01/02/2026 FOUR YEARS LATER!

01/02/2026 

January 2, 2022, was a Sunday—the second day of a brand‑new year, tucked into week 52 of the 2022 calendar. It was the first Sunday of the year, the 13th day of winter, and there were still 77 days until spring.

It was also the first of many times Jacob would fall.

01/02/2022

Jacob fell at church today. He was stepping down from the drum riser and hit the floor. This, along with the limp, prompted us to contact Dr. Clark Adkins, of West Virginia Ortho Neuro. Clark wanted to see Jacob, so he asked me to call Kim at his office and schedule an appointment.

We had no idea what road we were stepping onto. No idea how long, how heavy, or how miraculous it would become.

Yet through every step, God has been faithful.

What doctors once described as a 1–3 year life expectancy has now become year four… and we are still here. Jacob is still here. Still fighting. Still smiling. Still blessed beyond measure, even in the midst of disability.

And through it all, this promise has carried us:

“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...”    Isaiah 43:1–3 (NLT)

Four years later, this scripture feels even more true than it did that day.