Support Josiah

Friday Funding Update:
May 5, 2017

Josiah's new haircut! He is ready to swim!

Wednesday, May 3rd marked just seven months since we started this fundraiser, and today, we get to share with you that our official funding total is
$62,241.24!!!!!
God has truly done exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think! There is a breezeway, therapy room, and therapy pool all under construction outside our back door. It's a blessing to our family, and we are trusting and praying that this will all bring lasting change and comfort to Josiah's life. But, more than those things, it is a testament to what God can do through His church, the family He has given us, and the community He has placed us in. We cannot begin to express our thanks to the many people who have given in lots of different ways to help make this happen for Josiah. We give God all the glory for the GREAT things HE has done! 

This week the windows and doors have been hung and the electrical has been started. The roof over the breezeway is being completed today. The rain has delayed the cement decking installation around the pool, and this has been challenging for Josiah. He knows that the pool is in the back yard! He gets SO excited every time the door opens, as if to say, "Is it time?" We know that he doesn't understand why he can't go out to the pool, but we also know that waiting for things to be just right will make his first experience even better!

Several people have asked if the goal of $60,000 was enough to complete everything. The answer is YES! It was enough to complete everything that we originally set out to do. BUT, when we applied for the waiver to cover the expenses of the bathroom, padding on the walls and floors, and the shatterproof windows, we found out that the only way we could receive approval for this is if the therapy room is attached to our home. Funding via the waiver is only approved for primary dwellings. In order to get the bathroom, padding, and windows, we had to connect the therapy room to our home with a breezeway. Additionally, the waiver covered the cost of the bathroom fixtures and flooring, but it would not cover the cost of the plumbing.

The Shield telescopes into itself. 

Another expense that we did not plan for is a stretch of fencing that is now needed for safety reasons. The AquaShield enclosure is going to allow Josiah to access the pool year round. But, during the hottest parts of the summer, the Shield will telescope into itself so that we can slide it off the pool. The AquaShield comes in several different styles. My original plan had been to purchase the less expensive sun-room style shield, but, after meeting with our contractors, they all agreed a free standing shield that did not connect directly to the building would be better. Because of this change, we need to put a straight stretch of fencing from the back corner of the therapy room across to our existing fencing. This will allow the children to go outside without having direct access to the pool. It will also protect the AquaShield from our son Jalen's mud creations. Due to his Autism and sensory seeking behaviors, Jalen loves mud and getting very messy. He has covered our house and vehicles in mud drawings on more than one occasion, and he once took a rock and carved several words into the side of our van. We don't want him doing the same to the AquaShield! So, for the safety of the children and our property, this fencing needs to be added. 

New roofing over Breezeway! 

You may be wondering how these unexpected expenditures play out in terms of "dollars and cents." We are not exactly sure what the final total will be, but God has provided some of that funding due to the generosity of those who haven already given. We have raised more than our $60,000 goal already! As far as the rest of the funding, we are trusting that God is going to provide the exact amount that we need. I am not changing our original goal of $60,000, but, if people still feel compelled to give, there are certainly parts of the construction that could use a little further funding. God has shown us through this experience that HE can do what seems impossible! We are trusting HIS plan! 

For those wanting to make a donation, you can follow the steps found here: 
http://www.supportjosiah.com/p/faqs.html

To our church, family, and community, we thank you! God is using you to bring us HOPE! Josiah doesn't realize the joy that is coming! We can't wait for that day!

Because of HIS grace, 
Christy

*Here is a video showing the window and door installation and the beginning of the electrical installation!