Over the hump!!

It has been a great two days since we came to see Dustin this time. We got here Monday and he was so alert and ready to move forward. It was like his mind said "OK let's do it!" Today he sat on the side of the bed, had all kinds of activity around him and maintained a nice heart rate and oxygen levels/ The cool thing is he did this despite a collapsed left lung per the doctor's report. As he was sitting up and also while he was in bed he was moving his neck back and forth,shaking hands, and decided on the motto "that if it is easy I am not doing it."

He appears to have "colonized bacteria" in his lungs but they are not causing fever or an increased white blood count; I am not exactly sure what that means other than maybe he is OK for the moment but those bacteria are waiting to raise there ugly heads. I think not!!!

Rick and I gave him a real hair washing with water and everything. He was helping us by lifting his head off of the pillow. We cut nails, coated him with lotion and otherwise had a great time. He "received" in the mail today (compliments of the VA) his voice activated phone. They will also be getting him a voice activated program for his computer. Being the "media" guy, he has a MAC computer and they are not as highly trained on the Mac program for voice activation. I guess the VA people will have to go into training.

Dustin did a great job with his willing participation with a prayer that we use for brain function at Be in Health. We also looked at all of the cards we have received and he especially like the passage on a card of Isaiah 40:31 where it says "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

He is had a true heart change whereby he is apologizing to the nurses for cussing them out. He says " I don't want to be like that." He apologized last night to a nurse he has struggled with and saw the benefits of forgiveness. I was also telling him about all of the people who have donated money to his medical fund and he says "that's what I want to be like". He is really seeing a life that serves and cares for other people is what it is all about and that otherwise it is all vanity. I think the book of Ecclesiastes really magnifies that. It is awesome to see what God is beginning to do ion his heart.

We continue to appreciate all of you who have encouraged us so much and supported us in so many ways. I actually had a prophecy when we went to our old church in Naples FL after our older son Forrest died that went something like this:

." There is more to come. In this time of trauma allow the Holy Spirit to use others in your life to minister and encourage. Take their words and know that it is God's heart speaking through these vessels to you. These are not just vain words but His compassion, heart and understanding of the brokenness that you are going through."
"God knew that in your mind it was easier to take care of others to dull the pain or as therapy but he wants to run to Him through people in your life that you have ministered to. From the weakest of persons to those mighty in faith, all these people would minister to you."_______ is saying that God is not distant in this traumatic loss of loved ones but am reaching out to you through others.

Please know that each and every one of you have planted deeply into our hearts . The prohecy was right in that I never really dealt with loss in my life. Today it is much different as I experience a deep loss, sadness, but joy, hope and anticipation of the future in walking it out with God. Each of you have been a special part of this prophecy coming to fulfillment.

I told Rick the other day that I have never been "sad". I have been very depressed which I decided is really an inward focus of "taking every thought captive about myself". I never experienced sadness as I always got busy in other directions to avoid the pain. Today, I cry a little, laugh a little and keep walking in an otherwise extraordinary time with God.

Blessings to you all!!
mary pat