DAY 347 & 348

My grandmother, Mildred Smajstrla, died early this morning. She was a tough lady. She survived breast cancer, heart trouble, 2 strokes and a brain injury...oh, and raised 9 kids; Jimmy, Richard, Robert John, Sandy, Trishi, Phyllis, Diane and Margaret and her firstborn, Linda, who has been waiting for her in heaven. She wrote the book on patience. She got to meet her Lord and Savior this morning. Her pain, fears, and worries have vanished, and she has the answers to all the questions she ever had. In the book 90 minutes in Heaven, the author explains his experience:

As I try to explain this my words seem weak and hardly adequate, because I have to use earthly terms to refer to unimaginable joy, excitement, warmth, and total happiness. In another part he says this, Never, even in my happiest moments had I ever felt so alive.

Sounds good to me! Actually makes me a little jealous! Her funeral is on Tuesday @ 10 am.

As for Rick, well, not much worth mentioning today. The A/C is acting up today and it's 104 here today, but it's not really bothering Rick too bad. One of the funny things about him since his brain injury is that his body temp is lower...it stays about 97.1 instead of 98.6...guess that'll be an advantage in the summer. Yesterday he got a visit from Gerald Frank and they reminisced about power plant days. Gerald said, "Rick, I'm sorry I haven't been by here sooner, but I've been covered up." Rick smiled and said, "What's her name?" LOL! Toby Clark also came by with his two boys who hit it off with Cade and Rick enjoyed some stories from Toby. Especially the one about Billy Bob Bumpass and him getting pulled over by the highway patrol back when they worked for Waggoners. The officer asked Billy Bob for his license and said, "you're Bill Bob....what's this last name?" And BB says, "Bumpass" And the officer says how do you spell your name?" And BB says "B-O-B...same forwards as it is backwards." Rick got a really good laugh out of that one!

Thanks again to everyone who continues to pray and support us. God is faithful and will see us through this.

He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place? This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven. Genesis 28:17

Love,
Crystal

DAY 346

I got about 50% of the house packed up yesterday and dropped Riley off at Autumn's in Roaring Springs on the way back to Lubbock. Cade was extremely happy that he "got rid of my sister". Rick had a pretty good day in therapy yesterday, but expressed to Missy (social worker) that he wants another day pass. He also told her how tired and frustrated he continues to be. She did figure out that the night shift has been turning him every two hours. When she called to tell me that, I couldn't believe it...no wonder he's tired. So, they have been told not to turn him at all and hopefully this will improve his energy and mood level.

Today Cade and I got here at 9:00. When it was time for theraputic recreation, I got his cinch building stuff out of the car and brought it up. He used his hands and his voice very well to teach Sarah and I how to build a cinch. He didn't get very far today, but hopefully this will be something he looks forward to. Cade and I left at 1:00...I can only keep him cooped up for so long, and ran some errands then went to the park.

The funny thing about Rick is that he's frustrated and doesn't always see the progress he's made, yet he goes to therapy every day and puts forth his best effort. His awareness increasing is a double edged sword. I give him pep talks every day and let him know that I still think he's the strongest man I've ever known, and that God has a plan for him...a plan for good, not for bad.

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal

THE DIFFERENCE

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided,
My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Author Unknown

DAY 343 & 344

There was no therapy yesterday so we didn't do much. The patients and TA's cooked out at lunch. I got Rick in the standing frame for 20 minutes. He said he didn't want to do it, but agreed to 20 minutes...he looked at his watch to make sure I didn't keep him in a minute too long. And at 20 minutes he was telling me it was time. I also got him on the mat and stretched him a little. When we were done I told him to stand up and he did...no assistance from me whatsoever...he just stood. The mat was supporting him right behind his knees, but other than that, it was all him! Today the kids and I left Lubbock at 10 am to come to TRR. We checked on Rick first and he was in a pretty good mood...working hard in PT. I called and talked to him at 6 and he said he was okay, and that he remembered where I was. I told him, "right now I'm trying to pack Cade's room so the first thing I did was bring in the trash can! I think our son could be on "Hoarders" with all his "treasures"! And Rick agreed...he remembered what that room was like. Sammie and Stoney had us over for supper and then we sat on the porch and visited while the kids played. Sammie has been such a lifesaver to me and I will miss her so much when we move. I called TLC to check on Rick and they said he had a good day, but was extremely tired. We'll be here most of the day tomorrow and will hopefully have at least 50% of our stuff packed up.

