“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

We thank God for His Holy Spirit reigning in Isaac and for renewing his life and mind! We are seeing His miraculous hand at work each day in Isaac and Hannah. We were also so blessed to experience His presence in the Teague family today as we got together for a short visit in Bovina. God continues to receive all glory through this time in each of our families. We praise Him for it!

As we ended in prayer with, and for one another, Dona Teague prayed that all of us would truly be able to rejoice tomorrow as we celebrate our Risen Savior! Amen! No matter what we are facing as families, we know that we can walk through this only as we seek to be face to face with our God. Only He has the words of life!

We cherish your prayers. We see God’s glory every day!

We pray you have joy-filled Resurrection Day. May you experience the joy of His Salvation!

Hello everyone,
Isaac had a “fun” day today at TLC. I say that with a hint of sarcasm. The clients there get this Friday and weekend off so today they had a big Easter carnival with games and crafts and an Easter egg hunt to finish things off. But, Isaac wasn’t impressed. Poor guy, he wanted to leave the whole time! In fact, one time just before the Easter egg hunt started he took me by the hand and began to walk towards the parking lot saying, “Come on Kristi, we have to go now… it’s ok, we should go find my mom and leave.” I felt bad, but I had to be firm with him and say, “No Isaac, we can’t leave. I’m not coming!” And I crossed my arms, and stopped walking for effect. At that he smiled and said, “Well, you’re a stubborn girl!” I smiled at him sweetly, but was relieved to see Kris coming to the rescue.

See, TLC isn’t a bad place at all, and everything Isaac does there is very good for him and it has been helping him recover greatly. But he hasn’t liked going there lately because he doesn’t think he needs the help. When your brain has had a trauma like this it does what a computer does when it gets a virus. The virus attacks the anti-virus first, so when the virus spreads the system doesn’t know there’s even a problem, and it’s the same with your brain. When a person is hurt like this the brain says, “No, nothing is wrong!” It’s the coping mechanism God designed us with. So it’s hard for him to understand why he needs to participate in some of the seemingly silly or boring activities at TLC.

So please be praying for him about that. My heart has been heavy for him when he’s at therapy because he seems sad and doesn’t want to be there. And that is not like him at all; normally he’d be joyful and silly. It is a sign of improvement though… the not wanting to be there. The next step in his recovery will be even harder because he will REALIZE his deficits and have to deal with the fact that he has an injury.

Isaac is remembering more and more everyday, and I realize I write that all the time – but its true! And it’s a miracle. His memory of the past is sorta hit or miss these days, but he’s getting pretty good at recalling the events of the day. We praise God for that! We watched a video tonight about a couple who were in a terrible car accident last November. They both were really beat up, but the woman had serious brain trauma and was in a coma like Isaac. Their story is so encouraging! They both continue to recover, and are doing VERY well – it’s a real miracle, like we’ve seen and continue to see in Isaac. It really made us realize how far he’s come in such a short amount of time! It’s a month today that he woke up from his coma. A few weeks ago we were praying for him to be able to have the feeding tube removed and for him to be coherent enough to tell us if his neck hurt. Now he eats meals with us and is coherent enough to have serious conversations while walking with me through the park. Thank you Lord Jesus!!!

There was a wonderful moment that you all need to hear about today. After the Easter activities were through, one of the staff from TLC asked the whole group of clients what their favorite/most important thing about Easter is, and Isaac said, “Jesus Christ… because he died and took away all the bad stuff I’ve done.” It wasn’t greeted with cheering or anything exciting, it was a simple moment, but the testimony he just gave was huge. How like Isaac, that’s what I thought. What God has written on his heart is deep and Christ has really claimed this man to be a proclaimer of His works.

