“He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights…” Psalm 18:33

The past five months have been a whirlwind for our family. Eden’s hospitalization, my parents’ relocation and declining health, an unexpected pregnancy, and a host of other things have made this season one that will forever change us.

The journey has been marked by highs and lows that are difficult to capture in words. At some points, tears have flowed unceasingly, and at other points, there’s been ecstatic celebration. We’ve been more out of control than ever before, yet we’ve sensed God’s sovereign and sustaining grace more than ever before. Jesus has not just taken the wheel; He’s taken everything.

As God has taken things from us, he has changed them. Nothing and no one has remained the same through this journey. We found that everything he has taken, he has changed for the better. That does not mean that we understand everything he has done, nor does it mean, that we like everything that he’s done. But it does mean that we can see his fingerprints on everything more clearly. And that brings us comfort. Because we know that God is good, and He does good. That means anything He touches; He is making new in a way that will ultimately be seen as good and perfect.

The process has been terrifying at times, yet a peace that passes all understanding has accompanied us the entire way. God’s mercy meets His people in their darkest moments; we’ve been met with much mercy. God has been nothing but faithful.

Today our daughter Eden showed how far God has brought her. Her school took a field trip to a local ropes course. She bravely climbed through the treetops with courage and a smile that would make any parent proud. God has been gracious to Eden and as I watched her swing through the trees today, I was reminded that God has done exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or imagine.

Her journey is far from over, and there are certainly more trials ahead, but today the Lord gave us a glimmer of what He is always doing in the midst of our suffering. He is always working in us to refine us and lift us up as trophies of His grace. We are thankful for the Lord’s kindness and trust that He will continue to walk with us every step of the way.

Updates since our last post:

1. Eden has returned to church and school.

It has been a delight for Carrie and me to sit next to Eden each week during corporate worship. Seeing her sing songs and take notes on sermons has been sweet for us and a joy for her. Eden has returned to youth group (which she loves) and is spending time with some of her closest friends.

School has been a bit of an adjustment, but the administration has been more than gracious and accommodating. We are truly blessed by them. Eden is focusing on three classes right now and it appears she will not fall too far behind for state requirements by the time graduation rolls around.

2. Eden has been healing.

Eden has few physical limitations and has graduated from needing physical therapy. Her mental and emotional progress has also been encouraging. From being in a coma and having no brain activity in January to reading books, writing songs, and having fairly thoughtful conversations in May has given us many reasons to rejoice.  

3. Eden still has a way to go.

Though we’ve had many reasons to celebrate, the current terrain is still tricky, and the days ahead are uncertain. Initially, being at church had difficult moments due to how she was processing the truths she was hearing and the anxiety of talking to people after service. While she’s improved, social interactions still provide unique stress, which exhausts her emotionally and physically.

Eden is still on quite a number of medicines, and we hope the doctors will continue to wean her off of them. She recently had an overnight EEG, which showed some remaining irregularities in her brain, though a drastic improvement from where she was before. This is good, but not complete healing, which we would, of course, prefer. Eden has an MRI scheduled next week, and from that, we hope to get more conclusive answers about how much her brain has healed, any remaining issues to address, and a new path forward with less medicine. This is in the Lord’s hands, so we ask you to continue to pray.

Ways to pray...

1. Encouraging MRI results.

Pray for a clear and encouraging word from the doctors.

2. Wisdom with medications.

Pray for Eden to be able to wean off her medications. Pray for side effects to dissipate. 

3. Her brain to continue to heal.

Pray for her peace to increase, her clarity to progress, her anxiety to disappear, her joy to radiate, her endurance to increase, and her thankfulness to abound.

4. God to continue to be glorified.

We have been astounded by the way God has worked in and through this trial. Pray for fruit to continue to increase to His glory.