"God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7. God is not done with Al. He is not done with each of us just yet. God looks at us through the eyes of a fther. He sees our blemishes, our defects, and our shortcomings. But God sees through all that like a diamond in the rough, and sees the jewel within, the potential for what we can be. Al's accident will continue to be used for God's glory, because He isn't done yet.
These last five weeks have been an incredible journey. One that I wouldn't trade for anything, except for the accident itself. Those of you that have been faithful in reading this blog have participated along side me. Those that are new, please read the journey from the begining, so you may rejoice along with us. God has been faithful in answering our prayers.
People from all acros the United States have been lifting Al up in prayer. There are several I know personally in California, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Maine, Arkasas and Texas. The prayer chains have reached well beyond that, a friend telling several friends and so on. So I know that literally thousands of people have been praying for Al. Do not fool yourself into believeing that only those 'following' the blog are reading it, because I have been told otherwise.
The waiting is still the hardest. As we draw close to a time when the next chapter begins for Al, and each of us, let us be mindful that God is not done with us yet. The next chapter will hold new challenges, including home care for Al. I would ask that you pray what your role could be. I know that Kristen will be starting school soon, and will not be available 24/7. She is also working her part-time job at Panera. Consider alotting some time to sit with, talk with, and assist Al when he begins convalescing at home.
I look forward to hearing Al testify to God's amazing power on September 26th! Yes, I am believing this will happen! Come and see for yourself. God is amazing, and He isn't finished yet!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday Visit
Sundays visit was a great time. Herb and I spent almost 2 hours with Al, laughing and joking around. We laughed until we cried! Al is almost back to his old self! God is amazing! The power of prayer is amazing and His miraculous works are evident with Al.
During our visit, we talked about everything from Herb preaching to finances. There are still some spots of shadows, but he has come a long way. There are rumors that he may be able to go home soon..... nothing has been confirmed yet, but do not be suprised when you see him at the benefit event!
I am attatching a photo to the blog I took with AL yesterday. We were supposed to go to the Gathering of the Tribes on Saturday together, and Obviously Al was not able to make it, but I brought him a shirt. So the picture is of Al and I, both wearing our matching shirts!
During our visit, we talked about everything from Herb preaching to finances. There are still some spots of shadows, but he has come a long way. There are rumors that he may be able to go home soon..... nothing has been confirmed yet, but do not be suprised when you see him at the benefit event!
I am attatching a photo to the blog I took with AL yesterday. We were supposed to go to the Gathering of the Tribes on Saturday together, and Obviously Al was not able to make it, but I brought him a shirt. So the picture is of Al and I, both wearing our matching shirts!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Al and His Telephone
Wednesday Kristen brought Al his telephone. When I arrived, he was still sleeping, but the aide woke him for dinner. It was funny to hear the aide, “Albert, you need to wake up….Albert.” Apparently he was very tired from the morning therapy and slept most of the day. I am thinking of calling him Albert now, and when I mentioned that to him, he made a face. Anyone that wakes up after being sound asleep would be a bit incoherent, I know I am if awakened like that.
Back to the telephone. When we told Al that his phone was there, he immediately wanted it, and tried to make a call. The phone did not work, and he became frustrated. I called Kristen to ask her about it, and she said it would be corrected the next day. This was not satisfactory to Al, and he became agitated over this. I told him it would all work out, and his frustration continued. I received another call which told me how to re-activate it, and I did that, telling Al that it would be an hour until it worked again. Every five minutes he continued to check it, and I told him, just wait and it will be fine. Now I am telling you this because sometimes things in life that we are used to be in control of, we are not. That can be frustrating. For Al, the telephone is one thing that he can control, and the level of frustration became elevated when he could not control it. We need to keep these things in mind as we visit with him.
As far as the dinner, he didn’t want any part of it. He kept saying, “This is just awful, I don’t want a thing!” Now Al has lost a considerable amount of weight, and I told him if he didn’t eat, he would end up half the man he used to be (Physically). To that he smiled.
Yesterday, Al’s phone was working because he called me. Some of you may also have gotten a telephone call now that Al can talk and has his phone. It continues to amaze me at the progress.
