There Is Wonderful Joy Ahead!

Another good day for the Darling's! All of your prayers for endurance and strength are shining bright! Cale has been doing so much better with his frustration! It helps so much with him progressing when he tries instead of gets discouraged. Thank you for praying!

Cale did great things in all of his therapies. This was extra special to see today, because this morning when we prayed together I prayed specifically for great things, and than tonight when we prayed together, I was able to thank the Lord for all the great things! I was able to point this out to Cale and remind him how God is with him, helping him, and even though it's hard, God is faithful to bless his hard work.

In RT today Cale played Connect Four! First Rebecca (the therapist) had Cale sort the black and red pieces, then she explained how to play. I asked Cale if he remembered playing with me and he nodded "yes". The game began and Cale won all three games! Now the first two, he really did win, but the third game she made him do everything with his right hand so it was a little harder, but he did it. There was one time that he didn't block her and instead of ending the game she went somewhere else and then he won. STILL, he actually put thought into where he was going to play next! I was so impressed. I kept telling him over and over "you da man!" :)


In PT Cale did more self transfers and trying to stand. They also put him on the treadmill again, hooked up to the crazy machine thing. His right foot is getting better at not crossing, but his left foot turns in a little, so they're trying to work on correcting the way his legs move.

After PT there was an hour break before ST, so we had some time to relax. When it was close to time for therapy I told Cale it was time to get ready and he pulled my arm and said no with a nod. I told him after ST he was done for the day and would be able to rest, so he let me help him up. He lasted about 35 minutes out of the hour session, but the time that he did, he did it great. He was able to match objects together today and match objects to pictures. He's doing so good!

Another answer to prayer was that I felt so great about where things are at right now. I actually felt completely content at the stage that God has us in until His perfect timing moves us forward. So much is happening in Cale's heart and mine during where we are right now. Looking back at the different stages is amazing to see the journey that this has been and how much I've grown as a woman, wife, believer, and in our marriage. This is hard-yes. BUT, God promises wonderful joy ahead!

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:6-9

I think one of the best parts of today was after dinner and getting my laundry done, I went back to the hospital to be with Cale, and he handed me these...


He is so sweet! And so is the nurse that gave them to him to hand to me when I got back! :)