“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not be faint.”   Isaiah 40:31

Many have been asking for an update on Christopher since his surgery in December.   Sorry for the delay in getting this post out there!  

Christopher had his surgery for his second cochlear implant on his other ear on December 13.   Everything went smoothly except it took a little bit longer to heal (as was shared in the last couple posts) and Christopher had to wait a few days once he got back to school after Christmas to actually turn it on and go live.   It was about a week and since turning it on, it has been a remarkable difference, not only in his hearing, but also his balance is better and also some smell and taste were enhanced back (after surgery) to like it was before his accident.   You see, the accident caused his smell and taste to change much like Covid has done for many people.    The doctor figures that the surgery must have stimulated something that helped to bring those senses back.   Christopher has a new energy about him, much more a positive attitude and all around is feeling much better.  Thanks be to God!   He is noticing a difference in learning having bilateral hearing again.  He had his Cochlear checkup while he was home on spring break last week, and hearing with both ears was at 91% in a controlled setting with no background noise!    Christopher also made the Dean’s List, first time since he’s been in college!  He continues to amaze us with how he’s been coping with his adversities and we are so proud of him.    He is officially a college senior now and will go one more year to graduate. 

Through this season of Lent and watching the power of the Passion Play that our students at school are working on, I have been really taking time to think about these past few years and the impact that Christopher’s accident and various other things have made on my(our) faith life journey.   I think we all have been through those various stages of joy, anger, sadness, jubilation, thankfulness, etc. etc.-all the ups and downs.   I sometimes feel that I am on a rollercoaster of emotions, and I am sure most everyone has been there with that kind of rollercoaster with many things that happen in their life- especially through illnesses and accidents or other adversities that come about.   Then you think about the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us.   The ultimate sacrifice!

 I read in one of my devotions this past week about how we can offer up any feelings, something as little as an annoyance that is bugging at you or something big like an accident-- offer it up to God.   “Nothing is insignificant and everything, whether big or small, is a reason to ask for grace and to respond with love.  Try to think of an “inconvenience” as a chance for grace.   God gives us many opportunities to turn to Him to sanctify our lives and our family members’ lives.” (Catholic Mom’s Café, Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle, 2013).     We as humans look at many things as inconveniences, but I have learned through prayer and contemplation to look at those things as the blessings that are given to us to grow closer to God and build our faith stronger.   God is there to carry us through, we just need to reach out.  

Christopher’s story was shared in the March issue of Columbia magazine.   The link to the story online is:   https://issuu.com/columbia-magazine/docs/columbiamar24en    If you get the magazine, the story is on page 20. 

Thank you for the continued prayers.