Thursday, February 10, 2011

he's a rockstar...


I got to Ben at my usual time this morning and I asked him if he was having a good morning and he said yes! I then asked him why and he said, "because you're here!" Awesome...why else are you having a good morning? Ben responded, "because I get to go to therapies!" I was not expecting that answer from him but maybe he is finally getting to grips with what he needs to do to get home and back to work!
We had a visitor from the Army's Wounded Warrior project come meet us today and it was a pleasure meeting her! She checks on wounded soldiers and their families to make sure we are being taken care of. I chatted with her and towards the end of that chat one of the patient's family members told me I should look down the hall! I did and this is what I found...


Amazing! I of course started crying! He was holding on to the therapists arms in front of him and the therapist behind him just had her hands oh his hips to guide Ben! He needed support but the majority Ben did on his own!! People ask me what gives me hope besides the Lord...this hard working man!! I am so PROUD of him!

Off to lunch after his grand walking he kept saying it was "cool", he felt "awesome" and he was "proud of himself!" He should be! He wolfed down his lunch...he deserved it! After lunch it was off to the treadmill! He was to go yesterday but they had to switch him to today. When I asked him how much he was going to improve his time by Ben said, "I am going to double it!" I told him that is an awesome goal but what would be a more realistic one and he responded, "by 3 minutes!" Well wouldn't you know, he beat his time but he beat it by 5 minutes!! Again, another awesome job Ben did!!

There was not rest for the weary! Ben got back from his time on the treadmill and had only a 15 minute break before he had to go to a brace clinic. When he got back from the treadmill he said, "I want to go to bed...I am tired!" I told him that he only had 15 min until brace clink and he said, "Oh...ok." Off to the clinic we went were he got up and walked in the parallel bars to see if his legs needed bracing for more support. Ben passed the test and no bracing needed at this time!
Back upstairs in time for OT then after that it was ST! Ben didn't get done until 4:30! He is usually done at 4pm and the only break he got today was lunch and the 15 min after the treadmill! That is why I am calling him the ROCK STAR today!

My day was going smoothy until I got a phone call which turned him into many more. It ruffled my feathers and I had to deal with my emotions and crazyness but I got through the afternoon. I had chocolate for lunch at 2:30pm...that might explain how I was feeling! After I got Ben dinner we watched some video's and looked pictures his buddy just sent to him in the mail! He remembered all of the people in the photos and had a huge smile on the hilarious parts of the videos! Laughing together lightened the evening! Ben and I did our devotions, sang some songs and prayed together. Ben's prayer went a little like this..."Lord we come before you, not as two individuals but as a couple. Lord, I have prayed for my healing and it is not coming fast enough. You are in control. It is not in our timing but in Your time. Lord, give me strength in my therapies. Be with my wife. She is here with me every day. She needs your help too. I love her. In Jesus name. Amen" Whenever Ben and I pray his prayers get deeper and deeper. They are also more wordy with less pauses on what to pray for! Thank you Lord for those prayers from my man! We both ended on a good note and that blessed my heart!
I got back to my room tonight to find this...

a lil Valentine's day basket for Ben (goldfish and sobe...his fav) and chocolates for me!! It was a lovely gift from the hotel I am staying at! Pure sweetness!

Please remember this wonderful lady in your prayers. I found out a few months ago that she had lost her husband overseas. She is an amazing lady who is now raising their young daughter in the way that her man would have wanted! This month marks 5 months and I know she would appreciate your prayers! You can find her story
here.

Ben and his buddies on Mt. Olympus in WA...

{...won't mention the nicknames!}

12 comments:

Theresa said...

Hooray! How exciting that Ben walked without his walker! You both are such an encourgement and testimony of God's love. Thank you for sharing what God is doing in your lives.

Lindsey B said...

I am rejoicing that our God is blessing your family and Ben! What a wonderful day!

And what a small world - I went to high school with Patrick Lachney!

LaDonna Rae said...

PTL, thats awesome news.

Young and Fabulous said...

so glad ben is walking without a walker..that is AMAZING <3 <3

what a sweet valentine's day gift :)

xoxox

Anonymous said...

Rock ON, Ben!!! How sweet for your hotel to give you a Valentine's gift. It makes me happy to see what Father is doing for you and Ben, in you and Ben, through you and Ben. I love you and continue to trust Father for you both. Marion

Kathleen said...

Love it! Go Ben!!! I wrote a post about Cale being a rockstar http://caledarling.blogspot.com/2010/07/rock-star.html Our men our awesome and we serve an amazing God! Praising and rejoicing with you! Love ya!!!

Anonymous said...

Go Ben!! You ARE a ROCK Star!! Big day!

God bless and we are praying for more strength and walking and getting well!! The Rickmans

Adrienne said...

YAY that is such great news! Great job Ben! And what a lovely V-Day surprise! :)

Caroline said...

A Rockstar indeed! Thank you for sharing these inspiring pictures!! Rock on Ben :)

sharon said...

I was thrilled to hear his prayers and how much deeper he is able to go. He is showing growth in the cognitive area! PTL Of course walking without the walker is amazing too. Growth is hard BUT IT DEFINITELY IS COMING. Don't give up....his recovery is just around the corner.
love ya, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Joe, too

Lindsey said...

PRAISE THE LORD! Wow, no walker that is just awesome. God is so good. He is his way to being completely healed in Jesus name! Praying that continually Katie even though I do not know you! Praying against attacks and warfare as you climb this steep mountain. You are one strong young woman and God is carrying you with arms wrapped tight!

Cooking Up Faith said...

Way to go Ben!

It's so hard to be patient, but God is always working for our good...ALWAYS. Even when we can't see it. And I guess that's what faith is, believing what you can't see. Believing that He is working for our good...actually at work every second for our good, even when we can't see it in every second.

Continuing to pray for you both.