The painful journey we have all been on with Nathan started on Alumni weekend. He and I had spent a game of intense racquetball together in the WWU courts. (It is something he and I have enjoyed doing together ever since his college days at CUC in Canada.) Our game Alumni weekend was something special we had planned before I even arrived on campus. Then the weekend ended with ‘the crash’ and the contrast in my mind of the robust athleticism one day and the crumpled, unconscious form of Nathan by the telephone pole the next day was just a real heart crusher!
So imagine my joy to have Nathan come and watch us play racquet ball 15 weeks later! He was walking on his own and able to stand in the court again with me and Jared. We have so much to be thankful for! We are looking forward to the day we will be able to actually play a game together.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:2
This text seems to pop up in life with many different applications and that is the beauty of God’s scriptures. God knows that I have wished many times that I had been out in that field with my chainsaw early Sunday morning and cut that telephone pole down before Nathan had a chance to come crashing up against it. But as is so often the case, my opinions or desires change when I learn things that God has known all along. In this situation, a review of the accident site revealed that the telephone pole could have actually been a shield against another danger just 20 feet further on in the direction his body was traveling. (see picture) Two steel pipes, 4″ in diameter, were protruding from the ground about 3 feet, protecting a water valve. The tops of these pipes had been cut with a torch, leaving them with many ragged, sharp edges. If his body had hit these instead of the telephone pole, he could have had injures from being impaled or lacerated. His probability of internal injuries would have greatly increased. Perhaps we would not have Nathan here with us.
So despite the injuries Nathan has, I have a new perspective on that telephone pole. I also am reminded again of God’s ever applicable Word, in every situation.
by Dad
Yesterday was such a bitter sweet day. On one hand we were excited about moving Nathan to a new “home” for a period of months, and on the other hand, sad to leave our old “home” in the corridor of the hospital. I actually walked out of Nate’s hospital room with tears streaming down my face - eager for the next chapter of his life to begin but not wanting to give up the security blanket I felt there with all the nurses and staff of Harborview.
The decision of where to place Nathan for a rehab program was decided with much trepidation. After asking God to leave no room for doubt in the decision - to make it very clear to us, He certainly answered in such a way that we feel His direct leading. We are moving forward with much faith that He will continue the work of healing in Nathan’s bones, especially his limp, left arm.
By: MOM
Rita and I had to return to Portland yesterday to try and keep our ‘other life’ going here at home. What a joy it was to drive into our driveway again after being gone so long. However the real joy was finding that our 2 acres of lawn was all freshly cut and our garden was rototilled, ready for planting. Our green house plants were being watered and had grown. Shasta (our elderly English Mastiff) was well taken care of and happy to see us.
It was the same story when I went to our business in Portland and found our lawn mowed, shrubs trimmed and flower bed weeded.
It is hard to explain how having these things done for us meets our needs in multiple areas of our life, not just a check mark on a ‘do list’. We wish to express our appreciation from the bottom of our hearts. We surely have experienced a multitude of blessings from the ‘family of God’ during this experience.
To all of those reading this who have their own ‘Nathan crisis’ in their life, take courage for we serve a God who is unsurpassed in his compassion, love and provision for each one of us. He has ALL the answers, will sustain us as He reveals them to us and will provide for the needs of the situation.
Nathan has always loved making music and listening to it. Through the years, he has always had the current music storage device, filled with music he liked. Each of his vehicles have always had a ’sound system’ in them which was carefully installed in the shop at home. The trunk usually carried large sub woofers which added a large dimension to the music he was listening to at the time.
As Nathan would return home during school breaks from CUC, we would keep in touch with cell phones about the progress of their 16 hour trip. As his time of arrival approached we would start to get excited and would ‘listen’ for him approaching. He had developed a tradition of opening his windows and cranking the volume to its limits as he rounded the curve for home and came down the final, quarter mile, straight stretch of road to our driveway. Those powerful sub woofers sent out the joyous, repeating message that Nathan was almost home. What a joy it was to greet him in the driveway and have him home again.
Today, I returned from a quick trip to Portland to take care of business. As I traveled up I-5 toward Seattle, I fondly remembered Nathan’s tradition. As I took the James St. exit for the hospital, which overlooks the freeway, I decided to return Nathan’s tradition to him. So I rolled down my windows, and cranked the volume on the little Chrysler Sebrings’ radio. The little factory door panel speakers made a valiant effort to emit gigantic sound waves. The base pulsed in that little car and the tears rolled down my face, as I thought of Nathan laying in his hospital bed, and the possibility of my music announcing to him that I was coming to see him, help him and encourage him. I was borrowing his tradition to tell him that I was eager to spend time with him. Instead of a school break, I was taking a ‘break from life’ to come and be at his side during this tragic, life changing event that had engulfed him.
