Monday, March 1

Monday March 1 (Happy Birthday Andy!)

Basics:

Today was a productive day. The man is ready to go home. He used a walker to travel to the door and back and to the bathroom and back twice! No pain meds today. Physical therapist and Occupational therapist both released him to go home. Two more “hoops” down. We are hoping to be able to go home tomorrow. Of course we have been hoping that pretty much since I got here since I came thinking his main injury was his broken leg and we’d be going home the next day. But the longer we stay, the longer the Lord can use us. This might be a good time to thank Paul for his help during this time. He has been taking the “night” shift so I can go get some real sleep. And apparently, Jeff keeps him pretty busy during the “wee hours.” Thanks, Paul. Don’t think I could have done this without you.

Embellished Basics:

So preparing to leave this morning was uneventful. No lady bugs, no power outages. Who knows? I may even get bored…..nah. So I walk out to meet the shuttle this morning wondering where all these people came from and what they are doing standing around the lobby. Could it be that they are taking “my” shuttle? For my trips thus far going and coming, it was just me and the driver. But that was the weekend. This was Monday morning, Atlanta, GA. So I in my khakis climbed into the van with 8 or 10 business folks with expensive briefcases and designer clothes (like I would know what designer clothes are. They looked expensive, okay?) and fancy jewelry and we were off. Instead of going straight to the hospital (as usual) we toured Atlanta past the CNN building and the Georgia Dome and probably a lot of other places I didn’t recognize. Finally he stopped at the base of about 5 multi-storied buildings and everybody got off. Then he discovered me. OH! I didn’t see you back there! And finally we were off to the hospital. Don and I had a good talk. He’s a family man, working on his education and driving a shuttle bus. Such a nice guy. I don’t know why the Lord put us together today, but I enjoyed visiting with him as I watched the sights out of my window.

I found Jeff feeling much better this morning. He was sitting up having a coke when I got there. It’s fun to hear the boys relate their experiences during the night, relay information and gripe about the nurses. I appreciate Paul watching over my boy so I can sleep. They make a good team.

My husband impressed me today. Moving around with his walker was painful and exhausting and I admired the determination in his face (hidden behind the grimace) as he took each step. He’s a champ and I love him.

We received callers today. We missed one couple (the Allens, I believe). Well I missed them and Jeff was asleep. Also the Hubbards from our church in Anderson came by. It was interesting to me to have them ask “how” they should pray for us. So often we tell people how we will be praying. And shared with them that although a normal request would be for less pain and quick healing, I knew I shouldn’t ask for that. Sometimes we make decisions about what should happen or what should be going on and assume that’s what God wants, too. Certainly I want quick and pain-free healing, perhaps that’s not what the Lord has in mind. God’s ways are not always our ways, but I know He has a plan for every single detail of our lives. Nothing is a surprise. Nothing is unnecessary. Everything has a purpose. I asked for patience and graciousness for me in the days ahead. (I felt certain that the Lord would be in agreement with that.) And I ask them to pray and I ask you, too for Jeff and I to recognize opportunities for ministry during this time. Help us to see opportunities to grow. And that in all things Christ be glorified.