Dodged the bullet for now!

Ron did not have to be admitted to Presby today.

He's been in better spirits since our consultation with Dr. A on Wednesday, I think just having a plan in place has been helpful. Indigestion/bloating/nausea is much better; some improvement with reflux but still coughing throughout the night from it and he woke very early Saturday morning puking. He's so sick of soups, pudding & protein drinks since that's all he's had since Wed. Unfortunately, he has lost 2 pounds over the weekend, and is feeling weaker since only being on liquids.

He finished the antibiotic on Sunday and has been taking Milk of Magnesia 3-4 times a day (depending on whether or not I'm here to remind him to take it---he's very spoiled, and I think I'm an enabler!) Things are definitely "flowing" which is very good! I never thought I'd pray someone would have diarrhea!

He wants to try eating again but is not optimistic that things will be any different than before. He also says he doesn't want to be hospitalized unless there is something specific that needs to be done that cannot be addressed at home. So, he will continue on this same regimen of Milk of Magnesia and hopefully keep the same amount of flow "going". We are both in agreement Dr. Arslanlar has the right to veto the decision if he feels it is in Ron's best interest.

And, he was very happy to begin eating solid food again today. Please pray things will go well; with no increase in reflux, indigestion or puking. And, literally, things will continue to "go"!

On another note, Friday afternoon I dropped off our truck at Progressive and picked up our replacement vehicle. I was concerned they would put me in some little bitty car and was not looking forward to it. When we arrived they assured us they always put you in a comparable vehicle. Couldn't believe it when they brought ours out...be on the lookout for this hot mama cruisin' a Hummer H3! ! So fun!

Thanks for your prayers!
Christie

How can I keep from singing Your praise?

The last few days, as I've reflected on our sweet Hudson's words of encouragement,

"All day long I'll praise and honor You, oh God, for all that You have done for me"
Psalm 71:8

I've been reminded that no matter how long, hard or frustrating my trial may be, my focus should remain on God...His love, kindness, grace, sovereignty and suffiency. Too often, I get bogged down by circumstances and lose my focus. And then, I'm reminded; if He did nothing more than forgive my sins and give me eternal life with Him...which is so much more than I deserve....that should be enough! Yet, He has done abundantly more!!!

You all know how much music ministers to me and the last few days this song has been on my heart and in my head:

You can hear/ watch it at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GPpx9oINsI
(to see in a full screen after you click on link, hit the rectangular shape between the speaker and the up arrow under the picture)

How Can I Keep From Singing
Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the Rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart ....
I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart ....
I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart .... want to sing

Christie

Battle stations!

We are back in the battle to keep Ron out of the hospital. After several days of consultations between doctors and much concern; we have come up with a game plan that we are all comfortable with.

Ron is back on a strict full liquid diet; along with an aggressive "cleansing" regimen. We will continue to treat from home until Monday; if things are not markedly better by then, he will be admitted to Presbyterian. His doctors are at a point they just don't know what to do with/for him and he cannot continue in this backward trend. His body doesn't do the things that would be expected in regards to recovery and/or effects of medications.

Please pray fervently for these issues to be resolved; preferably without hospital intervention.

Miscommunication: Our truck was NOT totaled; the remark I made about a new vehicle to me, was in reference to the loaner vehicle I will drive while ours is being repaired.

And, many thanks to all of you who have been so encouraging; and a special thank you to our great-nephew Hudson, who lives in Greece with his dad, Jeremy; mom, Julie and twin brother Jonah. He is practicing both his hand writing and encouraging others and chose to send us this very appropriate scripture verse he had written:

"All day long I'll praise and honor You, oh God, for all that You have done for me." Psalm 71:8

Thank you, Hudson, for blessing us in this way! We love you and all of your family.

Christie

When it rains.....

