Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for all the cards, pictures, visits, and phone calls. We have a tradition that all the pictures get placed on the refrigerator for the year so we can pray for you and see your wonderful families. This year they are posted on the wall next to Dick's bed and have made a wonderful way for him to see you and share in your Christmas and holiday wishes. I will get a note out after the Day and let you know how all is going.
A dear friend from Church who is a PT is coming out with me early Christmas Day to get Dick dressed in his finery-his Grant plaid rabat and green coat- and bring him to the 10 o'clock service at St. Luke's. This is his first outting into the church and then home for the turkey and goodies. Bob Baker, our friend who has been working hard to get the door widened, grab rails up, and a ramp made to assist us has truly been a God send as well as all the St. Luke's family, our neighbors, and the weekly visitors. My nail and hairdresser,Suzie, has come out and cut his hair once and is coming Christmas Eve for a trim. Is this not the gracious hand of the Lord meeting not only needs but wants? I really do not know how to express the fullness of my heart for all these loved ones who are carrying us in their arms and prayers.
Yesterday, the 21st was our 48th anniversary and we had fun. I took our wedding album out, showed everyone what a cutie Dick was and is, and had a great time at the resident Christmas event luncheon. Then for dinner I went out and brought in enchiladas for us to enjoy and have some of our soul food. He ate everything and thoroughly enjoyed the change and reminiscing. We have had quite a journey together and expect more adventures in the coming years. The Lord has not let any of this be wasted and we are amazed at the way He uses our lives to bring glory to His Father . Being His children is far from dull and very comforting to know He has everything well in hand.
We send our Christmas greetings and blessing for a full, joyous,love filled day as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Dick and Amy
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
TIME FLYS AS CHRISTMAS COMES NEARER
Dick and I have been busy getting goals met and slowly seeing progress. I did have the xrays done and there were no fractures of the hips, just degenerative bone evidence and a spur. We were able to get him out in the car for a ride around and that was great. I took him by the house and saw one of our neighbors outside.He was delighted and they had a good talk. Then I drove by the Publix, our big grocery chain, ran in and got him some of their Chinese food which he really likes. We took it back to the center and had that for dinner rather than their "cuisine". He did very well and thoroughly enjoyed the change of scenery. I need to get him out this next week to see all he Christmas lights.
If you ever wonder how the Lord knows what you need to know and when, give me a call sometime and I can tell you. I started thinking about how we need to re- configure the bathrooms and what equipment will be necessary. Not just wondering but beginning to fret. Psalm 37 popped up about fret not- KJV- and I reluctantly said okay. The next day I saw a friend in the Publix who said," remember I can do plumbing and electrical work", and he was the one who had installed a door for us in the bathroom that would fold and give us more room. You have to remember our house was built in the fifty's and bathrooms were not the priority. Dick's is a real joke. A walk through closet would be more like it. As it turns out we can remove the door into our bedroom, take off the framing, enlarge a few inches, and get about 29 inches from the present 23inches now. My brother just happens to be having his bathroom redone so they will send his workers over to see if it is possible. Humm, how did the Lord know I would be needing this help? My next concern was getting a doctor as a follow up with Dick and who? Again yesterday the therapist asked if I had started thinking about this and said it would have to be a neurologist and we needed to have Dick seen before he leaves the center. The neurologist will be able to tell just how much he sees is returning according to the medical records since the stroke. So I started on that today and have someone and have gotten the ball rolling. Dick has alot of issues since he did have that heart attack in 93, all the cancer, and now this. I had no idea there was so much to be on top of at this stage of the game. But it is going smoothly and I am sure we will be ready to get him home by the end of Jan. He will definitely be in a wheelchair unless the Lord speeds up the healing process of his brain re-wiring. That could be your specific prayer because right now he is totally dependent on help.
He has gotten much stronger and is able to pull himself up to the bar and stand straight with help stablizing his left leg. He can take steps with his right leg, a hemi-walker, and assistance sliding his left foot. He is getting some tone back in the left arm and leg but no independent movement and alot of pain on that side. The is no determination as to how long and if he will regain use of that side. His spirits are fair and he can still laugh but wears out easily. Our nightly prayers, Advent readings, and blessings get both of us the night and next day. The harvest is plentiful out there and our hearts can 't help but sadden at so many discouraged and hopeless people. Please pray that we can remain strong in the Lord's promises and love as this gets long and wearing on the soul and spirit. Your prayers, calls, and cards are very lifting and a constant reminder that Romans 8:28 is truth.
Blessings and joy this wonderful Advent season.
Amy and Dick
If you ever wonder how the Lord knows what you need to know and when, give me a call sometime and I can tell you. I started thinking about how we need to re- configure the bathrooms and what equipment will be necessary. Not just wondering but beginning to fret. Psalm 37 popped up about fret not- KJV- and I reluctantly said okay. The next day I saw a friend in the Publix who said," remember I can do plumbing and electrical work", and he was the one who had installed a door for us in the bathroom that would fold and give us more room. You have to remember our house was built in the fifty's and bathrooms were not the priority. Dick's is a real joke. A walk through closet would be more like it. As it turns out we can remove the door into our bedroom, take off the framing, enlarge a few inches, and get about 29 inches from the present 23inches now. My brother just happens to be having his bathroom redone so they will send his workers over to see if it is possible. Humm, how did the Lord know I would be needing this help? My next concern was getting a doctor as a follow up with Dick and who? Again yesterday the therapist asked if I had started thinking about this and said it would have to be a neurologist and we needed to have Dick seen before he leaves the center. The neurologist will be able to tell just how much he sees is returning according to the medical records since the stroke. So I started on that today and have someone and have gotten the ball rolling. Dick has alot of issues since he did have that heart attack in 93, all the cancer, and now this. I had no idea there was so much to be on top of at this stage of the game. But it is going smoothly and I am sure we will be ready to get him home by the end of Jan. He will definitely be in a wheelchair unless the Lord speeds up the healing process of his brain re-wiring. That could be your specific prayer because right now he is totally dependent on help.
He has gotten much stronger and is able to pull himself up to the bar and stand straight with help stablizing his left leg. He can take steps with his right leg, a hemi-walker, and assistance sliding his left foot. He is getting some tone back in the left arm and leg but no independent movement and alot of pain on that side. The is no determination as to how long and if he will regain use of that side. His spirits are fair and he can still laugh but wears out easily. Our nightly prayers, Advent readings, and blessings get both of us the night and next day. The harvest is plentiful out there and our hearts can 't help but sadden at so many discouraged and hopeless people. Please pray that we can remain strong in the Lord's promises and love as this gets long and wearing on the soul and spirit. Your prayers, calls, and cards are very lifting and a constant reminder that Romans 8:28 is truth.
Blessings and joy this wonderful Advent season.
Amy and Dick
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