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!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
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!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Sunday
I've meant to post that I was doing this, but forgot, sorry! I was able to tell our story as part of our service this past Sunday morning. This was such an encouraging experience, and one that went far better than I had hoped. Yes, I still got all choked up, but I was able to stand and give God the glory for bringing us to where we are at today. Our pastor began a new sermon series on the book of James, and thought it would be fitting for us to share how we feel that we can "consider it all joy" regarding our trials of this year. Ben was able to share at the men's prayer breakfast on Saturday morning, and as I said, I shared on Sunday. If you are interested in hearing the sermon and my testimony, it is available as a free podcast through iTunes. If you don't have iTunes, you can download it free through apple.com. Then all you do is go to the music store in iTunes, click on the tab for podcasts, search for College Heights Baptist Church, and then subscribe. It will automatically start downloading the most recent sermon. Hopefully this will work for you!
Judy
Judy
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September already!
It amazes me that time is going by so quickly, when I'm not really doing much of anything! I just looked at the list of previous posts, and each month I post less and less. Sorry about that! It is not my intent to abandon this project, but there just doesn't seem to be enough time these days, which is no excuse, but there it is. At any rate, I am glad to be back home again after 12 days down at the coast. Here's a quick summary of what happened there:
- Completed the driver's rehab program, but was unable to do the road test due to the fact that Motor Vehicles decided that I needed prism glasses before I could drive. (Wish I had known that a week earlier!)
- Had an appointment (last minute!) with the orthoptics department and got the prism for my glasses! Booked the road test to be done here in PG on Sep. 29th.
- Saw the plastic surgeon, who will be sending in a medical/legal report to the lawyer. Looking to the possibility of surgery next spring sometime to repair the seat belt damage to my lower abdomen.
- Saw the vocal specialists, who informed me that my vocal chords are in fairly good shape, but might have some scarring on one side due to the intubation. I have some exercises to do which should help with the nerve damage, and I'm to see them again in December. The coolest part is that I got a video clip of my vocal chords as they were working with me!
- Saw the spine doctor, who told me that things are healing very well, and that I can expect to continue to increase my range of motion in my neck somewhat, but that there will always be limitation, which I expected. He checked over the nerve damage throughout my body, and was pleased with the improvement that continues. I won't need to see him again.
- Spent some quality time with Christopher, who is in Vancouver attending his 3rd year of apprentice school at BCIT. We had a fun afternoon with Jim & Ellie and Harold & Dorothy (my siblings and their spouses) at the PNE. I hadn't been there since high school!
- Took my mom to see a movie (Julie & Julia - highly recommend seeing it!) which was a ton of fun!
- Had a great time with family again, including a shower for my nephew and his wife who are expecting their first child!
In general, it was a very productive trip, but I'm glad to be home again. Now I really feel like I need to schedule my time wisely, and prioritize what needs to get done. While I was gone, Ben took Aaron to Edmonton to settle him in for school. He is happy in his home, and is so excited for the studies ahead. Jason has also started his courses at the university, so everyone around me is busy getting on with their lives. So I guess I have to, too!
One of the things that I want to continue working on is the compiling of the events of this past year into written format. Whether or not it will actually become a book is yet to be seen. For now I want to put as much of my thoughts and experiences into words so that I never forget what I've learned. Ben is sharing his testimony this Saturday morning at a men's breakfast, and I will be sharing this Sunday morning in church. We pray that the words that we speak will encourage and uplift, and that they will also give God the glory for what He has done in us and through us. I'll let you know how it goes!
Judy
- Completed the driver's rehab program, but was unable to do the road test due to the fact that Motor Vehicles decided that I needed prism glasses before I could drive. (Wish I had known that a week earlier!)
- Had an appointment (last minute!) with the orthoptics department and got the prism for my glasses! Booked the road test to be done here in PG on Sep. 29th.
- Saw the plastic surgeon, who will be sending in a medical/legal report to the lawyer. Looking to the possibility of surgery next spring sometime to repair the seat belt damage to my lower abdomen.
- Saw the vocal specialists, who informed me that my vocal chords are in fairly good shape, but might have some scarring on one side due to the intubation. I have some exercises to do which should help with the nerve damage, and I'm to see them again in December. The coolest part is that I got a video clip of my vocal chords as they were working with me!
- Saw the spine doctor, who told me that things are healing very well, and that I can expect to continue to increase my range of motion in my neck somewhat, but that there will always be limitation, which I expected. He checked over the nerve damage throughout my body, and was pleased with the improvement that continues. I won't need to see him again.
- Spent some quality time with Christopher, who is in Vancouver attending his 3rd year of apprentice school at BCIT. We had a fun afternoon with Jim & Ellie and Harold & Dorothy (my siblings and their spouses) at the PNE. I hadn't been there since high school!
- Took my mom to see a movie (Julie & Julia - highly recommend seeing it!) which was a ton of fun!
- Had a great time with family again, including a shower for my nephew and his wife who are expecting their first child!
In general, it was a very productive trip, but I'm glad to be home again. Now I really feel like I need to schedule my time wisely, and prioritize what needs to get done. While I was gone, Ben took Aaron to Edmonton to settle him in for school. He is happy in his home, and is so excited for the studies ahead. Jason has also started his courses at the university, so everyone around me is busy getting on with their lives. So I guess I have to, too!
One of the things that I want to continue working on is the compiling of the events of this past year into written format. Whether or not it will actually become a book is yet to be seen. For now I want to put as much of my thoughts and experiences into words so that I never forget what I've learned. Ben is sharing his testimony this Saturday morning at a men's breakfast, and I will be sharing this Sunday morning in church. We pray that the words that we speak will encourage and uplift, and that they will also give God the glory for what He has done in us and through us. I'll let you know how it goes!
Judy
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