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(Note, this post is made up mostly of material from thedenverchannel.com, so please see this link to see the story as published by them: Grandfather Critical After Pushing Newborn To Safety . Thanks!)
"DENVER -- A grandfather remained in critical condition Thursday after police said he sacrificed himself to save his newborn granddaughter. "
I LOVE to put positive stuff on this blog when I can. This is just such an occasion.
James Lewin, 65 was enjoying a holiday celebration, pushing his 12-day-old granddaughter, Sara in her stroller.
As they entered a crosswalk, a pickup truck turned and plowed into them! Just before impact, quick-thinking (and acting), James pushed his granddaughter out of the path of the vehicle, just as he was struck by the vehicle. (He pushed so hard, the stroller handle was broken). She rolled to safety, but James was hit and dragged 75-feet before the unsmart driver FINALLY stopped.
"Lewin has a fractured left wrist, a dissected artery in his neck which has caused several strokes, six fractured ribs, a bruised lung, multiple facial fractures, a broken nose, and a horrible road rash all over his body." He is in critical condition.
Though heavily sedated, he responds well when he can hear his 3-year-old grandson, Brian, speak. When Brian went to see him, he said "I love you grandpa," he went crazy with movement, flailing his left arm, moving his feet, trying to either talk or get the breathing tube out of his mouth," said a family member.
Some other things make me a real fan of Mr. Lewin and for which I think he needs to be honored:
* He is not new to heroism. He retired after 29 years as a firefighter.
* Spending time with the kids and grandkids. No self-absorbed retirement for him! He is loving his family, knows that life is about people. He is doing it right!
Please pray for Mr. Lewin (whether that is to God, a higher power, yourself, or if you just believe in releasing positive energy.... :) . Keep track of updates on his condition at the family's website: James Lewin's Caringbridge website
(I notice that the most recent post says Mr. Lewin has suffered a setback. There is a guestbook there...please leave a note of encouragement. Over 28,000 people have visited! Please do so as well.)
(P.S.--While I was penning this blog, I saw this author Rick Smolan interviewed and discussing the book he co-authored, called America at Home
Between this story and the story of that wonderful book of 100 families across America...I was a wreck. I ordered it on Amazon. Here is the link, if you'd like to order: America at Home )
10 What Do YOU Think? COMMENTS:
Hey all, here is an update from 12:23 AM on Jim. (They thought he might die Friday evening.)
Update from gis family:
I feel that I have to share the sad times too because it is not always uphill but two or three steps forward and some backwards.
Today was a downer because when I spoke to the neurologist, he said that Jim probably would have speech problems and difficulty moving his right side. The neurologist said that he doesn't have enough evidence that Jim can't make a reasonable recovery but not a recovery to normal. I cried off and on most of the day. They are also talking about putting a trache in his throat because he is going to be on the ventilator longer and they don't like to leave the oral piece in.
It is so hard to take in what the staff is saying and be objective about what they are telling me. I try to ask all of the questions that get them to quantify...but I don't have enough medical education to know how to evaluate what they are telling me. I am always looking for that kernel of information that gives me hope. I want to know the truth so that I don't come in one day and be in for a big letdown. On the other hand, they said that they didn't think he would live through the night on Friday and he did. So maybe I am just really tired.
Here is the positive news: oxygen down from 70% last night to 60% today. The blood gasses looked good. He is breathing good. He receives sterilized bottled water in his feeding tube which is good for the body's hydration. His vital signs are stable. He is tolerating the feeding tube and therefore can take in his nutritional requirement. His eyes looked the same in appearance and reactivity. His hands felt a more natural warmth. Earlier in the week they seemed frigid. He is still off of blood pressors (medication to raise the blood pressure) and the collar was removed making him a little more comfortable. Incision is healing fine although his skin has had some reaction to the tape used for bandaging.
I went into Jim's room tonight, stood by his side and light as a feather stroked his shoulder and spoke to him in a low, soothing voice. For the first time he sort of turned his head toward me and moved his left foot. He did this twice.
He was started on antibiotics because the sputum gathered during the broncoscopy and cultured show some bacteria which is normal when the patient is on the ventilator.
On the lighter side, the nurses had to remove his moustache. I wonder if he will notice that it is gone???
