Since Dawn is now babysitting extra kids, it's not as easy for her to get to see Andy. It's not as easy to pack up 5 kids and take them somewhere, let alone to take them with her when she wants to see her dad. So we decided Friday afternoons would work for her. I meet her at Care One and we visit Andy together. This last week, she mentioned to me how blessed she is to have a dad who cherishes me, his wife. It reminded me of a song Andy and I used to sing together: Cherish the Treasure. He really practiced the words of that song. I felt cherished, he treated me like a queen. He was and still is a beautiful living example of the love of God, accepting, never failing, giving and forgiving.

Speaking of the love of God...the other night I was reading Psalm 136 to Andy. This psalm must have been a song because every verse includes the refrain: "His love endures forever." There are 26 verses in that psalm, so 26 times we're told His love endures forever. After I read a few verses, I stopped and asked Andy, "what do you think God is trying to tell us in this psalm?" He didn't know, so every time I got to "His love endures forever," I stopped, looked at him and said it. After another couple of verses, Andy said to me: "alright, already!" I told him I think God wants us to know His love never fails, it goes on and on.

Then today on the Christian radio station, someone was quoted as saying he was not proud of his love for God, but he was proud of God's love for him because it never fails. Amen!

Franklin Parker Preserve, 2015

Amico Island, 2015

Boundary Creek, 2015

Pakim Pond, 2015

Over a week ago, I took Andy to an appointment with his urologist for a cystoscopy. The appointment itself went well with some good results. The doctor was able to determine that his frequent uti's were not as a result of diseased bladder, kidneys, prostrate or urethra. The doctor said everything looks fine. His problem might be a result of the Parkinson's, but putting Andy on a maintenance drug might be the way to combat the problem. So far, it seems to be working. I was also wondering if the Alzheimer's might not be a contributing factor in the ongoing problem, as well. His brain is diseased and malfunctioning, and I'm sure this is affecting other parts of his body.

Andy has only been in the car 2-3 times in the last 9 months, so it shouldn't surprise me if he doesn't know what to do or how to get in the car. After our appointment, I walked with him to the car, taking him to the passenger side, then going back to the driver's side to unlock. While I was on the driver's side, he turned around and tried to get into the car next to ours. I told him that wasn't our car and to turn around, but that did not compute, and he continued to try the door of the other car. There was nothing to do but go over to him and physically take his hand off the car door, open our car door and tell him to get in. It still did not compute, and I was beginning to wonder if I did the right thing in taking him by myself. I had to get pretty firm in pushing him toward our car and into the seat. Once he was in, things were fine for the trip back to Care One.  

Ever since returning from my vacation, I've been very tired. That led to low feelings and an inability to handle any little stress that came along. On Thursday morning, in an interaction with someone, they promised to pray for me. By the end of the day, my mood had lightened, and I couldn't remember why I had been feeling so bad.

In another instance, God showed me how much He is for me. A situation came up where I felt like I was being forced to do something I really didn't want to. I talked to the Lord about it, being willing to do it if that's what He wanted but just not feeling at peace about it. I had finally decided that I needed to speak up and not let this happen. But before I could take the next step, I got a phone call that told me the situation was resolved. How good of the Lord. He knows my frame. He knows how hard it is for me to say no to someone and in this instance, He came to my defense and worked it out. I can't tell you how grateful I am.

Romans 8:31 ~ "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" 

Pastor's message this morning dealt with suffering in the world.There were many take-aways for me but I was especially struck with his statement that God is everywhere present, but "is NEAR to the brokenhearted." Psalm 34:18. So when we go through suffering, somehow God's presence is more felt and precious. He weeps with us, He ministers to us in ways that are compassionate, gracious and loving. He leads us to Himself through His kindness. He prays for us, sympathizes for us and understands.

Often our trials and difficulties cause us to understand on a deeper level the goodness of God.

