I have some of the BEST friends!

I really need to stay in the habit of writing this before I'm cozy in bed and about to drift off to another land!

Today was a great day. I needed it! How many times have I written about how the Lord meets me right where I'm at and always provides exactly what I need...need not always want! Today was full of both!


I'm going to flood you with a ton more pictures. I can't help myself! Pictures are so darn fun and make me smile so much. :) We had day three of BBQ fun! I think Cale is worn out by all the excitement!


We had some of our friends over tonight and had a blast! There was lots of laughing, eating, being silly, and picking on Kathleen!


Cale's memory is doing amazing! I didn't take the time to write anything down through the day, so my brain is blank, but I'll try to remember some of the really good stuff and write tomorrow!


Please be praying for tomorrow. We have an appointment that I'm dreading! I'll update more on that later.

For those of you that know me, you know I love cooking and baking. I love aprons and cookbooks. I love kitchen gadgets and flour everywhere. I love making desserts especially because I can make them pretty! This morning I decided, we were having people over, we were going to be eating together...and I'm finally in my own kitchen!!! So I made a yummy toast thing! I thought it was so good (and hopefully everyone else did too!), Cale said it was weird...and I loved, loved, loved getting to make something!


One of my favorite things about this house is the really big patio in the backyard. I love it! I love BBQ's and summer. I love eating outside and laughing with friends. I love today and the many ways I can feel God's hugs and kisses. I know there are a lot of people that believe that God doesn't care about all the little things in life that we love, and He just wants us to love only Him, but I disagree. I believe (and our Pastor talked about it this morning) that God created us to experience joy. He created this world so that we would have an abundant overflowing amount of joy from all the things that he's created. The same God that created the world, created my friends and formed each of them to be such amazing people...and I love them.

fearless at the cliff.

BBQ last night and party today! All of Cale's family came together and gave him a very special welcome home party. It was great for him (and me!) to get to see everyone and hopefully spark some memories and connections in that brain of his!

Here are a few snap shots from the day... :)







God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom (sometimes the way this journey feels), courageous in seastorm and earthquake (the ups and downs and twist and turns everyday), Before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us (he fights for Caleb and Kathleen!), God-of-Angel-Armies protects us (He protects us from collapsing!). -Psalm 46:1-2(The Message)

I need prayer. After the picture above, I'm sure you can only imagine...but, it's for real. We've been home a week now, and it's been great-amazing-an incredible blessing! Things are still hard though. The journey that we're on is still going. Cale is still facing a lot of obstacles, and I'm still trying to be the best wife I possibly can for him-but, it gets hard. Along with things being so good, they've also been challenging. Tonight we had another one of those moments.

I knew that coming home wasn't going to make it all better, but I had hoped that it kind of would...you know? I was thinking that with Cale out of the hospital and home, that he would be so completely over joyed to be home, that things would become a little bit more easier going then before. Well, that might have been the case if Cale thought of this as home! I think I've written before (I might have just talked with people about it), Cale is still asking for his home home. Not only is he asking for home he had before, but when he's asking, he says that this is my home and he wants to go to his home. He pictures us as living in two different homes...

This could be from many things and be a thought process of several things, but knowing all the reasons doesn't help the pain that my heart hears every time he says it. When I question him of who we are, he does say we're married, but I think he still thinks of the time that he lived with his mom when we were first dating. I want so badly for this to be his home home with me, and yet, we almost daily now have the talk about him asking to go to his home, his other home.

This evening I didn't even know how to respond. For him it's the first conversation about this, but for me, I've repeated and gone over it a dozen and two times already! He's sad and I try so hard not to lose sight of how he feels and where he's coming from.

I thought to myself, will I make this Lord? Will I be able to continue on this rocky road with so much stamina and passion? Will he ever understand our life again? Will he ever fully be my man again?

