A Quick Note

Just a quick note to say that we've been called away unexpectedly.

My husband's brother has become much worse in the last 24 hours, and our sister-in-law needs our assistance. 

As always, when God calls us, we go -- no matter what is planned, no matter what needs to be done here, no matter what we'd rather have happening.  We go.

I haven't the time to do posts for the remainder of the week, or even to consider reposts.

Just know that I'll be thinking of all of you while we're away, and would ask that if you're so inclined to please lift a prayer for safe travel going and coming and for God's hand in our efforts to be helpful caregivers.  Also, please petition God to give our family a sense of calm and peace.

Image credit: Yortw

Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting One Thousand Gifts (#357-364)

I read Ann Voskamp's post yesterday (March 5, 2012) about "getting out of your comfort zone."  This could mean a lot of things to many people, and it stopped me dead in my tracks.  My husband and I had just returned from a week of ministering to his brother and sister-in-law.  Jim and Helen are coping, most days, with Jim's Parkinson's.  But it's not as simple as having Parkinson's -- Jim has a rare form known as Parkinson's with Lewy body dementia.  And the dementia is the worst part of his disease.

We see them about once a month or more often as they're five hours from us.  Each time we see distinctive changes in Jim's cognition and behavior.  We are losing him, slowly we're losing him.  The person he has always been to us is disappearing.  Here's where Ann's post grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me.

A night or two this past week I sat up with Jim.  His sleep is so disrupted that sometimes he's up as many as six times an hour.  During this time, he slept some but also wanted comfort.  I've never held my brother-in-law's hands.  That night I realized how much they are like my husband's hands.

It occurred to me that this insidious disease could have come to my husband, and it could have been him I was caring for.  My thoughts circled around that it would be easier to care for and comfort my husband -- it just seemed more natural.

But obviously God has decided to draw me outside my comfort zone and give comfort and care to those with whom I haven't been quite so intimate.  I'm learning through prayer and meditation to see myself as Jim's sister, not sister-in-law, and it helps.

So many gifts to lift gratitude for:

357.  Jim's life as we have known it previously.
358.  The doctors specializing in his illness and providing care.
359.  Helen's commitment to Jim and his care.
360.  The love I see passing between my husband and his brother.
361.  Acceptance as one who can give Jim care and comfort.
362.  God's Word to shore us all up.
363.  Prayers of many good friends.
364.  Safe travel to and from Jim and Helen's.

I hope you'll join us at A Holy Experience to count God's gifts to you.  We'll be watching for you.

Photo credit:  www.careconfidently.com