Yesterday morning when I walked in to Dan’s room, after smiles, greetings and kisses, he asked for water. We use one of those green swab things that hold a micron of water and dab it around his mouth. I did this, and he frowned and mouthed there was nothing on it. Well, I knew that, but I didn’t want to do the whole suction thing if he got too much moisture in his mouth. [See post “How are you doing?”] I told Dan this and he mouthed that he would swallow the water. Hmmmmm?
So I loaded it with water and he sucked away. I watched his throat move like he was swallowing. So then a while later, his nurse announced that he was scheduled for the “cookie test” at 2 pm. This is a test where they put fluids down your throat to see if you can swallow. It starts with a barium liquid that can be seen going down the throat via x-ray and the doctors watch what the throat muscles, esophagus, etc are doing. If all is working, it eventually progresses to a milkshake, pudding, then a cookie. The doctors warned that if Dan did not pass Friday’s test, it was not a big deal and they would try another day.
Well he passed!!! That is - anything up to the consistency of a thick milk shake. Dan had us get a bottle of a blue sports drink and we celebrated. Ladies, you can hold off on sending in your recipes of 101 quick blender meals for now.
2 Corinthians 9
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in
13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.
“Thank you, Lord, for your continued watch care over our Dan.”
24 comments:
We praise the Lord with you! We continue to pray for Dan and family. We anxiously await news of Dan's progress. Thank you for taking the time to keep us up to date and praying specifically. Dan, Stephen says thank you for explaining Psalm 119 to him. He says it makes sense to him now. Keep looking up!!!! In His unfailing Love He will lead you, The Basiles in Puebla
hi knudsens-
jason and winona here. really glad to hear how the Lord is strengthening you and Dan and of course excited to hear about each step of recovery. we're praying and trusting with you as things unfold. it is in these uncomfortable and unpredictable events that faith in Jesus shines forth like gold!
blessings,
J,W & S
That is so encouraging to read. If you're ready for it, I highly recommend the Reeses Blizzard from DQ. It's quite tasty, or maybe a blender version of a Carnita Burrito from Chipotle. Praise God for you recovery so far. He is so good. You're in our prayers.
Josh, Moriah, and Charis
Knudsen Family,
I first learned of Dan's accident from friends who are former M's to Mexico. Follow-up has been from my two Cedarville students. Our family prays for you all, esp. Dan, day and night, and we rejoice with you at the work our Father has been doing in Dan's body, as well as in your lives. Our God is good! We know that He will turn this to His glory (Phil 1:19). God bless you all.
Jan L.
Dan,
I have been asking the Lord some really hard quesions lately. Most of which have to do with your situation and also dealing with a friend's recent death. After fighting with the Lord over the age old question of why He allows these things to happen to righteous people, the Lord has led me to some surprising answers. I thought that I would share something of that with you.
I read a short story by Henry Van Dyke last night from an old book about a small lump of clay in a river bank. The clay waited and waited for the day it would be taken from the bank and made into something that played a great part in the world. was One day the clay was taken out, kneaded, worked, molded and put through fire. Finally the day came when the clay was able to see what he had been made into. He knew he was something fine and beautiful, made by the potter's hand, having endured through pain, fire and endless days of waiting in the river to be found and used. However, when the clay saw his reflection in the river, he saw that he was only an ugly flowerpot! Dissapointment and rage filled him. "I went through all of that for this?" TO make things worse, he was soon filled with sandy earth and an ugly withered dry root. His dissapointment grew. His dreams for all he was going to be and all the people he was going to influence were now as dead as the brown roots lying dormant inside him. Soon the pot was put into a green house where it was watered and the sun shone down on it. The clay felt a change inside of him - something stirring and growing. One day he was taken out and set in the midst of people who had gathered to worship with music and song. The clay did not understand what was happening. Was his dream coming true? In reply to him, another pot said, "Did you not know? You are carrying a royal scepter of lilies. The people look this way because the flower is the most wonderful in the world. And the root of it is in your heart." Then the clay was content, and thanked his Maker. Because though an earthen vessel, it held so great a treasure.
"Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him."
Ps. 4:3
Brother, you are BLESSED!!!
Scratch,
How awesome God is!! Thank you for your encouragement to me throughout this entire trial that God has allowed you to go through. Every baby step of progress that is made encourages me and reminds me of how precious life is. I need these reminders in my life, and having the opportunity to pray for you and your family has continued to humble me before our Great God. As a music pastor, I have a the opportunity to live in and out of praise music all the time. For Easter this year we are doing a song entitled "A Better Way", by Downhere. You may be familiar with it, but if not, allow me to share the text with you.
-Verse 1-
"I'm not alone, I really believe
You never go, You never leave
Here and now, You always stay,
'I Love You' could not be said a better way
-Chorus-
"It's everything You've promised
(there's no greater love than this)
From propets until today
(a Man laying down His life for His friends)
Your sacrifice has spoken
(You gave everything)
And 'I Love You' could not be said a better way
-Verse 2-
"I am forgiven, I clearly see
It's why You came to do all you did for me
Trading earth with Heaven, You took my place
'I Love You' could not be said a better way.
