Staying Positive

“There is something about everything that you can be glad about”.

From the original novel Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

I used to be more like Pollyanna. I could usually see something to be glad about. Since my husband’s stroke, I have decided to be very glad that he is alive. I choose each day to lift my spirits by thanking God that he can talk, has a strong mind and can walk with a hemi walker as someone assists.

The days are long and hard. My wonderful husband depends on me for many things. The stroke has residual effects that we struggle with daily. Neither of us has slept for more than 3 hours at a time. I have been so overwhelmed since we arrived back home after the hospital stay and in patient rehab, that we do well to have healthy meals and clean clothes. For the two of us to go to the doctor’s office, it takes about 3 hours. In the past, one showered while the other made breakfast. Then we switched and one feed the animals while the other showered. We could be out the door in about an hour.

I have often spoke about the importance of a caregiver building a team. Our team consists of amazing people that have taken care of the animals, mowed the grass, built a ramp, provided meals and gift cards, called and texted with encouragement and prayers. Some have even recorded songs about healing and sent them to us. From coast to coast we have friends, family and neighbors that have blessed us. Physical and occupational therapists are in and out of our home. My husband was gifted a very nice recliner to sleep in when the bed is uncomfortable. My amazing brother-in-law has been our transportation until I could buy a vehicle. We are very glad for our amazing team supporting us.

There are plenty of tears as we grieve the life we once had, but we realize how blessed we are to have each other as we walk this valley. A deeper compassion for others is growing. We stand in hope. Listening to worship music helps us stand in faith for a complete healing.

Today was our second outing by ourselves. It was simply a trip to the pharmacy and to grab a late breakfast. We kept it simple by using the drive-thru for both. Purchasing a transport wheelchair has made life easier. The large one we use indoors weighs 38 pounds. The other is 12 pounds lighter so I can load and unload it in the vehicle. I am glad that I can handle transferring in and out easier.

We don’t get everything right. There are days that I have to remind myself that the words and actions of my husband are the stroke talking just like in Alzheimer’s when the disease is talking. I saw my husband’s MRI and the damage to his brain. It was shocking but I had to remind myself that his brain can rewire and heal. His left hand and leg often move, kick and spasm. I have learned to dodge these movements. Things get knocked off counter and spill on the floor. I am having to grab a stool to reach things in the kitchen rather than ask my hubby to get things for me. He is working hard with therapist to regain control of his left side. He gets very frustrated and I have to show more patience than I knew I had.

Isolation is very real. There is little time for conversations with friends. I choose my times of shedding tears carefully. My husband is very aware of the work load I carry. He feels guilty for having the stroke. I cry when he is asleep. We do talk, cry and pray together as well.

A friend and neighbor is very sensitive to our struggle. She often shows up just to give a hug and sometimes a meal. This act of love is another thing that keeps us positive.

We are looking forward to the day we can pay forward the love we have been showered with.

Word for Today

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

There are days that I have to focus on you to survive. You see my brokeness and tears. You hold me in your loving arms when I lose sight of hope and healing. You remind me that you are still in control. Give me peace when fear and anxiety creep in and try to steal my hope and joy. Humbled I turn to you and wait.

Amen

Stumbling Through Caregiving Sleep Deprived

I was embarassed by the errors in my last post. I was still in shock, grief and fear over my husband’s stroke. Life is a series of constant adjustments now. Home health, physical therapy, occupational therapy and doctor visits fill our days. All of the cooking, cleaning, feeding the farm animals and caregiving falls on me except when amazing neighbors swoop in to save the day.

I am on edge after my husband fell in the middle of the night as we transfered to a wheelchair to go to the bathroom. He is alright but it resulted in another emergency room visit to make sure of that. Sleep has been difficult for us. If he is in our bed and I accidentally touch his left side, his leg and arm react in muscle spasms. Small uncomfortable recliners leave us both with aches and stiffness.

