Dear friends and family,

Faithfully, you have been with us through Paul's recovery, and we are so incredibly grateful.  Paul still has pain and headaches but is improving weekly.  This past week, he met with his neurologist, learned that his healing is progressing well and then heard those glorious words, "I do not need to see you anymore!"  Paul will see a concussion specialist, but we are so thankful for the healing of the brain bleed and other head trauma.  Then two days later, his arm was freed from the cast, and he was cleared to begin working out (light lifting) this Sunday!  To celebrate these milestones of recovery, Paul ran two miles and did pull ups yesterday and he rode the stationary bike today! 

So this is our last post.  We give all glory and praise to God for Paul's protection, healing and recovery.  The beginning of Psalm 103 reads:

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

We rejoice that God has moved in such a powerful way in Paul and our family's lives that we know these words of God are true.  True for us, but also true for each of you.  May you rest in that truth every day as we are.

Love,

Anne

This is from Paul:

Dear friends and family, greetings!

I could go on and on about the lessons I've learned these past six weeks but the game is about to start.  As many have heard me say, my overwhelming emotion when pondering my fall and recovery is GRATITUDE. I'm not sad or angry.  I'm a walking miracle - I'm joyful! 

The Lord protected me while falling then didn't stop there. He provided two lifeguards - Grace and Jack - who rescued me from the river. (He had to plan ahead for that one.)  He provided incredible Fairfax County first responders who stabilized and evacuated me. He provided doctors, nurses and techs at Inova Fairfax hospital who reconstructed my face and cared for my every need 24 hours a day. They were all angels in my book. 

The Lord then surrounded me with my amazing family, friends, church family, work colleagues, neighbors, and strangers who prayed for us, loved us, fed us, encouraged us, took my work pressure off my mind, made me laugh, and so much more. 

I of course have been blessed beyond measure by Anne, Clare, Grace, Jack, and Connor and Caroline. They spoiled me.

I am challenged to prioritize my time more thoughtfully and prayerfully the rest of my life.  Relationships with Jesus and people in my life are the primary goals and prizes.  I encourage you to do the same and please let me know if you see me off track. 

Another surprising blessing is I now have this scar in the shape of a Y that will prompt conversations about the Lord for the rest of my life.  How cool is that?   I'll be excited to share my view of Psalm 91:11-12: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."   We're posting a photo here for those I've not seen my renovated face yet.

I look forward to seeing you and celebrating soon!

Blessings,

Paul