I have started numerous times and never got around to posting: How has a whole year passed? 

I was reading recently and someone stated “God sometimes give us more than we can handle but never more than he can handle!” I felt like that was how we all felt during this time! How amazing it is to be carried on the wings of prayer and to be able to find such refuge in the arms of the Father- I don’t know if words will ever be able to describe that feeling. 

Cody has been back to work and living the AG Teacher and FFA Advisor life.  When I am asked how I think Cody is doing- It can be hard to answer because I feel like we have made it back to whatever “normal” is. There might be areas that are different but I don’t feel like they are bad or that they always stem from him having a brain injury. Some of the changes are because of the accident and the different outlook on life that we now have, not because of the injury.  While in the hospital doctors gave long term deficits that we would possibly be faced with, as we face a struggle- I am continual thankful for the bumps in the road and finding ways to get over them. At one point I was told that Cody might never be able to go back to teaching, to it would be 3 years, to Cody returning to work 3 months after his accident.  I will never understand the reasons for his recovery- but it reminds me daily to be thankful! 

So for now- we are living life and thanking God for the little things as well as the big ones.  We have been cleared by all doctors but they all will still be considered Cody’s doctors if ever needed in the future. 

Last Christmas our cards said “Find Joy In Everyday.”  As I was looking at different ones for this year I realized how hard life can be to find joy in the midst of a trial but there truly is joy in everyday!  So this year- we are “counting our blessings” wishing you and yours a year filled with blessings! 

We are thankful for all of the prayers, love, and support that we received throughout this journey.  They blessed us and carried us through the hard times- and rejoiced with us during the good times.  We never know what God has in store for us but whatever path it is- He is always working it out for our good.  To better us, strengthen our faith, and challenge our devotion and complete reliance on HIM! 

Cody, Maria, and Family