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Friday, July 6, 2012

Bad News - I think not.

Our Walk at Lower Lake Castaic (July 2012)
I received a call from the social worker at the Adult Day Health Care Center yesterday.  Gary attends the program 3 times a week and has been going there for about 2 years.  The sweet voice on the phone apologetically said, "Gary is needing a higher level of care, and we are short handed right now.  I'm sorry but in order for Gary to continue attending, his fees will increase and you'll also need to send a caregiver with him to assist the staff with his care."  Well, as you can imagine, the cost would be prohibitive, because the cost of adding a caregiver to assist in the program would be double what we are paying now, so I let her know that next week will have to be his last week.

Working the gadget board (July 2012)
Yes, I shed a tear, when I hung up the phone.  It makes me sad to be reminded of Gary's decline in health.  The program has been good for him, and I am sorry it has to come to an end. The staff have been very helpful and compassionate towards Gary.  He has never given them any "trouble."  He just needs more help than they can give at present.  But as to this news being "bad" it isn't really.  Many of you know that the ongoing decision making regarding Gary's care is always on my mind.  With any progressive illness, adjustments must be made frequently.  Just when you think you have something all worked out for a while, there must be a change in the schedule, or who is helping, or how many hours, or what kind of exercise routine.

Of late, I've been praying for wisdom regarding stepping up the care, as to what would be best for Gary and I. One of the things I had considered was additional days at the Health Care Center.  Well, as usual, the Lord leads...this time by taking that option off the table completely.  God is working His plan in our lives, and I am looking forward to what that might be.  This trial has been humbling for me as I am again forced to "wait and see" what God wants for us.  There are other options out there, which we will explore, but in the mean time, I will choose joy, and peace.  They are promised to me in abundance, and I am going to relish in the good, loving care of the one true God.

At the workbench (July 2012)
A verse I've been thinking about lately is Ecclesiastes 3:11.  "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart without which man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end."

God has graciously given me an eternal perspective.  This life is brief in light of "forever" and therefore I can have the pleasure of knowing that life IS beautiful and there is a good work going on here. This momentary "setback" is just a part of the process of bringing about a beautiful plan and we are privileged to be involved.

I'm so grateful for so many of you who keep praying for us.  I desire to know God better and better, and want to keep my mind focused on His great love for us.  Please join with me in praying for me (and all of us) to that end.  Thank you.


 



12 comments:

  1. I pray for you guys all the time!! Thank you for your continual reminders of what eternal perspective looks like in the midst of severe trials!! I'm thankful for your godly example! Hugs!!

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    1. Hi Jen, I'm continually amazed at how many are lifting us up in prayer. Thank you so much.

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  2. I am and have been praying for you!!

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  3. Watching your journey and praying for you and Gary--wisdom for the next step and adjustment for Gary.

    Thanking God that we can bear each other's burdens, dear Internet blogging friend whom I would love to meet in person one day.

    Carol in Florida

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    1. I would love to meet you too. We have family in Southeast Florida, so who knows...maybe one day.

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  4. Love your example and we are praying too.

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  5. I'm praying for your wisdom and direction on the next step of this journey. I know too well the feelings your experiencing now, but you'll get through each step and become stronger..... God does that.

    The positive attitude you have is so important, but most of all your faith in God will see you through.
    Hugs and prayers from Texas

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  6. Thank you for sharing, Laurie! Your perspective on suffering and set-backs was good for me to read tonight, and I am motivated to meditate on the passage from Ecclesiastes this week. May the Lord be your joy and satisfaction!

    Much love,
    Katherine

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    1. I've been "camping out" in this verse lately and I'm sure you'll love it too. I'm heading to your blog to post there.

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