September 19, 2003

My trip down in the dumps seems to be drawing to an end. Last Sunday the pastor actually preached on being happy. He taught out of 1 Peter which is one of my favorite books. A couple of days later I was reading a devotional from Baptist Bread and it was about being happy!

I am also presently reading A Path Through Suffering by Elisabeth Elliot. I am encouraged as I read about the different paths folks have found themselves walking and how the Lord brought them through it. I do believe that suffering and sorrows contribute greatly to who we become and we would be less compassionate without them.

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I was planning to meet Karen in Staunton tomorrow, but Isabel put a delay on that excursion. Karen’s parents live in coastal North Carolina and sought refuge from Isabel at her house. Unfortunately, Isabel followed them and Karen is without power, too! I spoke to her today and she was trying to get flashlights and batteries from a ransacked Walmart. Anyway, we will try to meet next weekend.

Karen and Jim just moved into their new house in West Virginia. I’m glad her parents got to come and see it so soon. Her Mom’s cancer is back and she is getting ready for another big fight. Things are not looking real good.

Isabel also frightened me into leaving work early last night, so I’m going in later on to make up a couple of lost hours.

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My sister emailed me recently complaining about Mom’s hair being dirty so much of the time. I agree with her and at that time spoke with an aide who made a note on the calendar that I would like Mom’s hair washed when she gets a shower. I had also emailed my sister back and told her I had spoken with the aides before and not to expect anything to change. Well, her hair was dirty yesterday and I ignored it. Today it was dirtier still, so I asked for some shampoo and a towel to wash it. [ I have washed her hair several times in the past, so this was not a new thing.] I didn’t complain to anyone. I simply washed her hair. Well, the word spread and aides started coming up to me telling me how they ALWAYS wash her hair. Backed into a corner I responded by saying that her hair is dirty most of the time. Although that is true, I should not have said it. Of course they take that as a direct insult and become defensive and now I’m sure everyone is going to be mad at me again. Sigh.

The aides there work very hard and need encouragement, so I feel bad. But the truth is they don’t brush Mom’s teeth or keep her hair washed. I have expressed concern over both of these issues repeatedly, but any changes are short-lived. I am not mad at them and while I don’t really understand why they would ignore dirty hair while giving a shower instead of washing it; I do understand they work terribly hard.

When I pick Mom up tomorrow, the guy who showered her last (and obviously didn’t shampoo her) will be there and I’m sure he’ll be all defensive and may even try to tell me he washed it. I hope I reply kindly and encouragingly. Maybe I’ll send over a couple of pizzas.

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I got early birthday presents from Josh and Chris. Josh and Leah sent me a Weber grill! They must have payed a fortune to ship that big box! Chris bought me a beautiful wall clock. He left it sitting on the chair for me when I got home today. I’ll make him take me out to lunch on my birthday. :-) Hmmmm, I might be able to get him to clean some, too. I can’t let these opportunities just slip away.

Anyway, I have to get some charcoal and get cooking!! Mmmm. Nothing tastes as good as steak and burgers cooked on the grill!

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.