It pours!! My sweet husband is having a VERY DIFFICULT time dealing with all that's going on physically--especially the chronic reflux and indigestion (as well as the constant fatigue). We thought things had gotten better, and they had for about a day and a half; but now…. He says he spends all day belching and wondering if he's going to throw up which makes him anxious about eating; but knows he has to eat, which exacerbates the symptoms....thus, a never ending cycle. And now it is turning into an emotional battle as well. We had a very long talk tonight and he confessed that he struggles with worrying; obviously about his health and the seemingly backward step he’s taken and particularly about the future. He doesn’t see a goal in sight career-wise. We know he will never be able to return to the physical demands of the business we own and this is quite overwhelming to him. Many have asked if we have ever considered selling the business; and the answer is YES! We would love to sell! But with the economy in the state it is in, no one is interested. Right now, Ron is very frustrated and it seems pointless to him to be spending what little “good” time he has on doing paperwork and making phone calls on something that is barely paying its own bills; but in reality at this time we have no choice. It may not bring in any money for us, but each month it’s making payments on the small business loan we have on it. Please pray: for both Ron’s physical and emotional state; and for God’s direction and peace regarding the future. I’ve told him repeatedly right now, his job is to recuperate and get well! And reminded him our motto is…”enough for today”. God promises to give us whatever it is we need for each day as it arrives. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 The Message On another note: Woo hoo! I’m getting a new vehicle as of Friday …well, new to me; courtesy of Progressive Insurance. You guessed it, an accident. No, it was not our fault and fortunately, no one was IN the truck, therefore, no one was injured! I’d been at work for about ½ an hour this morning when my principal called out to ask if anyone in our office drives a white Toyota Tundra…I responded, “yes that’s me” (naturally my brain immediately starts flying to: did I leave the lights on? Door open? I couldn’t have left it running because I had to use the keys to get into the building, right?) He then asked me to meet someone out in the parking lot; my response “uh-oh” and his was “yeah, uh oh.” Someone was backing out of the parking lot, cut the wheel too quickly and rammed the driver’s side bed panel, (pretty large spot, including the gas cap area). Poor guy was dropping off his grandkids and….BAM! He felt really bad and was so sweet. When I got back into the office, I was thinking holy cow…when it rains, it pours. We could have gotten really upset…one more “bad” thing happening; but in the scheme of things…it’s trivial! We learned a long time ago that a vehicle is just a hunk of metal that gets us from place to place. Yes, this is an inconvenience but more importantly, no one was hurt and the guy tracked me down to get it taken care of. Later, as I was listening to Todd Agnew, this song reminded me no matter what happens in life, I can be thankful that God’s grace rains down on me. Grace like Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubyVHdvVMnc “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8 Thanks for “listening”! Christie

Here's the poop....err, I mean scoop!

It's been a rough week....poor girls I work with have had to deal with a very weepy co-worker! I strive to be upbeat and try to keep things fun and light-hearted at home, but they get to see my raw emotions that I try to keep in check in front of Ron.

Not only was my heart hurting for Ron's latest little episode; but we had met with another family last weekend whose husband/father was in Ron's old ICU room at Harris HEB. We had heard about him from several nurses, as well as my Mom who volunteers in the ICU waiting area. F also had pancreatitis that had manifested in many different ways. Being there, meeting with them, threw me back into the early traumatic days of Ron's illness. I truly believe this is something God has called us to---ministering to other families who are dealing with traumatic illnesses---but it's always so hard; it has a way of stirring up all those memories. We want to offer hope; to testify to God's miraculous healing but at the same time we want to be sensitive and don't want to offer false hope...obviously, we don't know God's plan or what the outcome will be for someone else. This family is a family of firm faith; in the midst of their struggles, they are choosing to trust God's sovereignty.

Wednesday evening, we read F had gone home to be with his heavenly Father. I had been keeping up with the family through their website and no one had expected this. I was overcome with grief for this family; and it hit me really, really hard! I thought how easily that could have been us! And it was an especially fresh reminder since when we last saw Dr. Shires in December he confided that there had been times he wasn't sure Ron would pull through; which rocked my world since I had NEVER heard him express anything like this during all our time at Presby. But of course, he wouldn't...he knew we needed confidence and hope.

