Yep, it's been a while.  The last entry in October seems like ages ago, and yesterday at the same time.  Forgive the silence, we have been sifting through a lot.

Since the events of March 6, 2019, we have had two consistent prayers: 1) for God to help us navigate the day to day challenges, and 2) for God to use us & our story in whatever way He chooses to make a lasting impact for His Kingdom.  Oh how both of these prayers require us to have faith and patience!  Especially in this transition time as Caleb nears high school graduation, worry threatens to overtake our minds. But God is constantly working behind the scenes, in all directions, & when we focus on that, we begin to see evidence of His presence. 

He answered another portion of that prayer this last October though a family from Kenya. Ungi is an assistive technology expert, and is helping Caleb learn to use his Braille Note, phone, and computer.  Not only is he an expert in the technology, but his passion is teaching others to use that technology to help change their lives for the better.

Ungi, his wife Emma, and their two young daughters immigrated to the United States in May, 2023.  What's unique about them is that Ungi & his wife are both blind, raising two sighted daughters.  We can't imagine moving our family to an entirely different culture, let alone doing it without vision.  Their courage is inspiring!  Not only that, but as we have come to know them, Aaron & Kim have learned so much about what independent life can look like for those who are blind.

As we have leaned on them for information on how to help Caleb, they have leaned on us for information about living in the US.  We are certain, without a doubt, that God has placed them in our lives because of our commonalities: vision loss.  Our families' paths have crossed because of our membership in the "blind club," and we are so grateful that they have!

Answers to Prayer:

• Caleb has come through medical procedure number 18 well.  On December 22, 2023, he had additional grafting put in on both the top and bottom parts of his mouth to strengthen the bone structure.  We will wait another several months for that bone to develop & if all goes well, he will be able to have the posts implanted this coming fall.
• Caleb's brain is healing, slowly.  We see improvements in some areas regularly.
• He qualified for State Festival in Forensics with his poetry piece!
• This year, Caleb & his running guide, Greg, are conquering the 1600 meter run.  His first meet's time was 7:59, then the second was 7:45, and the third was 7:34, and the most recent was 7:25!  Watching him run is always a reminder of the miracles God has bestowed upon this young man!
• Morgan is doing well in Aerospace Engineering.  She thoroughly enjoys the challenging math & science classes.  Every now & then, she calls up Dad to discuss engineering topics, which is always a treat!
• She has found great enjoyment working at her apartment complex.  She calls us with stories of her saving the day, for example, how she helped when a fire broke out in one of the units!  She is super-excited to work for Textron Aviation again this summer as an Intern!

Continued Prayer Requests:

• With Caleb's brain healing comes more challenges.  He is exhibiting more "normal" teenage boy tendencies, like frustration and lack of motivation. One area we need consistent prayers in is for God to  ignite a passion for the next step in him.  He does much better (we all do, frankly) when he's driving toward a goal.
• Speaking of goals, Caleb is one step closer to his goal of getting a guide dog!  He has been working very hard on his caning skills, and is now practicing advanced skills like time-distance travel in order to prepare him for this transition.  It's a challenge, because canes are designed to impact obstacles, where as a guide dog is trained to avoid them.  Using a dog instead of a cane is quite a mental shift for many reasons.  One of them is that at the end of the day the cane rests silently & stays put...a dog requires care, but also provides companionship. 
• Please pray for the right job opportunity to come for him.  With Caleb's input, we think that his next "school year" will look something like this: part-time job, a college course or two to keep his Braille & technology skills fresh, continued work on his orientation & mobility skills (with a dog, or cane, or both!), continued technology lessons with Ungi, and daily living skills at home.