Some people will do anything for a buck!

Last night our apartment complex had a Halloween party. We usually don't bother with that stuff, but they were offering a free month's rent to the best costumed residents! So we decided to give it a shot to meet some neighbors and try to win.

The results are in: We didn't win a thing!!!!

But we did try and this is what we looked like!!





Gee, can you guess who we were?

Mike

Mea Culpa

Blogging as I fall, ever so carefully, on my sword.

Yes, it's been too long! And, yes, it's all my fault. Thanks to all of our friends for all of your patience and continued prayer support. I'm going to work hard to make sure that this doesn't happen again.

For what it's worth, I have tried. I just get to certain points of the day when ordinarily I might blog and find that my energy level just isn't there to get it done. However, in the midst of my frustration I have been reminded time and time again of God's faithfulness. I am always encouraged and, I have the privilege of being inspired by one of the most dedicated and hard-working people I've ever met...my wife!!! She keeps at it day after day; through the ups and the downs; whether she's tired or not; no matter how she feels.

Also, please check the comments on the previous blog to get a taste of some of the good-natured abuse I've been taking!!

Forever in Him,

Mike

There's No Blog Like the Present

I know it's been an eternity since the last "real" blog and, as you might imagine, a lot has been going on.

I will try to get everything updated over the next few entries.

Patti continues to persevere and is continuing to come along well in her recovery. I don't think I ever updated the completion of the constraint therapy. It only lasted three weeks with Miss Charlotte showing good progress. The occupational therapist decided that Charlotte was far enough along that Patti would benefit more by working her hands together in tandem. Patti is now spending more time working on day to day activities with Charlotte including cooking, turning light switches on and off, opening doors, etc. She is able to open and close her hand much more easily, has complete range of motion with her arm, but is focusing now on strengthening her individual finger movements.

Recent Events:

Over Labor Day, Patti and I enjoyed a visit to Lubbock to see her parents. The trip was even more special as Abbey and her beautiful kids (our grandkids) Cadence and Cole came along with us. We had some rare quality time with daughter, great-grandparents and grandkids!

September 23, was Patti's birthday. She celebrated by going to lunch and shopping with one of her close friends, Jan LaDue, followed by a Saturday night Fellowship Group at Prestonwood Church and then dinner with friends Dale and Cheryl Gates to finish off the evening.

Just two weeks ago, Paige and Todd were able to come over for a visit as Todd had a business meeting at DFW. The highlight of the weekend was a visit to the State Fair. Be sure and check Paige's blog for some pictures. We had fun checking out all of the Fair "specials" on clothing, appliances, cookware, etc. We also checked out the new cars, funnel cakes and corn dogs. Patti brought a wheel chair which was really weird. She hasn't been in one in so long, but it turned out to be a good idea. She walked and rode at various times as did Paige, Todd and myself! It was great always having a place to sit when you got tired!

Last week we had the latest thirty day review at the re-hab center. Progress is continuing in all areas and the staff is still really pleased with her progress. There was a lady who had also had a stroke and is about our age at the re-hab center and had much the same effects as Patti. Her right hand was completely out of commission. Just a few days ago, she decided she didn't want to work at it anymore and checked into an assisted living facility. I'm so glad that Patti has her faith to make her strong, the support of her whole family, and recognizes that she has so much to live for that quitting is a completely distasteful option. God is good!

New Blog On The Way

Patience! I'm working on it and it will be here in the next day or so. Patti and I are both fine and her progress continues!

Mike

Getting a Grip

Hey everyone!

Here's the update on Patti's constraint therapy for Charlotte. She is showing signs of stronger gripping ability, although that is still very weak. What is apparent, though, is that Patti's control when she extends her arm and holds it straight out, or raises or lowers it, is definitely improving. It is, as we thought it would be, a very difficult and effort-filled process. It is hard on her, but she is trooping through as she always does!

Probably the most frustrating part is trying to eat lunch. I won't say Patti is starving, but she is certainly putting a lot more effort into her meal! Sandwiches have become the preferred food as they are easier to manage and she has a set of utensils with large handles to help Charlotte out. All in all, I'd say she is coming along really well.

