Day 317 - April 29 - Flu...

Well, I'd like to ask y'all for some more prayer. Joélle has had a pretty bad flu for nearly a week now, with no real signs of it letting up. We found out today that she has spent some time recently with the young niece of one of her friends, and that the little girl is being tested today for the Swine Flu. I'm sure y'all have heard about the rush to panic sparked by the outbreak of this disease in Mexico and its spread to America, and while we're convinced that the likelihood of whatever Joélle has being that particular virus is vanishingly small, I've told her to get herself to a doctor just as a precaution.

On top of being sick, Joélle is in the middle of the last few weeks of classes, with all that inherent stress, and she fears taking time off from work because they need the money in preparation for their wedding.

We would greatly appreciate y'all lifting her up during this time - for her health, and mental well-being, as well as their financial situation.

Thanks so much,

Eric

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Day 316 - April 28 - A Doctor with hope?

Who ever heard of such a thing? Not me, at least not in the last 10+ months. I've spent far too long listening to doctors who can only cite statistics and who seem determined to squash any hope their patients might feel, so yesterday's visit with the woman who I will dare to call "Connor's new doctor" was a welcome breath of alternate viewpoint!

We arrived for our 10:30 appointment on time, and waited for a bit in the waiting room before we met the doctor - but we stayed in conference with her until past 12:30! When was the last time you had a doctor's attention for more than five minutes? Yeah, me neither. So I was mildly astonished to see her so engaged with Connor's situation.

Even better, she immediately pinpointed a handful of reasons why it doesn't make any sense for Connor to be on the ventilator, and by the time we left we had been started on a regimen to get the boy of this d#$@%&n vent. It was marvelous.

She was very straightforward and deftly directed all her conversation to Connor instead of to me and Cherié (as it should be, but often isn't). She wasted no time in directing Connor in areas he needed to improve his own knowledge in order to get the most out of his treatment, and he responded very well to what was probably a fairly uncomfortable situation for him.

She actually slowed us down on the vent weaning - the way we were trying to do it was putting Connor at risk of overexertion (how were we to know? - nobody would tell us!) and she wants to see slower steady progress to limit the chances of sickness from tiring himself out. So we've got a new set of tasks to perform twice daily until he gets off the machine.

In addition to all that, she was pleased to hear about toe movement, hand movement, and shoulder movement. She asked tons of questions, and we came out of there a bit tired out, but overall we were very pleased at the outcome of this initial visit.

And to top it off, she understood our viewpoint on Connor's healing perfectly! Her responses to things like "he moves his fingers" were heavily weighted toward "Praise the Lord"! Again, when was the last time you heard that from a doctor?!!

So, we wanted to say "thank you" to y'all for praying so diligently for this situation, and an even bigger "thank you" to God for orchestrating the whole thing.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

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Day 314 - April 26 - Fences & Big Toes

A couple of weeks ago I went to Chicago for the weekend, and while I was gone a bunch of folks were working at our house, replacing a backyard fence that was falling down and falling apart, all at the same time. There was a photo posted back then of the guys and gals gathered around Connor. What they didn't know is that this project was actually begun on June 7, 2008, a week before Connor went to camp last summer. I paid him and Alan to clear the brush that had overgrown the fence, intending to complete the job after Connor returned from camp. As you are aware, God had other plans in mind for our family, and it's only been a couple of weeks since we were finally able to get the rest of the project underway. With the hard work and dedication of that bunch of Connor's friends, we finally have a new fence in place.

It struck me as I watched these folks working that the first small movement of the Fence Replacement Project broke ground nearly a year ago. And do you know how many times I've fretted during the year about the fence not being replaced yet? Zero. Zip. Nada. Never thought about it, except to think "Gotta get than done". I didn't stress when I saw that the job wasn't complete. I didn't agonize when there was no sense of any progress with the fence. I just knew that when the time was right the fence would come together. Sure enough, this gang of friends wanted to do something to help out, and we settled on the fence as a way they could help Connor and us out.

Connor's progress is like that fence. It seems like a long time since God first broke ground on this project, and it's apparent that He's not done yet. But all the fretting and worrying in the world won't get me a finished project. It just makes me more frustrated in the meantime.

