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Arden, NC – Hi Friends,

Our God is miraculously healing Colby!!! It was just 48 hours ago when I gave the report that Colby was going to live, but that he could not talk, use his arm, recognize anyone or understand anything. That same little boy is a new person today. God has been gracious and has answered your prayers and we are so thankful to Him and to you for your prayers. I have included a letter from John Starkel, Colby's dad. John and Tami are so full right now from seeing God's hand move in such a mighty way. The Crist Family would like to thank you from the bottom of our heart. We love you all.

Rich Crist Jr.

Hello to all who have heard about Colby's accident.

I want to thank everyone who has been praying for Colby's recovery and also those who have been providing for our every day needs. We have received so much food and other things that have helped us tremendously in getting through these difficult days. I have truly seen God's hand in the response we have seen on Colby's behalf. I know God's perfect plan for Colby's life did not include this trauma that he has suffered. Sin has tainted every part of this world and hence brought in these kinds of incidents. It is not God's fault it happened. I could easily blame the person who was driving the other vehicle. Although he is responsible and should be held accountable, the ultimate reason why these things happen is…accidents happen! We live in a fallen world and this is not my or Colby's final destination. I look forward to the day when no one will have to go through this kind of thing again. A day where there is no pain, no fear and no harm to innocent children. A day when no one will choose to sin, be careless or make poor decisions. A day when we all will be whole and in the presence of our loving Savior!

Today is day 11. Colby has made magnificent progress! Praise God!! He is now completely tube free, no IVs, no catheter, no nothing. He is very strong and walks on his own, and mighty fast too I might add! He smiles all the time now and is generally in a good mood. He is still not speaking, but managed to sound out the word mom today when working with a speech therapist. When Colby heard what he had said, he put on a great big smile at his accomplishment. His right arm is still not very strong. He has very little movement but is at least making progress. He has mastered the bathroom and we are all very excited about that! He seems to be healing at an exponential rate and I am so grateful to God our healer!!!

The next step for Colby now involves physical therapy at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Facility in Knoxville, TN. Three days ago the doctors and physical therapists were talking about 4 to 6 weeks of inpatient therapy. Today they said they thought we would be in and out in about 1 -2 weeks!! We will be moving out of the hospital on Tuesday to our new temporary home at Patricia Neal Rehab center. It is one more step in getting closer to our home in Maynardville, TN and we are all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds again.

I believe that God is going to heal Colby to 100% health. I have seen Colby come so far in the last two days and he is such a determined young man. Tonight he put his pajama top on with almost no help, including his right arm! Looking back over the past week and a half, I can remember when I didn't know if my son would even make it. Then I can remember when I thought my son would be stuck in a bed for the rest of his life. Now I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life as a father to a healed son. God held Tami and I up through the darkest period of our life. He has been so faithful to us and has given me my hearts desire, to have my son back. I will never forget this Christmas! The season we celebrate the birth of Jesus my Lord, is the season my son Colby was given back to me, the second greatest gift I could possibly receive. I cannot understand the height, width and depth of the love the Father has for us in order to have given up His beloved Son for us, the greatest gift I've ever been given! What an incredible God we serve!!

On the Glory Road,

John Starkel
The Crist Family
http://www.cristfamilymusic.com

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