Tuesday November 13th 2008 The word is alive Mark swimming threapoy

I awoke up extra early this morning I was seeing a song by Casting Crowns it was The Word is Alive. This song speaks truth it is very powerful.  I know Gods word is alive and that it is truth. Gods word will never fail it will remain the same yesterday today and tomorrow. Gods word is all powerful it can remove all darkness!  Maybe God laid it on my heart because yesterday was so very hard for me. I went to go see Mark yesterday.  Marks recreational therapist Kelly was going to put Mark in the swimming pool.   I ask the day before if I could go in with him, because Mark and I have had a love for the water every since we were young.   I remember swimming with Mark as young as the age of four we would swim all day if we could.  We also got are scuba diving certification together.  We got are first scuba certification ( which was a Paddie certification with Hank Mark and I) in Adelaid Australia.  Mark has always been very good in the water.  Marks was not always the greatest diving partner though.  You see we would call Mark turbo fins because he was so fast in the water.   When you were his diving partner you would get lost from Mark because as soon as Mark was under the sea and he would be gone. One of the most important rules of diving is don't lose your diving partner, but you would look for Mark and you could never see him.  You see those fins were just so fast none of us could keep up with him.   I have had a life time of fun in the water with Mark.  Well when the therapist said no I was truly disappointed But I under stood.  I went to watch him yesterday and know I know why he said no.  When I arrived at the pool they were lowering Mark in the pool on a special chair this took alot out of Mark.  When Mark was lowered into the water about at his waist the therapist Kelly told the person lowering Mark to stop, Mark did not have to adjust to the water temperature the temperature was warm.   It was the feel of the water.  The water was stimulating Marks hole body he began to shake his body was jerking up and down then Kelly wanted to let Mark get use to it before he went any further. After a min. he told Ronnie to let Mark down all the way about just under Marks arms Mark had to adjust again the Kelly waited for Mark to comb down a little he had to hold Marks legs down on the bottom of the pool, they were bouncing up and down alot.  Then he put his arms under Marks arms and moved him off the chair letting Mark get comfortable with him he then ask Mark to try to walk with him as he back up holding Mark under Marks arms, Mark was trying to do what he asked him he was walking with him but this was hard for him to do.  Then Kelly put Mark on his back with Marks head laying on Kelly"s  shoulder Kelly started to stretch out Marks right hand above his head this was a great effort for Mark.  Mark look at Mom and me and smiled then Kelly did his left arm up high above his head then he look at Ronnie and smiled . I looked at Ronnie looking at Mark I could see her emotions on her face.   How hard must this be for her to see day after day I only get to see a very small part of what Mark has to do in a day and I am broken hearted and thankful at the same time.  After this the therapist was trying to get Mark to remember how to float on his back.  He ask Ronnie to put one of those swimming noodles under both his knees this brought Marks body more at a floating position on his back. Mom and I were standing off to the side and Mom whispered to me how fortunate we were to have Mark here. I told Mom God had truly blessed us in Mark being here.  The care Mark has received has been wonderful you can really see the love that all the staff have for all the patience. I was watching the Kelly face and I love to see the smiles of encouragement he gave Mark.  Then next task he gave Mark was to walk across the pool with out alot of help he was just there to balance him I seen Mark look over at me I could not help My self, I had to go to the side Mark was trying to Walk to. I wanted him to stay focused and try to make it to the side the therapist wanted him to go to . I knelled down and I said look at me Mark he did. he was trying so hard to walk in the water this was not easy for him at all I could see it in his face this was also painful for him, but mark did not give up he kept trying and he did walk to my side. When he reach me he said to me.   Melynda I cant swim any more.  This broke my heart!  I told him you will Mark you will.  Kelly told him no negative talk.   He turn Mark around and told him to walk to Ronnie.    Mark did I am very proud of mark he is trying with all his heart he is not giving up.  Mark was done so the Kelly had to put Mark back on the chair that lowed him in to the water to began with.  As Mark sat on the chair the therapist ask Mark to hold his breath and put his face in the water Mark did. I watched him do this when his face came out of the water his whole face was tightened his eyes were squinted. I could see the effect of the feel of the water was having on Marks hole body. I can see Mark is super senitive to touch. We have also noticed his hearing is very good.  Mark is very sensitive to touch. God I know that Mark is in your care I pray that you are with him today strengthen him. Please help him today allow your holy spirit to cover him and give him your strength for things that are before him today! Thank God for today!  Thank you for the life you have given back to us!