Hospice

I signed up for Hospice care last week. Hospice is a type of health care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for the terminally ill. It began in the U.S. in the 1970’s and received Medicare funding in the 1980’s. Jan was under Hospice care for about a week before her ‘promotion’. Hospice provides a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers for those who are diagnosed with less than 6 months to live and who are no longer seeking curative treatments.

Hannah’s baby is due in a couple of weeks and she needs to focus all her attention on being a mother to Nathaniel, Rebekah, and now Caroline. Although I’m still able to take care of myself, my condition could quickly change at anytime and Hospice can provide immediate care. If my ‘promotion’ doesn’t come soon, I’m going to need help with breathing issues and Hospice has resources for that.

But enough about me. How are you doing? I know many of you have struggles and challenges that you are facing, some far more serious than mine. I’m blessed to know that in the middle of your busy life you take a few moments to read my monthly updates. Just as the Lord has graced me with His joy, I hope you, too, experience the joy of the Lord despite the difficult trials you may be experiencing.

One of my favorite verses is James 1: 2-4… “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (steadfastness). And let that endurance have it’s perfect result, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” A trial can produce a fountain of positive results if we seek to know why God allowed it and then respond to it as Jesus would. As a bonus, trials make Heaven look so much sweeter!

I never know when one of these updates will be my last. So, thank you, again, for taking the time to read this. And may the joy of the Lord be your strength.