The theme for today is: Advent 2.0.
Advent. Coming. A time to look back. To look back at a manger. To look back at a stable. To look back at Mary, Joseph, shepherds, sheep, angels, a star and wise men. To look back at the coming baby Jesus. To look back at a miracle.
Advent. Coming. A time to look forward. To look forward in hope. To look forward in anticipation. To look forward in expectation. To look forward to a day. To look forward to the Day of the Lord. To look forward to consummation. To look forward to the coming of our saviour Jesus. To look forward to another miracle.
Advent. Coming. It’s what we live for. It’s why we live. It’s how we live. Advent gives us purpose. Advent leaves us longing for more. Longing for something better. Longing for something lasting. Longing for a return. Longing for the finish of the race marked out for us.
Advent. Coming. Running for Zach. A time to run. A time to run with endurance. A time to run with perseverance. A time to run with eyes fixed on eternity. A time to run to an eternal celebration. A time to run to an eternal destination. Advent. “Yes I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).
Today’s Updates:
Zach’s first outing to church on Sunday went very well. He remained calm throughout the drive and the church service, although he looked a little nervous on the drive there and back since his wheelchair rocked back and forth slightly with the movement of the van. Zach was relaxed and engaged throughout the church service, and got to listen to some of his favourite familiar hymns, like In Christ Alone and Amazing Grace. Please join us in thanking God for this step in Zach’s healing. Zach is now cleared for outings in general, as long as we give enough notice to his care team and it doesn’t interfere too much with his meals or necessary care. We are hoping that Zach will be able to attend church more regularly going forward and experience the fellowship of the communion of saints in worship again.
Zach has slowly started eating at meals again throughout the week, first just eating parts of his breakfast, and today eating some or all of all three of his meals! We are hoping that Zach will be able to eat all his meals instead of receiving tube feed in the next few days. Please thank God with us that Zach is enjoying some foods and drinks again. Zach still sometimes resists nursing care or getting his teeth brushed, and he still has occasional episodes of agitation, but throughout this week, he has generally been more relaxed. Please pray that Zach’s episodes of agitation will also pass soon and that he will continue to eat and feel better in the coming weeks.
Zach continued to attend his many therapies this week, but sometimes he was quite tired or non interactive. Please pray that Zach will have enough energy and motivation to work hard at all his therapies.
Please also pray that Zach’s communication will improve. Right now, Zach will often mouth “yes” or “no” in response to questions, and sometimes he will mouth “more.” Other times, he will point at written options to indicate an answer. Sometimes Zach will indicate he wants something, but then seem to change his mind quickly, so his communication is not always reliable. Please pray that Zach will communicate more consistently. Pray also that God will grant him patience when we have trouble understanding what he needs.
Right now, we are trying to get Zach to practice using his eye tracking assistive communication device more often so that he can get used to this different style of communication. This tablet would allow him to express his needs or initiate a conversation without first being asked specific questions. It is still a challenge for Zach to communicate using the tablet, and he will often get stuck rotating between a few options at a time instead of settling on one choice, which makes it difficult to understand what he is trying to communicate. Please pray that Zach will continue to learn how to use this device, and pray that it will become a reliable method of communication for him.
This week, we submitted our preferences for which care home Zach will go to when he is discharged from his current unit. It is still possible that Zach will go to a care home that is not our choice if that is where they have room for him. Please pray that God will open doors for Zach to be accepted into a home where he can receive strong support from family and friends and continue to receive the care that he needs. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” (Matthew 1:20-23)
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”(Philippians 3:20-21)
