wilma12 Praise God for taking care of your brother so well. Praying for a safe, healthy delivery for your DIL and new grandbaby.

Dee Glad the meds seems to be working for you. I love how the Lord led you to take care of your cat.

Rosebud Praising God for successful surgery for Numster and continued prayers coming her way for speedy recovery with no problems. Also praying for you and the side effects to be minimal as you continue your treatments.

God is so Good.

Prayers continue for all.

PRAYER REQUEST PLEASE ~ I urgently need you all to pray for our meeting with the Community Access Team at the Owen Sound hospital tomorrow at 11 am, esp for a Dr. Mulroy, who is part of the team.

I received a very upsetting call late this afternoon from a member of the team who said that this doctor wants to interfere in our financial affairs -- without consulting me first. There is no reason for him to do that as I am quite capable of looking after our finances, esp since I have an accounting- business college degree and have been doing so for our whole marriage with my husband's consent.

We don't understand why he wants to take this heavy-handed route when I can simply get DH's doctor to sign a Power of Attorney form for us so that I can continue taking care of our finances as always. This kind of step is usually only taken when there isn't anyone available to do that. I have made a few calls to my lawyer and others, and confirmed that I am correct that the way we were handling it was OK. I wanted to get his own doctor who knows him well, and our own lawyer to handle this when we got back home.

Please pray that the meeting has a positive outcome tomorrow; that we all remain calm; that it doesn't make me sick as I was quite upset and ill when I first heard about all of this. As you all know, I only sent DH there to be assessed for his mental and physical medical care only; and to get some help for us at home later on -- not for his/our finances.

I was kind of miffed when they kept asking me about our finances and that made me quite suspicious at the time. I even received a letter from this hospital asking me for a donation since I was getting care there as well (it actually said that).

Here I have been singing their praises and now they do this. I thought I was doing the best thing for both of us; now I am not so sure. I pray that GOD will intervene for us and protect us from this oppression. Our worker said this was to help me so I wouldn't be so stressed but then they do this and that sent my stress levels through the roof. I am the only one DH has to help and care for him, so I have to be strong for both of us. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS ...

Oh, Rosebud, what an upsetting thing to happen. The work of the devil ,in my opinion.
I am praying that God will intervene in this matter, that this Doctor will see that what he is doing is unfair and completely uncalled for. I pray, Rosebud that you will be relieved of this stress and anxiety and that God will bless you with strength and courage, praying also that this will not affect your health.

OK, FELLOW WARRIORS ~ as if the call we got in the afternoon wasn't bad enuff, we just got a call from my DAD that he received the news today that he has invasive colon cancer once again -- so he and our stepmother GRACE will have surgery the same week or sooner (Grace: June 4th); and we'll let you know DAD's date as soon as we find it out. (BTW, his doctor says that they are gonna move as fast as they can to get this out -- just waiting on the test results right now. PRAISE GOD -- that's the best way to go ... take aggressive measures from the get go!)

And secondly, just like my brother said, my DAD also said "Don't let them push you around!". OK, DAD we won't ... we'll go in and try to be assertive, but polite; stand our ground, but let GOD fight. And BIL says, "LET'S ALL PRAISE GOD ANYWAYS -- no matter what happens" No matter what man does, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL, PEOPLE. We will trust Him and believe that He will take care of all His children.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS, FRIENDS -- let us join them with a company of angels for the best of protection and care for DAD & GRACE, and DH & ME ... PRAISE GOD; AND LET HIS WILL BE DONE IN OUR LIVES EVERY DAY ... in Jesus' name -- AMEN & AMEN!!!

EDIT2ADD ~ thanks BARGOO -- just saw your post. I agree with you about \youknowho/ trying to cause us some trouble, but our GOD is stronger! There is nothing too hard for our GOD; He can do anything. I know that there is a lesson here somewhere; we are now asking people -- have you made a will and POA for down the road??? Well, you better think about it now ... ;) Sad, but true that the almighty $$$ is more important than human lives it seems these days. I thank GOD that He cares about people and souls more than money and things.

