Today's update

I am not sure if I mentioned dn a previous post about the "At Home Program" or not. In any case, we applied about 3 weeks ago to get Karter on this government assisted program. It provides funding in two parts, medical (which would cover the costs of equipment he will need and prescriptions he needs) and respite ($ to cover any extra care expenses we have for him).

When I applied, I was told the wait time is anywhere from 3-6 months, for approval. I was also told not to be discouraged as most people can be turned down the first time. Basically, to qualify fully, you need to have dependencies in 4 areas. Toileting, feeding, dressings and bathing. Motor skills are considered after those criteria are assessed. Where Karter is dependant in all those areas, the program does not recognize dependence in toileting or bathing under the age of three. So he only meets two out of four criteria. That may get us one part of the funding but possibly not the full funding.

In any event, I write to you today fairly hopeful. Within 1 week of the receipt of our application, I had a call from the "At Home" committee liaison. Two days after that I had a call from the nurse that comes to do a home visit. Today she completed our visit. There is a meeting on the 1st of April that will determine Karter's eligibility for the program. She let me know that we should know in about 2-3 weeks what the outcome of our application is.

From a wait time of 3-6 months to about 5-6 weeks, we are thankful. Our prayer is that there will be favor for Karter and that we will not be turned down or only qualify for one part of the program. The wait time to re-apply is one year. So we are asking that you join us in bathing this meeting in prayer and that favor will be all over this.

This is a tough step for us as we come to grips with the reality that from a medical standpoint, Karter will require equipment to aid in his daily life. We wrestle in our hearts daily between medicine and God's divine intervention. We continue to believe for great things for Karter and feel as his parents that we will advocate for the best possible care for him until we see he no longer requires the need for assistance.

Please pray for us as we venture on this next leg of our faith journey. We have come to a place in our travels where we really have to step out and test the idea that faith is believing in what we do not see. I cannot tell you the inner battle this has become for me. I wrestle daily with doubt and fear and then on the flip side with joy and peace. It is such a paradox of feeling and emotions that go through my brain. Please pray for me that I will not be consumed by over thinking things, as I can so easily do.

To God be the Glory! That is what we want, for Him to be glorified in this. I claim that there will be a day when we will look back at these insurmountable obstacles and say "God brought us through and we stand here with our miracle!"

Thanks again for your support. I just mentioned to someone the other day that some people look for a lifetime for one good friend, but we are blessed with an army of them!

If Not For Your Grace

This post is a duplicate from our family BLOG, but thought it was meaningful enough to double post:

The choir is doing a really beautiful song at Easter, it really speaks my hearts cry. I thought I would share it with you.

If Not For Your Grace

(verse)
Where would I be if not for your grace
Carrying me in every season
Where would I be, if not your grace
You came to my rescue
And I want to thank you
For your Grace.

(Chorus)
Your Grace that restores
Grace that redeems
Grace that releases me to worship
Grace that repairs,
Visions and dreams
Grace that Releases Miracles
Your Grace

(Bridge)
Where would I be if not for Your grace.

I described to someone the other day that I felt a little like Job. We are walking through a season again of real unsettledness (is that even a word?) in our family. A time to depend and believe that God will come through as He promised. We are standing for healing and health, as we do everyday in our lives. I have to admit, that at times I find myself thinking, "Ok God there are others you could bestow tough times on your know" or "Will this ever end?". This song really spoke to me, reminding me that I would be nowhere with out the grace of God. He has been so faithful!

Blessings all. Don't stop believing, God is a God of BIG things! He will come through the way HE intended. Celebrate the cross everyday, not just at Easter, but in every good and hard time of your life. His grace IS sufficient for us.

In addition:
Karter is doing really well this week, even despite the three molars piercing his gums :-)

He has started to lift his head off the floor 4-6 inches, while laying on his back. It is like he is doing sit ups. Also, his sitting has improved a lot, he is sitting with minimal assistance now. and he is really using his right hand to grab at toys. these things emerged in the last two weeks.

We really feel like the gapo between milestones, has closed. We are not longer waiting 4-6 months to see changes. We are very thankful for this! Keep praying all, we are taking back the time that was lost! PLT

A quick update

It has been a while so I thought that I would give you a short update. It is funny how time flies so much fast when things are not so up in the air and you are not clinging desperately to each moment to survive.

These days, things seem to be pretty "normal", our normal however, may look a bit different, but it is ours at any rate. Karter is cutting four molars right now which is making him a bit miserable at times but lets be honest we would be too if we had four teeth pushing through our gums :-)

I feel I have got a handle on the allergy menu now...it was really not as hard as I thought it would be. really no wheat, no dairy and no eggs would be this gist of it all. There are so many great alternatives that we have found easy ways to make his meals good and effortless as well.

We have noticed since changing his diet, that his random movements have really calmed down. His arms still flail slightly, but they are not flying around like they did before which is making it easier to notice that he is trying to purposely grab for various objects. it's pretty cute too, when he notices the left hand and studies it. It is like he is saying "oh there it is again". So we have made gains there.

His asthma and reflux are under control and virtually gone. He had his first cold that did not go to his chest. Once he is over it, we will take him off the reflux meds to see if it is soley milk that made the difference.

Karter is still receiving physio twice per week from sandy and Estelle comes in once a week to help him with his exercises (boy is that a gift!).

We has a speech consultation last week and it looks like he will receive active speech therapy as soon as September (was I shocked! PTL). She was pleased with what he was doing and figures he probably communicates at a 6-9 month level. We were thrilled at this.

Karter continues to gain core strength daily and Kurt and I were commenting the other day that the interval between when we notice him gaining round has become smaller. So for that we are thankful. I still hold to the claim that we will take back the time that was lost. I feel that is what the Lord gave me as a promise at the beginning of this year. WHEN? Who knows, but as we take each day as it comes, we realize that there is no better place to draw our strength from than the Lord. And we grasp daily to Him.

Thanks for all your continued prayers. You who are so faithfully praying for us will be blessed! We covet your prayers and your support.