Day 102 - September 25 - Progress on two fronts
I am typing this in Connor's room to tell you of two things I think are significant. First, Connor's day went pretty well, and he is beginning to be able to use a computer now! It's still early days for him, as he learns the new techniques and practices with them, but I don't think it will be too long before he's posting up on his own. In the meantime, I'm typing the things he wants to say.
The other thing that I think is significant requires a bit of explanation. I mentioned that Connor is learning new techniques on the computer. One of them is to control a mouse with head movements, a difficult task as he tries to train muscles in fine movements that he's never asked of them before. Because of this, at the end of the day his neck is stiff and sore, which brings me back to the second thing. Tonight, Cherie was rubbing Connor's neck and shoulders to ease the tension. As she was rubbing his shoulders, she put a bit of muscle into it and Connor suddenly mouthed "OUCH!" After a bit of experimenting, we determined that Connor is now feeling pressure above his collarbones! Woohoo!
That is a new thing! He hasn't been able to feel anything below his chin for quite a while, so we are excited about this next new thing. And we renew our prayer efforts as we continue to lift up the boy. Pray with us!
Tomorrow (9/26/08) is "V". I'm gonna type just what Connor says about "V" -
V is for Victor. Jesus defeated Satan at the cross, and because of that we don't have to be afraid of him anymore. The Bible says that "greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world", and James 4:7 says to resist the devil and he will flee. So because Jesus is our Victor, He gives us power - power over the world, power over our sin, power over our enemy.
Thank you for giving up your precious time to pray and to check up on me.
Love, Connor
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 10:13 PM
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39 Comments:
Dear Connor,
Thank you for your testimony to us. You are the precious one that we are honored to pray for and check in on. We love to hear the good news of your progress! You are a miracle in the making! May God continue to bless you and bring you healing.
CCC
I've been waiting awhile for tonights post and am in awe of you Connor you are so right on that we are all victorious in Christ Jesus.
My word is Vine, He is the Vine and we are the branches I am so blessed to be just one among so many branches that reach out in love around the world to lift up and praise our Creator.
God is good all the time,
God Bless You Connor
Blessed and praying in Downey
Ohhhh man.....I can't see the screen again because I'm crying! This is BY FAR my favorite post! Connor, it is so great to hear from you! And you speak the truth. God's Truth. And suddenly a V-word comes to mind:
VERITAS - Latin noun: TRUTH.
I learned the word up at Hume Lake when I was a counselor there about 10 years ago. Solo Veritas was the theme for summer camp that year. It means One Truth...God's truth, of course.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." God's Word is true. Hold it in your heart and cling to Jesus always. He is your salvation, your strength, your courage, your healing. In Him you have your VICTORY. Amen.
Praying without ceasing,
Jenann
Amen, Connor! And it's our privilege to bring you before the throne of God in prayer.
To follow your "V is for Victor" I'll offer VEIL-CLEAVER. When Jesus gained that victory over Satan, sin, and death on the cross, God ripped the heavy veil in the temple - from top to bottom - showing us that we now have access directly to God because of Christ. Such attention to detail! What an amazing God we serve!
Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split
Valuable
Connor, keep looking up and praising God. He will never leave you. Value your relationship with Him.
God, for whatever his reasons may be, has chosen this journey for you. You are a wonderful, God loving young man. Surely, a treasure and valued in the eyes of the Lord (and your parents to boot). I am sure many will learn about the gift God has for all of us through you!
The Derendinger Family
This is the first post in a long time that has made me cry. Thank you so much for your comments, Connor...you are truly a witness and an inspiration!
What a privilege to pray for you and your family, and to praise God for you! I have never met any of you, and yet we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
-Cindy Sherman
Praise the LORD! Thank you JESUS!
What a loving GOD we serve. HE always answers prayer - in HIS own time, for HIS own reasons.
Today I was reading about how to give comfort to those who are hurting, suffering and/or ill. I came across this...
"We need to refrain from attempting to explain the inexplicable. When we try to provide answers that only GOD HIMSELF can give, we are playing God.
Only our sovereign and loving LORD knows the reasons for someone's suffering. HE's the only ONE who knows HIS purpose and plan."
(sorry but I can not remember who wrote this)
I was awed by reading this, it explains so much - so simply.
We will continue our prayers for Connor's recovery - GOD will continue to answer.
Thank you, thank you, sweet JESUS.
Good night and GOD bless.
