Being gone for two days sure allows things to pile up. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just stuff like mowing the grass (which does need to happen) or taking the garbage out (which I hope did happen). The difficulty comes with all the stuff that is strictly my responsibility. Like preparing for the teaching on Sunday and Thursday and choosing songs for the Life group session and making sure the appropriate bills get paid. There were a few other things this time, though.
While I was gone Mom had another doctor's appointment. After the usual battery of questions and discussion of symptoms, the doctor informed us that Mom was probably entering into the next stage of dementia. That's the one where she forgets how to do the simplest things like how to sit up and move her arms and hold her head up. She told us to make sure everything was in order as far as important papers and the like, including the out of hospital Do Not Resuscitate order. Mom and Dad both told us early on that they didn't want any of those extra measures when their time came. That sure makes it easier for us now. Still, there is something about the finality of it all when you are about to sign a paper that the doctor has already signed. It's on my agenda to get two people who are not family to watch me sign it for her as her medical power of attorney.
On the church front we had another scare. The teacher at our school had a stroke and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. She was at home getting ready to leave for school when it happened. Her arm and leg were affected, so she couldn't walk. She managed to get to the door and call out to some of the kids who were walking to school to ask them to call 911. The volunteer fire department in Jamaica Beach is great, and they were there in minutes. She is doing pretty well now. Feeling is returning to her arm and leg, and she is determined to get back to class before the school year ends. "We still have some stuff to finish up," she informed me. If anybody can do it, Mrs. Fox can.
Meanwhile, the guy who has been volunteering at the school every day let me know that he wasn't going to continue next year. His call is more in the area of making relationships with neighbors and guys on construction sites, and leading them to the next step in their journey toward God. Also the secretary / administrator and the school board president both will not be back next year either. They are frustrated with trying to get church members to be involved in the school ministry and with the congregational polity thing that says everyone gets to have a say in decisions. Then whenever someone new comes to the church, the questions start over again. It is definitely a confusing way to do business. We have been working on how to streamline that process. In the meantime, I guess we'll be taking a look at what the school ministry will look like next year. It is a value at Seaside that we not do any particular ministry unless God has called out leadership for it. Wonder who that might be now? There is incredible potential for this school. It does take a lot of money to maintain the ministry, but God has plenty.
I had a thought yesterday along those lines. Actually my head was inundated with thoughts, but one in particular I was able to grab hold of and ponder. We have been receiving applications from teachers who are interested in teaching at the school. From what I have been able to piece together, several of the private schools in the area are having difficulties and are being forced to cut back considerably. The trouble at one private Christian school in Dickinson have littered the front page of the paper for a week or so now. Maybe private schooling is the next target area for Satan's forces right now. It would sure be in his best interests and is certainly in his character to attack where children are being molded. Spiritual warfare yet again. I can see why John was ready for Jesus to get back.
Revelation 22:20 says, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
Father, it has been one of those weeks. Come when you are ready. Until then, I could sure use a dose of that Comforter. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment