September 15, 2006
Well, dear friends and family, and prayer partners, I think it’s about time to send out another update on Mason! It is now September and we are nearing a year since he had brain surgery. It has been the most amazing, miraculous year in our lives! A year ago at this time, Mason was wearing a helmet with a face guard day and night for the volume of seizures he was having as well as the severity of each one. He had also plateaued at a 12 - 18 month level developmentally for exactly 5 years.
Last year around this time I wrote:
“Ephesians 3:20, 21 has been popping into my head a lot lately: NIV20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! AmenAmplified Version:20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
I’m crying right now as I read these words. Holy words, a gift from God. Did I really expect more than we could hope for? Yes I did. Did I expect as much as we have received? No, there is no possible way that we could have even begun to comprehend what we have seen and experienced this past year. infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams I need no other words than these, because I really cannot begin to explain this past year in a letter like this.
This summer we have seen Mason learn new things on a daily basis. New words, new concepts, comprehension, behaviors, emotions. He is developing in all areas of his life! He’s gone from “burping the alphabet” at the beginning of summer to being able to sing along to the alphabet song and actually singing some of the letters randomly throughout the song!!! (click on www.dropshots.com/shirleyann to watch the former ABC song!)
Mason answers questions knowingly much more often and so clearly. There are more and more words that he is able to say, even putting together the occasional 2 or 3 word sentence. He has also learned to count to 3 in the last two weeks! He recognizes a couple of letters, but seems to like R, and will point at it and say it at random.
Mason wants to do everything himself lately. “Me” is a word he is saying more often all the time. For example, he insists on poking the straw into his juice box himself. It’s a messy struggle, but he does it! Then he tries to wipe the spilled juice off his arm, while simultaneously spilling more. But he did it himself!! Pray for patience for me! One morning he wanted to help me make pancakes. I decided to let him stir, fully expecting to clean up a big mess later. Well, he did such a good job, stirring so gently, that no clean up was necessary! (click on www.dropshots.com/shirleyann to watch him)
We spent a lot of time at the trailer we own with my parents. It really was a lifesaver. Hotels, holidays, other people’s homes are just too difficult with him. He has further developed many 2-year-old behaviors and skills. Checking everything out, going where he wants, climbing, etc. These are all things he has always done, but we could always distract him - the good thing about a very short attention span. Well, now that he has a much longer attention span, he can also maintain his desire to attend to what he wants to do! And, he’s a big boy, get the drift? Well he loved going to the trailer and make “were” (his word for ‘fire’), tear and crumple up paper for the fire. He did so well there, lots of swimming and playing in the new sandbox grandpa built. He also watched an entire 33 minute kids video for the first time in his life two weeks ago! He’s never watched more than 30 seconds of TV unless we held him down on our laps for part of a “family movie”!
There is so much more to tell, and I will in upcoming updates. But for right now we would like to invite you to give glory with us to Him who did immeasurably more than all we asked or imagined, according to His power that is at work within us.
We want invite you to glorify God in our home with us as we have an Open House of Thankfulness and Celebration on Friday, September 29 from 6 to 9 pm. (One year and two days after surgery) Join us for the whole time, or drop in to say “hello” (one of Mason’s favorite words while on a walk!). We’ll have some snackies.
This invitaion is open to those of you receiving this e-mail as well as those you share it with. I know that there are so many of you that share Mason’s story with others, which is fabulous. (this is a really good excuse to meet Mason in person then!)
Hoping to see you at the open house!!