Lessons Learned: A friend of mine told me today that God said to her it is okay to pray for our loved one to live but to let Him handle the options. Have a network of family and friends who you can call when you are down. We are so fortunate to have these people in our lives. We are also fortunate to have so many caring people such as you continuing your prayers and words of comfort and love. We read and re-read your message.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Update as of 11 PM Sunday, 12/7/08...some good news...
Hello Everyone,
Today our older daughter, Kim, and I drove to Longs Peak United Methodist Church in Longmont, Colorado to attend the service of our friend, Pastor Steve Easterday-McPadden, who has driven twice in the snow to visit Jim and pray over him. It was a beautiful winter day with the snow-covered Rockies, some clouds and some sun framing our view as we drove about an hour north to Steve's church. It was also Communion Sunday. How's that for timing? Communion took on a whole new meaning. Steve gave a very good sermon that I almost thought he had written for Kim and I but he didn't know were were coming.
When we finally got to the hospital in the afternoon, I went to visit Jim. I can say this is the first day I have truly felt joyous. He had been given a bath and had been shaved, his moustache trimmed quite a bit but not removed and he looked handsome...just about like his old self. Praise God!!!
Good News: Red Blood Cells increasing from 2.3 to 2.5 to 2.7. He needs to be at 4.6 to 7.
His hemoglobin is at 8 and he needs to be between 12 and 18. Medicines dilute these cell numbers so these readings are not always the true picture.
The oxygen he is receiving is now at 40%. I was so happy to hear this. He needs to be between 30% and 40% for the doctors to start weaning him off the ventilator. One day at 40% is not the right time to begin this process.
He is still on insulin, Heperan, antibiotic, sedation and pain medication.
The staff is continuing to use the Podus boot to prevent drop foot when he is finally able to stand.
His blood pressure is around 122/74 without any medication. His blood gases continue to look good.
His pulse/ox ranged from 94 to 96 while I was in the room.
His pulse rate is coming down. While I was in the room, the numbers went from 86 to 73 so this is a good trend.
The urine is good.
The skin reaction to the tape is doing better and the incision looks good.
He was able to squeeze the nurse's hand on command and when the sedation was off for a little bit, he opened his eyes and looked right at the nurse. Both eyes are the same in appearance and reactivity.
The swelling is beginning to decrease. He weighed 182.6 pounds when he arrived at Swedish, with all of the fluids being pumped into his body, his highest weight was 255.2 pounds. As of 12-3-08, he weighed 239.8 pounds. The hospital weighs in kilograms so I had to convert these figures to pounds by multipling the kilograms by 2.2.
The draining of both pleural sacks on either side of the right and left lung is really helping to improve his pulmonary function and his lungs are performing better. This means the lungs have more room to expand.
They are still planning on doing a tracheatomy which is a good thing. If the tubes are left in the mouth too long, issues with the tissue in the mouth and the teeth begin to take place. After the tracheatomy, the nurses will be able to brush his teeth and clean his mouth better. He will also be more comfortable.
I learned something about the meaning of the systolic and diastolic numbers for the blood pressure. The systolic or upper number, is the pushing out of blood or the pumping of the blood. The diastolic or second number and generally the smaller number is when the blood comes back and the hearts stops the pushing or pumping.
Concerns:
He has developed pneumonia and they are treating it with antibiotics. This is probably due to being on the ventilator.
He is still not moving his right side.
Lessons Learned:
1. Learn to share when you are down because people will rally around you and lift you up.
2. Pastor Steve's sermon was about being in the wilderness. "God has work to do with us in the wilderness if we will let Him." When we are cast into the wilderness (as Moses and Christ were) such as what has happened to Jim and our family, we need to be open to God and His work for us. It will always be a healing work that will strengthen and make us strong and whole regardless of the outcome. God's presence in my life is speaking through me. When I am serving someone, what is it doing to my heart?
When I am in the desert, God went there before me and He will bring new insights such as: spirituality, patience, empathy and all of the rest of the Fruits of the Spirit. I know this is true because I am experiencing it right now through the blessings He is sending through other people.
Thank you for your continued expressions of love and concern. We really appreciate your stories and your scriptures which help us so much.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Monday, 12/8/08 update on Jim from his family...