I love the verse above because as I face this cliff of doom, I can look at it fearless. I was so encouraged by the wording of this version! I felt as though I was being pumped up as I read it, like a boxer before going into the ring to fight. Tonight is tonight and every time I get discouraged, hear words that are hard to digest, face mountains that seem impossible, or feel as though my tank is on empty, I can remember to face it fearlessly and know that we are being fought for and protected! They just seemed like the perfect words I needed to hear!

Please continue to pray for us and the daily life of being home. Again, it's such a blessing and a bazillion times better than the hospital, but, it's still a long road for the Darling's.

Thank you!

Prayer Requests, Updates, and Praises!

It's been such a good day...but I'm hardly able to keep my eyes open! Cale is suddenly wound up. Haha!

Some quick things to share...

We have an elliptical and now we also have a recumbent bike in Cale's work out room! A very sweet couple from church felt it on there heart that Cale needed it more then they did. This is not just any bike either, it has games! Cale wasn't too fond of it at first because it's another thing to make him work, but he's been doing very well at doing the elliptical for me. I'm so excited to see things come together with all the equipment! Praise God!

This afternoon I had an appointment with the VA. It's been an interesting battle with being in the mix of active duty and being with the VA. A while ago I had asked about the program Rehab Without Walls, but was told that because Cale was discharging, he wasn't able to get it. Well, after bringing it up again, it looks like it might still be a possibility even though he's about to discharge. Right now, Cale is past the point that he's going to be cooperative with therapy. Without him realizing why he needs to do it, he's not going to. Well, this would open so many doors for Cale and I know it would be so beneficial! Please join me in praying that this program would become available to him!!

Here's a link describing it...
http://www.gentiva.com/patients_caregivers/rehab_without_walls/

We had our very first BBQ of the season and the very first at our home! I loved it!!! :) It was so much fun! Yay! We have a home! Yay! We have a nice backyard! Yay! We can BBQ!

*PRAISE!!!*

Cale's memory has been awesome! He's been able to name a movie and a couple shows. He's been able to bring up something we had been talking between 5-10 minutes earlier. Tonight at the BBQ, he remembered there had been a guy sitting next to him a couple minutes before me, and then was able to give be two clues of how he knew him! It happened to be our Pastor, who before was our Youth Pastor! Cale said, "I knew him in high school and from church" He couldn't get the name, but I could tell he was really trying and it just wouldn't come out. Once Dustin said his first name, Cale said his last name right after! He's been doing so great!

Thank you so much for praying us through this journey. We are so thankful for you!

Still learning from Job! :)

Every Wednesday night our church puts on a meal. I’ve always loved going because it’s just a good ol’ time of eating and talking. :) Mama happens to be the cook of the night, and always does a really great job! This was our first Wednesday being home, so I was excited to go to dinner again and visit more people…well, Cale wasn’t a fan. I knew that the noise might be a problem-but I was a little disappointed. I think the visiting thing is going to be a learning issue for me. I always love getting to visit with people and do a whole bunch of fun things, but it’s still too much stimulation for Cale. Sometimes he does great and will have a blast, especially if it’s playing a game he likes, but for the most part, we’re going to have to keep trying everything!

This morning during breakfast, I asked Cale if he knew why I pushed him so much and always make him work so much. He said that he didn’t and asked why. Well, the talk didn’t go over so well. Cale thinks he’s 100% better and even when I asked him if he was able to go running with me, he answered yes with a lot of confidence backed up with it. He is still working hard even though he may not understand. Yesterday he did a total of 30 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes at a time and throughout the day. He’s already done 20 minutes today, and hasn’t fought once. Right now 10 minutes at a time is good, but I’ll be increasing slowly. The program (that I had gone to the seminar for) starts soon, and during that he’ll be doing 4 sets for 15 minutes a day. So, we’re getting there! I’m so proud of him and so thankful I have such a great husband!

