Going to get my baby...bringing Lesh home

This Friday, I will be bringing my husband home after a month of him being hospitalized. This evening, I transferred images from my phone to my laptop. I created a folder called "Accident" on my desktop where I am keeping images of him from the hospital, the "truck remains" images, and anything else associated with it. I started reviewing some of the early hospital day images and had to stop. It is painful to see him like that. My heart breaks for what he has gone through and will continue to go through until he has "fully recovered". I am not sure you fully recover from something like this. I want to keep the images because I want to be able to always look back and remember where God brought him from... a reminder of His healing power and of His amazing love to us. But to see your loved one in that condition..it's too painful to dwell on. Our bodies heal, our hearts heal, and we go on with our life..more aware..living with more intentional purpose..loving those around us more.

To try to understand why this has happened would be a futile exercise. GOD ALONE knows why, so we must trust that He has some purpose in this. I do know this: we have been able to share the greatness of God with more people this past month than ever before. It amazes me all the people that we come in contact with who have heard about his accident.

Lesh has an amazing attitude. He hasn't complained. He is weary, but he has a strong determination to get better..and to do it properly. He wants to come home, but he hasn't pressured the medical team to allow him to leave prematurely. He has come through too much to "jump the gun" and have an unnecessary setback. Slow and steady. He has made friends of all of his nurses and techs in typical "Lesh" style. He has received excellent care and I think new friendships have been created that will last for a very long time.

While in rehab, he had an opportunity to preach the St. John's Mercy Rehab Hospital chapel service. His text: Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23. His favorite song through this time has been Matt Redman's You Never Let Go. We have felt God gripping us tightly. Even our hearts. It is as if a thick, soft, but firm wall has been built around us to guard from bitterness, loneliness, and hopelessness. I know what it is to experience "The Comforter". From the prayer that was offered up in the OR waiting room that first evening to now, I have felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost in a way that is undeniable. This experience has not been easy. But God has given us the grace to face each day..sometimes..each moment.

I will share some experiences in more detail over the next few weeks: the Trauma ER, the OR Waiting Room, the ICU waiting room, Grant and Diana, Elevated Heart Rate, the TICU safety scare, and Rehab.

Thank you for every prayer you lifted on our behalf. It means everything to us.

Lesh's Accident

For updates on Lesh, please visit this Facebook page.

A Tribute to Jude

Jude turned three on Sunday. I have to be honest and tell you that Lesh and I were not sure we were ready for another child after Jonah. After all, we feel like we have many children, in a spiritual sense, and starting a church requires much time, attention, and dedication. But we knew we wanted another child, weren't getting any younger, and did not want Jonah to be an only child, and God gave us Jude.

Jude has blessed our lives immeasurably. He is the sunshine (and angst) in my days. His "schnuggles" are sweet warmth and his smile lights up the room. He is outgoing and loves to dance. He is strong-willed (to say the least), but puts his heart into most things. Jude loves his big brother, Jonah, and joys in playing with him.

Jude, mommy (yes mommy, not mom) "lufs" you and will forever. I'm so glad you are three.

Date with Jonah and other ramblings..

Jonah and I ran errands together this afternoon and had a date at Jimmy John's, the new gourmet sub shop in town. He was a great date. (Don't you just love this picture of him!..proud momma..I know.) I love this kid with all my heart..he's beautiful inside and out. He loves learning and loves to talk to us..he asks a ton of questions..a little sponge. We shared a delicious sandwich (homemade tuna with cucumbers and sprouts on freshly baked bread), interesting conversation and lots of smiles. Since Easter, he is noticing cross shapes everywhere..today, on the window frames. He and Jude make crosses with their fingers and talk about the crucifixion several times a day. At lunch, he did it within earshot of other diners. (Wondered what they were thinking.) He was proud that he had found another "cross that Jesus died on." He regularly asks the same question: Why did they kill Jesus? I wonder the same thing.

