Wednesday, July 6, 2011

first sounds and words...



"And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, You are my people!" Is. 51.16

"Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth and said, "Look, I have put my words in your mouth!" Jer 1.9

Today marks a year since Ben has uttered his first sounds and a few slight words! An evening I will never forget!! It was pretty funny because yesterday I was telling him NO (in our goofy childish way) when he asked to get up and he said, "what?" I told him agian in the same matter and he again said, "what?" Once again I said it and Ben responded, "you're going to have to speak more clearly!"...and he said that loud and clearly! So, at the year mark of him speaking he is correcting me and making sure I am speaking clearly too!
I was with Ben that evening and we were just hanging out together. I had tried a few times (ok, masses of times) to get him just to follow me and utter a sound on his own and not just non-voluntary! I was laying beside him and I asked him to say HMMMMM. I paused and waited and then I heard the slightest HMMM! Again Ben, say HMMMM! Ben did it again! I tried his name and a few other words as well and he did them. It was quite and very short but Ben did it! We tried a few more sounds and words in a very monotone and straight voice. He continued to do it and follow my lead! It was very quite and Ben got out of breath very easily with one word!

Here are a few videos of him first making noises and saying a few words. One is July 6th, 2010 and then other a few days later on July 9, 2010...





In Ben's last ST session he was able to speak a little message to you all! He came up with all of the words and sentances on his own and then put them all together! He was super proud of his work when I played it back for him!



{off video ben's voice is actually alot more clear at times}

"Hi everybody, I want to tell you that I am doing great and that rehab is good.
I am getting better and I thank you for your prayers.
I love you all!"

Ben has gotten where he is today because of God's healing hand, his hard work and determination and ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS!! We are truly blessed by each and every one of you who continue to faithfully pray for us all the time! Like our blog name, Our Hope Endures, it does and it is by the grace of God and all of you amazing people!

**Top 2 prayer requests...please pray for Ben's walking (HE REALLY WANTS TOO)
and his continence!!**

20 comments:

Melissa said...

Oh that video is amazing! Just to see how far he has came in one year I have no doubt next year we will be watching him walk and tAlk!
Thanks for sharing and prayers to your family!

Courtney said...

Praying for you guys. :) Only found your blog a few months ago, but I am a faithful reader now. . . your lives are a beautiful example of God's faithfulness and the hope we have in Him. Praying for Ben's complete restoration!

Caroline said...

I LOVE this! Such a wonderful, and uplifting post - thank you for sharing! Many, many more prayers to come for continual healing.

alexis @ bloomed in june said...

i loved these videos! and i will continue praying

Kim @ The Gab said...

I loved hearing Ben's voice again- Tell Ben thanks for the message!This just totally made my day.

faith said...

I remember crying when I watched those videos a year ago. What a beautiful moment. I was so happy that God had given Ben his voice so that you could hear him again. Today's video is even more sweet.

Chrissy @ the Pearl Blog said...

what a blessing that you shared these videos with us!

Emily said...

How great it is to look back and see how far he's come! So amazing!
Will keep praying. :)

The Dadej Family said...

Awesome job Ben! You've made huge strides in the past year. You and Katie will continue to be in my prayers.

Wife of a Wounded Soldier said...

What a blessing and one that you both worked really hard for! Congrats!

Brenda said...

What a contrast! I'm so glad you both can see the accomplishment in Ben's progress. I can't wait to see next year's video! (Also, I am SO impressed with the improved affect the recent video shows. Amazing.)

Kendall said...

Absolutely amazing! Those videos brought tears to my eyes! God is so good! As always we are praying for you and Ben!

Nicole Dianne said...

oh my goodness Katie! what an exciting day to remember back where Ben was a year ago and see the progress he's had since then! I was in tears watching the most recent video of him. That was just awesome..I will add those last two onto my prayer list!

paula roemer said...

Wow. Every morning when I wake up I look and see if you wrote any thing new. Tonight I saw you on facebook so I went and looked on your blog. I love it . ThAnkyou.I will pray for you two tonight Paula

Theresa said...

Wow! Praise God for the mighty healing in Ben. It was so nice to see the video and hear his message. Really you both are such a wonderful couple. I love getting to see the love you have for each other and for our LORD.

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! What a joy to hear Ben's message. Tell him thank you, please. I continue to trust Father for you all. Marion

Kaycee said...

That video is such a blessing to see!!! Miracles DO happen! Have a family member going through the same thing and it's almost been the 1 yr mark since the accident. This gives us hope!

Emily said...

It's been so amazing to watch his progress over the last year or so. Hearing that video was just amazing! Praise Jesus :] Go Ben!!

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Wonderful. Thanks Ben!

erika said...

Gosh, what an improvement! So awesome!!