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June 22, 2005
June 22, 7:30 pm
before i left this morning for the hospital gloria called and said a speech therapist had been to see asher and she suggested we get him some lollipops and popsicles in order to entice his tongue out of the back of his mouth and to help him practice swallowing. as soon as i got to the hospital i found asher sitting up, so gloria dipped one of the lollipops i brought in water, touched his lips, and then held it out in front of them to see if he would stick out his tongue and lick it. it was amazing, he did it immediately. then she told him to put his tongue back in his mouth and swallow. and he did that immediately, as well. this went on an on for about 15 or 20 minutes. he really loved the wet popsicle and we really really loved watching him stick out his tongue so we could rub it across the top of it. how grateful we are for continuing answers to prayers.
the representative from the shepherd spinal care center in atlanta happened to come back by while this was going on and she had a chance to see him do this for herself (her timing was perfect). being able to swallow is a big factor in his assessment for rehab. this means that he will be able to eat food pretty soon.
we also found out that shepherd has a pre-rehab care center that asher could go to until he is ready for full rehab. insurance companies don't always want to pay for patients to be in their pre-rehab care center, so please pray that they will approve asher to go there. that was being checked on today, and we are waiting to hear the insurance company's decision.
it seems like asher is really becoming more and more aware. he was a lot more restless today, which we are fairly certain is not related to pain. this is a good sign, but it is also really hard to see him appearing so frustrated and not able to rest very well.
a very special visitor, george thompson, came to visit asher today and to pray for him. george was my first pastor and, perhaps, one of the most caring and loving men i have ever met in my life. i have really wanted george to be able to come and be with us and to pray for asher, but i felt like if this should happen that george would really feel led to come, because God had put it on his heart. sure enough, i got a call from george yesterday telling me that he was going to come to chattanooga today to see asher and to pray for him. george is 75, now, and he drove several hours by himself in order to come do this.
i am more thankful to God than i even know how to express for letting me have a pastor like george when i came to the place in my life when i made the decision to devote my life to serve God in whatever way He would lead me. what george instilled in me at that time was the necessity of dependence on God through prayer in all that we do. especially those very important decisions that we are faced with throughout our lifetimes. there are obviously more benefits to operating this way than there is time, or space, to write about, but i think what immediately comes to mind right now for me is that prayer slows us down (us, not God) when we really take prayer seriously to the point of wanting God to answer it rather than ourselves. i keep having to remind myself that it was the tortoise that won the race and not the hare.
i could go on and on about all that God used george in my life to teach me that is still at work in me today, but i know that even the little i have shared with you already, would probably be an embarrassment to george. he is such a humble man that he really shies away from getting credit for anything he does as a servant of God.
in just a few minutes, before i go back to the hospital, i am going to speak to the mission team that is working with widows harvest this week. paul yu, the youth pastor, asked me if i could come by one night and do this. this seems to be the only opportunity i will have to go. i have such a deep appreciation for this group coming to serve widows in chattanooga in this way that it is truly a privilege for me to be able to be with them, even if just for a little while, tonight.
our continued thanks and prayers of blessing on each of you for continuing to hold us up.
praise and thanksgiving,
andy mendonsa
| By Leda | 08:36 PM
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Comments
Perhaps watching asher's progress is a bit like watching a flower open, but lots more emotional!
GOD bless your patience in HIS time.
Posted by: grace at June 22, 2005 10:06 PM
Dear Andy and family
we are still praying for asher, and we are very gald to know about the progressive updates of asher. yes our prayers are being answered. we hope a good time to praise god for asher as he become completely healed. who can be our enemy when our god is on our side? keeping lifitng him at the gracious presence of the lord. be comforted by the grace of god.
with love in his service
N. Usha kumari and family.
Posted by: N. Usha Kumari at June 23, 2005 12:46 PM
Dear Andy and Gloria,
I have been praying for your family ever since Harry told me about Asher. I just learned of this website. Thank you for letting us know the heartening progress Asher is making. May you also draw strength from the love you see expressed here.
Faye
Posted by: faye milner at June 23, 2005 01:23 PM
