Lessons learned

Let me start by saying I am deeply sorry for the lack of updates because this in no way reflects the amount of progress Uncle John has made these last few days. It is so easy to get caught up in our own lives, that I almost forgot what I was being called to do. So for all of you avid blog readers, I am sorry. I feel like God has given me such an amazing honor to be the one to deliver news about our quiet giant, and I certainly don't want to take that for granted. Now, onto what Uncle John has been up to these last few days.....

What do eating, drinking, breathing, walking, reading, and talking all have in common? Well, these are all things we have become masters at and now perform on a daily basis without a second thought. However, for Uncle John these simple tasks have become his days work. He works very intensly every day for about an hour to an hour and a half with speech, physical, and occupational therapy at relearning and 're-mastering' these seemingly simple tasks. I am so glad Uncle John has the strength and courage to work this hard day in and day out. I have heard first hand from both Uncle John and his family that he has made incredible strides in all of these areas. I am so pleased to report that the other day he not only walked further than the day before, but he also walked on his own. WOW! He still has quite a long way to go, but I am still so amazed that walking on his own is now a goal! The trauma to his body and brain can improve with time, but it is a lot of work! Uncle John also got his first haircut in almost two months. I think he was starting to dig his elvis do, but he knows it is about time to get back to his old self, so the 'do' had to go.

Every day John moves closer and closer to going home, but I hope we can all continue to carry the lessons that we have learned during this next phase. We have all been called to be a part of John's journey in some way, shape, and form. For whatever reason, God has chosen to use John to help heal so many broken hearts and restore so many people's faith in God. His story has inspired so many people across the country to believe that with God in your life, NOTHING is impossible.

Uncle John is starting to come to terms with all that he has been through, and has gained a new found peace in his own life and understanding that he is exactly where he is supposed to be. Uncle John has always been a believer, but his faith as been reaffirmed through this experience because it is so apparent that God truly is in control and He will provide just what we need....all we have to do is believe! Just as we have been so touched by Uncle John's steadfast faith and courage to trust in God's plan, he too has been touched and in awe of all of you. Aunt Maureen told me today that the part that makes her the happiest is seeing Uncle John recognize the amount of love that so many people have for him. He is such a humble man, and is truly in awe of the outpouring of love and kindness from all of you.

I want to leave you with a scene from a book that Uncle John is currently reading thanks to his amazing daughters. It is called The Shack, and this scene is Jesus' response to Mack when he talks about his fears for the future.

Mack: “Why do I have so much fear in my life?”

Jesus: “Because you don’t believe. You don’t know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love… to the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe that I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don’t know it”.......If you knew I was good, and that everything-the means, the ends, and all the processes of individual lives-is all covered by my goodness, then while you might not always understand what I am doing, you would trust me.