God's Math

Spiritual Journal Entry

Aug. 8, 2013

God's Addition

according to 2 Peter 1:5-7

    Faith
+ Goodness
+ Knowledge
+ Self-control
+ Perseverance
+ Godliness
+ Brotherly kindness
+ Love                    
= Effective and productive in my knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.
   Having eyes that see and remembering that I have been cleansed from my past sins.

Definition of Knowledge - "information and skills acquired through experience or education"  How do we experience and educate ourselves about God? By knowing and obeying what He has given to us through His word and Jesus' example. Knowledge comes from God and the ability to follow His commands also comes from God. We just have to do the math and make every effort to add these in increasing measure.

Not sure he ever knew who I was.

"I'm a strong man."
Was his phrase of the moment.

Enjoying horseshoes

Aug. 14
I stopped at NR to have a meeting with Lisa and visit briefly with Mike before going to my sister,
Vivian's, for a few days. Mike was perseverative, but we went for a walk with the PT and LST. Afterwards, he rode the stationary bike and played horseshoes. He stopped repeating and could answer questions appropriately. His balance is not great right now and they are trying to use a gait belt, but he doesn't like it. We tried it once before and it caused more problems because it frustrated him. I wouldn't like someone holding on to me all the time either, but then he falls more easily. He's also back to drinking thickened liquids and a mechanical soft diet. So, of course, I'm wondering if it's the Clonazepam that was a new med started at Tucker. Just from on-line reading, it says it can be a sedative or muscle relaxant. Thankfully, since being at NR, they have stopped 3 medications! I've voiced my thoughts on the Conazepam to Lisa and she's going to check with the medical director.

Aug. 14-19

7:15 am
Sunrise & clouds on the mountains

I enjoyed spending time with Vivian and her husband, Mike G. The view from their house is gorgeous, as you can see.  Vivian and I worked a few hours organizing and cleaning in her 2nd grade classroom on Thursday and Friday, plus enjoyed a nice walk along a river in Marion.  Saturday, Mike G., Viv, and I went into Asheville for lunch and a movie. It was a fun visit with them. We read, ate very well (Mike and Vivian are great cooks!), watched movies, talked and I played/exercised with Wii Fit. Thanks for a great visit M&V!



While at their house, I received a couple of e-mails from Lisa the case manager at NR. Here are portions of those:

Aug. 16
I wanted to tell you that Mike has a had a couple of small falls the past two days. During one fall (9/14) he was playing horseshoes with staff outside and bent over to pick up the horseshoe and lost his balance. The second fall was yesterday and he tripped getting up from the table. Of course, he doesn’t usually want the gait belt on or contact guard assistance, but we are trying.

I also wanted to tell you what a great day he had yesterday. It sounds like the morning was a little rough (a little aggressive toward staff early in the morning) but the afternoon was great. Katie (LST) wrote this note in his daily notes: “Since 2pm, MR has been the best I have ever seen. Fully attentive; making sense, little repetition, asking to do things, gave 100% in Speech Therapy, smiling and laughing, trying to remember people’s names (staff). He wrote friends and family letters for a little over 2 hours this evening (his idea) and asked questions and was very polite all day. He was the happiest I have ever seen him and I feel blessed I got to spend today with him. He even told me, “I prayed for you earlier, Katie.”

Aug. 19
Mike had another great day yesterday. He helped drill and put together some stuff with the weekend Rec Therapist, Will. He also wrote some more family letters.

Isn't that great?! Yesterday I left Viv's and came back through Blacksburg to see Mike. Unfortunately, it was not a good day. Lots of repeating, the blank look, no recognition of me. I spent several hours with him, we played Sequence and went for a walk, but he really couldn't focus. Am heading back there now for a few hours and then on back to the farm. Am praying he's having a better day today.