Time for a little praise!

"Well. We’ve been home for 9 days now and I think it’s time for an update. First of all, let me say (as I’ve said again and again) THANK YOU to all of you who have prayed, called, texted, given cash, gift cards, time and in general, generously of yourselves on our behalf.

Although this circumstance wherein we’ve found ourselves is inconvenient and at times, confusing, we’re grateful for its invasion for several reasons but for one in particular: we have been reminded of not only the goodness of God but the gracious willingness of God’s people to “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

As mentioned in an earlier post, one of the first things we noticed about our home when we learned that Gene Wood would be coming home in a wheelchair (power chair now) was that the only door that would accommodate a chair of that width was the front entry door. The ramp would be built so that Gene could come in through the garage door so, thanks to James Pyles and Ed Burress, we have a new ADA entry door off the ramp into the house. And the ramp? It’s perfect. Thanks to those two guys and their able assistants: Cory Wyatt and Dylan Wyatt and Josh Pressley

And that van I said we'd need (from an earlier post)? Yes, we've got that too. Mark Flatt, a friend from our Stock Creek days had a friend with an "extra" handicap van (who in the world has an extra handicap van??) and she has loaned it to us. There's quite a learning curve on the strapping in and all, but I'm learning and have it down to about 10 minutes. And that's while wearing white pants! ‪#‎iamimpressedwithmyself‬

Since Gene “most likely” would need access to a bathroom, they also removed his original bathroom door; sheet rocked the opening and moved the opening over 8 inches so that he could access his sink, commode and shower. To make it pretty (and make me oh-so-happy!), they installed a beautiful sliding barn door at the new opening! And of course, they had help from Cathy Burress and Mike Miller with that massive project (he and Kim Cooper Miller also did some serious work in the garage!). I’ll paint the bathroom and the bedroom this summer and will then put up a picture so you can see their handiwork. You’re gonna love it!

The bed had to be lowered 5 inches so it’s now off the frame and directly on the floor. No biggee. We’ve moved a couple furniture pieces to the storage unit, which, by the way, is worth every penny since our garage is now a garage instead of a storage space for Gene’s (and Hannah’s!) books!

Gene’s “daily sustenance” items have been moved to accessible shelves and kitchen gadgetry has been pulled closer to the edge so that he can make his own coffee, toast his own bread, microwave his own left-overs, etc. Modifications like those are oh-so-easy. My hat is off to those of you who have been doing this sort of thing forever and who will do it forever more because your loved one WON’T ever get out of their mobility device. My heart hurts for you.

Today was Gene’s first Sunday back in the pulpit and it was (at least for me) a special time. Our brothers and sisters stepped up once again and built a wide and sturdy ramp for Gene to access the stage and we believe that one day he will STAND on that stage to deliver God’s Word. For now, preaching from the chair will suffice. After all, scripture indicates that Jesus sometimes sat to teach.

Luke Wood, Sara Wood, Hannah Wood and Andy have done everything I’ve needed and everything I’ve asked them to do. Our extended families have been amazing and faithful in love and prayers. We simply could not ask for more!

Physical therapy/Occupational therapy hasn’t started yet and we are anxious for it to. Gene will be an outpatient at Patricia Neal and apparently they are backed up so it may be another week before they can get him scheduled. That’s frustrating; in the meantime we plan to go to our gym and use similar equipment there. We’ve been members for 3 years, seems like it may be time to find out what they offer!

Kelli Parker, a young lady you may have seen on TV, has a new show premiering Thursday evening (April 7) at 6:30 on Fox 43 called “The Good Life”. Gene and I will share our story with her (and you if you watch!) in the first episode. Shameless plug: Kelli is a good girl with a good plan and you should give this show a shot! ‪#‎welovekelli‬

As a result of the aforementioned interview, we were again given generous, thoughtful gifts from folks we’ve known for many years. Church members from every church we’ve served in over the last 39 years have contacted us. Literally. I actually had a phone call last night asking about our vacation plans this summer. When I replied that we probably wouldn’t be taking a vacation this year, they said they suspected as much and would like to give us a week at their time-share. Well yeah. We’ll do that! God is so good!

Wow. That’s quite an update. Bottom line: a real bummer of a thing has happened to Gene Wood. But it’s going to be okay. He’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. And if things don’t change? We’ll still be okay. Why? Because like my new theme song says: “You’re a good, good Father.” His will for my life, our life, is perfect, even when inconvenient and uncomfortable. He can be trusted. Do you trust Him?"

Plans? What plans?

