The theme for today is: Years.
This is the last blog of 2024. What a year.
Some years are great. Worth remembering. Talk to folks who’ve had a great year and you’ll hear all kinds of responses: It’s been a banner year. This past year was stellar. It’s been a landmark year. 2024 was exceptional. This year has been a game changer. 2024. A year we’ll never forget.
Some years aren’t great. Not worth remembering. Talk to folks who’ve had a rough year and you’ll hear all kinds of responses: 2024 was a roller coaster. This year was filled with setbacks. The year was a struggle. It’s been a long year. 2024. It’s been a hard year. A year we’ll never forget.
Years. Years are long. Years fly by. Years are filled with joy. Years are filled with sorrow. Years come. Years go. We live year by year.
We’re close to concluding another year of our Lord. 2024. “The year of the LORD’s favour” (Isaiah 61:2). 2025 will be too. That’s a promise God made to us and to Zach. An annual New Year’s resolution that He always keeps. This is the year the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Happy New Year!
Today’s Updates:
Zach has been in good spirits for a lot of this week. He has really enjoyed playing games, working in his therapies, listening to the piano, and watching some World Juniors hockey games. Zach got to go on two outings this week – first to church on Christmas morning, and then to visit his aunt and uncle’s condo on Boxing Day. Zach seemed to enjoy both of these outings, but was understandably quite tired once he returned to the hospital. Please pray that Zach will continue to find joy and laughter in the everyday parts of his life, and pray that he will be able to enjoy more outings in the new year as well.
Zach has been reluctant to eat a few times throughout this week, especially when he is feeling tired. Zach has also been coughing a bit more this week, which seems to be adding to his reluctance to eat. Zach has trouble with his motor control over his eating, including coordinating swallows, opening his mouth, and chewing. This can make eating slow and difficult for Zach at times. Please pray that Zach will be willing and able to eat all his meals so that he can continue to receive all his nutrition by eating.
Zach is now taking some of his medications by mouth. Usually the medication is crushed up and mixed in with some applesauce. Zach will occasionally refuse to take his medications in the applesauce but he is mostly doing well. This is one more step towards no longer relying on the PEG tube – please join us in thanking God for progress in this area. Zach will need to keep his PEG tube in for some time still, since his eating and drinking are inconsistent. Right now, Zach still requires extra water through his PEG tube since he refuses to drink most of the beverages on his meal trays.
Zach has generally been quite calm for all of his nursing care this week – please join us in thanking God for this! Zach experienced some agitation again this week, sometimes with regular nighttime routines or resisting going outside of his hospital room. When he is agitated, it can be hard to determine what he needs or what is bothering him. Please pray that we will be able to understand Zach’s needs. Pray also that he will be able to communicate clearly and feel safe and calm.
Please continue to pray for Zach’s recovery and care. Pray that God will strengthen him, both physically and spiritually, as he faces his therapies and the challenges of each day. Pray that he will know God’s love and peace each day. Pray also that God will bless his treatments and therapies. Please pray for us as we plan for Zach’s continuing care in the new year, and pray that God will bless Zach’s applications to care homes. Thank you for all the prayers you have offered up for Zach this year. Have a blessed new year.
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered.
We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children.
May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.“
(Psalm 90)
