A whole lot of living has gone on around here since my last post... some great and wonderful days with family and friends, some sick days of being cooped up inside, some frustrating days with no electricity due to a wind storm.... But, alas, this is the "stuff" life's made of I suppose.
We did enjoy spending Christmas in Indiana, but we all came down with the flu while there. So I didn't really get many pics.
When we returned home late Monday evening, still not feeling very well, our electricity was out due to a wind storm. We decided to light some candles and a small propane heater and brave the cold temps. Clayton was so excited. He kept saying, "I like living off the land." However, when we woke the next morning and could see our breath in the air, he kind of had different feelings about "living off the land". Ha! So, the next night we made other arrangements, and a couple of days later, we were ever so thankful to have electricity!
I have a new position to fill this coming year at our local church. It seems kind of huge to me, but I'm excited about the prospects. Our very faithful missionary president of many years moved away to St. Louis, MO. recently. We miss the Black family very much. Anyways, I was asked to fill the vacant position. I'm looking for all the resources I can get my hands on for ways to promote the missions program in our church. We will major on some home mission (local church) projects here at the outset. I think I will use the theme "The Worth of a Soul" for our next Missions service.
In family news, my Grandpa Sneed broke a bone in his hip a couple of weeks or so before Christmas. So it seemed very different not to have my grandparents with us when we gathered for exchanging gifts, etc. With the condition of his mind, it has been a difficult time. From what the social worker said, he seems to be in the moderate stage of alzheimers. About 10 years ago when we first moved here to Rochester, Grandpa came to preach for us. He just didn't seem to be himself. Dan told a few of us when we returned to the house that he thought Grandpa had alzheimers. A short time later they moved back to southern Indiana from Illinois. He was traveling by himself at night with the moving caravan to their new home when he ended up almost at a former parishioner's house. Since then, different things have continued to happen which have made our fears a reality. One of the most sad things is that Grandpa has known at times that something is wrong. Such signs as putting on two shirts or leaving the car door open everytime he would get out of the car are just a few of the mild occurances that have taken place. It's hard to see someone you love go through this. I know of no one who has been so faithful to love and care for their spouse than Grandma. She spent every night with him in the hospital. She said he would have times of dramatically praising the Lord. Anyways, to wrap this up, Grandpa had to be placed in a nursing home this past Monday. The facility is a new one in Jasper, IN. The family reports that it is very nice, smells clean, etc. He seems to have adapted fairly well so far. Friends have been so wonderful to visit and send words of cheer. My thoughts and prayers are with them. They invested so much in my life when I was younger... I do wish that I lived closer to them at this time.
Here are a few totally random pics from the holidays.
1. Clayton with a fleece blanket I made for him.
2. Amber and Clayton waiting to eat one of Mamaw's delicious breakfasts.
3. Dad giving Grandma one of her gifts. (She had the flu, so was in her robe and hair net :-)
4. Grandpa with a gift.
5. Mom enjoying Bensen.
6. 2 sisters with cheesy smiles and electric skillets (which I'm enjoying and using a lot!)
7. Dan with his gift certificate to White Steamer... Ugh! But so glad he enjoyed it.
8. My nephew Carson (Boy did we have a time with him! He's so much fun!)
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5 comments:
Hi Leah. It was good to get an update from you. Sorry you guys were sick while in Indiana. Wish I could have seen you, but sometimes those flu bugs just won't stay away. I really enjoyed catching up with your mom and dad, but at the same time it was sad to see how grandpa's health has declined. Grandma has been so faithful to stay by his side. I'm glad she doesn't have the full responsibility of taking care of him like before. I think it was starting to take it's toll.
I think you will do a fine job with your new position. Good luck! Hope you and your family have a blessed new year!
Wow, what a catch up post! Glad to see an update :) I am so sorry to hear about your grandpa. I think that the most difficult part of watching my mom go through that was when she knew something wasn't quite right but didn't know why. And then of course, watching my dad wear himself out being her care giver. It was exhausting for him. God was so merciful and knew just how much he and my sisters could handle. Although I've been missing her so much lately especially b/c of my pregnancy :( I have no fabulous words to offer, just that I'll be praying as your family deals with this difficult disease.
P.S. So are you and Tamra cousins? And how? Is your dad and her mom brother and sister?
Sara,
Thanks for your kind posts and your prayers! How sweet of you!! Yes, you've got it right. My dad and Tamra's mother are brother and sister.
It is really tough watching our grandparents age, isn't it? :( Your grandma is very devoted - I think that is so precious. Isn't that a wonderful example?
I had to laugh at Dan's gift certificate. :) (Yum!)
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