As the one year mark has come and gone I thought I would pop by with a quick update. On the one hand I am totally overwhelmed with gratitude for all of you who have prayed for me and my family, sent money to offset our huge medical expenses and brought meals again and again. Thank you isn't quite big enough to express my gratitude but it is all I have so please except it from the bottom of my heart.
On the other hand it's been a weird few weeks. I have no memory of one year ago at all. I am a total blank. What I know is what I have been told. So it's been a bit odd to see family and friends face this anniversary with such emotion when I have no recollection of it. I do want you all to know that I pray daily for all of you who have prayed for me. To do so I know you have set aside your own requests and I pray that God will know them and answer them.
Days are still full of therapy and exercises. Progress is coming but it is slow.
Prayer Requests:
1. With a walking cast it is great to be up and about again, but stairs continue to be off limits. We are praying that the next time we see the orthopedist he gives us permission to do stair work. Until then, please pray for Toben's back as he carries me up and down every day.
2. Family counseling is going better than I expected. Everyone is participating. Please pray for continued progress.
3. We are pondering some big life decisions. Please pray for wisdom for us!
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We couldn't make it through each day without your love and support.
Love,
Joanne
Joanne, I can not explain to you how God has changed my heart thru getting to know you by reading your entire blog thru this past year. When your stoke happened, I sat down and read your blog from the last entry you made to as far back as I could go. Then I read yours & Toben's blog. I remember breaking down about a year ago and being angry at the Lord. He was allowing me to get to know you thru your blog but there was a chance I would never get to meet the friend that you had become thru your writing. I am thankful that He has given me the chance now. Bless you my friend and keep fighting the fight you got the Big Guy on your side. Love, Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Reiter | January 29, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Joanne,
Will be praying for those specific requests. Thanks for letting us know how to pray. What a blessing you are to me. Yours and Toben's honesty inspire me. Too often i choose to put on my mask and do battle alone. You have chosen the wise way!
lovingly,
mk
Posted by: MK | January 29, 2012 at 11:36 AM
LOL!! Praying Toben doesn't feel too overwelmed by carrying you upstairs.
Praying for your family counseling and that all goes well.
And praying for those big decisions you must make in your life...
Praying all else goes well for you.
Posted by: Patty | January 29, 2012 at 12:15 PM
continued prays...God's riches blessings and all wisdom needed for you decision.
Grace and Blessings to you...
Posted by: r.elliott | January 29, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Thank you so much for the update. My husband and son asked about you and your family just last night. Somehow Elijah remembers that you have a daughter whose birthday is close to his (a miracle for an almost-11-year-old-boy-brain). When I told them about your progress and the latest posts they were amazed.
We are continuing to pray for you and your entire family.
Just don't tell Toben any too funny jokes while he's carrying you up the stairs, but I'm sure it's a good workout for him.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | January 29, 2012 at 02:45 PM
Praying for wisdom as you face those big decisions (James 1:5). Thank you for your prayers too...I love you, precious sister-in-Christ.
Posted by: Lina | January 29, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Joanne,
Since massive strokes have altered the course of my family as well, you've become so special to me and you are automatically remembered in prayer ALL the time as we deal every day with the limitations and challenges here. We cling to God's promises for us and trust Him through the fog that rolls in on a regular basis. He saw it coming. He permitted it and it will be His grand pleasure, one day, to remove it all to show off His glory in our lives!
Bless you, sister. Persist, no matter what.
Margie
Posted by: Margie Smallman | January 29, 2012 at 06:30 PM
Joanne, Of course I don't know you IRL, but I have loved getting to know you and your family in the past year through this blog & facebook. You are continually in my prayers. God bless you, sweetie!
Posted by: Liz Reeves | January 29, 2012 at 08:28 PM
....Praying in faith for strength in your 'tomorrows' that cover your needs and those of your dear family Joanne. Be encouraged just as your strength has been a great encouragement to we readers Joanne.
May God Richly Bless You and Your Dear Family,
Barbra.
Posted by: Barbra | January 29, 2012 at 08:56 PM
Hi Joanne and Toben! I never knew of your work or your blog before last January but I have been amazed by your journey since then. I come by once a week or so to see what is happening with your family, and I'm always greatly encouraged by your faithfulness. Keep up your courage and optimism... My prayers for all of you moving forward!
