Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Back Home!

How quickly the time flies. Monday was a little difficult for me this week for some reason, I couldn't get my rhythm but today I was able to tall kneel walk around the track making up for my lack of ability on Monday. It's frustrating when you know you can do it but your body just seems to give out on you. This week they seemed to really focused on exercises that would strengthen muscles in order for me to be able to go from a sit to stand position. This is done with the help of blocking my knees so that they don't buckle. My shoulder was a little sore on Monday but it seems to be holding up, thank you for prayers. Mike and I are continually reminded of the many blessings God has given us. Our families have been amazing. Parents that will stop everything to do what ever is needed. Friends that are continuing to encourage and up lift us in prayer. Meals that just keep coming, thank you. And all you my followers of the blog, thank you for your encouragement and support it amazes me to see how many people (100,000) have kept me/us in there thoughts and prayers. The flexibility that Mike has to be able to come with me back and forth to Detroit. Our amazing girls, Julia and Emily. God has supplied all our needs and has been giving us the grace that we need for each and every day. Thank you all so much for all you do, your encouragement and most of all your prayers. Please continue to pray for complete healing (I'm ready to give this chair away to charity any day now). Pray for Mike as he goes to work that he is able to complete all that he needs to do. For the girls that God would continue to stretch them in there faith and grow them into amazing women for His glory. Hugs Sandra 

Monday, September 24, 2012

At it again

Well we made it to Detroit this morning, had a good drive up dropping James and Jen off in Woodstock on the way. It was nice to catch up with them before they are off to New Zealand for 6 months. Sandra's shoulder is feeling pretty good today we will see how it holds up.
Off for dinner with the persads tonight
Mike

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Looking forward to being Home!

We are on our way home. I had a pretty good day, my shoulder held up better today but is still a little tender. They gave me some excersises to do at home to help strengthen it. My core continues to get stronger.  I'm praying that my lower core would really start to kick in and help me with my balance, helping me with my transfers (moving from my wheelchair to bed, chair, etc.) Daily prayer.... Please continue to pray for Mike and the strength that he needs to do all that he does (which is a lot), for the girls that God would continue to work in their lives through this time, that they would continue to do well in school. Pray for both Mike and I as it's hard to leave them week to week. Please be in prayer for my continued healing, praising God for all that He has done and what He is going to do. Hugs Sandra 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Worn out!

Today was more difficult for Sandra, her shoulder began to give out again. There is a lot of strain on the joints she can move but she worked around it and was able to get the full workout in. Tomorrow is another day of workouts. Please pray her shoulder doesn't slow down the progress and for safe travels tomorrow coming home. Mike

Monday, September 17, 2012

Just finishing up

Sandra had a good day, she crawled all the way around the track(180ft) which is a huge feat!! It is really hard work but she gets stronger all the time. It is easier to be here when we see progress. It is a great atmosphere with trainers really pushing her and have her best interest in mind. Tonight we will have diner with the Persad's and back at it in the morning Mike

Detroit here come ......Again!

It was nice to be home catching up with the girls, going to church and being encouraged by so many of you. The girls are settled in with Grandma and Grandpa and we are on the road again. We had a great sleep in Woodstock and now heading to Detroit. Looking forward to God's plan for us this week. Please pray for continued progress and for complete healing. This has affected so many people in our lives, please be in prayer that all will be used for His glory. Hugs, Sandra

Friday, September 14, 2012

4 months today

Well here we are at the 4 month point, we have had some great progress but continue to reach and desire for more. A few weeks ago I was listening to the message and the song it is well with my soul was playing. Wow talk about things having new meanings, I have know the song since childhood sang it hundreds of times but never before have I though so much about the words. I was asking my self is this truly well with my soul. I like to focus on "God will give you the desires of your heart." and other verses like that to give me comfort in difficult times. Where my thoughts have settled in at are, I want to be in God's will and if this is where it's at then it is well with my soul but I will continue to beg, plead with God for Sandra's complete healing and wow what a story we will have!
Have a great weekend and Sandra will blog Sunday in the Van again on the way to Detroit
Mike

  1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
    When sorrows like sea billows roll;
    Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
    It is well, it is well, with my soul.
    • Refrain:
      It is well, with my sou It is well, it is well, with my soul.
  2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blest assurance control,
    That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
    And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
  3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
    My sin, not in part but the whole,
    Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
    Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

  4. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
    The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
    The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
    Even so, it is well with my soul.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Good results!

