More Independence

With my sister and her family here, as well as my brother for a couple of days it has been a busy week for us. John has been taking part in all the activities. He has been driving himself around the yard more. Friday was a busy day and I needed to go shopping. He was able to drive himself around the store while I pushed a cart. It was a big thing for me to let him do that and of course he did just fine. Please pray I will not squelch John's independence.

A place for everything and everything in its place

Today Eleanor and Geoff and kids went over to Hardy Island leaving us relatively peaceful for a time. My brother-in-law Stephen came today with the cabinet doors and tomorrow we are getting the countertop for the kitchen. Once the countertop is in we can mount the sink and put in the dishwasher. The will make our kitchen pretty much complete. Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: Pray that we will be busy about the right things.

Stardate 26/07/2010

This morning I am reminded of Star Trek. Sitting in my wheelchair, reminds me of Capt. Kirk sitting in his command chair. He does little himself but commands the other crew to get things done. Eleanor and Geoff are here and this morning, while Geoff busied himself working on the boat Eleanor took the pruners and trimmed back the fir trees that blocked the view from the driveway and also those that shaded the patio. As I on the patio: Eleanor asked me about everything she wanted to cut.
It seems to me that I am in a similar position towards God. I have a useful tool, the Bible, with which I can do what the father wants me to do. But unless I consult my heavenly father in prayer I will either do the wrong thing, or feel that it all depends on me. Pray that I will depend on God for direction.

Thanks for being encouragers

Today was such an eventful day that I am composing this blog with Laverne's help at 10:00 at night. We attended church this morning and the message was very appropriate as it was about maintaining our faith in the storms of life. Mike reminded us that when the disciples faced a very real storm on the Sea of Galilee Jesus was with them asleep on a pillow in the bottom of the boat. After church we came home and awaited the arrival of Laverne's sister Eleanor and her husband Geoff. They arrived along with Laverne's parents from town and we had bbqed salmon given to us by a friend at church. THus begins old home week as we are also expecting Laverne's brother as well as some nieces and nephews. I think of the encouragement we receive from our family - both the spiritual family at Kelly Creek and our Bible Study (not to mention all you who comment on the blog) and our natural family(my brother and family and Laverne's family). I want to thank you all for being the encouragers to us.

Praying

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This morning the men got together to pray. We picked up Lee so he could pray too. We spent a lot of time talking about living for Christ in our world today. It seemed like we spent about 50 minutes talking and 10 minutes praying but I saw how this verse applied to our meeting as the Spirit led our talk and gave focus to our prayers much better than using our prayer time to figure out how to pray as we should. It seemed like we were all “in one accord” as we prayed for our families and friends to shine for Christ in what we saw as a dark world. Please pray that we can live for Jesus everyday this week. As far as getting back to normal at home the last few days have been concentrated on using my voice or sip and puff to control my environment.

A blast from the past

I remember when our Prime Minister chose to use a line from the desiderata in a speech to the nation. He said today is the first day of the rest of your life - that’s how it seems around here. In my last post I spoke of all the activities going on and now yesterday and today I have been practicing with all the new devices. It truly seems like the first day of the rest of my life. It reminds me of the first verse I ever memorized Two Corinthians 5: 17. If so today is the second day, which brings me to the second day of creation. How I wish it was the seventh day. Pray with us that I will be able to master all the assistive technology.

New Technology

Today we got the internet-hurray. No more having to go somewhere else to blog or get our email. I am so glad. Also today we had a visit from Technology for Independent Living. The technologist set up a device so John is able to turn a light off and on as well as the radio/CD player and a call bell. He is also now able to use the telephone – anyone in PR can expect a call as John practices getting good at using the phone! It takes quite a bit of practice and perseverance so he will be busy working for at least a couple of weeks if not longer. Please pray that John will have the patience to learn how to use these devices that are there to help him be independent.

Power Outage

For the past few days John has been listening to an audio book from the library. He woke up early this morning and asked me to turn on the CD player. Part way through the disc it stopped and then his ventilator started beeping and John told me the power was out. (His vent alarms when it changes from AC to DC power.) After finding out that Hydro had no idea when the power would be back on we decided to head for my parents place. By the time we had a lovely breakfast the power was back on at our place and we were ready to head home and get on with our day. We learned a few things. One was that we need to keep some water on hand. I had dumped all our water out when cleaning up our house for being with John in Vancouver. We are so thankful that the power outage was just a little blip in the day and we were well organized.

Good Works

On Sunday my friend Lee came over and washed our new van for us while on Monday another friend Tom had found a new to us stove and brought it out. Now our kitchens in both houses are fully stocked with appliances and I am getting ready to go to my second Bible Study Yeah!! Gal 6: 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, Now that I am home it is exciting to see how the second part of this verse is coming to pass. As people shower me with good things I am reminded that I have always felt we need to be able to receive as to give. All that is left to do in the barn kitchen is to get the counter top installed and then install all the appliances. This looks like a busy week. Please pray that both Laverne and I will have the stamina to get everything done.

Let your little light shine

Matt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. This morning I was enjoying the sun out on the patio and thought of this verse. When you are in the sun you really do glorify God. The heat is like the light that we shine in the world, it brings good feelings to all who experience it. Today is an exciting day, we took delivery of our appliances and a friend in town called to say he had located a stove for us. This was an answer to a prayer we had last week. I am sitting in my in-law’s apartment looking out at Texada Island with only a few small clouds –it truly is a beautiful day.

