Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Rollercoaster

Mike has been on a rollercoaster for the last couple of days. He is healing well which is an answer to prayer. He has also started to do some physical therapy. This has been really hard psychologically. He is beginning to deal with the reality of his lack of function. This has made for some tearful days. Up until now he has not really had to think about his trunk and legs not working but as he is recovering he can now see and touch them. I can't imagine what is going on in his head.

Please continue to pray for Mike:
  1. Hard moments he will face as he thinks about his reality and his future.
  2. He gets into rehab as fast as he can, as the care in the next ward he will be in is overworked. (4-6 patients per nurse)

26 comments:

AndreaJ said...

Hello Barker Family!

I will continue to pray for Mike and the family as a whole as you continue on this very difficult journey.

I have been praying each night for Mike; that he would feel the Lord's peace in all his coming challenges. I know that God is there with Mike, holding him in his healing hands and also with the rest of the family as they struggle with their challenges as well.

I cannot even begin to imagine the thoughts and dilemma's surrounding each of you right now - I can only pray that the Lord would let His purpose be known to you, that He would answer your questions, that He would comfort each of you as you face this trial, and grant you peace.

Above all, I have been praying that we all continue to pray and have strength in our faith for the Lord.

He is with you always!

God Bless,

Andrea Evans

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,

You're still constantly on my mind. May God give you strength Mike.. and perseverance. I pray that you would be able to feel His love during this time. I'll continue praying for you... :o)

Apryl

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Mike...this is your auntie Julene.I am sending a big bundle of hugs for you today. They will be arriving this morning with some fresh chocolate chip cookies...it was hard to keep them away from Uncle Cal and Leanne but I managed it. See you soon!!! Love from all of us.. auntie Julene

Anonymous said...

Good Morning mike and family i am glad to hear that you are doing much better and regaining your strength back it just takes time and we are all here for your buddy keep up the good healing hottie take care and have a good day.

sherraz

Anonymous said...

When you hurt, we hurt. When you rejoice, we do too. We're (I'm) in this for the long haul with you. xo Nancy

Anonymous said...

Mike, and Family,
Your strength must be incredible because God promises to never give us more than we can handle.
There have been times in my life when I have been very angry with God for circumstances. He listened and I didn't scare Him away. He stayed quietly loving me and helping with my load. I don't pretend to know what you are going through, but I know, God knows and cares. In our strength and weakness, our anger and faith, He desires our totalness, good and bad. His love is unconditional and complete. We have freedom, to just be, in Him.
Praying,
Wanda, Lawrence and Desiree

DaveKerwin said...

Mike, one day we will hear of your future accomplishments and how you persevered for the Lord. Keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike,
You don't know me but I heard about your accident through ERBC. It has been neat to get to know a little bit about you through this website. You seem to have a wonderful family and it is great to hear how upbeat you all are in spite of the difficulties of this time. When I was young one of my cousins had an
accident that caused similar problems to yours, and I just wanted to let you know that he has had a productive life, is married and even has a child...
We know that with God all things are possible.

By the way, we had wonderful times getting to visit him in the hospital, never forget, the fun times that can be had in life... even in a wheel chair. If you go to the Glenrose they had (I assume they still do) a really neat little area which is set up to help people learn to get around in the familiar world from a different angle. While it is definitely hard and I won't even pretend to think I can imagine the difficulties you are and will face, have fun in the good times...

We're praying for you. Keep your smile on.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Barkers,

I just read some of the blogs that I had obviously missed, and am thinking that I want some of the drugs that Mike has been taking ... oh to be a fly on the wall while Mike is high! =)

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sayings such as "it takes a village to raise a child" ... "two are better than one" ... "many members, but one body" remind me of the reality that we need one another to really live, and that we are all connected, far more than we can imagine. My heart "weighs in" with you guys and aches along with you ... it's from this place that I pray and carry this with you.
Friends, family and strangers continue to support you all as you walk this road. Home groups of my local church are praying.

You are being held up in prayer by many,
Noreen

Anonymous said...

Mike and family
Hugs to you all today. Stay strong.

I hope you have a window and sunshine, Mike. I hope you can find sunshine in every day.

I remember Aaron telling us when he was little that he forgot stuff because you and him fell off (or over?) a fence. He also learned quite a bit from you! I remember that he said he did not need the 'birds and bees' talk because Michael told him everything he needed to know!!! I guess you knew quite a bit more than him when you were 7! Well, you are older...
The B's

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
Although there are very few of us who can even begin to understand what you are thinking and feeling these days, please know that you are always in our thoughts, we love you very much and we are here for you every step of the way.
Find a reason to smile today, it will help you heal...
With love, C.Peters

kastrukoff said...

