Ventured Out

Over the years, dad has told many stories of his childhood, and repeated most of them several times. Some of them include cold Iowa winters with lots of snow and the various challenges that came as a result. Weather patterns have changed in 50 years to have cooler summers and more mild winters, at least according to dad's tales.

The last few weeks have resembled what winter was like in dad's recollection. Central Iowa had nearly a week of daily snow followed by another week of dangerously cold temperatures. After that, we have had highs in the mid to upper 30's with almost constant fog and drizzle. I also can't remember the last time I saw the sun.

Due to this, I have stayed at home since leaving church on January 7. On Thursday afternoon, I finally ventured out to get a much needed haircut. The temperature was around 35° with a light rain/mist under gray skies. Relatively speaking, it wasn't bad, but I still wore a t-shirt, sweatshirt, insulated jeans, and put my heavy coat over me. Of course I stayed barefoot, it wasn't THAT cold.

Getting into the van, the lift was very sluggish and could hardly lift my 500+ lbs into the vehicle. My caregiver and I assumed the battery was nearly dead and an attempt to start the van was unsuccessful. With me stuck inside, we called dad at work and he was home a few minutes later to give the battery a boost. Since the commute from home to the barber may take five minutes, it wasn't long enough to charge the battery. Therefore, dad drove my caregiver and I into town and stayed in the van with it running while I got my hair trimmed.

Even with all the extra work, I only ended up being about 10 minutes late. I'm very thankful for the parents God has given me. They not only stay with me when nurses call off, but come at a moment's notice when stranded in the garage. Living the quad life indeed has unexpected times, but it was also a lesson to check vehicles when they have hardly been used.

Room Update

Some people like decorating houses to keep up with the latest trends and modern looks. They may paint walls, rearrange furniture, or get new furniture to replace outdated styles. I am not one of those people by any means. My parents and I moved into our house 30 years ago when I was in Junior High. My locker wallpaper has long since been replaced and furniture updated, but less than other areas of the house. This week though, I did have an adjustment.

My room was originally designed so that my caregiver had a chair to the left of my bed, just a couple feet away. At some point, their chair moved to the other side of the room, about 15 feet away, and a large computer desk took up the same space. For a few years, some of my caregivers would use an old computer to browse the internet during down time, but that eventually faded away as well and the desk became a space for paperwork to be collected and processed as needed. It also took up a lot of space in my room.

After more than a year of debating on options, I got a new desk to replace the old one. It came in a box early this week and dad spent a few evenings dismantling the old structure, relocating its contents, and assembling the new desk. Now, it's sitting next to the wall beside me with most of the former desk's contents placed somewhere in or on it.

I may spend 4-5 hours a week outside my room, but that's even an exaggeration sometimes. Therefore, I'm very familiar with my surroundings. I'm getting used to the shorter desk and less stuff directly beside me and am starting to like it. The desk is a little larger than the space it's allotted though and covers a small section of my window. However, it is very minor and my caregivers are enjoying having more space to work with me.

It has only been a few days since the change and everyone is adjusting habits of where to lay equipment when using it on me and new storage locations. I don't think I'll be making further changes any time soon, but it is fun to have a slight redesign every decade or so.

Snow Fish

The mild start we had to winter came to an abrupt end this week. Monday-Friday, Iowa had snow in various amounts. Monday and Tuesday had a winter storm warning with a blizzard warning on Friday. Dad has been clearing snow from our driveway, sidewalk, deck, and roof before having to do more clearing at work. He has been very tired, but keeps going.

My night nurse couldn't make it in Monday night and my Tuesday caregiver was ill and also couldn't come and only worked half days on Thursday and Friday. Therefore, my parents have had a busy week and I'm thankful for their care. In an attempt to make dad's life a little easier, I ended up making for another long afternoon.

A few years ago, my large plecostomus (cleaner fish) died and we quickly noticed my aquarium's algae increased rapidly. Dad purchased more algae eaters from local fish stores, but they died within a week,

or less. A friend, who is really into fish, suggested an online store that he has liked. Therefore, for the first time, I ordered live fish online. Checkout said shipping may be delayed due to weather, and I agreed. With a cold week of snow and next week forecast to be below 0, I guessed it would be a few weeks before they came. My estimate was wrong, they shipped Wednesday and arrived Thursday afternoon.

I kept tracking their progress and the delivery time continued to get delayed. Finally, three hours later than expected, the box was dropped at my door with no knock, doorbell, or other acknowledgement. Thankfully, mom was watching and swiftly retrieved the box from the frigid outdoors. Carefully opening the cold package, she eventually found the bag with very cold water and six objects in it, one that slightly moved.

Over the next few hours, she put the bag in a bowl of warm water to slowly start warming the new arrivals. As she did, movement started to increase and more signs of life appeared. When dad got home, he rearranged the lid of the aquarium so the bag could float on the water. The new fish now all seemed active and alive. Eventually, they joined the other tank dwellers and all seem happy and doing well.

Now, they have been swimming around and seem to be fine. I presume they arrived in some state of hibernation with the cold water and just needed to wake up. It's fun to see how God designed animals to adapt to different scenarios, including cold shipping boxes. Hopefully they do their job and love eating algae.

Living the quad life has unique times indeed. This week, I'll be staying inside. Hopefully it is a little calmer with other activities.

Long Start to 2024

It's Sunday, January 7, 2024. It is the day for my first blog entry of the year and looking back at the past week. So far, this has been a year that has not started off very well.

My parents were not feeling well in late November and early December, but I was thankful to have stayed healthy. Unfortunately, that changed a few days before the end of 2023 and has continued this entire year, so far. I haven't the coughing and chest tightness they had, but mainly just higher than normal temps, little energy, and no appetite. My temp got up to 100.7° a few nights, but not anything dangerous. Finally, by late Friday and Saturday afternoon, I started feeling more like myself. Germs have been around though as my caregiver had to leave early Friday due to being ill.

The year also did not start well for the community of Perry, Iowa. Thursday morning, a teenager entered the before-school breakfast program and opened fire. He killed an 11 year old boy and injured seven other people before turning the gun on himself.

School shootings are unfortunately too common, but one that's closer to home brings it more to thought. I've already seen the regular arguments for increased gun laws that don't do anything except make regular citizens more hindered. If a criminal wants to get a firearm, they will get one no matter what laws are in place. Other tools, such as knifes and vehicles, have been used to kill people in large numbers. However, I rarely see requests for more regulation on them. The problem that causes everything is sin, and living in a fallen creation.

The very first recorded murder was in Genesis 4 due to jealously. Since then, many more have happened, and will continue to increase. Bacteria was also originally good and helped with digestion and decaying leaves. However, now some have changed so that they cause illness and even death. Both of this year's events serve as reminders for the same root cause, sin.

As 2024 continues, pay attention to reminders, both good and bad, of the world we're living in. Repent from sin and trust in Jesus alone for salvation. He is in control of all things, and we may be selected to answer Him for our conduct in life when least expected.

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.