Much Done with Staying Home

This has been a busy week with a lot I could cover. Monday started with the inauguration of President Trump, and Tuesday was an introduction to a new class. Finally, on Thursday, I had work done on my diaphragm pacemaker system. I also biked a few times, and never left the house. Some of these topics will come up in later posts, but this week I'll look at the first item listed.

I don't watch mainstream media, or legacy media as it is starting to be called. For the past few years, it has become very biased toward one political party and very against Christianity. Therefore, I may watch local weather, but that's about it. I get all of my news through online resources for local items and through an online station in Australia. It's unfortunate, but I get my best US news from the other half of the globe.

Much of the world has been anticipating the change of leadership in the United States and changes started before the inauguration. For the most part, I have been pleased with the changes that have happened this week. Hostage release was great to hear, but hopefully the price paid won't cause more trouble later on.

Watching the flurry of executive orders to complete promised actions was interesting. I, along with many, am thankful to see the end of DEI policies and the declaration that only two genders exist. While I agree with these orders, they are too much like a dictatorship.

When another administration comes, previous executive orders can just be reversed. This makes for instability, and not what the founding fathers intended for this country. Permanent change needs to come through all the governing branches and be agreed upon by a majority, not just a single party.

The only way this will happen is if the country returns to a sure foundation, and that can only be found in Scripture. The United States has never been fully Christian, but it was founded upon Christian principles and depended upon at least general biblical foundations to stay secure. While we have a few year's reprieve, Christians need to boldly proclaim the gospel and change hearts and minds. This is the only way we can have stability, but I am afraid is the most difficult.

In this quad life, I hope to take every opportunity to speak I can. Unfortunately, few Christians actively share their faith and will waste the time given. I pray this will not be the case, but we'll have four years to see.

Quad Life Entertainment

Living the quad life means I don't get out much for social activities, or even have much of a group of friends. Therefore, I spend a lot of time at home on my computer playing games, at least not when working or reading. I also watch other people play games on a website called Twitch.

Several years ago, I started watching a gamer on YouTube that goes by DerTebbers. As time has elapsed, I also started watching some of his friends that played games I also like. Most of what I play are simulators, such as Farm Sim or a couple different truck driving simulators. A large number of video games involve combat and violence, but I don't do anything with that genre.

On Twitch, I am known as a preacher and comment when God's name is taken in vain or "adult" language is used. It shows you don't need to be physically present to have a Christian influence. In December, I challenged a couple people to try driving a truck with a mouth stick. Only one took it up though, FarmerCurt95. I met him in person last summer and still follow most of his games. Yesterday, he and I drove semi with mouth sticks for all to see.

I was impressed he was willing to try and experiencing a different perspective. Just like I tell grade school kids, doing something with different abilities still accomplishes the same task.

The two-hour stream was fun and I liked getting to spend time with someone other than nurses or family, even though they were still in my room. Curt does not act as a Christian, so I continue to work with him as I can. Learning through the new lens of stick gaming may help.

One thing was made more obvious, I need to work toward a new computer. I've been noticing more age issues, but it was apparent yesterday. Running American Truck Simulator, a chat program, and video recording software was almost too much. That may be a project later this year, but I'll need to research more. Have a great week and I'll see what God has planned.

Are You Prepared to Flee?

The new year is less than two weeks old, and the last seven days have seen devastation in various forms in the country. First, a winter storm hit from Kansas, to Missouri, Indiana, and further east. It dumped large amounts of snow, closing many roads and leaving motorists stranded on the roads.

Second, wild fires in southern California went through suburbs of Los Angeles burning multi-million dollar homes to the ground. Some of the residences were right on the beach with a clear view of water, but they still couldn't be saved. Occasions like these make me think what I would do in these situations and consider how to prepare.

Thankfully, Iowa was spared from this latest winter weather, but we're not unfamiliar with it. For the most part, if you stay home and don't try to head out, it won't be a big issue. In my situation, it likely means no caregivers for a day or two, but that's about it. My town mostly has underground power lines that aren't affected by snow and I try to make sure I have plenty of supplies on hand. Fire is a completely different situation though.

In California, some residents waited until the last minute to evacuate, or chose to stay home and try to protect their house with garden hoses. I saw reports that people were filling their cars with belongings, only to abandon them in grid-locked traffic and flee on foot. The vehicles then had to be bulldozed out of the way for fire trucks to get through.

If I had to evacuate quickly, it would be a mess, especially if I was in bed. Using my lift takes about 10 minutes to get me in my chair. Along with my wheelchair, I would also need my backup diaphragm pacemaker and the wires and brackets that go along with it. After breathing and locomotion, I also have equipment for bathroom needs as well as clearing out my lungs. Just thinking of it all would likely take more time than I had.

I can be thankful that God has not allowed such a situation to occur in my quad life. However, it's something all of us should probably have in mind, and prepare an emergency kit, just in case. Now that we're starting a new week, I pray it will be calmer for everyone. Whatever may come, it's good to remember that God is in control.

Starting Over in a New Year

Another week has elapsed since my last entry. In those seven days, we have had the end of one year and the start of another. Many people make various resolutions for each year, but I tend to just continue with my regular routine.

In 2024, I did a morning reading plan of reading the books of the Bible as they were written chronologically. It was a different way to study, but it isn't a plan I wanted to do again. I'm still learning about the background and settings for each book, but do know a few things. It is fairly widely accepted that Job was the first book written, even before Moses started writing Genesis. However, Job was nearly halfway through the year according to the reading schedule. Therefore, I questioned it's accuracy.

For this year, I'm reading with a friend to help encourage her to continue. Unfortunately, when I went to restart the chronological plan (Genesis-Revelation), my usual web resource wouldn't let me. I reported the problem, but so far have been guessing what chapters to read each day. It won't be long until I'm staring at my computer screen in a morning sleep haze wondering where I left off the previous day.

