Beauty from Ashes

It seems like over the last several months, maybe the last year, things have been either on a downward slide or just stagnant. We've had many things we've had to digest and it's been a long road. Lots of appointments, job changes, etc. Most of you know what I'm talking about. Finding out your son has a rare, terminal disease is not something to digest easily or over a quick period of time.

We have had the tremendous blessing of having wonderful doctors, nurses, and social workers, a fantastic PH clinic, and insurance that has covered just about all of his medical expenses. His meds are quite expensive and we are so thankful for his insurance!

One appointment we've been having over the last 5 months, requiring many phone calls and hours and hours of waiting, is with Vocational Rehabilitation. They help people with disabilities get set up for success and transitioning to adulthood. They do everything from helping with a job search, career counseling, providing life skills, tutoring, and also helping with tuition costs, etc. We've been on a waiting list for quite some time waiting to hear what they are going to be able to do for Joshua. Each time I call I get told "it's in Tallahassee."

We were able to meet with them this week. YAY!! We found out they are going to be able to help Joshua by paying 100% of his tuition and books at any public school in Florida! John and I could barely contain our excitement! For once, this horrible disease has a benefit for Joshua! Because of this causing him to be labeled "disabled", it has now put him in this position to receive this HUGE blessing!

We are so happy for Joshua. He even said he feels like he can do this now with all the help he was told he would have from VR! They will provide a math tutor for him, (his very least favorite subject) and help him find a job, in his field, upon graduation and anything else he needs to help him reach his goals.

Thank you Lord for providing this HUGE blessing to us. We will continue to thank Him for all He is doing and will continue to do with Josh.

All of this just reminds me that we are not in control. We have choices to make, yes. But we don't have total control of what happens. I'm so thankful today. I am very happy that Joshua will not have to worry about money while he is going through school at FSCJ for his ASL degree. This will allow him to focus on his academics!! Pray he does that!!! I think he will.

It's amazing that through all the "ashes" of this last year, and all the changes Joshua has had to deal with, it feels like there is finally something beautiful from it all.

Continue to pray for a cure for PAH! I believe we might see it one day! And if you've not signed up to be an organ donor, please do so. Thank you!

Still Here

No, we haven't gone away on some wonderful month long, (or two), vacation or fallen off the face of the earth. We've just been taking it easy this summer. With all we had going on with May, we're taking one day at a time, no plan, not much structure (to the dismay of our youngest... God thought it would be funny to give me a daughter opposite of me in that area.) Please forgive me if you've been checking in here and still get the same picture each time.

Hope you all are having a great summer! We are really doing well, other than the hamster drama in our house! Who thought it would be a good idea to get TWO of them??? Hmmm.... I'll blog more about that later!

Enjoy your summer and hug your family tight!