Healthiest in the Bunch?

Most weeks come and go without any big changes happening. Sometimes, you wonder what is going to come next. This last week was the second scenario with everything seeming to happen at once.

I am very blessed to have six primary caregivers and three that help on various schedules. As everyone ages, I have also been thankful that mostly everyone has stayed in good physical condition. Unfortunately, that can change quickly.

For my regular six helpers, three now have shoulder problems, one is having back trouble, and another has various challenges with age. The remaining three, one is leaving soon for summer break and only has limited availability. As sales commercials say, "But wait, there's more!"

After time in Hospice, my great aunt (grandmother's sister) passed away this week. Trying to coordinate how to get everyone to where they need to be and logistics has required careful planning. Just for fun, Iowa has also been having severe weather alerts. Friday night, mom and a friend went to a movie and had to spend time in the hallways due to tornado warnings. One of my web clients also had their site disappear and it took a fair amount of time and investigation to get it restored.

With all this, it can be easy to get anxious and worry about the future. However, it's time to remember that God said to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6) and to not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). It doesn't mean to never make plans or do things get insurance. They remind us God is in control and to give everything to Him in prayer. When Job was allowed to be tested, he wanted to talk with God and get an explanation to his suffering. At the end, when Job did talk with God, he repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6).

As another week starts, I look forward to seeing what God has in store and trusting Him for whatever comes.

Junior High Teacher

I enjoy working with children. I like helping them learn, hearing their perspective on life, and of course watching them play and enjoy life. I don't get to this very often, but even short experiences are fun. Usually, I work with kids around age 8-10 when speaking in schools or when I volunteered at CHAMP Camp. Teens are an entirely different dynamic from their younger versions and harder to ascertain what they are thinking and understanding. However, that is the age group I have been working with for the last month.

In 2010, just a few weeks before getting my diaphragm pacemaker, I taught the high school class in my church's Sunday school. It was a short course on geology from a creation viewpoint and was fun to give. I had to bribe the teens with candy to answer questions, but it worked. This school year, I volunteered to be a substitute Sunday school instructor. I knew I couldn't commit to every Sunday through the year, but I thought I could help a few times at least.

Late in 2023, the regular Jr. High instructor had me come and meet the eight students he was teaching. The lesson plan he was using would conclude before the end of the year, so he offered for me to take the final four weeks of the year. I volunteered and quickly made up a lesson plan based on Genesis 1-11, the foundation of the Bible.

Week 2 Worksheet

Since my plan hadn't been approved by the church council, I was initially denied to teach. However, after some adjustments and searching through the approved material, I was allowed to go ahead.

I divided the four weeks into large chunks, creation in Genesis 1, the fall of man in Genesis 3, Noah's flood in Genesis 6-9, and the final lesson on Babel in Genesis 11. For each lesson, I included a question from the Heidelberg Catechism and a few to make the students think. One question was if snow was a result of sin. We thought about Adam & Eve's original clothing (nothing), tasks, and food source. From this, we thought snow, or harsh winter conditions, were a result of the fall.

Overall, I think it went well. As I expected, it was hard to get much feedback from the students, but they seemed to catch on. A few times, our class was cut short due to a long worship service. It made it difficult to cover everything, but also made me mindful of my own preaching and not going too long. Today should have been my final week, but the service went so long that Sunday school was canceled. Therefore, I hope to finish everything next week when the year concludes.

If asked, I would be interested in helping again. I submitted a new curriculum to the council to approve for next year, but I am somewhat guessing it won't go through. God may surprise me though and I'll have a new opportunity to help teach the next generation. This week though, I'm scheduled for my fourth grade school visit with one more to go next month. Hopefully it will go well and students will learn about different abilities.

Hair Care Trouble

Every morning, part of my routine is washing my hair. I've heard it should only be done a few times a week, but my greasy hair needs it more often. No matter how frequently I wash, I use a plastic hair basin that lays under my head while I lay flat in bed. Unfortunately, it breaks down after years of use and needs replaced.

My current basin was falling apart and mainly held together by tape. When I went to order a new one, I quickly realized what I had used for decades was no longer in common use. Trying to find the same hardware was a hard search, but I finally found a few retailers that had it available. The first place I used had a great price, but something didn't seem right.

A week later, I hadn't heard anything about my order and started investigating. After emails went without reply, I called the number on the retailer's website and was connected to an individual. She let me know it was a fraudulent company and to cancel any payment. That was done, but I still didn't have a new hair basin.

Therefore, I tried another company that advertised the basin. I did receive an order, but it wasn't the correct item. Investigation showed their supplier had changed products and could no longer get what I wanted. The company nicely refunded my money, but I still didn't have a basin.

Finally, I found a third retailer that advertised the correct basin, but was also the most expensive. Before ordering, I called the provider to check if the item pictured was the correct product. The representative confirmed it was correct, so I ordered. Several days later, I received a box at my door and finally got what I wanted.

Washing hair is something most people don't give much thought. However, living the quad life makes everything more interesting. Hopefully it will be a long time before I need another basin, I'm doubtful what I like will still be available.

Recorded Interview

It has again been a busy week in the quad life with some days making me wonder how to get everything accomplished. One activity this week was not among the ordinary, but is becoming more familiar.

I don't listen to the radio very much. However, some mornings, and when driving to the city, I listen to a Christian radio station in Des Moines, Life 107.1. I don't care for some of the modern Christian music, but I do get a laugh out of two morning show DJ's, Taylor and Jen. They often promote their Saturday morning podcast that features a variety of people that can help listeners in Christian living. I contacted Jen early this year to see if they would be interested in my story and gave her a book. After a lot of schedule planning, I interviewed with them Tuesday afternoon.

Driving to Des Moines, my caregiver and I went through rain that changed to snow, then, ice, slush, and back to rain again. The rapid change in conditions made me wonder if this was what it was like 39 years ago during our accident if I really should be going. Thankfully, we arrived safely at an office building in West Des Moines and found the station's suite.

Interviewing with two people I've never met, and only heard, felt like going into the unknown. I prayed that the time would be glorifying to God and how He has worked in my life. I read a few sections of what I wrote, but made sure to emphasize the blessings I have received.

Unlike my previous radio appearance, this one didn't go out live. It will be edited into a podcast that should release late this month. One request I made was that I could present the gospel and have it in the final product. I'm not sure if I'll get to preview it, but I hope they do keep it in. The station's motto is "always uplifting" and discussing sin and deserving punishment goes against the theme.

This week looks to be a little calmer with fewer excursions. That doesn't mean the busyness is less, but I'm thankful I am able to be used in various roles.