Today marks a special day in my heart. I will get to Danny's progress the last couple of days because we've had some new developments. However, I first want to share with you all why today is so special to me.

One year ago today, Danny and I found out we were going to be parents. It was shocking and exciting at the same time. You see, we weren't trying to have a baby (insert joke about how babies are made here). To us, it just wasn't the right time yet. We were weighing our options about moving to Arizona or staying in Atlanta. We were discussing Danny's career and the motorcycle business. These were naturally big decisions and then you throw in the baby and the decisions now affected our family, not just us as a couple.

I knew I was pregnant before Danny did which I suppose is often the case. I was actually scared to tell him because we weren't trying and I knew he didn't consider himself ready to become a father. Once my doctor had confirmed the pregnancy, then I felt free to tell Danny.

So, I was making dinner and asked Danny to get our drinks. I asked him to pour me iced tea. Waiting for him, next to the tea pitcher, was a baby bottle filled with chocolate milk and a Harley Davidson bib wrapped around the top. Motorcycles and chocolate milk are some of Danny's favorite things (Yes that music from The Sound of Music is playing through my head too). I still laugh because the look on his face was priceless.

As he reached in for the pitcher, he chuckled and said, "What's this?" I stood at the kitchen sink, facing him terrified about what he was going to say, how he was going to respond. I, of course being hormonally sensitive already, burst into tears and apologized for getting pregnant, like it was something I did without him knowing. Anyway, through the tears I told him that I had gone to the doctor that day and she had confirmed we were going to have a baby and my due date was October 4th. I don't think Danny even closed the refrigerator door, but he stepped forward and just held me. He was speechless and was for hours later. We tried to sit down to dinner and his plate got cold. He would stare off in space and say 'Well' but no words would follow.

Below is part of an email that Danny sent to me the morning after he knew about the pregnancy. I would usually keep these private love notes to myself, but I want to give you a peek into the heart of the man I call my husband.

"Just wanted to write you a little note and tell you that I love you. We are about to start the next chapter or two in the story of our lives together. Yes, I'm scared and shocked just as you are, but it doesn't matter. We will make it because we have each other. Like I was saying last night and like you told me long ago, I am your alpha and omega like you are mine. I will take care of you and our baby to the death. Don't stress out. I guess God is trying to teach me to fully trust him and have faith in him. Have a good day and I'll talk to you soon. Oh yeah, if I ever hear you say 'I'm sorry' for this, I will slap you only because I probably shouldn't punch your belly…..just kidding. Love, D"

Looking back, I know that God knew just how much and how significant the life of Corbin was going to be for us. Corbin is an instrumental tool in Danny's healing, as well as my own. God knew I was going to need this child to feel comfort and peace. How blessed Corbin is to be used as an instrument of the Lord at such an early age. I can hold Corbin and know that the Lord does indeed have perfect timing; He is faithful and He does provide for all our needs. As I comment often, Corbin has been and continues to be my saving grace, my comfort in times of sorrow.

Thanks for letting me share this sweet memory of the start of our special family.

Now, let me move on to news of Danny's progress.

Danny often gets stuck, for lack of a better word, on words or ideas; meaning, he has a period of obsession about something. For example, the other night, Danny was convinced that I was leaving him on the sail boat that he bought six months ago. He was very concerned and urgently told his parents not to let me leave. Now, in the real world, we all know I'm not about to leave Danny, and we don't own a sail boat. Another example is that he swore to me that he had flown his private plane to Texas to see me that day, so our discussion was all about Texas.

I explain that to you because we never know if what Danny says is truly what he wants or knows, or if it is confusion speaking. Such was the case on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Danny began to ask his father to take him to a game, a hockey game. Instead of commenting about the hockey game for a short period, he talked about it for two days. So, what do we do? Do we take Danny to such a public event where there will be crowds of people, loud music and noises, and a truckload of germs floating about? Well, we decided to take him. After all, I'm sure he has some cabin fever and it'd be good for him to do something normal.

I am pleased to share that Danny had a great time at the game. He began to cry as we entered the arena and sat over the ice, but it seemed to be tears of joy. He told me he was scared of the people, but didn't want to go home. He cried when the first loud music started, but eventually got used to it. We equated it with Corbin hearing loud noises. Just as a child has to learn, Danny has to experience such things again. Danny got cold in the third period and told us he wanted to go home. Once we were home, Danny did have an agitated period and I didn't crawl into bed until after midnight, but he had fun and that is all that matters.

