IN SPITE OF IT ALL...

As far as Hospital food goes, it’s not too bad here! I just had a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup (one of my comfort foods that ISN’T Blue Bell), and I wasn’t let down. Of course, I guess it’s difficult to mess either of those up too bad. From the cafeteria to ESPECIALLY Brock’s nurses and therapists, we are being taken care of very well.

Brock just met this week’s neurology doctor, Dr. Castro. She was impressed with how he is doing considering the damage he sustained. She said he is responding appropriately, even if he is a bit week. He has some very obvious swelling along the middle/top part of his skull that tapers off quickly when you get to the soft spots- but she said that should go down as the swelling continues to decrease.

As far as therapy, he’ll start seeing physical, occupational, and speech/eating therapists pretty much right off the bat. Pray he gets the VERY BEST ONES that do JUST THE RIGHT THING. Thanks.

It looks like we’ll be moving off of the ICU into a regular room! This is very exciting (though we’ll tremendously miss the care and nurses of the ICU floor- they’ve been incredible blessings to us) because we’ll get to be together much more as a family, and Brielle will get to see him in person. YAY! Our girls are staying with good friends of ours (Brynlee’s best friend’s house) and they are loving on them like their own- as I know any of you would as well. It’s comforting to know they’re being taken care of so well so we can focus on this little guy.

It’s been encouraging to see all the notes from people who have said that Brock’s story has strengthened their prayer life or their faith altogether. Praise be to God, it’s a testament to His power. Of course, I think we would probably still trade those silver linings for the chance to have NEVER even gone through this nightmare, or the rollercoaster that is to come. I hope that is a normal, and that you take it with a grain of salt for where we currently are in this ordeal. We know that the Kingdom is paramount, and that despite our feelings, the Spirit works. We praise God for this.

God has done amazing things for Brock’s health. Please CONTINUE to pray that that CONTINUES to happen, and that the next people Brock “astonishes” will be all of the therapists that will be working with him in the years to come.

Speaking of the Kingdom, we would like to ask each of you to consider doing a SMALL thing which would make a HUGE IMPACT for an organization that is dear to our hearts (if you happen to have time in the next 2.5 hours- by 5pm this evening). When Taryn and I were in Lubbock, while I was working for Broadway Church of Christ’s campus ministry, Christ in Action, we got to know Chad and Jaime Wheeler who are the ministers of Carpenter’s Church which is supported by Broadway. Carpenter’s Church changes lives for the homeless population of Lubbock, TX- and being ministered by Chad and Jaime shows them (and us all!!) a glimpse of what it means for your life to be utterly CONSUMED by the Kingdom of God. Chad and Jaime live out the sermon on the Mount with humility and passion. If they are in first place (if everyone who has visited this page votes for them- they’ll be in first) then they’ll receive $10,000 to continue the amazing works that they do for the folks they work with. Go this link and find them fifth from the top on the right hand column and follow the instructions to vote for them. http://www.citybankonline.com/community-rewards/community-rewards.html

Of course, if you feel called to vote for any of the other organizations, I’m sure they’re all considerably deserving.

Also, should any of you be going through a rough time of darkness in your own life right now or know of someone, I’d encourage you to check out this sermon by Wes Crawford, my church history and homiletics professor from our LCU days who is currently preaching at the Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, TX. May it be a blessing to you or someone you know:  http://www.wes-crawford.com/2013/12/a-season-of-advent-from-darkness-to.html

May Your Kingdom come and Your Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Love you all~ Brad and Taryn