Now, In Recent News:
Not long ago, someone said that Joy’s stay at TCC each year is like her annual tune-up. That’s a pretty decent explanation! 😊 All of her equipment and braces are evaluated. Therapists evaluate her progress. She sees the dentist and the orthopedist. She has a bone-strengthening infusion. Unfortunately, while TCC is amazing, it is different than being at home. Joy is feeling that difference this week. She moved in last Friday. Then she had the holiday weekend to begin to settle in. She’s been pretty tired. It’s different sleeping in a new place with some extra noises and a different routine. Hopefully, as this week passes, she will get settled in to her therapy schedules and class times. TCC has a new facility with some neat aspects to it. She’ll get to use some of those in the weeks to come—a therapy pool and sensory room are just a couple of the fun things. I go to visit her every day and Ben makes it over 2-3 times a week. Because of COVID restrictions still in place, Ethan will not be able to visit her while she is there. He had a harder time last Friday than past years, realizing that he wouldn’t see her for the month. I’m going to surprise him at the sitter’s today and run Joy by after her infusion and before I drop her off at TCC. He’ll at least get to give her kisses and say hello. It’s hard for me (as I’ve mentioned before) when I must process that other caregivers will do things differently than me but it is okay. The way they do it isn’t bad but just different. Joy must transition to the new schedule. I must transition in my thoughts. But I am already enjoying a “brain break” as I call it. Because my brain is constantly in gear thinking what is next for Joy during a day, this is a mental rest for me. All of those things are taken care of and I can let my brain be quiet for just a little while (not that it’s really quiet--I’m a spaghetti thinker--but at least that area is quiet). In fact, when I was at TCC the other day, the nurse offered for me to give Joy her medicine and I deferred. I trust that they are doing well and have learned over the years that the respite is a much needed “brain break”.
Our garden is doing fabulously. We’ve had a lot of rain but it seems it is not too much. Ben got access to some free wood chips so our garden looks fancy this year—mulched with luscious plants growing tall. Not dealing with as many weeds is great! We look forward to the produce that will come from it and canning and preserving it for the rest of the year.
Ben is very busy this week with a conference at the college but starting this weekend, things will slow down considerably. We look forward to a few outdoor activities as a family and a couple of road trips.
Lord willing, I will get the privilege of singing at Southwest Baptist later in the month with my sister here in OKC. We have not sung together for special music in probably 10 years. I’m looking forward to it. I will leave you with the song that we are planning to sing. It is from a collection of Fanny Crosby hymns that have been discovered within the last decade and finished by composers. It is an encouraging song!
Thanks for your prayers!
I Know That Jesus Loves Me
By Fanny Crosby
I know that Jesus hears me;
The longings of my deepest part.
Even aching prayers unspoken
Will rise and find the Savior's heart.
I know that Jesus holds me
Through every trial and storm I face--
My Shepherd and my constant Keeper,
The arms I rest in all my days.
Chorus
I know that Jesus loves me.
I can feel His presence as I go.
I know, I know that Jesus loves me.
Oh what sweet assurance floods my soul.
I know that Jesus keeps me
Safely on the narrow way,
Guides and guards these feet from stumbling
By His all-sustaining Grace.
Chorus
I know that Jesus leads me
And will until the very end,
Where death and sadness are no longer
And everlasting joy begin.
Chorus