~Shayne, Hollister
Vibrant! He sees and makes all things Vibrant! Victoriously Vibrant and Vibracious! Praise the Lord!
Viewable.....we can see God at work. Lifting you up always, Connor and family!
Claudia in
Norco
He's our "vaccine" for a sin sick life. He is also our vaccine for our physical healing too. I believe (and pray for it daily) that Connor will defy all odds. I want so much for it, especially when I hear the critics say it cannot be done. I want to go to them and say, "See, God is real and He CAN heal!" :)
Connor's comment made me cry because I feel it is an honor to pray for him. Every time I listen to my worship music and hear the drums, I think of him. He is a precious boy who has shown us all how to live through trials. What a great example for me to show my eight year old son.
May God bless you with more miracles today!
Connor, thank you so much for being an example of total selflessness for so many of us!
It would have been so easy for you to just give up and "throw in the towel", but you are a vessel God is working through to reach others, and for that we are so grateful. We are cheering for you every day just as we are praying for you every day.
My word for V is VOICE. The Lord is the voice we must follow. He is the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me." John 14:6.
God bless you Connor,
MT
C'ville
It truly is an honor to pray for you, Connor. It is a joy to see a young man going through so much and all the while striving to shine for God. I pray that those feelings you had last night on your shoulders will just continue to move on down through your whole body. Hang in there.
My V word for today is VINE
He is the vine and we are the branches.
This may seem a strange thing to post, but yesterday I was thinking, praying, and praising God for you, and the heavy sadness I feel for my own son came flooding into my heart as it does daily. This son was raised up loving God and had, what I thought, was a firm commitment to living for Christ. He no longer wants much to do with a relationship with God--and it has been going on for a number of years now. Trying to give him space to question and wrestle with spiritual issues, I truly thought it was a process he just needed to work through. But as the years go by I am deeply saddened by this situation. I pray continually that God will draw him back and that my son's spirit would yeild to Him--and I will never stop praying for this. When I think of you, impaired at this time physically but vibrant in your faith, I sincerely believe I would gladly have him in your situation than the one he is in. Yes, it is a severe trial to be where you are right now, but trials of this kind are "momentary" compared to the eternal weight of separation from Christ; rest assured you have the better portion. Please pray for my son when you think of it, Connor, as I pray earnestly for you.
My husband says Valor, I say Victorious, my daughter says Valuable, and my son says Vindicated.
Great news on the post! Can't wait to read Connor's words!
...still praying daily!
Connor, that is great news. I still need to get you that info on the miracle man I talked to you about. I send you my love and prayers always and tell your mom that I love and miss her like crazy. Keep up the good work buddy! Love ..Sara
Connor and Family,
I wanted to tell you that we've been praying for you daily for 101 days, and checking this blog several times a day. We don't sign in (sorry), but I just wanted you to know that we are here, we love you, and are lifting you in prayer.
I like the "V" word you chose: Victor. With Christ as our Victor, everything else grows dim.
Love,
Tracey Bonsell for the Bonsell family
Hey Connor, we were thinking the same when it came to "V" words. I woke up this morning thinking, "My day is going to be alright because Jesus is Victorious, and through Him so am I!!" Amen for that right?! =)
God is our Valor.
valor (n.) Courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery
Wow Connor I am finding it hard to type through the tears of joy. It was great to hear from you.
Pressing on,
Ben & Karon Lee
Wahoo!
V for Veracious - Honest; truthful.
Accurate; precise.
Thesaurus for veracious: - Consistently telling the truth: truthful, veridical.
- Conforming to fact: accurate, correct, exact, faithful, precise, right, rigorous, true, veridical.
from an unbeliever who's watching:
I wanted to try to say something encouraging to anonymous who posted at 7:35 this morning, because I am in a similar position to her son, and I know that my unbelief greatly hurts and worries those who love me. We don't not believe because we don't care about YOU (wow, sorry about all those double negatives; can you read it?), in fact, I don't think it is even our CHOICE to believe or not. I cannot speak for your son, of course, but in my case I found after a number of years of trying to "keep the faith" and trust the things I had always known about God, that it just wasn't there anymore. WHAT wasn't there? The belief in God. It wasn't about FAITH, but in a more basic BELIEF of God's existence, and I found that was not something that I could just DECIDE to believe. It might be like trying to decide that the Muslim faith is the correct one, or if you're a Republican, CHOOSING to believe Obama's platform is the truth (or vice-versa if you're Dem.), or CHOOSING to be homosexual if you're not. I don't know if this even makes sense, I know it would not have made sense to me when I was a Christian, but I hear the pain in your blog for your son, and I'm pretty sure he knows his lack of belief or change of faith has hurt you deeply. It sounds trite, but try not to take it personally?
