“‘How can we determine the hour of dawn, when the night ends and the day begins? When you have enough light to look human beings in the face and recognize them as your brothers and sisters. Until then the darkness is still with us,’ says the wise teacher. Let us pray for that light. It is the peace that the world cannot give.” –Henri Nouwen, from “Adam’s Peace”

I have those days when I lack sight, words, and direction, when I grieve in a way that peels my soul insight out. I’ve had a few of those days before. I’ll have them again. Today began as one. Standing by Ian’s bed, gazing into the clear blue of his opened eyes, I ache for them to focus. In these moments, I confess to wondering if I will have peace again.

I will, though, regardless of what happens. I have deep joy in Ian’s life—the life he had three weeks ago, the day before the wreck. He laughingly bounded out the door for a haircut while Ashley, her grandmother Sammie, and I cheered on James’ first step.

I find deep joy in Ian’s life in the ICU, a life spared, a gift I do not take for granted.

I have no promise of anything beyond this day, so for this day, I seek peace in seeing the image of God in his vulnerability, trusting God that on some level, he is seeing that in me.

Ian seems so much more comfortable with the trach, and his numbers are good. I’ll post a more specific update later today.

Yesterday, family continued in our journey to balance recovery and “life activities” we have committed to, many of which, honestly, initially seem like ashes in our mouths, in light of our all wanting to hover in the hospital.

Even so, Ian’s nieces played their last basketball games (6th and 3rd graders in Clyde), each “playing my hardest for Ian.” Ian’s nephew turned 3, and James had a sleep-over with Granma Deb and Granddad Rocky. One of Ian’s uncles and aunts had a trip to take and return from. All had errands to run, a week to rest from and a week to prepare for. It was a day of weariness, tenderness, kindness, and encouragement.

What can you do for us? Just what you have been doing. Your prayers, songs, offers, gifts, and again (above all!) prayers are our life line.

This morning as I write this, I offer prayers of thanks and blessing for each of you.

We’ll give an update later today. Rocky and I went back to teaching today, and Ashley is preparing to go back next week, so honestly, we’re all struggling to balance hospital and other life duties. Certainly your encouragement and prayers help, especially your posts–from scriptures to prayer hands.

One thing that especially helps us are the night nurses. As I was reading this morning, Psalms 134 made me think of how important they are to us, allowing us to sleep without worry for Ian

“Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord. May the lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.” (verses 1, 3)

Blessings.
For Ian: We’re pleased today that Ian is stable enough to have surgery tomorrow to replace the full ventilator with a trach and a feeding tube. This change has the potential to help Ian heal faster.

For James: James’ orthopedist, Dr. Pitts (Abilene Orthopedic Institute) and his office staff surprised and blessed James and our families with gifts of diapers, toys, snacks for babies, clothes, and gift cards after James’ visit today. We were overwhelmed with their love and generosity. (See the photos below.)

Concerns.
Later today, we were disappointed to learn that the pressure in Ian’s brain was not, in fact, stable enough for him to have his second pressure drain removed. He’ll resume a medicine to help lessen pressure and continue a little longer with the brain. It is so hard to wait (even though we have not waited as long as some of you have in your experiences with brain injuries). After Sunday’s obvious progress, we work hard to remain patient and not over-stimulate him so he can heal.

What’s Next?
We ask that you join us with more prayers tomorrow during his surgery (some time mid-day; we’re not exactly sure about the time) and that you pray for us to have patience, while praying for Ian’s healing.

Strong in the Lord.
Several verses offer us comfort today, particularly on the theme of patience:

• “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12)
• Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12)
• “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:24-29)

Your favorites continue to bless us. Share if you’d like!

We would later learn that James didn’t have a skull fracture, but instead, had both his legs broken. He was hospitalized three days. Ian, miraculously, had no broken bones, except for a fractured vertebrae (C6), but had a diffuse axonal injury on the right side of his brain.

Thank you to all for prayers and help today with Ian and James’ accident this morning. A car crossed the median and rolled onto Ian’s car. James has a slight skull fracture though not bad enough to require surgery. He is being admitted into Hendricks for observation. Ian has a brain injury. He came out of surgery by God’s grace. We ask that he have no visitors until he is released from ICU. Please pray. Ashley Williams and I will keep everyone updated.

If you’ve been following the IANstrong Facebook page, you’ll recognize some of the earlier notes that I’ve moved to this blog and will simply want to read to most recently entries. If you’re not familiar with that Facebook page please scroll all the way down. If you’re interested in recent updates on Ian’s status and have a Facebook page, please visit and like the page IANstrong to receive those updates.

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Should you wish to learn more, you may see the Abilene, Texas Fire Department’s photos of the wreck here (from Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/AbileneFireDepartment/photos/a.146525888858313/1145906525586906/?type=3&theater

You can read about the wreck here: https://www.reporternews.com/story/news/2019/02/11/several-crashes-mar-monday-morning-drive-six-sent-to-hospital/2836526002/