Mike, I was reading Relevant Magazine's prayer section on their website and saw one of your brothers posted a prayer request and the blog address. Getting to know you through your story has been quite the experience. My heart aches for you, but swells too. It's so encouraging to hear that you're progressing, and praise God that you're still here on earth. It's probably confusing, frustrating and heart-aching to think of your future, but Mike, remember, the fact is you have one. Last summer I had a friend pass on in the same circumstances, she never made it out of the vehicle alive. She unwillingly left her fiance (3 more weeks would be husband), her loving family and her life. You have the great God-given opportunity to live, so live life regardless of your circumstances. Keep on smiling and have your eyes set on Christ. You're in my prayers Mike.
Nicole

Anonymous said...

To the Barker family
As we read more of the posts we begin to better understand some of the challenges that you are being faced with that would likely never come to mind until placed into a situation as you have been. We can only begin to imagine what issues and difficult times that you are facing as a family. One of the wonderful things of the human intelect is that God created us with the ability to sympathiz and carry one anothers burdens even though we do not fully understand. We care deeply for you as a family, and for Mike in paticular, our hearts ache. Remember that the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob has caused plenty of people to walk after the medical professionals of the day had delivered a much more negetive prognosis.
Hold fast to the God of MIRACLES as we continue to pray that in Gods timing it will happen.

P.s. Is there any way that you can make spell check available on this site? I'm lost without it.

Anonymous said...

Hey mike,

Stay strong. God won't give you anything both you and him can't handle together. Keep on smiling.
:)
:)

In christ,
Britney in MI

Anonymous said...

Thought I'd leave a few words from a magazine. I've read this many times when I feel myself losing hope in our Great God (he's shown me so many mini miracles in my life, that I always have to wonder why I doubt that He'll be there again??):

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 1 timothy 1:7

"Our responsibility is to respond to His ability."

"The sweetest things in this world today have come to us through tears and pain." JR Millers

"God does not call the equipped, He equips the called."

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

For great is your love,
higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches the skies. Psalm 108:4

In Christ,

Britney in MI

Anonymous said...

hey mike

just wanted to say hi. i am glad that you are getting better. hang in there

nadine a

Anonymous said...

This is a post from someone who is more or less a complete stranger - but one who regardless completely admires your strength and courage in facing difficult times. Sending warm wishes and prayers of all kinds upwards.

Jennifer
Saskatoon, SK

Anonymous said...

Just a really cool saying that I heard this week...
God tries our faith...
....So we can try His faithfulness!
Trust God and His faithfulness and He will bring rays of hope into your life everyday!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike

My name is Teri and my mom is Vivian Hammer (from Westaskiwin, AB). (that's where I grew up)

I know your grandparents Leroy and Gladys.

When my Mom told me what happened to you and even though we have never met, I just wanted to say - God Bless and keep you.

Teri

Anonymous said...

Dear Barker Family, I wanted to drop you all a note to let you know that I think of you every day and am constantly praying for you and Mike. I have been visiting this site daily and want to also thank you for keeping all of us posted on Mike's progress. I know there are alot of people in Smoky Lake who are praying for you all. My Best Wishes, Shawne

Anonymous said...

Mike,
Glad to hear your body is healing well. I pray that God will continue to heal your heart, mind, and soul.

Barkers,
On Friday when I came to visit, I was hoping to encourage you in some way and I think quite the opposite happened. What a neat faith you posses; it is real, alive, and contagious! I believe that everyone has a God-shaped hole in their heart and by you guys living out your love for Jesus Christ, I hope many will find the Filler!

May God bless you and continue to hold you tightly in His loving arms.

Terri-Lynn

P.S. Mike, make sure you keep an eye on those nurses - that they're doing their job well. Today I forgot to put someone's dentures in before breakfast...OOPS!?!?!!!

Anonymous said...

Mike,

Still praying for you. Hope today was better. We love you more than words could express.

Love always,
Steve and Lori

Anonymous said...

hey agian
hope your feeling better...you are in my thoughts...i heard this quote once by Alexander Graham Bell and i thought that maybe you could take something from it...it says..."When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us." ...im sure youve heard it before...God is with you...overcoming every obstacle and challenge you are and will be facing... He will never leave you..
Forever in my prayers
Rieki Scott

Anonymous said...

Hi All,
I've been keeping friends up to date and keep pointing them to your blog, but they tend to respond to me instead of using the blog. I thought I'd share with you what one my dearest prayer warrior friends wrote this morning:

"Praying for God to meet Mike and his family in profound ways right now. In this journey that must feel terrifying and completely overwhelming, I am calling on God to be their strength, their encouragement and their HOPE."

Continuing to pray,
Noreen

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike...I am sending you sweet dreams. Praying you will have a very restful sleep tonight. Also sending you a big bear hug. ... love you Auntie Julene

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
I hope you found a window today.

As I think that some of your family is going back to some of their "normal" activites I'm reminded that you may have some times where you feel alone. I was reading in Genesis about the Ark. Here's a thought for you. In the construction of the ark, there was only 1 window, and it was located at the top of the boat. In order to see light or out, Noah had to look up.
So if the walls start to close in on you, just remember to look up.