Hopefully, sleep is becoming easier. A wonderful person blessed us with a large recliner with massage and heat. My hubby is safe and sleeping soundly in this as I sleep in our bed. His body is having trouble controlling his temperature so the heat is nice. One day soon I hope to grab a quick nap in it myself.

Dishes are done and the load of laundry is almost dry. I will say goodnight. My creative well has run dry.

Dog Paddling and Trusting God

I find myself swimming in a fast moving stream. Information, updates, questions, juggling my time and preparing for whatever the future holds.

Yesterday I became an advocate and learner. Physical and occupational therapists are teaching me transfer methods, about assistance devices and care plans. We have a long road to travel and my husband is working as well as he can to overcome damage from his stroke.

This type of caregiving is new. I am searching for a vehicle that will make life easier after we are discharged. Our home may have to be arranged to make it safer. Thankfully, I have freinds and neighbors to help.

I drove into the pasture to love on my dogs who are missing us. I wore my hisband’s shirt so they could smell him. They were very loving and sweet. I checked on the sheep and now have laundry to do before heading to visit at the rehab facility.

It feels like I am walking aroumd in a fog. I am so tired. Many of you have had this same feeling.

God is my hope and strength. He has amazed us with a peace that does pass understanding. We are trusting him with our future. I have used the song I am posting today before. I needed to hear it today so maybe someone else does too.

Our lives may be changing but God is still writing our story.

Word for Today

Isaiah 40:29

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father

We come to you trusting you with our future. Whatever you have in store for us, will become our plan. Give us hope, peace and grace. We thank you for the amazing friends and family you have sent to assist us right now. Humbly. we accept this help and hope to be able to bless them as they are blessing us.

Amen

Reminding Myself about Self Care

My “spa” for the day. Sit in a comfortable chair, take long breathes and wait while the clothes are washing and drying Pause for a few minutes to pray and allow God to comfort you.

My husband called me at 4am because he had dropped his nurse call button and he needed help to go to the bathroom. I very gently spoke with him. He can’t see the clock and had no idea it was 4 am.

Sitting by the side of my superman has been tough. He has a sound mind, can eat and speak but has no control or feeling on one side. His periphial vision is compromised as well. He had found his cell phone on the tray by the bed and somehow managed to call with one good hand. He is one foot taller than me and still very strong even if he can’t control one leg amd arm yet. I need to be strong for him, so I find a quiet place to cry and pray while looking around our home wondering how to adjust.

I have to remind myself that he needs me so I have to sleep and eat right when I am not by his side at the rehab facility. We had tag teamed in caring for our parents. Now that is not possible. I am getting a full experience of what you spousal caregivers face.

A team of prayer warriors, neighbors, family and friends has gathered around us. Humbly and gratefully we are accepting their help. This is so hard to do when you are an independent person.

Some of the wonderful people who have attended the support group I lead have called to remind me of the advice I have given them. These moved me to tears.

I know this may seem like I am rambling and I most likely am. Sleep deprived and overloaded describes me best at the moment. I came on to say take care of yourself even if it is finding a comfortable chair and allowing God to hold you for a few moments.

Word for Today

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:6-7

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

God,

I come humbled today. You are my strength. You are my shield. In all of this change and challenges, I trust you. Guard my heart and mind. Give me peace and wisdom.

Amen

When Life Hits Hard

Nine days ago I became a caregiver again. My amazing husband who I call superman because of his physical and spiritual strength was on the platform with his guitar and ready to lead worship for an evening service at our church when he had a stroke. I rushed to his side. I followed the medics to the ambulance. Within moments they decided he had to be flown to a hospital in another city. I drove to the pickup site to see him loaded into the helicopter. I was shaking so hard a friend drove me to the hospital.

The doctor met me as soon as I got there. I vaguely heard the words stroke, blood clot, and I am going in to remove it now. God had kept him alive. I sat and waited to hear the results. Friends and family had rushed to my side. About 1 in the morning I sent everyone home and sat by his side. Due to a lack of intensive care units, we were there until late afternoon before entering the icu unit.

