This past week with Isaac has been a very good week! I have seen healing in his thinking process and physical strength as well. I remember just a little over 2 weeks ago taking him out to a coffee house for the first time in a public place. We were all nervous about over-stimulating him. We had been warned about traumatic brain injury patients not being able to tolerate a lot of noise; not being able to concentrate when there are many different sounds and movements going on around them. It tired him out quickly and he needed a nap after the outing. This week we went to Sugar Brown’s coffee house. There were many conversations at the tables around us, the noise of the espresso machines, music playing, and our conversation at our table of four. After about 10 minutes I asked Isaac if all the different noises bothered him. He said it didn’t and that he was use to working in that environment. He began to remember doing concerts in that coffee house and the barista looked familiar to him, he just couldn’t remember his name for sure. After being reminded, he didn’t forget it! It was very encouraging for me!

Fridays at TLC are “outing” days in the afternoon. Yesterday everyone walked or rode to a nearby park. Some played croquet and others softball. Isaac played softball! Isaac normally isn’t very athletic, but he did play baseball when he was much younger. Kristi and I were anxious to see how he would do. We were so excited when he started throwing the ball around and catching. At first up to bat the hitting was difficult for him, but he caught on quickly and did quite well! It was so amazing to watch him playing softball. God has truly done amazing work in his life!!!!

There were a few other glimpses of Isaac’s old personality that came through this week. The first thing I noticed was that when Isaac got dressed in his “skinny” jeans and I gave him his tennis shoes to put on, he looked down at his feet and said, “This looks weird.” I smiled because Isaac NEVER wore athletic shoes. He always would wear flip-flops, Toms, or Vans (in that order). We bought him the tennis shoes when he started physical therapy after waking up from the coma. I told him he could change the shoes. : )

Another time I saw Isaac’s kind heart returning was when he walked over to another patient who was feeling very bad about something that happened during the softball game. Isaac tried to encourage him. Before his accident Isaac would notice people that were outcasts or someone troubled or lonely and go talk to them. Yesterday Isaac also voted for someone to be the “Patient of the Week” that really seems to be lonely. I believe it is the heart of Jesus that is within him that is being outwardly demonstrated again! He is beginning to notice others more than himself. Isaac had been complaining about having to go to TLC every day because he doesn’t understand why he needs to be there, but on Thursday and Friday he didn’t complain! Kristi and I were happy the complaining stopped! We thank Jesus for these signs of encouragement that God isn’t finished with him yet. There are many hurting people at TLC, as you could imagine. They all need the hope and faith found only in Jesus Christ! We are encouraging Isaac to look at TLC as his mission field. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

In God our HOPE,
Kris