Well, if you blink twice, you may miss where I am these days. I have said often that most of my life is "Plan B", and here we go again.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Houston. I have loved my job, and just as I was really getting into the swing of things, and looking for houses, etc., I am changing directions - yet again. Last weekend, I had an honest conversation with my mother, and found that health issues there are not very good at the moment. That was one of the struggles I had in accepting a position in Houston: not being free to go to my parents if I was needed. It seems I am needed, and I am more than happy to be able to assist them, even if it does mean giving up my time here. On one hand, I hate to leave, and on the other hand, I am glad I will have the time to be with my folks. I do not regret having the opportunity to spend time with them. If there is anything I have learned, it's that life is short and unpredictable. We need to seize every chance we get to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. I would ask that you keep my parents in your prayers, and I will keep you updated on things as they progress.
My last day of work was Wednesday, and it was a bit sad for me. I didn't realize how many friends I had made, until I was saying goodbye to them. I hope that my short time working at MD Anderson made a small difference. I know it made me feel good to be able to help, and give back a little. I will truly miss it.
So, I have been packing and loading today, and tomorrow I set off for home (in the rain, if the weather maps are accurate). I will unload the car, repack it, and head to AR to assess the situation there, and determine how I can be of the most help. JB and Isaiah will go to AR with me, and I am sure I will put his handyman skills to work while we are there!
Thank you for all of your prayers, your kind comments, and your wishes (particularly on the 17th - the 4 year anniversary of Roger's Homegoing....it was difficult for me this year). I promise I do not set out to make my life complicated - it just seems that things change more rapidly than I would wish sometimes. I am grateful for my season in Houston, if for no other reason, than to gain some perspective and plan for the future. I have been blessed with good friendships and Godly fellowship, as well, and you can't put a price on that!
OK, off to sweat a little more as I finish loading up.......I had better enjoy it, though, since it's not looking too warm in TN right now.....sigh....Oh well, no matter where I am, I know I am always
In His Grip!
Debbie
Debbie,
You will never regret making the decision to be with your parents at a time you are needed. They will be appreciative of the sacrifice you are making. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. I will pray that the Lord will use you right at home with them. Prayers are with you in traveling...Happy Spring,
Cheryl/Lenexa KS
Posted by: Cheryl Turnbull | March 26, 2011 at 12:51 AM
Debbie,
God bless you and your family. Just keep trusting your Lord and following your heart, one can never go wrong.
Posted by: Max | March 26, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Hi Debbie,
You're so right, change comes so quickly and sometimes there are no second chances so I am so glad you have the opportunity to help your family. My mother passed away suddenly and I didn't get the opportunity to be there for her. After I retired, I took care of an elderly lady for almost three years and am so thankful for that time. Though not always easy, it brought joy to my heart to be able to help. I cherish that time.
God bless you Debbie,
Ann
Posted by: Ann Woodward | March 26, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Debbie,
I am glad you had the opportunity to experience Houston and working at MD Anderson. I'm sure you were a valuable member of their team and they hated to see you go. However, I applaud you for being willing to give up this great opportunity to assist your parents with their needs. I pray all goes well with that situation.
Debbie, I'm sorry this was a difficult anniversary for you. I've really been missing Roger too and I'm just a fan. I'm so thankful God gave us Roger. He was such an inspiration and blessing. What a great example he was. Praise the Lord someday (and I believe soon) we'll see him again!
May the Lord richly bless you and I hope things eventually settle down for you. Bless your heart...life wasn't meant to be this complicated but Praise God, He walks with us every step of the way!
Take care and thanks so much for staying connected with us through this website.
With Love and Prayers!
