Barnabas Ministries Blog

Earlier this month a reporter for Religious News Service phoned asking questions about June, her dementia, and my caregiving.  The story was syndicated, and picked up by a number of newspapers including USA TODAY, Houston Chronicle, Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Post.  Perhaps others, I don’t know!  The result has been more people being made aware of the problems connected with dementia, and 21 copies of “A Long Dark Night….A Caregiver’s Journey With Dementia” being purchased:  https://www.createspace.com/3699557  for $12.99.  If you care to read the story click on  http://www.religionnews.com/ethics/death-and-dying/till-death-or-illness-or-dementia-us-do-.

Last week I was thinking about some of the diagnoses where people with Alzheimer and Lewy Body Dementia live only four or five years, and June is now eleven years into her diagnosis.  I believe the home care makes the difference, and we are blessed to have Hospice now almost a year attending to her, and wonderful care providers 13 hours a day giving her personal attention.  There are some times when things happen I don’t understand, like last Saturday night she never went to sleep but sang, talked and laughed the entire night.  It makes it difficult on me also when this happens because I am in the bed next to her hospital bed.  Five years ago I would have yelled at her to SHUT UP.  Now I understand and praise God she is at least alive to sing, talk and laugh even at the expense of my not sleeping.

I am keeping busy with two Bible classes each week, mid-week community Lenten service, and Friday night Eucharist at St Stephen Episcopal Church along with Sunday morning Sunday school and worship.  I am working on a new book entitled “Understanding Revelation” which I hope to publish around Easter time.  Your purchases of my books help in my expense in home caring for June.  ”THE MITER” is my autobiography from conception to retirement and available for $15.95 at  https://www.createspace.com/3723824.   “The Gift That Keeps On Giving” is about the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit based on scripture and my personal experience:  https://www.createspace.com/3766299.  for $12.99.  Hugh Kaiser and I have updated “Non nobis, Domine!”  the story of Convergence and the Charismatic Episcopal Church $10 per copy:  https://www.createspace.com/3728372.  All purchases are appreciated.

February is almost over; March is coming.  I trust you are having a good LENT, and thank you for reading this update.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.  The time has really gone fast, and we almost made it through winter without snow.  Sunday morning I looked out the church window and the flakes were falling.  Before it stopped we had about seven inches at our house.  Because it was a wet snow, we had tree limbs to break, and now I have a messy yard to clean after all the snow melts.  This photo was taken from the deck at the rear of our house.  Tonight I plan to eat Pancakes at St Stephen Episcopal Church, and then pay my respects to family of June Denson Peters at Whitten’s Funeral Home.  We were grade school classmates, and COPD finally took her last week.

My June was re-assessed by Hospice for Medicare yesterday.  Aside from some cough and a few skin blemishes she has kept well this winter.  The air mattress and lotions are helping the skin, and a thickening for her beverages help with the swallowing.  I stay tired.  Last week my physician did blood work to determine cause and everything checked out positive.  The nurse reminded me of the stress I am under, and said that contributes to weariness and tired feeling.  My bed is beside June’s hospital bed and I am sure my mind is not fully in neutral as I sleep because I am poised to hear her if anything happens during the night.  Hospice said she could have another seizure any time in her sleep.  Her speech is still “in tongues” with an occasional English word unrelated to anything.  Our major problem is her stiffening when we try to lift her.  This is part of the Lewy Body Dementia, and no medicines are available to correct it.  Religious News Service included us in a story released recently telling about caregivers, and as a result a few copies of “A Long Dark Night…A Caregiver’s Journey With Dementia” have been purchased online.   I heard from people in various parts of USA who saw the story.  I have opted to not attend the spring House of Bishops next month.  I will miss the fellowship of the other bishops but I contribute nothing to the meeting, and I will some money.  I am hopeful I will be able to attend the Convocation in July in Madrid.  It most likely would be my last.

This morning I took all my data to my CPA for tax filing.  Hopefully I will get back what I paid each quarter last year.  This is the earliest I have filed in many years.  Have a blessed Lent,  Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

This picture was one of several taken of June on her 77th birthday last January 29.  Trying to get her to understand the word “smile” is difficult, but she was happy with all the cards she received, and the well wishes via phone and visits.  With her birthday last month and mine coming in April I have come to realize that I am resembling those who have been struck with SENIOR CITIZENSHIP!  I use to hear about old people who hoarded things, and I am finding myself more and more in that posture.  Perhaps it is out of necessity, but over the past year I have been selling collectibles we have accumulated through our travels and putting the proceeds away in a special Fund refusing to spend it.  Even gifts of money I receive from time to time with the notation to “enjoy some for yourself” I hoard it away.  Saving for a rainy day;  maybe, but I suddenly realized I am old.  As June use to say “I am getting old”, I would reply, “Honey, we are already old”.  The real purpose of my hoarding is to be sure we have what is necessary in on-going care for June.

This morning I spent some time receipting offerings for Barnabas Ministries, Inc.  I do this regularly as contributions come.   Later this year we will close BMI, but I realize that we have built this ministry over the years (32 years in operation) by accountability to our partners, and expressions of appreciation for their support.  Saying “thank you” is a little thing, but it means a lot to the person who has taken the time to give.  June and I have always been “givers” but there are times we don’t know if our gift is appreciated or received because often we get no “thank you”.   A worthy Valentine could be a “thank you” that is owed to someone who has given to us.

Frost was so heavy on the ground this morning that I thought we had had a dusting of snow over night.  I am saddened to hear today about a devastating earthquake that hit Negros Oriental Island in the Philippines.  That area was one of our major focuses during my mission travels.  Areas north of Dumaguete city were affected.

I have a doctor’s appointment Wednesday to find out if my cholesterol is okay, and other problems I have had during the past few months healed.  I want to find out if any service is available locally that I saw on ABC news a few weeks ago.  A doctor in UVA hospital is treating Parkinson and symptoms of such with ultra-sound.  I have had a tremor in my right hand for years making it very difficult to write or even sign my name legibly.  Other than staying tired, I am fit as a fiddle;  I think.

Have a blessed week. And remember to say “thank you” to those who have blessed you.