Journal Entry 5/26 From Kristi
Big day today. After 5 1/2 months of living on the Craig Hospital campus, we begin another transition. Our new “home” for the duration of Zachary’s rehab (mid-June) will be at a nearby hotel. Currently, Zac is over at the Peak Center, working out on the FES Bikes as I spend a last moment in the room, gathering my thoughts once again.
The sentiment of leaving the Craig Campus does not escape me. Here Zachary and I have learned to live with his paralysis; here we have learned to apply techniques for getting up, getting dressed, eating, showering, transferring from bed to chair to couch; here we have learned to pick up Zac when he falls; here we have been in solitary fellowship, exchanging deep thoughts and also keeping silent; here we have laughed genuinely and here we have laughed with secret courage when our hearts would otherwise fail us; here we have battled it out playing Catan (our favorite board game), dining on our simple fare of sharp cheddar cheese and Triscuits; here we have each quietly waited upon the Lord for lesson after lesson after lesson as His Word continues to sustain our weary hearts, watching the snowfall and the rainstorms, and the trees bud and the flowers bloom. Home for the past 5 1/2 months.
Life keeps changing.
God keeps teaching.
We keep faltering.
God keeps encouraging.
Then we start trusting, once again, and then the cycle repeats.
Yesterday, Zac got behind the wheel of a car to drive for the first time since his accident. Several months ago, his triceps were too weak to turn the steering wheel. Now he doesn’t need any assistance, but is able to steer, use gas and break with just hand controls. What a strange joy to watch him get behind the wheel as a “student driver” to relearn what he has done before but must, as with everything else, learn to do again.
So many, many things he has to learn to do again. And learn to do differently. But he is courageous to try so there is always hope. But it’s still a lot of work.
Blessed to have visitors this past week. We met up with Michael Lange and his sweet wife Jill. Michael witnessed Zac’s accident on the beach, a stranger to us then but now dear friends. The last time Michael saw Zac he was helping to pull him from the ocean. Zac’s therapist captured the moment they met up again on video.
His buddy Daniel also came to visit. Again, the last time the boys were together, Daniel was pulling Zac from the waves on the beach.
Two powerful visits to remind us of God’s faithfulness.
Rich and Everest arrive today. It will be soooo good to have them here.
So sitting in my little Craig room for the last time, reflecting, remembering, considering all God has done... what more can I say? God is good. And He does only good. He has never failed us. We do not need to fear the future for He is with us, He has gone behind us, and He goes before us, fighting battles we do not yet know will come our way. His presence is all we need. It surpasses the knowledge we wish we had. It is enough. HE is enough.
By God’s amazing, beautiful grace... one more day.
Big prayer for housing: our landlords are selling our home and we have been given until the end of July to move out, giving me 6 weeks after returning to make a transition. We do not know where yet. Again, it stretches the heart. We are not afraid but we certainly need the Lord to open some doors for us now and show us His way...
He will. For this is our God.
