Day 113 to 119, Dec. 14-20

Day 113 to 119, Dec. 14-20

This week was an improvement from last week's fiasco. There were more positive moments, a tender mercy from our loving Father. 

On Monday Jeff went to Neuroworx. Julee was there to help load and unload. While she and Annette were getting Jeff out of the truck a woman backed into Julee's Explorer. 

Jeff saw the danger and said, "She's not going to stop, she's going to back into your car." At that point Annette and Julee paused to look up and sure enough, crunch! Thankfully the damage was to the front passenger side and little Tylee, in the back seat, slept through the whole thing. 

Annette and Julee went to the mall while Jeff worked with his therapist. They got back in time to see him in a standing chair. He looked very pale, was sweating, and had a very bad headache. The point was to see how long he could tolerate standing. It was so difficult to watch! 

Tuesday meant a trip to TOSH for occupational therapy. They made a new brace for Jeff's finger so he can use his phone and type on the computer at the same time if he wants. He can also put a stylus in it, though he prefers his finger. 

On Wednesday they missed therapy thanks to more bowel issues. They've had a heck of a time getting things regulated since being home. Jeff said, "Reality set in and it wasn't good!"

Thursday was better and Jeff made it to Neuroworx. He had a different therapist and liked doing new things. 

Friday was a crazy day. A workforce services auditor came for employee taxes. Thankfully Jeff is great at keeping records. New insulation was then added to the attic to help keep the house warmer. And Jeff's OT from TOSH came to do therapy at their house. They worked on making adjustments to Jeff's prosthetics.

On top of all of that the lift in the garage wasn't working so they couldn't get the standing chair inside for Jeff to use. 

Saturday was dominated by the Page family Christmas breakfast. We are so grateful to Jay and Peggy for hosting it every year and making it so special for all of us. The food was amazing as always! Thank you to everyone who pitched in, we are so thankful! 

After breakfast and visiting it was time to open presents. When all the grandkids and great grandkids were done opening their gifts (chosen by themselves, but paid for by Jay and Peggy), it was time for Jeff and Annette to open theirs.  All of Jeff's brothers and sisters got the same goody bag.

Tylee reached over and Jeff was able to hold her for a minute until she started moving too much. 

On Sunday Jeff and Annette went to church. Afterwards Jeff received a blessing from the bishopric and then he gave Annette a blessing. 

This is what Blake had to say about the meeting:

"Hey guys I just thought I would share with you a moment I would consider one of the best experiences I got to not only be a part of but see today. Your dad had asked the bishopric to give him a blessing cause of the problems he has been having with his bowels, which the bishopric happily did. The blessing was very spiritual and special for your dad by the end his emotions were gone. But after the bishop told your dad that he should give your mom a blessing in which your dad said he wouldn't be able to cause he was crying. The bishop told him they had all night and to take whatever time he needed. Your dad regrouped and was able to give your mom the sweetest blessing. I just wanted share that with you. Your dad is an amazing priesthood holder and we all were in tears when he was done. The smile he gave after was an expression to me how happy he was to be able to do it. They truly love eachother."

There is no doubt that our mom and dad love each other. It's what gets them through the hard days. We are so grateful their marriage has grown stronger through this trial. They have truly been blessed, even with every difficult moment they've had to live through the past few months. 

At this time we ask each of you to please pray for our mom and dad. It's been so difficult for them these past weeks. Self worth can be difficult to find when you depend on others for every aspect of your life. Finding purpose is important to dispel these bad thoughts. 

Please pray with us that our dad will continue to grow stronger to gain more of the independence he wants so badly. Also that he will recognize his purpose and know his self worth. 

Our Father has a plan for him and for our family. We've already learned so much from our dad and are grateful that he can see the blessings despite the struggles. Every day has frustration, but also reminders of how loved we are and that our Father is aware of us.