a smile's is unfolding...

"All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him." Romans 8:22-29 (The Message)

I was given this passage the other night by a friend who is also in a wait and why God process. This passage of scripture blew me away! I have read it before but I have never read it in this translation before. I don't even need to explain it, pick it apart or tell you which part ministered to me most. The whole thing touched my heart, it is still sinking in to my soul!

Change is still taking place here. I lost it once the other morning but all is well! I am really trying to be patient with the new nurses, therapists and staff. It is way different then Cali but not any worse...just different! I have watched from a distance a few times on what they are doing with Ben and so far it has been good! They have him constantly on his feet and kept busy...this to me is a very good thing! Ben continues to work on his standing, balancing, walking and small motor skills. In speech they are doing some thermal stimulation (very cold, big swabs all over different places of his mouth!), overenunciating, louder voice and trying to get Ben in thin liquids. Ben can eat anything that he wants but his liquids have to be slightly thickened. They think that due to his neck position that this makes for a not so good seal for regular thin liquids.

Ben is officially off his blood pressure pills! He has remained stable with out them and is doing great. His doc put him on some very good Vit B vitamins that you can only get via perscription. He will also be starting him on some more soon. His doc is also adding one more seizure med in hopes of getting him off one that he is already on. The new one has less side effects and is less harmful to the body. Soon Ben should be started on a memory med....LORD PLEASE LET THIS HELP! When I asked Ben the other day what he might want for Christmas and to my surprise he said his MEMORY!

So, things are coming along. I am getting use to my surroundings more. It is always fun to discover a new place but the roads and highways around here are CRAZY!! I think in all the places we have lived or been to the NJ drivers are the worst!! I have found Target, Whole Foods and have managed to get to Starbucks one time...ONE TIME people! It is probably a good thing that it is not closer because I would be there everyday!! The adjustment is coming!

Below are some photos for ya'll! You know how we have been praying for that amazing smile of Ben's to come back?? Well, we are getting there! I put a few up from the first few photos I put up until recent. Check out the last one...it was taken a few weeks before we left CA. I would say it is about 3/4 there....SO CLOSE!! Obviously in a brain injury the muscles are effected and they are in Ben's face. As he heals those muscles will get more controlled and stronger....then that smile will be there!!

Prayer Requests...PLEASE:
1. Ben's mood...he only wants to be at home and this is affecting his thinking. He knows he needs more rehab and healing but doesn't want to be here. Pray for strength, courage, determination and that the Lord minister to His heart, soul and body!
2. Neck and head muscles! Please pray for these. While in PT/OT where his head goes, his body goes. It effects his posture, walking, standing, balancing, arms, swallowing and so many mofe things. Pray for healing to his neck in Jesus name!
3. Memory - please pray that this come back to Ben! As he gets this back I know that all the other things will fall into place!
4. That the bond between Ben and I as a married couple would grow stonger during this process!
5. That we both would be ministerd to by the Lord through His word, song, people and His love!
6. COMPLETE 100% HEALING and the MIRACULOUS!!

Here is a sneak peak at whats to come...



Ben's sayings...start of Ben's prayer last night..."Lord we come before you as a couple. I am the leader and Katie is the follower..." I about died laughing but let him continue on in his sweet prayers for us!