...I'm swimming in a sea of responsibilities and details - things to do and decisions to be made, and just under the surface at all times are my worries and concerns about Dad and Mom and their health and current situation.
I have one week before I leave to go resume my daughterly post in Florida, and before then, there's a very long list that's growing longer every day of things that I need to get done before I go. I honestly wonder if there'll be enough hours in this week to get it all done.
But let me just say that at a time like this, I couldn't go on without my friends, my family. We really do need each other to get through each day, and this is especially apparent in times of crisis.
Thanks to each of you - for encouraging notes, words, prayers you've prayed with me and for me, offers of help. I am so incredibly blessed by you, my friends.
In church today we sang the song "Everlasting God" and the words blessed me again...."You (God) are the Everlasting God; you do not faint, you won't grow weary. You're the Defender of the weak. You comfort those in need. You lift us up on wings like eagles."
He never changes - God is the same today and He was yesterday, and the same as He will be tomorrow. Friends and family may come and go, but God we have with us always; to the very end. He's my constant, never changing friend.
And you my friends, are "God with skin on" to me. Thank you.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Ups And Downs
I am writing this entry 10,000 feet in the air as I sit aboard a jet taking me from St. Petersburg, Florida to Lansing, Michigan. As the plane goes up and comes down, repeating the cycle of take offs and landings over and over again for the purpose of transporting its passengers from one place to another, so in life, as we move to accomplish our purpose on life’s journey, we have continuous ups and downs.
For the past four days Tim and I’ve been in Florida to check on my parents; primarily my dad who is recovering from a stroke he suffered nearly 8 weeks ago. What an encouragement it was to see how much progress he has made. It has been 5 weeks since I had seen him last, and the improvement I witnessed was remarkable. His communication and cognitive skills, severely impacted by the stroke, are probably around 75-80% back at this time, as opposed to around 20% when I saw him in early December. Most interactions were very clear and close to normal much of the time. He has a great attitude, and this, along with the touch of God on his body and mind, combined with the prayers of many friends, is a great reason for his improvement.
Dad’s recovery from his stroke is going through an “up” right now. However, other areas of his physical need have presented us with a “down”. Yesterday Dad had an appointment with a vascular surgeon, referred by his cardiologist to follow-up with a couple of concerns found in the heart catherization Dad had just prior to his stroke. The vascular surgeon, from reading the test results, confirmed that the two remaining cardio problems that Dad has, are very serious, and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. First, Dad need to have surgery on his left carotid artery which is 70% clogged. A plugged carotid artery could lead to yet another stroke, so this needs immediate attention. The, following Dad’s recovery from that, he will need another surgery to repair an aneurysm which is on Dad’s aorta, the main heart artery. Dad’s aneurysm (bulge) is 2 inches in size on his aorta. The concern is that should the aneurysm burst, there is an extremely low survival rate if that were to happen. Clearly this needs to be dealt with very soon, however before the aneurysm surgery can occur, the carotid artery needs to be cleared to ensure the greatest chance for success.
It is as though Dad, who was taken down by the stroke, is just starting to be able to figuratively ‘stand’ again, but before he could get all the way up, was given this news which feels like a punch in the gut, and now he'll be going through a couple more huge challenges now before he can be all the way ‘up’. And we who love him and care for him are going through this same up and down cycle.
So I am headed back to Michigan where I will be for 11 days until January 25th when I will board another plane and once again come to Florida. On Monday the 26th of January Dad will have the carotid artery surgery.
Concerning the ups and downs of life, this I know:
Quoting the words of a song I heard sung this past Sunday,
“The God on the mountain is still God in the valley……God in the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night.”
For the past four days Tim and I’ve been in Florida to check on my parents; primarily my dad who is recovering from a stroke he suffered nearly 8 weeks ago. What an encouragement it was to see how much progress he has made. It has been 5 weeks since I had seen him last, and the improvement I witnessed was remarkable. His communication and cognitive skills, severely impacted by the stroke, are probably around 75-80% back at this time, as opposed to around 20% when I saw him in early December. Most interactions were very clear and close to normal much of the time. He has a great attitude, and this, along with the touch of God on his body and mind, combined with the prayers of many friends, is a great reason for his improvement.