Back to Ron, things continued to go downhill throughout the week and by Thursday afternoon, we found we were fighting to avoid another hospitalization.

Before I continue, I must say; I do ask Ron if he is ok with all that I share. We believe in total transparency and when you've dealt with hospitalizations and medical issues as long as we have, there remains no sense of modesty; so some of the things I share may be a little more information than you'd like, but.... these are the things we are dealing with!

The typical person who has gone through bowel resection, along with losing a significant amount of bowel, tends to battle chronic diarrhea; but not my alien husband! His continued reflux/regurgitation, heartburn, bloating and nausea often stems from things failing to "flow" naturally. Ron is on a daily regimen of Miralax in order to help with this process and beginning Tuesday he was being given 2 and then 3 doses throughout the day to encourage natural flow...with no success. By Thursday, it was evident we were on the verge of another obstruction (seeing as how when he would eat, it would immediately come back up....half-way through the meal!--now that will certainly curb an appetite!) At this time he was put back on a liquid diet. If we could not get this taken care of soon; he would need total bowel rest which would involve IV fluids and possibly TPN. Throughout the day, Friday, he was given a total of 4 doses of Milk of Magnesia; with no success. Next step, (ugh!) was an enema! Finally, the end was in sight (haha! I hear the groans from the peanut gallery, but I just couldn't help the pun!) Success!

He slept well last night (first night in about 10 days that he slept well--and of course if he's not sleeping, I'm not!). The reflux/regurgitation, heartburn, nausea, etc. are pretty much gone, but he will continue on an aggressive cleansing regimen for a few days. Obviously, we'll be sticking close to home for a while. And tomorrow, he will also start on an antibiotic that does not go into the bloodstream but specifically stays within the GI tract. Docs are thinking he may have a colonization of bacteria in the small loop of bowel (created by his bowel resection) that is causing some of his problems.

All of this has left him pretty "wiped- out" (sorry, there I go again....laughter is the best medicine tho, right?) Please pray for regained appetite (down another 5 lbs), as well as renewed strength; this week has taken quite a toll on him. He usually tends to take it all in stride; but it's been rather hard on him since he's been feeling so puny.

Also, please pray for my dad...he was finally cleared of all infection and was able to have his hip replacement surgery Wednesday. Things went well, other than a significant amount of blood loss, and he should go home tomorrow. And for F's family (funeral today).

Rest in knowing; today has been a much better day all around. We've really taken it easy; just relaxing here at home. I've taken the opportunity to get caught up on laundry and other household stuff, as well as be a little lazy; don't want to make any noises to disturb Ron's much-needed rest!! And, it's amazing what a good night's sleep will do for you emotionally!

Much love,
Christie

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Message

Christie, Do you love Me?

Today, as I was struggling with our current circumstances, grieving over this seemingly unending trial; I was feeling rather emotional and a bit unsettled. I wanted to spend time reading my Bible and in prayer, but I just couldn't get over my personal pity party. Instead I wanted to cry and scream (as I did when I was a little girl) "stop this roller coaster, I want off!"

And then, God's still small voice came to me, saying in a very familiar way:

"Christie, do you truly love Me more than these?" I could hear myself responding "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You!" (True words, but the attitude of my heart was more like a prideful, self-righteous: Haven't I proved my love for You by trying to be faithful to give you glory in all things, no matter the circumstance? You know, not everyone would have been as faithful, or transparent, or....)

And again, He asked:
"Christie, do you love me?" and the appropriate response was: "Yes, Lord, you know that I love You." (translated, in a semi-agitated way: Of course, Lord, can't you see I'm doing everything I can to walk in a manner worthy of Your call?)

"Christie, do you love me?" this time my response was: "Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You." (and with a very humble and quiet spirit: You know I DO love You and I can't do this without You)

These words were first spoken to Peter, as recorded in John 21:15-17. Jesus asked Peter three times if He loved Him and Peter had the responses above (excluding those in parentheses; although that might have been the attitude of his heart, who knows?)