A very sweet person (I’m not sure who…) gave money specifically for fresh flowers to be put in every room for when we came home. Well, whoever it was-I’m so thankful! I’ve loved them! The sad part is, they’re all starting to die. :( I’ve had to throw some out already, which has been so sad. I’m going to have to get some really pretty fake ones and then maybe just keep fresh ones in one room. There are some in the bathroom that really need to go; I just can’t get myself to get rid of them yet…! Spring is here and soon there will be flowers blooming everywhere! :)

A little guy (5th grade), from church game and played games with Cale earlier. It was a lot of fun to watch them play, and helped me out so much! I had some papers that I needed to get filled out by Monday, but hadn’t found the time, and now they’re done! Yay! Cale really enjoyed it. I think we’re going to be setting up for Riece to come regularly and hang out with him.

We played ball with Basil for a little while…tried to play ball. I ended up being the one to chase the ball after Cale threw it. He was terrible! We would throw it and at first Basil would run out in the yard, but then before getting to the ball, he would stop and walk away! He did a lot better the other day, but man! Today he plain stunk. Maybe if I dip the ball in bacon grease he’ll go get it-then I may never see it again! Haha!

Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped. –Job 1:20

I’m not sure how many times in the past I’ve read this verse; I know quite a bit, but this is the first time it struck me as if it was read in an audible loud voice in my quiet home. I’m very thankful that unlike Job, my hair stayed on my head…

I remember when I realized I was in the ambulance and had no idea what was going on or where Cale was, I began to pray for him. I didn’t know what to pray and I fully believe at that moment that the Holy Spirit spoke the words for me. The word had been passed as soon as Cale went into surgery on his brain for people to be praying, but I had no idea it was happening. I at that point was even wondering if I was really hurt and they wouldn’t let Cale stay with me.

As soon as Job heard the news that his farmland, workers, and children had all been killed, he got to his feet and started worshiping. I experienced nothing of what Job went through, and probably not close to what a lot of you have gone through, but today reading that verse made Job so real to me. His pain continued on, and so has mine (again not near what he faced), what stands out is that the Lord chose him. He said Job’s name specifically when Satan questioned Job being able to still love the Lord after being tested. God calls us by name; He’s personal to us, just like He was personal with Job all those years ago.

We don’t always worship the Lord because we feel like it and are so happy and ready to give it. We worship his name because He is Holy and worthy. He knows us by name-calls us by name and unlike an idol, He saves us by name by His son’s blood that was shed. Unbelievable.

We don’t always approve or understand. We don’t always want to or think it’s fun, but I need to-we need to continue to give worship every day and always. I’m praying that like Job, God would be the first that I would turn to and run to with everything; big or small!

Cale wanted to take a picture of me, so I gave him a fabulous pose! ;)


Cale with Noah...and he's also not such a hot fetch player!

Personal Commitment

It is not personal achievement but personal commitment to live for God that is important. Achievements are simply examples of what God can do through someone’s life.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about all that Cale was before the accident. I think about how crazy good at math he was; I think about all the Intelligence training he did in the Army, and I think about how crazy fit and active he was. It all disappeared. What was it all for? Why did he have all those qualities and gain so many life achievements for it to be taken away? When I let myself really start to think about stuff and really examine him, my heart aches. He’s lost so much. So much.

I was reading in Ezra this afternoon and in my notes, I read the note above. All the things that we do and all the things we accomplish are examples of God at work in someone. He created us and created the way our minds work and He put the dreams and desires in our lives. The mere fact that we can function the way we do is a sign of how much the Lord loves us and didn’t just create us to be robots. Life is not about all that we can mark off on our “to do” list, but that we would have a personal commitment to live for God. If we are committed to someone, we then desire to spend time with them and to continually get to know them better. We long to spend time with them and to hear what they have to say, not just us do all the talking. Are you committed to the Lord?

I have been asked several times how I was able to stay so close to the Lord through all of this and stay with Cale even when things looked really messed up. Well, along with the life that we were living and the new life we had just started, we also had a personal commitment to God. Our desire was to live for Him, be used by Him, in everything bring Him glory, and to seek His will and direction for our lives every step…that didn’t go away just because of a car accident!

The daily life achievements are all great, but be careful to not make that what life is about, rather, a tool for the reason for life.