Posted by: Linda | March 27, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Yes, the time we spend with loved ones is too short. As I type this I am crying my eyes out as we have been today (2:00 -6:00) p.m. and will be tomorrow (9:30 until 1:30 or so) at the funeral of a dear, dear, man and next door neighbor for over twenty years. He was a father to me since I lost mine so young and a wonderful grandfather to my children and the BEST father to my husband who never had a father; but he did have a horrible abusive alcoholic man who fathered him. So we cry our eyes out but I have been thinking since he died last Monday of Jim Brady's song written and Roger's funeral and I told his four kids I will miss him forever and cry my eyes out until we see him again, and see his warm smile and get the bear hug and the the kiss and hear him say, "I Love You." Tomorrow is also my 30th wedding anniversary and while I do not want to spend it at the funeral of someone we loved like crazy and even better, someone who loved us back even more; it reminds me that I have been married for 30 years and have lived in this house for over 20 years and sometimes it seems like yesterday when I attended my parent's 25th! So Debbie, I for one am so glad you can love on your parents and they on you. Nothing, nothing at all matters. EXCEPT...getting to heaven and taking everyone with you that you possibly can. Thanks for your post. Life is so uncertain, this man was in near perfect health and we were hoping to have many, many, many more years with him. A freak accident in what should of been a very, very normal in and out procedure took his life. My baby...ok he is 25 but he is still my baby has been very sick. I was at the hospital with him two of the last three Saturday's and I have heard that helicopter come and go so many, many times in the past few weeks, (we live in a very small, rural area with only a 40 bed hospital) and I have really thought a lot again about life these past three weeks. Life is too short and it is way too precious. Time spent with those you really love is always time well spent. Please continue to take care of yourself as you take care of your parents.
Becky In Wisconsin
Posted by: Becky | March 27, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Debbie - I have walked your path. Served with a Christian ministry for 23 years and loved my life so much when God opened the door for me to return to my home area. While a part of me was resistant to the idea, my heart knew He was answering a prayer lifted when I first made my move half-way across the country. That prayer was that when the time came for me to be back near my folks, He would bring a job to me. That truly seemed like an impossibility considering my vocation was secretarial, but that is indeed what He did. I enjoyed three years of being near my parents and assisting them. After my father's homegoing, and my mother experiencing accelerated dementia, I remained there for another year. At the end of that time, God opened the door and I returned to my work with the ministry, moving my mother there, placing her in a lovely care facility where she enjoyed two happy years before going "home." God is faithful - a fact I know you can confirm.
I know He will provide all that you need in this new "chapter" of life. Robbie Nelson
Posted by: Robbie Nelson | March 28, 2011 at 07:42 AM
Good for you Debbie! I wish I could jump in my car & be with my 92 year old mom. You will never regret making this decision. I love who you are! You have a good time with "Mom" :)
Barb
Posted by: Barb | March 28, 2011 at 10:26 AM
To Becky in Wi.:
I read so much pain in your post, about losing a dear friend & about your son. I will be praying for you & your family. Yes, life is so short & precious. We take so much for granted at times. I always enjoy your posts to Debbie. Much love & hugs to you too.
Barb
Posted by: Barb | March 28, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Best Wishes in your move. Knowing it is God's will helps in times like this. As the scripture tells us to honor our parents so that our days will be longer. I am so glad that God knows the future and all we have to do is trust in Him.
Posted by: Erma Rohrer | March 28, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Debbie, Always good to hear from you. You are such a wonderful giving person and I can tell you from experience you will never regret your decision. But I can also tell you it isn't always easy caring for parents. Praise God for His faithfulness.
Posted by: Janice | March 28, 2011 at 07:09 PM
To Barb,
Thank you so much. While I was at the funeral yesterday my beautiful little two year old great neice was being rushed to a hospital three hours away. She has been sick since my son got sick and was being treated at the same place. (I am VERY, VERY close to my family; I come from a family of ten and we get together for everything all the time; all 60 of us/four generations so my kids will tell you immediate family is grandma and her kids and grandchildren and great grandchildren). My neice has a large mass the size of a baseball! Her lung is completely encased with this mass. My poor sister is so sad and gravely concerned and is with my neice and her little one. I just got off the phone with mom and the surgery is going to be at 12:00/Noon today Wisconsin time. I want you to know I felt a huge sense of relief when I read your post to me. Thank you so much; we have so much sadness right now. Please pray for my great neice and please continue your prayers for me and my family. (Debbie I am sorry if this was not meant to be used for this and if my sending this is not proper please forgive; I just felt so much relief and also wanted the prayers of God's people).
Becky In Wisconsin
Posted by: Becky | March 29, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Love and prayers to you as you travel down life's pathway.
Give your Mom and Dad our love.
Posted by: glyndene deaton | March 29, 2011 at 09:07 PM
Yes Debbie give them our love though we llnever know them. My mums been gone now for 6 years @ though I was there at the end I never really knew just how sick she d been. She saw our grandson when he was 2@1/2 mths old by the time he was 8 mths old she'd gone. hes now 7. She lived 8hrs journey from us so we rarely got to see her. I still miss her a lot. Good to hear youve got the chance to be with yours. Saviour it Debbie. God bless you all
Posted by: Judi | March 30, 2011 at 04:11 AM
Hi Debbie,
It is amazing how God opens and closes doors for us. It is more amazing when we recognize this fact and follow His leading. You are a good daughter!! I am sure Mom and Dad are pleased to have your help and the help of J.B the Fix it Guy along with his shadow helper. Enjoy your folks as I know you will.