-Chorus-
-Verse 3-
"Because You redeem, I know what's to come
Everything I could lose here, You've already won
So have my surrender, with passion obey
'I Love You could not be said a better way."
-Chorus-
I really hope that this is an encouragement to you. You are loved by so many because, by the grace of God, you have touched so many. God has given you a gift and you are using it all for HIS glory.
-Dart-
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks for the report...joy comes in the morning! Can't wait for the next good news. Praying always for you in Northern Ohio.
God is soooo Good!
Wow! I'm so excited! I read the latest post and just could not stop smiling and thanking God! I've been praying so much for you all! May God continue to give you strength and may you be more encouraged day by day!
Still glowing with praise,
Patience
Thank you Lord !!!
I can hardly focus for the tears in my eyes after reading this ! I am so excited for you...the small things we take for granted become huge milestones.
Thank you so much for keeping us posted.
We love you all,
Uncle John and Aunt Kathy
Can you post the address to the Rehab Center--tried to find on website, but did not know specific location.
Love you and continue to thank God for his Goodness.
Praise the Lord for the little things, even swallowing!
I remember a few years ago after a knee injury I had to relearn how to walk, and got discouraged or frustrated at times. It seemed so silly that something that used to be so natural came so hard. After a long process (and many awesome therapists)I can walk fine.
The "take away value" from it for me has been that I don't take for granted my physical abilities any more. Almost every time I go to climb a stair I remember the struggle it was to climb one step. It's a reminder to me of how awesome God is and how faithful. I pray that each new "step" you take, whether physically or spiritually, is a reminder of God's faithfulness to you and your fam.
"Praise the Lord. Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?...PRAISE THE LORD."
-Ps 113
Praise God. He is good and He will give Dan the strength that he needs to recover. I am praying constantly and continue to thank Him as well as I read updates like this one.
Praise the Lord!! Please tell Dan congratulations on the Cookie Test. Please tell him that Mr. Thiele and I have also taken the Cookie Test....and the Brownie Test, the Apple Pie test, the Banana Cream Pie test, the Cream Puff test, the Chocolate Eclair test.....and he probably knows this already, but we passed them all too!!!
Thank you for the updates. We are continuing to pray for your family morning, noon and night! Praise the Lord for the great news.
Love you Guys, Jeff & Kim
I'm so glad you're doing better!!!! We'll continue to pray for your speedy recovery.
WooHoo! We're jumping for Joy and praising God! He has created us to mirror to the world His goodness...and what a reflection we're seeing! God is amazing! We love you lots and are continually praying for you and His glory in you.
Your Brothers and Sister in Christ :o]
Scratch -
Got back a while ago from the Men's Retreat or as it came to be known, the Mankind Assault, thanks to Tyler Brown. Anyway, it was an awesome time looking into God's Word and being able to see what it means to live passionately for Christ. It was great to worship with a group of guys. Two things in relation to that...1- thanks for your help in planning for the Men's Retreat and 2- thanks for your great testimony of living passionately and boldly for Christ during this time!
I love you man!
Swaddle
Dan, I was going to write all kinds of things but all I can say is Thank you Jesus!! I love you Dan. Gramma
Thanks for the update... we couldn't stop smiling and overflowing with joy as we read that you passed the cookie test.. Yum.. Praise God for your progress. we continue to pray for you all 24/7 knowing that our God is good and faithful to see you through every step of this trial.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20
Love you all, the morzaks
God bless Dan and all of you through his recovery process.
Sincerely in Christ,
Mark Daniels
we are praying for you dan--- and your family. praise God for the news of this test, we serve an faithful God. kristen eichmann & luke mac
Yeah!!! Enjoy Dan. Our son went 16 months before he got to eat. We do not realize the true pleasure in eating like you guys do.
Family...Debbie, I forgot to give you my e-mail and our website
e-mail kmalarkey4348@charter.net
website prayforalex.com
God allows the journey to begin with Him and when we hang on ..WOW!!! You guys are being an amazing witness to the faith that transcends understanding.When you can talk Dan, Alex would like to talk with you...now remember, he is only eight. You two could stir up some trouble. Keep laughing. It boggles the minds of those that will come around you that are not believers where that kind of joy can come from.
Do not focus on stats that you are given or terms that you are called...man makes limits that God greatly enjoys showing His power perfectly through! You are Dan with an injury and are in the "recovery" process.
Blessings...around the clock praying
Beth Malarkey
937-599-4348
Rejoicing with you at your progress....can't wait to hear what God has in store for you today! What an amazing God we serve!!!
you know what Dan...
a)God is doing awesome stuff
2) you're a beast! and a fighter.
c) i was so happy when i read this that i cried and went and told all my friends here in PA who have been praying and we are all excited
4)can't wait to see you man
e)whats the rehab's address?
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