:love: PRAISE GOD FOR HIS EVERLASTING LOVE ... :love:

Prayers going up for all!

Rosebud- It makes me upset on your behalf to read what the hospital is trying to do! I am praying for you, and also for your Dad and Step-Mom and their surgeries.

I told you guys last time about how I felt God had led me to my cat over the weekend and helped me to save him from a severe hypoglycemic episode. Well, I had a similar thing happen yesterday with my dog. Two days ago my dog at an entire raw soup bone. It's common for me to give the dogs soup bones, and in the past they only at the marrow. But this time my dog ate the whole thing all gone! And she's had bowel issues for a couple days. But yesterday I went home and she had been sick all over her kennel. There was literally a pool of it, and a vile nasty bit of stuff it was. I found some bone pieces in her vomit, and I had to throw her dog bed in the trash because it was filthy and I have no way to wash something so large. She kept getting sick and just looked miserable- she had dry heaves, which I've never seen with a dog. I prayed for her, and made a vet appointment. I was scared she had bone shards inside her that were causing problems, especially after she threw some up. Anyway, while we were waiting for the vet's appointment in an hour, she started acting much improved. I mean, literally went from acting like she on death's doorstep to wanting to play and eat. I took her to the vet and she got x-rays and literally nothing showed up. She has belly gas and that's it. I know this was a miracle. She was so sick, and then right after I prayed she was all better. I'm not sure why God has shown me twice in one week that I am being looked after (and my pets too) but I'm very grateful.

DEE ~ I am so glad that your pets are both feeling so much better without any long=lasting ill effects. Maybe GOD just wants us to trust Him more with everything, including our beloved pets.

UPDATE ON MEETING WITH ACCESS TEAM ~ it was very disappointing in many ways. I don't understand the urgency in what this doctor has done; not consulting us in the process or even discussing with us what he intended to do -- a coward's way of handling things in my books. This is so tragic when what he has done has such far reaching consequences to both our lives; this is not a single case of a trustee for an individual. So, we have been told that very soon all our finances and property will be under the control of a government trustee even though I am perfectly capable and competent to handle our financial and other affairs.

I was so surprised when the doctor handed DH another legal document as we were leaving; and I asked him why he gave this legal document to DH if he feels he is so incompetent -- he couldn't come up with anything other than, "Oh, I have to give it to him as he leaves the hospital"-- instead of telling DH what he is really doing to his face and in everyday language, but instead gives him a document he knows DH will not ever read. Again, to me this is a coward's way of handling things ...

This man (the doctor) was curt, smug, and uncaring; while all the others at least tried to explain things to us. Still they lied to us; they deceived us; and they stabbed us in the back. A few came to talk to us later and apologized saying they didn't have any idea what that doctor was up to. One worker is going to look into the laws so I at least know what my rights are before all the paper hits the fan so2speak.

I have to admit that I have never been so sad in my life; or felt so betrayed in my life by anyone. LORD, help me forgive them. I guess there are many kind of betrayals -- infidelity by a spouse; parents to children and visa versa; between friends, and now by our government and health care providers. This isn't the first time I have come across this either. I am so worried about all the unsuspecting people out there now who have no idea what may befall them in the not2distance future.

While it is important to protect those that need protecting; that wasn't so in our case as I have been managing our financial affairs with DH's consent since we got married; and I have done a great job of it too. There really was no reason to take control of our money and property the way they have at this time. I am so very suspicious about what is really going on here. They are also going to take 2-3% of our income as a fee for something we did not request or need in the first place. Plus, if I apply for guardianship I have to pay $400.00 just for the application -- only GOD knows what other costs there may be.

I pray that GOD will find out the truth for us and let us know soon. Please pray for us in the meanwhile that I am not prevented from my own money and/or our home in any way ... thanks!!!

