I began in late february... and here it is late April. Too much busyiness I suppsose, at least in March. A couple basketball tournaments, lots of church, a great trip to New York City with my wife , and more.
It all led to a surprise on April 3rd... Late in the day while at my office, I had a mild stroke. In the course of a few moments I went from looking forward to the NCAA Championship game, to in an ambulance to St. Francis hospital. Two days later, I was released, but with some residual effects... Balance issues, blockages in my speech processing, and stamina issues.
It has been a month now... almost. Seems longer. I have had numerous tests on my brain, heart. ( Yes they found both... and there was somehting in there) I have slept alot. Walked alot in the last two weeks. Getting out of the house has been good for me.
When I am tired, my speech does not seem to process right.. so I am doing what the Doctor said... Crossword puzzzles, and reading outloud. It is a slow process of recovery. I went to church last week, which wore me out. I went to the office Monday and Tuesday for a total of 3 hours, and that was too much. So I took the rest of the week and rested, did some household things, and read alot.
Bottom line... I don't know when I will preach again. I want my stamina to be stronger, and my speech to be trustworthy. So I pray alot about it, and work at doing what I am told.
"He makes me lie down..." Psalm 23:2. I guess that is what God has done.. WOW.... It was probably the only way He could get my attention. He did. Sometimes, you have to be told... "lie down...slow down... stop." I got all those this last month.
God is good though. I needed this. I needed to slow down and rest....listen, pray, read, and re-charge. God has put wonderful people in my life who have helped me.
Pam has been so good. What an angel! Patient, peaceful, protective, prayerful, and powerful. Those all describe her. 25 years is a long time to be maried, but I have learned in the last few weeks that even after 25 years there is so much more to be explored and known. That is what makes marriage fun
Elizabeth, Joel, Lydia and Abigial have been so good to me. They know that things are not exactly right, but they are patient and supportive. They all have their own lives, but they have really supported me in this
The Elders of our church. What a group! Not just the ones who are sitting on the board, but past Elders as well, who have been so understanding. They have said, "take all the time you need." And they mean it.
The church has been awesome. There has not been on day in the past 28 that I have not received a card. Almost always multiple cards. One guy has insisted on mowing my grass for the summer. Food..... I don;t have a great appetite, but there has been so much food.
I am a caregiver... and I find myself on the other end now... what a great group of people.
The Staff of the Church has been great. They toil in uncertainity right now. "When will he come back?" I don't know the answer to that right now... but they press on... Even this Sunday there will be new people joining the church. Way to go!
I intend to write alot more in the future.... ( I have the time). Maybe we can learn something together in this...
thanks for reading..... I covet your prayers for my complete recovery. But also pray for my patience in understaning this and redeeming the time.
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