Progressing...

I am still growing and changing since the stroke. In April I told some friends that I thought I had gone backwards over the winter, and one who prays and has a prophetic gift said that Jesus had it under control and that I was getting ready for a big leap forward. It is sometimes hard for me to wait and rest in the Lord when things seem to move at a snail's pace, but I'm learning.

So it should have been no surprise when in mid-May I found myself able to do something I haven't been able to do since before the stroke. I woke up one morning able to and wanting to organize and settle my home. That may seem ho-hum and ordinary, but it is huge for me now. When my guys moved me here, they put out the rudimentary things, but the rest remained stored in boxes in my spare room. I often thought of going through those boxes; however the task not only seemed overwhelming, but also incomprehensible. I don't know how to completely explain what happened in the stroke, but that area of comprehension is finally coming back. I'm not done organizing yet, but I've gotten rid of some things and put others in place. I've also been able to climb on a step stool again, and even hang a couple pictures by myself.

I have wanted to reread some decorating books I got years ago at the half price bookstore, as well. I'd thought of getting rid of them because they were incomprehensible to me, but all of a sudden I understood them again.

I now am also getting more comfortable with grocery shopping. I've been doing it for a year and a half or so, but it was very hard for a long time. Now I can make a list of more than seven items and even use the self checkout or go to a cashier and pay without taking what seems to me like forever. It's not like it used to be, but I have hope it can keep improving.

My typing is getting better--faster and with fewer mistakes than before, at least at times. I'm starting to play a few computer games to work on eye-hand coordination as well, and to play solitaire with a deck of cards from time to time to work on dexterity. Also, my driving is still slowly coming along. At least I'm no longer running up on islands at the gas station, and I can put in gas with less trouble. Oh, I also am washing dishes more. Laundry is still a challenge, as I have to drive to get there to do it, but it's possible.

So, though things are not happening at my desired pace, they are happening. Thank you all for your continued prayers on my behalf. Love in Jesus, Barb

The Best Adventures...

My son Micah has been wanting to get away from the snow and cold for a few weeks now, and he finally escaped! He just took off over the weekend and flew to California. He rented a car, is in Long Beach right now and will be driving up to Seattle where his cousin lives starting tomorrow. He really likes new adventures, and just decided to make one.

I found this out when I called to tell him I love him and to wish him a good day. Micah said to me a few months ago that he's concerned that I may get to the end of my life and regret that I didn't do more. That started me thinking a lot.

Yes, I really enjoy travel. I have not had much money over the course of my life, but I have traveled at different times. I haven't gone anywhere of note since my stroke 2 1/2 years ago. I also don't try ice skating, or do much in the way of other types of good times like bowling, etc. So, am I going to regret that I didn't do more?

Maybe, but that is not where my best adventures lie. I do still have adventures, but they look different. I have had to rethink what I enjoy most, and what I enjoy most are my adventures in the Lord. What I mean by that is I ask Him who to talk to and what to pray about. In doing that, at times the Lord has sent me to see friends in other parts of the state, or down in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

He sent me into a homeless shelter where I lived and worked as receptionist, evening guard/helper and Bible Study leader for a few months. I got to meet many interesting courageous women.

I got to watch as churches died, and I am now getting to watch one going into revival/reformation. I am seeing people come out of all sorts of addictions into freedom (the first person I saw and am still seeing is myself).

I have been led to minister to a family who was abused, and to someone after her abusive ex-husband died for a short season while she and her children were putting their lives back together.

The Lord allowed me to minister to a husband and wife when he came out of jail and their church wouldn't talk to him because of the nature of the crime.

There have been many such adventures so far, and I expect many more. Will there be things in this life that I would like to do that I won't do? Quite possibly. But for me, the adventure of following wherever the Lord leads is the best one, and I will never regret that. Anything else the Lord allows is just icing on the cake.