Last weekend we went to a movie at a place here in Dallas called Mockingbird Station. When we parked the car we were unfamiliar with where everything was including the theater. We walked right by the elevators and were confronted with about forty steps to get up to the theater level. After commenting that "this is not good!", Patti took them all! Most of them she was able to alternate her legs so that she took the steps in normal fashion. But close to the top, righty was giving out so she took the last several with the left leg doing the work. I was really proud of her and hadn't seen her do that much alternate step work. A really good sign of improvement!

I am so blessed by the answered prayers we have received. Patti has been continually faithful through her new therapy and we are beginning to see the benefits. God continues to provide for us financially, spiritually, emotionally and physically. I pray that if you have any need in your life you will learn to depend on God to meet that need, if you aren't doing so already.

Thank you for your on-going prayers for Patti! I also pray that as you pray for us and others that God will generously bless you in return!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Love That Boy! (pictures)

Patti and I got to visit Nick, Abbey and Cadence last week and meet our new grandson Cole! He is even cuter in person than he is in pictures and we had a great visit with everybody. Both Cole and Cadence picked up some gifts and you can see a picture of Cadence blowing bubbles with her new battery powered bubble maker. (I've got to get me one of those!!)


Yes, I have facial hair! But not to worry, it got shaved off this week. Looked too much like Colonel Sanders.

Patti had her monthly re-hab review yesterday and all signs are pointing forward. Charlotte's grip strength has increased nearly 50% from 8lbs to 11lbs in the last month along with similar increases in flexibility and range of motion. Her balance has improved so much she has graduated from "moderate" fall risk to "minimal" fall risk!!! Praise the Lord!

Prayer Request

Next week Patti will begin a new therapy regimen called "Constraint Therapy." In this, her left hand will, literally, be tied behind her back all day during her re-hab sessions and Charlotte will be called upon to do everything for Patti. That means everything! If she needs a drink, Charlotte will have to get it. If she wants to eat, Charlotte will have to provide it. You can imagine all of the things she is currently doing with the good left hand that will be extremely challenging once this begins. This will be a very stressful, but rewarding process. This particular technique produces sometimes startling results and we are looking forward to it. However, it will be tiring and stressful for Patti and will test her faith and endurance.

Please pray that she will wait upon the Lord for the strength to rise up and successfully complete this regimen. Also, please pray that the Lord will bring significant results and benefit for Patti as she goes through this time.

Forever in Him,

Mike

Things are Escalating

Predicted to be hot tomorrow in Dallas - 106 degrees!!!!! It's hot and the heat is escalating!

Israel, Lebanon, all of the terrorist groups sponsored by Iran and Syria are all at it and the war appears to be escalating! (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!)

Gasoline prices are high and appear to be escalating!

And in the middle of all this what is Patti doing? She appears to be escalating things a little herself! This past Saturday, she and Stephen and I went over to the mall to do a little shopping and Patti escalated!!!! That's right! She rode on her first escalator since November!!!!!!!!! In fact, she rode twice!! I'm really proud of her for having the courage and pushing herself to do it. Of course, I was right by her side to make sure she got on and off OK and had my arm around her the whole time, but she was really brave to do it! Oh, we only took the escalator up cause neither of us wanted a downward fall!!!!

Here's a picture of new grandson Cole:













Isn't he adorable! Good job Abbey and Nick and Cadence! We're proud of you!

Be sure and check out the brand new BOWMAN BLOG! Just click on the New Link in the left hand margin.

The Lord is good!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Happy Birthday Cole!!!

Cole Wade Bowman, son of Abbey and Nick and brother to Cadence came into the world tonight at 9:17. Cole weighed in at 7 lbs., 2 oz and is 19 1/4 inches long. Mother and son are doing great and we rejoice in this wonderful addition to our family!!

Mike

I'm Bloggin On A Jet Plane...(Apologies to John Denver)

Finally getting the time to blog while traveling from Texas to Connecticut. There is so much to update I hardly know where to begin. First of all, thanks for your patience as I have been unable to blog regularly. We have so many friends, loved ones and prayer warriors who want to keep up with Patti and her progress and we deeply appreciate you. Also, thanks to beloved daughter Paige for pinch-hitting recently!

