Events

Events.

Fiery Trials

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Over the years I have taken classes to learn new techniques in acrylic painting and tried all different kinds of crafts.  I found that having a hobby gave me something fun to look forward to doing.  It was a needed distraction from … Continue reading →

Mom Doesn’t Know Us Anymore

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It was Christmas Eve and my daughter and I went to visit my folks.  Since my daughter had moved to Washington, it had been quite a while since she had seen her grandmother and was saddened by the effects of … Continue reading →

The Velvet Rose

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My husband has had multiple back surgeries and has been in constant pain for over 40 years yet his faith in God remains strong.  I wrote this poem for him.  It represents his strength to stay faithful to God through … Continue reading →

Loving the Unloveable

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It is so easy to love the gentle, loving people in my life but loving bitter, ornery or abrasive people are a challenge.  Shortly after I was married, my mother in law came to live with us.  There was no … Continue reading →

Preventing Caregiver Burnout: Tips and Support for Family Caregivers

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10 Tips for Family Caregivers Caregiving is a job and respite is your earned right. Reward yourself with respite breaks often. Watch out for signs of depression, and don’t delay in getting professional help when you need it. When people … Continue reading →

Finding Humor in Embarrasing Moments

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There are so many times when dealing with Alzheimer’s patients or family members when you just want to hide in horror.  Some too awful to repeat but I can share this and it was a big turning point in my … Continue reading →

Pasta e Fagioli al Forno

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Pasta e Fagioli al Forno Easy recipe and great comfort food.    (My take on Rachel Ray’s recipe) Ingredients 1 lb box of Penne 1/4 lb thick bacon (5 slices diced in 1/2 inch squares) I didn’t use olive oil, I … Continue reading →

Recognizing Alzheimer’s in my father

When my father called asking if I would help in getting my mother a pair of shoes, I asked him her shoe size.  He didn’t know so I told him to measure her feet.  He came back to the phone and said “They are 12 feet long.”  I said, “You mean 12 inches.”  He argued with me for a while so I let it go and told him I would come over and deal with it.  My father knew measurements.  He could build anything; he was a master craftsman so I knew something wasn’t right.  He was the caregiver for my mother who was in later stages of Alzheimer’s.

I arrived at their home and on the surface everything looked good.  It was very tidy but as I worked my way around the house it became evident that my Dad was seriously confused about even the most simplest things.

He had stated that everything was breaking down in the house.  He had always repaired everything himself so I wondered why he hadn’t done anything.  I started with the garbage disposal that he said was broken.  I walked over and switched it on and it worked fine.  He apparently thought it would dispose automatically when you put stuff in it.  I checked the washer and dryer; they both worked fine.

There was only mustard and ice cream in the refrigerator and a strange odor emanated from somewhere by the back door. (rotten potatoes and onions).  I spent all day cleaning and explaining and writing notes by the switches.  I hired the neighbor to shop and prepare food.

I left to pick up my son at school and had car trouble on the way there; transmission stuck in low.

Overwhelmed with fear of what lay ahead, I opened my bible and turned to Philippians 4:6-7   Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What a great scripture for me.  I can trust God’s peace to guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

Prayer:  God, help me to trust in you and not to worry how I will accomplish all that needs to be done.  In Jesus’ precious name I pray these things.  Amen

Peace Through Suffering

If God created butterflies with iridescent wings

And He designed canaries with voices that can sing.

How can we doubt his faithfulness for prayers he’s answering

Or overlook His abilities to give us strengthening.

I pray that you will trust in Him and soon be discovering

That He can bring you peace and love  through all you’re suffering

In His Love, Janis Armstrong