We had a little more of a relaxed day. I had gotten in my mind that getting everything organized and set up was priority because I want so desperately to be settled, after not getting to be for so long. There’s a list of things to get done, a bunch of papers to go through, but with Cale…that’s a little impossible. I knew that bringing him home was going to be a lot more work because he would still need my full attention, so, it shouldn’t have surprised me when Kathleen getting things done wasn’t happening.

I had to remind myself that Cale is priority and that yes, getting everything situated would be delightful in so many ways, they are so low on the list right now when it comes to investing in my husband. He still needs me and my very silly entertainment that I can offer! So…I chose to change the day around and work more around him, then around my focused little busy body.

Things went well and were a lot more fun :)




Basil is so adorable...he totally has me wrapped around his paw!


Our neighbor stopped by today and brought us flowers! They just wanted to welcome us home...thank you! :)


Last night while cuddling so sweetly in bed, we watched Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader. The whole time we have been married (except for when he came back from his last deployment and we were staying at our friends house), we never had TV, so this TV watching is new to us. First, I’m Kathleen Darling and I am not smarter than a 5th grader. Second, it was so much fun watching that show with Cale! He made some guesses and got some of them wrong, but because it was TV and the people playing missed some too, he didn’t get upset at all and we just had a good time! I’m not sure if that show is on all the time or not, but I think it’s a good one for us to watch! Lots of good learning stuff!

After our hard mind work last night, we woke up this morning to a yummy breakfast! Mama made us eggs, turkey bacon, and toast. Yum! Cale ate it up and so did I! That’s only one of the many reasons Mama is a blessing, staying here with us! ;)

We had made the decision that Basil was not going to be allowed on the bed with us, but OH MY GOODNESS is this not sweet?!

a man & his dog

Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering.... The love of God did not protect His own Son.... He will not necessarily protect us - not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process. -Elisabeth Elliot

Please continue to pray for Cale's adjustment to being home. He's had a couple hard moments and one of them was this morning when he woke up. There definitely not hard like he was having, but they're still hard. He has asked twice now for his "other home." When he had first mentioned this home in Seattle, I asked him about it and he said it was white. The house he lived in while we were dating was white, so I can only imagine that's what he was picturing coming back to Kennewick. I'm planning on driving him by there soon, but again, it's the idea of being all better.

We're still trying to get everything organized and settled. It's been really busy and a little crazy, but things are getting done. I currently have papers everywhere, and I would like to say there is some kind of system...but, I'm afraid it's just plain madness. Soon, it will all settle soon!

At one point, I was trying to get stuff done, but Cale (at this point), still needs someone to do something with him. He will play Xbox for a short time usually and sometimes longer periods, but I have no intention of sticking him on the Xbox everyday so that I can get things done. He did play for about 20 minutes today and then spent time helping me in the kitchen. He did so great! He helped me move one pile of cans to the other side of the kitchen-he would pick them up off the floor and hand them to me! It was so awesome!

He started playing Xbox because we walked in the living room this morning, and Cale walked over to the table, and with the help of his cane, he scooted the chair over in front of the TV! Wow! I didn't say anything about playing; he knew he wanted to and made it happen. It was SO cool!! I of course had tears hit my eyes in an instant! I ran over to him, jumped on his lap, and hugged him so tight! Those things...those little steps are such a big deal and so amazing to continue to see!

After breakfast this morning, we had a delivery. September had spoken with the owner of Gold's Gym here in Kennewick about getting some equipment donated for Cale. He talked with the Columbia Fitness and they donated an elliptical for Cale! It's a really nice one too! The guy said it's top of the line and the best that they sell. OJ is the owner and Chris is the guy that delivered. He was so nice and showed us how to work everything. After he stepped out of the house, I looked at Cale with my eyes the size of golf balls and told him that we just got this super nice thing for free! Cale said, "WOW" and then asked what he did for it. After talking with him, we stood there for a minute and I asked him, "how did we get so blessed?" Cale hugged me and said, "God loves us." We are so thankful for all of you. For everything that you've done to help make this journey the blessing that it has been. Thank you!