I watched yesterday evening as Connor, after 20 or 30 seconds of concentrating, made the big toe on his left foot twitch! He worked really hard to make it happen, and the end result wasn't that overwhelming - unless you see the toe wiggle as something other than just what you can see with your eyes. If you do that, what you have is a sign that Connor can get signals from his brain all the way to his feet - and THAT is huge. So today we're thanking God for the small step in this journey that showed us that ability. Thank you, Lord.

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Day 312 - April 24 - I fixed the internet!

Once again, a very tiny untruth. But I'm back online again, amazed at how much of my life is now done through a computer. I figure roughly 70% of whatever it is I want to do each day is connected in some way with the internet, and it's quite surprising to deal with when the connection to that vast network is down! However did I function before the internet made its appearance?

In my daily reading, I've been working my way through Hebrews and James, which I wrapped up yesterday, so I was on the prowl for something good to read. I had been thinking lately about getting to know Jesus more - the more you know about a person, the better you are at becoming like them, right? - and I decided I wanted to read one of the gospels. So I cracked the book of Mark in order to go a little deeper into just who Jesus is.

Did you know that the very first thing Jesus did after his first time preaching in the synagogue was to heal someone? Yep, Mark chapter one is chock full of Christ healing and healing and healing. It's woven into everything He does through the entire chapter, and continues into chapter two. You gotta like that! I especially like verses 40-42; Jesus is moved to pity for the sick, and the heartfelt plea of a devestated man moves him to action.

The more I read, the more I like this guy.

Connor has been spending his days a bit frustrated because of the limitations placed on him by the modem failure, but he had a few friends come by in the afternoon yesterday, which helped pass the time. Hopefully today will be better for him.

Please be praying for our appointment next Monday with the new doctor I mentioned earlier, that she would be just the right person to help Connor at this point in the journey. Please also remember Cherie - her plate is so full and so often it feels as if there's nothing we can do to help. She really needs to be carried and to receive strength and health to continue the walk.

Thank you,

Eric

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Day 311 - April 23 - The internet is broken!

OK, it's not the whole internet, but the effect is the same. My modem at home has experienced what I like to call "a failure", and what IT people refer to as "an event", and what Microsoft helpdesk people call "an undocumented feature". Alright, I apologize to any Microsoft people out there; that was a low blow. Still, the house is currently unable to connect to the internet, which has had two significant results - (A) it has prevented me from blogging for the last two days, and (B) it's seriously irritating Connor, as he stays connected to all his friends through it.

Hopefully it will be fixed later this afternoon, and we'll be able to return to some serious blogging instead of this whimsical notification (which, if you're wondering, I'm typing from a computer at work while on a quick break).

In the meantime, does anyone know how I can get ahold of Al Gore? He could probably get this straightened out in no time...

8-)

Talk to you soon,

Eric

Disclaimer - the information presented above is intended for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to known individuals or large multi-national corporations, either real or imagined, is strictly unintentional.

Sincerely, Bill Gates

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Day 310 - April 21 - Season of Change

Some of you have already seen this as you have been the 'victim' of our attempts at communicating through our new newsletter system - in fact, you've probably seen it three or four times. But unfortunately, it hasn't yet been delivered to everybody that has registered on ConnorWatch. Since we still don't have the new system straightened out, I'm going to post it here so at least those of you who read the blog won't be surprised.

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It has been almost ten months since we received the phone calls that started this adventure with Connor. Ten months of dealing with an unknown future that none of us could have ever dreamed wouldn't be behind us by now. From the months in critical care in Fresno, through rehab closer to home, and now as Connor has moved back home and settled into a bedroom that didn't even exist just six months ago.

Through it all, we have traveled together. We can't begin to thank those of you that have stood beside us, prayed with us, cried with us, and celebrated with us as we have faced each day anew, on a path we would not have chosen for ourselves. Thank you for journeying with us. It would have been a lonely road indeed, were it not for the community of fellow travelers that has rallied around ConnorWatch.

Now we find ourselves here, ten months down the road, and we ask ourselves, "What next?" Things are different now. The sense of emergency has gone, crowded out by the routine and tedious. "Where do we go from here?", we ask.

Eric, Kent, and I, have spent many hours debating the future of ConnorWatch. We have long had a sense that it could be much more than it is today, and so we have wrestled with where it should go. We don't have all the answers yet, but we are moving forward; and just as we are being changed as we continue this journey, so things at ConnorWatch are going to be changing as well.

