What a beautiful update on Parker to go with a Bulldog win 49-28 over the Van Wert Cougars!
4-0 on the season!

playingforparker

Sometimes jewelry is just for fun. And sometimes it tells a story.

Right now, the bracelets stacked on both of my wrists are telling quite a story. There are probably nine of them altogether, and each one means something different. I see them all day long, and right now they’ve become constant little reminders of Who is protecting me, my son, and our family.

I’m big on praying Scripture over my family, and today we prayed Ephesians 6 again—the Armor of God. Game days are still some of the hardest days for us, so today I’m praying especially for protection over our minds and hearts—and for every football player who takes a field tonight.

Last night, I sat in the stands watching our younger son, Hudson, play football on a field Parker has played on many times. In fact, it was on that very field in 7th grade that Parker was tackled and, for the first time, didn’t immediately get back up. I’ll never forget it because it prepared this mama heart for what the next five years of being a quarterback mom would look like.

For years, I have prayed over Parker and those boys protecting him. I even had his linemen over for pizza and swimming and prayed WITH them to please protect my son and for their protection too back in middle school.Thankfully, Hudson is a wide receiver, so it’s slightly easier on this mama heart knowing the entire D-line isn’t trying to get him every single play.

But sitting in those stands again was hard. Knowing Parker will never play on that field again was another one of those moments that just hits differently now.

And then I watched Hudson.

Before the game, it was his goal to gather as many teammates as he could to pray—and he led them in prayer.

I’m so proud of him for going out there and being brave through everything our family is walking through. But I’m even prouder that at 12 years old, he understands life is bigger than football. He understands the eternal importance of gathering people together to pray.

THAT matters more than any touchdown, win, stat or scoreboard ever will.

Although watching him block and learn the difference between blocking and holding has been pretty entertaining. If you ever played basketball with me, you know he comes by that honestly. Okay…way off topic.

Back to our #8

Parker has been BEASTING IT OUT this week. PT and OT have gotten much harder, and with that has come more pain, but WOW—the effort this kid is putting in amazes me.

He is walking on the treadmill with assistance and the zero-gravity harness, and watching him work makes you realize how much effort every single step requires right now. He is also stepping over small obstacles, working with weights on his hands and ankles, and gaining better control of his movements.

AND TODAY WE SAW A LITTLE WRIST MOVEMENT!!!

We have all been praying so specifically for those wrists, so PRAISE GOD for another little glimpse of progress and answer to prayer!

I am continually amazed by Parker and the power of prayer from all of you, but I’m also incredibly grateful for the medical team God has placed around him—from his doctors and nurses to the amazing therapists who challenge, encourage and believe in him every single day. What they do is incredible.

Today he also got a little field trip across the street to the Wexner Center for a smoothie. It felt so good just to get out.

And now we have a very specific prayer we’re asking ALL of you to pray boldly with us:

Parker’s scheduled release date is October 1, and we are praying for the miracle of him WALKING OUT of this hospital.

Please join us. Pray for those wrists to WORK. Pray for his spinal cord and entire body to continue healing. Pray for strength, movement, function of his whole body, and endurance.

Tonight we will be following our Bulldogs live from the hospital. I’m praying every boy who walks onto a football field tonight walks back off safely, having left it all on the field and understanding what a privilege it is simply to play.

And by all means…GO GET A WIN, BULLDOGS.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand…” — Ephesians 6:10-11 definitely worth looking that one up but personally, I’d keep on a readin’ through 6:20 – if you want to read about the FULL armor of God

October 1. Praying for him to walk out. We’re praying BIG. THANK YOU for joining us!