A New Beginning - September

September

Day One...

September 7, 2003

Hi All....

Today was Greg's first full day at home. Last night was the first night he slept in his own house since May 27th.

I went over early this morning to help get the boys ready for Sunday School while she tended to Greg. After church, we went over to their house to watch the Steeler game. After the game, Greg took a nap while Tom put up the shower curtain rod in the new bathroom. Then we all went to dinner at Greg's favorite restaurant, Don Pablo's. He was anxious to get into normal life things.

This afternoon, when I was stretching his legs, he showed me how he could use his hip adductor muscles (I hope that's right) to pull his thigh and knee out. It's not a lot of movement, but enough to clearly see his leg moving. He can do that with either leg. He says that sometimes he can feel all of his muscles flexing. I think he's afraid though to get too hopeful. I, on the other hand, believe that God works miracles, in His time. In any event, progress however slight is still progress.

I'd like to add a couple of other people to our prayer list and remind you of some as well:



If I've forgotten someone, or if there's someone you would like to have added, please let me know.

Blessings,

Connie

Day Three...

September 9, 2003

Hi all...

I just got off the phone with Greg and Francie, so I thought I'd share a couple of prayer requests.

First, the search for a Personal Care Assistant goes on. They tried an agency they received from U(nited) C(erebral) P(alsy) . They have had 2 aides in 2 days. These ladies have had to come quite a distance, so that doesn't look like it will work out. Please pray that God will help find a suitable person or people.

Second: As you can image, Greg is feeling a bit at loose ends. Unproductive. Bored. Frustrated. This is not unexpected. He was very busy at Harmarville. Now he has nothing to do....at least at the moment. He said his big time was sitting out in the driveway staring at the street. As many of you know, before his injury he always had a project going. I'm sure there will still be projects..God's projects. But for now.......

Third: Pray for Francie and the boys as they work through some of the adjustments. They seem to be doing pretty well, but this is a big change for them as well.

ANOTHER PRAYER REQUEST I would also like you to add Megan McKee to your prayer list. Megan worked with me at US Airways Reservations and subsequently transferred to another department. She has been diagnose with breast cancer. Tina McClelland sent the following note on 9/8/03:

"Megan's surgery took 4 1/2 hours. Megan's husband was at the hospital late last night. Megan was kept heavily medicated for most of the night and the doctors said she did great! They were able to complete the double mastectomy and had her lymph nodes under her right arm removed. They did take samplings from her left side and she will be updated sometime next week."

Please keep Megan in your prayers. She is a strong person but we could all use prayer.

UPDATE ON MANDY HOUCK

Her mom, Chris writes: "Thanks for the prayers for Mandy, she will be going on long term disability the first of October. I do hope they will be able to help her some. She never leaves the house, as she can't drive and hurts too bad, even with pain medicine."

I'll leave you all with this....

"All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . He is the source of every mercy and the GOd who comforts us. He comforts us all in our troubles so that we can comfort others." 2Corinthians 1: 3-4

Blessings,

Connie
http://www.faith4recovery.org

PS. CHECK OUT THE UPDATED WEBSITE. ALSO SEE MORE FUNDRAISING INFO THERE.

Day Ten...

September 16, 2003

Hi All....

I know you haven't heard much from me lately. Let me just bring you up to date on a couple of things.

First: Greg sang in church again on Sunday for the first time since May 18th. For those of you who don't know. Greg is a part of our worship team and helps to lead the singing on Sunday mornings.

Second: Greg is starting outpatient therapy tomorrow. He goes 2 days this week.

Keep praying. There is still much work to be done.

Blessings,

Connie

Day Twelve...

September 18, 2003

Hi All..

Well, Greg is back into the therapy. His schedule has been set. It is Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. It would be great if someone could help transport him. Here's what's involved.

Pick Greg up at 8:30 AM.
Strap him into the the van. It's not hard. I can do it.
Drive the van to Harmarville. We know several routes.
Bring him back after his last therapy at 3 -330PM.
Home at Greg's by about 4:30PM.

It is possible to leave and return and someone else could do the pick up.....the draw back is that the van gets about 11 miles to the gallon..So it is very expensive to make extra trips.

Also, the MOPS group is sponsoring a spaghetti dinner. They have flyers. If anyone would like some, please contact Elizabeth Anderson at 412-299-0411.

Please continue your prayers. They are as needed now as they were on the very first day. Also, check out the website for the prayer list. You can also add prayer requests.

Blessings,

Connie

Day Fifteen...

September 21, 2003

Good evening everyone...... We just got home from the CAR CRUISE....another fund raising event put together by Greg and Francie's neighbor. It was pretty neat seeing all those old cars. Greg was tooling around in his power chair checking all of them out.

He begins a full week of outpatient therapy this week. He'll be going Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. He says that a big priority is (are?) transfers. It will really be a great help when he can transfer himself from chair to couch to chair etc....eventually being able to transfer into a regular car.

He had a pretty busy weekend. Saturday, the boys are each playing soccer. So, Francie took Luke to his game at Allard and Tom and I drove Greg and Josh to Josh's game at Moon Park. While we were there, Mr. McNary from the MASD soccer association told Greg that the boys would be given scholarships for as long as they play soccer in the league. It's amazing..and humbling..how much kindness has been shown.

Today...there was church, then accompanying the cub scouts to the Pirate game, then the car cruise. So it's been a busy day.

Other things happened today. I spent a while talking to a lady who came to church today after a long absence. She told me that her son Jack is very ill with emphysema. He is on oxygen and has a difficult time getting around. He is 56, married and has children and grandchildren. Anyway, she is overwrought about her son's health. In addition, her husband who is 81 has problems with his legs and she has developed diabetes. She has become more and more depressed and reclusive.

A friend has asked for prayer as she and her husband and family contend with her husband's serious illness. Her husband doesn't know the hope there is in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Another friend's heart is broken with the pain of an adult child battling with addiction and a destructive relationship.

And, while I was writing the first part of this note, my sister called from Florida to give me an update about John Eckert. I wrote to you about him a while ago. He has cancer. John is to have a very serious surgery in November. In addition to the cancer though, he is suffering from ...well...hopelessness.

How do we minister to these people?

Psalm 71: 5 says...O Lord, you alone are my hope.

Psalm 27:14 says...Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.....

and of course my favorite....
Jeremiah 29:11.."For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord."They are plans for good and not for disaster , to give you a future and a hope."

But often, they don't know or accept this wonderful gift. The gift of hope .. the gift of life. Sometimes, the illness has so debilitated them that hope fades and they are consumed with dread. What can we do? We may not know...but God does. If we ask, he will answer. And if we want to be used, he will use us ...please pray.

Remember also to check the website for these and other prayer requests. Your prayers are so important.

Blessings...

Connie
http://www.faith4recovery.org

Day Eighteen...

September 24, 2003

Greg's had two days of therapy this week. He's been working alot on his torso. It seems that his abdominal muscles are working more. He says that outpatient therapy is much more intense.

Yesterday, Greg and Francie did an Access assessment. Interestingly, Greg said that the driver is a Christian involved in healing ministry. They hope to get together again.

It's interesting..about healing...and the spiritual gift of healing. It's easy to be skeptical. But 1 Corinthians 12:4-9 says,
"Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. "

Also, please pray for my friend Gwen and her son Jason and family. Jason is being called to the mideast from October until March.

Blessings,

Connie
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