I noticed that I again met my goal of blogging at least once a week in 2024, making it a full decade of this achievement. With my hospital stay and long recovery, I wasn't sure if it would happen, but long reports of the experience helped. I hope to do the same this year, but likely won't add the challenge of weekly pictures as well. I do like breaking up solid text blocks though, so I won't go completely without graphics.

Currently, those are my only plans for the year. As always, it depends on my caregiver schedule in what I can do. Two out of the the first three day shifts this year went without help, and winter is really just starting. That is a regular part of the quad life, and I'll continue to look to God and follow where He leads me.

Have a great week and year ahead!

Looking Back at 2024

Once again, the year has come to an end. This event happens every 52 weeks, or 364.25 days, but it seems to come quickly. In 2024 we had a full extra day, but it is now time to look back at the year past and ahead to the one to come.

Nationally, the biggest thing to occur was likely the presidential election. According to some news sources, we had the earliest presidential debate in history, which ended up in President Biden ending his reelection campaign and the Vice President becoming the nominee. It meant VP Harris became the candidate without ever receiving a vote. Her short campaign spent $1.4 billion, but ended in debt and with a defeat to President Trump. Even before taking office, positive changes have come and I look forward to what will come in 2025.

Blogger at the end of 2024

Personally, it was a challenging year for my family and I. We had several months without much nursing coverage, making it hard for my parents to work or do regular activities. In August, mom's mother passed away, which will leave an empty spot in our life forever. After years of staying free from hospital stays, I returned with gusto. Having three ER visits, two ambulance rides, and two multi-day hospital stays is something I don't want to repeat. It again was hard on my parents and I and it took several weeks to recover.

On positive notes, I was able to do volunteer at both my regular gospel outreach events. I also completed a course on expository preaching and had a few opportunities to preach. Spring also marked my 20th anniversary for speaking at grade schools. My goal of including a picture with each post was also achieved. Despite difficulties, God brought us through again and continues His promise to fulfill our needs.

With a year ahead, I never know what to expect. Even though she finished school in December and moved back to Arizona, Brenda is planning to come help for a special event in a few months. My nursing coverage is currently stable with no changes foreseen. That is a big source of thanksgiving heading into the year and one to continue to pray about.

Thank you for sticking with the quad life through another spin around the sun. I will see what comes and report each week along the way.

Gift of Christmas

It's the last Sunday before Christmas. Stores have had Christmas displays for several months, but last minute shoppers were out in force this weekend finding bargains. Tuesday afternoon will likely be the same, as some wait to get gifts until the last minute. No matter what material positions are under the tree this year, we can't forget the true gift that was given 2,000 years ago.

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ever since Adam sinned, death has been a constant for all mankind. Everyone inherits the sin nature, and therefore earn our wages. A simple look at the Ten Commandments, and honestly judging ourselves, will show our sins.

However, the Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, willingly humbled himself and came in the form of a helpless baby. The One who knows every star by name, and had angels announce His arrival, had to be fed, carried around, and changed. Later on, this same Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and made it that His perfect life is seen as ours. This gift of everlasting life is for all who repent of sin and trust in God alone for salvation.

Just like gifts under the tree this Christmas, we can't do anything to merit or deserve them. If we did, it would just be a form of payment. However, in response to this gift, we can show thanks by telling others, giving thanks to God, and doing His will. Unlike material gifts, this one will not grow old, outdated, or appear somewhere else as a white elephant gift. We also don't want to wait until the last minute to receive it.

Every day, more than 150,000 people die, and we don't know when our time will come. Some people say they will repent on their death bed, but they may not get that chance. Don't do like last minute shoppers, today if you hear His voice, don't wait.

I'm thankful for this gift in the quad life and pray it will be the focus of your celebrations this week. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Busy Quad Week

Most weeks, excluding my medical routines, I feel I do regular activities to other men. I work on whatever is needed for my job, study Scripture, and play some games for relaxation. This week though, has been mainly quad life activities.

The first four nights, Sunday through Wednesday, did not have a night nurse scheduled. Mom and I did the regular routine of staying up until 1:30 when dad took over. He finishes my cares around 2:00 and I

can sleep until around 7:45, if my body lets me. One or two nights is okay, but four gets hard. I had a couple afternoons I tried taking a nap for 30-45 minutes. If someone came into my room, they would maybe see a foot sticking out, but I am otherwise cocooned under pillows and sheets.

Monday, Brenda worked her regular shift and then another four hours Tuesday night so my parents could rest more. Unfortunately, that was her last regular shift with me. Brenda has finished her schooling in Iowa and now returned to her home in Arizona. When she started at age 19 in early 2022, I wasn't sure what we were getting into. However, she has been a blessing from God that my family has greatly benefited from. I'm thankful for the unique skills I was able to teach her and hope they will be useful in Brenda's future career. Now, I pray my remaining daytime caregivers will be able to cover all five days a week again.

Last Thursday, December 5, I made my regular monthly medication order. I had received a letter from insurance that rules had changed for one, but it sounded like it only needed an updated prescription. As with most things insurance related, that wasn't the case. Every day this week I had to call or email either my pharmacy, doctor's office, or insurance. First one thing was needed, then another, and at least once it looked like I could no longer get it. This Friday, I had a note from my doctor that insurance approved the medication and the pharmacy delivered it that day. Technically, I ran out of my month supply that day, but I've learned to accumulate a few extra with strategic order times.

I'm looking forward to a regular week coming up as we prepare for Christmas. I have also had trouble with a very stuffy nose and sore trach button the last few days, but I pray it clears up. Have a great final week before Christmas!