Today I was sent a link to another blogsite, that of a gentleman who had a biking accident in August. He has a C2 fracture, and has just been moved to GF Strong. He is a quad and on a ventilator, but is confident that God is working out His purposes for him. What a faith! I was so challenged as I read his story. Right from the start he was strong and holding onto the strength he found through scripture and prayer. I felt almost chastised as I remembered my weaknesses and doubts. But I know that each of us takes different ways to get to where God wants us to be. I'm just so thankful that my Lord and my God was patient with me and surrounded me with people who encouraged me (especially my precious family!) to keep looking to Him to get us through. And Praise God, He is!! Pray for John as he transitions into life at GFS, that he will find the patience that he will need as they determine his treatment goals, find him his "rhythm", and adapts to life in the ward. There will be so many things that he will need to learn, and my prayer for him is that he will be a testimony to the many others on that ward that have so little hope!
This has been a good week for me - although Ben has been gone, and I haven't slept as well as I would have liked to, but I feel stronger again today. There are so many little challenges to overcome each day, but still the biggest one is to stay in the Word. I was again reminded as I read John's blog of how much I depended on my Lord and Savior in the beginning, because there was no other option. Now that I am again more or less self sufficient, it is so easy to go back to depending on myself. But it is not in my own strength that I can live this life, regardless of how well my body works or doesn't work. It is only through His power and His sustaining grace that I get through each day in a way that will bring Him glory, and that's what I'm here for! Lord, may I never forget that! Thank You for that reminder today!
Find your strength in Him today!! Hang in there! Judy (Ben comes home today!!!!! YAY!)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Quiet Week
Not too much new and exciting - had a couple of "down" days this week. Sometimes I still get tired for no reason, but still don't sleep well. I know it's all part of the healing process, but I tend to forget that now and again. So many things feel almost normal, well, more normal than a few months ago anyway! And then my body doesn't want to cooperate. Oh well, so it goes! I'm still WAY thankful for each day, and for so many blessings all around me. I can do what needs to be done, and that's enough for now!
Ben and I are looking forward to having a 2 week holiday in Cuba in the end of November!! We will be going with my sister and her husband, and my brother and his wife. All of our anniversaries are in November (no, that was not planned that way!) and so it will be a great time of relaxing and celebration. Right now, I think Ben needs this even more than I do! The stresses and struggles at work have really been hard on him. He has to be out of town for a week next week, then back home for a week, then away again for a week! Then one more week and we leave! It will be an interesting month! Oh, and for a piece of trivia for you - when Ben got the confirmation that he is going out of town for the 2nd week, it made it that we will have been apart this year more than we've been together! Not the greatest of statistics, but at least we're together!! That's more important than anything! We've made it through this, by the grace of God alone, and we've got a lot more to go!! PTL!!
Ben and I are looking forward to having a 2 week holiday in Cuba in the end of November!! We will be going with my sister and her husband, and my brother and his wife. All of our anniversaries are in November (no, that was not planned that way!) and so it will be a great time of relaxing and celebration. Right now, I think Ben needs this even more than I do! The stresses and struggles at work have really been hard on him. He has to be out of town for a week next week, then back home for a week, then away again for a week! Then one more week and we leave! It will be an interesting month! Oh, and for a piece of trivia for you - when Ben got the confirmation that he is going out of town for the 2nd week, it made it that we will have been apart this year more than we've been together! Not the greatest of statistics, but at least we're together!! That's more important than anything! We've made it through this, by the grace of God alone, and we've got a lot more to go!! PTL!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
This week in PG...
Not much exciting happening around here, which is, I suppose, a good thing. We made it home safely from Grande Prairie, saw my little boy (Aaron!) who says he doesn't miss home at all (?), had a good visit with family, won a chili cook-off contest, and generally had a great time! This week I've been focusing on getting into a schedule, especially with my sleep. I find that if I don't sleep well, my whole day is shot. So that is my focus.
Ben has had some relief from the stresses at work, and is doing better. Chris and Jason are doing what they do, and we are sure enjoying have their girlfriends around!! Jason has written a few midterms already, and is coming through quite well.
Just looking outside at the wind blowing all the leaves off the trees - winter is coming, and I'm not too sure how much I'm looking forward to that. Oh well, it's part of the life cycle, and we should be thankful for every season, right? Right!
Keep in prayer for the leaders of Break Forth 2010 - I was notified that they had received my testimony, and will be considering how and where or if it should be used. I am also the coordinator for the registrations for our church, as well as working with other churches to possibly get a bus full together - I do not want to be driving that road again!!
