A cable and a ring...greater accessibility

Our friend, Shel,  from work came by tonight.  He had heard that Jodie had to park her power chair at the bottom of the ramp in the garage, then user the railing that Shel installed a few weeks ago to walk back up the ramp to close the door.

Shel attached a light cable to the top of the door, ran the cable across the ceiling, and put a ring at the end of the cable so it hangs just beyond the railing.  Now, Jodie can come down the ramp, pull the ring, and the door closes.  Very slick!

As We Pray for Peace…

I can't quite get my mind around the shooting down in Tucson.

Gabby was not on my radar before, but everything I hear about her I like. A centrist working for solutions; my kind of people.

The people who died, the judge, the 9/11 baby, the others...I am just sick.

Words from one of my favorite blogs help me.

Remembering our baptism.

Remembering why we are here.

Thinking and praying about as if life depends on it, because it does.

But what I do want to suggest is that we all need to change our own war like mantras that we put out there when we want to accomplish a goal.

This week we concentrate on our baptism, our initial moment of starting fresh as Christians and our constant reminders of those promises from that day forward. How can we renew these promises with a sense of urgency with regards to peace? How does God wish us to greet one another and deal with our differences? How can we be the refreshing waters of Baptism for others and a healing balm for the world?

This week let’s think about that and pray for those who were in harm’s way this week.

And most of all, let us pray for those who died and for peace.

As We Pray for Peace…We Need to Change « Googling God

Much love to Denise this day

Denise is having surgery today to remove cancer affected areas of her body.  We are clinging to the hope the doctors give us, and the love of God that carries us.

We thank you for the prayers you have prayed for Denise, and we ask you today to say a special prayer.

Denise and Ken, Jodie's sister and brother-in-law.  Denise is a protective older sister; Ken was like a surrogate father/friends to Jodie.

Ken walked Jodie down the aisle to me when she became my bride in September 1990.  Ken was 6'7", former University of Portland basketball star.  Tall guy with a huge heart and a kid-like love for life.   He was diagnosed with a brain tumor two weeks after our wedding.  He was told he had a year to live.  For the next four years he taught his family and friends what it meant to really love and live.

Vance was born in 1992.  Ken had a basketball in his hands by the time he was two.  To this day, Vance is most comfortable when he has a basketball, or a baseball, in his hands.

Fast forward 20 years.  Denise was found to have rectal cancer.  It is a serious cancer that requires aggressive treatment.  I cannot go into great detail because of a complicated life situation.

Cancer is never fair.  It is not fair that Denise lost a husband, and Vance a dad, to cancer.   It is not fair that Denise now has to fight cancer.   I am not going to defend God for letting this happen...or causing this to happen.  I have read the Book of Job...I know the futility of that.

God is with Denise and the family.  The pop can fundraising has been successful.  The donations continue to come into the "Denise Downey cancer fund"  at U.S. bank.   And, just last week, a family at church provided a house for Denise, Vance and Jodie's mom to stay in for awhile.

Today is a big day for Denise.  A wide gamut of emotions, but she is very strong.

Please say a special prayer for Denise and her son, Vance, today.

Thank you!

Can we send an ambulance for you sir?

"No!" I replied.

Women are stubborn, and men, well, we're men!

I have not been feeling well this week.  I've been tired and I have been feeling faint at times.  No coughing, no sneezing, no headache...just feeling yuck.  I have not fell sick enough to stay home.

This morning when I got to work, a coworker said she could hear me wheezing.  My chest felt heavy.  I texted Jodie to call our doctor to find out what to do.  Of course, they hear "heavy chest" and they want to send an ambulance.  I had my coworker, Sheri, take me to emergency.  Jodie had to come by bus because of her power chair; a coworker rode with her.

I can't  thank Sheri enough...so kind!

They did a bunch of test, a cat scan, and a chest x-ray.  Everything negative...maybe a spell of indigestion. I avoid going to the doctor because they rarely figure out my problem.

I was told not to drive until I followup with my doctor tomorrow.

Nephew Vance and our son, Eric,  picked Jodie and I up at the hospital.  Eric drove our bus from Vance's house to our home.  How many young drivers get to drive 3 qtr ton vans?  He did a wonderful job.

I am thankful I am ok, hopeful the doctor can figure out what this is.

Life...

A word from Jodie...

I can now get my chair in the house. It does pretty well. So far the only place I can't get to in the chair is the master bath. But, other than that, it will go in all of the other rooms, though some are a tight fit. I think I am going to feel better having the chair in the house. Eric was able to secure our portable ramp down on the door from the house to the garage. I am worried though about Troy walking up and down the ramp. I am hoping we can put some kind of handle by the ramp for Troy. 


Laundry was a breeze!   My arms did not go numb and my back didn't spasm. I think I am going to be able to do a lot more from the chair. It has gotten so I cannot do much from the standing position anymore.