home again

HI everyone - we had a great Be in Health conference on Saturday and a lot of new people got exposed to our ministry. They were attentive and open to the biblical teaching. This is the first time Pastor Henry has ever done a 6 hour conference and he did great. We chose not to take him to pray for Dustin as he was having a very anti religion time and we wanted to respect his wishes. Meanwhile, a lady whose husband comes every year to the VA for his spinal cord injury checkup went and visited him. She had seen him several months ago in up in his wheelchair and was drawn to go talk to him. She had left a note on his TV to call her. Since then we have talked a few times and she also came to the conference. I don't really know her but we seem to have become friends with a common interest... people we love with a spinal cord injury and a heart for young males trying to make it. She brought him lotion and various skin care products. Only someone who had been through this time thing can really understand and I so appreciate her support. Meanwhile, I am so more than willing to pray for ner 20 year old son!

Dustin had a very rough 2-3 days and I think both of us were going down hill fast. It is very hard to see your son deteriorate with the inability to do a thing. Yesterday he seemed to have lost all hope and his will to live. He was not happy for me to "care" for him and I seemed to be smothering him and him not wanting anyone to be around. He would not smile, would not look at you and it was very hard for me to watch. Thank goodness for Rick!!He pulled ME out of the miry clay.

Today was a new day! Nerina sent an awesome powerpoint pictures with music, and encouraging notes from her and Dustin's friends. She got them to send her pictures and she made an awesome presentation with his favorite music. It was so encouraging and Dustin really enjoyed it. I had also called Pastor Anita and ask her and our church to pray for him and us as well. Well, after Rick and I got to the hospital after going to the Vineyard church in Augusta, and showed Dustin the powerpoint, it was like he was a new person. He looked so much better and seemed to have hope and encouragement again. There were a few "almost" smiles and he let us wash his hair. That is a big deal as lately he had gotten irritated when you suggested any kind of care.

Although his lung x-ray today was once again "whited out" (fluid filled), his oxygen had not dropped since they change his vent settings per some input from the Tampa conference. We hope to hear about a move to Tampa soon.

We have decided to send Rick back to visit this week and leave me at home. I need to recover and Dustin seems to need a different face, a different perspective and support from someone else who also loves him. I think I must have "mommied" him too much and now a man needs to come in and prod him out of the hole. I pretty much was becoming empty and not able to offer him anything other than tears. Who needs that? I need to build up my physical and spiritual and emotional strength and it really has been over 4 months of constant "giving". It has been a precious time for me to care for him and I look forward to fresh focus and progress.

Thanks for all of the prayers. We continue to stand in trust and faith for all that God has for Dustin. There is not way the enemy is going to win this battle. As the Bible says, the battle is the Lord's. I have turned by weapons in for a season and just going to stand.

Rick and I may go with Pastor Henry the next two weekends to do one day conferences in Greenville SC and then Ashville NC. It really feels good to get back into teaching and work. I hope that it will work out for me to balance work and caring for Dustin. It is good for both of us.

love to all
mary pat