Saturday, February 21, 2009

Holding Pattern



We are in a holding pattern to say the least. I made my way back to Oregon and have spent the last week and a half adjusting back into my life as a full time wife and mom. This transition took place just in time for Scott to leave town and for both kids to come down with fevers. I find myself so relieved to be home, yet exhausted and a bit out of sorts. If I feel this way, how might my parents be feeling? My mom is tending to the farm on her own (which she is very capable of ) and my dad is in a care facility is Seattle. He is still fighting infection and remains on antibiotics and will do so for the next several weeks. Mid to late March the doctor plans to do an exploratory surgery to see how everything looks. We are unsure what the outcome of this surgery may be. A)More infection could be found at which point they would remove as much as possible and re-pack the site for more debriefing of infection. B) The site looks good and the doctors move forward to try to implement a new hip. C) Unknown?




I talked with my dad yesterday and he seems to be holding up okay. There had been a miss que on his pain meds last week after which he had quite a run in with the medical staff. We are hopeful that everyone is on the same page at this point. He says that the days just pass so slow. He is however grateful for good friends both old and new that have come to visit and help pass the time and lend support. My mom will plan to travel back and forth from the island to spend a few days with dad every week.

This reminds me... when Luke and I where with my mom up on the islands, there where two separate occasions where my mom needed to get to Seattle in a hurry. She opted to fly off in a sea plain instead of taking the slow boat to the main land. Now every time Luke sees a plane he says, "Look mommy... a plane, is that grandma?"


The San Juan Islands are such a beautiful place. A place that some even refer to, as "a little slice of paradise." It seems that even in the midst of concern and chaos ....God is sure to speak encouragement and strength through all that he has created.


There is a stillness, a quietness that embraces you on the islands. One that I will forever treasure. I will treasure traveling to Friday Harbor to visit my grandparents over the past 30+ years. I will treasure the farm and all it's beauty and wonder. I will treasure the labor of love that my parents put into the land over the past 20 years to make it a sanctuary to many friends , family and strangers and animals.


There is a long road ahead....one that at times seems endless. We are unsure of what is on the other side of the bend or over the crest of the next hill. All we can do, all any of us can do is move forward and trust that God will meet us there, for He is always with us.

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Saturday, February 14, 2009

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY...
Is this precious or what?
Makayla did a self portrait at school and I just love it!
Ahhh.. can I just say, it's good to be home!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Intentional Gratitude..



Sometimes seeing ourselves headed for disaster opens our eyes to the general absence of calamity in our lives and offers an opportunity for intentional gratitude for God’s protection.
  • When all is right in your life, do you take time to be truly thankful and appreciative?
  • Is impending disaster or unforeseen tragedy the only thing that brings you to your knees?
  • Do you take time everyday to thank God for his love, protection and plan for your life?
  • Do you have a heart of Intentional Gratitude?
These are just some of the questions whirling around in my head over the past few weeks. I am hopeful that through all this I am growing a heart of "Intentional Gratitude" more than ever before. All I know is God is God and I am not...I don't understand why bad things are allowed to happen, but I choose to trust that God knows what he's doing and his plan is much greater than mine. It was a month ago tonight that my parents home was on fire. The ruble still sits and life goes on.



It's quite amazing how life just continues in the spite of crisis. The beauty of the property and all it's wildlife lives life as usual. The eagles screech from the tree tops above as the hawks dive for their prey. Poor little peter cotton tail. The horses anticipate their daily feedings and the many Canadian geese enjoy the ponds. Tourists and looky-looz pop in to pet horses or ask to go on horse rides. There is work to be done and life just goes on.




I continue to be amazed at the strangers, friends and neighbors that have called or come buy to offer a helping hand. I want to remember the lesson I have learned as I try to love others in my own life. I want to be someone who will meet a person right where there at. I want to be willing to get on my grubbies and tangibly help, to join them in their struggle. I want to be prayerful but also willing to put love into action.



As for my dad. He was transferred from Swedish hospital to a new rehab center. The plan is for him to be there for about 8 weeks after which time the doctors will determine what is the best next move. Best case scenario, a new hip. Worst case, amputation. Infection is still a big concern and they are aggressively continuing to treat it. Mom is in Seattle helping dad get settled once again. Luke and I have been working hard on the farm and plan to head off island tomorrow. We are traveling back to Oregon in pretty big rig (Dooley truck pulling a 4 horse goose neck trailer). I would appreciate prayers for safety on the road. We will spend one night in Seattle to be with mom and visit dad. Our main travel day will be Tuesday. Luke and I can hardly wait to get back home to Makayla and daddy. It will be so good to be together as a family again, plus we could really use a break from farm life.


Best Regards- Luke and Mommy Kim

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

One Step Forward Two Steps Back

Fire investigators and detectives spent the better part of the day collecting evidence, taking pictures and speaking with both mom and also called dad to get first hand accounts of what happened the night of the blaze. There where 11 men total and I just tried to stay out of the way. I got hold of a disk full of pictures that really showed the horrors of what my parents went through almost a month ago.


So anyway...hopefully clean up can get scheduled and underway before to long. The insurance company is needing a call back concerning an itemized list of ALL items lost....Holy Cow.... Ahhh-Yeah.... EVERYTHING!

I finally had a pretty good (or should I say bad) melt down last night..Unfortunately I tend to go to an angry place before the tears hit. (Not really what my mom needed right now) I've held up pretty well these past few weeks, but I think the straw that broke me was finding myself broke down along a dark highway night before last. I think it seriously tipped me over the edge. Enough Already! Luke and I where traveling from Seattle up to the Island and picked up 22 bales of hay on the way. We were cruising along in my folks old truck with their dog at 5o mph, when suddenly we loose all power and steering....by the grace of God (once again) I was able to slow and find a safe resting place along West 20, where we sat for 2 1/2 hours for a huge flatbed truck to come to our aid. Luke just thought it was all one big adventure...can I just say I love my son and he has blessed my heart so much through all this.

Long story short we where cold, tired and frustrated..we had also missed the last boat to Orcas. I was able to get hold of a different vehicle and I high tailed it back to Seattle and have mentally and emotionally collapsed over the last two days.


Now for the most important part of the update. My dad is doing Alright, not great....but okay! He is still at Swedish and his main job right now is trying to get some rest (which is a hard thing to do in a hospital.) He is turning away visitors right now, so he can try to heal and gain some strength. There are some hard and very serious decisions to make concerning medical care, treatment and which doctors, hospital and rehab center are the best and safest choice for my dads condition. The plan changes daily and honestly I don't think there really is a set plan in place yet. They seem to be moving in a direction aimed more at saving dads leg now, but this is frightening because is this a good choice, would this lead to more infection? Please pray for wisdom and guidance for the doctors and my parents as decisions are made each day. Also for peace and protection as we all try to process all that has happened in the past month. There is allot of hope, but fear is a very real and powerful thing if it is allowed to take root. May fear have no hold on me or my family. And together we all say, "AMEN!"