Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Remember your potential...



"Be men of courage; be strong." (I Cor. 16:13)
"Never pray for an easier life-pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks to equal to your power-pray for power equal to your tasks. Then doing your work will be no miracle-you will be the miracle! Are you willing to sacrifice to reach the glorious mountain peaks of God's purpose for you?" (SITD)

Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle; face it!
It's God's gift!
Be strong!
Say not the days are evil-who's to blame?
Or fold your hands, as in defeat-O shame!
Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God's name!
Be strong!
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long,
Faint not, fight on!
Tomorrow comes the song!! MB

I was able to sneak away for a few days over the weekend for a bit of fun and chill time! A couple that Ben and I know and some of my family members were going on a quick weekend trip and they invited me to go awhile ago. I told them I just don't know because of the dates. Well, my friend text me at the beginning of last week and I said ok!! We didn't tell my family that I was going to be there so they were all fully suprised!! We all had a blast and it was good to get a change of scenery for a few days! Oh but I did miss my Ben! I called him 2-3 times a day and loved that I could chat with him and that he could use his voice! I thank Jesus for that always!!

Today was a good day for Ben. He wrote a letter with ST for me. His ST would ask him a question and he had to fill in the blanks! It was a sweet lil note...although this one didn't include the word sexy and beautiful like the last! :) She also said that they have been doing some reading. She google popular scriptures because she told Ben that she was not religious but maybe he could teach her and help her learn some things! WOW!! She is asking Ben, with a brain injury, to help her learn more about God!! I was so amazed and excited at the same time!!

After ST Ben had PT. He slowly wheeled himself, with his feet and hands, to the therapy gym. After that he was able to help transfer himself to the mat. He got alot of spine and scapula stretching! He started grunting and saying Rangers Lead The Way the moment he got on a new round, stiff piece of styrofoam! It looked so uncomfortable but he was a trooper!





Following PT was OT...Ben and I taught his therapist how to play WAR! This really helped Ben do stretching of his arms, reading numbers, problem solving and so many other things he had to use his brain for!
Lunch followed OT and then we went to my room and of course Ben took a nap! We were able to rest and relax until we needed to head back to Ben's room for Neuro Psych.
His doc greeted Ben and got down to business asking him about his mood, how he was doing, how he felt his progress was going and a few more things. One thing that she spoke to Ben about is the fact that some of her patients don't have the potential to get better because of their medical issues. She told Ben that God has given Ben the potential to get better!! She stated that God has given you the opportunity to get better so RUN WITH IT! Ben stated that he doesn't feel very strong and she went on to ask him where he gets his strength from and Ben said the Lord. She was very good to encourage him with scripture and the positives of life. She asked him to list some things that are happening to him that are good and Ben said these 3 things:
getting better, I'm healing and Katie! Ummm, well that just melted my heart! At the end of the session Ben had a good idea of what he needed to do and was encouraged to remember the potential the Lord has given him for more healing and restoration!

During this session we got a visitor! I keep Ben's window open during the day to get some fresh air and look who poked his lil head in...Covin!! He is the therapy dog that comes to see Ben but just happened to be here on an extra day! Of course I had to feed him a banana, his favorite treat!!



He was a great visitor to end the day of therapies!!

PS...the encouraging notes are rolling in!! Keep them coming, I will be saving them and giving them to Ben Oct 27th which marks 14 months post injury!!

9 comments:

Allie said...

It is great to see Ben is doing so well in his therapies! How wonderful. And Covin is a cutie puppy too.

Anonymous said...

Dear One!! Be strong, thank you for the uplifting words as a reminder to me, to everyone. Rangers Lead The Way, the dog's surprize visit, Ben helping with the lifting of himself, especially Ben being asked about Father's word, as you know, ALL are signs of Ben's healing. Thank You, Jesus!!! What fun to surprize your family. I am glad you could have some R&R yourself. I love you, Marion

Candice Pair said...

Wow...that is amazing that he is able to share the word with her! They say when the Lord truly lives in you, that your actions speak for itself! Its apparent that she sees that in Ben, as well as you!

And oh my goodness...that puppy! I can see how he would brighten anyones day!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That is so huge that she asked him to tell her more about God! It reminded me of the part in Scripture that says what Satan intended for evil, God meant for good. Satan would love for Ben to have died and no been able to serve the Lord and be a witness for the Kingdom. Satan would love for Ben to be a vegetable and never be able to think or function again. Satan would even love for Ben's doctors to look at Ben and see a man who is not capable of teaching them anything, much less things about God. But that is not what is happening! God is using this situation in amazing ways! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!
This news was a big encouragement to my heart by the way!

Wende and Evan said...

Katie,
So many amazing things continue to happen! Thank you for all your posts! God continues to be present in all that you and Ben do! God is huge and bigger than all these struggles. Ben and your persistance and those little gifts that come along the way are so special. As a therapist, I can feel the strength and determination that are shown by both of you during this time. I can only imagine how each of those therapists are blessed every time they work with Ben. Hang in there and know the prayers being said are many!
Wende

Lindsey said...

This is so very encouraging and such a blessing. I continue to pray for a complete miracle for his life.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful & uplifting post you've written. I still continue to pray & keep you in my thoughts. He's a strong guy...with the Lord & you on his side he can do anything! It's amazing to hear what you wrote about Ben teaching others about God. Sincerely heart-warming! May he continue to grow & develop his skills each and everyday. {{Hugs}}

P.S. It is me & the kiddos going to AZ. Hubs is traveling to NC. Time apart yet again, but it is benefitting his career.

Kelly said...

Katie-
I have been reading your blog for some time now and I am so inspired by your faith and love for Ben! He is looking great and I am praying for him.
I am wondering if you are interested in my 'making over your blog' to give it a little spice, maybe adding a picture or two of you and Ben at the top. I would love to do this for you, if you'd like.
God Bless!

Jim Volstad said...

Hang in there Ben. We met last week when I was recovering in the Polytrauma Ward.

MSG James Volstad
USAR (Ret.)

www.jvolstad.com

jvolstad@yahoo.com