Long Awaited Follow-up!!

I know you'll never believe this, but Patti and I got stuck in customs and have been having our bags examined for six straight weeks!!! (Hmmm. Maybe that's not so unbeleivable after all?)

Actually, I probably need to have my head examined for taking so long to do this. (Or at least my time management!)

Yes, we made it back and, yes, we had a great time! Mike, Morgan and Aidan were gracious and patient hosts and never once threatened to throw us out of the house. Of course, the fact that we brought several bags of Cheetos over for them may have influenced their tolerance somewhat.

OK. Some highlights and pictures.

Right after arriving we got to enjoy Aidan's third birthday party. There was a nice crowd of friends on hand.

Everybody enjoyed the cake, especially Aidan.

We saw a lot of the sights of Chiang Mai including a huge Buddha (or is it Buddhette?):

We learned that even Buddha (Buddhette) takes it easy once in a while.

Chiang Mai from the mountaintop:

Stinky fruit at the market: (We didn't try it and because it was wrapped in plastic we didn't get to smell it. We're told we were very fortunate!

Lots and lots and lots and lots of motor bikes:

In fact, this picture just doesn't do it justice. There are thousands of these things around all the time. It is the preferred form of transportation. We saw bike drivers on cell phones, with babies in their laps, and as many as four (though we heard about five) on a single bike. It is a bike culture in Chiang Mai!

Here's another example. For those of us used to overwhelming government control of the comfort and condition of kids in the car, this was a little different!!

The ancient wall of the city of Chiang Mai. It was mostly destroyed during WWII by Japanese bombers.

There was always something beautiful to see in Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside. This was a waterfall where we had a picnic.

This was an even bigger waterfall we visited a few days later.

We wondered where all the water for this one was coming from, so we looked around and, sure enough, we found the source of all that water......

Too bad there was a leak in the hose. Who knows how much bigger the falls would have been?

What trip to Thailand would be complete without a visit to the elephant camp! This was so much fun! I had no idea elephants were so friendly. Makes you think about getting one for a pet!

We also had a blast at the Chiang Mai Zoo. Below are the animals we got to see and, in the case of the Giraffes, feed!!

There are two videos that I want to pass along. The first was taken when Mike Jr. and I were out playing golf. We had the opportunity to feed some fish in a pond. It was fun! Watch what happens!

The second video was taken in Japan as Patti and I were waiting to ride the bullet train back to Tokyo from a tour of Mount Fuji. I always wonder why we don't have things like this in Texas!?!

During the tour in Japan it was a very rainy and foggy day. The picture on the left is what we were supposed to see on the tour. The picture on the right is what we did see!!

Fortunately the clouds lifted a little later and we got to see the mountain briefly.

But, enough of Japan!

What we really came to see was family. You really don't understand how much you miss and appreciate your kids and your grandkids until you go to visit them. We had an absolutely wonderful time throughout the trip. God blessed us with easy travel and safety and the ability financially and timewise to be able to go. Patti covered more and different kinds of terrain than I think she thought possible, but did it with ease and joyful determination. But in the end, this is what we came for and, what we enjoyed the most.

Mike, Morgan, and Aidan - Thanks for a wonderful time! We will never forget it!

Mimi and Pop

Busy First Week

Wow, one week has already flown by since we got to Chiang Mai. We've had a great time and seen so much. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Mike Sr. got to play in the praise band at The Gathering (local church) while Mike Jr. led worship.
2. We visited a silk factory and got to see how Thai silk is made starting with silkworms and how they grow and finally form a cocoon which is then processed for the silk threads. We got to watch silk fabric being woven on hand-operated looms which was really educational!
3. We visited the winter palace for the king and toured the grounds. Very impressive and (Trish) lots and lots of flowers!
4. Bought some souvenirs at the Sunday Night Market. It's different from other markets as it only is open on Sunday night and there is room to walk around. They actually close off a street so there is plenty of room. It's amazing how much stuff is made and sold here. It's like everybody is in a little business for themselves.
5. Patti and I got foot massages Sunday night at the market. Wow! We are both walking better as a result.
6. Went to a 4th of July Party for Mike's company on Saturday and got to swim in a 1-ACRE POOL!! It was huge! We had a lot of fun and some great American burgers. They even had some Miracle Whip on hand!