I read through all the previous postings and almost, but didn't see my word for "V"...Change the first vowel in the previous post and we have...VORACIOUS!
God is voraciously passionate about each of us. He has a ravenous desire to be in relationship with us. WOW! (um, not meant to be a day early.)
Connor, you are precious and many of us can't help but pray for you and your mom, dad, and sister. God has placed you in our hearts and leads us to pray for you. So, you're welcome, but know it's your and my Voracious God who has led these prayers.
Growing and learning with all of you,
Lisa Gramann
Durham, NC
OK, the post before "unbeliever..." He/she posted after I read but before I posted...
VICTORIOUS, VIVACIOUS! LOVE YOU CONNOR!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Oh victory in Jesus my saviour forever. He sought me and He bought me, with His redeeming Blood..."
One of my favorite hymns!!! Praise God Connor!!! You are slowly being restored!!!
Hi Connor,
It was so good to hear directly from you. You thank people for giving their precious time to pray for you, but our time is not nearly as precious as you are. It is my privilege to pray for you. You make me so proud! I love you.
Aunt Tonya
God is so gracious! It was just the other night or morning (@3am?) that for whatever reason,I was awakened. So, in efferts to fall back asleep I usually just start praying(it works 4 me). This time Specifically that Conner would get new sensations from his body. I hope that I keep on getting awakened!
Mr. J.(Joel's Dad)
(4 the unbeliever)
2 Timothy 1:12
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
Dear Unbeliever Who's Watching,
There is nothing anyone can say to 'give' you belief in GOD. Only HE can.
Are you open to HIM to reveille HIMSELF to you? Not just an open mental state but an open heart?
Please understand it is not my job to judge you (I am not) it is my job to love you. This message is in no way sent to offend.
Reguardless if you ever believe in HIM, HE believes in you.
Please keep watching.
~Shayne, Hollister
Wow, Connor! You probably can't realize what an emotional impact it is to hear words directly from you. Your family has done a wonderful job of keeping everyone on the blog updated with prayer requests and praises. But it hits home so much stronger to know it comes directly from you. God has blessed you with a strong faith, one that has been and will continue to be an incredible testimony of His sustaining grace.
I've never met you or anyone in your family, but I've been praying for you since your accident when my sister asked for prayer for you. From your family's posts, I know there have been soul-searching and heart-wrenching times for you on this journey. Yet, the praises shine that much brighter in contrast. By the way, this Grandma thinks you look GREAT in the new picture on the home page on the blog. You've been blessed with a smile that communicates volumes.
It is a privilege to come before God through Jesus Christ to pray for you and your family.
another Nancy - from far Northern California
To the Anonymous Unbeliever Who's Watching:
Thank you for your kind words to me. I pray that you will earnestly seek God--make it an urgent priority. Look at the amazing complexity of the world-- the infinite heavens, the startling wonder of the human body, the vastness of the seas! Do you look to science books and philosophy books that claim it happened by chance? OK, but do you give equal time to God's book and read what He says about it? How does evolution, for example, explain love, goodness, kindness, and compassion? YOU are compassionate! YOU care about this young man named Connor! Why? Because God has laid that on your heart--not Darwin, not chance, not science--God. And His Word says that if you seek Him with all your heart, He will reveal Himself to you. Faith is a gift from God--pray for it! He is generous beyond measure and He will give it to you. Submit your ENTIRE being to him--your thoughts, your fears, your reservations, your pride, your knowledge, your lack of knowledge, your heart and your soul--all of it--everything. Lay them down and offer them to Him. If you were my beloved son, who no longer allows me to speak to him of spiritual things, these are the things I would say. Your family doesn't love you less because you have drifted from God; you will always be the cherished, beloved child your parents brought into the world. But your Heavenly Father, who breathes His Spirit into his children, is longing for you to seek Him out and He waits patiently for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I pray you will persevere, beloved Unbeliever Who is Watching.
