I am a flood of emotions writing this post. Jeremy and I both are. Our home is currently a construction site. It's loud and dusty. It's impossible to access our back yard. And there are a lot of people we don't know showing up early and leaving really late. And we couldn't be happier! I told a few people yesterday that this all feels like one HUGE Jesus hug. And that hug is wrapping around a home and a family that is struggling.
Judah and Josiah.
Our older two kiddos were at their school's soccer game yesterday evening. Judah (our seven year old) was helping me care for his other three brothers. Josiah indicated that he needed to go for another ride. This wasn't surprising since he has been pretty much existing in the van for the past week. I walked the distance of our hallway to retrieve a shirt for him. While down the hall, suddenly the sounds of skull bashing against hard flooring rang out. Pound after pound as I ran down the hall yelling for Josiah to stop. When I got to him, Judah was kneeling at the top of Josiah's head. He had his little hands shoved under his brother's head so that they would absorb most of the blows. Judah has seen us do this countless times, and he knew that Josiah had to be protected. I felt my heart crumble. Such an odd feeling to experience pride and anguish at the same time. Once I calmed Josiah, I turned to find Judah quietly heaving and sobbing on the couch. His hands were bruised and sore, and so was his heart. Not even an hour later, Josiah had another meltdown that left Jeremy and I both crying and wearing the injuries of trying to protect our boy. I have chosen to just post pictures of Josiah sleeping recently due to his bruising and red eyes. It's becoming clearer to us that the extreme self injury is most often a result of pain. We think he was having lower GI issues yesterday and today. But it could also be the beginnings of another cold. Two of our boys have caught the ick again. Since Josiah's sleep is still off and his self injury is ramping up, our guess is pain. Only time will tell.
Our AquaShield was delivered Thursday morning!
As hard as all of this is, we have the sounds of hope ringing outside our back door with every pound of the hammer. Jeremy prayed with me fervently yesterday that God would allow this therapy room and therapy pool to be just what Josiah needs. He prayed boldly that Jesus would use this to bring complete and lasting improvement to Josiah's life. And, with a crack in his voice, he acknowledge that our ultimate desire is for God's will to be done no matter what. I'm thankful that God has given me a husband who most often is the perfect compliment to me and me to him. When I am low, Jeremy shines. And when he is low, I shine. And the only explanation for this is the grace of God. I was low last night. I reached out to Josiah's teacher Miss Beth. I refer to her as my personal prayer warrior. She has been such an encouragement to me countless times. She sent me this song. It was a blessing, and it conveys what Jeremy and I try to show others. We are imperfect struggling people with just a mustard seed sized faith in Jesus. HE is enough!
You are all being the hands and feet of Jesus in our lives. THANK YOU! This fundraiser is a testament to the faithfulness of God! He has used you all to help carry us. We are forever grateful! Our current total is $59,534.54! To GOD be the glory! Great things HE hath done! Because of HIS grace, Christy
*Check out the before and framing videos below! What a change!!!
I am a flood of emotions writing this post. Jeremy and I both are. Our home is currently a construction site. It's loud and dusty. It's impossible to access our back yard. And there are a lot of people we don't know showing up early and leaving really late. And we couldn't be happier! I told a few people yesterday that this all feels like one HUGE Jesus hug. And that hug is wrapping around a home and a family that is struggling. 
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