Support Josiah

Trusting in God’s Sovereign Plan…Even When It Seems Messy

My husband Jeremy and I often have conversations about our faith and how it relates to our day-to-day lives. He has said many times that Christians talk a lot about believing in God, but the question is do we trust Him. Do we trust that He will do what He has said He will do? Do we trust that His plan will be glorifying to Himself and for our eternal good? 

It’s easy to trust on the mountaintop moments of life when things seem to be going our way. Christians love the word “blessed.” But do we consider ourselves blessed when God calls us to walk through the valleys of life? And do we feel tricked by the Father when the seemingly mountaintop moments don’t actually turn out the way we thought they would? 

In October 2016, we started a fundraiser for our son Josiah who has Static Encephalopathy which is chronic and unchanging brain damage. Josiah was ten years old at that time and we were desperate to help our boy. Daily, he was in distress so great that he would beat his head in order to find some relief. This was largely due to severe sensory overload that makes every moment of every day challenging for him. We knew that water therapy was a huge benefit to Josiah and we knew that we also needed to create a sensory calming space for him in our home. 

Josiah in June 2017

Fundraising was outside our comfort zone. But, when your child is hurting, you will set aside pride and ask for help. We asked and our family, friends, and community came together in a truly miraculous way through the Support Josiah fundraiser. In just nine months time, close to $100,000 was raised through cash donations and the donation of materials and labor. And in June of 2017,  Josiah was able to start using his therapy room and therapy swimming pool. 

This truly was one of the greatest mountaintop moments of our lives. We felt a love and support that is too immense to describe with words. The Lord was reminding us through all those that gave that we can trust Him. 

And then it happened. Just roughly one week after construction was completed and Josiah was able to start using his therapy room and pool, a practical monsoon hit Graham, and the therapy room and pool were flooded. The flooring was ruined and the pool liner was damaged. We were in disbelief and so concerned that, after everyone gave so generously, the gift had been damaged. But many of you gave even more to fix the problems the best we could. French drains were installed to address the drainage issues. And the floor was repaired. God again proved Himself worthy of our trust. 

A few years past and we saw such a help to Josiah. Truly his life in many ways was changed completely. His self injury was only present during times of illness or pain. And the quality of his day-to-day life had been so greatly improved. 

Aunt Christy and Joel

Then, in May of 2018, one of the absolute worst days of our lives happened. Our nephew Joel had a drowning accident in our pool. The specific details of that day are not what is important. The important thing for people to know is that we witnessed a miracle. Joel was gone. And God, in his immeasurable grace and kindness brought him back to us and made him whole. 

I was asked after the accident if I wished that the pool had never been put in. The answer to that question is tough. We are human…simple minded and feelings driven. When I consider that Joel’s life was almost lost, I absolutely regret the pool. But it’s not that simple. When I consider the difference it has made in Josiah’s life, I am so grateful for the gift of a therapy pool. Our emotions are messy in that way. And we can be tempted to view God’s plan as messy too. But He has proven time and again that we can and should trust Him.

Josiah's Foot Hole

If you follow me on Facebook, then you know that last few weeks have been pretty insane at our home. A little over a year ago, we discovered that the pool liner (which was damaged in the flood) had been leaking water under our house. Additionally, we believe the glue used to lay the flooring in our home was not the correct type and, after years of mopping with bleach water to disinfect, we found out that water had been seeping under the flooring. We have been using a dehumidifier for the past year to try and dry everything out. And honestly we have been so overwhelmed with the magnitude and expense of this project to fix the floors that we have been frozen to move forward.

Josiah is rarely still and he often bounds with large, hard jumps across our floors. This past week, he jumped through the flooring in our kitchen. And so Jesus kindly pushed us to try and get the
flooring repaired. 

In addition to the floors, we knew that the pool liner would have to be replaced in order to fully remedy the water and moisture issues. In October, my Dad decided that he wanted to do a bike ride to raise funds for the repairs to the liner and other pool equipment. He rode the ten miles from our church to our school and many people gave in support. Additionally, Kevin and Heather Coggins with K-Built Construction and Pools reached out and generously donated a new liner and installation. This was such a tremendous gift! Between the donations given and the liner covered by Kevin and Heather, Josiah’s pool will be fully repaired which should also make a huge difference in the moisture issues we have been battling.
We are now in the midst of a construction zone at our house. We are overwhelmed. The problems with the floors just seem to be getting greater and greater. But, even in the midst of this mess, God is reminding us that we can trust Him. Family and friends have come to our aid. And the Lord is providing a way.

I wanted to share this update with the many who have given to Support Josiah and our family these many years.  I felt compelled to testify of the goodness of God in our lives. He is always and only good! We can trust Him on the mountaintop and in the valley. And we can trust Him in those messy places where it feels like a little of both. 

Our handsome Josiah with cousin Maddie

Verroi Family 2020