A peaceful life in the country

Today we had our first home visit from the community physio. He was impressed with the way our house is set up and assured us we are doing the right things. He also commented on how peaceful it is at our home for which we are truly thankful. We went into town today and once again I was full of thankfulness for the van which makes getting in and out very easy so we made 3-4 stops before coming home. One remaining concern is my low blood pressure – it is a little disconcerting for others when I gap out as my blood pressure drops. Please pray that my blood pressure will be well controlled.

Crazy Carpet

Today,we got some carpet tiles to put in the back bedroom in the barn.We tried to match it up but no matter how hard we tried they did not match up.This reminding me of the church.We humans would like everyone to be the same only God can handle the differences between people.God wants us to see united but not uniform where as we are more concerned on uniformity not unity.Eph 4:3-6 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were calledto the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Pray for the unity of the church in our world today.

The Word

Pro 7:1-3 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Our daily Bible reading contained these verses yesterday which encourage us to keep God’s Word close to us and challenges us to follow him. He is calling us to be his disciples. The regular reading of his Word brings us face to face with how we can carry that out. Please pray that we will be open to hearing and obeying his Word. The combination of daily reading and writing the blog is a great encouragement to conform my life to Jesus’ teaching.

Praise and Thanksgiving

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Today was a rather quiet day and I had time to think over how fortunate I really am and this verse came to mind. I was thinking of my in-laws and the example they have been to keep on keeping on, even at their age. We also had Bible Study at our place last night and somebody?? made the comment that they were concerned about the study keeping going but we had a good turn out and everybody was encouraged. Today’s blog is one of praise and thanksgiving as I look at this verse and see it works in my life today just as it did in David’s life.

Back to Normal

2Tim 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, After being away from Bible Study for almost a year we are preparing for having it in our new quarters tonight. The plan is for a sharing and praising time. I have really missed our study and this marks another step in getting back to normal.

Living God's Way

Today being Sunday we went to church and met old friends who came to lunch afterwards. They spent the afternoon together sharing old times and memories of Kelly Creek Community Church. It reminded me of how important the apostle Paul found it to communicate with friends new and old and to encourage the church. The message today was from Ezekiel about dry bones and was very encouraging as it centred around the filling of the Holy Spirit challenging us as a church to desire God more and see him work in our personal lives. Let us pray for each other that we will have the courage to desire the filling of God’s Spirit and to share this blessing with our friends. PS the pictures are on the way.

A picture is worth 1000 words

A couple of days ago someone requested pictures of our new home . Today we spend our time enjoying our new home and thinking of what pictures we would post on the blog. Stayed tuned as tomorrow we plan to take some pictures and post them. It has been wonderful to be back at home and to have people come to visit us. I realize that is not possible for everyone so I want to share a couple of thousand words – on second thought it would be even better to share some pictures of what a great place we have to live in. Continue to pray that I will be able to stay at home and we will have pictures posted in the next few days.

Bible Study

Deu 6:6,7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Monday I am looking forward to having Bible Study at our place. I hadn’t really thought about it but I missed having a weekly input of sharing insights from the Bible with other people. When I was a child my mother was the Sunday School superintendent and would run things by me to see if they would work in Sunday School and we did a similar thing with our daughter. Please pray that I will “talk of them when I sit in my house…”

Officially Home

Today was the day we officially cut the apron strings and phoned the hospital and told them I was not coming back. we have been praying for this for a long time and we would like to thank all of you have prayed along with us. Marie, our live-in caregiver tell us the hot weather we are having is quite common in the Philippines but I am really enjoying it and hope this will keep me healthy so I don’t have to go back to the hospital anytime some. It was great to be there and I appreciate all the work the staff did while I was waiting for the house to be ready for me. Please remember me in your prayers especially that I would stay out of the hospital for an extended stay at home. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

Home For Good

I came home yesterday and had a great afternoon sitting under the trees with the warm temperature. Today is a continuation of yesterday. Please pray I will keep on feeling better every day so I can stay home but remember no matter what happens - we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

Excited Caregivers

Today was exciting for my caregivers. I wanted a lot of sleep and it made them excited because I was so drowsy. When I woke up I felt much better. Pray that I will get a good rest – with no excitement. Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul.

Lots of Rest Needed

I have just come from ECU and from getting John into bed. We had a great weekend with lots happening. John was very tired tonight and could hardly wait to get to bed. Please pray John will gain strength and stamina and rest in the Lord. Tuesday is the that we are hoping he comes home for good.

Home Again

Yesterday I picked John up from ECU and we went to a percussion recital. It was a great start to our weekend at home. We are still in the organizing stage of things so getting home requires a lot of figuring. It is however getting easier. Last night was a better night for John than the last one he spent at home. He was determined to make it to men's prayer at 8am Saturday so he made it. So many firsts! Please pray that he will continue to remain healthy and will have a relaxed home visit.

East, West - Home’s Best

We missed blogging the last two days and the reason was the caregivers were given a learning session by PROP, as well as sessions for volunteers to become familiar with helping me in an emergency. At the same time I was getting ready to spend my first overnight in my newly renovated home. Hebrews 11:8-11. All the things mentioned for Abraham and all the things we talked about happening to me went well, although not in the way we expected. The trainer’s car broke down so the teaching sessions had to be shifted but I am glad to report we now have a cohort of people ready to support me and accompany me on outings. I also spent my first night at home and my caregivers had a chance to work together at our place. My first experience overnight at home felt very good and I am looking forward to increasingly longer stays.