The theme for today is: Resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions. Many of us make them. Read more. Eat less. Exercise more. Drink less. Read the Bible in a year. Less screen time. More family time. Pray more. Worry less.

I made what I’d call a “sort of resolution” to fight against sporadic stress eating which has gotten the best of me at times. But alas, on January 1 we celebrated New Years by ordering Kentucky Fried Chicken. A bucket of chicken. Large fries. Large gravy. Large coleslaw (less guilt). But it was worth it.

We thought it would be cool to see if Zach would eat fries. And did he ever. One after another. Best ‘chewing therapy’ session he ever had. He ate heartily. He ate eagerly. He ate joyfully. It made our day. It made his day. His smiles and laughs were worth it.

2025 will come with more joys, smiles, laughs, blessings and even fries. It will come with trials, tears, temptations, and setbacks. It will come with successful resolutions. It will come with failed resolutions.

One resolution we must keep is to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We and Zach did this in 2024. We’ll do the same in 2025. Who makes our lives worthy of running this race? God does. Who gives us the strength to run? God does. Who fulfills our resolution to run this race? God does. Who knows when the race will end? God does.

New Year’s resolutions. God makes them. God keeps them.

Today’s Updates:

Zach had another pretty good week this week, with many moments of enjoyment and playfulness. However, he also had more frequent episodes of agitation throughout the week. Often, this agitation will come with inconsistent or contradictory communication, which makes it difficult to determine what Zach needs. Please pray that God will ease Zach’s agitation. Pray that Zach will trust his care team and feel safe so that he can respond calmly. Please also pray that he will be able to communicate his needs clearly and that we will be able to understand what he is trying to communicate.

Zach received a new loaner communication device this week. This device also uses eye tracking technology and has the same general format as his last loaner device, but with a few differences in setup. This device has some games that Zach can play with the eye tracker, and Zach has been really enjoying these games.

Zach is now receiving some minced food on his meal trays again after a few weeks of only accepting puréed foods. Zach’s care team wants to make sure that he retains his ability to chew and move food around in his mouth. Zach has been doing ok with eating his meals this week, but is sometimes resisting eating anything at meals or refuses certain dishes. He is still refusing the drinks from his meal trays. Zach got to eat some french fries this week as well which he enjoyed. Please pray that Zach will enjoy eating and drinking, and pray that he will be able to eat all his meals.

Zach has been quite tired this week, especially in the mornings. He will sometimes sleep through getting dressed and transferring into his wheelchair because he is so tired. Zach wasn’t able to make it to church in person on Sunday or on New Year’s Day because he was too exhausted. Please pray that Zach’s will have the energy that he needs for each day. Pray also that he will be able to sleep well at night so that he can get the rest that his body and brain need.

Please continue to pray for Zach. Pray that he will be able to work hard at his therapies. Pray that his treatments will be effective. Pray for wisdom for Zach’s care team also. And pray that Zach will feel God’s love and care for him at all times. Have a blessed Sunday.

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnessesentrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead,descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;

if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.“

(2 Timothy 2:1-13)