""The plans of the Lord stand Firm forever, the purpose of his heart through all generations," Psalm 33:11. But we must be prepared to wait on God's timing. His timing is precise, for He does things "at the very time" He has set. It is not for us to know His timing and in fact we cannot know it, we must wait for it." Steams in the Desert, May 24.
Last night, as I washed Kathie's hair, I thought about writing to you. I am careful not to get water or soap in her eyes and I know that she likes the feel of warm water being hand sprayed on her scalp. She enjoys the scalp massage and I spend extra time gently scrubbing the back of her head because it is on a pillow most of the day.
Today, I arranged another home visit for Kathie, 9am to 2pm. I have found that I enjoy the days she comes home. For her, it is nice to see her on our patio sleeping as the wind blows through her hair, for me, I am able to complete home tasks as Kathie sleeps and I like to see her at home.
Last week Kathie and I met with her doctor, after we had x-rays taken of her right hip and knee. Contracting muscles have created an impediment to transferring her from bed or her wheelchair, also general cleanliness is my concern. We are pursuing orthopedic options int he coming months.
Finally, last night the Girls had friends spend the night, Kathie's arrival today and visit does not impact the sleepovers or surprise our guests. This is a facet of our lives, care for Kathie while living life in our household.
Kathie is just waking.
As we wait,
Dave & Kathie
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
MAY 12, 2012
Sorry I haven't posted in months. I often think of writing and as you will see below, I start to write but just don't finish a post. I thought I would go ahead and share my partially finished posts.
April 6, 2012
Good Friday
Hannah and I
are on a flight to San Francisco, Andy is flying down from Seattle and we will
spend Easter Weekend with Maddie in the bay area and worship on Easter Sunday
in Walnut Creek with friends.
Last
Saturday, Hannah and I were in Tijuana for a house-building trip. 13 years ago,
Andy asked me go on a youth group trip because adults were needed. I have been
on 27 youth and adult trips since that invitation, Hannah just completed her
fourth trip and I was pleased with her building abilities and stamina.Returning to
Kathie is a highlight and I miss her. I usually get nose-to-nose with her and
let her know how beautiful she is and how much I missed her.
Kathie receives a hydro-bath every other night. I usually take over the bathing duties 2-3 times a week. When washing her hair, I make sure to cover her eyes, much like you would when washing the hair of an infant. She enjoys when I spend extra time massaging her scalp as I wash her hair. I have purchased different bath gels and I turn off the room light so she has a relaxing bath.
Friends have
asked me about bringing Kathie home. I tell them that bringing her home will
require a person to live with us at least part of the time. Hannah is finishing
up her freshman high school year and our home hosts many sleep-overs as well as
friends coming and going. “Balance” is always on my mind. I find fulfillment
sitting next to Kathie, rubbing her head but that could mean Hannah sitting at
home by herself. I must balance my roles so, for now Kathie is cared for beyond
what I could do, Hannah will still
Returning
home questions: I am still asked when willI bring Kathie home. The answer has
March 5th,
marked 6 and a half years since our accident. Madison, Hannah and I went out to
dinner and discussed our lives over these years. The Girls mentioned questions
by friends and teachers who never knew of the accident.
When I sit
next to Kathie, I do wonder what circumstances God is “engineering”
May 5, 2012 -
6 years, 8 months
Yesterday
afternoon I flew to San Francisco to attend a Sorority dinner with Madison. I
enjoyed meeting her sorority sisters and they were a fun group to talk with.
Maddie has grown up quite a bit since I left her in the dorms last August. She
has a grown up independence mixed with a daddy’s girl happiness when I get to
see her. This morning we had breakfast at a favorite spot near the Wharf and we
enjoyed planning her dorm exit as school ends in a few weeks. We also visited a
potential house rental for Maddie and her roommates.
May 12, 2012
Today Kathie
came home for a visit, Mother's Day is a hard weekend, bringing her home seemed like a good idea and I enjoy the our time. This is the fourth or fifth home visit and I enjoy seeing her drift off to sleep on our patio. I will celebrate Kathie, her mothering and our love.
From My Utmost for His Highest: Reaching Beyond Our Grasp, May 9th.
Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?
“Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision]. . . .” Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God’s vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on our own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path. We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done before? Is there a freshness and a vitality in our spiritual outlook?
We celebrate Mothers and Kathie's love for her family,.
Dave
Dave
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
MARCH 7, 2012
"Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God." Oswald Chambers, March 6.