Good News: Blood gasses coming up. Blood pressure, pulse and pulse/ox all good. Urine looks good. Jim has been given more Lasix to drain the fluids causing the swelling. He moved his left arm and foot constantly. Echo Cardiogram showed normal function rhythm and overall function of the heart. The Ejection Fraction of the left ventrical is at 60%. Optimum is 60% to 65%. This measures the contractility of the left ventrical. The CAT scan looks stable. Dr. Smith, the neurologist, said that Jim looks a little bit better and is processing instructions better.
Concerns: Still receiving antibiotics due to the pneumonia. Small effusion (fluid) around the heart in the pericardial sac. He was suctioned and received Albuterol breathing treatment. Right side still not moving.
Joys: I sat next to Jim's left side and held his hand for a long time. He periodically squeezed my hand. Eventually, he opened his eyes a little and looked directly at me. By the time the Kim and Suzanne arrived, he was moving his left side quite a bit and opening his eyes more. He responded to Suzanne when she asked him to move his head right and left. He opened his eyes more and tried to turn to those talking to him. All of us kept telling him that we loved him. Suzanne brought Brian in to see Jim and he told him the same thing. These are baby steps but joyous ones. I am going to sit by his side as long as I can each day holding his hand. We have to be careful so that we don't overstimulate him.
Lessons Learned: Constantly meditate on the smallest of blessings thanking God over and over for them. Try looking at the progress in weekly increments and not the ups and downs day by day. Jim was expected to die Friday night and he is still alive.
Regarding finances: make sure that each spouse is on all accounts. I have been trying to pay our Bresnan Cable bill and they keep telling me I am not authorized because I am not on the account even after I explained what happened to Jim. Have each spouse keep a duplicate record of all of your accounts, account numbers and passwords, your social security numbers, information for the bills you owe ie: utilities, credit card, mortgages, and other bills. This would include the contact information including addresses, account numbers, billing cycle dates, etc. You want to take this information with you when you travel so that in an event such as ours, you will be able to continue your business. Of course, you want to keep these records in a secure place. You can even set up your bill paying online through your bank.
We continue to thank each one of you for your love, wisdom and prayers. We all read these over and over.
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian & Sara
Good News: The ventilator was turned off all day but by the end of the day, Jim was exhausted. The staff turned the ventilator back on so he could rest through the night.
His pulse was in the low 100's.
His blood pressure was up and down.
His pulse/ox was in the mid 90's.
His respiration rate was 22.
The right chest tube is still drawing some fluid from the lung but is looking better each day.
I was not able to get the usual stats but will do so tomorrow.
Concerns: The doctors are still considering putting in a trach because Jim has been on the ventilator for 14 days and they usually want patients to be on for only 10 days.
His right side is still not moving. His right eye lid does not seem to blink or as much as left side.
Joys: I held his hand constantly except when I scrubbed my hands and put on surgical gloves to be able to spread Bacitracin on his scabs. I stood by him and tried to say positive and loving things about how well he was doing and how much we love him, that we come every day to be with him and help him, that he is looking better every day. It seemed at one point he started to cry. This broke my heart. I also put my right hand on his forehead and held his left hand and prayed.
I traded places with Suzanne and Brian. Suzanne seemed to think that Jim waived good-by to Brian and gave Suzanne a thumbs up. She also said he squeezed her hand very hard.
When the nurse and the doctor roused Jim and asked him if he was in any pain, he shook his head no.
He is moving his left leg more and more, bending it from side to side.
A message from today shared a method that helped her recover from paralysis of her left side after a stroke.
I was able to pass on love, support and information to another family whose suffering is similar to ours.
A friend sent a beautiful book of daily meditations by Charles Swendol. I love what each day has to say.
A blood drive is being done in Durango with lots of PR in honor of Jim.
Lessons Learned: When you begin to concentrate on the cracks in the road, start praying non-stop, think of the many blessings, help ease someone else's suffering and get more rest. Tonight was one of those times when my head was down looking at the cracks after receiving the concerns from the nurse. It is also time to get way more rest.
We appreciate all of your love, caring and wonderful insight.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian & Sara
This is the Sunday 912/14) update based on late Saturday information...
Good News: White Blood Cell count: 9 (up to 12 is normal).
Ph is 7.48 which is normal.
