Jones Family Updates

Yesterday Kathie and I went Christmas shopping together. This is the 6th time we have been able to go to the mall together since the Accident. It is a mixture of blessing and emotional energy that fuel the day. I have learned to actually shop through the stores, maneuver through crowded aisles, park Kathie's wheelchair in a quiet corner while I pay at the register and I know which register in each store has a minimal line. Necessity has taught me many lessons about shopping in the mall with Kath. It was a good day, although she was tired and slept while I pushed, it didn't help that I kept rubbing her shoulders because she would relax and fall asleep. Kathie's Birthday was November 22, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I celebrated quietly with her and let her know how thankful we are to have her in our lives. Granddaughter Audrey's Birthday was November 25, she is now 17. I was preparing the Thanksgiving turkey this year and thinking about 17 years ago as Katie was i...

“Send a greeting card to My Loving Husband for their Birthday.” Each year, since our accident I’ve received this email since I now use her home / family email address as my personal address. Kathie set up birthday reminders with a company so she would be reminded of special occasions. Now, I am reminded of each of the birthdays she entered. The fun part of receiving this email is two-fold, one, I must have done something right to be listed as “My Loving Husband” and two, I actually look forward to receiving such a greeting… from Kathie. I also get a reminder of our wedding anniversary but this birthday reminder, set up over 11 years ago, is truly a cherished Birthday gift. I leave it in my In-box throughout the year then delete it when the next message arrives. Next week we are taking an outing to a north county beach and an outlet mall. Last month we visited Coronado Hospital and the staff that took care of us for 4 years, we were greeted by many smiles of that staff th...

September was a very busy month emotionally and physically. This was the first September 5 th that Hannah was away from home and she was dealing with being homesick as well as the emotions of the anniversary date of our accident. I touched base with all our children as we all dealt with the anniversary. I had Kathie home for a visit and a haircut on September 5 and we lived the 10 th Anniversary together in our home. Strange, exhausting and yet enjoyable to have her home. Hannah is doing well at school while dealing with the transitions and new beginning in her college life; we stay in contact during the week. The first weekend in October, Madison, Andy and I met in Phoenix, then drove to Northern Arizona University for Family Weekend and enjoyed a family reunion with Hannah. Katie and granddaughter Audrey went for a visit last weekend so Hannah has had many visitors. I look back on 10 years and ask God, “What are you doing in these years and in the lives of those arou...

“Seek My Face, and I will share My mind with you, opening your eyes to see things from My perspective. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. The Peace I give is sufficient for you.” From Jesus Calling, August 24 th . Tomorrow I begin a whole new chapter in my life as I take our youngest child off to college. This Spring and Summer has been a whirlwind of planning and preparation and now I will make the exciting, yet sad, yet exciting drive to support Hannah’s next life change. She was 8 years old and entering 3 rd Grade when our Accident occurred in 2005, now 10 years later, we are very proud of the young women she has become. I will have an 8 hour drive home to seek peace and reflect on this life-change, this is the first time in 23 years I have lived at this house alone. Two Saturdays ago, Kathie was at our home for a visit, as she was sitting in her wheelchair facing the television, I was sitting behind her looking up something on a computer, then ...

Last weekend I traveled just over our Border (40 miles) to an economically poor region of Tijuana, Mexico with a Team of adults. Together we built a 2 room, 11’x22’ house for a single mother of 2 small children. 16 years ago, Kathie encouraged the start of my volunteer work with Amor Ministries, as an adult leader when Andy was in high school. I have participated with building teams completing more than 30 homes for very needy families, an exhausting blessing with wonderful results. Madison has headed back to San Francisco for a summer school class and Hannah is away for a couple of days with her girlfriends.   Just the dog and I for a few days, as we try-out what the Fall will be like with both the girls away. I always enjoy the reunion with Kathie after I’m out of town and last night I was able to take care of her bath, wash her hair, gently move her arms to relax her joints and let her eyes close as the whirlpool hums. When I blow-dry her hair, she closes her eyes...

From June 4, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers.   When I read this type of devotional, I read it for application to my life but I also read it as it applies to Kathie’s life, I’m sometimes just left with just accepting the reading:  “He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." —Hebrews 13:5 What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him and then to respond after I have heard what He says? “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). “I will never leave you…”— not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again. “I will never…fors...