Happy New Year!

Although we have yet to receive the miracle of Chase’s complete healing, this has been a wonderful holiday season nonetheless. We continue to see consistent reminders that Chase’s health is on a slow, steady upswing with consistent stability. This week he’s shown a measurable increase in the strength of his legs (mainly resistance tension during his daily PT exercises) and even more upper body movements, including his neck and left shoulder. His breathing continues to improve and we’re beginning to learn more about utilizing a structured approach to completely weaning him off the vent. This is going to be one of our highest goals for the next few weeks.

The outpouring of support that we’ve received during the holidays is overwhelming. All of your prayers, wishes, cards, presents, etc. have lifted our spirits during a very emotionally difficult time. There were four different groups that visited to sing Christmas carols to Chase and filled our house with holiday cheer. He was even personally visited by Santa (since he couldn’t get to the mall) and received all the toys he could possibly play with once he fully recovers. Now it seems like we all need some R&R to gear up for the challenges in the New Year.

We truly feel that during this holiday season, we’ve received the birth of Jesus into our hearts more than ever and we’re being moved to surrender Chase to His infinite mercy. We continue to receive daily reminders of the power of faith and prayer though reading scripture, books, movies, or just word of mouth from our Prayer Warriors, including “…and he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matt 14.14). “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen” (Heb 11.1)

With all of your support, we’re continuing to keep the faith and believe that Chase will be completely healed in 2007! What a miraculous year this will be – we look forward to the celebrations and expressing our gratitude for all the prayers that are bringing Chase back by popular demand…. We hope you all have a wonderful, prosperous, healthy and safe New Year!


God Bless!!

John & Carol Sammut
Chase & Barbara