Jones Family Updates

Last Saturday evening, I was able to help with Kathie’s bath after a very busy day. Her long abdominal scar was a chilling, visual reminder of where we were five years ago. Collapsed lungs, spleenectomy, lacerated liver, a severe right brain injury and long days in the ICU. I remember one of the assisting trauma surgeons telling me, “She could have died from any one of those injuries.” After her bath I brushed her hair, let her know how pretty she is then sat with her quietly. I find moments of solace when I sit holding her hand, the next day would be a physically and emotional busy day, my Birthday. October 24, My Utmost for His Highest, “The proper perspective of a servant of God must not simply be as near to the highest as he can get, but it must be the highest. Be careful that you vigorously maintain God’s perspective, and remember that it must be done every day, little by little. Don’t think on a finite level. No outside power can touch the proper perspective. … Paul said,...

Wednesday, I was able to join Kathie, the Staff and fellow residents of Care Meridian at a farm for their monthly outing. We looked at the pumpkin patch, the small animals and sat in the shade of a large tree, another nice trip. I have mentioned to you that occasionally we meet someone on these trips that takes the time to talk to us. This day it was a woman from a retirement home who said, “I said a prayer for her” as she handed me a bottle of water. I am always struck as “God engineers our circumstances” through the people we meet. Later I watched as she and her friend struggled to walk around the farm yet she still smiled at us. Hebrews 12:1 (New International Version) God Disciplines His Sons. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. “The race marked out for us,” carries a frustrating meaning for me, I contin...

Here is my much underlined quote from My Utmost for His Highest, "We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life— those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength." Madison is visiting two colleges this weekend, Hannah received school awards at an assembly yesterday and both are settling into school. I attended their Back to School Nights, met teachers and said hello to friends, many we've known since the girls were in Kindergarten. Recently I have scheduled my time to help with Kathie's evening whirlpool bath. Aside from turning on the water-jets and spraying water all over the room, into her face and generally creating pandemonium, I am learning this facet of her care. She calmly gave me a look as if to say, "this is supposed to be relaxing." Kath enjoys the massage as I wash her ha...