Dad’s recovery from his stroke is going through an “up” right now. However, other areas of his physical need have presented us with a “down”. Yesterday Dad had an appointment with a vascular surgeon, referred by his cardiologist to follow-up with a couple of concerns found in the heart catherization Dad had just prior to his stroke. The vascular surgeon, from reading the test results, confirmed that the two remaining cardio problems that Dad has, are very serious, and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. First, Dad need to have surgery on his left carotid artery which is 70% clogged. A plugged carotid artery could lead to yet another stroke, so this needs immediate attention. The, following Dad’s recovery from that, he will need another surgery to repair an aneurysm which is on Dad’s aorta, the main heart artery. Dad’s aneurysm (bulge) is 2 inches in size on his aorta. The concern is that should the aneurysm burst, there is an extremely low survival rate if that were to happen. Clearly this needs to be dealt with very soon, however before the aneurysm surgery can occur, the carotid artery needs to be cleared to ensure the greatest chance for success.
It is as though Dad, who was taken down by the stroke, is just starting to be able to figuratively ‘stand’ again, but before he could get all the way up, was given this news which feels like a punch in the gut, and now he'll be going through a couple more huge challenges now before he can be all the way ‘up’. And we who love him and care for him are going through this same up and down cycle.
So I am headed back to Michigan where I will be for 11 days until January 25th when I will board another plane and once again come to Florida. On Monday the 26th of January Dad will have the carotid artery surgery.
Concerning the ups and downs of life, this I know:
Quoting the words of a song I heard sung this past Sunday,
“The God on the mountain is still God in the valley……God in the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day is still God in the night.”
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday in Florida
Greetings from Florida where Tim and I are visiting my parents. Yesterday we left Michigan with the temperatures in the 20s and the plane needing to be de-iced before we could take off, and today we wore sandals, no coats, and enjoyed a most pleasant 78 degree day. So, so nice!
Of more importance than the weather however, today we witnessed a very special event. Tonight Dad played his bass guitar in the band for the songs in church, and did a tremendous job, for the first time since his stroke 7 weeks ago and he played just as good as ever. AND (drum roll!)Dad also tonight sang a duet with me for a special in church. It was an anointed time - believe me! His singing truly was a dramatic statement for how good God has been to Dad during all that Dad has been through physically the past 7 weeks....We sang "Greater Than These", with "How Great Thou Art". The congregation of over 500 people at the Brooksville Wesleyan Church applauded and stood to their feet in a standing ovation afterwards. It was a 'moment'...one that many of us will remember with gratitude for a long time. And it was truly a blessing, one that was unexpected and would have seemed impossible a few short weeks ago. But what is impossible with man, becomes possible with God. So we are truly thankful and blessed.
****I hope to post a video soon of our duet so you can see for yourself. Check back in a few days.****
Of more importance than the weather however, today we witnessed a very special event. Tonight Dad played his bass guitar in the band for the songs in church, and did a tremendous job, for the first time since his stroke 7 weeks ago and he played just as good as ever. AND (drum roll!)Dad also tonight sang a duet with me for a special in church. It was an anointed time - believe me! His singing truly was a dramatic statement for how good God has been to Dad during all that Dad has been through physically the past 7 weeks....We sang "Greater Than These", with "How Great Thou Art". The congregation of over 500 people at the Brooksville Wesleyan Church applauded and stood to their feet in a standing ovation afterwards. It was a 'moment'...one that many of us will remember with gratitude for a long time. And it was truly a blessing, one that was unexpected and would have seemed impossible a few short weeks ago. But what is impossible with man, becomes possible with God. So we are truly thankful and blessed.
****I hope to post a video soon of our duet so you can see for yourself. Check back in a few days.****
Friday, January 9, 2009
Good things happening....
Hi everyone-
Tomorrow Tim and I are headed to Florida to visit my Mom and Dad. It's been around 5 weeks since I was last there with them, and I am eager to see them, in their home again and be able to witness the progress Dad is making firsthand.
When I speak with Dad on the phone I have been able to tell that he has made a lot of improvement.
Mom and Dad are still using the services provided by a caregiver between 9 pm and 9 am each night. That is going well and providing good help for both of them.
Starting soon Dad will be receiving some sessions of speech and occupational therapy. I had anticipated this starting right away after his release from Rehab, but to this point none has occurred. This week on Tuesday when I called the doctor who was to authorize the therapy to check on why it had not started yet, his reply was that Dad did not need therapy. Well, this was a most unexpected answer - and the doctor who said that was the only professional so far who has checked on Dad during all this time who felt that way. Everyone else has agreed that therapy - as much of it and for as long as possible - is extremely needed and would prove to be most beneficial for my Dad's recovery. To say that I was upset is putting it mildly :) because this is the doctor with whom 'the buck stops' - and if he says Dad isn't getting therapy, it would make it difficult to get the therapy.
