WOW!!!

Dr. Roy Buckelew, one of our favorite college professors, used to say, "WOW" when he was awed by God's grace & how He was working in people's lives. Today, "WOW" seems the only adequate way to express how we feel about our day. The day began as the past few, except for the rainy drive to the hospital.

Daddy had a very full day today. His day consisted of...
•Physical therapy
•Another hyperbaric chamber treatment (time where he gets 400% oxygen to stimulate the stroke sight)
•Physical therapy...sat with help on the side of the bed for a couple of minutes
•Swallow study
•Multiple doctor's visits & a few other guests

Now here's the exciting parts...
I got another smile this am when I arrived at the hospital while talking to Daddy & holding his hand. We are seeing some small, small movements on the right side. We will take it! Mom spent some time outside during lunch while Daddy was at his chamber treatment. My cousin, Lauren & her sweet baby, Austin, came to visit with us for a while. Thank you Lauren! While we were outside, Sandra came by with some goodies, which have already been enjoyed ;-) Thank you Sandra! We ended up cutting our time outside short bc we saw the doctor pull into the parking lot & we didn't want to miss him making rounds.

All of the excitement started when one of our former music minister's from Magnolia came to see us. We had a wonderful visit w/ Ken & he had just prayed for us when Daddy started to wake up. Ken went to the end of the bed & started talking to him. Daddy smiled at him!!!! We were so excited that he recognized someone he hasn't seen in several years. WOW!!!!

He enjoyed his first meal in several days...mashed potatoes & applesauce. He ate all of his potatoes & at least half the applesauce. While he was eating, we had some friends call to say that they were dropping off some goodies so I went to meet them at the elevator. While I was there, another couple showed up. We stood in the lobby & visited for a while then I told them we could walk down towards the room to so that they could at least hug Mom, but not go in the room. I walked in to tell Mom they were & that she could step out for a minute. Well, what I didn't know was that while I had my back to Daddy, he raised his left & motioned for everyone to come into the room. They came in & as they all said hello he gave Olan the biggest grin! As everyone spoke to him he made grins & smirks when teased! We were absolutely thrilled to have seen such expression of emotion to others. We all prayed & were so thankful for the progress he was making. WOW!!!!

Not long after they left, Dr. Murphy was making rounds. He came in & said that he was thrilled with the fact that Daddy was looking him in the eyes & that he was doing so well. He just couldn't believe it! WOW!!!!

Then within about 15 minutes, Dr. Thomas came in making his rounds. He was equally impressed & pleased with the progress that Daddy is making. We even asked if we were too excited about everything that happened throughout the afternoon & he said absolutely not!!! WOW!!!

All of those were God moments! God has been totally faithful in giving us the grace, patience & peace these past days. Not to say that we haven't had our fair share of tears, anxiety & frustration. We have! We have somewhat taken turns though so that we are able to hold each other up when one is weak. We know that the strength & endurance that we have experienced the past days is from God & Him alone bc He is faithful all the time & the sweet prayers of all of you. I've said it before, but will continue to say that our words are completely inadequate in expressing our appreciation for your calls, texts, visits, goodies & above all, prayers! Please continue to remember our family in your prayers in the days and weeks to come. We are running a marathon, not a sprint so we will be on this journey for a while. We are not guaranteed anything except that God is good, all the time!!! All glory to Him & Him alone.

P.S. Please excuse any missing words or typos...remember I'm sleep deprived!