Music to My Ears

This past Sunday we celebrated Easter. This is my favorite holiday of the whole year and the first time our mom was not able to attend Easter service. Our caretaker, Penny, had off so I went to the "Sonrise" service at my church, ate breakfast afterward (which was prepared and served by the youth group...thanks, Rachel) and came home to be with mom so John could go to his church.

A soloist sang a beautiful medley of hymns including A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Rock of Ages, Victory in Jesus, and Because He Lives. I found myself fighting back the tears as I sat and listened to her as these are the very songs that we've been singing to mom over these past months. They bring her comfort as nothing else can. TV can no longer hold her attention and too many people around only bring confusion not comfort.

Mom continues to grow weaker and over this past week her skin has lost the healthy color it once had. All we can do is offer her a drink, sing to her, hold her hand, and rub her back or her feet. We try to make the most of our visits with her and let her rest.

I think of the sorrow and heartbreak that was felt by those who were close to Jesus when He died. They were crushed. They did not understand that God would raise Him from the dead and conquer death.

Matt 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.

Then I think of the joy they felt when they saw Him that first "Easter" morning.

John 20:30-31 In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.

We, too, have heavy hearts as we watch our mom go through this and prepare to say goodbye, yet, there is great comfort and joy in knowing that we will spend eternity with her...not because she has led a good life...not because she was kind or generous...not because her good outweighed her bad. We will spend eternity with her because of what Christ accomplished so long ago. He not only died for her sin and the sin of the world...He conquered death and therefore we can sing, Because He Lives and Victory in Jesus!

Trusting in God

Posted by John D. Romann

It would be my desire that no one have to watch someone decline in sickness as I have watched my mom decline from 1999 and 2000 to now (March 2008).
God in His sovereign wisdom does ordain sickness and suffering. I would like to mention a few things that have helped me over the last few years.
Mom’s perishable body will die, but her soul will not, and she will receive and imperishable body. (I Cor. 15:35-57) Those who put their trust in what Christ has done for them have a concrete reason for being optimistic about their futures. When we see the word “hope” in the Bible it has that meaning, a concrete reason for being optimistic.

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Jesus reminds us that we must trust God for our needs, and to take things one day at a time.

Matthew 6:25-34
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God promises to supply our strength.
1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Your prayers for Jackie (Mom), John, Julie, Julie’s family and Penny (the lady who is helping care for mom) are greatly appreciated.

Helpless

Each day is a new day and proves God's faithfulness to us. My brother continues to be mom's primary caregiver along with Penny, the lady we've hired to help with her care. Hospice continues to come to the house each day which gives Penny a bit of a break. I try to visit and help out each day as I'm able.

It's such a challenge to try to figure out how to console mom when she's restless. We don't know if she's scared. She doesn't appear to be in pain, but then again, she really can't tell us. She spends each day either in bed or her chair and we're looking forward to some warm days when we can finally take her outside.

These past two nights have been rough nights for Penny and John. Please pray that we can figure out what's bothering her or give her the right medicine to help calm any pain or anxiety she may be having.

Also, we'd ask for prayer as brother John and I continue to balance "life" with spending time with mom. John's got a full plate right now with work, filling out various paperwork and doing mom's taxes as her POA, as well as other things. We continue to home school and try to help out where we can.

We appreciate that so many continue to check for updates and we'll keep you posted on any changes.

Each week a bit weaker

It's been a while since I've written. There hasn't been much change since my last post, however, mom is not drinking as well these days. It's hard because she blocks the liquid that she needs for sustenance. We offer and coax, but not much tastes good to her anymore. We still offer and usually once or twice a day, my brother will get her to drink 4 to 6 ounces. It seems more difficult each day. There's not much more to say. We're glad to hear that you are still checking the website and hope to keep you updated.