Before I had Cale come help me in the kitchen, I walked with him outside and helped him sit in a chair so he could play ball with Basil while I worked in the kitchen. Well, after a little while I heard Cale tap on the patio so I went to the door because I didn't want him trying to go up the stairs on his own. I asked Cale what was up, he said, "I'm bored." "You're bored?" Cale than replied with, "the dog is boring me." What was happening was that Basil doesn't fully understand the fetch game and Cale keeps trying to trick him, so he would hide the ball. Basil finally just laid down in the grass...this is no fun to Cale! Haha! I went out and the three of us played ball and it was so much fun! I ended up chasing after the ball quite a bit to get Basil to go after it, so I got me some good exercise! :)

Here's a picture I took through the window. A man and his dog :)


During lunch today, I read the newspaper article to Cale. I hadn't read it yet, so it was cool to read it with him. My favorite part of it was a something that September said, Reading Kathleen's blog, it's easy to see how much she cares for her husband, but Theriault said that seeing them in person has opened her eyes to how amazing they are as a couple."They totally love each other. The way they look at each other -- it's a deep, deep love," she said. Cale's favorite part that I read was, Cale is a big Red Wings fan. It blessed my heart so much to read that someone (other than Cale and myself), see how much we love each other. So sweet!

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/03/28/1425849/a-darling-house-to-call-home-young.html

We're watching America's Funniest Home Videos and playing cards. Well, I'm about to join Cale and his mom! :)

Back in the Game!

Cale took a break while we were in Seattle. He wasn't wanting to do anything and since he doesn't realize he has a brain injury and that anything is wrong, he wasn't understanding the need to do anything. And, he was plain sick of being in a hospital. I had a conversation with a dear friend on the phone this afternoon. He asked about how Cale was doing and if there had been much more progress since we've been home. I mentioned how he's walking around the house with a cane, but other than that, I hadn't seen any huge noticeable things as far as gains in memory. Well, a few hours later, I asked Cale to tell my mom what he had for lunch and he remembered!!! He was able to tell her everything! Then, tonight Joe and Beth had dinner with us, and I asked him to tell them and again he was able to! This is a huge deal!! So exciting! Goodness, just when I was saying I hadn't seen anything, the Lord gave me a special present. It reminded me that He's still working on Cale and the healing hasn't stopped! Awesome!

Also, Cale using the cane around the house and sometimes short distances with out anything, is huge! Then, this evening, Cale worked out with Joe. Wanna see?! It's pretty neat!!



GO CALE!!!! It's so great to see him working so hard again. It's encouraging to see him wanting and trying to push himself and do more. I gotta pretty good man...I sure did!

Almost every time Cale has prayed since we've been home, he says that the hospital is dumb and home is good. I love that He is thanking God in his own way. We are both so incredibly thankful. You're probably going to get tired of reading that, but I can't help it...it's such a blessing.

Along with Basil and Scratch, Mama has a rescued American Eskimo named Noah. Mama doesn't hate animals, she's just always loved them from a distance. Noah, won her heart though. In 2009 she agreed to keep him as a foster home and he never left. Very sweet dog, but he's very timid and afraid of everything. Basil wants Noah to be his best friend and play like he has with the dogs at the last two homes he's been in. Noah is not to fond of the idea...haha! It's so funny to watch the two of them. I'm hoping that Noah will warm up to Basil and soon they will become friends! I think Basil just might drive Noah crazy enough that he'll give in!

Meet Noah...Basil's almost friend ;)


Cale ran errands with me today, and can I just say how much I loved it?! It was so great and fun too! Even though going somewhere, even quickly to the store takes a lot out of him, he does great and it's always so much better when he's with me! I've made more progress with organizing...and I was able to get things marked off on my to do list. I may have made a bigger mess with papers everywhere, but at least I crossed some stuff off! :)

I've been told comments are still not showing up! Sorry!! I have no idea why. Please know that I'm not trying to ignore anyone! We are so thankful for all of you!!