My faith has been challenged through this. Because honestly, there are times when I look at this situation, even now, and cry, “God! Just have mercy on us. Help… if you can. If you want to… we’re desperate.” In my head I’ll agree to “believe”, but my heart is the traitor who sighs, “I hope he will answer. I hope he can do something.” Hear Jesus’ response:

“… Have mercy on us and help us if you can.”
“What do you mean, ‘If I can?” Jesus replied, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 (NLT)

Remembering how far Isaac has come tonight really put the truth back in view for me. God has done the impossible and He continues to do it daily in my dear brother’s life. Please keep praying so faithfully like you all have been. It really encourages us and gives me hope. And I have no doubt that the reason Isaac is recovering so quickly is because of Gods hand on your behalf. You bless us immensely!

“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, but remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)

God bless you guys! With love in Christ Jesus,
~Kristi~

This is Isaac’s mom Kris writing you an update today. Actually I wrote it last night and somehow it was deleted, so this is my second attempt! I thought I would give you a glimpse at what a typical day at TLC looks like for Isaac.

Yesterday morning Isaac started his day at 8:00 a.m. in the TLC gym. He worked out for about an hour, learning the different machines and talking with his physical therapist. I was so encouraged to hear Isaac tell the therapist that he met his dog for the first time over the weekend. He told the therapist that she is a collie and her name is “Bella!” That is exciting for us because he was able to recall a memory from the day before!

Isaac also did some cognitive testing 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. I also saw in his notebook that he went to Hastings book store for a scavenger hunt. He didn’t have much information on that event when I questioned him about it, but he might remember something today. Right now it is a “hit or miss” when it comes to what he remembers.

At noon, sister-in-law Emily, Kristi, Kristi’s mom and sister, Hannah, and myself joined Isaac for lunch. Now that he is an outpatient he has to bring his own lunch. It’s a good time to visit with him, and we decided to stay and observe his next class which was group memory therapy. The clients read a short story and answered questions about what they just read to test their short-term memory. Isaac did well when it was his turn to answer a question. This morning Emily asked Isaac if he remembered the story he read in group therapy and Isaac recalled that the story was about a fire. When she further questioned him, he recalled all the details! This, too, is VERY encouraging!!!!

During Isaac’s Occupational therapy I saw that he wrote down that he made brownies! He told me he didn’t eat any. But he remembered making them. They also discussed sequencing for shaving. I guess the therapist noted Isaac’s scruffy beard! He told the therapist that he usually had facial hair and didn’t shave much. This is true!

Isaac was finished with therapy at 4 p.m. yesterday, so we headed home to the trailer at the campground. It was a beautiful day and we were able to walk around the camp. Isaac even took out the trash for us ladies and put it in the dumpster! I will also note that Isaac hasn’t forgotten to be a gentleman. He always opens the door for us. He only had to be reminded once last week that he was taught by his father to do this. Now it is automatic as before his accident!

If you haven’t already watched the new video of Isaac playing piano and singing at home, check it out on the “video” tab. God is giving him and new song to sing! Thank you so VERY VERY much for all your prayers and support for our son!

The Scripture I was thinking about yesterday and today is in Psalm 33:3,4
“Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

“Wait for the dawn to light up the dark.” O God, we do put our hope in You! You are unfailing love! “Faith sings a song of what is unseen.”

We thank the Lord for the great weekend we had with Isaac at home here in Clovis. He recognized so many things and was able to give the grand tour to Kristi and her family. We all rejoiced at the homecoming and gathering as a family. God is so good!

Isaac is still working very hard to connect his thoughts with correct words and memories. We trust that his time at TLC will help immeasurably. It was wonderful to watch Isaac play some guitar while Megan and Kristi played the piano and sung together. At one time yesterday when Isaac and Kristi were playing the piano, I asked Isaac what love song he could sing to the Lord using the music he was playing. He played beautifully and sang a new song to God, sharing a few words that were on his heart. He thanked the Lord for giving him life and was praising the Lord Most High. Kris recorded some of it, so we hope to post it tomorrow.

Last night, Isaac was able to play guitar and lead us in singing “Here I am to Worship.” Afterward we read Romans 12, and reminisced how God set this verse on Kris’ heart while Isaac was in coma. God let us know that He was renewing Isaac’s mind and transforming him. God set it in our hearts that He would bring forth Isaac from the cocoon of coma and trauma, and cause him soar for the Lord. This morning, Isaac recalled our time in worship and the Word from the night before! We are so thankful that his short term memory is strengthening some. God continues to move Isaac forward!

