Knowing Your Area

In every hobby or field of work, you gain experience as time passes. Different scenarios help to gain knowledge so that when it happens again, you can quickly solve the issue. The same is true when studying Scripture and using it as your basis for thinking.

If I am talking to someone on the street, I have verses I can reference for different objections. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus expounded on the sixth commandment that hatred is the same as murder. A few verses later, in 5:27, He said that looking with lust is the same as adultery. Further references are Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23, and a handful of other verses. When preaching, I tend to study one text and use other passages to support the message. However, I have been noticing lately I may be getting narrow sighted and need to pay further attention.

For the last few weeks, I have been reading a book on general advice for Biblical counseling. I took an online course early in the year and this has been a very loose follow-up. As the authors look at different counseling scenarios, they point to various passages that help relate to a situation and may assist the counselee to a better frame of mind. While some of the advised texts are familiar, the majority are ones that I would need to look up and further learn their context.

I have written on this blog several times about my routine of reading the Bible. For several years, I read through from Genesis-Revelation twice a year. Now, I'm down to about once a year of cover to cover, but replaced one of my reading times with more in-depth study. This is slower, but I still progress through Scripture and invest in God's Word.

At this point in the quad life, I do not see starting a new career as a Biblical counselor. However, as a part-time preacher and occasional mentor, I do see it as useful knowledge to be familiar with. If nothing else, this latest book has taught me not to get blinded to one train of thought while studying. Continuing to broaden my knowledge and quick reference tools will always be helpful, no matter how often or little they get used.

Sitting Satisfactorily Soon

Just two weeks ago, I had my evaluation for a new wheelchair. This week, I made further progress toward getting a new system. This is much faster progression than I expected and it's a welcome change.

Early Friday morning, dad, my caregiver Sara, and I loaded into the van. First off, the rubber pad on my chin control popped off, making it so I couldn't move to get positioned. In the process of retrieving it, my control/display box was leaned on and broke the mount. Therefore, going to look at my chair's replacement caused my current chair to fall apart.

After getting my parts back together, we got to the Des Moines suburb thanks to Google's directions. The first order of business was to fix the seat I was sitting in. Searching through their parts inventory, the chair tech I met at my first evaluation found a duplicate part to support my box. Thirty minutes after arrival, using tools he had available in the van and provided pieces, dad had it fixed. Next up was what I actually came for, getting fit for a new back rest.

I was situated in a chair that had a foam pad on the back. The technician pushed and pulled until I was sitting straighter than I have in years. After he was satisfied, air was sucked out from the foam-like substance to keep it in place. He then took pictures of it and less than an hour later, a new back support was produced. The last time I had my back adjusted, it took several months and no longer fit when I got it. I didn't get the back rest fitted to my current chair, but look forward to using it.

Finally, I was shown demonstration models of the chair that was suggested. I have hardly heard about Quantum chairs, but liked what I saw. The frame is slightly narrower than my current system and the sit has more functions. I can go up to 10% of a standing position and raise the entire seat a full foot. Therefore, when speaking to someone tall or preaching from the floor (no stage access), I can elevate myself. In these situations, I can be seen more easily and hopefully preach more effectively.

If insurance approves everything, I may have a new chair in three months. Considering it took me eight years to get my current chair, this is a great start. Living the quad life has perks in seeing new technology. I am thankful for what God has provided and look forward to what may come. 

Who Will Remember?

It is Memorial Day weekend, the time of remembering those who have fought and died for our country and honoring loved ones. Friday evening, I went with my parents to place flowers on my grandparents' graves. Sitting in the van, several thoughts came to mind.

In the first cemetery we visited, it has several grave markers from well over 100 years ago. This wasn't my first visit, but I noticed a change in a few of them. Markers that had been tilting, were now fallen over and a few sat in a pile in one corner. As I read a large, modern stone, I was surprised to see the couple listed died in 1895 and 1908. The children of these two have likely also died years ago, but someone obviously replaced their original monument.

On our second stop outside of small town Iowa, the cemetery was a flurry of activity and seemed to be the town gathering spot. Families were out dispersing flowers and small groups were huddled around talking. This memorial area does not have any century-old markers, that I noticed, but also had many more flowers and recognition.

Unless God has major changes for my future, I am the end of my family line. At some point in time, be it near or far, both my parents and I will be gone from this earth. As I noticed the old stones left unnoticed and degrading at the first cemetery, it will likely be the case for my marker after a few decades. While our bodies may decay and be forgotten, everyone will be living forever.

God knows every person that has lived, is living, and will be born. It's hard to conceive knowing billions of people, but He is present for each. After departing this life, we will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. We need to be sure to born again by repenting of sin and turning to Jesus alone for forgiveness. As we reflect on those gone before us, let us remember our time is approaching and to spend it serving God and His will.

Finished and Beginning

It seems to be a usual condition, but it was another busy week in the quad life. It started one activity, finished another, and started a big project.

Tuesday morning was my first of two scheduled college classes. Unfortunately, I don't have very many college courses left. I have helped teach four different subjects in three different schools. Now, I'm down to two subjects at one school. I'm thankful for what I have been given, but wish I could do more. Nursing students could especially benefit from knowing more about spinal cord injuries and home care, but they are the hardest classes to get into. I continue to pray that I can visit current classes and expand again.

Thursday was my busiest day, starting with my final grade school visit of the year. A total of 11 students were in the combined 3rd/4th grade classroom. These are the oldest kids I visit, but they are generally the calmest as well. The instructor was quick to post pictures on the school's Facebook page and was thankful for my visit. I really enjoy working with kids and would love to find some type of summer program I could help with. I have no idea how I could fit it in, but it would still be fun.