Often when I've read this passage I've sensed (and my heart has resonated with) Peter's injured pride; was his love being doubted? Of course he loved Jesus! These words almost seem like words of rebuke...but, when you love someone, you trust them. You want to please them; You seek to place their wants, needs and desires before your own.

It's one thing to say I love Jesus; but am I willing to trust Him and serve Him wherever and in whatever way He calls; to place Him above myself?

What is your heart's response???

"And now, may the God of peace...equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him."
Hebrews 13:20-21 New Living Translation

"Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God...lead them by your good example." I Peter 5:2-3 NLT

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you."
I Peter 5:7 NLT

"For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory. To Him be glory evermore. Amen." Romans: 11:36 NLT

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him" Philippians 2:13 NLT

Trying to "count it all joy"

Today, Sunday, has been a rough day with floodworks in full force! For some reason, I've been having a very difficult time dealing with what seems to be these backward steps we're experiencing; my heart breaks for my sweet husband who typically has so much joy in life! But, it's not about me.....

Ron continues to experience a great deal of reflux, bloating and is now vomitting daily and sometimes twice daily. And I can tell by looking at him he just isn't feeling well (and does admit to a good deal fatigue and muscle weakness).

Saturday night was especially bad--SEVERE reflux caused inability to get comfortable to be able to sleep; got up vomitting at 4AM and the tightness in his belly was so intense he ended up taking a hydrocodone (which he RARELY does, in fact, it's been at least a month since he has taken any pain meds...I know, I'm a fanatic about keeping notes on everything, I need/want to get a life!). The exhaustion on top of the pain med caused him to sleep til 2PM Sunday.

The last couple of days he seems to be having difficulty every time he eats with severe reflux, bloating and increased tightness....which once again led to vomitting 8:30 PM Sunday.

After vomitting, he still has the tightness in his belly, although tightness is not quite as severe as before vomitting (tightness remains mostly in lower left quadrant, below the scar) but bloating gets better.

He always has tightness in belly; but not this intense. Maybe increase is partly because he has done no physical therapy in the last couple of weeks?? He's been pretty lethargic and other than horseshoes a couple times week of Christmas and a game of Wii tennis Saturday, he's had no measurable physical activity.....oh yeah, Christmas Day when he took a couple swings with a golf club for the first time since October 2007.

Please pray....for Ron especially; but I'd appreciate it if you'd throw in one or two for me as well!
Love,
Christie

Happy New Year....reflections

“You do not realize now what I am doing but later you will understand.” John 13:7

Late each spring, our church is usually gearing up to staff departments for the following year of Sunday Morning Bible Study (which begins in September). We are asked to pray about our current position and to commit to whether or not we are planning to return to that position. In the spring of 2007, Ron and I both filled out our cards committing to continue our work with high school seniors. We had been working in the student ministry for almost 10 years with the last 5 of that being with senior high school students. We feel God called us to minister to this age in particular, to help prepare these students for life after high school; whatever that may look like and loved this ministry and those students God placed in our lives.

Throughout that summer, I kept feeling maybe I wasn’t supposed to be working with seniors this year. Although I didn’t really have a definitive place I felt God calling me to, just a sense that He wanted me to be available; willing to trust Him. I voiced this to Ron a couple of times but he assured me he felt God placed us in this ministry together as a couple. I still wasn’t sure what God wanted me to do, but felt He had something else in mind.

The first few weeks of school for any school employee are always difficult, tiring; but the beginning of the 2007 school year was especially rough for me. I spent each weekend of the first 6 weeks of school in bed, exhausted; unable to participate in the new Bible Study year. Little did I know God was preparing me both physically, emotionally and spiritually for the next 14+ months of hospital stays and “dying spells”!

