Data's New Home

This morning I signed a ream (literally!) of papers allowing for Data to move into the Flint River Memory Care Center here in Macon. After the signing of the papers and leaving $5,000 with them, with another $3,100 to be paid when she actually enters the facility, she is now on the “ready-to-move-in” list. The psych hospital will call me after 9:30 in the morning to let me know the exact day she will be dismissed, and, thus, the day she will become a full-time resident at this facility. Thankfully, FRMCC will transfer her, which is a very good thing.

It is my opinion that she will do quite well here, as she will be around lots of people, have three healthy meals per day with three healthy snacks between the meals. She will be free to walk around inside and outside (secure facility) at will. She will be taken on field trips on the very nice bus the facility owns, as well as be involved in all kinds of activities. She will be given her meds on time every day (I don’t think she has taken a single med in several years!). I have arranged for the on-site beautician to fix her hair on a weekly basis and for a podiatrist to look after her feet. Ralph will be able to visit whenever he chooses, as long as someone can drive him to the facility.

Once she is situated in the facility, please feel free to visit her whenever you like, until 9:00 PM.

It remains to be seen how Ralph will handle living alone. I do think he is relieved that Data is being cared for, but it will take some time for him to adjust to living alone. I want to be sure that he gets three healthy meals per day, has clean clothes, and lives in a clean house. Accomplishing this will take all of us working together. I will keep you posted.

I suppose one could say that much was accomplished today. Data is now in the psych unit at the Coliseum Hospital. I do not know how long she will be there, but long enough to get proper psychotropic meds in place, along with any other meds the Doctors deem necessary. When she leaves, she will go directly into the Flint River Memory Center (near the Northside hospital) where she will remain as a resident. The cost is high: $3,000 + per month plus med copays and other incidentals. This will be a real stretch financially, but hopefully it will work out. I took her daughter, Linda, there today, so she could see the facility. Diane, also Data’s daughter, is aware, as well. I  had a long talk with Ralph and he is agreeable. I am sure it will be difficult for him, both emotionally and financially, but he knows that something has to be done.

Ralph was dismissed from the hospital, just as I was leaving this afternoon. He should be at home within an hour or so. Tests today did not reveal anything of consequence, so I guess we will just have to wait for the next event.

No visitors for Data while in psych unit, at least for the next few days. After that, only I and certain family members can visit. When she is moved to the Memory Center, visitors are welcome anytime.

These are major, life-changing decisions, so please keep this family in your prayers, and don’t forget to pray for me, as I attempt to make this journey with them.

Data has been in the ER at the Coliseum Hospital since Friday night because they have been unable to locate a psych unit that will accept her. Hopefully, a bed will be available in the Senior Center at the Coliseum in the AM. This is important because she needs proper medication. If we can get this accomplished, we can eventually move her to an assisted living home. There is one minor problem with this: MONEY. Both the Flint River location and the Blair House are private pay facilities, which means that neither Medicare nor Medicaid pay ANY of the expenses involved. The cost will be approximately $3,000 per month, assuming she will be a Level One patient (If you do not have a long-term health policy, you should consider purchasing one!).

Ralph will have a test done in the AM to examine his pancreatic duct. The diagnosis is now pancreatitis. He is in very good spirits. It would be very nice, however, if something could be done for him, but it seems that at best his care will be palliative.

I spent most of the day at the hospital and visiting Personal Care homes in an effort to get some facts.

As always, your prayers will be much appreciated!

Well-earned by James D. Weldon (WWII VET)

This is a purple heart. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be speaking at the funeral service for the man who earned it during WWII. He served this great nation in front-line combat and was wounded several times. In fact, his parents received that dreaded telegram, the one that told them their son had been killed in action. Somewhere in 1945, he made it back to his hometown, Reynolds, GA, and a man I knew quite well, Sam Hobbs, drove him home, where he met his unsuspecting parents. He did not know about the telegram. I can only imagine the shock! For as long as I knew him (all of my life), when he saw a movie clip of the war, he went to pieces. The trauma of combat took its toll on him. He died yesterday. He was 86 years old. He was one of the kindest, most gracious men I have ever known. Do you think he would vote to reduce monies for our military? I think not. How do you think he felt when he heard the present Commander in Chief apologize to our enemies?

I spent most of the afternoon with James Weldon’s family. I wish you could have been with me! I stand amazed at the way God lavishes his love and grace upon my life. I am truly honored to have been invited to speak as his funeral service.

Today I had lunch with a two star General (Air Force), who was passing through on his way to Warner Robins for the funeral of a Colonel. The funeral was at WRAFB with all kinds of military brass and full military honors. Two Blackhawk helicopters flew by in formation during the honors. My nephew, John Goddard, was the funeral director. During our lunch, I asked the General how long he had been in Texas (his present assignment). He answered, and then told me that as soon as he returns, he will be moving to the Pentagon where he will be the Deputy General for Internal Affairs. The “bad guy,” he said. I think I had lunch with an important someone!