We're having a great time and being with Mike and Morgan and Aidan this long is really special. We know the next week will fly by, so we are trying to savor every minute!

More later!

Forever in Him,

Mike and Patti

Hard Drive Down

Patti and I arrived safely at Mike and Morgan's and have been enjoying our first week spending time with them and seeing some of the sights. We have been up to Doi Suthep which is a Buddist temple with a huge statue of Budda; visited the waterfalls on the way for a picnic; been to the downtown market and the night bazaar; seen the old city walls and moat and visited a lovely park nearby; had authentic Thai food and some great Western food as well; Mike and I have played golf; had a great birthday party with Aidan; visited the Chiang Mai zoo, which is really cool; and generally having a great time while we have gotten adjusted to the time difference.


Additionally, our new camera has been taking some wonderful pictures. However, after downloading all the pictures to my laptop to post on the blog, and clearing them off of our camera card, I'm sorry to report that the harddrive on my laptop has apparently failed. Dell doesn't think it can be fixed until after we get back to the states and the IT guys at Mike's company are going to try to get the information off so we don't lose anything.

So now we have to figure how to get pictures off the camera and on to Mike and Morgan's computer so we can put some up in the blog. I don't have a cable for the transfer since I didn't need one with my computer, so it is a problem. Just as bad, all of my e-mail addresses are on the computer as well! So I'm really locked up when it comes to communicating with some of our friends who don't read the blog.


Just a couple of observations before I sign off:

Things you can find anywhere on earth:

1. Coca-Cola
2. Roaches
3. Starbuck's
4. Mosquitos
5. Pigeons
6. Motor scooters
7. $3.00/gal gasoline.

So with that information now in the public domain, I will sign off until we can figure out our technical glitches. Oh, one word of advice - buy McIntosh!!!

Mike and Patti

First Leg - I Can't Believe We've Come This Far

Patti and I are sitting in the United Airlines International Travelers Lounge at Tokyo's Narita airport. We left DFW this morning at 8:07 and flew to San Francisco to change planes and head for Tokyo. We landed in Tokyo at 2AM Dallas time, so including the San Francisco leg and time between flights it was a total of 18 hours. Arrrrgh! We have a three hour layover here before heading on to Bangkok. Notes from the trip:

It was raining in Dallas when we left. It was raining in Tokyo when we arrived. Hmmmm. The flight was incredibly long, but business class really takes the edge off. The seats fully recline and the food was great! I can't remember the last time I got something more than peanuts on a flight. We had a great Japanese meal including smoked salmon, green salad, some tasty things I didn't recognize and some really wonderful sesame chicken with noodles and mixed vegetables. Coffee, soft drinks, water snacks and lots of fruit filled out the rest of the time. By the way, I know that United Airlines is not the snazziest airline around, but the service, food and flight attendants were great. Patti has been handled with kid gloves and wonderful courtesy the whole way.

There was a choice of nine movies on board. The only one I watched was Wild Hogs for the second time. Otherwise listening to music, reading and sleeping.

Here is Patti in Business Class:

Here is a look at the upper deck, all business class, on the 747:

Here is the plane:

Narita Airport is a pretty interesting place. For one thing, the lounge we are in is very delux. If you've ever been in an airline club like the American Admiral's Club, you know they are nice. This is like an Admiral's club on steroids. Lots of room, showers if you need one, free food, drink and even direct telephone lines to the U.S., Canada, China, Singapore, Korea and Thailand. This is just one section.

When you walk outside the lounge you are absolutely assaulted with Duty Free stores selling all kinds of cosmetics, electronics, jewelry, watches, clothing, you name it! Here's a sample:

I mean, what airport could possibly be complete without a Tiffany's!!

Finally, one of the more popular pastimes at Narita is enjoying a relaxing, vibrating recliner while waiting for your flight. These guys all looked like they were having the time of their lives right here!!

Please pray for me (Mike). I managed, wouldn't you know it, to develop a rollicking head cold just before we left. It would really be nice to get over it in the next day and not infect any family members!!!

Forever in Him,

Mike and Patti

Really Cool Trip!