My husband’s mind was strong. He could talk. His right side was not effected. His left side was effected and some vision is off. We were in icu for several days before transitioning to a regular room. Now we have transitioned to an acute rehab facility.

I have slept in a chair by his side in the emergency room. A recliner in icu and a bench with cushions in his hospital room. All night long the walls vibrated and helicopter fumes were happening. We were directly below the launch site. I exhaustedly roamed around the hospital finding a bite to eat or drink and a place to shower.

My mind raced with questions as I turned to God for peace. I tried to be calm and self assured when with my husband. Amazing staff truly showed compassion. I fell asleep in the icu unit and missed the time I was supposed to leave. A nurse walked in and woke me. I apologized and reached for my purse and shoes to leave. Then I heard my husband ask for her to please let me stay. She turned to me and I am surprised at what I asked. “Have you never seen the movie The Notebook?

Her heart softened and this sweet nurse was the charge nurse. She found me a recliner and a blanket. She came in as shifts changed and whispered “I will be here for the next three days. You can stay each evening but don’t tell the others in icu waiting. God’s favor was so with us that I am crying as I write.

My husband and I prayed for physicians, nurses and anyone who helped care for him. When I ventured out I prayed for families with adult children on life support. God had complete strangers approach me and ask to pray for me.

I share all of this with you because it has been my story for years now. When you walk through the toughest and darkest times, God is your strength. I do not know if my husband will recover. I am looking at my vehicle and home thinking about changes and adjustments. I want to be able to hold his left hand and have him feel it. I may now be caring for a man who has always been strong and independent.

If this doesn’t make a lot of sense, I am really tired. Two nights ago, I settled enough to sleep. Nine hours later, I woke up rested.

The caregivers I lead a support group for have called and even visited since he moved into rehab. That about ripped my heart strings because I know they carry a heavy load themselves.

Now that I am in the current situation, I was forced to allow people to help. My farm animals had to be cared for. Friends have mowed the lawn, fed the animals, collected the mail and brought meals to me. When caring for my parents, I did not ask for help when I really could have used it. Now this 5 foot tall woman will need help caring for my 6 foot tall husband.

Allow people to help you when you need it.

Stay tuned as God writes our story. My husband was able to use a harness and attempt to take steps yesterday. He is very determined to recover as well as he can. Our prayer is for total healing, but we accept God’s plan for our lives.

Word for Today

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

We praise you for walking each day with us giving us hope and comfort. You show up in the dark silent moments when we can’t even find the words to pray. You see our hearts and meet us where we are. Bring strength to us when we are weak.

Amen

Looking into a Caregivers Eyes

Each month I sit with caregivers and try to listen with my ears and feel with my heart. This is always done as I look into their eyes. Sometimes their eyes tell me much more than their words do. Pain, exhaustion and grief are difficult to put into words. At the same time, they are hard to hide when someone takes the time to look into your eyes.

I understand the hesitation to express your concerns, fears and heartache. Making yourself vulnerable is not always easy, especially when are usually the strong. It opens the door for judgement. People may make you feel like a failure. You are not a failure. You should not fear judgement. Anyone who has never walked in your shoes cannot comprehend your situation. Anyone who has walked in your shoes can totally comprehend your situation.

I asked a caregiver “How has your week been?”. He hesitated, gained composure over his emotions and said “alright”. I saw the hesitation and heard the soft reply and recognized myself from earlier that morning. I had prayed for peace and courage to show up that day. My mom’s birthday would have been this week. It has been ten years since I said goodbye to her. I have been missing her and my emotions have surfaced as tears for several days. Sometimes you just feel the loss.

How do you overcome the struggles and losses?

Find a support group near you or online. As I watch the group I lead, I can see people begin to relax and drop their guard when they realize they are not alone. Someone else is experiencing the same thing. Someone will listen and not judge. Just this week a man was upset with himself for getting frustrated with his wife. His love for her was very evident. Most of the group acknowledged that they too had said the wrong thing or did something that only made matters worse.