God is so faithful! My schedule of work and supporting Patti in her re-hab fills my days up. But as a result, Patti has lots of time to work on her recovery, and work she does!! She is still in re-hab every weekday. She gets picked up at 8:15 AM or so and gets back around 4:15 in the afternoon. After a nap and dinner, Patti will start in on her evening exercises. She does stretches and various motion and control exercises. She will read books or we may play a game or work on word pronunciations. Her persistence is extraordinary and everybody she is around is amazed and proud of her dedication.

Patti continues to improve every day, so keep reading and let’s take it one area at a time:

A Pinch of This - A Dash of That

Charlotte keeps getting stronger. As Paige mentioned in her entry, Patti is able to move lightweight objects around and is getting very good at picking up blocks and putting them into containers. Her ability to lift, extend and move her arm is also developing rapidly. Charlotte’s even getting involved in returning hugs which is probably the best therapy we can get!

The occupational therapists who work with Patti have come up with several recommendations for new treatments for Charlotte recently, but a funny thing keeps happening. For example, they recently suggested Botox therapy for her wrist. Yes, you heard me correctly, Botox. No, her wrist isn’t wrinkled, but the inside muscles aren’t strong enough to overcome the pull from the outside muscles which causes her hand to turn outward. The Botox would relax or quiet the dominant muscle group giving the weaker group some time and opportunity to develop further. So after suggesting this we were looking for therapy to get started, but nothing was happening. When we asked we found out that as soon as they suggested it, her hand started balancing out on its own as Patti worked on her exercises. It has become hard to recommend special therapies for the stage that Patti is in as she is moving through the recovery stages faster than they expect! Thank you Lord!

Half Staff!

As you know, Patti graduated out of her walker full time a couple of months ago and is walking with a staff. Our niece Maggie asked her if she could throw it on the ground and turn it into a snake! We laughed, but the miracle level, as high as it is, hasn’t moved into that territory yet! Although, I’m not sure if Patti has tried that one yet!

But the miracles still come. About two weeks ago she graduated from the staff while at rehab and in the apartment! She still uses it when out in public, but not all the time. Sometimes if we are just going a short distance and the store is not crowded she’ll leave it in the car. I remember just eight months ago Patti couldn’t even sit up. When she could sit up she couldn’t sit up for more than about 20 or 30 minutes to start with and couldn’t support her right side without the help of several pillows. Now she is walking unassisted through most of her day!!

Talk Isn't Cheap

In fact it’s extremely rewarding! Patti’s speech is still her slowest development area, but when you consider how much more is involved mentally and all of the muscles involved with the tongue, lips, jaw, facial expressions, and all of the recall, it is a very involved process. Patti spends a lot of time working on her speech and it is coming along very well. She still sings from time to time and her voice is beautiful to hear.

The Queen of Re-hab

Our beloved Patti is still quite a legend in re-hab. She is such a hard worker and willing to do whatever it takes and all that she can, that all of the therapists try to schedule her during the week. At the last progress review, one of them actually complained that they couldn’t get her scheduled enough during the week because the others were writing her into their schedules first!! The staff really pitches in and encourages Patti because of her effort and attitude!

The King of Re-hab

We have observed that a lot of people who come through re-hab are well-defeated in their attitude and their hope. They go through the motions, but just don’t work at it. And, not surprisingly, it shows in the speed (or lack) of their recovery. It also shows up in their conversation as it is often very negative. Patti and I are continually reminded of the importance of having people in your life who will love you no matter what, and will, for lack of a better analogy, call to you to come back to life. That’s what Jesus did when He called to Lazarus. The Bible says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We see it every day. Praise God that we see the power of life in our tongues and not death. I encourage you to pray for those who are going through these types of trials in their lives. They are all around us and need the uplifting power of the Holy Spirit that only knowing Jesus can give. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings is King of re-hab as well!

Is This Baghdad?

The fourth of July was a really great day for the Everett’s. We went to Patti’s sister’s to watch their neighborhood parade and enjoy hot dogs with all the trimmings! I don’t think I’ve had a hot dog, literally, in years. I had forgotten how good they can taste!

That night we were able to watch no less than 10 fireworks shows from the balcony of our apartment! It was fun and relaxing and caused Patti to wonder if this is what Baghdad was like? We really appreciate all of our brave men and women who endure the real thing so we can enjoy looking at the pretty fakes! God bless America, our leaders, our warriors and protectors, and may He continue to grant us the freedom to worship Him in peace and safety!!