Blood gases are good.
Hemoglobin is 8.6. It has lingered at 8 for several days.
Hematocrit is 26. For several days, it ranged from 23 to 25. Should be in the 30's.
Platelets are 387. Range is 150-450.
Pulse/Ox only has problems when trying to wean off the ventilator. This will improve.
Ventilator has humidified air.
Right chest tube is beginning to produce the color of liquid (pale yellow) that the doctors are looking for and will be removing the chest tube shortly.
Jim weighs 101.7 kilos multiplied by 2.2 = 223.4 lbs. He gained a little bit of weight due to fluids.
His heart rate/pulse about 94 - 96 when he was resting.
The primary care doctor said that he has stable blood pressure and heart rate.
ABP (arterial blood pressure) ranged from 100/51 to 123/55.
MAP (mean arterial pressure) ranged from 60's to 70's.
Respiration: 22
Temperature: normal
He is receiving 40% to 50% oxygen.
He started receiving probiotics tonight: Lactinex granules. Thank you Tom, Diane and Lyn for your suggestion.
Concerns: He has bacteremia (bacteria in the blood). Last two samples showed normal indicates that the antibiotic is working.
The bacteria cultured in the sputum is proteus which is the type of bacteria found in people who have peumonia.
Slow process of respiratory status is the basic and immediate concern. The staff will try to wean him off the ventilator tomorrow but if they don't succeed, they will do a trach on Monday and also put in a peg tube (feeding tube into the stomach) which has a larger tube than the oral gastric tube thereby making it easier to give certain medications and removing another tube from his mouth.
Once he is weaned off the ventilator, rehab can start on his right side.
Still have major concerns about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and stroke deficits.
Joys: Again I got to hold his hand, stroke his shoulder, talk softly to him and tell him all of the good things that are happening and how strong he is.
It seemed that the right eyelid is moving a little more.
Several of us thought that we saw his right foot move a little. I have not seen that before so I hope this is a good sign.
His eyes seem to be opening a little wider and for longer periods of time when we are in the room or when the medical staff is working on him.
Cousins coming to visit Jim and giving me a book, "My Stroke of Insight," that I been wanting to read. They also donated one to the CCU staff in honor of Jim.
Good friend from Durango came up today with her husband on business and she came to the hospital to see everyone including Jim. Afterwards, she took me to dinner. We had a wonderful time. She also brought cards from our BSF group and very thoughtful and useful gifts.
Finally got Jim's prescription straightened out at Wal-mart with a nice young man's help.
Cards from people.
No snow today so traveling was easier.
Lessons Learned: Be flexible and cooperative with the requests of different medical staff. They are our friends and give great care to our loved one.
From Tranquility For A Woman's Soul - Hope For The Sunshine Tomorrow: When we make a choice, based on God's promises, to abandon ourselves to him and trustingly throw ourselves into difficult circumstances, hope springs forth and grows the soul. In ourselves and in those we encounter...God, make me a hope-filled person-someone who instills your hope in others. I want to be filled with your heavenly hope and "sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see."
Our family benefits so much from your experience, words of wisdom, suggestions and faithfulness in prayer. People ask what can they do for us...keep praying and help others in their time of need.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Update from late Monday night, 12/15/08...
Today was a big crack in the road for all of us. The Opthamalogist examined Jim and said that he is blind in his left eye and has retinal damage in the right one. They are trying to save the right eye. I don't know if he will regain his sight in the left eye. Only time will tell. Also, I don't know how much he knows. The nurse said he is very intelligent and aware and very definite about what he wants and doesn't want. She tries to give him some control by not doing a procedure until he says it is okay to do so.
He is extremely exhausted because he hasn't had any real rest since the accident. The nurse had to give him some medication to lower his blood pressure. In order to give him the medication, the nurse had to re-insert the nasal gastric tube which makes speaking a lot more difficult.
He did not pass the swallowing test and if he doesn't pass the swallowing test tomorrow, they will put him on a peg tube which will buy him time to improve his swallowing, speaking, etc. and also allow him to receive his medications, nutribtion and probiotics.
He seems agitated, depressed and angry. He said he is not improving. From the different staff I talked to, this is normal because he has been on so many medications and had the tube in him. I can understand how he feels and feel so bad for him. These ups and downs are difficult.