We had a nice visit at The Vine Community Church. Although Isaac was able to sing out some of the music, he is not able yet to “enter in” in worship. Please pray with us that Isaac will once again connect to God, passionately and with understanding. Nothing Else Matters. Seek First the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, THEN all these things will be added.

Hannah is doing very well. We recognize that each day of recovery with Isaac brings even more recovery for Hannah. We are so glad that she has delayed her schooling at WTA&M until the Fall. She is a beautiful young lady, full of life and joy like her brother, Isaac. We are grateful to see those characteristics shining forth again.

Kris made an excellent “Thanksgiving” dinner today. Turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and the works. We have so much to be thankful for!

Thank you for pressing in to God and bringing Isaac into His throne room. God is doing an incredible work! Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy that’s new every morning!

We are praising God this evening for taking Isaac yet another step! Following two-days of observation, testing, and more therapy, Isaac is now officially an out-patient! We cleared him out of his room at TLC this afternoon and will be enjoying the weekend together. We have some homework assignments we must do as a family, so I must respectfully ask that there be no visitors this weekend. I appreciate your understanding, and know you will be with us in thoughts and prayers. We see the great impact of your prayers everyday!

Tonight Emily pulled out the carton of Tim Tam cookies that Isaac brought back from New Zealand. He was so surprised to see that we had a box. 🙂 He proceeded to explain to Emily how to perform the “Tim Tam Slam.” He was excited to demonstrate the slam for us all the Friday night he returned to the states. Tonight, he did an excellent job discussing how one bites a corner off of the chocolate covered caramel wafer, and then bites another corner off the diagonal opposite. Using the cookie as a straw, one sucks a hot beverage through the Tim Tam until it begins to melt in the hand. At just the right moment, one “slams” the melting cookie into the mouth. DELICIOUS! Isaac recalled all of the steps and explained them beautifully!

This afternoon, Isaac went with his group from TLC to the Science Spectrum here in Lubbock. It was a great adventure, but proved to be pretty wearing on him. I know he will enjoy a weekend to recoup and refresh. We all need it.

Beginning Monday Isaac will participate in therapy from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. We will drop him off in the morning, join him for lunch, then pick him up after 5:00 p.m. Visiting will need to be coordinated ahead of time so that we can be sure to be back at the campground, or in a coffee shop or something. 🙂 We know the time spent as a family outside of TLC is going to be important in Isaac’s recovery process. We are so thankful for the opportunity.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.” Thank you, Jesus, for bringing some new things into remembrance for Isaac today. Thank you also for your touch upon Hannah Joy; giving her Your peace of mind and strengthening her heart. We love You, Lord!

Thank you all for your prayers! Our God is so awesome! Today we moved Isaac into TLC in Lubbock. The admission process was very thorough and Isaac did a great job hanging with the case worker, program director, and others. Isaac has been admitted to TLC as an in-patient for the balance of this week, but beginning next week, it’s looking like we are going to be able to keep him with us in the evenings after 5:00 p.m. and all day/night on weekends! Thank you, Lord!! He will participate in therapy as an out-patient from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M-F.

For the remainder of the week, Isaac can only have visitors between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. He will be undergoing some pretty intense testing Thursday and Friday. Please pray for him.

If you want to visit Isaac, please give one of us a call because you will need to be added to an authorized visitor list prior to arrival.

We were very glad to be able to take Isaac out to lunch before a follow up doctor’s appt at University Medical Center. I think this is the first time Isaac ate all of his food without any of us “prodding” him to do so. I also don’t believe I heard the words “this is weird” in regards to anything he ate. That, too, is a praise! It’s not because the food at Trust Point wasn’t good, it’s just that he is relearning the taste and texture of different foods. I think he is moving fwd in this area as well!

