My New Title

I had been wanting to change some of the title of my Blog and I asked for a few suggestions. I didn't want to be unique, I wanted to be different! Someone suggested the word "handmaiden" and I began to do some research on the meaning of the word. I didn't really care for the dictionaries answer so I dug a little deeper, into God's kingdom. And then I came across something mentioned in an old Elijah List post and that pretty much helped me make up my mind.

What it boils down to is a handmaiden is a servant of the Lord. Let me share with you the things I read that helped me choose this title and you can go to these places and read if you want, or just take my word for it! :-)

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/7447

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/7588
"She is capable, strong, powerful and equipped with the very virtue of Christ. These beautiful ones in the sight of the Lord are mighty women of valor who are hearing the voice of the Lord calling them with clarity. They are not afraid to stand, not afraid to war, not afraid to give preference to their fellow brothers and sisters in genuine Godly humility as they yield themselves as servants and handmaidens of the Lord. The Lord is causing a new Godly confidence to arise from deep within to prepare them for the days ahead as they are given insight, foresight and apostolic strategy that are behind the scenes—the hidden treasures of the Lord who are bursting forth as a prototype of what the Bride of Christ will look like at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb"

And finally.....

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months (and helped her)" (Luke 1:56). The Lord may send you to serve other peoples' miracles before He delivers your own, but He will come through. All of His promises are "yes" and "amen." "Shall I bring you to the point of birth and not give delivery?" (Isaiah 66:7-9

Tuesday Talk

When a person tells you what should be done in a situation, in no uncertain terms, is that a form of judging? I got one of those e-mails yesterday, in behalf of my sister's current condition, in which the person told me what she should do and why she is the way she is. Because of not living a healthy lifestyle she is now paying the price. Well yeah, duh. I kind of already knew that and so did she. Thanks for your input. Should I remind you of some of your past ways and why you are experiencing what you are now?? Or should I just laugh it off and chalk it up to insensitivity during my current state of mind? LOL.

Sometimes I have noticed that people think my sister is faking things and not really as bad as she seems. My comment to that, you come and stay with her for about two hours and we'll see who is the fake.

Wow, do I have an attitude? Yep. And I know how to use it!

But seriously. I press on and leave the naysayers in the dust.

A Day of Rest

I didn't make it to church today. Just needed the rest of not having to get up and go. I did however manage to get out for a bit and get some breakfast someplace other than the kitchen. Came home, got the sister out of bed and read the paper.

I notice during the week that she is perkier and is making some progress. But on the weekends when therapy doesn't come around she seems more emotional. I told her in no uncertain terms is she going to lay in bed for 17 hours again. Yes you heard me right.

I also find that I am doing little things for her that she could be doing herself....that's going to stop too. I may be a servant but I'm not a slave. :-)

I look forward to the rest of my Sunday where I can lay around, maybe watch a John Wayne movie, take a nap and then watch MYSTERY on PBS tonight. We do love our British mysteries!

Give me a ring....but not if I'm napping!

I managed to go to my favorite hangout for breakfast this morning. While tending to my sister before I left, the phone rang and rang and rang and I just said, "sorry, answering is not on my agenda at the moment."

Then while we were trying to rest it started doing the same thing. Ring Ring Ring. I love it when people call and say, "Oh I thought you would be napping". If they thought that then why did they call and make me get up? :-)

Yesterday with the help of the therapist, we stood my sister up for a few seconds. It boosted her morale.

I am reading the book, "Helping Yourself Help Others" by Rosalynn Carter. It's rather old, before the invention of the Internet, but it is really good and it's changing my outlook and making me wonder if out of all of this a new ministry might be in the works for me. Hmmmmm.

Ok, I've got a little time, going to rest.

Fresh News

Well let's see. The official therapy started today. My sister who is normally in pain is now in more pain from her first workout. No pain, no gain. I worked with the therapist and we tried to get her upright on her feet, but it didn't work, yet. I ran some errands. Came home to find out that my niece was in the ER. She has had panic attacks for most of her adult life and several months ago the doc took her off the meds for them. She had a rapid heartbeat for most of the night and went to the ER today. She's home now. I ran more errands. I tried to get a nap but read some of my book instead. It's hot, humid and thunderstormy ( is that a word? )

I am actually going to cook a meal tonight!! I haven't fixed a meal in over a month. I love to cook.

So far the start of the week has been OK.

I'm thinking of changing the name of my Blog to something other than 'Nanny'.....Caregiver? Woman? Any suggestions? Be nice!

Day 3

I was sure we were going to have a better day but that wasn't the case. Well, actually it hasn't been all that bad. Emotions are the biggest problem today. And the therapy visits yesterday wore my sister out and today her pain is worse and she can't do much.

On a lighter note, the tree men came right at 8 this morning. My back yard is bare. And while they were working they accidentally knocked the cable wire out of the house and the cable company says they can't come out till Sunday to fix it. Can you hear me letting out a deep sigh?

In the next day or so I have someone coming to pour rocks in my driveway to put "Lake Thomas" out of commission! Yeah!! And then someone else to cut down more weeds and trees that are against the house. And then someone to clean the gutters. And then........

When someone from church asked what I needed I just broke down and told them some stuff....and my God is supplying all our needs according to His riches in Glory! Philippians 4:19

Day Two of a Caregivers Life

This morning didn't start off well. Enough said. But we've both gotten dressed, had breakfast and brushed our teeth. What more can you want? :-) I walked down the street and got a newspaper. I like looking at Thursdays paper, at all the entertainment stuff going on that I never go to. HaHa.

I have amazing news that I will be sharing in the near future. About how church family and friends are taking care of our needs, just as the Bible directs us to do.

Therapy person coming soon! Have to corral the cat. :-)

At Home Day One

My sister came home from the nursing home yesterday. It was a very emotional and challenging day all around. And it didn't help matters much when a family member denied us a favor. Oh to be so selfish. Oh well, one day it will be their turn and I'm sure that I will be more accommodating but I digress. Today has been a little easier, but not much. Tomorrow will be even better. The home health care nurse is here. Therapy will be around later this week. Life has changed, but not to much. I can still get out and about here and there. And I'm going to be enlisting the help of people even though they might not know it yet. The number one thing caregivers are supposed to do is tell people they need help. The last time I was a caregiver I didn't do that.....this time I will.

Trusting God through it all. He continues to provide.

Cheers!

I miss the days when I had friends to go and do things with. Ok, I still have one or two that I do that with. But gee whiz I can remember when I would go and do things like go to a movie, out to eat, to a ballgame, to someones house for fun and games etc etc. Now everyone is to busy with family or some other excuse. Ok, I guess family does come first. But you know there are people out there in the world, in our neighborhood, in our church, in our job.....people that don't have anyone. Not for lack of trying. I read all these books and magazine articles on the importance of doing things with your girlfriends and all that jazz but what do you do if you don't have any? Or can't find any? Or find some that just sort of fizzle out?

I have to admit I have been fighting temptation to go back to the bars. LOL....I mean if you find the right one you can be like a family there.....just like "Cheers". I'm not throwing a pity party, don't anyone come near me with that....I'm just stating facts. Maybe a purpose in everything I'm going through right now is to open some eyes. Not everyone in life is married with children. But we still have things going on in our lives that we could share. I know it's easier for some of us to stop what we are doing at the drop of a hat and go to a movie or out to eat or shopping or_________. But there are also such things as 'plans', not everything has to be spur of the moment.

Anybody want to plan something?