We were sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office on Friday afternoon, when I noticed Andy's restlessness. It didn't take me too long to wonder if he was suffering with another infection. We were at the doctor for a scheduled cystoscopy, but this was a development that made me wonder if the procedure would take place. Andy continued to be agitated and in distress. He wanted to leave, but I was able to talk him into staying. He seemed to feel more at peace with the promise that the doctor was going to see him and take care of him. 

Sure enough, the culture results revealed an infection, so the cystoscopy had to be rescheduled. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic, calling it into the pharmacy and I took Andy back to Care One. I spoke to the nurse there, filling her in on what had developed and that an antiobiotic had been called in. She said the pharmacy usually delivered the medicine to the facility and probably Andy would be able to take his first pill that evening yet.

Well, that did not happen. When I visited on Saturday, he still hadn't taken any medicine, he was still in distress and very uncomfortable. In talking to the nurse (a different nurse from the evening before), I explained the situation to her and she said she would call the pharmacy to see what had happened to the medicine. Believe it or not, the pharmacy was closed. They close at 3:00 on Saturday and are not open on Sunday either. Grrrrr. 

How is this possible? The pharmacy that the nursing home uses is closed on the weekend??? 

This morning at church, I told a couple of people this situation and one of them, a nurse, advised me to call Andy's doctor, explain what I was dealing with, and ask him to call in the prescription to a different pharmacy. So I did. The doctor I spoke to was very accommodating and said he would call in the prescription that Andy needed.  I expected to get a text from the pharmacy when the prescription was filled, but when I didn't, I gave them a call. I was told the prescription could not be filled because insurance rejected it. It had been filled by a different pharmacy. Talk about a run-around. But when I explained the situation to the pharmacist, he said I could pay for the medicine myself since it was only $9.99. Ok - I can handle that. 

I was finally able to get the medicine Andy needs and took it over to Care One and the nurse said she would start him on it. (I called just now to check on her and she assured me she had given him his first pill.) What a saga!

Earlier this week, I received an email from Grief Share. I am including it below.

Sometimes when you ask why, He answers by reminding you of the eternal picture. Learn to live your life in light of eternity. Live each day from the perspective of one whose life lasts forever.
Dr. Joseph Stowell says, “I can’t underscore enough how important it is to prepare for grief and sorrow ahead of time. One of the ways to do that is to get a grip on eternity, on the world to come. Learn to live here in the light of there so that you are seeing all of your daily affairs and daily routines in light of the world to come. You need to see all of your interactions and reactions and value systems in light of the value systems of the world to come. Then when grief or sudden loss or wrenching sorrow and deep disappointment shatter your world, you are already schooled in all the realities that give you strength in that moment.”
There is much more to this life than just doing your best day by day until you die. The big picture is that a glorious eternity is in store for those who know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18 nasb).
“And this is what he promised us—even eternal life” (1 John 2:25).

 My heart is so heavy for Andy's distress, but I keep reminding him and myself that this is only temporary. We should not be surprised by the pain and sorrow we experience. This is common to us all. But the good news is that some day it will all be over. 

Then this morning's email from grief share also was a good reminder to rest in the sovereignty of God:

Because God sees your real need, He wants to give you an answer far better than the answers you seek. You may demand reasons and explanations, but what you need is something more—you need the Lord.
“For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Think about the astounding reality of this Bible verse. God is all-sufficient for you. Your very being is in Him. You need Him for survival; you do not need answers.
Joni Eareckson Tada says, “Because God is at the center of the universe holding it all together, and because everything in Him moves and breathes and has its being, He can do no more than give Himself. To do anything less is to be less than Himself. Why seek pat, dry, formulized answers when you can actually receive the flesh-and-blood reality of the love of God?”
God would not be God if He were not sufficient for everyone.

And that is what we constantly need to be reminded of:  Christ is enough; He is more than enough.