Interestingly, as our lunch was ending, the waiter brought my change and placed it on the table–a nickel with the state of Texas embossed on it. I handed it to the General and said, “Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for this great nation.” As I was saying that, he was looking at the nickel. When I finished, he offered it back to me. I said, “You keep it and remember this occasion.”

What an incredible day!

True Friends!

We grew up together in Reynolds. We were friends then, and we are friends now. We have shared many life-experiences along the way. Father Time has taken his toll, as we are not quite as “stout” as we were back in the “day” but we are still on this side of the grass. Gene (left) and Brer (right) are retired from their respective vocations–farming and pharmacy, though Gene does still have a rather large garden and Brer fills in for CVS when he wants to exert himself. I think you know what I do; if not, plan to attend Sunday’s service and you will get an up close and personal view of a portion of it. Gene and I, along with many others, were attending Brer’s 70th Birthday Party. I did make one observation: It is easy to tell if you are attending a birthday party for an old person, as everyone goes home around 8:00, just after the food is consumed.

Just so you know: Tomorrow at 3:00 PM, I will be speaking at James Weldon’s funeral service (his obit is in the Telegraph). On Wednesday evening at 6:00, I will be teaching a Bible Study in the home of Alan & Denise Parker; 384 Hamrick Road; Macon, GA 31220–God’s Treatment of Sin: Perfect & Permanent. You are invited!

One other Monday Morning Note: Please remember to bring food to the church, as I want to deliver what we have accumulated by the end of this week.

Thank you very much and have yourself a lovely Monday!

Cases of Ramen noodles (different flavors); canned white potatoes; canned yams; canned soups; canned meats; canned fish (especially mackerel); 2 lb. bags of grits; rice, and flour; mac & cheese; cereals; canned lima, pintos, Navy, and kidney beans, black-eyed peas; dry beans; small powdered milk.

Patiently Waiting for a Catch

Good Monday morning to each of you! What a beautiful day and what and incredible Savior.

Somehow, I get the feeling that the fellow in this picture is more aware of truth than we are. I was walking along the pier at Naples, FL when I took the picture. Everyone was hurrying and scurrying, but he was simply patiently waiting . . .

Talk about a study in contrasts, this is one of them.

As I think about this, I am also thinking about the fact that most of the people who call themselves “Christian” are hurrying and scurrying, like the folk on the pier, while those who truly know Him, like the bird in the picture, are patiently waiting. Another study in contrasts!

I think the same thing is true regarding the subject of yesterday’s message: Are we simply wearing the mask of Christianity, or are we really His disciples? There is a difference, you know–a significant difference.

Yesterday, I put Roger & Bob in charge of attendance, so be on the lookout for them. It is my understanding that they are relentlessly tenacious.

Ordination Certificate

It is difficult for me to believe, but September 2, 2011 marked my 32nd anniversary in the gospel ministry. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that I was ordained, but in other ways, it seems like a lifetime ago.

Interestingly, in all of those years, I have served only two churches–Benevolence and Grace Christian Fellowship, with a 2 year tour at Mabel White, as Director of the Counseling center, from September of 1993-September of 1995.

Although there have been some “speed bumps” along the journey, I have loved the trip. There is no question in my mind that I have been enjoying the call God placed on my life. In my mind, I have been blessed and then some (to use the words of Peter Lord)!

I want to thank each of you for your love and support. As you know, in roughly 6 months, I will be 70 years old, so please pray that I will continue to have some degree of my senses left. I have asked a few of you to tell me when I go crazy, but we all know that when they do, I will think they are crazy. It just works that way!

Camille Carolyn Sanchez's baptism

Someone has said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this one surely is an excellent example! Marlon & Elaine honored me with the privilege of baptizing their daughter, Camille, on Sunday, September 4, 2011 in St. Petersburg, FL.

You might be interested to know that Elaine is from Singapore and Marlon has been transplanted from St. Petersburg, FL, to Hong Kong. They made the19 hour flight from Hong Kong to St. Petersburg to have Camille baptized. Quite an undertaking with a 1 year old! Thankfully, most of Marlon’s family were in attendance, including his 82 year old mother, Chlocile. Her husband and I met at the University of Minnesota in 1962, became very good friends, and the rest is history. Three generations in his family have arrived since we met!

To say the least, I was quite honored to be a part of this beautiful occasion! To  top it off, Marlon & Elaine gifted Annis & I with a four night stay in the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel at the St. Pete marina, one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

I am glad, however, to be at home and back amongst all of you!