Have a great week - keep being thankful in all things!!
Ben has had some relief from the stresses at work, and is doing better. Chris and Jason are doing what they do, and we are sure enjoying have their girlfriends around!! Jason has written a few midterms already, and is coming through quite well.
Just looking outside at the wind blowing all the leaves off the trees - winter is coming, and I'm not too sure how much I'm looking forward to that. Oh well, it's part of the life cycle, and we should be thankful for every season, right? Right!
Keep in prayer for the leaders of Break Forth 2010 - I was notified that they had received my testimony, and will be considering how and where or if it should be used. I am also the coordinator for the registrations for our church, as well as working with other churches to possibly get a bus full together - I do not want to be driving that road again!!
Have a great week - keep being thankful in all things!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
I promised!
Well, I said I'd be back before Friday, and I made it! This will be just a quick note to let you all know what's up for this weekend.
Ben and I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Grande Prairie, Alberta, to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. A bonus to the weekend is that Aaron will be joining us! He is coming from Edmonton with his cousin. Chris and Jason will be staying home, but will have company in the form of their special friends :)! We will celebrate Thanksgiving together as a family later this month, which is not a bad thing - any excuse to have lots of people over and cook (and eat!) really good food is fine with me!
Speaking of which, we had a houseful here last Sunday for Chris' 24th birthday. It was an opportunity for me to try out a new recipe - Paella, a spanish-inspired rice dish with lots of seasonings and seafood. What a blessing to be able to do this! I am finding a lot of pleasure in being able to cook and bake again, with time for rest in between. My sleep schedule is still wonky sometimes, but it is getting better.
May this Thanksgiving weekend be truly meaningful for you and all those who surround you. May you experience the Father's grace, peace and joy in whatever you undertake. May the true Spirit of thankfulness and praise inhabit all that you do, and may your relationship with Jesus become deeper and richer as you ponder what you are truly thankful for.
Blessings! Judy
Ben and I will be leaving tomorrow morning for Grande Prairie, Alberta, to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. A bonus to the weekend is that Aaron will be joining us! He is coming from Edmonton with his cousin. Chris and Jason will be staying home, but will have company in the form of their special friends :)! We will celebrate Thanksgiving together as a family later this month, which is not a bad thing - any excuse to have lots of people over and cook (and eat!) really good food is fine with me!
Speaking of which, we had a houseful here last Sunday for Chris' 24th birthday. It was an opportunity for me to try out a new recipe - Paella, a spanish-inspired rice dish with lots of seasonings and seafood. What a blessing to be able to do this! I am finding a lot of pleasure in being able to cook and bake again, with time for rest in between. My sleep schedule is still wonky sometimes, but it is getting better.
May this Thanksgiving weekend be truly meaningful for you and all those who surround you. May you experience the Father's grace, peace and joy in whatever you undertake. May the true Spirit of thankfulness and praise inhabit all that you do, and may your relationship with Jesus become deeper and richer as you ponder what you are truly thankful for.
Blessings! Judy
Friday, October 2, 2009
October already!
Okay, folks, I really didn't mean to go this long without a post! I hereby make a promise that I will post something at least once a week, just to let you know that we are doing okay if nothing else!!
But this week I did have something special - I passed my driver's reexamination!! Which means that I am now free to drive myself wherever I would like instead of always bothering my kids or having to call a taxi. So freedom has taken on a new meaning!! The driver's rehab course in Vancouver really helped, and I'm so glad that I didn't have to do the exam there. The timing all worked out just fine, as God usually has it!
An update on the rest of the family
- Chris is home from BCIT and has successfully completed his 3rd year of apprenticeship in Joinery. For his project he made a beautiful basket which he gave to my mom! (I'll try to include a picture of it here.) It's his birthday this Sunday, and we're going to have a great party!
- Jason is doing fine so far in his studies - linear algebra, and two difficult chemistry courses that I forget the name of. He has 2 midterms next Wednesday (Oct. 7th) for which I know he would appreciate prayer. He still struggles somewhat with focus and concentration, but continues plugging away. He works at Starbucks, as well as leads a group of teen guys in a Bible Study.
- Aaron is enjoying his studies in NAIT, and occasionally asks for a recipe from me, but is doing well fending for himself. The troubles with his back are not over, and he still has pain if he sits or walks wrong. He's learning to compensate and be careful, and is coping fairly well emotionally. Although he won't admit it, I think he's a bit homesick...at least for his friends! He has found a church to attend on Wednesday nights (he doesn't have a car, and the buses don't get him there on Sunday) and is trying to find Christian friends.
