Thankful

Thank you for the comments, emails, prayers and requests. I'm thankful for a better day today. Updates in the coming weeks about all the tests and appointments. I have blood-work appointment this Friday for some special tests (Gene analysis, lupus, protein, etc) to see if any other issues I may have that might have an idea of why I had my stroke. Please pray for answers. Several doctors think it may be more then just the high blood pressure especially since this has been an issue since my teen years.
I leave this in God's hands.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,

 but in everything by prayer

 and supplication with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God.

  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

 whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

 whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,

 if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Philippians 4:4-8 

Not Good with Words

There are days that struggle seems to be all that happens or can be what is focused on more.

Grief - it comes and goes. While not the same situations or even loss, or how life is handled, this article I found really pinpointed some clarity of dealing with grief and words or what can be done. "what to say when there is nothing to say" Take a moment and read the article by Sarah or book mark for later. May it be helpful.


When the days are good, at least as they can be, and there is much positive words, so wonderful to have those days. However, even at almost 4 years since the stroke, there are many days, weeks or slight moments here or there, the loss of my right side tends to be overbearing. The tears flow, the memories invade my mind and I have to refocus.

Yes, I'm getting some function back but it doesn't stay around as much as I would like or the feeling in my right side changes, some good, some painful, but it's not back full time. I try to explain what my body is doing but the words don't come out right and then there are more tears.

The words are not there, to explain, to say what I need or feel I need or even the words come out wrong. To say what I want done around the house or what puts me at ease. Sometimes, I'm not good with words.

Spending Time Part 2

We have been spending time with our daughter the past few weeks before school starts back up next week. She wanted me to share what we have done as a family. We've watched movies and played different games. I haven't felt well (pain when walking/not much energy) and so we haven't gone many places but even still we make the most of our time together. Her and I have worked on chores during the day as best we can, teaching her about kitchen and laundry. A few days we had Grandma helping with us and that's always an adventure.

One of the fun times that we laugh together about and enjoy is Minecraft. We have a private server that we can play together and do lots of creating. It's about using whatever we can find from the block materials to make essential tools, building blocks to very complex objects.  Minecraft also gives me a chance to work on moving my right hand on the mouse and pressing the shift button. My right hand doesn't always want to do what I want it to do. I cannot feel definite objects so I have to watch what I'm doing with my right side. I'm getting better even if slow.

Here are some of our creations along with our characters:

Daughter's character outside our home base

Living Room/Dining area

Our Characters with our horses, sheep and cows

We enjoy what we can during this busy season. While I wish we could be out enjoying being with others, we have a great time together at home.

I hope you had a great weekend and all is well. If you have any prayer requests, send me an e-mail or comment. May the Lord bless you this coming week.

Spending Time Part 1

Summer is getting closer to an end and a new season is among us. New school class for daughter and an ending class for husband with a new class in September. Weather will still have some hot times but it won't be long and cooler weather will come and go. As some know from reading my blog, we have gone through many seasons. For me, we are back to several doctor visits, neurology, blood work, 2 MRI's next week and more follow-up visits.

I had to change Neurologists because my previous doctor is no longer in the area or no longer practicing. I'm not sure so off to a new doctor. Having a new doctor can be a good thing at times.  For once I have a doctor who wants to find out why I had a stroke in the first place. Most have just blamed my high blood pressure but this doctor is not agreeing. So I will have another MRI and a more detailed look at my brain. (not going to go into specifics until later) Also in coming weeks, blood tests to check to see if I have any blood disorders.

So we are spending time with our daughter. More tomorrow. Next week will be busy.


A reminder to all Elders and young pastors but also good words for all Christians. Many times we are told to humble ourselves and share our anxieties and burdens with the Lord. 
From my reading today of 1 Peter:

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV

August

I hope you are doing well. My plan is to give an update soon. I have another new Neuro Doctor appointment today. A quick praise - sleep study went ok but I did it and will have update on 5th.

More later,