William's Western Shindig and more...

Wow! Words escape me!  We are just so very blessed and humbled by the kindness and generosity shown to us.  William's Shindig was an amazing event and we had so much fun!  He totally enjoyed being the center of attention, going from friend to friend, visiting!

Sarah B, William, Victoria, Grace

These ladies did an amazing job organizing the event!  When I think about what I was doing at their age...well, it wasn't pulling off this kind of event or thinking of the needs of others!  They are pretty incredible young women who make me hopeful for the future! :)

A special highlight to the day was a song that William's friend, Benjamin, wrote just for him.  It was a remarkable, breathtaking, beautiful piece that I am excited to share with the world.  However, if you weren't at the Shindig, you'll have to wait until it's copyrighted!  :)

A great time dancing, eating, fellowshipping...
  

   







To so many that we had not met before the shindig, we are so overwhelmed by your gracious generosity. We are so blessed by so many wonderful people who view children as a blessing and who desire to help meet any need. Thank you so much!

And the blessings continue...more friends have come to us, offering fundraisers and ideas...we are so humbled by the outpouring.

Julia, Benjamin, William, Savannah

These sweet friends have organized an online fundraiser.  The link is 
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/give-to-william-/295575

It has William's documentary on it, if you haven't seen that.  It will also carry William's Song by Benjamin when that is ready.

Our friends from Christ Church in Alabama have organized an online silent auction to be held February 5-12.  The link to that is
http://www.32auctions.com/ockerfund

Words cannot possibly express our gratitude and love for all of you who have loved us, blessed us, fervently prayed for us, and walked beside us. You have truly been His hands and feet to our family. When we have been tempted to be downcast, we have had your cheerful, loving, giving faces to look into. We can never repay your kindnesses, but hold you dearly in our hearts. We feel humbled, honored, loved, undeserving, and overwhelmed, all at the same time! Thank you hardly seems adequate. But truly, THANK YOU!  Thank you for loving our family, our children.  Thank you for never making us feel odd or inadequate.  Thank you for your desire to walk this road beside us.  Thank you for lifting us in prayer when we were to weak to stand on our own.  Thank you for your constant outpouring of grace!  You are loved!

The Ramp

You may have noticed from the last post that William got a new wheelchair.  I have had very mixed feelings about this.  Actually, we've put it off for awhile.  Not really in hopes that he would walk independently.  I know that isn't reality since his nerves in his legs died.  But more out of a desire to want him to use what he DOES have.  I know it's good for him to move his body.  But the fact of the matter is, he just wasn't doing it.  He spent most of his time on the floor in one spot.  Sure, he got up and used his walker when I asked him to, but never by sheer choice.  I mean, let's face it.  It's HARD. Really hard for him.  And he didn't really notice a benefit.  He could get from point A to point B much faster by crawling and either way he couldn't carry anything with him, so why bother?  So he's been stuck in this sort of limbo while we tried and tried to get him to use his whole body.  So we decided to go ahead with the wheelchair.  Just to keep him from overtiring on long trips, like an hour at the grocery store, or fun trips, like a day at the zoo.  Don't get me wrong, he loves his KidWalk.  And he uses it in appropriate situations.  But never at home.  It's just too bulky and requires too much to get buckled into and out of.  It's not practical for home use.  At least not for him.  It's great for exercise and short walks, though.  I digress.  :)
He was fitted for his wheelchair several months ago, before he got sick.  It was ready while he was in the hospital and we picked it up 3 weeks ago when he had his first x-ray after hospital release.  He's been a wheeling maniac ever since!  He loves it!  It's moved him to a whole new level of independence!  And it's been heartwarming to watch him grow in self-confidence and be so proud of his new skills.  And he's pretty amazing in it!  When we were at the imaging center, the very first day he had it, he wheeled himself all over the place with skill.  I would warn him about a wall or a door, but for the most part he would sense these things for himself and ease up to them.  He would bump them ever-so-slightly with his chair, then take off and remember where it was and never hit it again.  Amazing.  It was actually quite intriguing to watch.  The only time he has trouble in it is when he gets to playing and going fast he is likely to bump into someone that he won't see and doesn't have the time (or presence of mind) to sense.  We're still working on that. ;)
For the last 3 weeks, his 3 favorite things are: getting his OWN drink, washing his hands BY HIMSELF,  and brushing his teeth WITHOUT HELP.  My heart is full.
But it gets even more amazing.  For as long as I can remember, we've carried him from the house to the car.  We had steps outside our door that he couldn't manage without crawling, so we just carried him.  Of course, we carried his KidWalk to the car as well, but it just isn't practical at such a short distance to carry him down the steps, put him in the KidWalk, walk 10 or 20 steps to the car, take him out of the KidWalk, put him in the car, take the KidWalk apart and load it in the van.  And if you know our family, you know we're pretty much always running behind.  :) Anyway, we carried him.  But Saturday some of our dear, sweet friends brought over and installed a wheelchair ramp.  Mike and Brady took the steps off the porch, but left the platform and it fit like a perfect puzzle piece, like it was MADE to fit there.  Amazing.  God is amazing!

Unloading from truck

Sweet Anna oversees the project

Setting in place

William's finished ramp.  He's still learning the "down" part, but totally has the "up" mastered!

The finished project

The X-ray

Well, today was the day. William's X-ray was this morning and there was both good AND bad news. We saw the Dr's PA today, since William's Dr is in Africa until the beginning of February. I'll start with the worst of it.
The X-ray is not clear. Ugh. I really thought it would be. But when his OS was 94, I began to wonder. I knew that wasn't a good sign. He has this tiny little spot hanging on.
Now on to the good news. The PA was comfortable waiting until she speaks with Dr Carey this week before making any decisions on his further treatment. Clinically he looks really good and he's moving air well, without any signs of stress. She recommended allowing him (and the rest of our family) to resume normal activity. We may still need to get a look at what's in there, but we won't have to do anything about that until at least February.
So, on to normal activity and back to the land of people. This is one happy boy!



-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Doubts

I've had some struggles recently, as I've shared.  A FB friend shared this and I thought it was a great reminder of what I know to be true.  I'm sorry, I'm not savvy enough to link to the direct post, but here is the quote:

"Yesterday I preached in two different states, proclaiming boldly the confidence we have in the goodness of God. People's hearts were stirred and inspired (by God's grace).

Now, in the middle of the night, sleep eludes me, and I feel the crushing weight of my own human weakness.

I hear the enemy, whispering in my mind, "Do you REALLY believe all that, about God being infinitely kind and loving? Are you convinced of that fact in your own life?" 

Well, devil, here's my answer:

"100%, without doubt or equivocation; God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. God NEVER allows ANY difficulty in our lives that He does not FULLY intend to redeem for His glory, our good, and the good of others."

As Polycarp said: He has never done me wrong, and I won't deny Him.

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Sorry, devil, better luck next time."     

- Israel Wayne

Thanks, Israel, for giving me permission to repost!