Way too cool! Patti and I are going to Thailand for the next two weeks to visit Mike, Morgan and Aidan!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who are fluent in Thai, that means we are pai teeo. For those of you who aren't, that means we are going traveling. And travel we will. We fly from DFW to San Francisco to Tokyo to Bangkok. That whole trip is approximately 24 hours in the air! Needless to say we will be travel weary when we get to Bangkok. We will spend the night there and push on to Chiang Mai and a happy reunion the following day. We have a new camera so I hope to be posting pictures during the trip.

Pray for safe travel, health and a great time together!

More later...

Mike and Patti

New Faces - No Names! Kids & Grandkids Update

In the last few months we have been blessed with two, yes TWO, blessed announcements!

Mike and Morgan, who currently reside in Thailand with Grandson #1, Aidan (Devestatingly cute and just turned 3), are expecting a baby brother, grandchild #4, in October!! Interestingly, the due date is October 10th - the same as Mike Sr.'s birthday! That means there is a good chance there will be at least one grandchild's birthday he won't forget!!

Paige and Todd, who currently reside in Tallahassee, FL, announced their new arrival, grandchild #5, is scheduled for January of 2008! Don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet, but Paige is having fun working on eyes, fingers, toes, etc.

Nick and Abbey, in Simsboro, LA, continue to enjoy the blessings and challenges of raising two beautiful children Cadence (Turning 3 in August) and Cole (Turning 1 in July) (Both also devestatingly cute as well).

Stephen, attending LSU in Baton Rouge, will graduate in December and is working now with Mike Sr.'s company, Millennium Protection Group and pursuing other ventures as well.

All are doing well and we give glory to God for His goodness! Check the links to visit their blogs and learn and see more!

M & P

Graduation Day

Hi! Remember me? Long time no post!


On Thursday, May 31st, Patti graduated from re-hab! YAY! God blessed us with 18 months of intensive work for Patti to assist in her recovery. That's amazing in itself because most of the people she saw coming through re-hab only stayed a few months. Many had insurance restrictions that forced them out. Others had no family or friend support and gave up. Still others quit on life altogether regardless of the support they had.


Exiting formal re-hab is exciting, but it is also a big adjustment. The truth is that re-hab continues - just at home. So Patti is continuing to work hard each day on various aspects of her on-going recovery. She works out at the YMCA three times a week and the therapists at the re-hab center gave her a small library of tools to help her along and she uses these daily. We are exploring other ways to make the effort more interesting.

Getting back into a rhythm of life is more important now, also. We have settled into a wonderful fellowship group at church that meets on Saturday nights. They have welcomed us and we have numerous new friendships developing.

I continue to be busy with work which means that Patti has a lot of time during the day by herself. Transportation when she needs to go somewhere is a problem if I'm not available. Dallas Area Rapid Transit has a door-to-door service available that Patti is now qualified for which will come in very handy in the future. We are also looking for part-time driver for Patti so that she will have the mobility she needs to go places and do things.

Please pray that we find the right person for driving and that Patti's activities settle into place in a way that is pleasing to her and promotes her on-going recovery.

Sorry for the huge gap in the blog! We will attempt to get current and stay that way!

Forever in Him!

Mike and Patti

Recent Pictures

Friends and Family,

Patti and I have been asked for some recent pictures. I've really been struggling to get pictures from our last trip on to the blog with no success, but I've been able to get these to come up properly.

The True Texan Times accepts no responsibility for any damage to your computer screen resulting from the viewing of these photographs.

Forever in Him,

Mike

How do you spell relief? M..I..G..R..A..I..N..E!

More accurately, it's J..E..S..U..S!

After visiting with the neurologist late Thursday afternoon, he determined that Patti suffered a migraine headache. I know that after all the scary events (believe me, it was scary) on Sunday, to come up with a migraine as a diagnosis seemed a bit unusual!

First of all, I want to thank the Lord for sustaining us through this time. Knowing Him, holding on to Him and remaining steadfast in His peace allowed us to not give in to fear which, I believe, was the design of the enemy of our souls.

Secondly, deepest, heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful prayer warriors who cast their love on God's throne on Patti's behalf!

