Accommodations…looks like we will be staying in an apartment for the next few months because the house that the boys were living in will not be suitable for Mike in the long term. The good news is that we think we have found a house in Sherwood Park but we still have to make sure that an elevator can be installed. We won’t have possession until October and then renos will have to be done but we are used to renos! We still haven’t sold our house in LLB. Having Mike home on the weekends has given us a taste of life on the “outside” and though there are obstacles, we are up for the challenge.
Steve…and Lori are expecting! Another bright spot in our lives and though we are cautiously optimistic (they have had a number of miscarriages), we can hardly wait for our little “miracle” to arrive in February!
Matt…has been building muscles while framing with Cal (my brother-in-law) but will be starting school next week. Even though he’ll have a bit of a drive when we move to Sherwood Park, he plans to live at home while he finishes university. I’m glad because with how busy he is, unless he lives at home, we probably wouldn’t see him much!
Mike…can hardly wait until his discharge. Each weekend at home gives us more opportunities to try out new things. This weekend we explored Sherwood Park and went to a movie. Next weekend…can’t wait!
9 comments:
Hi family,
we are so grateful for the goodness that you are finding and the joy which is yours. Mike, you look great on the couch - it fits!. We are praying about the elevator that will fit, and we are praying for this wee one belonging to Steve and Laurie. Look forward to seeing you all soon, Love,
Aunt Mary
Hey mike,
An elevator?? Sweet. It's definitely awesome that you all found a house. Thought I'd share Psalm 40 here (some one shared this chapter at church after a car accident, and reading it this morning I thought of the Barker clan):
Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Still praying,
Britney
Hi hi!!
So Mike, I got to thinking, if you're my "favorite paralyzed man" can I be your "favorite white-Asian nurse"?!?? hahaha. Nice to see you guys again and glad you had a great weekend. You as a family have many neat things to look forward to. May you continue to look to God each step of the way!
Terri-Lynn
By the way...thanks for letting me steal Matt from time to time - I think I kinda like that guy!
It is so wonderful to hear of Michael's continued progress. Your entire family amazes me with your stength and positive attitude. I hope everything works out with your house in Sherwood Park. We travel there often and it would be great to see you again. I pray all goes well with Steve and Laurie and their baby. Jerilyn and her husband have experienced several miscarriages as well, so I understand your concern. I loved the snapshots. Michael has the most heartwarming smile. It seems to radiate warmth. I'm happy Michael has been able to get home for weekends and hope the time goes by quickly till he is home to stay.
Love Leigh Ann, Allan and family
Aunt Brenda,
your patience in looking for a good house, your seeking done out of consideration of mike and his needs, waiting for mike's body to progress and heal and your perseverance is an example of what it means to love. i admire this in you greatly. Thank you for sharing on this blog, and being so honest and humble.
Mathew,
i love that picture of you and mike veggin out in the living room. there are somethings that just feel so comfortable to do with your brothers...vegging out is one of them. I think it is so cool that you are working with uncle cal.
i am wanting to do an apprenticeship perhaps next semester.
i would love to hear about what you're going to be taking at school this year when we are out in alberta at the beginning of this fall.
Steve and Lori,
i am very excited for you two. having your own child, created from both of you must be such a gift and blessing that is so amazing. i hope that this child is born and is born healthy.
Steve, just the other day me and my brothers were remembering this one time that you came out to visit and we met you at the airport and you had a bag of doritos for each of us! and how all the girls at the church liked you and you let us look through all your cd's. they were fun memories..... (there is also the memory of this last christmas about how you found the book cover with me on it! ..haha, that one tends to get brought up whenever we have guests over....haha, i wonder why?!?)
Uncle Neil,
we don't get to hear from you via this blog, so i don't know too much about what your up to or how your doing... but i imagine that you and Aunt brenda are figuring out how this new location in sherwood park might work out. i wonder how your new position/job is going in edmonton. I hope it has been not too difficult for you to continue it since mike has been in the hospital.
i am excited to come out and see all of you. Especially if you tell us a story and laugh in the middle of it. you have one of the greatest laugh's ...it is just great....and pretty contagious!
mike,
i am so glad that we are going to get to come see you. I am sure i will be so impressed with your wheel chair skills! do you know that taylor has a wheel chair in his room!?? he has it there not because he plans on getting injured sometime and might need it....but because he works at his desk in it and when he gets restless he comes out into the hall in front of the mirror and does wheelies and stuff on it!...
i can only imagine that you will find so many new ways of doing things and enjoying yourself. (i remember how you would do all this crazy stuff on the trike; spin in tight circles on two wheels!....my mom never let me try that one!)
my prayers go out to all of you.
thomas
Wow! Glad you've found a possibility house. Hope it works out for you, that the renovations don't take tooooo long, and that you're able to sell your house here in LLB.
Exciting to hear Steve & Lori are expecting!! Hoping and praying this pregnancy will go to full term and the baby will be healthy.
Glad for Michael's new freedom in being able to come home on weekends. Must be soooo good!
I fly to NB on Thursday...Dad's telling me to take piano lessons again if possible, and join the choir... haha...we'll see about the latter!
Love,
Lois
Hi Barkers,
I am glad to hear you have found a house and will pray that your home in LLB will sell soon. It is also great to hear that Mike is able to go home on the weekends. Thanks for the updates it is great to know you are all doing well.
Love, Juli
Hey again,
Praying about the whole elevator thing and you and the family. School starts one week from today (in Michigan), so I'm also praying for my sanity :) Only 40 weeks until next summer...!!
Later,
Britney
Out of curiosity...where is your LLB house listed? And for what price? We may be interested in buying a house if it is in our price range. Please email me at mztrezz_k@hotmail.com
Thanks! And congrats on finding your new home, and best wishes and loads of prayers for you!
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