Pastor David has been out of town this past week. He will post an update next week at the normal time. In the meantime, continue to press in for Noah's complete healing!

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Last Updated: Sep 5, 2008 at 4:05pm
Next update will be posted September 12, 2008 by 6:00p

My first trip to California was wonderful with regard to some important ministry matters. On the practical side of things I got my first “taste” of Beach Boy weather. One hundred and two degrees both days but it felt like the low 80’s in Virginia. Nice while it lasted but there most certainly is a trade-off. My two hour car drive from Sacramento to Redding consisted of mountains on both sides of the highway that had a color spectrum of “one”. Brown… brown and more brown. It is nice to return to green.

There are ebbs and flows of progress that Noah demonstrates. The last two weeks were “steady as she goes” for him. Some incremental progress was noted by therapists Lisa & Emily:

When laying face down on his stomach on the floor, Noah can now use his hands flat on the floor to stabilize himself instead of having to use a pillow under his elbows. While Noah was in his chair today he was able to slowly lower his head into his knees. He is not able to raise himself back up by himself however that is the next goal. Noah’s leg strength continues to show steady improvement especially in rolling his legs over while lying on the floor. 

In the culinary department Noah continues to expand his menu. Lisa was telling me that he ate about 1/3 of a cup of chili (Lisa’s homemade) the other day. On another day, he ate about 1/3 of a bag of popcorn.   Growing up in WNY brought with it a penchant for good ice cream and “real” custard like “Andersons.” Running a close second in that dessert menu was Dairy Queen… in particular those little irresistible treats called “Dilly Bars.” The other day Lisa was indulging on her own sitting next to Noah watching I Love Lucy. She noticed a pair of eyes “glaring” at her from the side. You got it… Noah was eye-balling that Dilly Bar. Lisa commenced letting him eat from the Dilly Bar only to discover that he had bigger plans for that thing than she anticipated.  

Because Noah ate most of what was left on that bar…Lisa felt “slighted” and sent Emma out with a coupon to by six more. I heard her say something like: “Noah, next time I’ll be prepared for you.” All with a chuckle realizing that in fact it delighted her heart that he would enjoy that which he has always enjoyed as a boy growing up in Virginia. Sometimes the past helps remind us that the future is bright. Thanks to all of you for investing in Noah’s future by praying for him with persistence and diligence. We love you… david

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Last Updated: Sep 12, 2008 at 2:10pm
Next update will be posted September 19, 2008 by 6:00p

Pastor David was not able to find the time to compile an update this week due to “out-of-town” family visiting this week. He will be sure to do so next week. He sends his love and appreciation for your faithfulness in lifting Noah up in prayer.

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Last Updated: Sep 19, 2008 at 1:15pm
Next update will be posted September 26, 2008 by 6:00p

Over these many months of Noah’s journey back to us… I have missed some of his unique expressive emotions. It’s not so much that he has not retained them as much as it is a physical challenge to express them. This week I was in the kitchen while Lisa was washing his hair in the sink (like they do at beauty salons) and must have distracted her for a moment. The result was allowing some of the shampoo to get into his left eye.

For about two minutes… I was having a dad moment (my heart melting) as I watched him pumping his legs and arms as well as making load groans because of the stinging sensation in his eye. At one point, tears flowed down his cheeks in a slight burst of painful emotion. Though I would never delight in any of my children’s pain… it was another glimpse inside of Noah. That glimpse told me that more than physical and neurological pathways are being reestablished. His “inner man” is slowly being released to us. Lisa and I cherished the moment.

Noah has been fitted for new hand splints because he has grown so much. They are kind of like having new shoes. They can be a bit annoying until broken in. Lisa was noting his clear distinct “groan of relief” after she takes them off, “Aahhh.”

From Therapists Emily & Lisa:

Noah’s pelvis is becoming more mobile for standing so that now he stands with more a posterior tilt (flatter back… (in other words his fanny doesn’t stick our very much anymore) rather than an arched back.

We continue to work his trunk with repetitions of stretching and exercise. The goal is to increase small incremental movements in his trunk to help him stay balanced while sitting upright.

I think I have mentioned before that Lisa has a real “touch” with Italian food. Noah agrees. The other day he ate about a quarter of a cup of spaghetti and meat sauce. That is another milestone for Noah. At that level we can start to adjust his G-Tube feeds down (less). Down is good!

I started this update with a reference to some negative…. pain generated emotions that Noah exhibited. I thought it would be good to have you hear some very positive ones. This week Emma was goofing around tossing mail through the air at me as I sat on the chair next to Noah. As each letter would sail and then collide with my body… Noah would laugh like crazy. You will notice rather long moments of relative silence. That is Noah laughing so hard he can hardly catch his breath. Click on the file below and enjoy. Until next time. Love… david

Please click here to hear Noah laughing.

Note: Next week our IT person will be out on vacation so there will not be anyone available to upload an update to our webpage. We will pick up where we left off in two weeks.  Have a great vacation Kelly… we will miss you.

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Last Updated: September 26, 2008 at 2:20pm
Next update will be posted October 10, 2008 by 6:00p