BY THIS FAITH YOU ARE SAVED
1 Corinthians 15:2 reminds us that faith is not merely a simple belief, but a powerful and transformative force in our lives. It is a deep-rooted trust in God and His unwavering promises that sustains us even in the most challenging times. Faith leads us to salvation, not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
Over the past 22 weeks and 3 days, the spiritual transformation within my household has been nothing short of miraculous. We weren’t supposed to make it past day two, yet here we are—157 days later. That’s 157 days of God watching over my brother, gently holding him in His arms, and breathing new life into him each day. I can’t recall the last time I shared an update publicly because I often find myself sitting with Ricky at Highlands. It’s not out of worry, but out of sheer amazement. I’m continually amazed by the incredible things God has done, and the blessings He is still pouring out. I’m also deeply grateful for the dedicated people who care for Ricky here, many of whom have become more like family than caregivers—a testament to God’s perfect plan and loving presence in our lives.
Ricky’s bedsore has improved tremendously and is so much better now. Highlands truly has the absolute best wound care nurse here, someone who provides exceptional expertise and compassion. What’s even more heartwarming is that she knew our Savannah, which made the connection feel even more personal. I can’t help but get tickled because Ricky sometimes stares at her as if he’s trying to act mad, but what she doesn’t realize is that he’s not mad at all. She has yet to see the real “mad face” he can give me—or anyone else, for that matter. Ricky’s tracheostomy site is very close to being completely healed as well. Once again, it’s thanks to the absolute best wound care nurse and the dedicated nurses who continually check on and care for the wound with such devotion.
Ricky is fortunate to have his pick of nurses, and this week, one of his favorites is on the night shift, which I’m sure will make him very happy. She has become more than just a caregiver—she’s truly his friend. I can never fully express my gratitude or repay the entire staff here for loving my brother with the same depth and care that I do. We’ve seen wonderful progress: Ricky now has voluntary movement in his left leg, and he has gained enough strength that during therapy sessions (which are the best, by the way), he can sit up in bed with his feet on the floor. His head control has improved significantly—he can hold his head steady, look up, look down, and turn his head from side to side with ease. Just last week, Ricky began to barely wiggle his right toes and fingers. Later that same week, you could literally watch the muscles in his right leg coming back to life. By the end of the week, he was able to move his right leg noticeably. Although his right foot doesn’t move quite like the left just yet, God is patiently teaching me to slow down and trust the process. Just yesterday, Ricky was able to move his right arm out and in multiple times on command. This progress is nothing short of amazing, and every small victory is a testament to his strength and resilience.
Ricky began showing signs of improvement with a slight movement of his left toe when we were back at UAB. When we arrived here at Highlands seven weeks ago, he was unable to hold his head up, and he had no strength to sit up at all. But God’s grace has been evident!
Tomorrow morning, Ricky will begin his speech therapy, and I’m beyond ready and excited to finally hear his voice again. Just last night, we had a FaceTime call with Taylor, and Ricky was trying so hard to move his mouth and say something to her.
This morning, I received a call informing me that Ricky had bitten off the oral care sponge and was holding it in his mouth. This behavior is quite common for him when he wants to be a bit stubborn or when he’s seeking my attention. So, I walked into his room, put on a glove, gently inserted my finger into his mouth, and he opened wide and spit it out, just like the stubborn little brat he can be! (I’m joking, of course—he’s not a brat, and we are incredibly thankful to still have him here with us.)
Later this afternoon, Mom noticed that Ricky was becoming anxious and started tensing up. When I arrived around 2 o’clock, I took him outside to sit with our “Porch Ladies,” and then we went for a walk together, talking things through. Thank God, he is now calm and has been resting peacefully for quite some time. The brain damage has been reversed, and I truly believe that he will speak again and walk out of here one day.
The amazing Activities staff here helps get Ricky out of his room frequently. I don’t tell anyone exactly how Ricky “communicates,” just to see if anyone else will notice his unique ways. This afternoon, while sitting with his favorite KeKe, one of our porch ladies shared with me that yesterday afternoon, during a singing session, Ricky would stare at her intently. When she asked him a question, he would slowly close his eyes and then open them again. This is one of the ways Ricky often communicates with me as well. Interestingly, before his stroke, he used to do the same thing when he wanted me to be quiet. I now believe this gesture has evolved into his way of saying “yes.”
Thank you all so much for following Ricky’s journey and for your continued prayers. Please keep praying!
