5/19/15 (Elijah)

Words from Brenna, Elijah’s mom: 

“Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for your continued to prayers!  It brings encouragement as the days move on to know we are interceded for.  To our amazement, the texts, phone calls, cards, gifts, visits, laundry and cleaning fairies, meals, prayers in waiting rooms are still happening!  

As we enter our 12^th day of the new path we are walking, we are all realizing that we have been sprinting a marathon and are beginning to embrace what is the new normal for our lives.  We would ask that you pray for wisdom and discernment for decisions we need to make in trying to marry a “normal life” for our other children and Randy’s work schedule with caring for Elijah and advocating for him.

 The Lord continues to evidence Himself in “words,” as I call them.   I will try to share these as I have the time because they have been so edifying.  The first of which happened last week as we were faced with the “what ifs” of the extent of the injuries and outcome.  The Lord impressed upon me the remembrance that his name is “I AM,” not “I WILL BE” or “I WAS”.  . . Reminding me that when I don’t have peace about the future or am in fear – it is because He is in the present.  The “I AM” is waiting to provide peace, grace and mercy in our time of need.

 Yesterday was a day of big strides for Elijah, and we ask God for patience to wait expectantly for Him to reveal more healing for both.  Of course, we are human and grieving and missing the interaction with him – his energy, passion, and wit; as I know our friends the Scott and Cinnamon feel the same for dear Autumn. We are thankful for our friendship with Autumn’s parents; Cinnamon and Scott – I cannot imagine if it were not so.  We have had dear friends travel back and forth between the two hospitals; delivering gifts, prayers, hugs, and encouragement.  

Another amazing testimony:  two Cheyenne families who don’t personally know Autumn’s family were able to visit and pray with them in person to provide encouragement. 

 It was a bittersweet moment yesterday as I watched Elijah’s friends and co-directors, Joshua and Caleb, stand by his bedside and read the nominations they received for awards.  They turned in their movie to the Young Filmmakers Contest, unbeknownst to them, just minutes after Elijah and Autumn had their accident.  Their movie collaboration, called ‘Reflections’, was nominated for 6 out of 7 awards; Elijah was nominated best actor.  We are so thankful for Elijah, Joshua and Caleb and celebrate their hard work and use of gifts but are saddened that Elijah cannot attend.  He would have been so excited!   The awards will be held on Saturday the 23rd, 6:30 pm at the Atlas [and free to the public].  They will show the movies of all of the winners (each movie has a time limit of 15 minutes).  Grace, his dear little sister, will attend to represent him.

This morning, I received news that Physical Therapy has Elijah sitting up in a cardiac chair.  Elijah will turn 19 this week on the 22^nd of May,  our dear Lord bless him!”