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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Family aid

11:23 p.m. Today's project was to decorate our stair banisters with huge pieces of green garland, and then add lights to them up and down the stairs. I'm not sure how many more years I can keep this up, but since today is all we have (a quote I heard recently), the English Christmas village is already set up and ready to light this evening; "the stockings are hung by the chimney with care;" and I'll be serving hot chocolate and popcorn to my husband and daughter Heather tonight as we work to the tune of a favorite Christmas CD.  

Today Steve and I went to his primary care doctor to discuss his emotional issues, especially his depression. It's not surprising that he would be depressed, because he expressed his heart to our pastor a few weeks ago, "Everybody is working except me." And just today, I came upon him three separate times sitting with his head bowed down in his hands. The first time I thought that he was praying, but that wasn't it. I asked him what was wrong, since he'd just been doing a light husehold errand, taking an empty box upstairs. He just shook his head. Like the second and third episodes, he had stopped in the middle of a task, probably overwhelmed by the fact that he couldn't remember what to do. I pray and encourage Steve, stay as practical and upbeat as I can, and help him get back on task.  Action is a great antidote to fear, especially when a person lives in dread of what will happen to him or her next. With no remembrance of God's deliverances over his 56 years of life, Steve feels doomed.  He also doesn't remember the good times we have, or the reassurances he has from me every day. Only the negatives seem to stick...

With the trials of this life and the constant onslaught of the devil against those who actively serve, lead and minister in the Body of Christ, we count on the Lord's deliverance, believe the promises in His Word are true, and comfort ourselves with His mighty works in the past. In a meditation subtitled "The Consoling Memory of God's Redemptive Works," Asaph wrote in Psalm 77:5-6, 10-12,

I have considered the days of old,
The years of ancient times.
I call to remembrance my song in
  the night;
I meditate within my heart,
And my spirit makes diligent search.
...
And I said, "This is my anguish;
But I will remember the years of
  the right hand of the Most
  High."
I will remember the works of the
LORD;
Surely I will remember Your
  wonders of old.
I will meditate on all Your
  work,
And talk of Your deeds.
Your way, O God, is in the
  sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?

Whether it is God's people remembering in chorus the past deliverances of the Lord, or God sending our daughters to help us the past few days, the Lord Jesus is mindful, engaged, and loving to His children at all times. I wish that Steve could recall God's answers to prayer, but he can't, so I do what I can to stir up his confidence in God. I have the privilege of recounting God's work in my behalf, and so do you!

4 comments:

  1. When my husband with Alzheimer's and I pray together at night we are able to thank God. My husband watches TV constantly, considers himself retired, and does tasks when he chooses to like fold laundry on the pool table, or fill up bottles with Lipton ice tea. Our dog stays by his side when I am gone and that is a blessing.

    I know this is hard for Steve and he may not be able to remember what to tell the doctor. Our friends wrestle with the same issue. I made Scripture cards on joy passages for "Jake". He is so sad that he can't drive because of the ALZ driving test. I think that Jake takes antidepressants.

    Last week my husband just decided on a long four day trip that he wanted to be a passenger--that driving is too stressful, even though he passed his second ALZ driving test. He also doesn't want to take road trips any more. So far I have it so easy, and like you, get to rely on the LORD for the future and strength for each day.

    We have a Toastmaster Christmas party here tonight and have to make like Dana and work hard to get ready. Will be praying for you and Steve all day.

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  2. I continue to read your posts ever since I found your blog. What a blessing! I'm the "anonymous" who mentioned coconut oil. Since that time, we've also started using turmeric and ginger. We're the ones who are doing all this as a preventive measure since we both have a family history of Alzheimer's. I was raised on ginger tea as a cold medicine. We've found that ginger tea with a little turmeric and a flavored coffee creamer is really tasty!

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  3. Hi Carol,

    Have a wonderful evening! It's mamzing that your husband can drive, but I imagine the idea makes him nervous. Well, must go and review journals from 2006-7 for the next book. And I'll be wanting to know how yours goes, too!!
    Love,
    Dana

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  4. Thanks, Anonymous! Steve used to put turmeric on his grapenuts with Shaklee protein powder, and our diet coach/trainer/ bodybuilder son uses turmeric when a cold is coming on...

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