- Ben is also still having some pain in his foot, but has found that heat relieves it somewhat. Unfortunately, his work is giving him some stress, and he has some difficult decisions to make regarding how to handle things. Without going into too much detail, please pray for him that he would have wisdom to respond to the situation in such a way that will bring God glory and release him from his stress. Thanks!
I am continuing on in my physiotherapy, as is Ben. My range of motion in my arms has really improved, and they are starting to work on my neck a bit to loosen things up. I find satisfaction in being able to be at home and do what I can to keep things going here. I have been able to play either the keyboard or piano in church almost every Sunday, and this gives me great joy! I have also started (re-started!) studying for my music history exam. So I have enough to keep me busy for now!
One last thing - as always, we have prayed for opportunities to share our story. God led me last week to call the office of Breakforth, the worship conference that we were going to when the accident happened. I have spoken to the director's wife regarding being able to share next year at the conference! Ben and I have compiled our testimonies, and will be sending this to the director to see if God would have us share in front of the thousands that will be there!!! The coolest thing is that the day after I called, I ran into a friend who wanted to tell me that she felt that I should do exactly that! So we believe that if God wants us to, we will be able to share our story next January in Edmonton! Pray that His will be done in this matter. It would be an amazing opportunity, not to showcase ourselves, but to give Him the glory for what He has done!!
So, I promise that before next Friday I will be back here! Thank you to all of you who faithfully check day after day, even when I haven't posted anything. We covet your prayers and your encouragement, and are trying to pass it on! God bless!!
But this week I did have something special - I passed my driver's reexamination!! Which means that I am now free to drive myself wherever I would like instead of always bothering my kids or having to call a taxi. So freedom has taken on a new meaning!! The driver's rehab course in Vancouver really helped, and I'm so glad that I didn't have to do the exam there. The timing all worked out just fine, as God usually has it!
An update on the rest of the family
- Chris is home from BCIT and has successfully completed his 3rd year of apprenticeship in Joinery. For his project he made a beautiful basket which he gave to my mom! (I'll try to include a picture of it here.) It's his birthday this Sunday, and we're going to have a great party!
- Jason is doing fine so far in his studies - linear algebra, and two difficult chemistry courses that I forget the name of. He has 2 midterms next Wednesday (Oct. 7th) for which I know he would appreciate prayer. He still struggles somewhat with focus and concentration, but continues plugging away. He works at Starbucks, as well as leads a group of teen guys in a Bible Study.
- Aaron is enjoying his studies in NAIT, and occasionally asks for a recipe from me, but is doing well fending for himself. The troubles with his back are not over, and he still has pain if he sits or walks wrong. He's learning to compensate and be careful, and is coping fairly well emotionally. Although he won't admit it, I think he's a bit homesick...at least for his friends! He has found a church to attend on Wednesday nights (he doesn't have a car, and the buses don't get him there on Sunday) and is trying to find Christian friends.
- Ben is also still having some pain in his foot, but has found that heat relieves it somewhat. Unfortunately, his work is giving him some stress, and he has some difficult decisions to make regarding how to handle things. Without going into too much detail, please pray for him that he would have wisdom to respond to the situation in such a way that will bring God glory and release him from his stress. Thanks!
I am continuing on in my physiotherapy, as is Ben. My range of motion in my arms has really improved, and they are starting to work on my neck a bit to loosen things up. I find satisfaction in being able to be at home and do what I can to keep things going here. I have been able to play either the keyboard or piano in church almost every Sunday, and this gives me great joy! I have also started (re-started!) studying for my music history exam. So I have enough to keep me busy for now!
One last thing - as always, we have prayed for opportunities to share our story. God led me last week to call the office of Breakforth, the worship conference that we were going to when the accident happened. I have spoken to the director's wife regarding being able to share next year at the conference! Ben and I have compiled our testimonies, and will be sending this to the director to see if God would have us share in front of the thousands that will be there!!! The coolest thing is that the day after I called, I ran into a friend who wanted to tell me that she felt that I should do exactly that! So we believe that if God wants us to, we will be able to share our story next January in Edmonton! Pray that His will be done in this matter. It would be an amazing opportunity, not to showcase ourselves, but to give Him the glory for what He has done!!
So, I promise that before next Friday I will be back here! Thank you to all of you who faithfully check day after day, even when I haven't posted anything. We covet your prayers and your encouragement, and are trying to pass it on! God bless!!
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