our |perfect| storm

I had the privilege to hear Bob Goff speak last night at Holland Christians Living Stones dinner. I haven't read his book or heard him speak before but I have heard a lot from my parents and others who have read his book. He is amazing. A person I wish to be more like. He is changing the world for Christ by loving everyone. It seems simple but we all have enemies, and honestly I don't want to love them. That's why they are my enemies. But God calls us to love no matter what; everybody, all the time. Such a huge challenge. To love those who have hurt us, abused us, taken advantage of us, or broke us. Love them anyway!  He has loved the unlovable and shown that God does miraculous things through our love we show to others. I feel like this is the 70x7. Forgive, forgive, forgive and love no matter what. Jesus did, and a lot of people hurt and sined against him.   Bob carried around a bucket all night and explained to us what his bucket was for. It was to help him remember to f

Week FIVE of work for Troy. Time is seriously flying. I have a call into Dr Vandenberg; for multiple reasons. I'm handing over the responsibility and want him to make the decision on whether Troy goes up in hours. I have, over the last 6 months, had a lot of power when it comes to Troys health and recovery. It's both a blessing and a curse. Obviously, you can't always make the right decisions but I lean very hard on the Doctors, nurses, family, people I trust to look to for advice. If anything were to happen to Troy because of a decision I made I would never forgive myself. I often  compare this experience to raising a child. Now, obviously I don't know or understand being a parent but I'm learning quickly that it must take a village to raise a kid. He is doing really well at work. Each week is a little better. He is a little less tired and able to do more. My anxiety had subsided a bit with him being at work. I tell myself often that whatever happens, it's tota

Week four of work came quickly, for me at least. He is going into his second week of working six hours a day. The last appointment we had with Vandenberg he told me that whenever I felt he was ready to bump up his hours or whatever I thought Troy needed, I can call and he will write a script for it. At first I was like, awesome! ......no. Especially when Troy knows I'm holding the key to more hours. He is contantly asking when I'm going to call. I think that I'm holding a little too much responsibility with this. I would much rather have a doctor make this call.  As much as Troy try's to talk me into things, I have learned that Kelsey knows better in this area. Let me tell you he is very convincing! I can get a lot of people to agree with me on that. I actually just had this discussion with him the other day. I've decided he actually thinks he is invincible. He can do anything in his mind so yes, he absolutely needs the reigns pulled in ALL.THE.TIME. Its nice to hav

I have a lot to be thankful for. One of them being the fact that we live so close to such an incredible hospitals with the absolute best doctors and staff. Having gone back to visit a few times I realize how much these people put into helping and caring for others. These nurses grieved with me, were happy with me, encouraged me and truely cared about my well being as well as Troys. They spent endless hours with me through the night talking about things to pass time. They were honest with me but always gentle. I tell you, it takes an incredible person to be a nurse. I'm lucky enough to know a lot of them!  While we were at Mary Free Bed, we met a lot of people from all over the country. They aren't lying when they say Mary Free Bed is one of the best rehabilitation hospitals and people come from all over the country. The healing and miraculous recoveries we witnessed were incredible. Personally, I think what helps these people succeed is the fact that everyone has such positive

Brains; the most interesting, powerful organ of the whole body. Our bodies control center. From controlling body temperature to movements, thoughts and actions. Unbelievable, really. I'm guilty of taking this specific organ for granted every day, even now. The problem is we don't know what we have until it's gone. Quite unfortunate really. There are more things in life like this. We feel sorry for the people who have to deal with loss any any way, shape or form for a while then we fall back into the real world. Sadly, after everything Troy and I have been through we still are guilty of this. We tend to lose sight of what is important to us and what things are not. I'm ashamed that I have fallen back into this thinking. Knowing how quickly things can be taken away and how quickly life can change should be reason enough to always live life with a thankful attitude.   Don't get me wrong; I'm extremely greatful for Troy, his life, his brain, everything about him. I

We survived the first week of work. It went really well and might I say, we could not possibly ask for a better company to love and take care of Troy. Interestingly enough, Dr. Vandenberg made a comment at our last appointment about how patients with brain injuries have significantly better outcomes when they have a supportive work place. He can't get over how well Hoekstra has been treating Troy and how well they took care of him his first week. We have been and continue to be overwhelmingly blessed by such a great company.  We are going into week two, sticking with four hours a day for this coming week, then jumping to six hours a day for week three. He has been more tired but rightfully so, he hasn't worked in six months and nearly two of those months he was down and out. Can't blame him. It will take him a while to get back into the hang of things. Patience is our worst enemy right now as Troy wants everything, NOW. Unfortunately, that's not how it works.  Today'