A Year Done, Another Ahead

It is the last day of 2023, we have traveled around the sun and had some fun, as well as challenging times for all. Looking at 2024, some say it could be a year to abhor.

This past year, I was thankful to be able to return to using a trach button again and to finally produce my autobiography. For the most part, I also had nursing shifts covered with only one extended period without help. God has blessed my year again and allowed me to serve Him in various ways.

As with any future time period, we need to remember that God is in control, even though we may not understand why some things happen. However, we may give estimates on what will be in store for 2024.

I recently saw a report about low marriage rates and declining US population. That means jobs will continue to remain unfilled and as more people retire, openings will only increase. Therefore, we'll see more jobs turn to automation and even more self-checkouts at retailers.

It was almost four years ago, but 2020 should still be firm in most people's memory. However, some news media and commercials twist reality by saying things that happened weren't true. Such as being made to get a vaccine, or not work, and threats for those who didn't receive at least one. Now, it's starting to look like lock downs may happen again and even more restrictions for being in public.

In the US, it is a presidential election year. Already, one state has tried to fix the ballot by not allowing a current front-runner to be listed. If restrictions are put in place again, mailing ballots will be highly encouraged, which allows for easy manipulation.

For me, I have a few ideas in mind. Last week, I heard about a course I can take to improve my preaching. It is a college-level close from a school that does still adhere to the Bible. It's also affordable, so the main question is time requirement. I hope to be able to do the course, but just need to balance a few life options.

I'm also having more trouble with my back twisting, either due to physical problems or chair trouble. That needs to be another project to continue on with the new year.

As the quad life continues, I will plan to keep posting each week. May God bless your year ahead and remember to look to Him in whatever comes.

Christmas Eve

It is the day before Christmas, time for final preparations and planning for the holiday. Stores will be closed and many families gather as they celebrate the birth of our Savior. Modern anticipation is fun, but it's nothing compared to what happened 2000 years ago.

Mankind fell into sin not long after creation and restoration seemed impossible. However, God promised to send restoration that would be born from the offspring of the woman. All throughout the Old Testament, more information is given about the coming Messiah, with fuzzy pictures becoming more clear. 

A virgin will give birth to a Child (Isaiah 7:14) who would be born in Bethlehem and be a ruler of Israel (Micah 5:2). A child will have the government on His shoulders and be called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Many other foreshadows were given about the One who was to come, and His purpose.

After a 400 year silence from any further revelation, the prophecies were finally fulfilled. An angel announced to Mary and Elizabeth their roles in God's plan and how they would be used. Jesus was born in a stable and fulfilled every prophecy exactly as it had said.

Upon His birth, angels sang to shepherds and magi followed His star. Servants in the temple had waited a lifetime for what the Holy Spirit had promised and marveled as they held the baby, and warned of His purpose. Growing up, Jesus' parents and siblings didn't understand who He was and while performing the predicted signs, they wanted to take custody of Him.

About 33 years after His birth, the only sinless person to ever exist was crucified, died, and buried. He rose again on the third day, conquering death that we may have life in Him. All who repent of sin, and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness, not in works, can receive this free gift. As you celebrate Christmas this year, let us always remember the reason for our celebrating.

I have speculated a few times what I would preach at a Christmas service if given the opportunity, and it would likely be a reminder like this. It would mean going against my winter hibernation, but I would for the opportunity. Unfortunately, I found out too late that my home church needed help, but is instead not having a service. Whatever you're doing or life situation, never forget what is the true meaning of Christmas.

Small Town Life

Yes, this is Thursday evening instead of my usual Sunday afternoon post. Something happened in the past few days that I wanted to write about, so I guess this is my early Christmas bonus blog. In short, I'm thankful I am able to live in small-town Iowa.

Two days ago, Tuesday morning, I was scheduled for my regular haircut. Since my barber is in downtown, I also take the opportunity to run errands while I'm out. I hadn't deposited my paycheck from November yet and planned to visit the bank after getting a trim.

Before leaving home, my caregiver and I prepared the required documents and I signed everything so we could just go in, deposit, and leave. When we got to town, my preferred handicapped parking wasn't available and we had to use alternative parallel parking nearby. It took some work in tight quarters to get me unloaded, but we managed after some bumping and careful driving on my part. Soon, I was sitting in front of a large mirror getting my hair shortened.

At this point, my caregiver noticed my deposit wasn't in her purse where she put it. We concluded it must have fallen out in the van when getting me unloaded. However, when we returned to the vehicle, it wasn't there. It was a windy morning, and our next thought was that it must have blown out of her purse. After some careful looking, my deposit slip was found stuck on a fence post about half a block

from where we parked. That was a good find, but my fully endorsed check was nowhere to be seen. My caregiver looked around a nearby gravel parking lot and alley, but didn't see the missing document. As we drove away, I continued to look as well, but without finding our goal.

Back at home, I called the bank to see what it would cost to have the check held so it couldn't be deposited. That expense was close to the full amount of the note, so I opted to wait and see what happened. The event near dad's workplace, and he also made a thorough search, but without success. I went to sleep Tuesday night still wondering my best course of action.

Wednesday morning, after finishing my Bible reading, I went to post the daily verse on Facebook and saw I had a message. It was from a friend of some of my friends, but nobody I knew. I hesitated to open the message, but decided to read it. The note said she had found my check on her driveway, nearly three blocks from where I parked, and wanted to arrange how to pick it up. Later that day, dad retrieved my wondering payment and everything was in its proper location by this afternoon.