BTW, the assessment was a total waste of time and money: we found out nothing that we didn't already know; and no changes have been made in his care except that the homecare worker is gonna try to get us some home care help and day activities for a little while as the social activities were his favorite part of the program. A few weeks of help is better than nothing (as that is all you get); and I hope that will make DH happy for a few days. I know that he is thrilled to be back at home tonight. We are gonna try to create our own mini-program here for the days in between and hope it helps him somewhat. Then we'll take some of that stuff back home and continue it there. Maybe a few friends and I could create a free drop-in day program in our home -- we do have a big basement that might work well for this. I will pray about this and see if GOD wants us to do this; I think DH would get a charge out of that. Now I just have to save up the money for the things we need.

Now I have to get some sleep; haven't slept at all since the night before. My legs are tired and sore and need some rest, as the chemo is really kicking in this week. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS, EVERYONE ... :hug:

Rosebud- I am so saddened about your situation, and frankly don't understand how it's even legal? You don't live in this facility, how on earth can they seize your assets? I think you need to hire a good lawyer. This is unbelievable. I will keep you and your DH in my thoughts and prayers.

Rosebud, I am shocked and saddened by this. I will be praying about this and I would like to ask all the prayer warriors to make this a priority as this is an urgent need.

Rosebud-I agree with Dee about speaking to a lawyer if you can. I will definitely continue to pray for this situation. This is not uncommon in these situations though. My BIL's father had alzheimers. Before it came time to get him residential care, their attorney advised them to split up the farm to all the kids, because the care center and the gov't could take it to 'pay' for the care. My MIL, because of a mistake after receiving a low-interest, gov't loan on a self-help house (she was supposed to refinance privately within so many years, but wasn't told it-it was hidden in the legal speak in the documents) now had to agree to give the gov't the house when she dies to pay off the 'interest' they didn't get due to the low interest of the original loan. It may not seem like much, as they house is small, but she has no other assets, so there's nothing to pass on to DH or his sisters for inheritance. She's very upset about this and feels betrayed like you do.

God will work to right this situation, Rosebud-I know He will. Keep the faith and see if there's someone you can talk to for advice.

Dee-I'm so glad your pets are ok. God does work in wonderful ways to protect all those we love!

Prayers continue! :grouphug:

Rosebud I'm so sorry about all the things you, DH and your parents are going through. It seems like everything is hitting y'all all at once. I agree that you should get a lawyer and see what can be done. I pray that Father will surround y'all with His Favor and Protection in this situation. And pray your Dad and Step-mom's surgerys are successful and they have a succesful quick recovery. I pray God will give you peace in the midst of this storm.

Ronni Praying for your situation with your Mom too.

Prayers continue for all.

RONNI -- Am sending up more prayers for your mom; this is a tough situation but we can ask GOD to show us how we can help. Maybe you can keep your conversation short when she is ranting (just tell her the truth; that you have lots of things you must get done that day). I found your post very interesting: the experiences of the people you mentioned; and I will be keeping these stories in the back of my mind even though things are not supposed to work that way here from my initial investigation. However, nothing would surprise me after what we have been through here, and I will take a much more careful look into things first in the future.

Most of the people on the Community Access Team were helpful and supportive; it was just this doctor and one lady that were flippant, smug, evasive, and down-right rude. It seemed to all of us that they were insinuating that they had to make sure the government kept their eye on our finances, esp our property as they both brought that up for some undisclosed reason. We are very honest people and have always checked to make sure we did everything according to the rules and laws of our province. Often these people are misinformed themselves and make unfounded assumptions and accusations. They didn't bother to check out the facts first even when I mentioned this to them; plus they didn't involve me in the process until it was over, and that was just to tell me a few things at the meeting at the very end. This was supposed to be a medical assessment; not an investigation into our personal affairs.

This is supposed to be a free nation where anyone can improve their lot in life if they want to and have the courage to do so. I suspect that there may even be some jealousy lurking it ugly head here. I will trust GOD to get us an honest trustee who will let me take over as POA for DH and myself -- there is no good reason why that shouldn't happen (and shouldn't have happened already). We were told I could apply for POA and I will still pursue that avenue with GOD's guidance. We will just take this one step at a time and let GOD do His work.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for your kind words of support and your prayers; they mean a lot to me and help lift me up when so many things are happening in our family at this time. Please pray for my sister as all this has been tough on her, esp with her teeth bothering her. Two of her wisdom teeth have some bone chips left and she can't get them removed until Wednesday, so they have been making her false teeth very painful to wear, but she is trying to brave it as long as she can.

Rosebud - So sorry to hear about your situation. I see you are in Ontario, have you spoken to your MPP about this? They often can help with these things. I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if I missed something. :hug:

THANKS, ROO -- yes, we do have an MPP back at home that I will talk to if I find that I am having difficulty with the process. We have used that avenue with another matter successfully in the past ... :)

With all the problems others are having, I hate to have to ask y'all to pray for me because I feel so strange with the way I'm feeling lately. I don't know if it is my age or what. Although I'm feeling terrible physically today, I am beginning to think that my problem is spiritual. I just feel like I'm in a spiritual slump.

I know God loves me and I am really blessed, but I feel like everything I do spiritually even praying is a real struggle. I don't really understand the way I feel. I have always loved my time that I spend with the Lord and getting up and going to church was a joy. I have a wonderful pastor and the people there are great and loving. I have family and friends who love me and I love all of them. Even after the struggle with the kids living here all that time, God has really done a healing in those relationships. They sent me a dozen roses for Mother's day. My son who wasn't able to call me for years because of a wife he should never have married, is getting a divorce and calls me almost everyday. I should be happy and feeling on top of the world I'm so blessed. For the life of me, I can't figure out what is going on with me. How can someone who has felt the presence of God so wonderfully, have the attitude I'm having now.

This feels the way I've felt when it was time to quit or leave a job. But this isn't a job. This is life. People in my life depend on me for spiritual guidance and support and here I am not able to even do what I need to be doing to help me so I can help them. I know what I need to be doing but just don't seem to be able to make myself do it. I can't seem to put my finger on the problem, but it is almost as though I have "spiritual" burnout. I feel spiritually drained as well as physically and emotionally.

Please pray for me. I know the Lord has much more for me to do. I need an attitude adjustment and the desire to spend more time with Him. I have a special place in my home where I us to always spend my quiet times and devotional times with the Lord. When the kids were here, they all wanted to move into that space. I couldn't get it alone any more so I felt like I lost a lot when I had to give it up again. Now DGS is living here for a few months. Just as I was getting back into having that space again, he has taken it over. I think I'm feeling like I have no place or space that is mine to be alone with the Lord any more. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I think I'm going to have to do something about it and I'm sure he and DH aren't going to like it. I just hate facing the confrontation. However, I feel that my spiritual walk is at stake. Does that sound crazy?

Please forgive me for my rambling here. I just know that if I can't get my spiritual situation straightened out that I won't be able to handle the rest of my life. Thanks for your prayers and you ear.

Prayers continue for all.

TRISH -- will send up prayers for your spiritual growth right now; every now and then, we go through a dry spell and need renewal. Ask the Holy Spirit for a rejuvenation too. Can you move your prayer closet to another place or room; or can your DGS move to the basement or another room? I made our smallest room into an office/prayer room; when I go back home I am moving it to the room near the kitchen so DH can have that room. The basement will be designated back to storage and the livingroom will have more of a recroom/activity purpose for the next while.

Maybe start a timed schedule where you go there at the same time every day, no matter what. Choose a time when no other things or people can interfere with it (like before everyone else is up; or not at home; or in the evening before bed; or whatever works best for you). We cannot always go on feelings; we have to set up a schedule and keep it.

Plus try changing up your time with GOD with something different like a new devotional, or a good Christian book that discusses this issue or one that interests you. How about praying while you go for a walk or while you are doing housechores; I love to do that. How about putting Christian music on to brighten the day, esp when preparing meals, for instance.

After some time, it will become a good habit once again ... :hug:

Thanks Rosebud. I actually stayed home from church today and spent time alone with the Lord. Decided to tell DGS when he came home from church that I needed my space to spend time with the Lord for my prayer time, devotionals and Bible study. He uses his DGD desk to study and he has his room. He said that he understood and took it very well.

