Testing

Hello World. Please disregard this message. I am just testing out some new posting templates. Love, Self.

UPDATE: Still testing.

That's Not Right (#8)

That's not right ... a collection of stories, events, and incidents that are just ... not right! This one comes from my bother, CaveBear, and his family. Picture one taken on March 7 in Arizonie and Picture 2 taken on March 8 in Minne-sowta. That's not right!

100% Update: FootWash

Dad washed feet today ... well, okay ... he washed a foot today. Not someone else's foot. But his own left foot. Since September 19, 2008, Dad has not been able to raise his own foot. And today, with great caution, he reached down with a sudsy handle of foam and cleaned away the bottom. It was quite a feat! (... get it, feat? ...)

100% Update: Kudos

Sorry you missed it. I did, too. Dad graduated from Pi-Beta-Phi ... the acute rehabilitation center ... last week. Occupational Therapist CareBear was unable to give Dad his certificate because there was an emergency in the rehab center. CareBear called and shared how much he appreciated Dad and his dedication to work hard to recover. According to CareBear, Dad was a "model client" and never complained about the work. CareBear turned Dad over to Dr. SportsTherapy, who is working on Dad's shoulder problems. Apparently, they will be more aggressive in treating Dad's shoulder.

Lots of hugs for Physical Therapists KindredSpirit and LittleStuff. [ ... Don't tell, but we think that Dad got attached to LittleStuff. She is a little ity bity blondy who we think got attached to Dad, too ... ] LittleStuff put Dad on a WalkRoundBout ... a treadmill ... to see if Dad could manage it. He still has balance and endurance issues, but improvement should come with time.

BOTTOM LINE: This is an end of another chapter. Last week, as Dad and Mom were leaving Pi-Beta-Phi, they tried not to cry and did their best not to look back. The caregivers at Pi-Beta-Phi went beyond their call to encourage our family, help Dad in his recovery and made us feel part of their family.

The awesome thing is that they do this for everyone who walks through the door. We know Dad is generally easy to care for, but there are many in the world who are not surrounded by the love and support that Dad has experienced. They carry anger at their situation, they are depressed and lonely, and it is apparent in their behavior and interaction with those who care for them. These "saints" at Pi-Beta-Phi look beyond that and see the hearts and hurts and do everything they can to make life better for their clients. Kudos to all the staff ... from the receptionists, caseworkers and rehab specialists ... and thanks for loving our Dad.

MiniCooper Update: Another Day

Everytime I get an update about our soccer pal MiniCooper, I hesitate to read the email. We have been at this place, this doubt, this uncertainty before, but it does not take away the fear. Coach asks us to keep praying:

Cooper is still in the ICU in critical condition but he is stable with most of his vitals. He is still breathing on ventalor and very risky for infection. His nurse last night gave him a sponge bath and she was very gentle and loving. They gave him blood to get the oxygen level up in his blood which is slowing helping. The scan of the heart seems to be better than yesterday. He finally got a much needed feeding tube late this afternoon after 4 attempts. We are on a day to day schedule but he is resting and heavily sudated. Our goal tomorrow is to have him off the breathing machine. So keep praying for that darn machine to get out of his mouth !!!!!!

Teresa and I welcome friends and visitors to come see us only but we are limiting access to Cooper to very few family members. He is very risky for infection and we do not want to confuse him with a lot of activity.... I have spoken to several people who are very concerened for Cooper. What will give you peace is that I stayed their last night and I was mostly helpless. He is at one of the best places in the country for this type of surgery and we are thankful for that care. Please keep praying and thanks for all of the support and love you are showing Cooper.

We're praying, Coach, we're praying! If you wanna leave a note of encouragement for MiniCooper and family, please click here.

MiniCooper Update: No Tumor

Here is a picture of MiniCooper ... my DillyBar's soccer pal ... who underwent major surgery to remove a tumor in the brain. MiniCooper's dad was our soccer coach and we cannot imagine the stress ... actually we can ... that the family is enduring right now.

Please pray for: (1) strength in lungs; (2) NO TRACE OF THE TUMOR. For a real update, click here.

My Wife ... The Joker

This is what happens when you are a grown man, and you give your wife full authority to run the finances in the home, and she tracks the bank account on an hourly basis, and you go out to a business lunch, and you do not have any cash on you, but she thinks you have cash on you, but you really don't and you use your debit card:

No, truly, I love this. Don't you?

Dear World:

What's the effect of your death? ... Did he just say that? Death? I'm not dead yet ... Yes, I said that: What's the effect of your death?

As I was BookCruzin' this morning, I stumbled across a dude named Stephen (Acts 7:54-8:1). [... when I say stumble, I mean that I was reading about Saul's conversion from bad guy to good guy and I decided to go backwards instead of forwards ... ] Didn't recall much about Stephen before, so I did a little researchin' ... I learned that Stephen was known for his spiritual qualities, he was an outstanding teacher/leader, and that he was the first to give his life for the Gospel. Yep. The story this morning was about Stephen being put to death for his so-called blasphemy about God by claiming Christ as the Messiah. You can read the story yourself.

My thoughts ended on these words: "Saul was in hearty agreement of putting [Stephen] to death." But wait, remember, I was reading backwards. This was the "Paul before conversion Saul." I started to think whether Stephen's death was in vain, or better yet, what's the point of his death? As I scrubbed the Book for answers, I found some of the "effects" of Stephen's death, or more appropriately, his MartyrDom, including: (1) a dude named Philip who went on an evangelist RockStar tour; (2) Paul's conversion; (3) a dude named Peter who went on a missionary RockStar tour; and (4) the start of a new church in Antioch (not Tennessee). His death was not in vain.

Self, I ask, what's the effect of your death? It is so easy to see the effects of "doing" life wrong: Angry parenting=angry kids; lack of spouse-loving=bitter relationship; reckless financial habits=reckless financial condition.

But what about the effect of "doing" life right? Grace-based parenting=God-loving kids; spouse-encouraging=helpmate for life; financial discipline=financial freedom.

You see, every little thing I do in this world will have a ripple effect ... the question is whether it will be good or bad. How about you? What's the effect of your death?

Self.