I tried to post last night but lost the whole thing in the submission. It was midnight, so I decided to go to sleep rather than post again. I’m glad I did because Isaac awoke at 2:00 a.m.; his mind is constantly firing to try to piece things together. We had a similar experience Tuesday morning from 3:00 to 5:00 a.m. Isaac and I spoke about so much stuff as he tried to reconnect to memories, past and present. The therapists said this is a primary focus for Isaac right now, as he really can’t remember much. His short and long-term memory have to rebuild. The therapists have been doing a great job with setting short term (1 week) and long term (1 month) goals for Isaac. They discussed those goals with us yesterday. I do appreciate the expectations they’ve outlined, but I believe that God wants to do exceedingly, abundantly more than even they can think or imagine. May the Lord WOW everyone at Trust Point. We want to be his lamp on the lamp stand.

When Isaac and I were talking in the early morning hours Tuesday, I prayed some scriptures over him to help him bring him peace. He said he didn’t understand a lot of what I was sharing. Then he mentioned that there are scriptures that really speak to him, but he can’t remember them. I decided to get his Bible to read some of the scriptures he has marked with pieces of paper that has his own thoughts about the scripture written on them. We looked at Isaiah 43:19, remembering that God will make a way in the wilderness and be our refreshing river in the desert. Isaac is in a sort of wilderness right now, but God is making a way through it; He is The Way! We turned to Jer 29:11-13. I was overjoyed when Isaac interrupted my reading of the scripture in order to finish the verses himself. It’s incredible to see how, even though Isaac struggles to remember the smallest details of his past or present, the Word of God is still on his lips. “From the abundance the heart the mouth speaks!” Amen. Isaac had a little note paper wedged between the pages of the Bible. I read to him these thoughts he wrote:

Jer 29:11 God thinks about me. He wants us to know peace . . . .
1. Regardless of where you begin, your beginning has nothing to do with where you could be (in His will and His plans) and where your final destination will be.
2. God has a specific (tailor-made) course just for you. He’s given you a purpose (plan) that only you can fulfill in your life. It’s made just for you.
3. It’s the devil’s job to do whatever he can do to keep you from reaching your future and your hope.
I don’t want to take a detour. Only God can keep you on the course he has for you.

Isaac and I talked about how the devil has tried to upset the hope and future God has set in his heart. But God has already provided the way, the victory through this trial; this wilderness, if you will. Isaac and Kristi have set their hearts and minds on a ministry that will take the Gospel of Christ to the world. It’s no wonder he is going through this hard time. I finished our talk reminding Isaac that we must put all of our hope and trust in God. Isaac then challenged me by saying, with complete clarity of mind and speech, “Dad, that is sometimes easier to say than to do.” O Lord, give us the strength to trust you, really!

Let me finish this morning by asking for your help with something. We are so encouraged by your prayers, cards, love gifts, and so much more. We also enjoy the short visits with you here in the hospital. Regarding the visits, I need to ask, that we finish all visits by 7:00 p.m. each day. If you come during the week day, you will probably find Isaac gone to therapy or asleep because of the therapy. They really work him hard. He is up and down at times, but no guarantees you’ll get to hear his laughter or voice, or see his blue eyes and smile. A better time to visit would probably be on Saturday afternoon or throughout the day on Sunday. He has only a half day of therapy Saturday and a free day on Sunday.

When you come, please don’t ask Isaac if he remembers you; he probably won’t be able to recall your name, no matter how close you are. He is working real hard on restoring that memory, but it is coming very slowly. Instead, tell Isaac who you are and maybe tell him of an experience you’ve shared in the past or hope to build with him in the future. That will help him best through this time of rehab.

We so appreciate all of you! Lance Teague and I were speaking about how all of you have truly been The Church of Acts in our families’ lives (Acts 2:42-47). We could never convey how much you’ve meant to us. Continue to Love in Christ! We love you all. Blessings.