We, collectively, have been grateful for ConnorWatch, in that it has let each of us be part of a community; a community of faith, a community of those who follow Christ, as we do, but a community that includes those who don't see things the same way, unlike any community that we have been a part of before.

Enabling and empowering that community is part of what drives us to move forward with ConnorWatch.

In the near future, you are going to log onto ConnorWatch, and find that it has changed. It will have matured. The time has come for the focus on Connor, Eric, and the Williamson family to change in order to more effectively address this community we've come to love; this group of fellow travelers who, brought together by the drama surrounding Connor, has continued together as a geniune, though perhaps virtual community.

So one day soon, you will log on and find that ConnorWatch has begun its transformation into The ConnorWatch Community. You'll still find the blog, though the look will change, with Eric sharing the day to day struggles and triumphs that rallied us together, and you'll still have access to all the history that marks this first stage of ConnorWatch.

But many new possibilities will emerge.

We are creating a forum, a place where you can interact, share, discuss, debate, encourage, and learn. A place where you can contribute and be a part of community discussions on everything from doctrine and theology, prayer requests and support needs, to spinal cord injuries. A forum that acommodates the range of faith and understanding that is representative of the ConnorWatch community.

We will include a shoutbox - a text chat tool that lets you connect in real time to other members of the community who are also logged on.

We will included community tools that will allow you to connect and collaborate with others in the community, all while providing you with the privacy and security necessary to make The ConnorWatch Community a safe place to learn and participate.

We will have a periodic newsletter, much like this one (with the ability to opt out if you so desire), to keep you updated on major events and developments in The ConnorWatch Community, even when you haven't logged into the site.

I suspect the site will be a work in progress, with ongoing and progressive changes; but this gives you an idea of where we are going.

Again, I want to thank you for journeying with us. I am grateful that you have chosen to help us write this story. I look forward to being a part of The ConnorWatch Community with you.

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So pay attention - in the next week or so, the website will look different when you check in, and there are expected to be a few minor headaches, but with a little patience, and some dedicated effort, we hope to start on the next phase of our journey with you.

Brad

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Day 310 - April 20 - Sarah

I've been reading Hebrews over the last few weeks, and I love this book! You've got to read it, or read it again, soon. Man, I love how it's so full of the wonders of faith, and how people were found to be full of faith, and what shape and form it took in their lives. I love the descriptions of Abraham, and Joseph, and Moses, and how their faith was demonstrated by their actions. Because these words have captivated me, I've read Hebrews 11 over and over again in the last few days; and I keep coming back to one individual in that chapter who merits only one sentence, and yet I'm more like that one person than any of the others.

That person is Sarah, and she's mentioned in Hebrews 11:11, which reads "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who had promised."

I'm sure you are familiar with the story of how Sarah is told by God (Genesis 18, if you want to check it) that she's going to conceive a child when she's 90 years old, and she laughs. But sure enough, a year later she's praising God for her new baby Isaac. And interestingly enough, that's really all we hear from Sarah about the whole "hey, old lady, you're gonna have a baby!" thing, except for her lying about the laughter when she was questioned. Not really a flattering picture, if you ask me. And yet here she is in Hebrews 11, being commended for her faith - even more than that, her faith is credited with her receiving the power to conceive! Huh? I mean, she laughs at the idea of God giving her a baby; she lies when He questions her about it; and the end result is that "she considered him faithful who had promised".

Do you realize how much hope that offers to someone like me? I'm not a Moses, who forsook the inheritance of pharaohs to be associated with slaves; I'm not Abram, leaving my home for parts unknown without a clue where to go. But I get it when the person questions God, or doesn't think it can be done, or is incredulous at the idea that God could do something never before seen. I get that, because I do it all the time. What it means is that you can demonstrate strong and effective faith even if you sometimes doubt, or question, or lose sight of things for a bit. Which is an immense relief, because I don't have the faith of the centurion every moment of every day, and if God took a look at Sarah and credited her faith in spite of her doubt, He will do the same for you and me!

I've got another prayer request for y'all. Next Monday we go to see a new doctor, one who is reputed to have a very high success rate with SCI patients like Connor. We're looking forward to the visit, but we also want this to work out for the very best for Connor. So we're praying that the doctor will be hopeful and see possibilities instead of limitations, and that she will have a personality that will connect with Connor and vice versa. Also, she doesn't take our insurance, so we're praying that God will provide for us in that area somehow. We'd appreciate your support on these things.

