Hello everyone,
Isaac had a “fun” day today at TLC. I say that with a hint of sarcasm. The clients there get this Friday and weekend off so today they had a big Easter carnival with games and crafts and an Easter egg hunt to finish things off. But, Isaac wasn’t impressed. Poor guy, he wanted to leave the whole time! In fact, one time just before the Easter egg hunt started he took me by the hand and began to walk towards the parking lot saying, “Come on Kristi, we have to go now… it’s ok, we should go find my mom and leave.” I felt bad, but I had to be firm with him and say, “No Isaac, we can’t leave. I’m not coming!” And I crossed my arms, and stopped walking for effect. At that he smiled and said, “Well, you’re a stubborn girl!” I smiled at him sweetly, but was relieved to see Kris coming to the rescue.

See, TLC isn’t a bad place at all, and everything Isaac does there is very good for him and it has been helping him recover greatly. But he hasn’t liked going there lately because he doesn’t think he needs the help. When your brain has had a trauma like this it does what a computer does when it gets a virus. The virus attacks the anti-virus first, so when the virus spreads the system doesn’t know there’s even a problem, and it’s the same with your brain. When a person is hurt like this the brain says, “No, nothing is wrong!” It’s the coping mechanism God designed us with. So it’s hard for him to understand why he needs to participate in some of the seemingly silly or boring activities at TLC.

So please be praying for him about that. My heart has been heavy for him when he’s at therapy because he seems sad and doesn’t want to be there. And that is not like him at all; normally he’d be joyful and silly. It is a sign of improvement though… the not wanting to be there. The next step in his recovery will be even harder because he will REALIZE his deficits and have to deal with the fact that he has an injury.

Isaac is remembering more and more everyday, and I realize I write that all the time – but its true! And it’s a miracle. His memory of the past is sorta hit or miss these days, but he’s getting pretty good at recalling the events of the day. We praise God for that! We watched a video tonight about a couple who were in a terrible car accident last November. They both were really beat up, but the woman had serious brain trauma and was in a coma like Isaac. Their story is so encouraging! They both continue to recover, and are doing VERY well – it’s a real miracle, like we’ve seen and continue to see in Isaac. It really made us realize how far he’s come in such a short amount of time! It’s a month today that he woke up from his coma. A few weeks ago we were praying for him to be able to have the feeding tube removed and for him to be coherent enough to tell us if his neck hurt. Now he eats meals with us and is coherent enough to have serious conversations while walking with me through the park. Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

There was a wonderful moment that you all need to hear about today. After the Easter activities were through, one of the staff from TLC asked the whole group of clients what their favorite/most important thing about Easter is, and Isaac said, “Jesus Christ… because he died and took away all the bad stuff I’ve done.” It wasn’t greeted with cheering or anything exciting, it was a simple moment, but the testimony he just gave was huge. How like Isaac, that’s what I thought. What God has written on his heart is deep and Christ has really claimed this man to be a proclaimer of His works.

My faith has been challenged through this. Because honestly, there are times when I look at this situation, even now, and cry, “God! Just have mercy on us. Help… if you can. If you want to… we’re desperate.” In my head I’ll agree to “believe”, but my heart is the traitor who sighs, “I hope he will answer. I hope he can do something.” Hear Jesus’ response:

“… Have mercy on us and help us if you can.”
“What do you mean, ‘If I can?” Jesus replied, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 (NLT)

Remembering how far Isaac has come tonight really put the truth back in view for me. God has done the impossible and He continues to do it daily in my dear brother’s life. Please keep praying so faithfully like you all have been. It really encourages us and gives me hope. And I have no doubt that the reason Isaac is recovering so quickly is because of Gods hand on your behalf. You bless us immensely!

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, but remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)

God bless you guys! With love in Christ Jesus,
~Kristi~