ups for the tongue.
Thank you for praying…I know so many are.
Steve
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Ian had a good and busy day today. Heather reported that he responded well to her. Today he was outside with Lydia and he was kicking a ball with her while he was in his chair. I got to go out with him again tonight and we watched a huge thunderstorm from St. Bernard’s Church, which is on a big hill overlooking Indiana. And then after he got home we sat him up on the edge of his bed again. He did such a great job and we could tell that he was concentrating so hard on what he was doing. It’s a good thing that he’s so stubborn because it’s really paying off now:)
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We moved Ian from his back on his bed to a sitting position on the edge of his bed tonight with his feet flat on the floor. We had done that once before to try it. Tonight, while he was sitting with us holding him up, he worked really hard trying to get his balance. We coached him to use his feet and legs to steady himself both with his forward/back position and his side to side position. At one point he held himself for about 30 seconds while we were close by. Thank you, Lord!
What a strange thing to think about learning to balance yourself all over again.
Pray for grace for Ian to keep trying hard. Thanks.
Steve
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“Ian, give me a long blink if you’re ready to be healed.” He gave me a nice, long blink. That’s encouragement for me to keep praying hard.
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As I’ve thought back to those last days and weeks in the Children’s Institute, I’ve realized how far Ian has come. He’s very alert. He cooperates most of the time with those who try to work with him. He tracks us now. He communicates afirmative answers through a long blink. He seems to know what’s happening around him. He seems to want to work hard. He’s swallowing. These all sound minor, but compared to those last days in the hospital he’s come a long way. Bringing him home was definitely the best course of action. I don’t know what’s around the bend, but I trust God.
Psalm 46 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” I wonder if a primitive Jew like the writer of this psalm could have imagined many other things more frightening than the mountains heaving up and sliding into the sea. Yet, the writer puts his confidence in the One who controls all things including the mountains and the sea. Though I don’t know exactly what’s around the bend, God is my refuge and strength.
Thank you for your continuing prayers. They have accomplished much.
Steve
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“Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light” We spent some time worshipping with Ian tonight and he seemed very relaxed during our time with him.
Thank you for praying.
Larissa
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Ian would always challenge me with the question “what are you believing about God right now?” What better way to get at the root of sin. I confess that I have been allowing myself to believe untrue thoughts about God lately- thoughts of unbelief and thoughts lacking faith in God’s ability to heal Ian. What a constant battle, every waking hour, to remind myself of the sovereignty of God. But that’s how it is with all sin. We have to constantly battle with ourselves to fight the very impulses that try to rule us. (Romans 7:15-20) How this battle shows me though what a debtor to mercy I am. Every step that I take is filled with God’s grace and as I live, I become more and more indebted to His mercy.
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