As I packed today, I noticed all the books and other literature I had been reading right before Rick's accident. I looked at pages I had dog earred and how God had put all of this before me to prepare me for what was about to happen. He works in such mysterious ways...He makes all the pieces of the puzzle fit together when we can't...no matter how hard we try, we can't make them fit...He has to do it.

Everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world-our faith. 1 John 5:4

God bless,
Crystal

DAY 341 & 342

Wow, what a day. Started out in the ER and ended in a church feeding the homeless...lots of praying was done at both places. TLC called me at 6 am because Rick was having severe lower back pain. On a scale of 1-10 he said it was a 10. By the time we got here the pain was gone and he was fine, but as a precautionary we went ahead and took him to the ER. Bloodwork and a urinalysis came back normal and with the pain gone there was no reason to stay. We got back to TLC at 9:00 and he wanted to eat and go back to bed. He's had a pretty normal day, has not complained of anything else, and is currently enjoying the PBR.

There is a church in Lubbock that feeds the homeless every Sunday night. Other churches in town provide the meals and the volunteers to serve, and tonight it was the Methodist Church at Wolforth's turn. Kim McReynolds (nurse at TLC) asked us if we'd like to help. The kids were a little nervous, but jumped in and helped and were so respectful towards the people that we served. We served about 100 people and it was a very eye opening experience. We have been so fortunate in the last 11 months. We have always had food in our bellies and place to lay our heads. I plan on volunteeering there again.

Yesterday he seemed a little more tired than normal and even a little grumpy. The only time he wasn't grumpy was while Toby Clark was here visiting.

I forgot to tell y'all about the phone call I got on Friday. I wrote a letter to Pate listing my concerns and some of the things that went on while Rick was there. On Friday they called me and next week the VP of Pate and the program director are flying to Lubbock to meet with me. I am so excited...I pray I can make a difference for someone else.

Praise God for getting us through this day and for using us to do His good work...we are truly blessed...to God alone be the glory.

Love,
Crystal

DAY 340

TGIF! The kids got to participate in Rick's therapy today. In PT Laura had them playing "chicken fights" with Rick. They got on their knees in the floor and had to balance on a cushion, lock their hands, and chicken fight. Rick ended up the chicken fightin' champ! It worked on his
balance and strength. This afternoon the outing was to Wal-mart. When I told Rick that, he brought his hand up, pointed his finger up and made a circle in the air and said, "woo woo"...just a touch of sarcasm there. When we got to Walmart, he was given a list of items to get, and was also instructed to find the lowest price for each thing. He was with PT and had to push the cart and walk. He did pretty good, but was very thankful when it was over with.

Jesus will keep you strong until the end so that there will be no wrong in you on the day our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. I Corinthians 1:8

Stay strong!

Love,
Crystal

SCHOOLS OUT!

I went by the house yesterday and managed to get the kitchen packed and see everybody. They were having a little get together at headquarters so everyone was there. So great to see everyone. I went to Cade's academic pep rally this morning...he made straight A's all school year long and he absolutely loved Mrs. Wright. I am so proud of my kids for perservering this school year and believing in God to heal their Dad. Before we got in the car to come back to Lubbock I promised them that this summer would be better than last!

When we got back to Lubbock, Kerry Wrinkle and Robby Cooper were here to see Rick. Although he was tired, he was happy to see them. Colby (TA) told me that Rick remembered where I was and he was even able to tell Colby when I would be back...pretty impressive memory! It gets better all the time.

So, it's a slow go...that's just how it is, but he is better all the time. I still believe in a full restoration for him, and I refuse to give up hope.

Good night and God Bless,
Crystal