Not from a trip but from neglecting this blog! My life kind of took a tailspin last fall as Jim was leaving for another trip to the Solomon Islands. I wrote a family letter to email personally to our many friends in January but here it is mid February and only a few have actually gotten it so I thought I would include it here.
Mudge Family Update
My parents Dody and Russ Barton
I continue to care for my parents, especially helping my mother care for my father. This has increased over the last few months as his abilities mentally and physically have declined.
Last September, as Jim was preparing for his trip to Munda, my father began having more and more trouble using his prosthetic leg and a walker to exercise. One day he fell and although not seriously injured physically, he became very fearful and weak, no longer even able to get in and out of bed or the wheelchair on his own. The day Jim left for 7 weeks in the Solomons, my mother and I used a hydraulic patient lift for the first time. It was a blessing for us physically and for Dad, who was no longer so afraid every time he needed to get up. With the lift and help from a short term in-home physical therapist, Dad regained enough strength to sit, stand, and even begin walking with his walker by the time Jim got home in mid November. We celebrated both ‘returns’ with a Thanksgiving meal at my sister Ginny’s house. Unfortunately Dad has slowly regressed again and my mother and I are needed to meet most of his care including dressing and bathroom.
I am blessed that both of my parents are usually positive and cheerful, trusting God in their weaknesses. Dad loves to listen to old-time gospel songs and eagerly awaits Sundays to go to church.
Jeffrey and Emily
Jeffrey is about a year from finishing his graduate studies in Library Science and Information Services at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. He is mostly interested in the technology side of getting and dispensing information. Talking to him challenges us to keep up with technology innovations.
With Jeffrey and Emily both in academic schedules, they were able to enjoy a long Christmas break. For almost 3 weeks we got to enjoy their company and to see what great young adults they have become. Jeffrey loves to cook and volunteered to help with cooking most days during his stay with us. Emily was a great help too as we shared many fun activities; attending a Live Nativity, climbing a local mountain, visiting Leavenworth (a Bavarian-theme tourist town in the Cascade Mountains), playing board games, and just spending time talking. Of course I loved the day Emily and I spent shopping for clothes too!
The biggest blessing for us is to see that Jeffrey and Emily continue to walk with God and seek to put Him first in their lives. I see their characters maturing and reflecting Christ-likeness. That is more important to us than their ‘accomplishments’.
Jim
It seems like Jim just got home from the Solomons and now he is ready to go again. His adjustment from November’s hot and humid tropics to cold and dry eastern Washington was difficult, made more so by a 2 week+ cold/flu he brought home with him. He passed it on to me so my pre-Christmas baking and sending cards did not happen. But the house was decorated and there were more than enough gifts under the tree. Although at our age we tend to pick out what we like for the other to give us for Christmas, Jim and I did have a surprise gift. We received a BBQ grill from my sister, Ginny, and her husband, Mark, which we tried out within the week, despite the cold. We are looking forward to using it in the summer!