It is unfortunate that the worst is expected, and excitement is found when the correct response happens. I'm thankful everything turned out well and lessons were learned for the future. Part of living in small, rural towns, is that many people know each other and how to get in touch if needed. Doing some Facebook investigation, I saw that the finder is a graduate of the same high school as me and works at the local hospital. Therefore, it's very possible we have met before, but in different circumstances. Most of all, I'm thankful for God's provision and demonstrating again we do not need to be anxious for anything.

Trading Rolls

Most days, and weeks, go on basically the same. Each one passes onto the next with regular routines changing very little if at all. However, sometimes rolls can be reversed and surprises walk-in when least expected.

Since last week's blog, I'm thankful to report dad is fully back to himself. Unfortunately, mom came home from work early on Monday and now she has been sick all week. Her symptoms sound very similar to what dad had, but I pray mom recovers soon.

In high school, I started reading the Bible almost every night. The practice has continued now for over 25 years and increased in the amount I read. I first started with my NIV Bible I used in school. It didn't have any commentary or study notes with it, just Scripture. After completing a course on Biblical Evangelism in 2016, I received the Evidence Study Bible as part of the graduation package.

This was my introduction to the NKJV Bible and commentary included with the Scripture. Reading study notes with the text took time to learn, but I still read from Genesis to Revelation in a year, or less. I varied reading style depending on the year, but I have enjoyed it and increased my depth of study. However, I have been looking at one more study Bible for a few years, and I finally got it.

My best friend John gave me a gift certificate for my birthday recently and with it, I purchased a John MacArthur Study Bible. Dr. MacArthur is a Pastor in southern California that is very well known for his in-depth preaching and teaching. I started reading through this new study Bible last Saturday, after completing another cover to cover trip in the Evidence Bible.

Starting in the New Testament, it took me three nights to read through the outlines of the New Testament and Matthew before getting to Matthew 1. Almost every verse has commentary and I'm only averaging one chapter a night for reading. However, I'm greatly enjoying it and the easier references back to the Old Testament prophecies. I will not get through the Bible in a year in my nightly reading, but will still do so in my morning reading.

Friday morning, I finished my regular routine and was working through my morning reading when I had quite the surprise. John suddenly walked through my bedroom door! The surprise visit had apparently been in planning for two weeks, but everybody managed to keep it from me. He could only stay the day, but it was fun getting caught up in person and having him around. I did really notice my recent trouble with memory, but it was still a great time.

Even in the quad life, routines can change on occasion. This week looks to be calm again, but I will see as Christmas draws near.

Three Down, Three Up

It seems like some weeks have their ups and downs. This week had three each, but I'm thankful it is done.

As we knew, I had three nights without caregivers this past week, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It is unusual to have open nights during the week, but my primary night nurse was off for his annual hunting week. Open nights isn't anything new, but it keeps getting harder for my parents as the decades accumulate.

It is hard to watch mom brush my teeth as the few minutes of standing on her already painful legs makes it unbearable. Dad was also still dealing with coughing and not feeling well and having little sleep wouldn't help the situation.

Thankfully, all my day hours were covered and my intern caregiver volunteered to help with my

bedtime cares two evenings. That allowed dad to go to bed earlier and made less for mom to do. I'm very thankful for the caregivers God has provided and all that they do. When my bedtime needs were finished, I could play games on my computer or watch a movie with mom to help stay awake and pass the time until dad got up. These were the three down times, but that wasn't all that happened.

I started biking in summer 2015. In the more than eight years since starting, I have pedaled more than 2100 miles. It took a long time to figure out good settings for my legs, but early last year seems to put everything where it needs to be. However, we still never know what my legs will do.

This week, I got on the bike four times and set new personal records during three of the sessions. My previous record was a little over 11 minutes, but my legs went for more than 14, 12, and 13 minutes. Everything seemed the same as it always does, but for some reason my lower half was more energetic. In total, I officially burned 1.1 calories over the four bike rides. It doesn't quite allow a lick of ice cream, but it's getting close. After Friday's time of 13 minutes, I even felt tired like I had actually exercised.

Living the quad life is indeed full of unexpected times. I am thankful for what God has provided for my family and will look to Him in both good times and bad.

Season of Stuff

Just over a week ago, the country stopped and gave thanks for all the blessings God has given us. The next day, stores started offering a multitude of discounts to purchase whatever they are selling. It starts with black Friday, small business Saturday, cyber Monday, giving Tuesday, and so on. Now that we are in December, Christmas is coming in just a few weeks and advertising continues for gift ideas of every sort.

Giving and receiving gifts isn't a bad thing, as long as it's done willingly and with financial responsibility. However, a point comes in life when you have enough stuff already and really don't know what to do with more. However, advertising is meant to make people covet and want the latest thing.

For me, I have collected a fair size library of books. One small shelf I have is full and another dedicated book shelf is also at capacity. I have read most of the books in my collection, but I still have about 6-7 that I haven't touched. What do I do? I gave a wish list of books to my parents and I ordered a new John Macarthur Study Bible for myself. A few nights ago, I was discussing with my night nurse on what I could rearrange in order to fit my new purchase when it comes. I would like another book case, but every square inch of my bedroom is already spoken for, unless I don't want to be able to get around in my own room.

The same scenario exists for much of our train layout. Dad likes older equipment and I like everything modern. As it is, many of our model train cars stay in boxes because we are out of track space and our current trains are getting quite lengthy already. It wouldn't make sense to get more cars, but they were also on my wish list and was the source of a recent pre-order I made.

Amongst all the advertising and accumulation of stuff, we need to be careful to remember the ultimate gift that is celebrated. Jesus was born in a livestock shed to a poor family in Bethlehem. However, His gift of salvation for all who repent of sin and trust in Him alone is worth more than anything we could ever receive. The Apostle Paul also said he learned to be content whether he had plenty or very little. It's something I need to remember in the quad life, but also for most of us.