Back to the telephone. When we told Al that his phone was there, he immediately wanted it, and tried to make a call. The phone did not work, and he became frustrated. I called Kristen to ask her about it, and she said it would be corrected the next day. This was not satisfactory to Al, and he became agitated over this. I told him it would all work out, and his frustration continued. I received another call which told me how to re-activate it, and I did that, telling Al that it would be an hour until it worked again. Every five minutes he continued to check it, and I told him, just wait and it will be fine. Now I am telling you this because sometimes things in life that we are used to be in control of, we are not. That can be frustrating. For Al, the telephone is one thing that he can control, and the level of frustration became elevated when he could not control it. We need to keep these things in mind as we visit with him.
As far as the dinner, he didn’t want any part of it. He kept saying, “This is just awful, I don’t want a thing!” Now Al has lost a considerable amount of weight, and I told him if he didn’t eat, he would end up half the man he used to be (Physically). To that he smiled.
Yesterday, Al’s phone was working because he called me. Some of you may also have gotten a telephone call now that Al can talk and has his phone. It continues to amaze me at the progress.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Today's Telephone Calls
When I looked at the phone as it rang, it told me Herb was calling me. The muffled voice on the other end said, "hi Mitch, how are you doing?" And it WAS NOT Herb! You imagine my suprise when I realized it was Al calling me. And to top it off, he was asaking how I was doing!!
I wasn't the only one that received a call today. Herb also got one earlier. Amazing!
God is amazing. Let this whole scenario sink in for a minute....... Now tell me how awesome and amazing God is. You just never know who will be calling you. Like I said in an earlier post, "look for something amazing this week." I just have to leave my office and go see him!!
I wasn't the only one that received a call today. Herb also got one earlier. Amazing!
God is amazing. Let this whole scenario sink in for a minute....... Now tell me how awesome and amazing God is. You just never know who will be calling you. Like I said in an earlier post, "look for something amazing this week." I just have to leave my office and go see him!!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Four Weeks Later
During my visit with Al today, he asked me for ice cream. Now that is a definate sign of improvement. I had to ask him to repeat it a few times, but I got the muffled message. I helped him with his lunch drinks, of which he had several. As far as the "potato salad" that was an entirely different story. After two small spoonfuls, it was totally rejected. It is understandable as the aide said "I think this used to be potato salad" refering to its' now almost liquid state. When the vanilla pudding came, he enjoyed that much better. Al still knows what is good and what is not.
Al is regaining his strength, and is very active. Even though he no longer needs his splint bandage on his right hand, he constantly is taking it off, then wanting it back on. The repairman inside is also coming out, as he wants to 'play' with the electronics of the bed. They should have driver lockout controls like they have for car power windows. That is how we all keep our kids from playing with the windows. He constantly wants to change the TV stations and turn it on and off. He even pulled the plug of the remote from the wall, then proceeded to get out of bed to plug it back in. When it didn't go in the fiorst time, I told him to turn it, which he did, then it plugged back in. While 'surfing' through the channels, I told him to punch in '78' to get the History channel, and he did!
As Al was fiddling with his helmet, it struck me that we should be putting some decals on it for him. I think some flames would be appropriate. Perhaps some of the t-shirt sayings are printed on stickers we could apply. I truly think he would get a charge out of that.
We continue to be amazed at Al's recovery. Why is that? Why do we become 'amazed' at what God can do? Perhaops our view of God is limited by our own perception of God. Perhaps we can only comprehend our own finite capacity. You see, God is limitless. Let that sink in a little. He has no limits. God is the one that controls the universe. Let that sink in a little. God is the creator of everything. More sinking in. When we expand our understanding of God, we can expand our expectations, and the amazing become exactly what God does. Amazing. Look for something amazing this week!
Al is regaining his strength, and is very active. Even though he no longer needs his splint bandage on his right hand, he constantly is taking it off, then wanting it back on. The repairman inside is also coming out, as he wants to 'play' with the electronics of the bed. They should have driver lockout controls like they have for car power windows. That is how we all keep our kids from playing with the windows. He constantly wants to change the TV stations and turn it on and off. He even pulled the plug of the remote from the wall, then proceeded to get out of bed to plug it back in. When it didn't go in the fiorst time, I told him to turn it, which he did, then it plugged back in. While 'surfing' through the channels, I told him to punch in '78' to get the History channel, and he did!
