New Years Revolution by Jessika Van Spronsen

Setting this up....A NOTE from Murray Lincoln
Four Years ago I was called to the hospital very late one night. I had completed the Chaplaincy call that was my reason for being there. The halls were empty as I walked toward the exit that would lead me to where my Van was parked.

As I rounded one corner in the hallway there was a friend of mine, Kim. I had performed the marriage for her daughter and son-in-law. Kim looked at me and grabbed my arm. Her face did not have the normal happy and bubbly look to it.

“Am I ever glad that you are here! We need you now!” she said.

Her daughter had just delivered her first baby, Jonah. There were lots of problems from what Kim said as we walked toward the birthing area. The biggest problem was that they had almost lost Jessika, her daughter, during the delivery. Now they also were not sure that Jonah would make it either.

That seems to be a long time ago now. Jonah is very much alive and now doing things that stagger your mind.

Jessika wrote the following as an email to me and others that stand with their family in support and prayer. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.

Jonah is my little buddy. When the weather warms up this coming spring – he and I are going to fly some kites together again. This year he will be able to TELL ME about what he sees! I can’t wait!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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New Years Revolution by Jessika Van Spronsen

It was 4 years ago that Jonah came into our lives. It was 4 years ago that we heard the doctors say that our small son was disabled, would never walk, would never see...well you get the picture.

Well, almost 4 years ago. Jonah was born in February, this is January. He has decided that in his 4th year of life, he is going to make a New Years Revolution. A revolution, not a resolution. There is a HUGE difference there.

A New Years Resolution is defined by our good friends at Wikipedia as: A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. More socio-centric examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more economically or environmentally responsible. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. The new year resolution is one example of the rolling forecast-method of planning. According to this method, plans are established at regular short or medium-term time intervals, when only a rough long-term plan exists.

There are religious parallels to this secular tradition. For example, during Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

A revolution is completely different, a revolution is defined as: A revolution is a drastic political or social change that usually occurs relatively quickly;

Jonah has started to walk, talk and even become more of a "Big" brother to Samsun. In the last 4 weeks, Jonah has started to laugh audibly, say Mom, Dad, Sam, and No. We were told he would never do this. There are so many "medical" factors behind this, and yet once again God prevails and has taken over. God is good, very good. Jonah can walk everywhere now. He can walk upstairs, he can walk downstairs. He can walk into the toy room, he can walk into his own room. He CAN WALK!! He can get up on his own, and he can make everyone around him watch in AWE as he walks. FINALLY. No walker infront of him. That is being returned to 5 Counties on January 13th. Wow--did I really just say that?? Yep--the walker is being returned! He is walker free! It's amazing isn't it?

The Revolution has begun. He is revolting against all those doctors that said never, no, forget it, and you may as well accept that your son is severly disabled. Not us. Never. We have faith. Notice I say HAVE. We still have it. We are still strong in our faith for God. Jonah laughed the other week out loud as we said our prayers. He wouldn't stay in his bed...he wanted to walk. He wanted out of that bed to run. I had to laugh to...that was prayer enough---God knew in that moment it was Jonah's way of saying "THANKS GOD".

Now he and Samsun are equal on the playing field. In fact, like I said earlier Jonah is becoming more into his "big" brother role. In fact, he now sits on Samsun and won't let him up until he is good and tickled!! Does that sound like a child with a disability to you? Or a normal 4 year old Brother??

Samsun has become a great ambassador for Jonah. He continues to interpret his brothers sign languge, and sometimes just sometimes, includes jokes in his interpretations. He is quite a character. Hopefully this year the cookie sheets will not be ridden down the stairs by him, and he won't think jumping from the deck is a great idea. He is an expert at helping us around the house, and loves to be outside shovelling the snow! We are so proud of him. He is talking up a storm, and is understandable with his language. He's a great kid, we couldn't have asked for a better 2 1/2 year old.

One more piece of great news before we go. A friend of ours has a daughter also involved in 5 Counties, and for the first time this week, she was able to express to her mom that she loved her too! Isn't that great!! This is the year--2009--it's starting off with a real good bang!! I hope it keeps it up--I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Happy New Years All!

Love to you all
The Van Spronsen Clan