ThanksLIVING

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.


Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.


I Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is
   God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

My prayer is that I will have an attitude of gratitude that transforms Thanksgiving into "ThanksLIVING" during the holidays and the coming year.  What a year of amazing blessings!

This has been a wonderful beginning to the holiday season.  We had lunch with Larry's family and dinner with my side of the family on Thanksgiving Day.  It's always extra special when we spend time with family.

A dear friend came over Friday and put up the greenery on the banister and fireplace.  It is so festive looking.  Larry, Chad, and I decorated the rest of Friday and finished this afternoon.  Larry has already put up all the boxes.

We were able to get in all the exercise times this week.  At the suggestion of the trainer, I began using a walker on Wednesday.  My ability to walk straighter, more upright, and with more speed is already better.  I do not expect to receive  speeding tickets any time soon, but I am noticing an improvement.  Each day seems to bring more strength.  By the way, my ankle has no or very little swelling any more ... and the bruising is gone!

Larry is such an incredible blessing.  He continues to help with the stretching, takes me to exercise, cooks, encourages...all with such a sweet and loving spirit.

Thank YOU for your continued prayers and encouragement during this time.  It definitely makes a difference.

An Overflowing Thankful Heart

My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving because of...
* God's peace, provision, purpose, and presence in my life.
* Larry's love, prayers, encouragement and continual care 
   during these days
* Family who love me, want the best for me, provide for my
   needs, and are always ready to celebrate
* A medical team in Mexico whose procedure is making a  
   difference in diminishing my MS symptoms
* Tallowood's nonstop prayers, care, provision, rejoicing and
   love during these days
* My growing up (I know I'm still working on that) church
   home, South Main Pasadena, for showing that you can still
   go home again and when you need it most home comes to
   you
* Friends, some people I do not even know but who love my
   family and friends, have prayed, supported, checked the
   blog, and continued to encourage me during these days

This past week I felt like I needed to practice climbing the stairs at home.  It had to have been God's prompting because the doctor nor the trainer had mentioned it.  So every night I would practice.  Don't worry...I don't do tricks like this unless Larry is home.  Last night we went to a rehearsal dinner.  The dinner was upstairs and the building did not have an elevator.  Because of the practicing, I was able to go up and down the stairs without difficulty.  Thank you, Lord, for making sure that even the tiniest details are covered.

I can tell that I am gaining more strength through the weights, machines, pool, exercises at home, and diet.  My walking is somewhat steadier, more even, and faster.  There is a stretching exercise that I have not been able to do with my left leg without Larry helping every time.  This week, Larry helped with the first one each day and then I was able to do the other nine by myself.  I'm trying to concentrate on building the strength on my left side.  Too many times I let the right side "help out", so I am trying to be aware of that and make the left side do its part.

I am so grateful that you are sharing this journey with us.  You are a blessing!

Philippians 1:2-6 (New International Version)

 ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Observations from Larry - four weeks later

Four weeks ago we were just returning to Houston from Mexico!  A lot has happened in the last month.  We have much to be thankful for these days.

The visible bruising on Debbie's leg is gone.  It still has a couple of sore spots.  The pain Deb was experiencing when she first stepped on her right foot is gone.  Debbie's walking is improving, seems to be more fluid. 

We have been concentrating on exercise and more exercise.  We are most grateful for Leah, Debbie's Certified Personal Trainer.  Deb goes to her twice each week for one hour sessions.  Leah is very good and knows how to get the best out of each workout.  She is well aware of Deb's potential and limits.  Leah is worth the drive to Spring.

We are going to the pool at Bally's twice a week.  Debbie walked 12 lengths on Tuesday.  Two of those lengths she did without holding on to anything.  On Friday she walked 10 lengths (3 lengths without holding on to anything).  This helps with improving her balance and walking.   She is desiring to use the wheel chair less and chooses to walk as much as possible.

Deb walked upstairs and back down last night.  Her only motivation was exercise.  She didn't need anything upstairs.  Then today we went to a Sunday School party and she walked up the spiral stair case even though an elevator was available in the house.  She made it all the way up and back down just fine.

These weeks are most important for training the brain on correct movement.  Increased repetition and strength building are critical toward getting the most benefit from the stem cell transplant. 

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. 

...It's off to Work We Go

The exercise program is in full swing.  I have worked out with the machines and weights twice and have walked in the pool twice this week.  The pool walking is training my brain to learn to walk with an even pace again.  Larry has been holding my hands and walking backwards to keep me steady, since the purpose is to practice walking correctly.  On the 9th lap today, I walked the length of the pool by myself.  That is the first time I have walked without the aid of a cane or person in over five years.  Thank you, Lord!  Our goal is to exercise with the weights and machines 3 times and in the pool 2 times each week.  I will continue to do the exercises I do at home as well.

I was able to work with a personal trainer on Thursday.  It was amazing what we learned and what she had me doing.  Leah has been a trainer for 21 years and has worked with several MS clients.  We plan to train with her twice a week for the next six weeks.  Hopefully, we can then do all the training at the gym that is super close to our house, once we learn the routine.  I could tell I was somewhat stronger when we went to Bally's today.

Answers to prayer...the bruising and swelling of my leg and ankle are much better now.  The deep bruising is still sore, but that too shall pass.

With the holidays fastly approaching, my desire is to be as dependent on God here as I was in Mexico.  I want to believe Him, trust Him, follow and obey Him, and be a delight to Him during these days.

My basket of blessings is overflowing.  Please know that I count each of you as a gift from God.  May you have a blessed week.