Last week I had another regular appointment with the neurologist, Dr. Turnbull. After checking me out carefully as he usually does, he gently suggested that I give up driving. I told him “You’re the boss, what ever you say, I will do. I won’t fight you over it.” He laughed because he doesn’t get called “the boss” too often these days. I did not drive home from the hospital, but was picked up by my daughter Sarah. When I got home, I called our auto insurance company to take me off the policy. The agent said that I would be saving some money, to which I replied that I could take my wife out for a couple of nice dinners for that amount. “Don’t forget to buy her flowers too” she said. So, there is a silver lining to every situation. Some days you have to look a little harder to see it. Last Thursday was the last day I will ever drive a car again. But that's okay. Another tent peg has been pulled, but God has made it easy to take.
On Saturday morning I vacuumed my car and wiped down the inside. It was slow, clumsy, and difficult to do for me, but the car definitely looked better after I was done! As we drove to do some shopping (in the clean car), I told Lena how much I always enjoyed doing the regular Saturday activities: cutting grass, washing/vacuuming the car, sweeping the garage, etc. Man was created to work, even before the fall into sin. An unemployed man, or a man who cannot do the things he feels called to do, is not the way we were meant to be. My advice is to enjoy doing these chores while you can, it could be taken away. This was the last time I will be washing and vacuuming the car. Yet another tent peg has been pulled and that's okay.
We got the Canadian tire flyer in the mail this week, and I noticed that turkey fryers were on sale. I have recently been thinking about trying this with our family. It is a kit that has a 36 liter pot with a burner that you attach to your barbecue tank. You immerse the turkey into the hot oil very slowly with the included lifter, and it comes out crispy golden brown in 3 minutes per pound. A 12 pound turkey is done in 36 minutes. We practiced with a couple of 5 pound chickens, and they turned out amazing. ‘Finger lickin’ good! A highly recommended red neck activity for thanksgiving dinner. The reason I'm telling you this is because even though I am dying I am going to keep on living! Life is still beautiful and I am still enjoying God's good gifts of food, drink, laughter and family.
thinking about you every day
ReplyDeleteThinking about you and praying for you every day! May the Lord continue to give you strength and acceptance. You are being an incredible witness to young and old around you!
ReplyDeleteThank You! and God Bless!
You and your family are always in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your ongoing testimony, even through the difficult times. Your situation reminds me that we sometimes look too close at the situation when our Maker is looking at the "larger picture". Praying He will continue to uplift you through the valleys. So thankful for your peace because there are so many who have their health and "happiness", but lack peace.
ReplyDelete"In that place you must wear crowns of gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One; for 'there you shall see him as he is.' There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the world, though with much difficulty, because of the infirmity of your flesh. There your eyes shall be delighted with seeing, and your ears with hearing the pleasant voice of the Mighty One. There you shall enjoy your friends again that are goine thither before you; and there you shall with joy receive even every one that follows into the holy place after you." John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
Praying for a miracle, but most importantly grace.
Dale and Ericka Vander Hout
May God bless you with more peace and joy.
ReplyDeletePhilippians 1:1-6