Finished up my therapy today, got on the road and we are hightailing it home making great time. Today I had my assessment to evaluate my progress this month. Diane my PT used a machine that measures the amount of force I'm able to handle through my core. It applies pressure to the front, back and each side individually and gives you a numerical measurement. The average healthy person would be able to do 30 without any assistance, originally my average was 13 with assistance holding my legs for balance. Today I was able to do 30 with assistance and 15 without assistance. Which means I'm able to to do half of what a average healthy person can do.  She was able to confirm that I have some muscle contraction in my hips. They measure this from 0-5. 
Zero being no movement at all and a five being able to contract move and resist weight. My hips are at a one, I'm not able to move my leg but I'm able to contract and hopefully strengthen it to eventually be able to move my leg when I do contract it. This was all good news we are seeing great gains and are looking forward to the day that I have voluntary muscle movement. Mike and I have decided to commit to two more months at Detroit and reevaluate at the end of that time. I will still do Physiotherapy in Ottawa as well on Friday's. This is a big commitment for our family but feel this is the best opportunity for my improvement. The girls will be staying at home with our parents taking turns week to week being with them. We have had to make a lot of hard decisions but we are thankful for God's presence and guidance in them all. He has given us so many promises that we cling to daily, My grace is sufficient, He will never leave me nor forsake me, He will give you the desires of your heart. I'm thankful He is a forgiving God that is full of grace and mercy. Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him. Thank you all for your continued support, love, encouragement and most of all your prayers. Daily prayer... Continue to pray for voluntary muscle movement, complete healing, safety back and forth to Detroit, Mike's strength and ability to be able to complete the work he needs to do to keep things going, pray for the girls as this is still a lot of change for them, that they would be able to focus on school and have a great year. Hugs Sandra







Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Tuesday report

Well we have completed another 2 days, all set for tomorrow morning's session then back to the 401 and home. Monday and Tuesday sessions were good, more hard work but I can see improvements especially in core strength. Tomorrow is Sandra's reassessment date, we are excited to see what measurable gains she has, not just my observations. Please pray for great measurable gains and clarity for our next steps.
We have a little running joke to see if we spend more at the outlets or rehab, too much down time isn't a great thing.
Monday night the Persad's came to Detriot for dinner with us and tonight we met with Kenton and Laura Kamp in Toledo Ohio ( home of the Jeep plant) for dinner. Both night's were a great time to chat and catch up. It has been several years for the Kamps and us to spend time together.
See you all soon, Mike

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Looking forward to a great week!

We had a great week at home. The house is almost all done just a few things here and there to complete but certainly livable. It was fun getting the girls settled into school life again and catching up with family and friends. I was also able to squeeze in a few physiotherapy appointments as well. We are on the road again to Detroit with a little excitement of seeing a bear on the 416, having to come to a complete stop. Mike and I are excited to get going again, looking forward to see what gains can be made this week. On Wednesday they will assess my abilities which will be interesting to see the differences in the numbers from when I was originally assessed 5 weeks ago. Life has been full of challenges but we are starting to figure it out slowly. I'm thankful for a God that is full of grace and gives us what we need for the day.  You start to realize just how much you need Him when your struggling through a trial, I just wish we could realize that prior to having the trial. Thank you to all of you, who have kept us in your prayers we so appreciate it. Praying for all of you! Big Hugs Sandra 

Monday, September 3, 2012

Home this week

We are staying home this week to get the girls settled in to the school routine. They are all ready, and we are too. Last week Sandra had an additional physio at home and this week she will have two more. We are excited to get another set of eyes looking at Sandra's progress, we do find a large difference in her core which enables her to do much more in the day to day things.
We continue to have good days and also hard hours, missing how life was. Looking forward to continued progress.
Mike