Did you know that lemon juice takes off hard water and calcium stains around your sinks? A simple lemon. I'm thinking of going green with my cleaning supplies..everything but the toilet. Can't beat Sno Bol for ease and working power. Who knows..maybe there is some natural remedy out there for that too.

It was gorgeous out today. Jude's fever broke..hope he's on the mend. He's a bear when he is sick. Today (Sunday) is his birthday. We'll be celebrating very simply.

Hope your day is blessed! Go to church and worship with your church family. Listen to some good preaching. God can draw and save you through the message your pastor preaches.

Piano In My Living Room

I posted this comment at www.mamalogues.com after reading this post by Dana Loesch. Thought I would share it here.

"These images bring back so many memories for me. I have played the piano since I was three..don't remember learning to chord. This was my therapy everyday after school. Some kids rushed to the kitchen for cookies..I rushed to the piano to pour out my soul. My mother still has that Ballwin in her living room. Can't wait to get one for mine!
This is a priceless thing to pass on to your children..awesome looking piano too!"

I can't afford the piano I want right now, so Lesh pulled his old Yamaha keyboard out and the boys have been having a blast on it. Jonah can play the bass line to "Sing Hosanna" on it. :) Then we dance around to the pre-set songs on it..fun times!

Family Church Grand Opening

We had an amazing weekend..will update with pictures asap.

Catch up..

Working at CWI killed my blog..going to resume now..here's what I never had time to post..wrote it..never had time to post.

"Yes..I'm still alive. :) In November, I began a temp job at CWI(Clinical Workflow Iniative), a division of BJC HealthCare. It has turned out to be quite the interesting assignment. Our team has been given the charge to standardize care, and identify the best practices to improve health care in all of the BJC Community Hospitals. As a project coordinator, I have been supporting the CPL's that are leading the Medication Administration (including Med Reconciliation for all you medical peoples) and the Discharge Transition teams. I have added to my acronym bank..they are staples in the information technology and health care fields. I have been able to share a few back... hehe (GEFWIF - Good Enough For Who It's For, by Jeff Dunlap..can't take credit for it. LOL!) I have had the privilege of meeting several of the hospital presidents. Being in a corporate setting has been an adjustment..to say the least. I will be thrilled to be working for our church again..full time. Until then, I am trying to help my family and fulfill whatever purpose God has for me at BJC between 9 and 5:30. :) I am not looking too far ahead..trying to take one day at a time. I have found that it is wonderful to plan and prepare for days to come, but in reality, our main focus should be on what we are presently doing. Less frustrated...etc. :)

Jonah turned five on February 13th. He is a little boy now..although he will always be my baby. Jonah is maturing faster than I want to think about. He is sweet, considerate, and a great friend to his little brother Jude.

Speaking of Jude..he used the potty three times yesterday and I thought Lesh and I would leap for joy..we clapped and hollered and made a huge deal of it. Then he went in to the living room and peed directly on the wood floor. (at least it wasn't carpet) Talk about a let down...lol. At least he is actually doing something on the potty. It will be a rapturous day when he stops wearing diapers.

He is talking like a big kid..he says "I so happy to see you mommy!" I love it. But on Tuesday evening I was having an ice cream craving and Lesh brought me a vanilla frosty from Wendy's. As he delivered it, Lesh asked "Will that make you happy?" and I confirmed that it would with a grateful smile. Jude was standing beside me and said "Mommy..did Daddy say "make you happy"?" and I said "Yes Jude..daddy wanted to know if I liked my ice cream." Without any hesitation he said "I happy to see that!" and pointed to my ice cream cup. I cracked up... He loves to eat..and loves sugar. (who doesn't?) Both of my boys still love to "schnuggle", as Jude puts it, with me and I love it. Jude's idea of a good time is sharing my pillow, playing with my hair and sucking his fingers..oh yeah..and watching Thomas. Jonah loves for me to play trains with them..he also has a new Leapster that he loves. It was a gift from his grammy for his birthday. They are quite educational.

I will update you on church news soon..signing off! Night!"