We have had some pretty exciting changes since my last update that I am excited to share with you!
First of all, no word yet from the insurance decision appeal. They have a full 90 days to make a determination so they have a few more weeks to decide.
But the most exciting change…we got a new (to us) handicap van! Our last van served us very well but the mileage was reaching a point that made our mechanic nervous, expecting big repairs to be in the near future. So we decided to sell the old van and find something with lower miles and a little more room for Malachi’s growing chairs.
This has been a significant burden on our hearts for the last several months as we tried to find a solution within our budget and timeline. A new handicap van right now is running for just under $80,000 which is absolutely not within reach. The added insurance struggles pushed this focus to the back-burner.
This van was a very real Ephesians 3:20 experience for us, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations.”
I am always delicate getting into the details of others generosity, but the way in which this van came about was immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. God has been so good to our family. This one has under 50,000 miles and should last us for a very long time.
On a side note, in case other special needs families are looking, we found a company outside of Atlanta called Purple Ribbon Mobility. It is a run by another special needs dad who converts vans for a very reasonable price.
This past week was fall break for Levi and Jake! Our very talented soccer team has continued with their winning season so most of the week was full of some nail biting soccer games and practices.
This week the girls will compete in the regional tournament, hoping to keep going and end up at the state tournament in two weeks.
We have had a healthy few weeks but the weather changes and full moons bring an increase of seizures and lung agitation. Malachi’s body has been so disregulated lately. Fall break was a much needed chance for Malachi and I to try to catch up on a little bit of sleep.
When Malachi is going through seizure cycles I always make sure I hold his hand while we sleep so if he seizes I will wake up and be able to re-position his head to prevent asphyxiation. Right now he is having anywhere from 2-8 seizures at night so we are really hoping his brain can adjust with these weather changes and settle back to his normal.
But in between the hard days, he has had some really happy ones!
Malachi loves going to soccer games and hearing alllll of the emotions!
Tonight we had a visit from a baby sugar glider. I picked this specific photo to share because you can see the seething jealousy on Malachi’s face. Of course Malachi got to hold it as well, actually much longer than Levi. But the brotherhood moments we are seeing are more and more frequent.
School has turned Levi into a social butterfly and watching him make his rounds at church makes me smile. He accidentally matched his buddy so of course we had to snap a picture.
When the weather changes we get to pull all of the seasonal clothing out of storage and it is one of his favorite things. Right now we are into open button down shirts and jeans, which means he likely saw a teenager at church wear their shirt just like this.
Levi loves to mimic the things he sees the big kids do. He has been running around the house doing the “Church Clap” dance all week. I mashed together a little video for your entertainment.
And while we are on the topic of videos, here is a sweet Malachi worship video. Hearing his worship always warms my heart.
I have been dealing with some very long nights lately so I have had a lot of time to sit in my thoughts. Our thoughts often mirror our current emotional state, so I have been riding the rollercoaster.
But it has also given me time to be in the Word and let it saturate and refine me. The Holy Spirit has been very actively working in me on many things and I am HUNGRY for the Word of God and His direction in my life.
One of the chunks of scripture I have been focusing on this week is 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 which talks about Christian conduct. Oooh there are so many good reminders in there, like verse 14:
“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
When I read that my brain quickly jumps to people that I could fit in each category; people I should be more patient with, people I should be encouraging, etc.
But then I had the realization that there are times that we are called to pursue relationships with a single person that require all four of these actions from me. Admonishment, encouragement, help, patience.
And come to think of it, there are many times that I require all four of those things from someone else!
Further down in that same chapter in verse 19 there are 5 words that keep playing in my mind.
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
I have been spending some time talking to God this week about the ways I intentionally and inadvertently quench the Spirit’s promptings. I think about the many times the nudges of God ask more of me than I am willing to give in that moment.
Oh, how I long for the Holy Spirit within me to become a raging bonfire. But when the flames make me uncomfortable I toss some water on them to keep me feeling comfortable and in control.
The Bible never talks about a walk with the Lord being comfortable and controlled by us. Nowhere does it talk about us harnessing the Holy Spirit and putting a set of reigns around it’s neck and a bit in it’s mouth.
These thoughts have continued to lead me to the same question…
Who am I truly living for?
So I am going to toss that question out of my heart and at you all this evening. Who are you living for?
Please continue to pray for health over our family, especially as the seasonal changes affect Malachi. Pray over Levi’s little brain as well, that his epilepsy remains controlled and his breathing stays safe. Please continue to pray for our faith to be strengthened amidst many unknowns right now.
Much love,
Leah