Thank you for your continued support for Connor and the family. We love you!

Eric

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Day 308 - April 18 - Signs and Wonders

This afternoon before dinner, Cherié, Connor and I were gathered in the kitchen putting away the groceries Cherié had just brought back home. I'm sure you've experienced the scene in your home - plastic bags all over the counters and floors, the countertops strewn with cans and bags and piles of fruits and vegetables, with her and I bumping into each other and weaving around each other as we moved from fridge to counter to cupboard trying to put all the stuff away in some semblance of order. Of course there's a lot of banter and comments getting passed back and forth, and Connor is often the family comedian as he watches us work and offers up his social commentary, as it were. Well, today I had stepped out of the room when Cherié called me back in. She wanted me to see something, and when I came back into the kitchen she had me stand where she was standing, facing Connor in his chair. Connor was sitting with his head down, and Cherié said "OK, go ahead" to him - and he moved both his hands! He had been sitting there practicing, and he was able to move both of his hands (rotating his wrists) about a quarter to half an inch - not much by your standards, perhaps, but massively significant to us. You should have seen the grin on his face! What a blessing to see him so lifted up.

I titled this post "Signs and Wonders" on purpose - a very dear friend uses that term when she prays for Connor, and I've adopted it in asking the Lord to grant Connor visible progress in his healing - and He is blessing Connor with them.

I just thought y'all might like to know... 8-)

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Day 306 - April 16 - Ten Months...

...today. Nothing to say but to quote the verse Cherié remembered for us the other day...

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

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Day 305 - April 15 - Tax Day

Today is tax day, if you have forgotten. Of course tax day is easy to remember, primarily because of the threat of reprisal if you forget. I was thinking today, though, about what the day represents. We here in America pay taxes in order to spend the money, through our government, on things we collectively have decided are worthwhile. And while there are certainly many things we might not agree on, most of us will agree that the highways, and the common defense, and other such things are necessary parts of our society and so we joyfully accept the burden of paying for them. OK, maybe not joyfully, but still...

Thinking about this, tax day is a good reminder of how excellent God's economy is. As believers, we don't pay for anything in the life to come - Christ paid it all. We don't have to pay taxes for the streets of gold, or the gates of pearl, (sorry, I'm just goofing off) - and fortunately, we don't have to pay for the price of our salvation either - that's been paid in full as well.

So the next time you're, like me, inclined to grumble about paying taxes to the good ol' U.S. of A., give thanks for the fact that the better country to which you look forward doesn't require any such thing from us, because Jesus paid it all.

Connor has been struggling over the last couple of days with some under-the-weather-ness - nothing really definable but most definitely not feeling well. So if you are remembering us in prayer this week, that would be a good thing to pray about. Also, Granny headed home to Spokane this afternoon, leaving the three of us back in our routine and feeling a bit bereft after her visit.

Well, here it is 11 PM again, with a 4 AM wake-up. I'm signing off.

Goodnight,

Eric

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Day 303 - April 13 - I'm ba-ack!

Made it back from Chicago yesterday without any trouble after a wonderful weekend with my supermodel daughter, Joélle -

OK, she's not a supermodel - but she could be! We had a great time goofing off and just spending time together - I think we both sensed the impending changes that will be a result of her wedding in June, and we reveled in each other's company the whole weekend...



Back on the home front, Connor, Cherié and Granny had a great weekend as well. Not only did a bunch of the college folks come over on Saturday to do the labor of replacing our falling-down-backyard-fence -


but for the very first time since last June, Connor went somewhere without us! He and two of his friends, Josh and Daniel, went to see a movie on Friday. Josh gingerly drove the van out of the driveway while Cherié waved from the front step, and they were gone. That's a significant step for the boy, and it went very well. They had a great time and came back home later full of the boisterous spirits they've been known for for years.

A last note before I go get ready for work. Cherié and Connor were working with his hands (why does this stuff always happen when I'm not around?) and they found that Connor was feeling her tapping his hands! It had to be a fairly hard tap and resulted in a faint feeling, but it's still more progress. God is faithful and good!

So we're starting this week refreshed and in good spirits. Thank y'all for your continued faithful prayers!

