Anderson Observer

Hello everyone!  This is going to be a short journal today.  I am actually in the Family Room at Shepherd and I left Jake and Craig in the room; however, they will be fine as they are eating dinner.

Today was a better day.  I loved looking at the beautiful snow - it was just so pretty and peaceful.  We had a wonderful family from the outskirts of Atlanta visit us today.  They did not even know us but had heard about Jake through a friend and started following Jake's journey through caring bridge.  To say life is busy for this family is an understatement as a job transfer and closing on a house, etc... is all taking place in the next few weeks.  However, God had placed it on their hearts to come and visit us.  So this wonderful family with a "feast" of food arrived this morning and what a great visit that we had with them.  There are so many great people in this world and through this journey we are very blessed to encounter many of them.  What a great visit and these people who use to be strangers are now our friends and are committed to praying for Jake and his recovery.   Once again, I am humbled and so blessed.

Craig looked so tired today and I thought he never gets a break so I insisted that he just relax and take a nap.  I picked Jake up and brought him back and Craig was still asleep which was great.  Then, Jake changed clothes and I went to the gym with him and I "assisted" him as he worked out.  Here I am this "young" 51 year old mom helping my son with a dumb bell curl.  Then I am holding his foot up as he does the leg press and guiding his right leg as he does leg extensions.  And he seemed glad that I was there with him.  Again, this is not where I ever imagined that I would be at this point in time - but what an honor and privilege that I could be with him and help him build his body back up.   Afterwards, we went to the 2nd floor where Jake spent the first 6 weeks inpatient to say hello to every one there.

When we returned to the room Craig looked refresh and it was a nice break for him.  We then went downstairs and played ping pong.  I am happy to say that I beat Craig in two games and I asked Jake what he had to say about me beating dad.  Jake responded "beat every day."  He texted Emily earlier and said "what you do."  I asked her if she thought he copied it from the blackberry and she said that he would have had to go back a little ways and he normally does not do that.

I worked with his hand tonight and he was really getting tired.  I had him picking up objects and placing them in a container.  Jake could pick them up and there is maybe a slight release - it is really hard to tell but we will continue to work on it.  

I need to get back to the room now.  I look forward to sharing a couple of interesting stories with you on my next journal but they are too lengthy for tonight.

PRAYER REQUEST:
1.  Pray that Jake will speak more and be able to read and write.
2.  Pray that Jake will be able to pick up objects and release them.
3.  Pray that Jake will be able to walk heal to toe.
4.  Pray for a full and complete recovery.

REMEMBER WE ARE SHOOTING FOR THE MOON!