"Remember that time when you had a plan and then it changed on a dime? Our plans, mine & Gene Wood's, have been like that for the last 42 days. Six weeks ago this morning he went into the hospital for what was to be a routine surgery and be discharged the next day. Yet, here we are 6 weeks later, still in the hospital. The latest: he became dizzy, nauseated and started throwing up last evening. Since this is the (at least) 2nd bout of this during his stay, the doctor ordered an MRI. Also, since he has to have his MRI with general anesthesia, I was called to come to the hospital this morning at 9ish. At about 1:30 this afternoon the nurse came in to say that the MRI would be on Wednesday, they just couldn't get to him today. So, while (in my mind) I should be going to bed tonight all giddy because my man gets to come home tomorrow (that was the plan, after all). Instead, I'm going to bed "assuming" that he will have an MRI tomorrow (still don't know what time) and that pending the results, will come home Thursday. At least that's the plan i'm hoping for. Not banking on. Because as we know, plans can change on a dime!"

So close yet, so far away:

"Some good news: Gene's home evaluation today went well. The work that has been done on the house to accommodate his wheelchair/power chair (we're not sure exactly what he'll come home with but ultimately he'll have a custom power chair) has been perfect!

Some not as good news: they are keeping him another week. I don't know if that means a week from Wednesday when the "team" met or a week from Friday, his original discharge date. But either way, he's not coming home tomorrow. Boo for that. But we definitely want him READY to BE home when he COMES home!

PRAYER REQUEST: all of the "loaner" power chairs are out right now. It will take up to 60 days to build his. Pray that a power chair comes available before he comes home.

And let me say again, God has been so faithful to us and has used the body of Christ as an amazing picture of how we are supposed to work together in support of one another. You are a blessing to us and in so being, are bringing glory to God."

The saga continues:

"Three weeks ago tomorrow, my husband walked into Fort Sanders Hospital for "day surgery." He can't walk anymore. Well, for now anyway. Sorry to be melodramatic but geez, this was NOT supposed to happen. I mean, it wasn't even part of the 73 page manifesto that we signed warning us of all the things that COULD happen. So as you might imagine, I'm ticked about this situation but being ticked doesn't really solve anything, does it? So, I'm really trying to seek God during the "ins and outs" of Gene's inability to function as he'd like and gladly sit still under the Sovereign Hand of God. Rant/sermonette over. First of all, the pneumonia is mostly gone; the secondary infection is hanging on. They've changed antibiotics for that one and will check him again in 2 days to see how it's working. The Rehab Doctor, Dr. Glass, said that the CONVERSATION about Gene's release will begin on Wednesday. Of course we have things to do around here to get ready for his arrival but still, he will be home sooner than later, we hope. Please continue to pray for his steady improvement especially as it pertains to his "transfers" from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to chairs, etc. We plan to rent a unit and unload our garage making space for the ramp we will have built and of course, the furniture in the house will need to be rearranged. We will also need a vehicle (think: van) to get Gene from home to PT to home to church to home to...well, you get the idea. Bottom line: we have every reason to believe that this malady is completely reversible BUT it will take time. Time we have, patience we lack. I'll speak for myself on that one; on that note, goodnight."

On to more information:

"Thanks Hannah Wood for your update from earlier this week. Today is Friday, Feb 12 and here's what's happening in our room at FSR. Gene Wood had an EMG (nerve conduction) this am which was "negative". The "Dr. House"-like hospital neurologist came in and scratched his head (as the parade of doctors before him) and suggested that the collective brain trust consider Guillian-Barre (google it). Not a diagnosis, mind you, just something to consider since nothing else is showing up and NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. Why can't we just be normal? Anyway, PT has been in and he's currently up in a chair. We are awaiting word from the Patricia Neal facility to see if he will be accepted there where he can get some intensive PT/OT. In the meantime, there are 50 ceiling tiles in this room, 6 electrical outlets and no working clock. Not that it's a boring place. Quite the contrary, there's a steady stream of confused faces in and out the door. And we've had some lovely guests too, whose faces weren't confused in the least to see their family member/friend/pastor in a sexy hospital gown with his Bible open and pens at the ready. He is a predictable sort. We wait. We pray. We trust God and we love you."

For the purpose of context, what follows is a Facebook update that Hannah Wood wrote on my behalf the day after Gene's surgery left his right leg paralyzed. 

"For all of my parents Facebook friends, Luke's Facebook friends, and my own, here is an update on my dad.