The doctor appt this afternoon went great! Isaac is no longer wearing a cast or neck brace! He played some guitar tonight, uninhibited, while Megan and Kristi played on the piano. It is wonderful to have Kristi’s mom and sister here. I know it will be a time of refreshing for Kristi. We also received a treat as our daughter-in-law, Emily, arrived tonight from Oregon to spend a week with us. When she left last time, Isaac was still in a coma. She is so excited to see for herself the miracle God has been performing in Isaac!

Thanks to some very special men from Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, we were able to relocate our trailers to the KOA campground, where we will be residing for the next month or longer. We will have a meeting with doctors and therapists in two weeks to discuss Isaac’s progress. The outcome of the meeting will enable us to set goals for the next steps of therapy and to have a better idea of the time-frame we’re looking at. We know God is in control!

“May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You. May the nations be glad and sing for joy.” (Ps 67:3)

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s [Isaac’s] behalf.” (Ps 66:5)

All glory and honor belongs to You, O Lord! We Love You!

Today had its ups and downs. Things started out good! Isaac got up and got ready for the day and then had four hours of testing by a psychologist. He did well with the test, but was really worn out from it. He had a terrible headache and wasn’t able to get up to go to UMC to get his cast off. Poor guy! Kris and I felt so bad because there was nothing we could to help him except pray and wait for the medicine to kick in. The test ended around noon and he slept until five. But after nap he woke up and was pretty good. He went on Facebook with me and we looked at his pictures, and he was remembering a little bit more!

He is rescheduled to go to get his cast off tomorrow and then – GOOD NEWS! He’s moving out of Trustpoint! The doctors have decided that he’s doing so well, to keep him here would actually hinder his progress. So he’s all set to move into a place specialized for people who have had head trauma. TLC (Transitional Learning Center) is here in Lubbock and he’ll be getting therapy from 8am-5pm. It’s a lot tighter about visitors, I need to let you all know, and so if you’d like to come visit you won’t be able to see him until after that. And we’re thinking it would be wisest to call before coming to visit because after a full day of therapy he will be very tired.

Sorry this update isn’t very long! My mom and sister Megan are flying in tonight from Washington, pretty soon actually, so I have to get going! Thank you all so much for your dedication to praying for Isaac. Please keep it up! I hope you’re all encouraged by his progress today! Our God is sooo good!

God bless,
~Kristi~

“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid . . . I am under vows to you, O God; I will present thank offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:11-13

We are offering thanks to our God for moving Isaac forward in his recovery. This morning I walked into Trust Point singing the song “Marvelous Light” to myself. I asked Isaac to help me with the words and he was able to recall them; “Into marvelous light I’m running, out of darkness . . . .” Then I read Psalm 56 to Isaac. I didn’t make the connection between the song on my heart and the scripture until he and I talked about it afterward. God is moving in Isaac, causing him to walk, run rather, before God in the light of life. I praise Him for that!

Isaac has a very poor short term memory, but when I questioned him later after he readied himself for the day of therapy, he remembered the name of the song and also opened his Bible and turned to the Psalm I read with him. Praise the Lord! This is incredible because he didn’t even remember taking a shower 20 minutes earlier, and we read the Bible even before that.

The folks at Trust Point met this afternoon to assess Isaac’s progress. We were very thankful to find out they are recommending he advance to the next level of rehab at a the Transitional Learning Center (TLC). This is two weeks earlier than originally planned! Kris and I already met with a coordinator TLC last Friday, and Isaac and us met with them again this morning. We are very optimistic about the move. Isaac performed very well on the test they conducted with him this morning. Once Isaac is accepted at TLC, we plan to make the move. It should happen later this week.

Please pray that God will go before us and prepare the way to TLC, that the doors will be opened to Isaac. TLC specializes in patients with brain injuries. These are the only patients they treat. It will require rehab from 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. daily. This is very intense, but the doctors believe the aggressive cognitive therapy is what Isaac needs.

Please pray that Isaac will be able to keep pace. Better yet, let’s pray that God sets the pace for Isaac as he runs before God in the light of life! Praise You Lord, Jesus. “You are unfailing love!”

