Cut the Spareribs!

On April 26, I did meet with the Pastor and Jack from the Stanardsville UMC. I gave them some pointers of how to interact with Mike and some background information. We arrived at The Harbor just before lunch was being served. Mike was in his perseverative "o" and anxiously waiting for his food to arrive, so there was no possibility of visiting at that moment. I showed them Mike's room and where the games were kept, so at least they were oriented. They tried again to converse with Mike, but to no avail that day.

Later that afternoon, Mike was calmer and I decided to take him out for a haircut. After getting settled in the chair and telling the hair stylist to use the #3 guard, all of a sudden Mike blurts out "Cut the spareribs!" Whoa! What in the world? I pondered what he might mean and came up with "cut my sideburns." When I asked if that was it, Mike said a resounding "Yes!" Phew. Glad we got that straight.

I went to see Mike again on May 14 & 15. When I got there Pastor Chuck and Jack were there visiting with Mike in the sun room. Said they had been talking about OSU. The Pastor had to leave shortly after, but Jack stayed and took a walk with us. What a blessing to have these men take the time to spend with Mike. Mike and I played cribbage and then went down the other wing of The Harbor and played some of the computer games. He seemed to enjoy it for a while, but became bored after about 30 minutes. We video chatted with some family members which was the first time I had done that with him. It was fun and we'll do that more, since everyone else lives too far away to come and visit him in person.

On Sunday, I went to the early service at Stanardsville UMC which is a contemporary service and then went to get Mike ready to come to the 11:00 service. He did very well and we even stayed for their "Sip & Chat" (a light lunch) after the service. He also ate most of his lunch when we got back to The Harbor. He weighs more than he ever has, I think. Last time I saw his weight, it was 182. They feed him well at The Harbor, but he still forgets that he's eaten and is hungry all the time.

Oh that we would have that kind of longing for our Lord, Jesus Christ. An insatiable hunger for His Word with a burning desire to tell the unsaved about the free gift of life paid for and freely offered by God's one and only Son.

Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

    my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,

    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Revelation 22:17 (ESV)

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” 

And let the one who hears say, “Come.” 

And let the one who is thirsty come; 

let the one who desires take the water of life without price.