So, you'd think maybe he got the desire to be out and about out of his system, but no. I got a call from Danny's mom yesterday saying that Danny wanted to go to church. Now, for all you Mt. Paran churchgoers and prayer warriors walking through this with us, please take no offense. I was really concerned about taking him to the church where his father works and where we grew up and where everyone knows our story. I knew that people would have the best of intentions to come and greet Danny, but let's be honest. Danny is easily overwhelmed and stimulated. He may or may not be fully aware of how many people are lifting him up in prayer and honestly, how much more difficult is it for him to know who you are if he never met you to begin with. Won't that just confuse him more as he searches his memory for 'do I know this person?' Plus, the exposure to "fellowship germs" should raise some concerns, right? The last thing we need is Danny to fall ill again and experience a setback in his recovery.

Well, while all those considerations are normal and understandable, we took him to church. We arrived late, but snuck in the back and sat listening to the message. Danny was pretty attentive for the most part; he did dose off, but who hasn't? Once again, communion was part of the service. It wasn't passed through the pews as it is traditionally in our church, but instead people stood and walked to be served. We and Danny's parents, stayed in the back and my heart melted as I witnessed two ushers, one with the bread and the other with the cup, begin their ascent to us. Without needing to speak it, as Danny's primary caregivers and knowing food and drink is still a no-no, we decided to let Danny take communion.

So, in the moment, Danny's father helped him grasp a wafer and dip it in the cup and Danny ate. It wasn't a morsel as it was before, but a mouthful for him since he had not eaten in so long. He chewed, he swallowed and you know what happened? Nothing. He didn't cough, he didn't choke or gag. He just ate. We shared communion with him and as the music played he cried, he sang and he cried out to the Lord. And, he told me he loved me. He told me he loved me. He told me he loved me. No, that isn't a typo, I meant to write it that many times. Danny did feel like the wafer was stuck in his throat and luckily I had a bottle of water in my purse. He took two capfuls of water and again, he didn't cough, choke or gag.

I point that out because of Danny's problems swallowing and protecting his trachea, even saliva made Danny cough and feel like he was choking. Different textures promote different responses in swallowing. For instance, it is easier for Danny to swallow something with some texture rather than a liquid. He can control the textured food in his mouth more than he can water. So, when I share with you that Danny didn't cough on the water, that he swallowed it well, it truly is a small miracle in this process. I am hopeful that the medical staff will confirm for us what we already believe; Danny is ready to eat. Our appointment for our second barium swallow test is on Monday, February 6th. Please pray that Danny will pass will flying colors and that we'll be able to begin giving him food and drink.

Did you think I was finished? Well, I'm just getting started sharing with you what a blessed evening we had at church. So, after the service, Danny wanted to go and see the choir who practices on Wednesday nights. I went and picked up Corbin from the nursery and met Danny and his parents at the choir room doors. They were learning a new chorus, but people were worshipping as we boldly entered into the room. The singing continued and we joined in the worship. Danny cried and sang along. He raised his right hand and as you can imagine, there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I was able to speak briefly to the choir while we all remained in the attitude of worship. I was able to show them the miracle in Danny that they've been praying for and that the Lord heard their petitions.

I stood next to Danny and took his hand and as I was about to speak again, I was quickly awestruck by a message given in tongues. Again, as a company of believers, we worshipped and thanked the Lord. The message from the Lord was powerful- the chains that bind you will fall and the prison walls that encompass you will crumble. And, there was laughter in the Spirit's message and it reminded me of a verse that I inserted in a previous entry:

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'" Psalm 126:2

The Lord truly ministered to all of us in the choir room. To those of you that minister in music at Mt. Paran, I am forever grateful for the part that you play in this healing. Danny listens to your music as he sleeps and he sings. His spirit worships even as his body rests. I appreciate all of you who held me as I cried and I am thankful for your many presents of food, gifts and prayer. The Lord will reward you justly as I never can.

Not to minimize what the Lord has done for us already, but I ask that you continue to pray for Danny and for our families. Continue to seek and knock on our behalf, but I also encourage you to ask the Father to reveal to you what you can receive through our journey. This journey is not our own; it is the journey of all you who walk with us, who carry us daily by your prayers and it is also the Lord's journey for He never leaves us or forsakes us. Let's face it. He has already gone to hell and conquered it for us to have life everlasting. What then should we fear?