A long awaited update

James is doing very well. He has been going to physical and occupational therapy three times per week. Physically, he has gained much of his strength back. He can transfer in and out of his wheelchair without assistance. This makes getting in and out of bed and in and out of the car much easier and a lot less painful. He can stand up using a walker and actually walk with the aid of a walker – an amazing sight! He won’t be running any marathons soon, but he jokes that he is in training for the Olympics in London in 2012! Occupational therapy works out his upper body and most significantly works on his hands and dexterity. As you may know, his hands and foot were the most severely affected by his long sedation. They are the last to come back to full strength and use. Even so, his hands are much stronger. He can, for the most part, dress himself, shave, brush his teeth, make a sandwich, open bottles, and other small tasks. His handwriting has improved tremendously as well. It’s still a long haul ahead, but he is making great progress.

You may recall that James’ complication in vision had been a mystery to the doctors. Everything was blurry. While James was still in the hospital, our optometrist friend made glasses for him, but to no success for clear vision. A new eye test was performed with another prescription and still no success. Visits with the eye doctors, an MRI, and test after test left no understanding of why James couldn’t see clearly, not even clear enough to read large print. The next course of action was a specialist at UCLA. The only problem was that James had to wait to see this new specialist until he was much stronger. About three weeks ago James found the glasses our optometrist friend made and put them on. He could see! What joy! He only needed a minor adjustment to that prescription and now he is seeing and reading clearly.

To watch James through this trial is a testimony of God’s grace. I am amazed at his heart of forgiveness and his determination to walk in God’s will. He recently began working with the Jr. High students at church. Some of you may already know of his heart for this age group and his ministry in the past. Well, I can tell you he is even more on fire today and excited to serve the Lord in the ministry. The Lord has blessed him so much in providing this opportunity to serve.

In all these things we give the Lord glory and praise. It is He who has accomplished these great things and He alone is to be praised. May the Lord’s greatness, His mercy and grace, His faithfulness, His sovereignty, and His great love minister to you through the testimony of James. All glory to God!