But there was a miracle. God used the lady from the Rehab Center as well as the doctor's own receptionist, as best I can tell, to change the doctor's mind, and the very next day his office called my mother up and said that Dad would be receiving therapy - the doctor wanted him to get therapy. Great news!!!! Finally.....
So I will be interviewing a couple of places Monday and Tuesday and deciding where he will receive the therapy and we'll get that set up soon. I am so grateful that he will get the needed therapy. He has progressed really well on his own these three weeks without getting therapy, so I expect the therapy will accelerate his progress in the weeks to come.
Please pray for wisdom for Tim and me while we are there with Mom and Dad. We desire for God to guide our conversations and decisions....and expect that this will be a very special time together. We'll return home on Wednesday.
Tomorrow Tim and I are headed to Florida to visit my Mom and Dad. It's been around 5 weeks since I was last there with them, and I am eager to see them, in their home again and be able to witness the progress Dad is making firsthand.
When I speak with Dad on the phone I have been able to tell that he has made a lot of improvement.
Mom and Dad are still using the services provided by a caregiver between 9 pm and 9 am each night. That is going well and providing good help for both of them.
Starting soon Dad will be receiving some sessions of speech and occupational therapy. I had anticipated this starting right away after his release from Rehab, but to this point none has occurred. This week on Tuesday when I called the doctor who was to authorize the therapy to check on why it had not started yet, his reply was that Dad did not need therapy. Well, this was a most unexpected answer - and the doctor who said that was the only professional so far who has checked on Dad during all this time who felt that way. Everyone else has agreed that therapy - as much of it and for as long as possible - is extremely needed and would prove to be most beneficial for my Dad's recovery. To say that I was upset is putting it mildly :) because this is the doctor with whom 'the buck stops' - and if he says Dad isn't getting therapy, it would make it difficult to get the therapy.
But there was a miracle. God used the lady from the Rehab Center as well as the doctor's own receptionist, as best I can tell, to change the doctor's mind, and the very next day his office called my mother up and said that Dad would be receiving therapy - the doctor wanted him to get therapy. Great news!!!! Finally.....
So I will be interviewing a couple of places Monday and Tuesday and deciding where he will receive the therapy and we'll get that set up soon. I am so grateful that he will get the needed therapy. He has progressed really well on his own these three weeks without getting therapy, so I expect the therapy will accelerate his progress in the weeks to come.
Please pray for wisdom for Tim and me while we are there with Mom and Dad. We desire for God to guide our conversations and decisions....and expect that this will be a very special time together. We'll return home on Wednesday.
The bigger the problem....
In this morning's devotional I read these true statements about God and wanted to share them with you today:
"The bigger the problem, the more all-encompassing Your abiding presence will be. And the more complex the problem, the greater will be the wisdom You offer.
Equal to the strain of each problem will come the strength You give."
Go in God's strength, wisdom and in His presence today!
"The bigger the problem, the more all-encompassing Your abiding presence will be. And the more complex the problem, the greater will be the wisdom You offer.
Equal to the strain of each problem will come the strength You give."
Go in God's strength, wisdom and in His presence today!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Saturday morning Tim and I will be heading down to Florida to check in with Mom and Dad, and see how they are getting along. It will be a short visit - we'll get there Saturday afternoon and return home on Wednesday afternoon. But we'd appreciate your prayers for safe travels and continued wisdom and creativity in decisions while there....and for safety for Tyler and Emily here in Michigan while we're in Florida.
thanks!
thanks!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Remembering 2008
2008: It was a very good year.....we are blessed.
As I look back here are some of the highlights of the year for me and our family.
January: Tyler turned 16. He got his license and started driving in March. He got his first job in May at Little Caesar's and the pace of life for him has picked up quite a bit. His interests are music (guitar, sax and singing), writing (novels and music), basketball, and he is part of the student leadership in our church's high school youth group.
In February Emily turned 14. Her interests are music (singing, piano, clarinet, bass guitar), sewing, basketball and drama. She is currently rehearsing for her involvement in the chorus of "My Fair Lady, to be performed in Late-February.
Tyler and Emily are two terrific teenagers!
In April Tim and I went to Zambia, AFRICA! Wow! I can still hardly believe it. I am so thankful for this great opportunity. We were part of a worship team that led worship at a couple of youth conferences on purity. What a privilege to go there and meet so many other wonderful people in God's family! To read more about this trip, you can read my journal at www.paulastitt.com - click on ministry. This trip changed me.
