MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED THIS POST BACK IN OCTOBER. SINCE I’M FINALLY GETTING BACK TO WRITING IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS BEING SENT OUT AGAIN. ALSO AS AN UPDATE, WE LOST MY SWEET MOTHER-IN-LAW 5 DAYS AFTER I WROTE THIS POST. YES, I HAVE BEEN RIDING A FERRIS WHEEL. BUT . . . I’M TRYING TO FIND MY WAY BACK TO THE GROUND, WITH GOD’S HELP. BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A NEW POST SOON! I’m excited to be back teaching, writing and speaking again!!!!

Sometimes life can change on a dime. Like when you get a positive on a biopsy or that email that tells you that the company is closed effective immediately—no new business can be written and no back commissions will be paid, or that unexpected accident that alters your way of life.

Then there are other times when change is more like riding a slow Ferris wheel where you are buckled into your seat and watch your view change gradually.

Change can be difficult—either immediate or gradual. I’ve experienced both.

Ferris Wheel

Right now I’m on a slow Ferris wheel as I watch change all around me. Five months ago my husband and I bought his parents home, packed our belongings, stored some, moved the rest and began the journey of caregiving for his 90 year old parents. Their health has declined quite a bit lately and after a number of falls, trips to the ER, and care that they needed daily we made the decision to remodel the downstairs for us to live in and leave the upstairs as they had always known it. Their life hasn’t changed—ours has drastically.

As I ride this Ferris wheel I began to realize that the small compartment in which I live my days in and the changes that take place daily has caused me to make some decisions. I’ve had to cut back on my writing, my speaking, and my teaching as the days are filled with the daily care of two people I love dearly. My husband is no longer pastoring and is their full-time caregiver with his sister and brother-in-law’s help. I have kept my part-time job and am thankful I have flexibility to come and go because every day is different.

I don’t know what is in our future but I do know the ONE who holds our future.

So this explains the absence of my writing and my blogs. Until my compartment on this Ferris wheel comes to a complete stop and I’m able to move the bar that keeps me in and allows me to exit, I will stay focused on my family who needs me—and that includes my sweet husband.

I do have to admit that as I wrote this post 2 weeks ago (yes, I’m just now getting it posted) on a much needed vacation and was removed from the stress (and I mean STRESS) of these past few months I can see God’s hand on our lives, for He is the ONE who has given us the strength to endure the difficult journey. And the journey isn’t over. Now that we are back our hours and minutes are filled with difficult circumstances and ultimately, difficult decisions that we may have to make. Since arriving home 2 Friday’s ago (9/27), my father-in-law was sent to the hospital via EMS and stayed until 10/3 and my mother-in-law had to be taken to the hospital via EMS on 10/6. She came home yesterday 10/12 and while we were trying to get her settled with the hospice nurse we had to call EMS again and my father-in-law is back in the hospital as I write.

Footprints

But as I think about on my walks among the waves a few weeks ago and as I made my footprints in the sand I remember the poem that reminds us that the Lord walks with us, and when we see only one set of footprints, that is when He carries us.

What change has come into your life? Are you on a slow moving Ferris wheel, strapped in and watching things change gradually around you or was your change immediate? It doesn’t matter, if you have faith in the Lord and faith that He has all your situations and circumstances in His control, the journey is much easier. And remember, He is always near to hold us and even carry us.

Faith

Thank you for being on this journey with me, as my friends and my readers. I know many of you have already gone through—or are going through—being a caregiver. I appreciate your prayers (and any advice)! There have been many tears shed and there will be more, but my faith is strong and I know that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Blessings,

Beth

(On a side note . . . since I don’t get to my computer to write much, and since I do have my phone with me at all times in case I’m needed at home, I have attempted to take up photography. Right now I’m mastering my phone camera, but soon hope to invest in a camera that allows me to do much more. I will be posting photos on facebook and instragram. If you are following me, I would love for you to join me as I show my world and the world God made through a lens.