Bought and Sold - Packed and Moved

Yes, it’s true!! Our house in West Monroe has sold and we have packed our belongings and completely moved to Dallas.

A good friend of mine recently shared a revelation with me of the driving dynamic of the early church. The first church found themselves in a hostile culture, with limited resources and an uncertain future. They could not depend on their things, their surroundings or their lifestyle to comfort them. There were only two things they had to depend on; the Lord and each other. He shared that the reason so many believers have life changing experiences on mission trips is for the same reason. They can only depend on God and those they are with, and mostly God!!

I have always heard it said that God meets you at the point of your greatest need. I have learned over the last few months that the saying is essentially correct, but poorly phrased. At the point of our greatest need we choose to depend on God or we choose to depend on the world. When we choose to depend on God, He is ready, able (is he ever!), and willing (remember, He loves you!) to do far above all you can think and imagine on your behalf. As we have learned through this to depend on God, we have found Him to be even more amazing, loving, wise and generous than we ever suspected. And over the last thirty years of my walk with Him I have seen a lot!! I know that is true for Patti, as well.

When Patti had her stroke we were thrown into that position exactly! We had only the Lord and our family and friends to depend on. The cars, jobs, houses, clothes and other things completely lost their importance and the mask of comfort and significance they wear was completely stripped away! Our beloved friends in West Monroe gathered around Patti and our family and ministered to us in ways we are still realizing and that lift us every day! God has performed miracle after miracle in our hearts, in Patti’s mind and body, in our faith and we know he has worked through this in the lives of many others.

My point is that we are distressed to leave all of our friends and loved ones in Louisiana, but we know God has us back in Texas as part of His plan. We experienced a taste of what the early church must have known and we will never, ever forget how God’s people loved us at our point of greatest need and continue to love us still.

Thaime for a Trip

As you know, Mike, Jr., wife Morgan and son Aidan are in Thailand. Pray for them in their new career! Patti and I want to go visit! So I have tentatively decided, after some prayer and consultation with Patti and Mike and Morgan, that next March is a likely time for a trip to Thailand. (No firm dates just yet) However, as you might imagine, getting ready to go will involve a lot more than just packing and scheduling. Therefore, we have set March of 2007 as a goal for Patti’s recovery to have progressed to the point that we can make the trip with minimal discomfort and maximum enjoyment for Patti! She really wants to see her kids and grandkid!!

So, if you’re inclined, pray for the following:
- Patti’s continued and accelerated recovery. She will need to be walking easily and with balance and strength. Very conversational speech would make the trip most enjoyable for her and that Charlotte will be able to fully participate at mealtimes, while dressing and bathing, and at playtimes!
- Please pray that God will always get the glory in this!
- Finances and planning for the trip.

May God bless you as you read of His love in our lives!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Darth Tater Rules!

This message is from Paige~

I am blogging in place of my father who is so busy that he has not had time to blog. We apologize to frequent blog readers as they have been stuck w/ the same blog for about a month.

However, a lot has happened over the last few weeks! The house in Monroe is under contract and we are anticipating the close of the sale to happen mid-July. Mike and Patti were in Monroe the last week and a half deciding what comes to Dallas, what gets sold and what gets pawned off to the kids (Which was A LOT!). We had fun going through everything.

Let's see exciting or funny news...

-Patti broke our shredder...she was shredding all the papers we didn't need and got overly enthusiastic and well...the shredder stopped. It apparently did not have the same excitement as the rest of us. So we got a new HEFTY shredder that could almost shred an entire book in one sitting. NICE.

-Mike deemed Darth Tater (Mr. Potato Head dressed as Darth Vader) as important as it was neither sold nor given away and instead rode shotgun on the way to Dallas.

- Patti has been amazing all her kids and friends with her new found tricks w/ Charlotte. She is starting to pick objects up and move them across the table. We are sooo proud!

- Patti also has been using only a staff when walking, but I didn't see her use anything this weekend which shows me she is getting better at balance and strength.