Find me a perfect caregiver and you will have found a person that I do not believe exists. I see ordinary people attempting to do extraordinary things that they never thought they would be doing. A husband who had a wife that cooked the meals, cleaned the house, remembered and acknowledged birthdays and made it look easy may not be prepared to take on those tasks.

Find me a woman who never knew how to change a tire, repair a leaky faucet, or navigate finances with ease because those were her husband’s job and I assure you that these things are tough.

This use of humor explains the many little things that a spouse does that are not so little when they can no longer do them.

I am five foot tall and my husband is six foot tall. He hands me things off the top shelf and laughs as he reaches around me at the washing machine. I have a top loading machine that is deep. I reach all I can and then reach for my reacher grabber tool to get the last of the load. He walks in takes my grabber and hands the clothes to me to put into the dryer.

Our truck has side rails to help me get in. When we rented a truck recently, it had no side rails. We bought a small stool. He would get out, go around and place my stool for me to get out. It beat tying a rope to it for me to lower and pull back in. Don’t laugh. A group of women coming out from a home decor store had a good time whispering as they watched me perform that very act one day.

My tall handsome and very competent husband is also my best friend. Should I ever lose any part of him, I will be suffering and floundering. I hope I will have the courage and compassion I see in other caregivers should I ever be a caregiver for my spouse. I have taken care of my parents, but I had a spouse to lean on.

You are overwhelmed with demands for your time while struggling to learn new skills. As the disease changes, you have to learn how to stay one step ahead. You carry this load while isolated from other humans sometimes. A package delivery allows you to hear a voice saying hello as you open the door.

Find someone you can lean on. A caregiver support group offers friendship, information and connection with people who understand. In person is preferrable but inline through zoom is another option.

Faith in God and fellowship with other caregivers is where I poured my heart out and felt safe. If you just need to vent, please leave a comment. I can take it. I do not pubish comments for others to see. I do pray for you. I cannot see into your eyes but I do care.

Word for Today

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

I praise you that I always have Jesus. When I need someone to lean on I know I an turn to you. On the days that are the hardest, I would love to have a person to simply be there with a hug, a smile or a prayer. I ask that you guide my steps to interact with someone who can be that for me.

Amen

Stacked Grief…layer after layer

While researching this week for a presentation on anticipatory grief, I came across the words stacked grief. These words grabbed my attention because they described two stressful seasons in my own life. This is when losses are suffered in close proximity to each other.

All caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases come to understand grief. It may come as the one you love loses skills or if it is the final loss when they pass away. You learn to work through grief most of the time.

You may grieve when you look ahead at what you are about to lose. When you experience anticipatory grief, you may feel guilty for grieving before the person passes. There is a large emotional toll. It takes time to learn to balance your emotions.

I discovered after my mom had moved into mid stages of Alzheimer’s that my father was showing mild cognitive decline. There was not a lot of time to allow myself to grieve the little losses. I tried to, but sometimes I packed the emotions away. It was like each loss was a wood block in the game called Jenga. This is a game we played with our children when they were young. Each of us held our breath when stacking the blocks into the tower or removing a block. No one wanted to cause the tower to tumble. I made every effort to build a balanced tower as I tucked my emotional blocks in but I feared someone might pull a block and everything would fall apart.

The tower was getting higher and higher. I grieved leaving my husband to take care of my parents. I grieved leaving my parents to return to my own home. There was grief when I could not spend time with my own children and grandchildren. The blocks of grief were stacking fast and furious.

My mom passed away. The block tower of grief continued to grow. Our home flooded. Another block is stacked. I had surgery. Add several blocks this time. My dad passed away. That almost toppled the tower. God must have glued the stack together so I could survive. I had relied on the solid rock of Christ when I started to build this tower.

Instead of the blocks all tumbling down, it felt as if God gently handed me each block. I held it and shed tears. When I was calm, he handed me another one. As time passed, I accepted the losses and allowed God to mend my heart.