Any way, I got out my book by Joyce Meyer on Knowing God. It is one of those books I have to read a little bit and then put it down for a while and let my spirit really digest it. Would you believe where I stopped last time I read it is concerning exactly where I am. I picked up another book to read some from it too and it is about the same thing. So I guess the Lord was leading me to get back into those books. Thanks for the prayers.

Another prayer request. I realize this is something else I'm dealing with. DH fbs is way too high. Please pray that we will be able to get it down. From what the doctor said when we saw him, the next step is insulin. This has evidently depressed both of us. I don't know if y'all remember that he got the neck problem taken care of with his surgery and still recovering from that. Now he has a problem with the tailbone area. He is on prednisone which probably doesn't help the diabetes and starts therapy for it at the end of the month. Please pray with us that he doesn't have to have surgery. Please continue to pray for me to put my feelings aside. As I've shared with y'all before he says things sometimes that are really hurtful. He doesn't mean for them to hurt me and I'm sorry to say that I don't always handle it as I should. I pray Lord, please give me patience with him and compassion for him.

I know we are all going through a lot of things right now, Ronni with her Mom, Rosebud with treatments, family situations, DH and now people wanting to take everything and the many others we pray for here. I always believe things happen for a reason although I'm not sure what those reasons are sometimes. I enjoyed your post on the Encouragers thread Rosebud with the references to Joseph and Job. I've heard that Job's situation only went on for a short time. When we read it, it sounds like it was yrs and I'm sure there were times Job felt that way too.

We/I have to remember and trust in God's promise that "All things work together for our good". We sing that little chorus a lot at church and it has been going over and over in my head all day long. So I know that although I'm not aware of all that is going on, I am quite sure God is on it working it out for our good. This is just the time we have to be faithful and trust Him and never give up. GOD IS SO GOOD!!! We we don't give up He will bring us through victoriously and He will be glorified.

It is so wonderful to know that we all have each other here to pray with us. I love and appreciate y'all so very much. I pray you've had a blessed Sunday.

We've been doing the Beth Moore bible studies and I feel so Blessed to have started these. I did find a link that you might want to click on and check out. She is just so uplifting all the time. Feels like you have a "best friend" sitting right in the room with you. Anyway, Trish, and anybody else, check them out. Just love the word! http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/...-archives.html

Karen Thanks so very much. I love Beth Moore. I've done a few of her lessons on my own and attended a teaching of hers in a friends home. You are right... she is so uplifting. I will check out the site.

Thanks for the prayers and good words everyone! Couldn't do anything about Mom on Friday or over the weekend, since all offices, including her former psychiatrist, were closed. Talked to my sister & mom's brother and sister-in-law and a couple other people who know Mom over the weekend and all are in agreement that we must get intervention and quickly. So, today's the day....I'll be calling her court advocate and the psychiatrist and probably the police chief, because I know that she will not go willingly back into the hospital to start the meds. Prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Prayers continue for all.

Trish-I don't know if your DH has tried this, but I've heard of great results with blood sugar control by wheat elimination. Of course, it helps to watch the rice flours and other 'fast' carbs as well, but it's been proven that blood sugar spikes more quickly from a slice of wheat toast than with an entire candy bar. They did that experiment on Dr. Oz trying to prove that the 'Wheat Belly' doctor didn't know what he was talking about, but it backfired and Oz was rather stunned. I really recommend reading 'Wheat Belly.' Praying for you and your DH.

TRISH ~ sending up prayers for your DH and you for the issues you are dealing with (so similar to mine at times). DH is getting better in some ways, and with the PSW help & the day-away program (activity days), things should be much better. Boredom is an issue for someone so used to being busy-as-a-bee all the time. It was harder to find things for him to do in the wintertime; now that it's more summery here, there is more for us all to do.

He is looking forward to the activity days, riding BIL's bike, and excited about our trip to Thunder Bay for our niece's wedding. I think things should be OK from now on. We will just have to get the other issues sorted out as they come. Plus now that he is home and will be with us all the time, other issues will go away completely. ;)

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS and kind words of support for all of us; they are greatly appreciated. Prayers continue for everyone here ... :hug:

RONNIE ~ sending up prayers that all goes well for you as you try to help your mother; I hope you get the help you need.