Confident Hope

I can’t stop pointing out to anyone around, that we’re home. I feel as though I’m bursting at the seams! There have been so many times that I have put something aside until I was home…well, I can stop doing that! It’s so amazing to me and I know it’s nothing short of a miracle! Thank you Jesus!

I’m still walking around the house and loving getting to say this is my home-oh my goodness! Yay! This house was not just about how great our church is (even though I happen to think they’re all so great!), but of what happens when people love Jesus. So many people (some that have never met me and that don't go to our church!) have given so much time and energy to make this home come together. I continue to hear stories, and I’m so unbelievably thankful. You have all blessed us so much!

Today was a very special day for the two of us and the evidence of yet another miracle. Cale and I walked into church. There was no wheelchair-and Cale worshiped. Amazing. Everyone was already sitting and our Pastor shared quickly about us, and then we walked in. The whole church started clapping and Cale’s face lit up! He had a smile the whole way down the aisle! I’m pretty sure I did too…such an awesome moment. Kathy (Cale’s mom) joined us at church today, so that was even more special! God is so good-isn’t He?!

We had another busy afternoon. Mama and I feel like we didn’t get anything accomplished, but I know we did a little! Chei (Cale’s sister) came over this afternoon, along with my sister, Joe, and Beth. I love getting to see everyone and know that this isn't just a temporary thing...we're home! Tomorrow I start with my to do list. On the plane home, I started making my list and it ended up filling the whole page! I showed Cale after and very dramatically explained how much needed to be done. Cale looked at the list and said, “One thing at a time.” So wise! So, tomorrow I start doing one thing at a time.

I asked Cale what he wanted me to write and he said, “Hi! Hi people!”

:)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. –Romans 15:13

I love the verse above. God-the source of hope. In a hopeless situation (whatever it may be), we can claim and rest in knowing that God is hope. He’s the source of it! He fills us with joy and peace when our world seems shaky and shattered. When there’s a storm and He’s asking us to get out of the boat-we can be totally filled with peace and joy to do it and get through it. We just need to trust Him! The second part says that we will overflow with confident hope. We don’t have to claim that hope and wonder if our hope is just to make us feel good inside, or if it’s real-we can be confident in it through the power of the Holy Spirit! Claim it! Live it! Rest in the hope that is so free to you!

Home.

It's been another busy day. Because I was determined to get the video done last night, I didn't get to bed until almost 3am. I was set on not getting out of bed until 11am because I was so tired, but at 6am the Darlings were awake. Darn time change. Haha! We did manage to stay in bed until 8:30am though! Mama and I had a coffee date this morning (in MY kitchen! :)) while Cale played Xbox for a little bit. Not too much longer the day started and just kept going!

We had lots of visitors and started going through stuff. It was busy and we were exhausted, but it's been so great! A group of our friends came by today and helped get some stuff done, and we had some visiting time in. Kathy (Cale's mom) spent the day with us and to celebrate being home, we ordered pizza! :)

Cale has been doing awesome. He's been walking around the house! Sometimes he still uses his walker, but I've been hiding it! ;) He uses the walls and whatever else he can grab onto, but he's doing it!

So...some of you haven't heard that we have a cat! In August 08', I had told Cale one night out of desperateness that I either needed him to give me a baby or a dog-I needed one of them. We got a cat. Both of us really wanted a baby and a dog, but it wasn't a good idea at that time. We went to the SPCA the next day and picked out a really sweet kitten that Cale named Scratch. He's been living with Mama since December 09' so now he's back with us! Also, Basil has been here in Kennewick waiting for us, so Joe brought him. The whole family is together again! I love it!!! Pictures soon! :)

Here are some pictures of the Darling home. Enjoy!

Cale's work out room!


Our very sweet kitchen


Spare room-wanna come visit?!



I just love this...


Living room



Dining room


Our bedroom



Bathrooms



Backyard



We are so blessed. It's so so so good to finally be home! Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen. I know some of you reading this, spent a lot of time helping out or in prayer. You are amazing and we are so very thankful for you!