Love and continued prayers,
Judy
Posted by: Judy Hicks | March 30, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Blessings to you, Debbie as you enbark on another phase of your ever-changing (but always in Gods grip) life. I admire what you are doing for your parents. Please keep us updated as to their health issues and also to your latest challenges. I love reading what you are up to and you have been a great inspiration of love and devotion to me. God be with you and your sweet little family and with your precious parents.
Patsy
Posted by: Patsy | March 30, 2011 at 08:33 PM
Dear Debbie, As I have told you before I sat next to your mom and dad and a concert in TN before one of Rogers surgeries and your dad and i talked Trucking business and they were both just the sweetest people ever. You are blessed and so are they. I too took care of my mom, dad, and brother before they went to be with the Lord. I wouldn't trade that precious time for anything. I was so blessed to have that time to make even more special memories. I was so blessed to have a loving family and i miss them so much. So again you touch our hearts and remind us all how trusting our savior is so important. We love you give mom and dad all our love and as so know better than anyone when one door closes he will truly open another you have showed us all that. You will be in our prayers as always and please feel the love and support from all of us.
To the other Becki you are in my prayers also. Isn't it great to know we are all in his grip. Your KY friend Becky
Posted by: Becky Arvin | March 31, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Hey, Debbie! I'm logging in for the first time in a while, but I just wanted you to know that I and my family are praying for you and yours. I pray that God continues to lead you in the direction He wants you to go. I pray for healing for your folks and that you would have safe travels wherever you go.
Time is flying by so quickly. I can't believe Roger has been gone four years already. I enjoy going back and watching youtube videos or VHS/DVDs of the Cathedrals and Legacy Five. He was a character! :)
Brian in Statesboro, Ga.
Posted by: Brian Holt | April 04, 2011 at 12:09 PM
I am sure your time in Houston was not 'wasted'. God used you there. I am glad for the decision you made to say family's important and you have the means to be able to-spend more time with your parents. I wish I could go back and spend more time with my Dad. He died in 2003 of leukemia. He and Roger would tell each other jokes and tease each other. What 1 didn't think of the other 1 would. I miss him terribly but know like Roger he's much better where he's at. I just wish I could change some things. My mom is living with us, her health is failing/weak. so take this time to take care of them and make some last and lasting memories while you can. Bless you Debbie. I hope you don't end this blog. It's like catching up with an old friend.
Posted by: connie | April 12, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Hi Debbie, I have had trouble sending you a message. (URLs)' I hope things are beginning to settle down for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Just wish I lived near there, I would help in any way I could. Hope your parents are improving.I think of a song that the Greens sang. I keep playing and replaying that song. "When God Has Another Plan". It seems like He had another plan for you. May you feel His stength and peace is my prayer. Yes, you are in His grip. Love, Geneva
Posted by: Geneva Speas | April 14, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Debbie,
Have a blessed Easter with your family. I so appreciate this site; please keep posting. We have 4+" of snow for today and tomorrow! Winter seems to be hanging on hard this year! I am sure it is nice to be with your parents and enjoying your family.
Becky In Wisconsin
Posted by: Becky | April 19, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Hi Debbie, I hope you and your family have a Happy and blessed Easter. You will never regret caring for your parents. It isn't always easy but you will be blessed in the end. Enjoy the time you have with them.
Posted by: Janice | April 20, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Hey Debbie, I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter. I promise you as you know already being there for those who need us is a memory we will treasure forever. God Bless you and your family. Your KY friend Becky
Posted by: Becky Arvin | April 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Happy Easter Debbie, I pray for you often. Hope everything is going well while you are at your mom's.
Thanks for keeping your blog open! We care about you.
Barb
Posted by: Barb | April 21, 2011 at 03:59 PM
Becky in Wi.
Praying for your family & niece. I hope you will be able to get together with your family for Easter. Large families are wonderful, I'm from a family of 9. but won"t be able to get home for Easter this year.
I'm so glad for Debbie, she will never regret helping her parents.
Love & prayers to all of you.
Barb
Posted by: Barb | April 21, 2011 at 04:10 PM
You are blessed to be able to spend this time with your parents.
Cherish your time together.
God bless you,
Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Larsen Parks | April 23, 2011 at 09:51 AM