The way the doctor described it, Patti's brain is in a weakened condition from the stroke. No news there! But he also said that a migraine is hard enough on a healthy brain, but when it hit Patti her brain began throwing off stroke symptoms big time! In fact, if you read the earlier blogs, the first doctor to see her was convinced she had suffered a new stroke event. So we were greatly concerned that, after having Patti's heart repaired and months of diligent re-hab, we might be faced with the loss of all of her progress and not even know why! Plus, the first doctor speculated that there might be some kind of condition in the brain that may, or may not, be treatable. So we were also faced with the possibility of more stroke events and greater and greater damage occuring over time. Not a pretty picture!

After looking at the MRI the neurologist stated conclusively that there was no new damage to Patti's brain nor anything that looked even suspicious to him. He gave her a complete release to participate in all of her activities with no restraint!

So to say we are relieved is a massive understatement! Everything about Patti improved when she got the diagnosis! She was really concerned and fearful, but she stood firm in the storm!

One quick humorous story: When we were leaving to go to the hospital on Sunday, I leaned over to Patti, who was in the wheelchair, and said "You know, honey, if you didn't want to watch the Super Bowl all you had to do was just say so!" Actually, at the time, she didn't much appreciate the humor. My timing was off just a little. Anyway, she had been insistent that she did not want to go to the hospital and wasn't real happy about it. So when we left the neurologist's office and headed for the elevator I looked to my right and Patti wasn't there. I turned around and she was standing in the hallway with her hands spread slightly apart and a smile on her face and said "See!! I told you not to take me to the hospital!!" We both laughed and, of course, to get the last word in, I told her "This just confirms my original thought that you just didn't want to watch the game!"

All's well that ends well!

Pressing on in Him,

Mike

Thursday Update

Not a very creative title, but accurate.

Patti's condition is still good. She does seem to be having some trouble with her speech which is frustrating for her, but overall she is good.

Today we see a neurologist at 2:00PM. Please continue to pray for the outcome of this visit.

Details of the visit later today.

Forever in Him,

Mike

Tuesday's Child...

Is full of grace! God's grace that is!

Patti came home from the hospital today and is feeling fine. We waited until after 8:00PM last night to get an MRI done. The results were supposed to be evaluated by a neurologist this morning. However, it turned out the neurologist couldn't get to it till very late in the day today or tomorrow sometime. I felt we had already spent one night too many in the hospital waiting on the MRI that should have been done yesterday morning.

Enough of that. We will have the results reviewed by our primary physician and then a neurologist of his recommendation this week. In the meantime, Patti has suffered no lasting effects from the event this weekend! Thank you for your prayers! We are believing God that this is just another step in Patti's recovery. We will update the results of the MRI later this week. In the meantime, please continue to pray for Patti's complete healing and for a good report when the test is reviewed.

Forever in Him,

Mike

Not So Super Sunday!

Sunday afternoon Patti began to see wavy lines in her right eye and began to experience disorientation. I took her to the hospital where she was admitted at the ER. After a CAT scan was performed, the doctor told us that she had experienced an "expansion" of the original stroke. The effects that were witnessed Sunday night included some continuing disorientation, headaches, the peripheral vision in her right eye was completely occluded, and her speech problems seemed to be more intense.

That's the bad news. I must confess it was a scary experience for Patti, me and our whole family!

However, we again called upon the Lord as our many friends in Louisiana, Dallas and around the world began to pray for Patti. By Monday morning, Patti's vision had been restored and her disorientation was completely gone. Thank you Jesus!!

During the day today Patti was scheduled to have an MRI done to more closely focus on the area and try to understand what caused the event. The MRI was performed around 8:00PM tonight. We should have, and will post, the results tomorrow.

Throughout the day today Patti had some continuing small headaches, but these were easily controlled with a little Tylenol. One additional praise that several people noted today is that Patti's speech has been much smoother and more spontaneous. So her condition today not only is improved over yesterday evening after this event, but it actually appears to be better than before the event.

We are praying that this is just something that God will use to move Patti farther along in her recovery.

Please pray for the following:

1. Healing and complete recovery.
2. Understanding of the cause and a plan for prevention in the future.
3. During this time Patti and I were reminded by some loving friends that our battle is not against "flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12. So we are praying in faith against the enemy who would love to steal Patti's hard won and God-given recovery. I invite you to join in this prayer as well.

We again must express our gratitude to those who so lovingly go before the Father on Patti's behalf. God is so good and has blessed us beyond measure through the wonderful things he has done for Patti!

