Four Months and Moving Forward 5/10/06

Joseph's surgery was four months ago today. What an amazing journey in all of this there has never been a feeling of dispair or grief. . . just facing ahead and moving forward. God lives and loves us and gives us the capacity to have joy and peace, even in the midst of awesome challenges. Joseph is a great example to us all-- focusing on possibilities not on limitations, on opportunities not disabilities, on how to take the next leap forward not what steppingstones have been missed on the way. We look forward in anticipation to each new day and the seeking answers to the questions that arise. What a ride!

AutoCare Collision repair in Logan sent a couple of photos of the Van in progress. The Phoenix rises from the ashes even as we speak. The work is rife with symbolism.

Things have been busy on the house as well. Today Mark Maxfield started doing the trim on the floors and doors and Steve Sagers started the painting on the ceiling of the shower.
Terry McCleery is back in town and is working on the siding and Dad is working on the garage storage area.
Joseph and Dad are also working on getting things set up so Joseph can use the computer and phone etc. We built up a table so Joseph could roll under it (not too useful); cut down his 'goalpost' control joystick on the demo wheelchair (somewhat helpful), set up a speakerphone (useful but not as useful as a cell phone -- we'll have to figure that one out). We are adapting and configuring -- slowly making some progress toward independance. Joseph is getting pretty good with the TV remote with a pointer attached to the wrist brace of the left hand. We experimented with a track ball for the computer, but not too successfully yet. Getting a surface at the right height and location is the challenge. Seems like we need McGyver or something (a little duct tape and baling wire ought to do it, don't you think?). We got word that the insurance company approved the commode/shower chair, that was good news indeed.
Thanks for all your help, friendship love support and Faith. We feel uplifted and edified everyday. . . doesn't that seem a bit irrational and illogical? But it's true. Each day we are filled with the joy of living and the constant comfort of the Spirit. In fact, in a word, we REJOICE. Brigham Young understood the feeling when he said:
"We rejoice because the Lord is ours, because we are sown in weakness for the express purpose of attaining greater power and perfection. In everything the Saints may rejoice -- in persecution, because it is necessary to purge them, and prepare the wicked for their doom; in sickness and in pain, though they are hard to bear, because we are thereby made acquainted with pain, with sorrow and with even, affliction that mortals can endure, for by contact all things are demonstrated to our senses. We have reason to rejoice exceedingly that faith is in the world, that the Lord reigns, and does his pleasure among the inhabitants of the earth. Do you ask if I rejoice because the Devil has the advantage over the inhabitants of the earth, and has afflicted mankind? I most assuredly answer in the affirmative; I rejoice in this as much as in anything else. I rejoice because I am afflicted. I rejoice because I am poor. I rejoice because I am cast down. Why? Because I shall be lifted up again. I rejoice that I am poor because I shall be made rich; that I am afflicted, because I shall be comforted, and prepared to enjoy the felicity of perfect happiness, for it is impossible to properly appreciate happiness except by enduring the opposite." (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 228)

God help us rejoice every day for the blessings we receive. . . for He loves us, we are His children and He is our Father.