Our youngest daughter, Amy, is very good at getting us all together. A couple weeks ago, she said it was time again. So we were able to come up with a date - today! Everyone was able to make it down to our house for dinner together. I was pretty excited to see the weather was going to be beautiful - a nice warm, but not hot, summer evening - perfect for eating outside on the deck.

Christy was able to get here earlier than everyone else, so we decided to go see Andy before dinner. In spite of the fact he hadn't been feeling well all weekend, he looked like he was doing pretty good. He greeted everyone with waves and hugs, then we sat in Care One's conference room and listened to Grace play her violin. She is so good and a pleasure to listen to.

The music was a hit with all the residents, not just Andy and us. Plus, everyone also enjoyed the two puppies they brought along. I have noticed that Andy gives us a broad hint when he's had enough. He tires easily and can only take it so much, then he'll say, "Well, I've got to get going." That's the clue that we need to get going! If I then ask him if he's tired and wants to go back to his room, he agrees that yes, that's what he means.

Having my family here with me this evening was such a blessing after the stress with Andy's medicine. The kids had fun playing together, the adults enjoyed each other's company, I love serving them and feeding them and providing a place for them to hang out.

As much as I enjoy hiking, I try not to do too much of it in the summer because of the heat and humidity, as well as the bugs. But this week, a friend was in town and since we both enjoy hiking and the NJ Pine Barrens, we put it on our schedule. We started out early enough and went over to Black Run Preserve since she had never been there. We hiked the 5K trail at a pretty good pace (but not jogging, of course!). By the time we ended, it was pretty humid and oppressive, and we were thankful to get in my car and turn on the AC.

Since I don't do a lot of summer hiking, it was a treat to see the ponds all covered with water lilies.

The rest of the week was pretty routine, which was welcome after the last several weeks of scheduled trips and activities. I went over to see Andy every evening as usual. He had been talking again to me, as well as to a couple of staff members at Care One, that he was ready to "go." At one point, he told me that "this dying is difficult." I couldn't agree with him more. But then I began to wonder if he was getting another UTI. It seems that when he doesn't feel well, he talks about dying. 

At his last urologist appointment, the Dr. had prescribed an antibiotic. I wondered if he was still on it or if he had finished the prescription. So I asked the nurse that question. I was surprised to find that he wasn't on anything and hadn't been since his doctor visit. The nurse called the doctor but since it was Saturday, she only got the emergency answering service. 

I'm trying not to get frustrated, upset and annoyed about this but continue to trust God in every little detail. But I'm going to have to make some calls tomorrow to try to figure this out. Meanwhile, the urologist ordered Andy to get an ultrasound of his kidneys, bladder, urethra. That was already done and the results showed an inflammation on one of his kidneys. The Dr. also wants him to get an MRI done, and we have an appointment for that on Wednesday of this coming week. I will take him in my car. I would appreciate prayers from anyone who is led to pray about this. Andy has always hated MRI's - he is extremely claustrophobic in tight places. I don't know how he will handle it this time. 

The activities director at Care One gave me a book to read earlier in the week, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. He is a surgeon who has become interested in end of life care and asks a lot of questions regarding the way we (especially Americans and the more civilized western countries) handle being mortal. He says that we spend thousands of dollars to add a few more months or sometimes years, going through all kinds of tests, procedures, surgeries, experimental medications, etc...anything to prolong our lives. In the end, we all will die. 

It made me do a lot of thinking. How should I proceed in my care of Andy? He is suffering, no doubt about it. He tells me any time I ask him how he feels: he feels awful. In my opinion, I'd rather concentrate on easing that suffering, making him comfortable and not trying to prolong his life. The reality is: he has a degenerative disease. He'll never get better.


This all led to feeling pretty inadequate because what does that mean? I am clueless. I'm not good at making decisions, and even when I do make one, I almost always second guess myself. In my opinion, Andy is not doing well. On the other hand, he is still ambulatory. Some of the other residents in the facility use a walker and some are in wheelchairs.

