Pressed but not Crushed

Hi everyone. 

We just realised it's been five months since our last update.  Sometimes it's good for us to go back and read where we were a few months earlier.  Well, quite a bit has changed. Following on from January's post we have been to see Vicky and Paul again and had a great day.  Onesimus,  our puppy,  has established himself in our family and it's hard to remember a time without him.  We have been on the cruise we spoke about and it turned out to be even more special than we could have imagined, particularly because the whole ship was easily accessible. We both really relaxed. 

Therapy-wise Andy's torso has significantly strengthened and his stronger quad muscles have made it possible for him to be able to stand with much less assistance; we use a handling belt and a standing transfer aid to do this at home.  In the last update we asked specifically for prayer for his quads but now we really want strength for his glute muscles, so believe it or not, Andy really wants prayer for his bum!!!!

Another project, which has become dizzying, is organising a black tie ball for charity.  In September this year Andy's book,  Pressed but not Crushed:  Living with Faith and Locked in Syndrome, is being launched and we are organising the ball not only to coincide with this, but also to celebrate the progress over the preceding four years.  The book launch date will be September 14th and hard copies, kindle editions and an audio version should be available on Amazon and in various Christian book shops. 

It felt fitting to quote the scripture that gave the book its name and sums up where we are at at the moment:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. '

Andy's book:  to be released Sept 15

 Onesimus on the beach

On the cruise

Happy New Year

Hi everyone and happy new year. We seem to have hit this new year running. We had a busy but lovely Christmas, which we shared with both close and extended family, and we were glad that Andy's casts came off just in time.  Just after Christmas we met up with another couple similar to ourselves. Paul lives with his wife, Vicky. He is just a few years older than Andy and has also suffered locked in syndrome. We were able to share ideas, experiences and plans for the future. It was really good and we can't wait to see them again.

Thanks to everyone who prayed. Since the operation once Andy had his casts off we  have seen a sizeable improvement; this is despite it being les frequent because of the pressure sores on Andy's heels, not to mention that Andy has also been revising for his exams. Andy is now able to put far more power through his legs and we hope that one day soon he will be able to transfer without a hoist at home.

Other Positive News

• We have decided to increase our family with Onesimus the Labrador puppy, who arrives February 12th. We can't wait to have him home.
• We have just paid the balance payment for our cruise in May so that it really feels like it's happening. 
• Andy has led his first proper  church home group, especially for people who may otherwise find attending a home group difficult with other commitments. 

Prayer Pointers

• Please pray that our small group takes off and people are able to commit the time to come.
• Please pray that there is even more strength in Andy's quad muscles and also that he can recruit these muscles quicker.

Finally....

This is a scripture that has been close to our hearts more recently:

Psalm 103
1Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,And forget not all His benefits...
  
It would seem that in this Psalm  the writer is encouraging his soul to bless the Lord, perhaps despite his feelings, and he does this by recalling not just his physical but also his spiritual blessings.  If we are able to put our obvious difficulties beside for a moment, there are numerous benefits which we as a couple enjoy.