When I arrived in his room, his window was open and I imagined a few stray, pulsing thumps of music bouncing up the hospital walls and in through his window.
by Dad
(Next time I try that I am going to have a set of earplugs 
Today has been a very difficult day for me. First and foremost I am sooo grateful for the life that God has seen fit to preserve in my dear son. I am also so very grateful of the miracles that we have seen happen in Nathan’s recovery thus far. My heart is heavy as I remember that today Nathan and Jared were scheduled to play special music at the Sandy Church for Mother’s Day. I had made a special request of them this year to give me their gift of music at church - but today I sit in his hospital room holding his left arm that is limp and unmoving. He was such a natural with the violin and oh, how he loved to play it. Nothing was more special for me than to play the piano while he accompanied on his violin. The Drs. say it is too early to tell the amount of nerve damage that was done - so again I just pray for God to do what He knows is best for Nathan. And for all of you mothers out there, give your children an extra hug on Mother’s Day. They are each a special gift from God.
by Mom
What a high day we have had!! My heart is filled with joy and thankfulness at the steps we have seen and experienced in Nathan’s recovery. It is hard to explain it all - even now I can hardly type as my eyes are brimming with tears. Tears of joy and gratitude for the progress made but still full of anxiety as I hear the Dr. report of the long road of recovery before him. We can only take it one day at a time and continue to lift him up in prayer for God to finish the work of healing that He has begun. I firmly believe that God can work things out - in ways we can’t even imagine. Like the Message Bible says in Eph 3:20 “God can do anything, you know -far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams.” I know He cares about every detail in our lives. He knows how many hairs are on our heads and how many cares are in our hearts. So through this whole experience, I have had to leave Nathan in the palm of His hands - to be especially near to our dear, beloved Nathan. I have claimed promises to give him peace, renewed strength, to restore hope and guide the way to better, brighter days ahead. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength always ready to help.”
I am so encouraged by all your words of comfort - they have been a real help to my soul. Thank you so much for all the help and support we have been given whether in the form of words, hugs, visits, food, cards, and housing. All I can say is, God is good, All The Time.
By: Rita
It is an amazing experience to be suspended in this bubble of tragedy, with most of our regular life routines suspended and disconnected. The single focus is taking care of Nathan’s needs and preparing for his re-entry into life. In the mean time, life has rolled on without us, but God has used people to provide for our needs during this time. We praise Him for doing all this and thank each of you for the support you have provided during this time of need.
It seems life really does boil down to relationships, which is something every person has to contribute regardless of the number of things or titles they possess. Whether its a relationship with our Father, our family or our friends, its relationship that determines our happiness, both here and in the eternal future. As our family seeks a restoration of our relationship with Nathan, it serves as a reminder to us of the larger value of all our relationships. So to each of you, we say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for the relationship you have with us and Nathan.
by Dad
The communication wall has been broken thru! I think I feel something like the children of Israel must have felt when that sea parted and they could get thru! No more talking as if he understands and is hearing. No more words without confirmation. There is such a sense of relief………the tension drops down a notch………..you breath a little easier then you have been because there is connection with someone you have missed so much. The team-ship we have enjoyed thru life, can now be restored. There are many more steps to come . .. . . but we can now do it as a team, together. I am so eager to reassure him of my love and support and that together we can conquer his new challenges. While different then the prodigal son story in the Bible, my reponse is similar……my son has returned from a ‘far land’ where I had no communication with him and I am ready to ‘kill the fatted lamb and celebrate’! Prasie the Lord for his goodness and restoration in Nathan’s life !
by Dad
After having 16 people here for Sabbath dinner in the hallway, it feels kindof lonly as Rita and I sit here together. Jared, Rachel and Aaron have all had to resume their classes at WWU today and won’t be back till Friday. Jared and Aaron are having a hard time with being back at the house where Nate should be living, eating and sleeping. A new week has started for everyone and it seems strange to be suspended in this ‘new world’ that does not have our regular job duties and routines. Time just drifts by without the usual landmarks provided by jobs, business and collegues. We have been so thankful for all of the support, supplies and encouragement that have been shared with us.
We have our ‘usual spot’ in the end of the hallway where we set up the headquarters for Team-Nathan. We are slowly getting accustomed to all the smells and sounds of a hospital. So far I have 2 things on my pet peeves list. The first is people who come stand or sit near us and proceed to talk on their cell phones in loud voices, filling the hallway with their personal business. The second is having to listen to the approach of a cart with squeaky wheels or a flat spot on the wheel, then it comes into view, and then I listen to it slowly depart down the other hallway.
We have a good view of the harbor, Safeco Field and the helipad where incoming patients are brought. We park right under the helipad, which holds 3 helicopters at once. We have watched people be unloaded from the choppper and loaded into the waiting ambulance for the 1 block, $800 ride to the hospital’s Emergency Room.
by Dad