Thankfully, the Spirit of God who indwells me reminded me that I am not on my own. He is my Husband and has this all under control. He knows the end from the beginning. His plans are to give me a future and a hope, not to harm me. I am accepted in the Beloved, He loves me with an everlasting love, His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness. My worth does not depend on me and what I do anyway, it all depends on Jesus and His work on the cross on my behalf. It's true that I am unworthy, but I am clothed in Jesus' righteousness. 

It's good to remember what God says about me:

Romans 8:1 - "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 1:22 - "But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

God has also promised to give wisdom when we ask him for it and to always be with us. He is on this journey with me; yes, even through the valley of the shadow of death.

I had so many good conversations with friends this morning at church. How I thank God for the people he's placed in my life to encourage, hug, love, support and pray for me.  

I read an amazing entry in Spurgeon's Morning and Evening this week. He expounded on Genesis 1:5: "And there was evening and there was morning, the first day."

"The evening was 'darkness,' and the morning was 'light,' and yet the two together are called by the name that is given to the light alone! This is somewhat remarkable but it has an exact analogy in spiritual experience. In every believer there is darkness and light, and yet he is not to be named a sinner because there is sin in him, but he is to be named a saint because he possesses some degree of holiness. This will be a most comforting thought to those who are mourning their infirmities and who ask, 'Can I be a child of God while there is so much darkness in me?' Yes; like the 'day,' you do not take your name from evening, but from the morning; and you are spoken of in the Word of God as if you were even now perfectly holy, as you will be soon. You are called the child of light, even though there is darkness in you still. You are named after what is the predominating quality in the sight of God, which will one day be the only principal remaining. Notice that the evening comes first. Naturally we are darkness first in order of time, and the gloom is often first in our mournful apprehension, driving us to cry out in deep humiliation, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' The place of the morning is second; it dawns when grace overcomes nature. It is a blessed maxim of John Bunyan, 'That which is last, lasts forever.' That which is first yields in due season to the last; but nothing comes after the last. So though you are naturally darkness, once you become light in the Lord, there is no evening to follow; 'your sun shall no more go down.' The first day in this life is an evening and a morning; but the second day, when we shall be with God forever, shall be a day with no evening, but one, sacred, high, eternal noon."


This is our hope, there is coming a day with no more night. The evening with its darkness and gloom will be gone forever, and we will enjoy eternity in the light of our Lord.

Revelation 21:22-25: "I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there."

Sometimes there's a fine line between two options. I was faced with that this week. With Tuesday being a holiday, I had received a couple of invitations to spend time with friends. Although it was tempting to accept and be with people, I felt prompted by the Lord to stay home and have some quiet, alone time. I don't think either decision was right or wrong, and God works in our lives no matter, or in spite of, what we do.

I woke early and decided to do some yard work while it was still cool. It was a very pleasant morning, but as I began to work, I couldn't help but think about how lonely I was. I remembered how only a year ago, Andy and I worked together on our yard projects. What a help he was to me, even in his disability. After all, he is taller and stronger than I am! Well, one thought led to another and before I knew it, I was on the road to "woe is me." But then the Lord reminded me that Jesus is with me. He never leaves me alone.

When I came into the house, I turned on the computer and checked my blog. I was shocked to see that 59 people had looked at it. The day before there had only been 5 visits. I was immediately encouraged...it was an indication that people care. Then I checked facebook and saw that Christy had posted a picture of me reading to Andy. She said some very lovely things that brought tears to my eyes. And I was encouraged further. Throughout the rest of the week, people continued to comment on Christy's post and check out my blog. As of today, 150 people have read my blog. I am truly humbled. 