Hello everyone, I have a good update to give you today – lots of praises!

Isaac is getting a little bit better everyday. Yesterday Isaac played some worship songs with Ivan and I, and we were so impressed! All he had was the lyrics for the songs and his guitar. He found the right key and chords and then he sang with me! A bit later we were all visiting with some friends and took turns drilling him with some money flash cards. He got them all! Which is impressive because the cards were pictures of different coins and he had to add them up in his head and he did it faster than I could. Thank you Lord!

He’s remembering more everyday too. I asked him how many sisters I have and he said, “Well, I know it’s a lot! …Five right?” “Yeah! That’s right! And do you remember their names?” (That’s pushing it I thought.) But then Isaac went on and named them all in sequence from youngest to oldest. He even remembered talking to one of my little sisters, Aimee, while we were in New Zealand, and that she was shy. He’s also able to look at pictures and name people. So he’s recalling people, but not places quite yet. Yesterday I caught a glimpse of his funny personality. A couple friends were visiting and we were just standing around in a circle talking and being silly, so I said, “Isaac teach us a dance!” He smiled, took a step forward, and said, “OK! This is how you do it, everybody ready?” We all laughed and copied him as he did some sort of Power Ranger/Hokie-Pokie move and spoke in one of his silly voices. It only lasted a minute or two, but it was enough to remind me of how funny and silly he is normally.

Later in the trailer, Kris, Ivan, Isaac and I ate dinner together and then turned on Madagascar 2. It’s one of Isaac’s favorite movies and he used to like to impersonate King Julian. So we turned it on, but after a few minutes noticed that Isaac wasn’t laughing at the funny parts. His eyes were red and kinda glassy. It was too much for him, and it caused his brain to be over stimulated. We felt so bad! He kept saying he wanted to watch it, but he isn’t ready for movies yet. It’s too much movement and too much talking for him to take in.

It’s easy for us to start thinking all is well and that he can do everything we can do. But that’s not true. He’s still got a long way to go, and if you spend much time talking with him you can see that he’s not fully himself yet. But all these little stories are huge improvements to us and we are so grateful that God is doing such a miraculous work in Isaac. What we see in his recovery isn’t normal! I think that’s something we need to remember. In the movies people just wake up and are fine, no big deal. Well, that’s not real life. It’s a miracle that Isaac is alive, breathing, walking, eating, laughing, singing, and teaching us some crazy dance! God is so good to us!

So, today I got a surprise. I came out from the room in the camper and Isaac was sitting on the couch with his dad all dressed up with a smooth shaved face. I guess we’re going on a double date with his parents. It’ll be Isaac’s first time out of the hospital. So we’re hoping for a quiet setting where he can just get used to things again. That’ll be fun. Isaac is so sweet, and adoring of me. I’m so glad that Kris and Ivan are encouraging and loving about it! ☺

Life is a funny thing, I was thinking today. It really doesn’t turn out how you think it will. No one ever hopes or plans for something bad to happen, but God, who knows everything, is there to carry us through like He knew He always would. And I feel like that’s exactly how it is for us. We’re not strong, or good, we’re just depending on our God to hold us and carry us through… and He has the whole time. We’ve never lacked a thing. So I hope this encourages you today! You can take heart in knowing your God is faithful, sovereign and very strong.

Please continue to pray for:

– Isaac’s memory to keep healing (short term and long term)
– Isaac to keep gaining weight and staying healthy
– Wisdom for Ivan and Kris about where Isaac should go next and provision for it.
– Spiritual protection

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:3

Thank you all so much!
God Bless,
~Kristi~

We were greatly encouraged this morning when we opened a card from some good friends in Clovis and then received the same verse from Kristi’s mom. We receive it, believe it, and want to pass it on to you today.

Romans 15:13

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Lord, thank you that NOTHING is too difficult for You! Trusting in You, today! Blessings.

P.S, With very little prompting, Isaac recalled all of the books of the New Testament this morning and wrote them in order in his journal. God continues to carry him forward. Thank you, Jesus!