Sometimes God uses events to shape and change us. I won't blame God for this, but I am profoundly changed by what occurred this morning. Our next door neighbor's Adult Foster Care Facility was completely devastated by fire this morning. Thank God all 8 people + 2 dogs got out alive. Thank God no one was seriously hurt. A firefighter's shoulder was hurt when a ceiling collapsed on him. The challenged elderly residents had been practicing fire drills recently, and each were brought out safely. Thank God.
I complain about my circumstances, at times, as you all know. But today, I think I will not complain at all. I thank God no one was hurt and lives were spared. I thank God my home and husband and son did not perish. I thank God I did not move my Mom into that situation. I think I'll think about this every time I look out my windows, walk or drive by. And when I want to complain about something, I think I'll just count my blessings, instead. I pray you'll count your blessings, today, as well. And while you're at it, please pray for those in need, including your own, thanking God for all the good he gives you each day.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I wondered where you were. I shall miss you. I hope you check back in when you get settled. Blessings to you and your mom. Hope all goes smoothly. Would love to know how it all went. Take care, and God bless you, dear sister!
lharddbeck, thank you. Yes, they are all safe and placed elsewhere. The owners have moved back to their other property.
I'm counting my blessing, still. Even though things don't always go the way I want, God has not forsaken me. I'm so blessed to have my husband's support, a healthy boy, and wonderful friends. God bless you all!
Anne aka SS
anne im glad your neighbors got out all in one piece , when i was little our neighbor s house caught on fire and we were worried ours would catch on fire too , thank you lord that it didnt . nobody was at home when it cauught on fire . faulty wire they said .
yes we have to count our blessing everyday even on the bad days cuz it could have been worst i always reminded myself that . it could be worst .
ok time for me to drag myself to kitchen and slave away with bfast . mm i think i ll take up on those cookies instead , lol .
thank u jesus for the rain we r havin today . we needed it . escsialy on a friday woohoo . ;-)
Linda
Wouldn't it be nice if we could have our own private little cozy spot in heaven. No useless brothers or sisters. We could have cookies all day and laugh until our sides ached!!! Bless you all!
Linda
my dad had a walker to walk with and it got to the point where i have to walk beside him or behind him to prevent him walkin backwards with his walker or sideways .
now he can not walk anymore . its the wheelchair now . he can stand and walk 2 or 3 steps with my help to the wheelchair . then i wheel him to where ever he needed to go .
may have to do that and saves her from hurting herself and yourself from liftin her back up .
bless your heart and your moms ...happy new year ...
I thought about going to this site today, and you beat me to it. I pray the LORD bless you and your husband, and your mom in 2010, regardless of what happens. You've grown so much in the last year. Stay the same sweet, loving, compassionate daughter, and you'll go far. Will keep all of you in our prayers. Let us know how things are going with your housing decisions... Thanks for being such a blessing! :)
I am not sure what I am going to do with mom in the up coming year. She may have to go to a nursing home if she keeps falling. Her safety is my number one concern. My guilt is not the issue. So for those of you who say "not me never will I put my loved one in a home", be careful. Never say never. I thought that way too. But now I see things in a different light. It is not what I want, but it may be what she needs. Right now, we are OK and we have some time to consider our options. I just have learned in this journey that nothing is constant. Time and conditions change.
What could I have done better? Count to ten more. Left the room and collect myself before I spoke. What is done is done. We are not perfect, but the future will be shaped by the past.
So, I will try to be more patient. I will try to look at all my options. And I will never say never. If nothing else, life has taught me that "never" rarely happens. God Bless and have a Happy New Year.
Linda
Tonight was just awesome, and we feel so spoiled. Two families from our church came to our dads' nursing home tonight bringing all their children and babies and instruments to put on a Christmas program for the residents, and to bless us. We had piano, guitar, mandoline, and vocals. 14 children, ages 15 on down, sang some songs, and the adults did, too. One of the gentlemen made up programs for everyone with the Christmas message, and one of the gentleman did a devotion.
The facility provided the residents with cookies. This was the second year they blessed us with their presence, and we did all feel so thankful and blessed.
My part was feeding everyone. I brought in a couple of cassaroles, salad, sandwiches, jello, nuts. It was simple, but a way to give back for all they've done for us. The nurses, CNAs and Activities staff ate some, too. It was nice to include them, to thank them for all the care they give our dads, and for the way they serve us day after day...
I am counting my blessings, and thank God for the opportunity to be a blessing to others, as well. That is a privelege, and tonight was one of the favorite traditions we enjoy. I thank God to have the energy and resources to do what we do. To see all the warm smiles lifts spirits, and reminds us how blessed we are. To know that some of those residents had a good evening was a gift to each who participated.
Linda
Today we helped decorate gingerbread houses at our loved ones' nursing home for a Christmas Open House tomorrow. Tonight, we made paper snowflakes with our nine year old, at his direction, as he enjoyed teaching mom and dad how to fold and cut. He proudly displayed them by taping each one in a window. What a way to acknowledge his contribution in Caregiving, by just letting him be a happy kid and do something fun together. We also built a fire and watched it snow. So far, that's our Christmas, and we are counting our blessings.
Linda
i didnt even want to mess with christmas tree but my 18 yrs old daughter said oh mom ! we gotta have a tree . so we did and she bought me one present and set it underthe tree , now its startin to creep up onme to have the spirits and i just shudder to thinki have to go shopping and spend on something i dont realy have the money for ..
yes its just another day but its speical day tho .
yes i will cook , might just swell i aint got nothing better to do , stay home and keep warm and i ll cook for who comes to eat . like i did for thanksgiving . it was work but like i said i didnt have anything better to do .
i am lookin fwrd for happy newyear and hope that new year will bring me lots of sunshine ..
merry christmas to all of you !!!
This year I am just not going to worry about Christmas, it will take care of itself, and I want enjoy the Christmas spirit and the two small already lit laser trees we have put up. I used to run rat races trying to do craft projects, make handmade gifts. Then by Christmas I would be exhausted and sick from doing all that work. This time I am not going to be sick and exhausted and be able to enjoy being with my family, my niece is coming home for two weeks and I am just going to enjoy being with my family.
I don't have to haul out all that junk every Christmas, and I can't take all that with me when I die, so what does it matter anyway? And all that baking I used to do for Christmas I can do without anyway, just makes me more fat and then I have to diet for two months afterwards.
Everyone have a good Christmas, remember what Christmas is really for, to celebrate our Savior's birth and to celebrate families being together, and try not to let those family members who want to destroy the Christmas spirit bother us.
You were about 25 minutes from me! You went to the Kris Kringle Mart?? I have to go there one day. I hear it is really nice. Glad you had such a nice visit. We had snow, so hope it didn't interfere with your good time. Hope your health is good and that you enjoy this Christmas season.
Mom fell on Sunday and was not hurt- blessing #1
We had someone come and look at the house today for a second visit.blessing #2 ( been on the market for 6 weeks!)
Our daughter is coming home for Christmas. blessing #3
Can't get much better than that. Hope your Christmas time find peace and joy for you and yours
Linda
We lowered the price on our home, and our agent feels that people will now be interested in buying it. So, I am thankful for that, and please all of you say the needed prayers and keep your fingers crossed. That 55 and over community is calling my name!!!!!! Have a great day to you all. I don't know what I would do without you!!!!!!!