I quickly transitioned from teaching kids Thursday morning to a big project. In August, my wheelchair will be ten years old. Power chairs are made to last five years and then be replaced. My current system has done pretty well, but it has definitely not supported my back very well. Due to various factors, my insurance may also be changing in a year. Therefore, I've started working toward a new chair.

The initial meeting went very well. I had a list of items to adjust, keep similar, or have on a wish list. Everyone listened to me and liked that I knew what I was talking about. I have another appointment in two weeks to see a potential chair option and get molded for a new back. Considering it took eight years to get a new chair last time, I'm excited to see this process moving faster. Time will tell if the momentum continues, but I'm pleased so far. 

This week looks slower, but it will not last long. Hopefully the rest will help get caught up on other areas.

Mother's Day 2025

Today is the day set aside to celebrate mothers. Both parents have the important task of raising children in the knowledge of the Lord, but it especially falls to moms. God gave men and women complimentary traits and women tend to be more gentle and able to help children, just as God designed. My mother especially uses her God given talents.

For the last two nights, I have not had any help at night. We knew this was coming, but it still means 53 hours straight without outside help. Dad goes to bed around 9:00 in the evening and it's just mom and I until he gets up again at 1:30 in the morning. During this time, I go up and down in bed and start some of my night routine.

Despite being tired and having pain from a day of activity, mom still does what's needed. I wish I could make the time easier for her, but don't have another way to help. Mom also keeps track of everything for the house as well as helping with our family.

Above all, I'm thankful for the Godly instruction mom gave me. As a young boy, I remember sitting on mom's lap, vent tubes and all, as she read to me from a children's Bible. She also always encouraged me to keep up in school and not run over classmates.

We never know how long I will be able to continue living at home. However, mom has worked very hard for 40 years to allow me to live at home and be active. All the decades have accumulated much stress and many long nights, and I'm thankful for everything God has done through my mother.

Remember to cherish parents and look for their guidance while you can. We never know when life will change and someone will be taken from us. Let us celebrate mothers not only today, but every day.

Three Cold Days

For the past several years, I have volunteered with the gospel outreach group at Tulip Time in Pella. The last three days saw this year's event, and I'm thankful they're finished.

As I posted last week, my dad has been on vacation and I had an extra caregiver to help while he was away. Thankfully, this allowed me to continue volunteering all three days of the festival instead of just two. Since I am one of team leaders, I think it is best to be available the entire time to allow consistency for outreach teams. Unfortunately, that didn't quite work this year.

Spring has been reluctant to come this year and temperatures have been quite cool compared to previous years. Initial predictions for May 1-3 were for low 70's, but that continued to decrease as the days came closer. As it turned out, actual temps were at least ten degrees cooler with scant amount of sun and plenty of rain.

Each morning started with two one-hour training sessions at a church near downtown. They were all well done and great for learning how to share your faith and navigate current events. One session dealt with Marxism and covered several topics, such as climate change. My thoughts went to previous alarmist propaganda of the earth getting hotter. More warmth would have been welcome these days, but it seems to go more the opposite.

After training sessions, we then broke into teams and went out to designated areas to talk with people and give out gospel tracts. On Thursday, I was stationed at the prayer booth. We didn't receive any prayer requests, but did hand out gospel tracts and information on the town's Christian foundation. Friday saw an abundance of rain, which meant I reluctantly headed home after training and left my group with another leader. I felt bad for ducking out, but everyone seemed to understand that electric medical equipment and rain don't mix well. Finally, yesterday, my one team member and I parked ourselves on a very busy sidewalk corner and handed out gospel tracts as throngs of people walked passed. This final day did result in some short conversations, but nothing substantial or argumentative.

Despite wearing insulated jeans, sweatshirt, and coat, I returned home very cold each day. Saturday evening, I also felt quite tired after three days of activity and getting up early. I don't like to admit it, but leading an active quad life is getting harder, especially in non-ideal weather conditions. I'm looking forward to this week of staying home, and hopefully warmer temps as well.

Canyon Trip

Living the quad life, I rely heavily on others for help with everything. I have been very blessed with several caregivers, but depend on my parents a lot. After several decades, it gets very hard seeing them miss out on trips with friends or doing what they would like and instead staying home to help me. This week, tides have changed for one special outing.

My dad likes the outdoors, hiking, camping, and anything related. He often talks about dreams of this or that trail and doing some activity. A few years ago, I heard about a creation ministry that did rafting and hiking tours of the Grand Canyon. It sounded like something I would enjoy, but dad especially. However, being gone for 7-10 days would be nearly impossible. This is where I am especially thankful for the caregivers God has provided.

I talked about the trip to my then intern nurse from Arizona. Brenda said if dad really wanted to go on the trip, she would come back and help take care of me even after graduation. After MUCH debate, dad finally agreed to signup for a rafting trip. However, that portion of the adventure was over a year before actually departing. Continued debate has gone on for that year, but dad left this past Thursday with Brenda arriving Friday.

According the videos and brochures, he will be traveling nearly 200 miles down the Colorado River with multiple stops and side hikes. The group will explore the Grand Canyon from a biblical perspective rather than evolutionary and see more of the gorge than you ever could just by hiking. Dad is scheduled to return late Saturday and will likely be full of stories for years to come.

In addition to my regular helpers, Brenda is covering 40 hours this week as well as the last few days. God has blessed us abundantly with help, and I'm very thankful dad could take this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Later this week should also be a busy time for me, but that will be the topic of next week's entry.