Posted by: Lynn B | January 30, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Appreciate the update. Will continue to pray for all of you, especially the "big decisions" you mentioned.
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | January 30, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Love you so much Joanne! Continued prayers.
Posted by: Lora Osburn | January 30, 2012 at 09:34 AM
Oh my friend, you are such a GIFT! Praying for you in the large and the small--Christ is in and over it all. I LONG to see you again....soon! Love you! Holly
Posted by: holly smith | January 30, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Another who doesn't know you IRL, but have been on your board many many times over the past year. Watching your struggles, and the intensity of the pain and rejoicing has been like watching a miracle during creation. You and Toben and your parents and friends have been a living testimony to what LOVE really looks like! And of how the Church works.
And now, one of our dearest friends age 72, has had a massive stroke, and I'm watching it with them a thousand miles away. Recommending some of your tools (iPad and software) and hearing of course all the therapy.....
I'm reminded once again, that we each have a path and the challenges will be different for each of us....you seem to have gotten one of the major challenges early in life (at least by our earthly standards) and you have had the ability through your blog to minister to all of us out here by telling your story.
Hopefully as the years go by, you will have the privilege of discovering some of the ways your telling it has impacted other lives. I suspect you will meet and hear from the unlikeliest folks about ways YOUR testimony affected their lives and decisions.
I pray for your continued healing, your family's emotional health, and for God's guidance in your big life decisions.
Love,
Posted by: Lynn | January 30, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Joanne,
It brought tears to my eyes to know that you are praying for us. That is so touching and unexpected. Thank you. We will continue to pray for you and your fam (and Toben's back!)
Posted by: Sharon | January 30, 2012 at 02:14 PM
My sweet sister in Jesus, you are praying for us! That blows me away. Thank you and thank you!
I pray for you often and many times the Lord brings your face to my mind and I pray. Or, I will be doing something like running and I think of you and intercede asking God to bring you to the place where you are running too. I know He will. Keep fighting my dear.
Lifting you up and also praying and praying for D.
Blessings,
<><
Posted by: Child of God | January 30, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Joanne,
It is strange to think that I "met" you during a time that you have no memory of. However, I continue to check in and pray for your family. You are a blessing and an encouragement through this unexpected journey you are now on. I'll continue to pray that the Lord leads your family.
Posted by: Becky K. | January 30, 2012 at 08:05 PM
Big life decisions always weigh heavily. Shall we go this way or that? Make this decision or that one? I know clear direction isn't always given...may it be given to you though. :)
Posted by: Dionna | January 30, 2012 at 08:45 PM
Joanne - praying for you guys...big decisions can be exciting and scary. Praying for peace and a sound mind as you decide together. Spent last Saturday with your sister....sometime soon let's get together, I'll bring the coffee. :) Joy
Posted by: Joy Groblebe | January 31, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Throughout this year, since I read about your stroke on Beth Moore's blog, I have prayed for you and thought of you often. Both you and Toben have been a blessing to all of us keeping up with your progress. Being so honest and forthright with what you have and are going through as you heal and grow into your "new normal has taught us lots about perseverance and God's providence.
Posted by: Fran Shea | February 02, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Praying for you and your family
God bless you all much.
Posted by: Erika | February 04, 2012 at 01:13 PM
I've been coming to your blog for a year now and your family and you are often in my thoughts. I'll keep your prayer requests in mind in my daily thoughts and hopes.
Posted by: Pru @ Perfecting Pru | February 08, 2012 at 01:11 PM
I have been thinking about you a lot this week and have been praying for you. May God continue to show you that His mercies are new every morning!
Posted by: Anuja | February 08, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Love to you and your family. You have done amazing work in the last year. So happy to know you.
Hugs!
Posted by: Erin W. | February 08, 2012 at 06:22 PM
miss you all. From Maine Rena
Posted by: Rena | February 10, 2012 at 03:35 PM
I stopped by today, and will continue to keep you in my prayers!
It is such a blessing knowing you!
Posted by: Cathy | March 05, 2012 at 06:04 PM
I say the same things to my little ones regularly, and it often speaks to me as well. Great honest post and encouragement. Our God is loving and forgiving, and thankfully he is willing to guide us, even when we aren't so quick to choose the wise thing.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin High Heels | September 07, 2012 at 07:01 PM