Wow! I could hardly believe it this afternoon when Dad woke up from his long nap. He actually smiled at the aid who came in to get him up. Up until now he really hasn’t been a happy camper. They had no problem getting him into his wheelchair, so mom and I decided to take him for a spin. As we walked down the hall he smiled, greeted, and responded to his nurse, whom he had resisted previously. She was so happy to see him smile, that she gave him a hug and told him she was happy to see the real Art Yohner. Then the social worker greeted him, asking how he was and he said, “fine, thank you”. She asked Dad how to pronounce his last name and he told her exactly how to say it! We continued on downstairs and took a riverside stroll. He commented about the pretty grass and seemed to be enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

We have not seen his eyes so wide open, so many smiles or communication like this since before he was hospitalized! Once back up on his floor, the three of us sat at the end of the hall in a nice sunny spot to visit a bit more before his dinner. I pulled my little NLT Bible out of my purse, opened it up and found myself looking at Ephesians 3:14-21, which I read aloud.

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.

He didn’t say much for a minute or two. Mom got up to go gather some things before we left. A moment later I realized Dad had closed his eyes and was praying. As in the past, much of it was mumbling, but I did hear…”Father…serve you…fellowship…people…we praise you…Amen”!

Hallelujah…what a gift! I just had to share it with you!
Thank you for your faithful prayers.