I will try to update faithfully over the next few days.

Forever in Him,

Mike

New Year > New Blog

Hi everyone! Welcome to the upgraded version of our blog and...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Botox Update: Patti's botox therapy on her right leg is progressing well and is showing good results. She is working extremely hard to exercise the leg to develop the muscles that were intentionally not affected by the botox. The noticeable improvements are a smoother gait when she walks and better overall muscle tone in the lower right leg. In fact, one of Patti's physical therapists told her she didn't like botox therapy, but after seeing Patti's improvement she has changed her mind!

Charlotte Update: Charlotte is still improving as well. Over the last five weeks or so, Patti is starting to get more movement in her finger tips and her thumb is showing dramatic improvement in movement! The thumb is so important because it makes the other fingertips more useful and provides grip strenth for handling things and doing normal activities.

Overall Update: Patti is doing great! Her attitude is still strong and she is still working at recovery with all her might! We are continually grateful for all that God has provided for her and we look forward to testifying of His magnificent grace throughout 2007.

Life here is busy, busy! Patti is still in re-hab five days a week. We thought she would be reduced to three days in January, but with the ongoing botox treatment, the therapists want to continue to work with her on a daily basis.

My work with Millennium Protection Group continues to go well! I travel about 7 days each month. Usually one week in the Northeast and two more days at other places. Lately they have been Austin, Tx and Baton Rouge, LA where son Stephen is now a sales rep for us.

We had a great holiday visiting with kids, grandkids and friends. We drove from Dallas over to Louisiana to see Abbey, Nick, Cadence and Cole, picked up Stephen in Ruston and then drove to Tallahassee, FL to spend Christmas with Paige and Todd. More time with Abbey and Nick on the way home and then back to Dallas on December 30. More on the trip and Pictures in the next post.

Prayer Requests:

1. Patti will start botox therapy on Charlotte in mid-February. Pray for continued improvement greater strength in her hand. Also for focus for Patti as she shifts from a leg focus to a hand and arm focus while still trying to coordinate both muscle groups in her right leg.
2. Our apartment lease will expire in August and, while it is early, we need to be thinking about where we will live and what kind of home is best-suited for our needs. Pray for wisdom, wise counsel, and God's choice!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Getting a Leg Up

A little over a week ago, Patti started botox therapy on her right leg. Just to review the procedure, in most stroke-affected limbs, there is a group of muscles that is over-toned, or two tight. In essence the flex signal is steady and the relax signal is absent. This creates two problems: 1. Muscle tightness causing inflexibility and some deformation characteristics, and 2) An inability to exercise the weaker or under-toned muscles thereby increasing the imbalance. Botox is injected into the over-toned muscles to relax and temporarily paralyze them so the weaker muscles are exposed and can be exercised and strengthened.

In Patti's case, she is now experiencing the equivalent of one step back to take two or more steps forward. Her weak muscles are giving her some problems walking now with the stronger ones out of action. So she is working very hard on specific exercises to work the muscles that need it.

We would appreciate your prayers for her for encouragement and diligence as it is very frustrating to make progress and have to go back to an earlier level and work through problems again. And, secondly, that God would use this treatment to dramatically improve her ability to walk, her balance and ability to react with confidenct to a trip or a bump or some other disruption to her walking.

We are also looking at reducing her time in therapy after the first of the year from five days a week down to three. This is to begin a transition period that will put Patti back in a normal life routine at home. We will really need some grace for this as Patti will need to have people she can count on for fellowship and friendship during the day when I am at work. She will need to find some specific activities that will help keep her busy and continue her recovery.

So over the next three to four months, we have a lot of things going on that need divine direction. I'm glad we serve a faithful God who even counts the very hairs on our heads!! (Although in my case it looks like that's getting easier every year!!)

Anyway, thank you for your prayers!

Forever in Him,

Mike

Patti and I want to wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! Remember, whatever your situation in life, you are blessed in Christ and have much to be thankful for!


"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"
Ephesians 1:3

Got this via e-mail from a friend. Hope you enjoy it!

T'WAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING!

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep,
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned - the Dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
and Gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...
Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty. May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes ' n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious. May your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

Forever in Him,

Mike and Patti

P.S. New update on Patti coming this weekend.

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