As many of you know for many years I suffered from chronic Epstein-Barr virus, a difficult disease to live with both physically and emotionally. EBV is the same virus that causes mononucleosis and is attributed to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It causes debilitating fatigue and muscle weakness, as well as a host of other symptoms. I was diagnosed with EBV in the fall of 2003 at which time I was so exhausted I had to take an extended leave from work and was only able to work part-time for the next year and a half. When I was finally able to return to work full time, I had to spend my weekends in bed sleeping, recuperating; physically preparing my body for the next week of work. Over the last several years, I have progressed a great deal, but still must carefully monitor my expended energy, balancing with a lot of rest.

As I learned to live with EBV, there were extended periods of time that all I could do was sleep, eat and rest. As I was often confined to bed, I spent a great deal of time in God’s word. His comfort, strength, and peace washing over me became my lifeline; oh, how I clung to His promises!


It’s amazing that throughout Ron’s many hospital stays, I have remained healthy. Yes, I’ve had a few times where I needed to spend the day in bed sleeping, resting; and there have been days that my muscles have been exceptionally weak, tired, achy and I just don't see how we can take any more. But God is sufficient and always provides times of rest, strength and the perseverance to deal with whatever comes up each day. His provision of my hotel room at Presbyterian is nothing short of a miracle! I cannot imagine how I would have managed if I had had to make the trek from home to hospital each day.

I now see God allowed me to experience this difficult time to allow me to empathize with Ron; to really understand the extreme fatigue/exhaustion, muscle weakness and other similar issues. And He used those years of solitude and immersion in His word to prepare me to handle the turmoil and trials of this last year with confidence, faith and hope that comes from knowing Him intimately and having experienced He is faithful to His promises and worthy of our trust.

God promises His grace is sufficient; and we can certainly attest to this truth!

Happy New Year!

"(We) pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. (We) pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future He has promised to those He called. (We) want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance He has given to His people. We pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him" Ephesians 1:16b-19 New Living Translation

Recovering

Well, our Nordell Christmas vacation was a success, but the recovery has been hard; with yesterday being an especially rough one. Ron was exceptionally lethargic yesterday after a sleepless night (due to severe reflux which culminated in a puking episode early in the morning.) He continued to feel puny all day nausea and stomachache on top of a really BAD headache. I couldn't get him to drink or eat anything and was having visions of spending another holiday at Presby. Thankfully, his temperature and blood pressure were both normal so I was trying not to get overly concerned. He slept off and on ALL DAY and just looked bad. He did get up for a while in the evening and I convinced him to eat some eggs and toast but then back to the recliner and sleep. He's still sleeping this morning, but I'm hoping today will be a better day.

Needless to say, my plans to whip him back into shape have fallen by the wayside! But I'll take a little backslide any day, as long as it doesn't land us back at Presby (not that there's anything wrong with it!; just not how I'd like to spend my time this holiday season...or any other time, really)

So, it's been rather quiet around here. I'd like to say I've spent this time getting alot of those things on my never-ending "to do" list accomplished, but.....I've been rather lazy; just trying to take care of my guy. I do need to get busy, tho; there's much to do before I head back to work Monday, most importantly thank you notes! Yes, I'm still trying to get those out and no, I have not forgotten any of you (at least I hope my records are straight!)

As you celebrate the beginning of this New Year; know you are ever in our thoughts and prayers! Please pray this will be a "medically uneventful" year for us!

Love, Christie & Ron

"May the Lord of peace Himself always give you His peace no matter what happens. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3: 16 NLT

Catching up...

The last couple of weeks before Christmas were very hectic. Alot of things going on with no time to keep everyone up to date. So, I'll try to catch you up...

Ron hit a pretty rough time about a week before we were to leave for our Christmas vacation. And honestly, I was beginning to doubt the wisdom of going. Extreme fatigue, weakness, increased reflux and regurgitation, as well as continued weight loss. Results from his routine blood work showed a marked increase in his white blood cell count (19,000) which led to orders for a CT scan to check out abdomen, pelvis and chest.