Kathie's progress and follow-up doctors appointment has pleased her surgeon, we are almost done with putting her arm in a plastic bag during her bath. I believe we added to Kathie's comfort by completing this surgery. Next, we meet with a orthopedic surgeon to address right arm and knee contractures.
While at Sharp Rehab we checked in on a fellow patient who had lived at Care Meridian. It was amazing to see him throwing a bean-bag, learning to walk and even speaking a few words. I celebrated with his brother, shook hands and said good-bye. Even as I reached the gym door, I already was already felt jealous of the progress and I confess my thoughts went to "why not Kathie?" I apologized, kissed Kathie and helped load her into the transport.
On February 18th, I scheduled a home visit for Kathie. There is anticipation of the visit, excitement at seeing Kathie in our kitchen then solemness as she is transported away. This visit I used the post-visit energy to run my 5-mile lake route, while taking to God. Good visit and I enjoyed our time together at home.
Last weekend, I sat with Kathie in the sun, I trimmed and painted her fingernails pink.
Take care,
Dave
Kathie's progress and follow-up doctors appointment has pleased her surgeon, we are almost done with putting her arm in a plastic bag during her bath. I believe we added to Kathie's comfort by completing this surgery. Next, we meet with a orthopedic surgeon to address right arm and knee contractures.
While at Sharp Rehab we checked in on a fellow patient who had lived at Care Meridian. It was amazing to see him throwing a bean-bag, learning to walk and even speaking a few words. I celebrated with his brother, shook hands and said good-bye. Even as I reached the gym door, I already was already felt jealous of the progress and I confess my thoughts went to "why not Kathie?" I apologized, kissed Kathie and helped load her into the transport.
On February 18th, I scheduled a home visit for Kathie. There is anticipation of the visit, excitement at seeing Kathie in our kitchen then solemness as she is transported away. This visit I used the post-visit energy to run my 5-mile lake route, while taking to God. Good visit and I enjoyed our time together at home.
Last weekend, I sat with Kathie in the sun, I trimmed and painted her fingernails pink.
Take care,
Dave
Thursday, February 9, 2012
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
"Are you longing to hear your Master's voice calling you, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid," (Matt. 14:27)? Yet only silence...
My love is silent because I love beyond the power of words to express it and beyond the understanding of the human heart." Streams in the Desert Feb. 9.
Kathie slept through the night and is still sleeping off her surgery. She is very comfortable and her facial muscles are relaxed (how she is sleeping and facal muscles are my clues about any pain she might be having).
The surgery went well but I was disappointed in my discussion with the neuron-surgeon last night. I had higher hopes for her right wrist and right knee being a nerve issue rather than an orthopedic issue. I will now work with her doctors to decide about orthopedic surgery. Her left wrist and arm did benefit from the surgery. Note: my disappointment is founded in my plans not in God's plans.
After a very full day with Kathie, I arrived home late last night, in the mail we received a thank-you card from an organization that Kathie and I support. Emmanuel Family Homes is a residential program that helps young adults with developmental disabilities. The note contained thank you by six of the residents including hand drawn pictures. "We owe it to God to give our best for His lambs and sheep as well as for Him." Chambers, February 9. The residents gave their best to me in their service to God, I was blessed by their ministry.
Dave
http://www.emmanuelfamilyhomes.org/
My love is silent because I love beyond the power of words to express it and beyond the understanding of the human heart." Streams in the Desert Feb. 9.
Kathie slept through the night and is still sleeping off her surgery. She is very comfortable and her facial muscles are relaxed (how she is sleeping and facal muscles are my clues about any pain she might be having).
The surgery went well but I was disappointed in my discussion with the neuron-surgeon last night. I had higher hopes for her right wrist and right knee being a nerve issue rather than an orthopedic issue. I will now work with her doctors to decide about orthopedic surgery. Her left wrist and arm did benefit from the surgery. Note: my disappointment is founded in my plans not in God's plans.
After a very full day with Kathie, I arrived home late last night, in the mail we received a thank-you card from an organization that Kathie and I support. Emmanuel Family Homes is a residential program that helps young adults with developmental disabilities. The note contained thank you by six of the residents including hand drawn pictures. "We owe it to God to give our best for His lambs and sheep as well as for Him." Chambers, February 9. The residents gave their best to me in their service to God, I was blessed by their ministry.
Dave
http://www.emmanuelfamilyhomes.org/
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Last Tuesday, January 31 was an outing to the mall. While most of the group went bowling, Kathie and I went shopping. We bumped into a young man, a friend from our church and his family is good friends of ours. I am always surprised at the people God put in our path on these trips.