KAREN ~ thanks for that link to that site; will be checking it out for sure. :)

That Beth Moore site has videos that you can watch and they are wonderful! I'd like to ask for prayers for the OKlahoma people that have been in the paths of these horrible storms. And also prayers that we are spared again tonight. Last night we just had rain, wind lightening and thunder. But still under a tornado watch again tonight on in to tomorrow. Doing ok right now and will try to update as much as possible.

Prayers for all concerns here

Prayers going up for Trish, Trish's husband, Ronni and her mom, and Rosebud and her husband and all concerns.

Karen. you are in my prayers that your area will be spared from tornadoes.
Praying for those in Oklahoma who have already been hit such a devastating blow.

Thanks-- we spent about 20 minutes in the closet this evening but now I think the worst is over for us. No tornados out of this last bunch for us but the sirens did go off. Now we severe thunderstorm warnings. I still have all the stuff in the closet for us and have the leashes on the dogs. just in case. My next step iss to remember to get our motorcycle helmets out of the attic---don't want to ride a bike anymore but want to protect my head!!

KAREN ~ good idea to have the helmets handy; glad the tornadoes missed you. We have been sending up prayers for OKLAHOMA since we heard the news this afternoon; and they will continue ...

DEE ~ thanks for your prayers; really appreciated. We had a windy rainstorm here this evening as well; thankfully, nothing like they were getting in the US.

UPDATE -- My sister is feeling better; taking her teeth out now and then for relief. We had a nice roast beef dinner with mash & gravy which she can eat; and she minced the veggies and meat. It's the first full dinner she has been able to eat in a week.

^PRAYERS^ continue for everyone else here, as always ... :hug:

Praying for you Karen and for those who lost loved ones, missing loved ones and those who lost their homes in OK. Also praying that the storms will settle down and disapate.

Praise God for Numpster healing so well of her surgery.

Prayers continue for all other requests.

Rosebud, I am so concerned about your situation and am praying for a resolution in your favor.I don't know what MPP is bit it sounds like a good resource for you . I am praying for your family members, also, it seems the enemy is attacking your family at this time. God is greater and is in control.
I am also praying for all other requests and especially for those in Oklahoma who have been so tragically affected. I can't imagine the anguish of the parent whose children have perished. It is just heartbreaking.

BARGOO ~ my BIL thinks the same as you. I don't know what is going to happen but we are praying and trusting GOD to turn things to our favor for sure. I have two college degrees: one in Social Work (plus many years working in Nursing Homes & Group Homes with the elderly, disabled, and mentally ill & challenged), and a business degree including Accounting, so I am more than qualified to manage our finances. Add in that I am his wife and there should be no reason while I would not be granted stewardship of his/our financial affairs again. I have been doing a great job all these years, and the government is already aware of our situation for other reasons: we are an open book.

The home nurse will be coming to visit Friday afternoon at 4:30 pm. He and the team's social worker are trying to find out what is going on -- what this kind of trusteeship entails and what we can do. We have been told that this isn't usually done unless the person has no relatives to help them, or there is a very large amount of money to handle (which we don't), or a complaint on how things are being done (which hasn't happened becuz it isn't so).

It was just the way it was handled and how those two CAT members were being so rude; plus it was a surprise since they didn't tell us until the very end. All they had to do was talk to me. I still think that the action they took was unnecessary; and a terrible waste of the government's time and money. I have faith in the LORD that everything will work out in the end; and that He will turn things into good for us too.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS and kind words of support. We sure have a lot on our plates in this family at this time, but GOD is our strength and will come to our rescue. I spent a lot time last night praying and praising and reading hope-filled scriptures -- that helped me feel a lot better. :hug:

Thanks for all the prayers. My son lives down there about 50 miles south and said they were dancing all around him but they were all fine. He texted me every couple hours so I wouldn't worry so much. So all my family and friends are fine. So very sad for so many!

Tomorrow is the 2 year anniversary of the one that hit us here in Joplin. It is still fresh in the minds for so many people.

