More Josh...

For those of you that have following Josh's story, I thought it would great to give you some more details about some remarkable developments in his life. I use the adjective "remarkable" because even though this is not what we were expecting, we are seeing God's hand in His life and we expectantly wait to see His plans unfold for Josh!

Many of you know that Josh is diagnosed with ADD. I comment that he is a poster child for this condition. I don't cringe to state that, because I know that it isn't a negative, rather an attribute we choose to embrace and recognize how it affects Josh the amazing young man he is. We further more will never use it as a label or excuse because his identity is not based in that. He is a Christ follower who believes in the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Josh decided last spring that he wanted to attend Camden Military Academy. For many reasons, this type of school is a great choice for him and many other young men there. With the structure and discipline of the military style, this helps him greatly with the challenges of ADD. In fact, he is able to be there and not take his meds. This is a great accomplishment.

Before Josh left in August, we took him for his physical. His doctor told us he needed an eye exam. We saw the doctor and found out he needed glasses. His vision just needed minor correction. After a few months he was complaining of glare and foggieness with his sight. So, over his Thanksgiving furlough, we took him back to the Optometrist. To all of our surprise, he told Josh that he had cateracts. We were all a little stunned. My thoughts went to his electrocution accident. The doctor agreed that it was most likely from the electrocution. My heart sank.

Josh's goal is to join the military upon graduation. He loves being a practice soldier at school and was excited about becoming a true soldier. We love his passion for Justice, Honor and Patriotism. We believe those are traits that some young men strongly value. My friends that have young men in the service say they were born soldiers. I believe that describes Josh as well.

What amazes me about him, is his response to all of this was, "well, I guess I'll be a plumber in the army". Because of his condition and the strict limitations of the military, his choices he knew would now be limited. I recently discovered that his chances of even being recruited have become very slim. Thankfully, my God deals in the impossible!

It's hard to see your child's dreams and desires crushed. But, I've seen my own well laid plans eroded. What I thought was the best route for my life, God changed. It was only until later that I could see that His plan for me was much better and more beneficial. With Josh, I have faith that what he thinks he wants, may change because God has something much bigger and beneficial for Josh.

Josh is a gift to David and I, and to those who know him. He has such a zest for life and charisma that touches everyone that knows him. We see these gifts in him as tools to further God's message of hope and salvation to the world. I am continually thankful that I get to see God visibly work in my child's life. It serves as a constant reminder to me that God is a personal, loving and caring God that desires to be personally involved in my life, when I surrender my life totally to Him. I can't wait to write more of what God does in the life of my son. I am learning so much through the life of this child.