Where Seldom Is Heard A DISCOURAGING WORD...

Today’s ENCOURAGING words came by attending our Alzheimer’s support meeting.
In spite of the unpredictable events that pop up in our lives, God has a plan for our care and comfort.
Scripture says that “David ENCOURAGED himself in the Lord his God.”
Why is ENCOURAGEMENT so important?
It is important because Scripture thinks it IS important.
I Thess.5:11  “…ENCOURAGE one another…”
Without ENCOURAGEMENT , hardships will become meaningless and our will to go on wanes.
ENCOURAGEMENT makes it a little easier to live in our fallen world.
ENCOURAGEMENT makes it easier to love Jesus.
ENCOURAGEMENT gives hope.
 Rom. 15:4  “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance  and through the ENCOURAGEMENT of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
ENCOURAGEMENT carries us through times of trials and burdens.
ENCOURAGEMENT nurtures patience and compassion.
ENCOURAGEMENT makes it easier for the advancement of God’s kingdom
Let’s face it ENCOURAGEMENT just makes life easier!
Today we were ENCOURAGED to look at how God uses his attributes to ENCOURAGE and comfort us.
We took a tour of Isaiah 39 & 40.  What is our source of comfort and where do we go to get it?  Isa.51:12  “I am he who comforts you.”
We get our comfort from God and his Word.
So what are these attributes of God that he displays to add to our ENCOURAGEMENT?
God ENCOURAGES us with the comfort of redemption
Isa. 40:5 God ENCOURAGES us by revealing his glory.
ENCOURAGES us by the promise of God’s Word standing forever. Vs.8
We are ENCOURAGED by his power. Vs. 10
We are ENCOURAGED just by the fact that God will tend to His flock like a shepherd.  Vs.11
God has the knowledge and understanding to know what ENCOURAGES and comforts the weary even though there is no way out.
So to sum things up we should be very grateful and ENCOURAGED just by the knowledge that we are redeemed, we can have confidence in the Word,God cares for us as a loving shepherd, God is far wiser and understanding of the whole picture so that His glory will be revealed.
WHY IS ENCOURAGEMENT SO IMPORTANT?
BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT IN THE SCRIPTURES.
IT MAKES LIFE EASIER.  GOD WANTS US TO TAKE COMFORT BY ENCOURAGEMENT.
Our Alzheimer’s support meetings are meant to ENCOURAGE those who are care giving a loved one as well as to ENCOURAGE others to come along side for the support, prayer partners, or to provide respite care.
A special thanks to Ryan who ENCOURAGED and led us on this tour today.  Looking forward to more adventures on ENCOURAGEMENT.

APPOINTED TIMES: Events & activities

Just as "there is a time for every event under Heaven" (Eccl.3:1) so is there "appointed times".  God blesses these appointed times with beautiful days as well as with cloudy days.

I am so grateful for those beautiful appointed days. 

 

"As a caregiver or family member of a person with Alzheimer’s disease, your knowledge of the progression
of the disease helps you to better understand the person’s activity needs and abilities. Identifying which stage
your loved one is in can help you plan appropriate activities."    Characteristics of each stage will differ.
Flexibility and accommodation to what is occurring with your loved one on any particular day and any particular moment will create a more positive experience.
We tried to adapt the activity  and expectations in creating a positive experience for all of us.

Matching activities to your loved one’s abilities can be challenging.
" By changing and
adapting as the person moves through the disease stages, you can make any valued activity available and meaningful.
Try using all of the senses, such as sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing to create and make
activities easier."
 The examples in the slideshow/video show  small events that proved to be a positive experience for Karl & I and Gary, adapting to his interest and needs to his ability and turning some of our errands (gas fill-ups & car wash runs) into pleasurable mini events.

 Knowing a person’s "Life Story" is a great help in choosing the activity.  (Thanks Laurie for all the input of your family history and things that he enjoyed in life.)
The main goal is to find out just who your loved one is, where they have been, and what they have done in their life and where they are now.

DON'T GIVE UP: Special Valentine post

My journey with my loved one is in its 40th year.
We have been through many challenges and
have seen many changes.  I am so glad that
we are not given the privilege of knowing what
is ahead as I would have easily been tempted
to give up
Well, we all have LOVED ONES of one kind
or another, parents, a spouse, children, grand
children, some one you are care giving, and
pets.
Well back to today.  Yet thoughts of some of
the past.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the career path
that was chosen for me, however, this past
year has brought about many changes in my
life and the energies are not as vibrant as
before.
My husband has had to take on the more
physical part of the work. We have been
co-care giving at our present employment
as well as caring at home for my 93 yr. old father who
has been with us now for about 10 months.
So I have been doing much reflection on the
past and the blessing that it has brought.
Our journey with the Prices continues to be
a blessing.  It is in pleasant surroundings
with a view of the golf course in Friendly
Valley.
We have enjoyed following a flock of
geese on the golf course as well as sightings
of a coyote and lots of bunnies, birds and
golfers.   Not to mention Wi-Fi privileges.

I was going through some of the sideshows
I have made to show just what one can do
with our Loved Ones at various stages of
their journey into Alzheimer’s and I came
upon one that was really special with two
of my many special men.   With out either of them
I would not have gotten this video/slideshow.