Rosebud, I am praying that your situation gets straightened out. It has to be exhausting to have to fight all the time for what you know is right.

Need to get busy here but wanted to let everyone know I'm fine and praying for all.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm: 118:24

Amen!!

Amen! And it's a beautiful day where I live, too. :)

:wave: Same here -- around lunch time the :sunny: came out and it is warming up out there with a little breeze. My DAD & GRACIE dropped by on their way to their cottage -- they both look good and are in good spirits. We will see them before they go home again, I'm sure.

I'm feeling better today; had lots of energy so I vacuumed and dusted and cleaned the living-room couch, etc. Now I am resting my legs a bit. It is interesting that the US spell check says that livingroom without a hyphen is an error -- in Canada, we type it as one compound word. Well, there's your grammar lesson for the day ... :lol:

DH is doing good still; he said he didn't sleep as well as the night before but he did stay in his room/ensuite. He loved the day-away activity program so much he wanted to back today, but I had to remind him that the next day is Monday. So I got him to help me move things while I did the housechores today and he seemed to enjoy that.

BIL is taking him out shopping in a little while. We are having his favorite for dinner tonight: cheezeburgers. It is DH's 66th birthday and we have this beautiful chocolate, with whipped chocolate topping cake with chocolate sprinkles all over it. You guessed his favorite is chocolate no doubt -- he picked it out, of course. I got him a whole pile of fishing lures and together, we picked him up lots of activity stuff for his birthday; plus I'll give him some $MONEY$ -- he always likes that. ;)

My sister (Numpster) bought some fun summer games: BOCCI BALL and BOLA BALL (it is a three tiered bar that you throw double balls tied at each end by a string). DH learned to play that at a neighbour's place some time ago. We have also ordered a bean bag and ring toss game: two games in one. These are the type DH will be able to do.

I didn't realize that I was gonna chat so much; should have put this into the Encourager's thread I guess. Anyways indeed -- it is a lovely day and we must rejoice and be glad of it ... :D

^PRAYERS^ continue for you and yours ... :hug: BTW, the mental health referral worker is coming this afternoon; we pray for a good meeting and they get the stewardship issue straightened out. The other CCAC home-visitor says not to be concerned about it and that it all should be ironed out already; plus that he is going to correct the misinformation for the record. GOD has given me great peace about this matter -- so I am sure it will all work out in the end, one way or another. Thanks for your prayers and PRAIZE GOD anyways!!!

Praise Him !
Praise Him !
Praise Him in the morning !
Praise Him in the noontime !
Praise Him when the sun goes down !

YAY!! Amen to that!!

UPDATE ~ the Geriatric Mental Health worker came today and we had a long discussion. He and a social worker are trying to sort things out -- so we are praying that she can have some influence even though our file has been sent up to the Sudbury office since we actually live in the north. So maybe our prayers will help her when the financial trusteeship petition is actually processed which could take anywhere from a few to several weeks.

The GMH worker did his research just as I did, and found the same things as well. Some good things have come out of this for future clients at least. He said this is the first time a situation like this has come up, which was kind of funny becuz I had asked that question myself, "surely this isn't the first time this has come up?" But it is ... go figure.

We did get lots of help from the social services, the activity services, the home support services for the future, and some respite, etc. So while we did get a lot of the help we had been looking for; we got a little more than we bargained for. I guess the biggest glitch is giving us a manual or pamphlet on what the group (CCAC) is all about -- sharing what they can do for us; plus honestly & fully explaining what the assessment process entails (leaving nothing out); and they should involve the close family members better than they did in our case.

He hopes all this will change in the future -- well, it will for him at least. This is a new group with new members, so that may have played a factor too. The new co-ordinator has been informed and they are supposed to make sure that they do things differently in the future. The other thing is to make sure they talk to the family to make sure they have all the facts right. It is hard to make the correct decisions on someone's behalf if you only have part of the puzzle -- leaving several dozen pieces out, you can't finish the job right.

Plus if some of the pieces are missing entirely, i.e. like the facts, and the truth -- relying on assumption & insinuation & opinion, and the mixed-up and confused thoughts of an ill client ... you will never finish the puzzle at all. It is much wiser to work with the family than take such an aggressive & adversarial stance against them; that only puts their backs up and who can blame them.