The timing of the CT on Wednesday, December 17, worked out well; we had plans to take Christmas snacks up to the nurses at Presby on that day so we were able to take care of both things at the same time! It was great to be able to bless these wonderful nurses who ministered to Ron (as well as our entire family!) for so long with such professionalism, care and compassion. They hold a very special place in our hearts. It was a very rough day on him but he was determined to stick it out.

We also saw Dr. Shires and he reminded us "the rule of thumb for rehab after a lengthy illness is 3 days for every day in hospital. So you're still looking at a good 21 months or so". I know we've been told this before, but it's still hard to hear; especially for Ron. And as we talked about it later, he admitted it was very discouraging, but he did agree at least it's good to know that his lack of energy and his extreme fatigue is not unexpected or out of the ordinary. As hard as it is to imagine, he's still got a very lengthy healing process ahead.

We received CT results Friday before we left which showed "no abscess or infection in the chest, pelvis or abdomen. And no abdominal abscess, inflammation, kinking or blockage" All good news. (Another blood workup was done before we left town and white blood count had considerably decreased, now at a slightly elevated level of 11,000) .

Reflux and regurgitation comes and goes. Extreme fatigue goes without saying. For instance, after going to church, he has to come home and take a 2 hour (or more) nap. I also know he doesn't interact with others because it requires so much expended energy it's exhausting. If you notice, his entire posture looks very stiff (especially the way he holds his hands at an odd angle) which is caused by muscle fatigue and tightness. And he often struggles with difficulty sleeping at night.

He did pretty well on our Christmas vacation; some sinking spells and a few puking episodes but overall it was a good trip. It was great for him to be surrounded by his family. And of course there was plenty of family there! As well as lots of great food to try to fatten him up a little! Only one afternoon did things get really bad and he had to give in to a few hours in bed and a little bit of a pity party, but who can blame the guy???

Ron has spent today sleeping off and on; I'm trying to cut him some slack and have only forced him out for one walk and a short trip to the grocery store. But tomorrow, I'm hoping to start whipping him back into shape! (At least get him back into a more consistent sleeping, eating and physical therapy schedule).

Keep praying....God hears and answers!

Merry Christmas from Hyatt Lost Pines Resort!

It's our year to do a big Nordell Christmas and Mom & Dad Nordell are graciously treating the group to a 5 day stay at the beautiful Hyatt Lost Pines Resort, down outside of Austin. It's been so good to get away and enjoy time with family in a relaxing setting. We've made s'mores around the campfire while listening to singing cowboys; drove in to Austin for the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park with Ron in wheelchair, bundled up with blankets, taken walks around the grounds and the girls have enjoyed the fitness facility, hot tubs and even the pool--the outdoor pool is heated to 85 and it's great!

And yes, way before leaving we received instructions from Dr. A where to go in case any problems arise. He even has friends on staff at the hospital down in Austin he will contact if needed. How blessed we are to have such caring, proactive doctors!

Only problem we've had thus far has been totally my fault (although completely accidental!)....we convinced Ron to join us for horseshoes and be my partner (bad idea to begin with...I'm awful at horseshoes!). At one point he was watching the game in the pit next to us, one of my wonderful throws took a bad bounce, hit his calf--gouging his leg making it bleed quite a bit and putting a huge goose egg on it! I felt awful!!! Being the trooper he is, he played through the pain and says it's ok today.

After gifts with our small family, and a plethora of stocking stuffers with all 19 Nordell's in attendance; we enjoyed a huge Christmas feast and then we all headed to the golf course to ride along with those who were playing. It was glorious to see Ron back in his element, although it was bittersweet for him. He enjoyed it tremendously, but it also made him miss it even more. He did try swinging a club on the driving range and managed to shank a few before giving out. The smile on his face as he swung the club was priceless! He also drove the golf cart (first driving of any kind in almost 15 months) around a portion of the course.

I'll try to get pictures up soon!

Christmas blessings to you and yours!
Christie