In June I had the privilege of leading worship at the East Michigan District Family Camp in Vassar Michigan. It was a lot of work (!) but I loved doing it - and would love to have the opportunity to do this more and more. It's what God wired me to do!
In August our Family took a trip to Mackinac Island - and instead of taking the ferry across from the mainland to the island, we drove our own boat across Lake Huron! It was a fabulous and fun adventure! We all had a great time together!
Also in August we gained a new niece, from Albania! Tim's brother Bob and his wife Lori are the blessed parents. God is good. We are thrilled to have Hannah Grace as part of our family.
Another highlights of this year is that two of the songs I have co-written got national radio play....They were both recorded by my friend, Sarah Schieber. A love song, "Until the Very End" played in the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008, and worship song "Show Us Your Glory" played this past summer and fall. The main network of stations that played these songs were American Family Radio. What a blessing - God expanded my territory and I am so grateful!
He has been expanding Sarah's territory as well - I am so proud of my friend!....In fact Sarah's latest single (written by Paul Marino), Christmas in Heaven, placed #17 on the National Inspo charts nationwide! Sarah has a remarkable story, and God is doing great things in her life and ministry. For more info go to www.sarahschieber. com
In October Tyler and I took a trip Florida to visit my mom and dad around the date of my dad's
75th birthday. We had a very good time together.
Then in November, about 6 weeks later, my dad had a stroke. He is still recovering, is at home, and needs your prayers. What is affected has been his cognitive skills and mostly shows up in his communication (words get mixed up).
In the photo below is my dad with his brother, my Uncle John.
All in all, we can truly trace God's hand, leading, guiding all the way. We look forward to a wonderful new year ahead.
We wish you and yours a most blessed 2009!
As I look back here are some of the highlights of the year for me and our family.
January: Tyler turned 16. He got his license and started driving in March. He got his first job in May at Little Caesar's and the pace of life for him has picked up quite a bit. His interests are music (guitar, sax and singing), writing (novels and music), basketball, and he is part of the student leadership in our church's high school youth group.In February Emily turned 14. Her interests are music (singing, piano, clarinet, bass guitar), sewing, basketball and drama. She is currently rehearsing for her involvement in the chorus of "My Fair Lady, to be performed in Late-February.
Tyler and Emily are two terrific teenagers!
In April Tim and I went to Zambia, AFRICA! Wow! I can still hardly believe it. I am so thankful for this great opportunity. We were part of a worship team that led worship at a couple of youth conferences on purity. What a privilege to go there and meet so many other wonderful people in God's family! To read more about this trip, you can read my journal at www.paulastitt.com - click on ministry. This trip changed me.
In June I had the privilege of leading worship at the East Michigan District Family Camp in Vassar Michigan. It was a lot of work (!) but I loved doing it - and would love to have the opportunity to do this more and more. It's what God wired me to do!
In August our Family took a trip to Mackinac Island - and instead of taking the ferry across from the mainland to the island, we drove our own boat across Lake Huron! It was a fabulous and fun adventure! We all had a great time together!
Also in August we gained a new niece, from Albania! Tim's brother Bob and his wife Lori are the blessed parents. God is good. We are thrilled to have Hannah Grace as part of our family.
Another highlights of this year is that two of the songs I have co-written got national radio play....They were both recorded by my friend, Sarah Schieber. A love song, "Until the Very End" played in the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008, and worship song "Show Us Your Glory" played this past summer and fall. The main network of stations that played these songs were American Family Radio. What a blessing - God expanded my territory and I am so grateful!
He has been expanding Sarah's territory as well - I am so proud of my friend!....In fact Sarah's latest single (written by Paul Marino), Christmas in Heaven, placed #17 on the National Inspo charts nationwide! Sarah has a remarkable story, and God is doing great things in her life and ministry. For more info go to www.sarahschieber. com
In October Tyler and I took a trip Florida to visit my mom and dad around the date of my dad's
75th birthday. We had a very good time together.Then in November, about 6 weeks later, my dad had a stroke. He is still recovering, is at home, and needs your prayers. What is affected has been his cognitive skills and mostly shows up in his communication (words get mixed up).
In the photo below is my dad with his brother, my Uncle John.
All in all, we can truly trace God's hand, leading, guiding all the way. We look forward to a wonderful new year ahead.
We wish you and yours a most blessed 2009!
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