The great joys of life...

January 11, 2024

Happy New Year! 

Thanks to the extremely generous and sacrificial hard work of many friends & family, Rachel and I moved back into our home on December 22. It would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of some very special people. I know these people are not seeking any public praise or acknowledgment, and that ultimately we benefited from your service to God! You are all such a blessing to us and we feel overwhelmingly loved!  One of the greatest joys of life is being part of a community that loves each other sacrificially!

We were home with enough time to put up some of our favorite Christmas decorations and even set up a tree. Christmas Day was quiet and peaceful as we celebrated Jesus with our children, while looking back with reflection on the past six months. Even now it’s hard to accept that half of a year has transpired since we learned of Rachel’s tumor. 

It’s difficult to adequately express how grateful I am for our children and the strength they have provided to Rachel and I these past several months. It’s evident to me that they have willfully chosen to remain close to one another and have been  steadfast in the priorities of our family, while diligently carrying on with their individual responsibilities. The love of God and each other unites us even when location and circumstance has us physically apart. 

Through this most challenging season, Jonah, Quin & Taylor, Hosanna, Judah and Grant have excelled in caring for their mom & dad, and supporting each other! “I have no greater joy than to (see) my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4

At different moments throughout our time at hospitals, It was difficult to imagine what life would be like when we got back home. It would quickly become overwhelming, so I would let those thoughts go, so I could remain focused on the present. I remember being so intent on learning as much as I could to prepare to be Rachel’s primary caregiver, that I could only give minimal thoughts towards what was to come. I don’t believe there was any way to accurately foresee what the ”day to day” would entail at home, so we resolved to do just that…take each day as it would come. 

Our time at home so far has primarily involved making a series of adjustments to develop a routine to best manage necessities. Then creating enough “margin” for handling the details & logistics of doctor’s follow up visits, planning ahead for what it takes to make it to outpatient therapy, understanding and managing the medication and supplies, and communicating with the insurance company about coverages & benefits. Lastly, we have been figuring out how to accomplish the typically automatic things in life like grocery shopping, opening mail, feeding & walking the dog, watering the plants, and doing laundry. (Again, we are so grateful for those who continue to help us with these tasks.)

Rachel and I have, on occasion, been able to take in the beauty that surrounds us. We have spent some afternoons watching and listening to the waves roll in from the beach approach near us. We have sat on our favorite dock by Wilbur Bay a few times. We love absorbing the morning sun that blasts through the east windows & doors in our favorite room. The resonating song of chirping birds help us use those brief moments to “re-tune” our minds and hearts to a more peaceful rhythm in the midst of the busyness. One of the greatest joys in life is “being still and knowing God” is in control. 

Faith, Hope & Love have been the sustaining forces for our family for many years, but especially since the end of June 2023. These early weeks and months of the new year will require more of the same. These are “the three things that last forever…”(1 Corinthians 13:13), our present circumstances will not always be as they are now. Therefore, Wisdom tells us, that if we resolve to get better at something or make any changes in this new year, we should set our minds and hearts to personally grow in the ways that are eternal!

As a result of our yearend reflection, here is some of what our experience is teaching us…

1. Life can change drastically, quickly and totally unexpectedly.

2. What is most true in our lives, remains true, despite changing circumstances. 

3. There is no lasting benefit to worrying about what we cannot control.

4. Joy in life can be real, even when outcomes don’t match our desires. 

5. Generosity & Selfless love can overcome what otherwise seems impossible.

6. Persistence in Prayer brings many blessings in addition to the answers to our prayers.

7. God’s plans are better than ours, and there isn’t true peace of mind without genuine surrender to God’s direction.

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Rachel has been well these last few weeks. She has adjusted to her new anti-seizure medication. Out-patient therapy has been positive. We are also participating in an independent therapy program that allows Rachel to use the FES bike (previously discussed as “hybrid”). She can use the machine either before or after each session, as many days a week as she chooses. This program is great to maintain a much higher level of strength building activity like she experienced during her inpatient stay. 

Rachel has decided upon a speech generating device and software and we will begin a trial period when the device arrives (should be sometime next week). 

She tells us she is still seeing double but it isn’t as bad as before. Also, her spontaneous swallows have increased and improved. Speech therapy is on a clear path towards a swallow study which will help to determine if Rachel is ready to begin taking food orally again. 

Rachel has replied repeatedly that she is glad to be home. It is especially obvious when the kids are visiting and she is able to hold our granddaughter! 

We cherish the care and support that we continue to receive from so many. We have been blown away by the financial gifts we have received. These gifts have been timely and provide us much needed encouragement as well as helping to cover our co-pays and other supplies that insurance doesn’t cover. 

Each day has its own rewards and challenges. My hope is that we will continue to count every blessing and do our very best to be faithful with what is right in front of us, while resting on the foundation of grace we have experienced throughout the recent and distant past. 

Thank you for being with us along the way. This journey together has enabled us all to share in some of the life’s greatest Joys!”

Blessings,

Jeremy, 

(on behalf of the whole family)