Frankly, I don't feel that I'm doing anything all that special. Andy was always such an example of selfless love to me. I often told him he was a beautiful example of Ephesians 5, where husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Andy always valued my opinions and input, never put me down, always encouraged and made me feel valuable. He was always thinking of me and how to please me. So my care of him now is my current calling. It pains me to see him suffer, and I want to do all I can to turn his eyes to Jesus. God's Word gives life and will not return void. So it is the best "medicine" for him at this time. I'm not saying this is easy. But God does not ask us to do anything but that He doesn't go with us and give us His strength to endure with joy.

Later that same morning, Andy's dad invited me to come over to their apartment. He said he had just bought some blueberries from a farm and I could have as many as I wanted. I took a baggie over to take some. He kept telling me to take more. When I asked him how much I owed him, he said nothing, he got them for me. How gracious of him.

God continued to "show up" all day, giving me indications in big and small ways that He was with me and had not forgotten me. It's tempting to feel guilty when you are emotionally needy, but God knows we're needy and loves to meet our needs. 

Someone I don't even know handed me two pies on Sunday; one was a chicken pot pie, the other a cherry pie. I had never seen the man before, and I don't even think he knew who I was. He came toward me and asked if I knew Phyllis. I told him I was Phyllis, then he handed me those two pies. Both pies lasted for 4 meals. I didn't have to cook at all this week and each time I sat down to eat, I was reminded that God cares for me.

I "found" Isaiah 64:4 several years ago: "No eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." One of the hardest things we have to do as people is wait. Even a two year old would rather do things herself, telling everybody: "self, self."

But if we wait for God, letting Him do the work, His ways are so much better and more creative than what we could come up with. Often our forging ahead is just a disaster, but waiting gives God opportunity to show Himself to be great and awesome.

I took Andy to the urologist twice this week. On Wednesday, the care facility arranged for medical transport to take him. I met him there. Andy was so cute. When the doctor came into the exam room, Andy told him he looked familiar. Of course, it's the urologist Andy has been seeing for close to ten years. And into the exam, Andy told him he was doing a good job! - So positive and affirming. I can't tell you how grateful I am that even in his illness, Andy is not combative. He is always appreciative, positive, and kind.

I took Andy back to the urologist on Friday afternoon for another check up. He seems to be doing well after his hospitalization. This time, I drove him in my car. I was a little nervous about that because my last experiences with him in the car were traumatic, dealing with trying to keep him buckled in while I was driving. But the transport is expensive, and in talking to the nurse at his care facility, we decided that he is at a different stage in the illness than he was five months ago. Thankfully, the drive went smoothly and without incident.

I spent more time in my gardens Saturday morning and have now completed the weeding - at least till they grow again. My current flowers blooming are cone flower (echinacea), rose of sharon and hydrangea lacecap, all pink.

In desperation one morning, I pulled a book down off the shelf. It happened to be Devotional Classics, edited by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith.

The very first selection was an essay that included excerpts from Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis says that the Christian way is different. It is both harder and easier. 

"Christ says, 'Give me ALL. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there. I want to have the whole tree down. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked -- the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours."

"Both harder and easier than what we are all trying to do. You have noticed, I expect, that Christ Himself sometimes describes the Christian way as very hard, sometimes as very easy. He says, 'Take up your cross' -- in other words, it is like going to be beaten to death in a concentration camp. Next minute he says, 'My yoke is easy and my burden light.' He means both." 

I often wonder when we sing songs of surrender: "Do I really mean it?" I want to surrender all, but there's a part of me that wants what I want. I don't want to suffer. But this might not be all bad. Because this world is not as it was meant to be. Even creation groans, waiting to be redeemed. So as C.S. Lewis says in another place, "If I find in myself desires that nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world." 

And that is our hope...a better world, where Jesus reigns and sorrow and suffering are only a distant memory.  