They admit some steps were missed; like bringing someone in to talk about the financial aspects personally, but IMO that should have been done at the beginning, not as an after everything ran amuck kind of thing. Taking such a drastic step without talking to the family was a huge error, and has caused a lot of stress & trouble; will take a lot of time & effort to fix; and cost a lot of money for the family & the government, all of which could have been avoided.

If the GMHW and SW are successful, maybe all that can be thwarted in one full sweep; that's what we are hoping & praying for anyways. Now, if my blood pressure doesn't go up this week from all the stress, that would be a blessing too -- but, our GOD is able ... :)

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS EVERYONE -- I'll keep you posted ... :hug:

EDIT2ADD ~ I heard an interesting video today with, believe it or not, the infamous Alice Cooper. As some of you may not know, he is a Christian and has been for a good part of his life -- admitting that he was the epitome of the prodigal son. He said something very profound -- that he always tells people "Don't think that when you become a Christian, your life will be easier becuz it won't; actually, it will be harder" and he goes on to explain why. When you tell people you are a Christian, they watch you like a hawk; they judge how you live and talk; sometimes you are teased & mocked; and you better not make a mistake or they'll say you are a hypocrite (not Alice's words -- these are mine). We have problems just like everyone else does, and sometimes it seems like we have even more. It isn't that GOD offers us a charmed life -- no, no. He just offers to help us through the difficult times; and they will come, just as we have seen. He just wants us to trust him no matter what. Living the Christian life ain't for sissies, that's for sure ... good thing we have JESUS on our side! :D


If you want to hear the whole message, google "Surprise -- Alice Cooper is a Christian" on Youtube. I know I was supposed to hear that message today. Oh, here it is; I found it again ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3q7ycY9hbk PS: while I am not a big fan of his music or theatrics, I just found this little tidbit interesting; and this was kind of an answer to a question that I had thrown into the air this past week. GOD does answer us and will use the most unlikely sources sometimes. ;)

Rosebud Looks like things are beginning to come together. I pray God will continue to work things out for your good and for His Glory. Praying continued favor and preferential treatment for a wonderful quick work. Also pray your blood pressure stays steady in the midst of the stress.

Additional pray request for DH With all the pain DH has been in, he has been on a pain medicine for quite some time. The pain management doc is steadily taking him off of it. DH still has pain with his back, but it is better and it is good for him to come off the meds so he doesn't become addicted to it. Please pray with me for help him come off this medicine with no real problems and that the pain in his back will not increase. Thank you for your prayers.

Prayers continue going up for each one of you as well.

THANKS, TRISH -- am still sending up prayers for your DH (Toni). How is his shoulder? Does he still have pain there or just in his back? Hope the pain goes away so he can be med free soon ... :hug:

We will just hope and pray that things will get sorted out; that's all I can do really. Just trust GOD that there is a reason all this happened; and that He will turn it all into good for us and others too.

I realize that eventually, DH will have to go into full-time care. Meanwhile, the social workers here have already arranged for personal support care at our own home and respite care at a manor in a neighbouring town. I wanted to check that place out anyways -- so this will be a perfect opportunity. It would be a great transitional phase for DH as well; plus he likes the social interaction with lots of other people as he always has. I call him my social butterfly ...

Plus I am praying ahead now for that time, as I will need advice and wisdom on what to do, esp about our house. I am not sure that I could carry the place on my own, so I am asking GOD to work something out for me ahead of time. So, I will put my trust in Him for that as well. So many things to think about and arrange in complicated situations like this.

TRUST, TRUST, TRUST -- oh, how that rings in my ears so much these days. I pray for strength every day. THANKS for your prayers -- time to go check dinner ... ;)

Prayers for all.

I'm so down right now I can't think of anything else to say, except that I'll be praying. Please keep Mom in your prayers. Looks like we'll be trying for a committal on Tuesday when the courthouse is open. Don't know if it will happen, but, after today, we know we have to do something. Thanks and God bless.