What a week!!!

On Monday, I posted about the anniversary of our vow renewal last year.  By that evening I was flat on my back in the bathroom we're remodeling, wishing I had remembered to step on that bottom rung of the ladder.  Oy vay!  I guess I broke the fall to some extent with my left hand, cuz that's what started swelling.  At first I was not too concerned----I could still wiggle all my fingers, and a friend who happened to come by checked it out and didn't think there were any broken bones.

The next day was an important meeting with Stu's Care Team-----we got down to brass tacks about a discharge date (Oct. 31 is the aim----we'll see if we can hit it)  They assured me that he will receive as much support and equipment as he needs, wheelchair, hoyer, shower chair, caregivers, compensation for supplies and transportation----and whatever else we need to take care of him.  I know he will be relieved to be at home.

  I also needed to find someone to lay the vinyl floor tiles in the bathroom for me,  on VERY SHORT NOTICE, since my wrist was out of commission.      The roll in shower we had ordered was scheduled to be installed on Thursday morning, but the floor needed to be in first.  Yikes!  I put out an S.O.S. on Facebook, and Lo and behold! got a lead on a retired flooring specialist.  I called him up and explained my predicament.  "When did you need it done?" he asked, just to clarify.  "It needs to be finished by Wednesday....."  I gulped.  There was a pause and then "You're kidding!"  "I know"  I said "it's pretty improbable, but I had to try"  "I'll be right over"  he said.  And not only did he come right over. but within five minutes of assessing the job, he was on his knees, scraping the floor!  "I guess he's gonna do it!"  I marveled.   As I hung out with him, watching his progress and assisting in my one-handed way,  I felt doubly blessed because he had so much wisdom to share.  We talked about God and prayer and making mistakes as we waited for floor leveler to dry.  I said to him as he was departing "You are just one more miracle in this story full of miracles"  And we both smiled, all the richer for the experience.  Later, when I asked how much I owed him, he brushed it off, saying "You've got enough troubles, you don't need to trouble yourself paying me". 

When I woke up on Thursday morning, my hand was still swollen despite diligent icing and a storebought splint.  I broke down and went to the ER to have it x rayed.  And guess what?  A small bone was indeed fractured.  Oy Vay!  I am typing carefully right now with a wrist-to-elbow splint, and will have it casted on Wednesday!  My first-ever cast!  Interesting timing, don't you think?  Esp. in view of the fact that our dear friend Moriah was arriving for a ten day visit this very day!.   Not sure what to make of it all, but......it is what it is:-)    We are all still laughing as we work through each day's challenges----laughing, crying, praying, enduring, reminding each other of our hope in Christ, and rejoicing because we are his.  Jerome is in the cottage today, hanging the rest of the drywall,  finishing up the placement for the cool light fixtures I found on craigslist, stopping every so often to drink some sparkling ice water and compare notes on what matters----today it was end times, for some reason.  I love my son-in-law.  He is a mensch.  (look it up)  Please join me in praying for him as he balances his many resposibilities:  full-time job, husband and father, and main work force in this remodel.  I pray for competent extra hands to help him, and supernatural wisdom for us all. 

I'll keep you posted!

Sue

The Vows

Today, October 3, is the one year anniversary of the day Stu and I renewed our vows.  The memory of the dear friends, the hugs in the receiving line, our children playing the music for the ceremony, the loving decorations and food, all warms my heart.  I have often remembered that day during this time and marveled at the perfect timing of it.  I think what we said to each other that day has even more significance in light of the past six months.  Here is what Stu said:

My Dearest Sue, My Faithful Wife,
         You and I have been through a remarkable journey together these past 35 years, a journey of discovery of the love of our Father, the one true God of all creation and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
         I wish, in the presence of this company of people, to proclaim my commitment to continue this most miraculous journey, ever more deeply into the loving heart of God with you, Dear Sue, the best friend that I have ever known on this earth, the most faithful companion I have ever had.  We have shared such intimacy in His Holy Spirit!  I am devoted to finish the course God has set for us, Sue, my one and only true love, under God our Father. 

And here is what I replied: (with a hanky in my hand)

 My devoted husband,
        I am so grateful to have the opportunity to say to you, in the presence of this warm company, how very much I value you and our marriage.


     Stu, God blessed me beyond measure when he put us together.  This parnership has true chemistry!  I have learned SO MUCH about God's very nature------his mystery, his forgiveness, his paradox, his mercy----and I feel like we have just scratched the surface!


What we are doing here today is different from the wedding vows of a new couple-----for newlyweds, promises are made as they step into untried territory.  And that is a good thing, full of hope.


But Stu, you and I have been through the fire together.  We have sometimes wondered whether we would survive!  But by God's grace, we stand here today.  And that is a better thing, full of conviction.  We know by experience that God never fails, even when we do.


So, as we begin this new leg of our journey, I can promise you that I will keep depending on our Heavenly Father to guide and protect us.  I believe that out of that dependence comes profound respect for you as a man and myself as a woman.  We are made in His image.  May we become ever truer mirrors for each other, until all we see is Jesus.


Wow, as I review this, it seems almost prophetic.  Truly, we have just scratched the surface!  And truly, we are safe in God's very capable hands!  I'll be posting about progress with the remodel and plans to bring Stu home in the next few days.  Please keep us in prayer as I meet with the staff at Laurel Hill tomorrow to hammer out a discharge plan.   Depending on all things working together, we hope to bring him home by the end of this month.  From where I stand, that will be nothing short of a miracle!  But let's remember, this whole situation has been strewn with miracles from the beginning.  I'll be sharing about a couple of the most recent ones in my next blog.  Stay tuned!