Dear Anonymous 7:35 AM
I was at the orthodontist 16 years ago with my 7 year old son, and he was asking about any stress that my boy had possibly been through recently so I had to tell the Dr. of the death of our toddler. He went on to share with me about his boy being in rebellion and how much easier it would have been to see him in heaven than living as he was. It was heart wrenching. I will pray for your boy. Sometimes the hardest,but most beneficial prayers in these situations is, "Lord, do whatever it takes to bring my child to you."
I truly am sorry for your situation. I can't begin to imagine it.
Dear Unbeliever,
For your sake and the sake of your parents please get a copy of "The Case for Christ" it is such an excellent book. I don't know how anyone could read it and not believe. It was written by a former athiest that set out to prove that God didn't exist. You are too valuable and Hell is too real to not seek God with all your heart. He hears and answers those who seek him. One more thing, how in the world would it be possible for Connor to have half the attitude that he is having if not for Jesus?
Dear Connor,
Bless you, bless you, bless you.
You are being such a light in circumstances that most of us can't even imagine. I wonder how many more treasures in heaven are being laid out for you than for the majority of us. God has given you a huge task to be a light in such a dark place where undoubtably most people in there (and for good reason) have a lot of bitterness and questions going on in their lives. Continue to be that city on a hill giving light to a dark world. Hopefully we'll be able to meet you one day. If not in this life then surely in heaven.
Love,
Charlene
This is for "anonymous" who posted September 26, 2008 7:35 AM:
Your son reminds me of my brother. He was 15 when he trusted Christ and was saved. He grew by leaps and bounds spiritually and genuinely loved the Lord. Then about a year later, something happened that caused him to turn away from God...to deny Him completely. He wandered in a desert of drugs and alcohol and dabbled in gang activity for the next 20 years.
But the good news is that when someone belongs to God, He NEVER lets them go...even if we walk away for a really long time. Our Good Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep safely on a hillside so He can go out and rescue the one that is lost. I prayed for my brother for 20 years that he would turn back...that God would rescue him. Guess what? My brother is now 6 years clean and sober AND he ministers to others who are just like he was...all for the glory of God. AMEN!
There is hope for your son. God will not let him go. No matter how long he wanders, God will pursue him.
Now, for AU :) September 26, 2008 9:29 AM
I appreciate your honesty as you try to explain your internal struggle with BELIEF and FAITH. Even though you remain "anonymous," I'm sure it's still difficult to admit to such things in a community of believers such as this. I think about you and pray for you now and then because you've weighed on my heart from the first time I saw you post several months back. What you've written here gives me a better understanding of *how* to pray for you. I hope you don't mind that I pray for you...
Anyway, I think many of us can relate to the same inner struggle (even if we don't verbalize it). Even Mother Teresa had a crisis of faith...and hers lasted for 50 years, all while she continued in ministry! The only thing that comes to mind in the way of encouragement is a passage out of Matthew. Jesus said,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6: 19-21
Sometimes it IS as simple as making a choice. What you saturate your mind with, where you spend your time, the things you choose to do...those will impact your heart, for better or for worse. My prayer is that you can somehow experience God in a way that leaves no doubt in your mind about His existence, and that you find Him to be your treasure.
Blessings,
Jenann
Morgan Hill, CA
Connor........you ROCK! Thank you for your encouragment and widsom. It is an honor to pray for you!
To: Unbeliever Who's Watching and Anonymous
Thank you both for your honesty. I too have a son that has walked away not only from God but from us as well.
Unbeliever you reached out to anonymous to offer comfort and you blessed me in the process. Thank you. I now know how to pray for my son. I will pray that God will make His love and existence undeniable to him....and to you as well. For Moses, it was a burning bush, for me it was something different. He will meet you where you are and make it specific to you, just ask. He loves you!
Anonymous, I feel your pain....He is faithful. Like Charlene said sometimes the "do whatever it takes Lord" kinds of prayers are good. I have been praying that instead of my son having to hit rock bottom....that God would bring the bottom up!
For now, I will follow Eric's lead and go boldly to the throne of grace on my son's behalf and ask that his faith be restored until I perceive that God has given me a "no."
Thank you all for blessing me daily with your words!