There was a small reprieve. Then blocks of grief were reappearing and I tucked them into a new tower. We sold the home we loved to be closer to my in-laws. I truly hated leaving our home that had just been restored from the flood. The difference in handling grief is what I had learned the first time. Place a block when time does not allow grieving. When things settle, pray for a season of healing and peace. That lasted for about a year. Then the tower rose fast. My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. My mother-in-law was showing signs of dementia. Within three years we said goodbye to both of them and 2 pets. There I was again feeling as if the tower of grief was about to tumble down on me.

God was faithful and helped me process everything again.

I am no superhero. I suffered pain, frustration, grief, anger, and many more emotions. There were days that exhaustion got the best of me and I caved under the load. There were days that I stepped back and cried over the gradual losses. With God as my protector and healer, I moved on.

A choice was made to live in the moment while trying to make the most of each situation. Jesus faced grief and wept when his friend Lazarus died. He went on to raise Lazarus from the dead. If he did this, then I knew he would raise me from underneath stacked layers of grief.

Word for Today

John 16:20

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

I praise you for being my protector, healer and peace. Grief can be hard to bear, especially when the losses happen so close together. You gave us emotions and I struggle sometimes when they are filled with sorrow. Then I am reminded that the sorrow is a result of losing someone I loved dearly. My life has been blessed my many people who I now miss. Please help me to be grateful for the time I had with them.

Amen

Caring For Those Who Served

Today is Memorial Day. I have been pondering the men and women who paid a great price for my freedoms. Some of these very people are now living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is a wonderful if they have lost the horrible memories some of them have carried. They may relive some of those memories if they have regressed to the point of actually thinking they are still in the trenches and battles. Triggers such as seeing war on the television or hearing fireworks can be very frightening and stressful to them.

I was teaching a church group one day that visits assisted living and skilled care nursing homes. I had taught them to always approach a person with dementia from the front. They were told to address the person by name and to tell them their own name. After a few more basic instructions, we started role playing.

I informed a man that he was a retired military man. He was only to anwser to Sarge, He actually was a retired military officer; however, I did not have that information. His performance was so brilliant that I figured it out very quickly.

His visitors had been told to address him by name. When they approached him, he kept his head down and ignored them. They repeated their greeting by calling his name and telling him theirs. He kept ignoring them. I leaned in and whispered “call him Sarge”. When addressed as Sarge, he saluted and replied “Yes Sir”. They talked for a few minutes and I urged them that the fire alarm was sounding. He immediately dropped to his knees, covered his head and shouted “incoming…incoming” and began to shake.

The supposed visitors were genuinely surprised and ended the role playing.

The whole group asked if I had coached him to respond that way. I assured them that I had not but his history lead him to demonstrate how a military person with dementia might respond. It was a very eye opening experience for all of us.

If you are a caregiver for someone who has served as a fireman, police officer, military personnel or first responder you should watch for triggers and be prepared. Sirens of any kind could cause anxiety. Gunfire can be another trigger. Be careful when allowing to watch the news. Lock firearms in a safe they cannot open.

You paid a price once when you were holding the family together while your loved ones were serving. Now you are paying a price again as you care for your family member with dementia. If I could give you an award I would. God sees and He can give you an award. Continue being strong and have courage.

Word for Today

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

We are so thnkful for your comfort in this troubled world. Help us to keep our focus on you knowing that you alone are the answer to our prayers when things look bad. Give us courage to face our battles knowing you are on our side.

Amen

The Seeds You Plant Produce Beauty

Living on a farm means so much work in the spring. We have been prepping the ground, planting seeds and building new flower and herb beds. There are more eggs to gather and baby lambs are bouncing around. I have to keep reminding myself that the fruit of our labor will be beautiful and amazing. We will love having fresh food and flowers soon. The lambs are already double their birth weight.

When you are in the early stages of caregiving it may seem like you will never adjust to meet the new demands. In a way, you are prepping for the future. You are planting seeds of love and compassion. The season of laying the groundwork to be a successful caregiver may not be giving you images of beauty. You have to trust me they will come.

