June the 5th we were able to leave the precious nurses and staff of the HTICU. It was a sad time and a happy time. They take care of you just like you are family, really better than family. Jim ended his time there with the bell ringing ceremony. The link below will allow you to see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFZKXv6FccU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
These programs are Jim's way of preaching and teaching despite being in the hospital or stuck in a room for most of the day.
We were able to stay in a UAB town house for about 2 weeks when a friend of some church friends offered us his condo in Birmingham for free. He is allowing us to stay there for the remainder of our time until the doctors say we can go home. What a blessing!
We didn't have internet access at the townhouse and Internet access and time is limited at the condo. We are at the clinic two to three days a week. It has all been good news, just tiring being at the clinic that long and having that many tests.
We feel blessed beyond measure. It is hard to describe what Jim looks like and feels like. He is so white. I knew he used to be gray a lot but I didn't know how bad it was until now. Even his feet are really white and they used to stay blue. He is walking about 2 miles a day. He still has to rest because he had major surgery but WOW, can you believe it?
The first adventure we had upon leaving the hospital was going to church. The doctors said not to but you know Jim. In his Alabama pajamas and all (of course with his mask on) we made our way to the Adamsville church of Christ. We sang and heard a great lesson. It was so great to be at church with my husband. He has always been there no matter how bad he felt. He had been in the hospital for 34 days straight. We are so blessed because it could have taken longer and it could have been harder but even when things got bad God was and will always be there. He had all things worked out. He was just preparing us the entire time. We have seen the bad times but now we have an opportunity at a new life.
So many have said either with their mouths or in their cards "God has answered our prayers." I beg to differ. God has answered our prayers all along. Since September 30, 2006, Jim has been here to be a preacher, teacher, husband and father. He wouldn't have made it to see one day without your constant prayers on our behalf. God has been saying YES all along. Yes to more time, Yes to a day at a time, Yes to a moment at a time. God knows more and has all things worked out for good to those who love him. Those who love him will keep His commands. By every ounce of our beings we strive to do that. So God has and will continue to answer our prayers.
What if? What if God said Jim needs to go home to be with the Lord. Would we say God didnt answer our prayers. I doubt that we would. Jim would have gone to a place where there is no suffering and no pain. Would that have been bad? Shouldn't we all long to go there? I hope we can understand that God is pulling for us. He is our biggest cheerleader. He is on our side. He does not have an evil motive. He wants good for all of us. We sometimes put God in a place where if this happens He is good and if it doesn't...well we get mad at Him. Shame on us. We are the ones who have put requirements or a fence around what God can or should do.
I pray that through this experience we can continue to grow more spiritually mature. God is so good and He is our constant provider. Prayer works all the TIME!
Today marks 4 weeks since Jim's transplant. So blessed!
Thank you God for one more day!
