In countless ways, Ian is an example of Christ to me. I was sitting in my car today, thanking God for bringing Ian and I into each other's lives. Then I started thinking about how even since those first few days in the hospital, Ian was able to show me that he loved me. God gave Ian many ways to show me that he knew my voice and loved me, even though he couldn't talk. For the past two years, the man who can do very little has always done at least one thing.

Ian has remained faithful in his love to me. There is little that I understand about Ian now because he can't talk to me. I don't know what memories he still has, I don't know what specific sins he struggles with or what a session of therapy is really like for him. But I do know that he loves me and has remained faithful to me.

So how does this remind me of Christ? I do not mean to compare Ian to God or say that in any way Ian's love is perfected as Christ's is. But we are reflections of Christ and are microscopic images of our creator. And so in Ian, I see the faithfulness of God's love: like my unknowns about Ian, there is much I don't know about God. I don't know when He will return. I don't know why he has not answered our prayers for deliverance. But I do know that he loves me, made manifest and permanent to me in Christ's death on the cross. That is what has remained when all else seems to have crumbled.

And so God has given me another evidence of his love through Ian. God's faithfulness shown through Ian's faithfulness. And that is only one piece of how Ian's love has affected and changed me. I could write an entire blog about that:)

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10)

-Larissa

Here are Ian and I with another one of my favorite people, my grammy Stephens. Ian was able to come home with me this weekend for my brother's wedding, thanks to Steve and Mary's constant self-less-ness. I've been waiting for nearly two years for Ian to come home with me again and I loved every minute of it. He was able to meet a lot of my family for the first time. Even a few months ago, this wouldn't have been possible. And the more I think about this and look at this picture, the closer I get to crying so this is it for now.

Thank you always

Larissa

It seems like God teaches me a lot about himself through the sky (Romans 1:20), particularly sunsets. A lot of times when I see sunsets, I'm reminded of truth and it usually seems to be when I most need it. Today Ian and I were driving back from Ligioner. Earlier I had told him that maybe we could drive home into the sunset. All of a sudden, this beautiful sunset appeared. I can't even describe it and do it justice, but it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. No artist could have created something like that. Ian and I couldn't have imagined something that beautiful.

I was reminded that we can't imagine God's beauty, or power, or holiness. It's better than what we can fathom. And the same is true for our future promises- they are better than we could create on our own.

Thank you always for praying

Larissa

My Favorite Person in the World

We will be fasting on Wednesday the 20th. Specific request are for improved communication. Ian has been working on sign language for yes and no. It's not always consistent but it's so helpful. I'll be praying that God would give him the wisdom and knowledge that he needs to be able to answer our questions quickly and without frustration. Also, that God would reveal to Ian the ability to speak with his voice.

Sorry for the lack of updates again.

"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him. I will protect him, because he knows my name."

Psalm 91

Thank you, always

Larissa

Swimming

On vacation we were able to get Ian into the lake without much difficulty, though I thought it would be harder. Getting him out wasn't easy. When we were preparing to get him in the water, I asked that the whole extended family be available to help, but we really didn't need that much help. His uncle Dan and I carried him in with his brothers spotting. I put a life vest on him, and I had attached a handrail to the dock so he could hang onto it. Everyone huddled around him in the water, but it seemed we didn't really need to do that either. After a while I left him floating with Larissa in the water.

I think he enjoyed it. Swimming in that lake has been a regular activity on vacation, so I'm sure it brought back memories. The only down side was that we didn't quite prepare for the sun. He had to wear a fishing hat to keep the sun off of him. Poor Ian!

Thank you for your kindness in thinking of Ian and praying for him.

Steve

Memories

We went on vacation this past week to a place that would bring back a lot of memories for Ian. He sat down on the dock and watched the sunset, and he even swam in the water (more on that later). I'm sure we'll be posting more on our time there, but I wanted to thank all the people that worked so hard for us and gave so much to us. The money raised has helped us buy a number of things for Ian, but I was reminded again of your generosity when I bought a 10-foot $400 ramp primarily so he could get up the steps to the vacation house that has provided so many memories for him. Last year, Ben and I spent two days building a ramp out of wood only to have to take it apart again at the end of the time there. We'll also be able to use the ramp I bought to access other places equally difficult, but it was worth the money just for this experience. Thanks!

Steve

Vaca

We're headed to Lake Anna tomorrow for vacation so we won't be posting for awhile. We're hoping to get Ian in the water while we're there. We're hoping that it will be a nice break from everything here. Pray that Ian is encouraged and blessed by his time there.

Thank you

Larissa

Water Boy II

When I reported the last time on Ian's experience in the pool, I was reporting what I had heard from Mary and Larissa. On Friday, I went to his pool session myself and saw firsthand what they were trying to do with Ian.

His "walking" was extremely labored and he apparently didn't do as well as when I went. Three adults were holding him up and moving his legs while I manned the wheelchair behind him. After that they stood him up on a handrail and for about 15-20 seconds he was bearing his own weight with the balance being supplied by the therapists.

When he got in the water, he had only a small "floatie" strapped to his back and water noodles under his arms to keep him afloat. They walked him in the water to get him used to the motion again of walking and they floated him on his back.

Later, they brought him to the side and encouraged me to try to get a reaction from him. Irritate him! That's what they told me to do. I can do that! When I did, they cheered me on. So I did it some more. After a short amount of time he was looking straight at me wide-eyed pushing my hand away, grabbing my hand and pushing it away and opening his mouth wide (as if to yell at me or bite me?). The therapists were thrilled. Their theory is that if he gets mad enough to react like that, he'll get mad and determined to get better...maybe to get back at me.

So, I've commenced Operation Irritation...pray for Ian!

Steve