In His Grip and Loving the Journey,
Kym
Morgan Hill
To the unbeliever who posted earlier today: I grew up in a Christian home, 6 children in all. The Lord took my dad home to Him over 30 years ago when I was just 16. My mom and all of us kids turned our backs on God. As of today there are 3 of the 6 kids that have returned and have re dedicated our lives to Christ, my mother is not one of them. My hope is that one day God will allow me to see when the last remaining of my siblings, and mom, return to Him! That is my prayer for you also. Unbeliever, it is a choice, pure and simple. If it were NOT a choice then we would all be robots that God had created. If that were the case then how can this beautiful, loving family of God glorify Him through this trial? We would not need to glorify Him because everyone in the world would believe in God. God gave us choice, either to believe or not to believe. Our soul purpose on this earth is to glorify Him!!! The almighty, beautiful Savior that shed His blood on the cross for each and every person, past, present and future born into this world and that includes you!!! AMEN!!!!!! Please keep reading and watching and allow us believers to lift you up in prayer to Him that awaits you.
Ginny
Dear Connor,
Wow. I admire your courage, strength, perseverance, and faith.
Please know we'll continue praying for you daily here in
Charlottesville.
Connor~
So excited to know that you are learning how to use your head :) and the computer at the same time!
Cool stuff is in the future for you and after reading todays comments I'M EXCITED!!! And ya'll should be too!
I came across this song and it just...fit. You do have your victory! Don't forget it! I don't know how to get it to come through on You Tube but you probably already know it anyway. Maybe you will get a chance to watch it for yourself.
It's called Shine On by Needtobreathe
Somewhere between the end and the point where we begin
There's a fire burning brightly that's found its way to dim
When the feeling's gone...
Shine on Shine on and onto something new
its long and overdue
I will remember you
Shine on shine on and let the other's see you've got your victoy
will you remember me
I was with you in the valley
and up upon that hill
So take just one more step in front of you
For I am with you still you still
And you're not alone
Shine on shine on and onto something new
its long and overdue I will remember you
shine on shine on and let the others see you've got your victory
will you remember me
Can you see my hands are open
I am waiting just ahead
And you think you needed it all now
but you needed me instead
shine on shine on
child oh shine on shine
won't you won't you shine
shine on shine on and onto something new its long and overdue I will remember you
shine on shine on and let the other's see you've got your victory
will you remember me
somewhere between the end and the point where we began
SHINE ON!
Dearest Connor, I think you are a wonderful and mighty man of God. You are a real inspiration to me and so many. I hate your situation. Sometimes I just cry because I feel so sad this happened. I don't get it, but I know He holds you in the palm of His hand. And somehow because you are allowing Him to use you, I believe in heaven you will be amazed at how God has brought sooooooooo many more into the kingdom because of your faithfulness. You keep pressing on precious one. One day I hope to meet you. Oh God bless you and your beautiful family. You all shine the bright light of Christ in this dark, dark world!
In Christ's love,
Sheila
Dear Connor,
You made my eyes well up too, when I read your post! I'm amazed at your faith in such a very difficult time you are going through! It really caused us (or me) to look at my own life and see what needs "fixing" so that God's "light" can really shine through like it sure is in you!
You are such an encouragement to me and all of us! Thank you! Please know that we are praying earnestly for your restoration, but more than anything, can't tell you how thrilled we are in hearing you speak about our Lord! You are a real blessing to us!!
We are happy to give up our "precious" time to think of you and pray for you! YOU are giving up YOUR "precious" physical time, by encouraging others, and allowing your Lord (our Lord) to work through you. You are truly "sacrificing" yourself for the sake of others, and possibly even yourself, to allow the Lord to grow you closer to Him. Thank you!
And I just want those who posted that I am praying for their unsaved family members, or those who have left the faith, that they would finally see that the Lord is "real" and loves them so very much, and their family is only concerned for them because they love them and want to see them up in Heaven with the Lord, singing and having a wonderful time together with the Lord.
Connor, we know this is such a struggle for you and your family. There's times you obviously get down, depressed, discouraged, feel God isn't there, but let us know of these times, and we will come along side you and hold you and your family up in prayer, asking the Lord to help you, encourage you, love you, etc.
With much love in Christ! Sleep well!
Kim
Dear Connor,
It is my honor to pray for you. I pray throughout my day everyday since the beginning.
In my family we offer things up for you. We have offered our joys and our sufferings both. We pray the rosary for you. We offer our mass.
I cry with you and your family. I am impressed with your bravery and faith. I am very grateful to you for all that you and your family are teaching me. You have become part of my life.
May the Grace of the Good God fill every aspect of your life.
Love and blessings to you,
Jane Renz
P.S. My boys, Gabe and "Chill" Schleich, remember paint balling with you at your church way back in their home school days. They pray too.
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