Joys: He seems to feel better about having us with him. About all we can do is hold his hand. It is difficult to understand what he is saying. Hopefully, this will improve. I continually watch the monitor so that it will tell me when I am agitating him.
He is not considered critical anymore because he does not need the ventilator. In fact, they moved the machine to another room.
He could be moved to another floor tomorrow or later this week. I have been told that these rooms are private.
He does remember who Sara is. When I asked him, he said granddaughter.
Brian and Sara's other grandfather was able to visit with Jim today.
Lessons Learned: The girls and I need to visit Jim in shifts that are divided up during the day so the children can stay at home with one of us taking care of them. We need to eat around 5:00 p.m. so we are not eating late at night. We need to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I know when I don't get enough sleep, I am less able to be positive.
When the news seems so heavy, I need to pray continually.
Thank you for everything you do to encourage and support us.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Christmas Day update!
Great News: Jim moved his right arm and right hand on Christmas. He said that he worked all morning to get it to move. The NG tube was also removed. He also raised his right leg. I could understand about 98% of everything he said however, his voice is still low and gravelly. Much to his dismay, he is still receiving pureed food. We told him if he eats the food prescribed and he graduates to normal food, we would bring him an "Old School" burger which is like an "In-n-Out" burger from California.
He has made other improvements but he would be embarrassed if I mentioned them.
Blood Pressure: 143/81
Pulse: 75
Pulse/Ox: 91
Concerns: long-term deficits: vision (his vision wasn't improved with his glasses so most things are a blur), right side mobility and regaining his strength.
Joys: We spent Christmas afternoon with Jim joking, reading cards, showing him his presents (new clothes for rehab), taking family pictures, Jim holding Sara, delevering presents to CCU, MTU and two families we have bonded with.
KYGO, the local country music radio station delivered a gift basket to Jim. It was filled with edible goodies, a KYGO t-shirt (this will be great for rehab), and 3 CD's.
His mind is working overtime trying to process what has happened. He is beginning to put most things in order.
Kim, Suzanne, Brian and I went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at one of our local churches.
Lessons Learned: People have poured out so much love and caring that I constantly strive to make sure I honor their caring by showing the same level of care to other people. I work at guarding my mind, my mouth and my actions so that they only glorify God.
We love all of you and hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Here is the update on Jim from 1/2/09:
Good News: Jim may be going back to Craig tomorrow or Sunday.
Concerns: The hospital swabbed his nose yesterday and the results came back that he is a carrier of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). It's a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. We had to put a gown and gloves on.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735
He didn't eat lunch or dinner.
Joys: My brother and sister-in-law arrived today and have been a wonderful support.
Our kids have been a wonderful support.
Durango friends arrived in Denver and stopped by to visit Jim. They really cheered him up.
Jim's cousin and her husband stopped by and provided support and wisdom.
All of us went to the restaurant Kim works and had a great meal. The owner of the restaurant treated us great.
A good friend called tonight and was great moral support.
Lessons Learned: We need to lean on God and our family and friends when the moment seems to much to bear.
We love all of you,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara
Update on Jim: 1/15/09:
Great News:
Jim's blood pressure, pulse and pulse/ox show really good numbers.
His intestines are improving since he has been taking the antibotic for the C-diff colitis.
One of his nurses said he is moving more independently this week than last week.
Watching him stand upright for a brief time during his physical therapy class.
He will be moving to the east side of Craig to a private room that has a bedroom area and a living room/kitchen area. There is a television, dvd player, refrigerator, microwave and sink. The couch makes into a bed. He will still have nursing care and all of his therapies.
Concerns:
He had a scan this morning to see if the left side of his skull has any fractures. We haven't heard from the doctor regarding the results. If he does have skull fractures, the doctor is talking about surgery.
Healing of the facial nerve and its outcome.
Eyesight for both eyes.
Chewing and swallowing deficits and food restrictions.
Future problems with clotting, and Coumadin when possible surgies are needed.
Broken nose deficits and possible surgery.
Exam by doctor today to see if there is ear damage. Wax in ear will need soaking before it can be removed.
Still very limited appetite. Most of the food turns him off. He does drink his Insure. Hopefully, he will drink it three times a day which will give him his total nutritional requirement regarding vitamins and minerals. I think once his nose problem is healed, his appetitie will return. When you can't breathe through your nose, your taste buds don't work.
