March 1 - In like a lion

Wow, that was some thunderstorm we had here last night.

Just a brief update here to let you know that things are going well for Barbara in rehab. With the exception of just a few, the nurses and aids at St. Catherine's rehab have been wonderful to Barbara. I may have mentioned this before, but Barbara does a wonderful job of using that charm and beautiful smile of hers to win over her helpers. Despite the fact that she can be a bit difficult at times (who wouldn't be in her situation?), she wins the hearts of most of the health care professionals who attend to her. Pray that she will be able to bat a thousand on this... there are a few that have been very inconsiderate. Overall, though, our experience has been very good.

Yesterday, Barbara was sat up in a tall, supportive wheel chair, and taken to the gym for therapy. She is literally growing stronger every day! The other day, she actually called me on the phone by herself!!! Praise God!!! Wow!!! She can also brush her teeth with some assistance.

To follow up on my health situation, I saw our nurse practitioner yesterday, and she confirmed that the episode that landed me in the emergency room was indeed an anxiety (or panic) attack. Also, I have a pretty nasty sinus infection. However, I am working with Barbara to create a plan that is beneficial to both of us to protect my health as I care for her. I must say, I have been quite blessed not to have gotten bed-hugging sick since this whole thing started. Since Barbara now stays occupied all morning with rehab, I will now wait until after lunch to go be with her. I will also plan to take more days off. Right now, the critical need is to prepare the home for her return. I continue to plead with anyone who might be able to be of assistance that your help on remodeling the bathroom she will use, or the provision of materials, would be of great assistance.

Pray that Barbara will astound her therapists and begin to make great strides (including the walking kind!),

Pray that God will help her to stay occupied on the days I'm away,

Pray that my health will improve, and for no more anxiety attacks. Those bad boys aren't pleasant.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family to support me. Not just a blood family, but my "in the blood" family here at GFM and beyond. You are all a treasure to me. Last night in our Bible study of Acts, we delved into the 16th chapter and discussed Lydia's conversion and the jailhouse rock experience of Paul and Silas. Let me encourage you not to just skip though stories like these, but dig deeply... there's stuff there that can be easily missed. We become so fascinated by the story, that it's possible to miss the message. The thing that really spoke to my heart is that the jailer washed Paul and Silas' wounds, and then he and his household were baptized. It makes sense to understand that both actions happened in the same water. That is how real healing takes place. Our source of all healing, spiritual, emotional, and physical is one water. And we work as agents of the Lord to be a part of each other's healing. Paul and Silas baptized the jailer's family, and the the jailer cleansed the missionaries' wounds. All in one water. Does that move you like it moves me? Just fantastic stuff.