There's No Place Like Home!

Glinda: Are you ready now?
Dorothy: Yes. Say goodbye, Toto. Yes, I'm ready now.
Glinda: Then close your eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself. 'There's no place like home. There's no place like home.'
Dorothy and Glinda: 'There's no place like home. There's no place like home.'
Dorothy: 'There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.'

Today was full of mixed emotions. It was one of those times that as much as I wanted to be excited and think that nothing in the world could bring me down, there was a gray cloud hanging over…we had to say good bye to my family. We had to say good bye to NC. I know you might be thinking and wondering why that would be so sad compared to going home, but I treasure all of the amazing people that I spent time with on this trip. Blessings…all of them are gold nuggets! :)

Once on the plane, all Cale and I can think about is sleeping in our bed! It will be our very own bed! I took some really cool video during takeoff, but crazy me took it sideways…you could have always watched it with your head tilted! ;) Haha!

Last night I woke up and because of my silliness, I managed to get myself all worked up. I was scared. I kept thinking someone was in the room! After some time of really being freaked out, and praying for comfort and peace, I finally woke Cale up. “Boy, I’m scared.” Cale rolled over, wrapped me up in himself and so lovingly said, “Don’t be scared. I’ll keep you safe; I’ll protect you.” Oh how I have longed to hear those words! My heart melted and in the midst of my movie-like moment, Cale drifted back to sleep. A couple minutes later, I tapped him a few times…”Boy, I have to pee!” Cale at this point, I’m sure is wondering how old I really am. “ok.” With a somewhat whiny voice I added, “I’m going to turn the light on!” On my way back to bed, I checked the time on my phone. It wasn’t the scary middle of the night like I had been thinking…it was 6am! He put up with me and was even a willing cuddler after the whole ordeal. He loves me! :)

We’re on the plane while I’m typing this portion. I have Itunes with earphones for both of us. Cale is singing very loudly to the music…heehee! ;) He’s so cute.

I can’t believe it. We’re almost home. Through this journey, I’ve several times fallen to my knees and prayed. I prayed that Cale would continue to heal and make progress, that the Lord would deliver us from a life that feels stolen, and that every day the Lord would continue to use us. As I prayed for more healing and deliverance from whatever stage we were at, I knew that God works in the healing business and He could easily-in a snap…heal Cale 100%. I also knew that He also could very well allow this in our lives and may choose not to restore Cale completely. Either way, I needed to trust Him. Either way, I needed to walk and live in the Spirit and not lose sight of seeking to be more like Christ daily. Did I have really hard days? Yes, I’ve written on here about them. Have I told the Lord I don’t understand His ways? Oh yes. Have I given up on complete healing? No, I still haven’t, but I also know that if no more were to happen in Cale; if we were going to get home and never see any more progress, I still trust that God is still God.

At one point, we were getting ready to set up a nursing home and I was getting ready to get an apartment. The plan was that Cale was going to stay in the hospital and I would live with Basil and Scratch in an apartment and go to Cale every day and work with him to get better. It was one of the hardest times in my life. Even now as I type my stomach plummets. I prayed for deliverance out of that season…and the Lord blessed us so richly. I also remember shortly after the accident saying that if Cale was going to lay in a bed the rest of his life hooked to tubes, then I was going to continue to be his wife, right by his side, as best as I could.

Now, after all of this time, we continue to be blessed. Those moments that my heart could do nothing but ache, has now been revived! In fact, my hearts doing a happy dance! We’re on the plane going home!!! Thank you Jesus! So far from those days that it seemed a million miles away-it’s here. The time is really here!
Unlike Dorothy, my red slippers, happens to be a plane and then another plane and then another-and then we’re back in Kansas-Kennewick!

Later…
We’re home. There’s not even enough words to describe how blessed the two of us feel. This is more than just a house. It’s a home-our home. I have a ton more to write about, but it’s late! There have been so many joyful tears tonight…amazing.

Our Journey Home~



As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15