Joys:
Lunch with Susan at Mimi's then Susan coming to Craig to visit Jim.
Betty talking to Jim.
Eating dinner with Jim and his friends.
Going to two of Jim's therapy classes.
Reading the latest cards and letters to him.
Reading the Caring Bridge messages.
Getting 9 hours of sleep.
Shopping for some new jeans and a jacket and baby clothes for Shanna's baby shower.
Reading a book to Brian.
Hearing about Brian's first day in pre-school. His teacher said that he is a natural leader.
Visiting with Suzanne.
Lessons Learned:
Susan made a statement at lunch that I thought was very important. She said that "Nothing happens by accident. We are responsible for our healing, our spirituality and many other things that shape our lives. We can't use blame as an escape."
If we fail to listen to God and continue to make choices that are against God's will, our healing may come at a higher and more difficult cost.
We hope you have a wonderful day filled with all that God has to offer which is limitless.
Love,
Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian & Sara
Update 2-15-09
Sorry I didn't post yesterday or this morning but there were too many events happening during the day and evening.
Great News:
Jim walked with Kris around the hospital and to his room wearing his leg brace and using the walker.
The staff has recommended that Jim can choose to either use the walker or the wheelchair to move about his room and the bathroom.
The on-call doctor came in to see Jim tonight and said that the thrush (yeast infection) in his mouth was looking better. Hopefully when he is healed of this infection, it will increase his appetite (along with future nose surgery).
I saw a commercial for Bausch and Lomb advertising a multi-focal contact lense. I am going to speak to the eye doctor to see if this type of lense would help his vision. Right now he can only see about 2 feet in front of him.
His shoulder and back do not seem to be causing him as much pain as they did before. The PT's are trying to stretch and strengthen these muscles.
Concerns:
Lack of appetite which is causing him to lose weight.
Right eye problems.
Depression.
Not wanting to go on outings until he is discharged from Craig with the exception of going to a restaurant with the family to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary.
Other concerns listed in previous posts.
Joys:
Jim giving me a beautiful leaded glass heart that the recreation therapist helped him make. I will hang it in our bathroom window in Durango so I can see it every day.
Jim making Valentine's cards for the girls and me.
Will and Carol (who live in Durango) coming to visit Jim.
Former neighbor, Ron, calling Jim.
Larry calling Jim.
Cousin Lynn and husband Marv visiting Jim today.
Melissa helping me with all of the insurance questions, forms and billing.
Suzanne and I talking to my niece, Jaimee and my sister, Judy, tonight.
Brian, with help of Suzanne, making a Valentine's card for Jim and I.
Having lunch at Mimi's yesterday with Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara.
Giving Angel a bath and trimming her last night. I filled the trash can with her fur. Taking pictures of Angel and Sara and showing them to Jim.
Lessons Learned:
A friend, Linnaea, sent God's Healing Promises. Below are exerpts from these pages. The instructions are to read some or all of the prayers listed on the sheets every day!
Hope: I will give you back your health again and heal your wounds. Jeremiah 30:17
Responsibility: If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep His covenant of love with you as He swore to your forefathers.
Faith: Anything is possible if you have faith. Mark 9:23. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to priase Him for all that He will do. Psalm 42:11.
Prayer: Pray without ceasing. In everything gives thanks...1 Thessalonians 5;17-18. God is our refugre and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1
Love For Others: Share your food with the hungry and open your houses to the poor traveler who has nowhere to stay. Give clothes to those who have nothing and don't forget the needy members of your own family. If you do this My light will shine on you like the morning sun and your healing will be quickly evident. Isaiah 58:7,8.
I have thought for a long time that when I ask God to do something for me that I have a certain responsibility in the request and that I am not just a bystander while God does all of the work. If I just watch and do not take an active part, how will I become stronger, what will I have learned that I can use to glorify God and help others.
Sometimes I don't listen to my own words and forget my trust in God. It is so easy to start giving in to the negative chatter in your mind.
Thank you for your faithful posts that provide courage, hope and love.
Jim, Carol, Kim, Kris, Suzanne, Brian and Sara.
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Cheers!
Jim