Another life chapter closes this coming May: the "Kids in K-12 Schools" chapter. Any parent of multiple kids will tell you how different each one is, and the same is definitely true of our two.   Caleb's circumstances are unique, and we are trying to navigate what's next for Caleb after high school.

There are a couple of different reasons that this is difficult, and so we appreciate your prayers.  Obviously, Caleb's lack of vision is a barrier.  Fortunately, there is help out there in the form of private organizations, government programs, and technology that can help mitigate this challenge.  We are in the process of learning about each of these & how Caleb can best make use of the tools and assistance available.  The less obvious, and probably more complicated, barrier is the traumatic brain injury.  His brain functions so well in some circumstances, and in others, the handicap is profound.  It's hard to predict how Caleb will do in a given situation beforehand. Compounding this problem (in a good way) is that his brain function continues to improve.  As we reflect on how far he's come in a year, it's hard to guess what he'll be capable of a year from now.

Any parent will admit to worrying about their child's future. Will they make healthy choices? Will they surround themselves with positive influences? Will they choose to seek God? The list goes on and on.  Again, we're reminded that worrying isn't trusting God.  So we are focusing in on 1 Peter 5:6-7  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." When we humble ourselves & trust Him with our struggles, then He takes care of it all!

One of Caleb's favorite outdoor activities around the house is to pick up the hedge apples that have fallen off the trees and launch them as far as he can into the field behind our house. The imagery struck me the other day as I'm handing him softball sized bumpy hedge apples, and Caleb comments, "It feels so good to just throw it as hard as I can!"  He gets to laughing each time one of his throws results in a loud "thwack" as his hedge apple hits one of the tree trunks.  The guy has remarkable aim without even trying...he'll hit one probably 30% of the time, while my aim is off more frequently than that, and I have vision!  I giggle, too, imagining myself launching all of my worries (hedge apples) at God (trees) and missing the mark!  God never misses the mark, though.  He takes all of those anxieties, collects them, and simply says, "I'll take care of these, don't worry about them.  I've got a plan!"

Answers to prayer & prayer requests:

• Caleb spent two separate weeks in Michigan on the Leader Dog campus, working intensely on his caning skills. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience & learned quite a bit (as did Aaron, when he attended for one of those weeks with Caleb) about some of the advanced orientation & mobility techniques. We are working on perfecting those skills so that he can become a guide dog traveler. Please pray that God's will be done in this area.
• He worked at the Kansas Aviation Museum part-time this summer, learning about the aircraft & history so that he could give tours to visitors. Some amazing volunteers helped him daily.  He has learned to navigate the building, speak about most of the exhibits, and interject random flight trivia!
• Caleb has completed his orthodontic treatment. (He's so excited to be done with braces!)  The next step will be more bone grafting on his mandible, then posts will be placed for the dental implants.  Pray that these last two steps go smoothly.
• Morgan continues to work hard at college.  She is in a much better living situation this year, and she is enjoying her courses.  She's trying to figure out what job field is the right fit for her.  She has also started applying for internships for this coming summer.  Last summer she thoroughly enjoyed being a camp counselor at the Cosmosphere.
• Speaking of space camp, Caleb had an amazing opportunity to attend Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS) at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.  He had a great time learning about aerospace career options for blind people.
• Please pray for "what's next" for both kids, and that we will have the humility to seek God's wisdom.