Every tear will be wiped away
Every sorrow and sin erased
We'll dance on seas of amazing grace
In Heaven, In Heaven
Heaven,  Writer(s): Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jonas Myrin, Ed Cash

"There is nothing which shows our ignorance so much as our impatience under trouble. We forget that every cross is a message from God, and intended to do us good in the end. Trials are intended to make us think -- to wean us from the world -- to send us to the Bible -- to drive us to our knees. Health is a good thing but sickness is far better if it leads us to God. Prosperity is a great mercy; but adversity is a greater one if it brings us to Christ. Anything, anything is better than living in carelessness and dying in sin."
(J.C. Ryle, quoted in If God is Good by Randy Alcorn)

What a week this has been. It started out with Amy and the kids coming down again, this time to leave Joanna with me for her overnight birthday treat. We did a quick visit with Andy at Care One, quick because after only a few minutes, he got up and said he had to go on to something else. Maybe I should have taken the hint that he might not be feeling well, but he had dismissed his visitors before this, and I really just thought it was part of his disease to lose interest and not understand that we were there to see him. 

So Joanna and I went to our house and settled in to having dinner, playing in the driveway with her new birthday toy from her parents, and then the usual movie and ice cream together.

The next morning turned out really nice and beautiful after a night of rain. I thought we should probably go hiking as soon as possible while the humidity was low and the temperature cool. I made sure to spray both Joanna and myself with bug spray to keep the mosquitoes off, and away we went - to the Rancocas State Park again. What an enjoyable hike it was, too. Each grandchild I've gone with this year has been such a wonderful treat for me. Their conversations are entertaining and revealing - they are amazingly knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, they are observant of nature and things around them, and they are all fun to be with. I wasn't sure if Joanna could walk a full 3 miles, but she was a trooper the whole trail, keeping up with me the entire time.

We went back home and I got Joanna started watching a video, while I planned to get a load of laundry done. I was just settling in to watch it with her when I got a call from Care One. The nurse said she felt Andy needed to be admitted to the hospital because he had fainted and his blood pressure was extremely low. She asked me if I wanted him admitted. I guess she had to get my permission. I had heard that each time an Alzheimer's patient goes to the hospital, it makes their disease progress a little more and they usually don't come back to the level they were before the hospital stay. So when she asked my permission, I hemmed and hawed - just feeling overwhelmed - what is the right decision, what if I do the wrong thing? I had the presence of mind to ask the nurse if anyone would be going with him. She told me that he would be transported and the people going with him would take him to the E.R. but they would not be staying with him. I knew I needed to be there to help with the admissions process because he couldn't answer all the questions they would be asking him. But now I'm really in a fix because neither can I leave Joanna at home alone.

But God already was working on my behalf to solve this problem. As I was trying to figure out what to do, I noticed that Dan's car was in the driveway. Dan is Andy's brother who comes over several times a week to hang out with his mom and dad. As I explained the situation to Dan and his parents, they immediately gave ideas on what to do. Dan was able to drive Joanna to Dawn's house where she played with her cousins the rest of the day, and I was able to go to the hospital to take care of Andy. 

I got to the hospital in good time, he was still in the hallway waiting to be assigned to a room in the E.R. I was so relieved. It wasn't long before lab work was returned with the diagnosis of a UTI. This was so confusing to me because he was already on medication for this very thing. Apparently the antibiotic he was on wasn't strong enough to kill the bacteria that was infecting him.

Andy was put on IV fluids and antibiotics. I stayed with him till he was settled in his room, met with the nurse assigned to him - until I was sure he was going to be all right. I returned in the evening for another couple of hours. So the next few days included runs to the hospital, working a couple of hours here and there, and doing some necessary things at home. 

On Wednesday evening while there, Dawn stopped by to visit, too. When she walked in the room, she asked Andy how he was doing. He didn't hesitate, but answered, "I'm having a ball." Really??? Actually, I think he was pleased to be getting the attention from the nurses and me. And subconsciously perhaps, he knew his UTI was being addressed.

I thought his hospital stay would be longer so was pleasantly surprised when the doctor informed us on Thursday that he would be discharged that day. They were going to switch from IV antibiotic to oral medicine and triple the dosage he had been taking prior to Tuesday.