I've gotten pretty good at navigating through the mall avoiding people who wander into our path, to elevators to Bath and Body Works for lotion and shower gel. Here is a picture for you, Kathie and I purchasing a computer from the Apple store. We needed to replace a home computer, my research was done and we completed the transaction. Kathie was very alert, watching me and the connection was a blessing. Exhilarating but sad when I had to leave her at the transport.
Today, Kathie and I are at UCSD Thorton Hospital waiting for the rescheduled surgery on her left wrist and an evaluation of other joints. Our 1pm surgery just got bumped to a 3:30 surgery and I will follow-up with a post-surgery report. Although we are just sitting around, I'm enjoying sitting around with Kath.
Dave & Kathie
I've gotten pretty good at navigating through the mall avoiding people who wander into our path, to elevators to Bath and Body Works for lotion and shower gel. Here is a picture for you, Kathie and I purchasing a computer from the Apple store. We needed to replace a home computer, my research was done and we completed the transaction. Kathie was very alert, watching me and the connection was a blessing. Exhilarating but sad when I had to leave her at the transport.
Today, Kathie and I are at UCSD Thorton Hospital waiting for the rescheduled surgery on her left wrist and an evaluation of other joints. Our 1pm surgery just got bumped to a 3:30 surgery and I will follow-up with a post-surgery report. Although we are just sitting around, I'm enjoying sitting around with Kath.
Dave & Kathie
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Last Tuesday, January 31 was an outing to the mall. While most of the group went bowling, Kathie and I went shopping. We bumped into a young man, a friend from our church and his family is good friends of ours. I am always surprised at the people God put in our path on these trips.
I've gotten pretty good at navigating through the mall avoiding people who wander into our path, to elevators to Bath and Body Works for lotion and shower gel. Here is a picture for you, Kathie and I purchasing a computer from the Apple store. We needed to replace a home computer, my research was done and we completed the transaction. Kathie was very alert, watching me and the connection was a blessing. Exhilarating but sad when I had to leave her at the transport.
Today, Kathie and I are at UCSD Thorton Hospital waiting for the rescheduled surgery on her left wrist and an evaluation of other joints. Our 1pm surgery just got bumped to a 3:30 surgery and I will follow-up with a post-surgery report. Although we are just sitting around, I'm enjoying sitting around with Kath.
Dave & Kathie
I've gotten pretty good at navigating through the mall avoiding people who wander into our path, to elevators to Bath and Body Works for lotion and shower gel. Here is a picture for you, Kathie and I purchasing a computer from the Apple store. We needed to replace a home computer, my research was done and we completed the transaction. Kathie was very alert, watching me and the connection was a blessing. Exhilarating but sad when I had to leave her at the transport.
Today, Kathie and I are at UCSD Thorton Hospital waiting for the rescheduled surgery on her left wrist and an evaluation of other joints. Our 1pm surgery just got bumped to a 3:30 surgery and I will follow-up with a post-surgery report. Although we are just sitting around, I'm enjoying sitting around with Kath.
Dave & Kathie
Monday, January 30, 2012
JANUARY 30, 2012
I'm beginning to catch up. Cleaning up from the holidays, restarting my running/workouts and settling our daughters back into their schools. Evidence of how fragmented I can get became evident last week when a scheduled surgery for Kathie had to be postponed. I hadn't updated Kathie's health insurance, which changed on January 1, so there wasn't enough time to jump through the bureaucratic hoops. Now we reschedule and wait.
Last month I had a friend, who has cut Kathie's hair in the past, colored her hair back to a light brown/blonde at Hannah's request. The gray is now gone and she reminds us of our past image of Kath. Tomorrow Kathie and I have an outing planned at a shopping mall while the other residents bowl, I look forward to these time together. I added a extended-height office chair to Kathie's bedside for myself and guests, I can now adjust my seated height to looks more directly at her or in her line of sight when we are together.
"God has a fixed time and an ordained purpose and He who controls the limits of our lives also determines the time of our deliverance." Steams in the Desert, January 24.
God bless you as you go through your day,
Dave
Last month I had a friend, who has cut Kathie's hair in the past, colored her hair back to a light brown/blonde at Hannah's request. The gray is now gone and she reminds us of our past image of Kath. Tomorrow Kathie and I have an outing planned at a shopping mall while the other residents bowl, I look forward to these time together. I added a extended-height office chair to Kathie's bedside for myself and guests, I can now adjust my seated height to looks more directly at her or in her line of sight when we are together.
"God has a fixed time and an ordained purpose and He who controls the limits of our lives also determines the time of our deliverance." Steams in the Desert, January 24.
God bless you as you go through your day,
Dave
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