Hello~
This
autumn, the leaves here in the woods changed colors briefly.
Of
course, my vision was limited looking out my windows and porch.
Between
the cicadas swarming in May and the dry spell, a lot of the leaves were already
brown. So, I savored every bit of color I could, while it lasted, as well as
the shorter warm, sunny days between the cold nights. Now the temperature is expected
to plummet down into freezing. Inside, Dwight keeps our woodstove going when it
is cold, keeping our house warm and cozy. Even if my bones didn't protest and
tell me when the temperature drops outside, my two fat, furry, lazy cats cuddle
close beside and on top of me in the recliner on chilly days, taking long
catnaps. With me huddling under a soft, warm blanket, I'm sure we make quite
the lazy sight.
I'm
very grateful this Thanksgiving that I finally have some good news! I'm in my
seventh week of being able to stay up this time. It's been around eight months
since I last could stay up this long. Dwight had to carry me into the doctor's
office the last of Sept in order for me to get my prescriptions filled. I had
researched more, in desperation, and found another med that is often used for
nerve pain. With the turmeric supplement I'm taking daily for inflammation, and
this other med, my hip isn't flaring up like before. Such a blessing!!! Under
Dwight's strict supervision, I am slowly building up walking without the walker
and going up and down steps. This past week, I was able to walk out the
driveway to the mailbox and check my mail. I also walked around the side of my
house to my beehives. It was so thrilling to see my honeybees buzzing around.
I'm able to go out on the back porches where I can see my chickens and ducks
more clearly, too. The trees around my house and in the woods look so tall and
majestic after not being able to see them close up for so long. Hope has sprung
inside that one day I will be able to again be like my normal self. Meanwhile,
I'm trying to behave myself, keeping my hands busy writing, crocheting, and
hand quilting.
I
am very thankful for Dwight, who has been such a great support in keeping me
and the house going for so long. He's been with me when my hip's flared up and
I've crashed, causing my days and nights to became a blur with horrible pain.
He's also walked along beside me as I've struggled inch by inch to get back up
on my feet and walk with the walker. I've felt guilty for all the stress he has
gone through, fussing and hovering over me as we've wracked our brains on how
and why my hip flared back up and how to prevent it. It has certainly kept our
brain cells busy. Dwight has witnessed my emotional upheavals when I've been
angry, depressed, wondering if it was worth the struggle to get back up, along
with having meltdowns, bawling my eyes out while Dwight put his arm around me
or patted me on the shoulder, giving comfort, but most of all for being as
stubborn as his mother and refusing to give up. I’m thrilled that Dwight is now
able to work on his knives more. He is so talented, but then I may be
prejudiced.
It
continues to be a frustration on both ends trying to make and stay in contact
with my daughter in the Philippines. Dawn and her family went through a severe
earthquake experience, where thankfully no one was hurt. Then, when their
mission’s director came over for a visit recently, right before he left, a
typhoon came over their island, causing the power to be off for almost three
days, and their roof leaking- one spot was directly on where Steve Kirkman was
sleeping. Transportation was disrupted as well. It took them five and a half
hours, when the bus ran, to get Bro. Kirkman to the airport- going through
flooded areas where the bus was pushing water. I’m sure Bro. Kirkman won’t
forget his trip to see Dawn and Randy anytime soon. They also had a scary
incident in their own yard when one of the many children who come every day to
play fell out of a tree. Dawn looked out the window when she heard a loud
branch cracking in time to see a girl land on the ground with a horrible thud
on her back. Thankfully, although her head took stitches, after they raced her
to the nearest hospital (that Dawn had to end up taking out this past week) and
she walked slowly for a couple of days, the girl wasn’t killed, paralyzed, or
had her neck broken. We appreciate all the prayer support given for Dawn and
her family as they are constantly faced with challenging circumstances beyond
their control, and often need God’s wisdom and help.
My
granddaughter, Annette, is due on Thanksgiving Day, right before my birthday.
Miss Ellie just turned two, so Annette has her hands full already. I can’t wait
to see and hold my first great- grandson sometime in Jan when they come down to
TN to visit. I’ll be updating you all about this little feller next month.
We
are also thankful for each one of you to whom we send our newsletters to. Some
send us encouraging cards, which brightens our day. Others, we know, are faithfully
praying for us. We certainly couldn’t make it each day without our loving
Heavenly Father’s care. We are truly blessed with a church family and oodles of
wonderful friends.
We
wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving season~
Dorcas
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