Eric

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Day 298 - April 8 - I'm leaving on a jet plane

But I will be back again - and as a matter of fact, I do know the way to San Jose!

I wanted to post briefly to fill you in on a couple of things and give you a bit of a heads-up. First, I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for Chicago, where I am going to have the opportunity to spend the weekend with Joélle in what is arguably one of the last times this son and daughter will have together before she gets married. We're really looking forward to it, although I am struggling with a bit of guilt for leaving Cherié and Connor here while I go play. Yes, Granny is here to help, as is Connor's friend Josh - but I still am completely torn about going. Half of me wants to go, half of me says I need to cancel the flight and stay home to help. Of course, I'm going - Lord knows that everyone will benefit if I'm away for a few days! But I still feel that pang of "I'm doing something wrong". I suspect this is what Joélle felt when she went back to school in January and after Spring Break.

So there's a new thing for you to pray about - that Cherié and Connor will fare well here while I'm gone, and that all of us will be refreshed by me being away for a while.

Just so you know, I am not taking a computer with me; so unless something stellar happens between now and Sunday, I probably won't be posting while I'm out of town. Maybe someone else will step up, who knows?

Another bit of progress to report as well. Cherié has been seeing Connor's shoulder move periodically! Connor says he's not controlling it, but it isn't muscle spasms - those are distinctive, and this movement is slow and deliberate, and Cherié thinks it might be that Connor's subconscious brain is getting some sort of signal through. For now, it's enough to see things continue to change. We continue to lift the boy up for his healing, and I encourage you to continue to believe with us. I'm learning that true belief is as much about choice as anything else - even when I don't feel it, I can still choose to believe.

Do that with us this week.

Thanks - we love y'all.

Eric

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Day 297 - April 7 - Fearing Faith

I've been giving a lot of thought lately, too much perhaps, to the words spoken by many people about my perspective on Connor's complete healing. Although I can intellectually understand someone's feeling that we should accept Connor's situation as God's will in our lives, the implication that we should resign ourselves to this situation rankles me.

I think that, in my dogged persistance that Connor will be healed - physically, on this earth - people see a refusal to accept God's will. And I can undestand that, but I maintain that this is untrue in every meaningful sense. You see, it is apparent to anyone who looks (including myself) that Connor is in the position he's in to fulfill God's working in our lives. For whatever reason, God has seen fit to place our family in this place, and being able to accept that this works for good and for His glory is one of the things that keeps us sane in the midst of it. Can you imagine doing this without the comfort of knowing that it's for a purpose? I'd probably do something stupid if this was for no reason. But it isn't - it has a purpose, that purpose is good, and so we carry on. But - and I need to stress how important this is - simply because a situation exists is no reason to believe it is permanent. The Bible teaches us that the only permanent thing is God Himself - everything else exists at His pleasure. And that's the point where I find much hope. Yes, Connor remains paralyzed and dependent on a ventilator. Yes, many, many people find themselves in such situations for as long as they remain on this earth. And yes, the daily view from this position is almost overwhelming at times.

And yet, I read in Hebrews that I'm supposed to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, in order to find mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Why do I approach the throne of grace? To find mercy. I also read in Luke that I ought to always pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1), and Jesus Himself tells me to keep asking until I receive it. And I read in Mark that I'm supposed to pray, believing, and I will receive it (Mark 11:24).

So, all that being true, I find myself in a position unique to my experience - that the very thing I desire to do is also the very thing I'm commanded to do. It's still difficult, but at least it all aligns. I'm not acting at cross purposes to God's will, I'm acting as I'm commanded to act.

So I accept the fact that God has placed us in this situation, and I continue to pray for the way I want to see it resolve itself. The area I continue to struggle with, to be honest, lies in Paul's admonition to be content in all circumstances. That I'm not too good at, although honestly I'm better than I want to be!

Now, a dear friend told us on Sunday that displayed faith creates fear in people, and I see that here. Fear in me, that if I profess this faith I'll look foolish or naive. Fear in believers around us, who are afraid to profess their hope and belief because they don't want to speak out of place or set Connor up for disappointment. And fear in most of the people around us, that we're setting ourselves up for disappointment. Some even fear we're provoking God's wrath because of our "stubborness".

All I can say in response to those concerns is "please don't speak death into our faith". We have a hard enough time managing our hope without having it assassinated by well-meaning onlookers. And so we are surrounding ourselves with people who believe, as we do, that God will physically heal the boy in this life - not because of some misguided desire to only hear one viewpoint, but because we're commanded to believe as we pray, and our circumstances rally against that all by themselves; they don't need any more help to seem insurmountable!

It's been too long since I've posted about our faith journey, and I apologize for taking two or three weeks to remember that there's more to this story than just how Connor's doing each day. This journey is a big thing - not because we're important (we're not), but because God is working in it for His glory. I am called to make that known, and so I pick myself up again and boldly proclaim -

I believe that my God will restore my son - physically; fully; completely - in this lifetime, on this earth, for His glory.

I believe that He has placed Connor in this place for a twofold reason -

(1) to develop Connor into the man he must be in order to become the tool necessary to bring the greatest glory to God, and
(2) because He is working through Connor's situation into the hearts and minds of the people who are following and engaged in this story.

I believe that God has placed me and my family in this situation for a twofold reason -

(1) to provide the support necessary for Connor during this stage in his life, and
(2)in order to more perfectly align us with His image.

And I believe that God has placed me in this situation for a twofold reason as well -

(1) to proclaim this story, and God's faithfulness, personally and through this venue as an example of how God works in and through His children for His glory, and
(2) to be seen as an example of how a broken and wretched man can, despite his repeated failings, bumbling efforts, and waywardness, strive to follow after Christ in submission and obedience to His God.

Here I stand, this I believe.

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Day 294 - April 4 - Family Life

Well, I cleaned my office today. It took me from 0900 to 5:15 PM, primarily because I haven't paid any attention to it since we were in Fresno, and the piles of paper were threatening to overpower me and drag me kicking and screaming into another dimension. Seriously, I found cards and letters that Connor received while he was in the hospital in Fresno, as well as a number of bills I didn't know I owned. So much for my preferred filing method, I guess... 8-)

Amongst the things I found was my camera, which had been buried underneath, if I recall correctly, four offers to consolidate my debt, thirteen "You've already been pre-approved for a credit card", seven "buy one oil change, get the second half off!", and one each of "Used Car Extravaganza!", "Repair Your Pool LIning Now, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!!!", and a bill to register a motorcycle I no longer own. So you can see at a glance how critical it was to put all that stuff on top of my camera!

Anyway, I uploaded a few pictures I took a few weeks ago while Joélle was here, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to let you see a few new things...


We went on a fairly chilly picnic after church one Sunday...




And one of the napping house one afternoon - the cuteness factor is so high I just had to post it...



We're enjoying having Granny around the house, and we're missing Joélle since she's gone. Other than that, there's not much to say. We're trying to make it out to church tomorrow, so your prayers in that regard are always greatly appreciated.

Good night!

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Day 292 - April 2 - Granny's here!

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I figured if I did y'all would think I was playing an April Fool's joke on you, so I waited until this morning...

OK, I actually was just too tired to type last night. That's the real reason! But at least I'm being honest with you... 8-)

First, thank you for your prayers over the last few days about rest - they have been effective, as the last two nights have been quiet ones which allowed Cherie and I to get some much-needed sleep. So I just wanted y'all to know how much we appreciate your prayer support for us all.

Second, yesterday morning Alaska flight 320 touched down in San Jose, bringing Cherie's mom down for a couple of weeks to visit. I was really glad that she said she'd had a good flight down - I actually worked the airplane from a point abeam Mt. Shasta down to Pt. Reyes on their flight into the Bay Area, so it was good to hear that she didn't have any complaints about the air traffic portion of her flight! I wish I'd known she was on that particular plane, though - if I'd known, I probably could have persuaded the pilots to embarrass her over the intercom or something. Ah, well, perhaps it's for the best... 8-)

The heartening thing for us was that we got to see Connor through the eyes of someone who hasn't seen him since he was back in Fresno, and she was astonished and pleased at his improvement from those days. It's hard for Cherie and I to see the incremental changes each day, but when someone sees him for the first time in nine months, he's improved so much since then.

I'm going to keep this short, as I'm on a break at work and should probably go back to earning my taxpayer-funded salary! But I just wanted to give a quick update with the latest information. Thank you so much for so faithfully following along with us, and for your faithful prayers and belief. You bless us.

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