Yesterday my dad had spinal fusion surgery. The surgery went well and everything looked good. However, dad was unable to move his right leg. He has some sensation in it but cannot move it or even wiggle his toes. The doctor has been great and was very concerned so they did both a CT scan and a MRI. Both were inconclusive. Dr.Norman took dad back to surgery this afternoon to recheck everything and look for a blood clot or something that might be compressing a nerve. Nothing was there.

So the plan now is for dad to stay in the hospital for 2-3 more days while they run more tests including a nerve conduction test and having a neurologist check as well. After that he will be moved to Patricia Neal to rehab and try to get the leg working.

This of course was nowhere in our plans and we are in shock so to speak because of this complication. Please pray for my Dad as he works through this and his doctors as they look for answers. The rest of us would appreciate your prayers to as we adjust and help my Dad with whatever comes. Thank you so much for supporting our family and praying for us."

Kristi's Question

Age and time often have interesting ways of changing, developing and sharpening perspective in life. At least it has in mine. 

 My friend Kristi recently asked if I have a favorite Bible study for moms and honestly, even as recently as 5 years ago, I would have/could have rattled off a list of a dozen or so. "But now", (I just love a well placed "but", don't you?) my thoughts on this subject have changed. 

I've been pondering Kristi's question for about 4 days now and while I do have a list of favorite Bible study teachers (Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Jennifer Rothschild, Kay Arthur), here is the real answer for the mom (woman) out there looking for a good Bible study: the "best" Bible study is the study of the Bible.

"Well duh" you say, but hear me out. I'm currently (and oftentimes) involved in a women's Bible study group where we each have a book that provides daily homework and once a week, we gather to watch a DVD by the author and then discuss what we've discovered over the previous week. And it's good. Hardly a day passes that I don't open up my little study guide, open up my Bible alongside and hear something from God. It may be the tiniest whisper, but I hear Him. 

As long as the Bible study teacher you are studying has a solid, Biblical foundation and has a study that calls to your heart, I say, "Go for it!" And by the way, if you are in doubt about who/what you're about to study, ask your pastor (or you can ask me and I will ask mine!).

But, and here's the real deal: a woman who has a deep desire to dive into "a" Bible study, will always (always, always, always) be blessed by simply diving into her Bible. Sadly, most of us don't know how to study our Bibles so we default to a book/dvd type (not that there's anything wrong with that) but why not challenge yourself? Why not challenge yourself to:

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2Timothy 2:15)

What the heck does that mean?", you say. Well, for example, take the word "diligent"; according to Webster's, it means 

"characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort :  painstaking"

• So, we learn right off that we should make steady, earnest and even energetic effort toward "presenting" (to make a gift) ourselves to whom? To God! 
• As what? As a skilled worker. 
• Skilled at what? Understanding what His Word says.
• What will be our condition when we go before God as a gift? We will be, according to Webster's, without guilt, self-consciousness, or doubt. 
• And why is that? Because we are able to "...correctly explain the word of truth." (New Living Translation). 
• And of course, to whom are we explaining this "word of truth"? To anyone who asks! We must "...be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2

{And wouldn't that be comforting? To be on break at work and have someone ask a question that skips across the waters of scripture providing you an open door to speak God's Word? And be able to do it correctly without being self-conscious about what you DON'T know because you are so confident in what you DO know? #wow}

That is probably one of the simplest Bible study methods (not really a method, just an idea) on the market (and it's not on the market, just in my brain)! We're an inquisitive gender, why not ask questions about the verse you're reading (and no matter what you ask, God doesn't roll His eyes at you)! But, how do you find a verse to read? I would suggest that you:

• Using a concordance (see below), look up verses for the issues you are currently facing in your life (for me right now it's anxiety and yes, the Bible speaks to anxiety!)
• You may find a concordance in the back of your Bible, on line or go old school with an actual hard back copy (shameless plug: http://www.lifeway.com/)
• Ask God to direct your reading and as He impresses upon your heart (i.e.,"jumps off the page at you") one or two of these verses that you read, begin to ask these questions, as well as others that come to your mind 
• Journal your responses and your progress and your problems
• And if you're brave enough (gads!), memorize that verse

You may not be able to sit at the lunch table or in the break room or in your Sunday School class and talk about the latest Bible study you did but, YOU ARE STUDYING THE BIBLE. God doesn't so much need us to DO Bible studies as He longs for us to study the Bible. Study HIM. Love HIM. 

And I can assure you, as you study His Word, as you study His character, as you love Him, you will dive down deeper into the sea of who He is and how He wants to love you than you ever dreamed imaginable. 

And of course, if you have the time and drive, grab any one of the go-zillion Bible studies available at stores such as (shameless plug) Lifeway and get crackin'! You won't regret it.