It has been over seventeen weeks since Chad’s accident where he almost lost four fingers on his left hand, so I thought an update is due!

Chad is doing AMAZING.

He is still making progress getting those fingers to bend all the way into a fist again, and he is building strength and endurance in those fingers as well.

We still see Chad’s hand therapist at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital once a week – sometimes we have helpers with us!

I took a video of Chad during part of his therapy appointment a couple of weeks ago.

I think the grip was set that day around 29 pounds, which was hard!

Chad’s healthy hand can grip 75 pounds – just for a reference.

I don’t think Chad was able to do the whole board that day – that is where the endurance part comes in – but to see his hand bend and grip to move those pegs brings tears to my eyes!

He has come SO FAR.

It sure helps that we have an amazing hand therapist! We love her so much!

In other news, Chad was released to go back to work with just a few restrictions.

HE WAS SO HAPPY!

We have a good, doable, three days a week schedule for his job that allows mornings for school and lunch at home.

We feel so blessed.

Chad has been practicing his guitar again too!

He doesn’t know this, but the first time I heard him playing his guitar I sobbed.

It was a good sob.

Needed.

It’s been a long four months.

Chad does not have enough bend in his fingers to play 100 percent correctly, but he is working toward that goal!

We want to see him on the Worship Team at church again soon!!

Of course the day his therapist cleared him to shoot his bow, he ran outside the minute we got home and has been doing so ever since.

See why I cried?

There is SO much to be thankful for!!

Chad has also been working on his driving skills!

I enjoy letting Chad drive!

He is a good driver!

In other Chad news, he is growing about one inch a day.

I know, I know.

We call him our gentle giant!

We have been out and about a lot this last week or so, and have run into a lot of friends who have said a lot of prayers on Chad and our behalf since the accident.

Seeing you all face to face, getting a chance to show some of you Chad’s hand, squeezing your necks, and shedding a few tears with you has really filled my heart so full.

Even though we try to figure out why, we ultimately have no idea why the Lord allowed this to be part of our story, especially Chad’s story.

We DO know, without a shadow of a doubt, that His ways and His plans are the BEST though.

So we continue to pray that the Lord will use Chad’s accident for Him.

For His glory.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for healing Chad and for all that you have allowed!

To God be the glory!