As Al was fiddling with his helmet, it struck me that we should be putting some decals on it for him. I think some flames would be appropriate. Perhaps some of the t-shirt sayings are printed on stickers we could apply. I truly think he would get a charge out of that.
We continue to be amazed at Al's recovery. Why is that? Why do we become 'amazed' at what God can do? Perhaops our view of God is limited by our own perception of God. Perhaps we can only comprehend our own finite capacity. You see, God is limitless. Let that sink in a little. He has no limits. God is the one that controls the universe. Let that sink in a little. God is the creator of everything. More sinking in. When we expand our understanding of God, we can expand our expectations, and the amazing become exactly what God does. Amazing. Look for something amazing this week!
Saturday Night Phone Call
The last thing on Kristen expected Saturday night was the telephone call from Al. No, I am not delusional, nor was Kristen. While some friends were visiting with Al, he sued their cell phone and made the call. Through the gruff whisper, the words "Hey Kiddo" came through. For those that don't know, this is the way always answered his cell phone when Kristen called. What an exhiliration!
This is one of those glimpses of light I discussed in Friday's post. Although the call lasted just a short time, Al remembered the number to dial, because the visitors did not know the number to make the call. You never know what suprises God has in store for us next. Be on the lookout.
This is one of those glimpses of light I discussed in Friday's post. Although the call lasted just a short time, Al remembered the number to dial, because the visitors did not know the number to make the call. You never know what suprises God has in store for us next. Be on the lookout.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Light and Shadows
Driving into my office today, a thought struck me as the light filtered through the trees, resembling a picket fence as I drove along. We have glimpses of light and shadows as we travel through this journey of life.
This relates to our brother Al’s recovery as well. We will see the glimpses of light and shadows during this recovery. In this early stage of the recovery, we can either be overly optimistic or easily become discouraged. It is difficult for us, as laymen, to fully understand this process. When we cut ourselves, we attend to it, and our body heals itself, usually in an amazing short time period, then it is forgotten. Al’s injury is not at all like that. I repeat, the waiting is the hardest thing.
As Kristen and I spoke this morning, comparing visits and discussing Al, we know that all the experiences will be totally individual. I am speaking about the roller coaster ride. I found an online book which has been personally helpful in understanding this injury, titled “The Traumatic Brain Injury Suvival Guide” by Dr. Glen Johnson a Clinical Neuropsychologist. Reading this can help everyone understand what is going on. This can be found at: http://www.tbiguide.com/
Now, I must state that I am not saying that everything found within it relates to Al, but Kristen and I believe that education is an important avenue in understanding his recovery. We continue to encourage visitation, but it does need to be kept to a minimum due to over-stimulation (read book). When you visit, try to keep it brief (read book). Try to follow some of the guidelines in the book. This is all in helping Al to heal.
God is in control, never forget that.
This relates to our brother Al’s recovery as well. We will see the glimpses of light and shadows during this recovery. In this early stage of the recovery, we can either be overly optimistic or easily become discouraged. It is difficult for us, as laymen, to fully understand this process. When we cut ourselves, we attend to it, and our body heals itself, usually in an amazing short time period, then it is forgotten. Al’s injury is not at all like that. I repeat, the waiting is the hardest thing.
As Kristen and I spoke this morning, comparing visits and discussing Al, we know that all the experiences will be totally individual. I am speaking about the roller coaster ride. I found an online book which has been personally helpful in understanding this injury, titled “The Traumatic Brain Injury Suvival Guide” by Dr. Glen Johnson a Clinical Neuropsychologist. Reading this can help everyone understand what is going on. This can be found at: http://www.tbiguide.com/
Now, I must state that I am not saying that everything found within it relates to Al, but Kristen and I believe that education is an important avenue in understanding his recovery. We continue to encourage visitation, but it does need to be kept to a minimum due to over-stimulation (read book). When you visit, try to keep it brief (read book). Try to follow some of the guidelines in the book. This is all in helping Al to heal.
God is in control, never forget that.
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