Jones Family Updates

Two weeks ago, Kathie and I completed another Christmas shopping trip to the Mall. I wasn't as motivated during that trip and didn't accomplish as much. Although, we did some clothes shopping and picked up lotions and soaps for Kathie, I haven't done as much for the family. The weekend before Thanksgiving Hannah and I along with Granddaughter Audrey met Madison in Oakland then traveled to Seattle to spend a long weekend with Andy. He gave us a great tour of the city and we enjoyed our travels. Followed by Thanksgiving at home hosting my parents for dinner. Kathie's dental visit when well and the dentist discovered an old filling that was about to fall out! Had this happening in the days after her appointment, she would have experienced dental pain and I wouldn't have known the cause, I considered it "God's Timing" and a blessing to have a good dentist. Kathie has moments in the day when she seems to watch and observe what is going on in front of ...

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence. On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight. On days like that being content is as simple as breathing the next breath or taking the next step. Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. Dull gray rocks greet your gaze and cause your feet to ache. Yet Joy is still attainable. Search for it as for hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4)…”   From Jesus Calling , October 22. Saturday, Kathie was home for a visit. I scheduled a haircut and color at our home using the ceiling lift installed last Spring and the process went well. I lift Kathie up in a sling that attaches to the lift, her hairdresser cuts and colors Kathie’s hair as she is suspended, then the motorized lift travels down a track and I lower Kathie into a whirlpool tub to wash her hair. This is the second time we have used this process and I am getting much...

My prayer and promise for Kathie: "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15. Last night I gave Kathie her bath, then when she was settled back in bed I raised the bed up to my eye level, nose to nose, I told her, "I love you." Dave & Kathie

Psalm 28:6-7: The Lord is My Strength …Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. the LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him . My prayers today focus on Thanksgiving, in these last 8 years for I have grown in my Christian witness to my family by living a life that is beyond my internal strength. Hannah was starting Third Grade and Madison the 7 th Grade. Because I have to keep such records, in the last 8 years, I have driven 67,694 miles to visit Kathie. I consider it a blessing that I have the means to visit and participate in her care… I miss her. I received a note last week from a family that continues to pray for our family, they began praying 8 years ago and continue today. With trust and thanksgiving in our Lord, Dave & Kathie

Today is our 21 st Wedding Anniversary. I still receive email reminders that Kathie set up to be sent to our/her home email account.  Recently, I had a discussion with a doctor that was part of a team that evaluated Kathie. His task was to estimate how long she would live, this took place 7 year ago and two different teams made their estimates. At the time it was very shocking to hear people talking about calculations and Kathie like a statistic. As we approach the 8 th anniversary of our accident on September 5, the time since the evaluations seems like ancient history. The stark answers given were 1-2 years and 3-4 years, numbers that didn’t hold up. One of the three surgeons that operated on Kathie said, “She could have died on the (surgical) table of any one of her multiple injuries, I personally believed that Kathie would pass away within 5 years of our accident but I have treated the year as day-by-day events. Today Kathie is in good health and she has recovered fr...

Sorry, I started writing this on the July 11 th after noticing how long I had gone without an update.  The end of May marked the completion of a two bathroom and two bedroom remodels. After living in our guestroom (and amongst the dust) for four months, it was a pleasure move back into the master bedroom. One of the main reasons for our home remodel was to facilitate Kathie’s care. I had a downstairs bedroom to bathroom door added and a motorized ceiling mounted lift and track system installed. On Saturday, June 8 th , I tested the home lift, lifting Kathie from her wheelchair using a “sling,” then traveling down the track to the newly installed whirlpool bathtub, and then returning back to her wheelchair. On Friday, July 5 th , I used the new lift and bathroom for Kathie’s first home hair appointment. Hairdresser Rita cut and colored Kathie’s hair as she sat in the lift sling, then I lowered Kathie into the whirlpool bathtub to wash out her hair. After that I used the ...

First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, May 15. Where have we been Since March 11… Kathie and I have: Visited the USS Midway museum  Visited Sea World  Attended two scheduled doctor’s appointments  Maintained Kathie’s Weekly Massages schedule I have assisted with Kathie’s haircut and coloring  I have been able to participate in Kathie’s bath schedule many nights Our Family has: Studied through the Lenten Season and celebrated Easter Resurrection Both Madison and Hannah had their Spring Breaks  Madison completes her sophomore year in a week  Hannah and I worked in Tijuana with Amor Ministries on a house for ...

Saturday marked Hannah's 16th Birthday. Important anniversaries create a mixture of celebration and pain. I find it important to respect the pain of missing Kathie, yet work toward the celebration of the event. Doing my best is acceptable to our children but knowing that I am attempting to bring their Mother's touch to the event is also important. February 28th Andy turned 30, so we have much to celebrate. On March 5 I have a notation in my devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest of "six months." I wrote that seven years ago and highlighted: "Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” ( John 20:21 ). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it— to conside...

Valentine's Day 2013 This is our 8th Valentine's Day since our accident, each year I write to her in a card and bring flowers. Typically I hold the flowers on her right side view, then I tell her how much I love her. I am amazed at how God continues to build my love for Kath, she does not acknowledge me or my efforts but in God's strengh, the marriage vows I took are lived out and I appreciate the kiss I give her. This year Hannah is working at a flower shop and she added the final touches to the bouquet design. With Love, Dave & Kathie

The first I've written this year. When I communicate with families who are are going through their first holiday season dealing with their loss I share that the Season begins for me on October 31 and ends as the decorations are put away after New Years. Between that time, I focus on making sure the holiday celebrations are enjoyable for my family but there is a relief as the season ends. I am not morbid or sullen, you know that I subscribe to a motto of Choosing Joy and so I work to find the Joy in the meaning of each holiday, in worship and in the blessing our our family.We had a great holiday season and appreciated the blessings we have... but it does take work. This month Kathie has been home for a visit and last week we went on another mall excursion. Big difference from navigating a wheelchair through the holiday crowds and our focus was more  about necessities than gifts. Hannah just closed out the semester last Friday and Maddie returns to SFSU for Sprin...