Update from Snowy New England!

In a couple weeks we will have been back in the United States for 1 year already! It’s hard to imagine so much time has passed. We both often find ourselves lost in thought about our time in South Africa. We still have nights full of dreams of Africa waking to an emotional longing to return there. I think it’s safe to say we still have hearts for South Africa. With the sad news of Nelson Mandela, the country has been in headlines often, keeping thoughts of Africa in our minds even more. But God has us here and we must keep focus.

It has already been 3 months since our last posting and we have about 6 months of news. It is incredible how fast time can go by. Where do we begin?

Our last post mentioned dad is now a double amputee and he had moved into our home with us where we could better care for him. He initially needed a lot of help to do everyday tasks. As his strength grew (and his confidence), he was getting more and more capable of transferring himself from wheelchair to toilet, wheelchair to bed, wheelchair to shower chair, etc. He got better at dressing and washing himself, and even became a record holder at Wii bowling.

Having our living room as his bedroom was not an ideal situation, for all of us. So we had been searching for a house. We hoped to find something that would best fit his needs with the least amount of modifications. However, we knew some changes would need to be done, so we decided we would need to buy a home instead of rent. That way we would be free to make any modifications necessary (widen doorways for the wheelchair, install hand rails by the toilet and shower, build a permanent ramp to get in and out of the house). We searched for a few months but came across nothing, at least within our price range. Pressured by the upcoming winter (our current house was very cold in the winter and too expensive to keep warm enough for dad), we were becoming concerned. Finally, our realtor showed us a place that was mostly handicap accessible. There was an entrance capable for the wheelchair to the basement and installation of a chair lift would be all that was needed. So we put an offer on the house. Pre-approved for a federal USDA loan, we submitted the paperwork.

Then the government went on furlough.

Funny how the one time we actually needed our government for something, they were closed. So with an uncertain timeframe of government closure, a time limit on the purchase offer, an upcoming expiring lease in our current home and an approaching cold winter, we had to do something. After a lot of research and phone calls, we found an assisted living facility for dad. Now capable of so much more, we were all comfortable with him living independently (with assistance). So in November, dad moved to Sunrise Assisted Living where he is fed three meals daily, has his own apartment room, social events and all the ice cream he wants. He has been very happy there the past few weeks and his getting more and more comfortable.

Jeanine goes to see him almost daily to help with his medications and assist with showers. After the holidays, she is going to start looking for work to help pay for his expenses there. The rent is costly and his pension is not enough to cover it.

As for us, with no need to buy a house anymore and a non-functional government to give us money, we moved into a nice apartment located between dad’s place and Mike’s work. Our living room windows look out into a small garden area with a gazebo and icicle Christmas lights. The place is small and comfortable and, best of all, allows pets. So our next posting may include a new addition to our family, some sort of furry creature.

Things keep moving forward and we are never quite sure what will happen next. We have witnessed time and time again Gods faithfulness and blessings. We ask for your prayers in dad’s comfort in his new home and that he may have the finances to cover rent.

God bless,
Mike and Jeanine

Veterans Day with Dad, Pat (sister), Ray (brother), niece and nephews

Visiting Timmy & Lynsi in VA, holding Violet while hanging with little Tiger

Timeout during soccer to bundle up better

Award winning photo at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Dad setting his avatar for Wii Bowling

Our fist snow (over 1ft on Dec 14)

Galatians 6:9

Greetings from Massachusetts!

About a month ago we reported that dad was in rehab after donating his second leg to science. Upon his arrival home, he seemed a bit restless about life. Considering he was in hospice and on his way out before removing the second leg, his anxiety was warranted. Initially the adjustments were difficult. Figuring out how to transfer from bed to a wheelchair to a toilet brought a whole handful of challenges. His body was weak from a year-long ordeal of surgeries, illness and grief. Consequently, dad was not excited about life.

Jeanine had resumed her role of full-time care taker, but with added difficulties. Dad’s frustration about his limitations was often directed to Jeanine. He needed more attention. He could not be alone for a long period of time and needed to be lifted off his wheelchair to the porcelain throne. As a result, Jeanine had to spend nights at his place, listening for his call to get help to the bathroom. Since dad’s apartment was a small bungalow made for a single elderly person, she pulled out a mattress to the living room at night and leaned it against the wall during the day. With only a few occasional nights off because of coverage from Mike or her brother, Ray, Jeanine was with dad 24 hours a day, physically and emotionally exhausted.

Recognizing his need for constant care and realizing the strain he was putting on us, dad agreed to move in with us. A little over a week ago we setup his bedroom in our living room. With a few minor adjustments, we have been able to accommodate all of his furniture and have a comfortable setup. Dad was a little nervous about the bathroom because it is not a handicap bathroom with support bars. With a little trial and error, and the help of his prosthetic leg, he is now transferring to from his wheelchair to the bowl with less effort than before. In fact, he is now doing it on his own and is enjoying the privacy.

At this point, dad is still unable to get his prosthetic leg on his stubbed knee so we continue to have a few overnight hollers for bathroom aid. At least we can hear them from the comfort of our own bed instead of a mattress on the floor in his apartment living room.

Dad’s attitude has changed quite a bit also. He is happy to be with us and is enjoying “family” life. Its amazing to see how fast he gone from ready to go home to Jesus to having fun watching New England Patriot Pre-Season football games. By the way, he always roots for the other team. He smiles often and likes to have discussions about everything and nothing. The other night, we were sitting down at dinner and Jeanine was talking enthusiastically about something (we all know she does that sometimes). She was carrying on and dad looked at her and pointed to her plate, indicating it was time to stop talking and start eating. I said to him that I have to do the same sometimes also. He responded, “You don’t have to tell me, I raised her!” I got an image of Jeanine as a child sitting at the dinner table talking excitedly about her day with dad patiently listening but pointing to her plate to get her to eat.

We are looking forward to the time we have with dad. There are ups and downs, but that is part of our role. We ask that you continue to pray for us, our 3-person family. We are looking for a new home so we can give dad his own bedroom instead of a living room to sleep in (and a home that is more heat efficient).

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

With love,
Mike and Jeanine

Dad trying out his newly donated motorized wheelchair

Watching pre-season football (please ignore the hideous wallpaper)

Oooooo, pretty