-Mike was finally called out as a complete nerd by his kids when we found out that his deepest desire is to have a Mystery Party w/ a Star Trek theme. We forgave him since he actually never had the party and we did not have to participate :)

-Abbey is looking BEAUTIFUL in her last month of pregnancy and we are all eagerly anticipating the birth of a new little boy!!

-Stephen has a nickname that we were not aware of...Pokey...we need to know who Gumby is now.

That's about it for now...Hopefully things will calm down at the Everett's place in the next week so that Dad can get back to his regularly scheduled blogging.

Happy Fourth!!!

Wishing for More

Time, that is! I have been accosted (and rightfully so) by several people regarding my failure to keep the blog updated. Not the least of which is my beloved wife and my faithful daughter Paige.

Please accept my apologies! I ask your forgiveness!

Life has been full lately with travel, work, care giving and just the daily routine. We are trying to get used to the new life in Dallas.

But enough of that, let's get to what is really important - Patti!

Patti is doing really well. Not only is she doing really well, but she is looking good doing it!! Her walking continues to improve. She limps a little on her right leg, but this is mostly due to limited feeling. Restoration of feeling to her leg is the next big physical step we are looking for. When you can't feel your foot and leg very well, even though they are working well, it is hard to trust them! She is still using a staff and is off the walker completely now. She has used the wheelchair twice in the last 6 weeks at the mall and at, where else, Wal-mart. But yesterday she said she actually prefers to walk around these places now. She has such a strong will and great attitude and they keep her going.

Patti's speech is making great strides also. We have noticed that in her speech exercises she is rapidly improving in her ability to say words and sounds rapidly and clearly. We have several word lists of mono and multi-syllabic words. There must be literally hundreds of words in the lists and we will go through them on pace where I will speak the word and Patti has to repeat it back on beat. She only misses two or three out of a hundred when we do this. She still has trouble pulling and saying the words when she needs them in conversation, but I truly believe that one of these days God is just going to "connect" the wires and she'll wake up one morning talking up a storm!

We have found a really wonderful lady named Mary to stay with Patti when I travel. She is also a great cook and Patti just loves her. God provides outrevery need!

Tomorrow is Mothers Day and we are looking forward to having Mike, Morgan and Aidan along with my mother June and brother Lynn over for the day. Mike and his family are on their way to Southeast Asia at the end of May to begin their new career. Talk about mixed emotions! We are so proud of them! Yet, we really will miss them. I think God's original intent for the Internet was to allow families and friends to stay in touch. It sure makes it easy! Too bad others have to pervert such a wonderful tool!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day! Be sure and take some time to thank God for your Mom! And thank you to all who continue to keep track of us and pray for us and for Patti's recovery.

Oh, I almost forgot! Two weeks ago Patti was out at the mall with her sister and a strange lady struck up a conversation with them wanting to know Patti's story. During the course of the conversation Patti and Theresa told the lady about the hole in Patti's heart that has been repaired and the fact that Patti was having some headaches prior to the stroke. The lady said she was experiencing the same symptoms and had the same hole in her heart. Patti told her not to waste any time and to get to a doctor as quick as possible. The lady then said, "I know that God sent me to you to receive that information. I'm catching a flight home tonight and will get with a doctor on Monday." So a small ministry through testimony on that day. I'm sure it is just the first of many!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Staffing Changes

This past Friday represented another milestone day for Patti. She has now graduated from the walker to a staff in public!!!!! What this means is that she is now walking so well she can navigate most of the obstacles she will come across in everyday life with balance assistance from the staff. She's not running up stairs, taking escalators or power walking, yet, but she is walking around demonstrating God's faithfulness every day!!

We are still working through our daily routines in our new environment. I must confess there are many days when we deeply miss our dear friends in Louisiana. Dallas is a big, wonderful place and it's where we need to be, but the pace of life and the overwhelming size make finding and getting together with friends a difficult thing.

Prayer requests:

1. Patti's ongoing recovery and strength. There is much work involved. Not only during the day at the rehab center, but she is doing exercises every night and by the time bedtime rolls around she is pretty much exhausted.

2. Sale of our home in Louisiana. Some limited activity, but the market is very soft there. Getting the house sold would relieve a lot of financial pressure.

3. Praise for God's faithfulness!

Forever in Him,

Mike