Others will watch you labor and be moved by the diligence and grace that they see in your life. God is transforming you during the process. He is giving you a greater capacity to love. He is giving you grace to make mistakes and learn from them.

God placed Adam and Eve in a gaarden where they did not have to pull weeds. We as humans now live in a fallen world. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body are weeds that have invaded our garden. Some people can be like weeds with their opinions of you as a caregiver. The enemy planted them just like a parable from the bible.

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. Matthew 13

God did not send these diseases because of something we did wrong. You are not a bad caregiver. Others are not walking in your shoes so they have no true understanding of how difficult it is. We cannot just pluck any of these weeds from our life. We have to show mercy.

Keep praying. Keep showing compassion. Keep believing that God has equipped you to meet the challenges of caregiving. You will become a person of beauty that others notice. When they ask how you do what you do, share your true story. It may be what they need to hear to become a better person and caregiver.

Not everyone will respond well to your story. They may be angry and bitter as a caregiver. They may sting. Just be ready in case that happens.

I didn’t mention that we also keep bees on our farm. The honey is amazing. We wear protective gear and still get stung sometimes. When we remain calm, the bees calm down most of the time. Remain calm when an angry person stings.

Word for Today

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear God,

I truly want to be a beautiful caregiver that learns from mistakes, trust you for wisdom and allows you to trans form me into a peron that shines for your glory. Send people into my life that I can lean on when I need to.

Amen

Frustration Caused By Vision

Link to read first.

Dementia Changes: Visual Impairment | Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Please read before continuing with this blog. After learning about how vision changes then you may better understand why the person you are providing care for becomes frustrated. You have to take this information and apply it. They may not be stubborn when they refuse to walk on a shiny floor. They are actually afraid it is slick and they do not want to fall.

Hallucinations and delusions can cause them to see things that you cannot see. They may be able to describe what they see in fine detail. This can get confusing for you. My mother-in-law called to tell me a friend was there to visit her. She had tapped on the window and motioned that she was going to the front door. My husband texted this person and they were not there. I continued to talk to her as she waited. This friend was a realtor, so I convinced my mother- in- law that she must have taken a call and had to leave to show a home. By the end of our conversation, she had forgotten that a visitor had been outside. If I did not know her hallucinations could be vivid, I would have believed our friend had been there.

I have heard many stories about a person not recognizing themselves in the mirror and believe a stranger is in their home. I can look in the mirror and see myself now and wonder who that old women is looking at me. Thankfully I don’t look this old. I sigh and walk away knowing I am no longer young. It is sad and I miss the younger version, but I am not fearful. I might be if I did see someone this old looking back at me.

One woman accused her husband of having an affair. She was angry and quite upset with him. He tried to convince her of how much he loved her. She took him into the bathroom to prove there was another woman in their home. He had to cover the mirror to bring peace to her.

You have to listen carefully and play detective sometimes to find out what is frustrating them.

Taking steps to assist include:

Regular Eye Examinations: conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can be caught before they impact daily life.
Proper Vision Correction: encourage wearing glasses if they have them
Environmental Modifications: provide adequate lighting and safe paths to walk in around the home

Understanding that vision problems in Alzheimer’s can stem from brain processing issues rather than the eyes them-selves is crucial. My mother-in-law had a bouquet of flowers. One day a monkey was hiding in that bouquet. The next day it was a lion in the mix. When the dancing lady appeared, I expressed that my eyes must be getting bad and tossed the flowers because they were beginning to droop. There was no reason to frustrate her over the fact that we couldn’t see what she saw.

Are you seeing a dog wearing glasses? I sure hope so because I am and I hope my brain is understanding this correctly!

Word for Today

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Song for Today

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

I praise you for your grace in my life. On the days my loved one is frustrated with their ability to see and understand their surroundings, allow both of us to feel Jesus in our lives.

Amen