So by Thursday afternoon, he was back at Care One. I went to visit as usual that evening and he seemed to be doing well enough.

Friday and Saturday were pleasant relief from the cares and anxiety of Andy in the hospital. A son of a staff member got married on Friday afternoon and I had planned to attend the wedding. I was so glad I did. I went with a friend, and there were many of our church friends who were in attendance. I felt so loved and supported by everyone. It was so nice to have something happy to focus on. Plus, it was a blessing to witness a wedding that was so beautiful, lovely and God-honoring. At the reception, watching the radiant happiness of the bride and groom, I was picturing the marriage supper of Jesus and us, his bride in heaven some day. What a wonderful day that will be. My heart was filled with joy at the thought.

When I got home later that evening, I was in the process of relaxing and getting ready for bed when I got a call from Care One. The nurse told me that Andy seemed to be having a reaction to the medication he was on. (No wonder - triple the dosage???) His hands were all swollen and red, she said, and thought it would be best to stop the medicine. She said she would be in contact with the doctor. Somehow, I don't think stopping the medicine completely is going to take care of his problem. I plan to make some calls tomorrow.

I went in to see him on Saturday morning. He was pretty flat line, so I didn't stay very long. He had gotten a shower and it looked like he was being cared for (which is what I was interested in knowing).

Every year, my family has a big get together in Berks County at my brother's home. My brothers and sisters and as many of our children as can make it are invited to be there. We usually do the party on the Saturday closest to July 4th. I went to Dawn and Tommy's and let them drive the two hours. This was a big help for me because I was pretty tired out from the week's stress and activities.

My nephew brings his food truck, parks it on the property and serves us all. This year there were over 80 people who came to the picnic. He is a professional chef and the food is amazing. 

Mid-afternoon, we got rained on. Even sitting under pavilions we got wet because the rain was so heavy. I happened to be sitting at the edge of one of those pavilions and my back was soaked the rest of the day. The kids didn't mind, though. A huge slip and slide was set up for them and they had a ball on that. If you don't believe that the slip and slide was anything special, check out the video links:

https://www.facebook.com/wendell.yoder.7/videos/1370012179715430/
https://www.facebook.com/tsherf/videos/10159080818435245/


Later, the sun came out and all the kids (big and little) jumped in the pool. Tommy took over as organizer of the kids, coming up with all kinds of contests for them. There was quite a line of them waiting their turn!

A great time was had by all.


At church today, people were asking me how things were going. As I told them about my week with Andy, I had to add that even in the middle of intense, crazy things we don't expect, God still gives us moments of joy. It's a joy unspeakable and full of glory because if we keep our eyes on Jesus and trust him in the circumstance, we will not be overwhelmed by those circumstances.


I was reading to Andy tonight from Hebrews 3 and 4. The final verses of chapter 4 tell us that Jesus is our great high priest. He has been tempted in every way, just as we are --yet without sin. Because he was tempted as we are, he can sympathize with us in our own weaknesses. He knows how it feels: 

• to be exhausted
• discouraged with the hopelessness of the situation
• concerned with the illness of loved ones
• burdened down with the unknown
• lonely
• desiring for the hard thing to be taken away

In spite of these weaknesses, he didn't give in to temptation. He never sinned, which qualifies him to be the perfect High Priest. We can approach the throne of grace with confidence. There "we receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)

There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies
There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide
Where all the love I've ever found comes like a flood
Comes flowing down

At the cross, at the cross
I surrender my life
I'm in awe of You,  I'm in awe of You
Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white
I owe all to You, I owe all to You, Jesus

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood, comes flowing down

Here my hope is found
Here on holy ground
Here I bow down, here I bow down
Here arms open wide
Here You save my life
Here I bow down, here I bow

At The Cross,  Writer(s): Matt Armstrong, William R. Newell, Jenna Cowart, Benji Cowart