Variety makes for one great day

7:16 p.m. Today's project was to hunker down and continue gathering data from my 2007 journal to the Lord. I am writing a book about Steve's and my experiences with Alzheimer's and have been tracing the thread  of mental and emotional disturbances through journals starting in 2006. Since I journal seven days a week, by the time I get to 2011's prayers and reflections, that's a lot of notes! Thankfully, every single day does not include a reference to Steve's impending disease, or I'd really have a long road ahead. I may even go back to 1987, when I began a 3-holed notebook of college-ruled paper, listing prayer requests and praise reports, to find clues as to when problems with his memory began to affect Steve's career, his walk with the Lord, ministry, and our entire family. That is, if my printing is not too minuscule for me to read!

If this project seems overwhelming, it is! But the Lord directed me to begin, to dedicate Wednesdays to it while Steve is at adult daycare. And so I do.

When captains of the military forces came to Jeremiah the prophet to petition the Lord through him, they declared in Jeremiah 42:6,

Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Today in the new covenant established by Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, we no longer are required to ask a priest or prophet what God has to say, because the Holy Spirit speaks God's will to believers in accordance with His Word, the Bible. We certainly may listen to other Spirit-filled believers whom God gives a word to, and ask for confirming prayer, but there is not a shadow of doubt that it is God's voice when He gives direction!

God made this effort possible by putting it on our hearts to purchase the long term care insurance that meets Steve's needs at home, and covers Care Connexxus, too.  As I learned while writing Galatians:An Exploration of Faith & Freedom, you cannot concentrate or intensely focus on details when anyone is in the house. (At least not anyone who needs and deserves your attention)!

My writing hours were a bit limited today, because I had to pick Steve up instead of having the bus drop him off. Genworth Insurance had paid me directly, and yesterday I had a money order made out for last month's daycare. I also wanted to return a pair of sweatpants they had loaned Steve last week. (He had spilled coffee on himself).

In between, I gave our caregiver an armload of Mary Kay materials in Spanish, and delivered some foundation to a lovely young mom from church. On her Christmas tree, I spotted a couple of crafts from our Moms' Mornings ministry I led for a few years. She blessed me with some words of timely encouragement and reminded me of the Titus 2:3 role we older women play to the younger women in the church. It was with a lightened step and heart that I picked up Steve, even earlier than required. The two of us then made a product delivery, and prepared for a little date!

My daughter Heather invited us to a Christmas open house given by her boss, State Senator Bill Emmerson, in the nearby Canyon Crest Towne Centre. Steve and I arrived early, so the event would not be crowded, and so he could sit down if needed. Even though we'd received his handicapped parking placard today, we found a space right in front of the building. Our brief stay included introductions, some hors d'ouevres and desserts, and then we went on our way. Steve did all right with his balance even on the stairs, albeit walked very slowly. We wrapped up our outing by picking up my cute pair of strappy heels from Canyon Crest Shoe Repair, looking better than new.

We returned to a festively lit-up house inside and out, and settled in for a nice evening together.

Obedience, blessing, companionship, socializing and business success made for God-ordained variety in my day--my cup runneth over!