Update on Josh...3/29/17

A post from Maggie, Josh's sister:

Monday marked six months since Josh's accident. He has started gaining weight and developing some muscles in his arms and legs. Those who know Josh know how happy he is about this! He received a new wheelchair that is fitted to his body, and we can already tell he is more comfortable and better supported in it. His speech therapist has been giving us good reports and, in hopes of removing the feeding tube, will most likely do another swallow test before Josh leaves San Antonio.

From the beginning, the odds were against Josh, and they still are. Yet everyday he has gotten a little better. There have been setbacks, but Josh is still fighting. It's easy to focus solely on the progress made each day, which, when viewed alone, seems very small. What I have to remind myself to focus on is where he started on September 27, and where he is now. When you look at the big picture, Josh has come a long, long way! I have always been proud to be his sister, but never more proud than I am today, or than I will be tomorrow.

I read something recently that said, "The most difficult ingredient in suffering is most often time," and that couldn't be truer for me. I've spent six months waiting for a call saying Josh is awake. Six months waiting to hear my brother talk to me. I know I’m not promised these things, but I’m not discouraged. I have hope because God is greater than any circumstance we find ourselves in.

I hope someday I get to sing in the car with him, get his advice, and laugh at his jokes again. I even hope to get lectured about nutrition from him again. Most of all, I hope to see Josh live the life he loves. I know these are big hopes, but we have a big God! We have freedom to pray for mountains to be moved in Josh's recovery because our hope rests not in what we see, but in what we know.

Last week, I joined my dad and big brothers by getting a tattoo! Three small mountains that came from the joy I felt while singing these words:

Mountain high or valley low

I sing out and remind my soul

I am yours

I am forever yours

I am His. You are His. Josh is His. Whether you find yourself in a deep valley or at the summit, God is with you. I don’t know how many more valleys are in this or how long it will take, but I’m clinging to the hope that comes from Christ with each step.

Prayer Requests:

-Josh gets to go on a field trip Thursday. Pray he responds well to the new environment.

-That Josh passes the swallow test.

-Details worked out for the transition back to Arkansas

-Consistency in his therapy sessions

-Fund raising events in Alabama and Arkansas

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

All in for Josh!