Week One of the New Year

At the start of the New Year, Caleb began to memorizing some verses he has wanted to cement into his brain and heart.  And every night, throughout the upcoming year, he plans on reciting each of them to me before we go to sleep.

The first verse he learned was one that was very dear to my heart...and now his as well.  I have heard him multiple times reciting that verse out loud in the other room.  It makes me smile and tear up all at the same time.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

So the first week of our year has been...well, interesting.  It has been a little disappointing.  But then again, we really are light in our spirits.

Caleb isn't doing so great, although it could be so much worse.  The flare-ups, although they aren't jumping to other joints, continues to plague his toes and feet and now a little bit his ankles.  It is so sad to see.  He can't walk too well at all.  In fact, we had to put him in a wheelchair this week.  It wasn't fun.  I know it took more mental strength for him to do that, then to toughen up and keep working each day. But, being that it is in Caleb to have to get to work, he and I realized the best way to make sure he can keep working is to stop walking and get in the chair.  Although it is still a concern how purple his feet get when he sits with them hanging down.

Then, today we had a nice little trip to the ER.  He began developing a really bad rash on his feet that would turn into purple splotches.  When we talked to the doctor, they advised us to go to the ER cause the doctor was not in...this was in case it was a circulatory issue or infection that was spreading. 






Every person who came in were shocked that such a strong guy would have such bad auto immune symptoms.  But he was friendly, smiling, and I am so proud of him.

In the end, they said that this all just means that his condition has progressed and they prescribed some extra meds (doubling the doses he already has).  We see a different doctor who is a specialist on Tuesday when we are going to get further instructions. 

We want him better so badly.  And we really do believe we will get through the bout of flare-ups, just like we did last year.  We have done it before, we will do it again.  Actually....God will do it again.  Our church began praying for us during communion this last Sunday, and they are going to continue to do that each week until we see change.  THAT is the most encouraging part of all of this.  God has healed him before.  And we are eager to tell the story of it again this year.

I cannot stress enough the peace we have tonight.  We watched the show "Wipeout" and just cracked up and laughed and cuddled on the couch.  You know, we have a really, really good life.  I know many have been concerned for us today.  And we are thankful cause we are loved.  And we are thankful because we absolutely, 100% feel the prayers of all of those who love us!

So, bring on the healing!  We are hopefully on the right track.  In the meantime, Caleb will continue to remind me of his special verse often...