Christmas Celebration!

What a weekend! Our church held it's annual event for women to encourage them during the Christmas season. Delicious food, music, and a speaker made up the program. This year's speaker, Shauna Niequist,  was tremendous. She is the author of the wonderful book entitled "Cold Tangerines." Her message encouraged, challenged and inspired me.

Another exceptional aspect of the weekend was the great job the team did putting on the program. It was tough for me at times while in the hospital, and not having a part in the planning and preparation. But the team of women did a fabulous job - it was a great event.

Next is Christmas! I'm going to Seattle to visit my sister and her family for a few days over the holiday. It will be a blessing to see them!

UPDATES:

• Therapy - My physical therapy is completed, but I have a couple more occupational and speech therapy appointments.
• Work - I'm still not back to work, but hopefully soon. I have a doctor's appointment soon with the Physical Medicine and Rehab doctor, and hopefully a plan will be determined at that appointment.
• Apartment - Slowly getting things put away and organized in the new pad. I have stayed there on night, but most likely won't be staying there until the fist of next month. My cat, Spike, has been making himself right at home . . . he has run of the place (but to be honest, he always has).
• Encouragement - I continue to be encouraged by the many prayers, words of encouragement and support that people have extended to me. It truly has been a gift and blessing.

Kathi

Yahoos!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The family I'm staying with is wonderful and they are tremendous cooks as well. Therefore my day was marked by a delicious meal with wonderful people. I also spoke with my sister and tried to connect with my brother, as well.

I had an appointment with one of my surgeons last week who had operated on me, but whom I don't quite remember meeting. (I don't remember much from "the early days" of my accident.)

This doctor was my Orthopedic surgeon. He looked at my leg he had operated on and I believe he said it was "beautiful." Now, I don't think I had thought of it as beautiful ("interesting" maybe) but honestly, that was good to hear. The leg is healing nicely - Yahoo!

I also had an appointment with my dentist who did a tremendous job of fixing the couple of teeth that had been chipped in the accident. They, too, look beautiful.

In my previous blog, I listed some things that I'm thankful for - I really am thankful to God for many things. My healing body is a biggie. No, it is more than my "healing body," it really is the fact that God has been healing my body. I'm thankful for life and that God enabled me to have more life here.

Also, plans were finalized for me to be in Seattle for a few days over Christmas (that is another Yahoo!) to see my family. Then this morning (Sunday) was yet another Yahoo! as I was at my church once again.

Though I don't get to move back home quite yet, another Yahoo! is that some of my friends from Folsom and El Dorado Hills moved my things from the apartment I was living in to my new apartment. Because my walking and balance have been affected by my accident - and I did live on the second floor of my apartment complex - I was able to get a bottom floor apartment in the same complex.

My friends moved my stuff out of the old and into the new AND cleaned my old apartment! What a tremendous gift and blessing. I was a tad nervous if it all could be done by Sunday, but it was completed Saturday. Honestly, I have an incredible community of people that I am connected with and I could not have walked through this challenging time without them. Yahoo!

Okay, there is at least one more Yahoo! this week. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday my church is holding an event, The Womens Christmas Celebration, featuring author Shauna Niequist. She wrote the delightful book entitled "Cold Tangerines." I really enjoyed the book and I'm really looking forward to meeting her and hearing her speak . . . . yes . . . Yahoo!

I hope that you are experiencing your own slew of Yahoos! You know what I'm 'slowly' finding out about life? Yahoos! in life can be found in unsuspecting places. I've been walking through a challenging time in my life, but I've been blessed in many ways. God can bring Yahoos! out of challenging times. The Scriptures, God's words to us, tell us that God works all things together for good. That doesn't mean all things are good, but God can bring good out of the bad.

Yahoo!

Kathi

Thankful!

Thursday (November 27), in the U.S., we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving; a great time to gather with family and friends, to reflect on what we're thankful for, and eat wonderful food. I, too,  will be gathering with friends and having incredibly delicious food. But it is also a time to give thanks!

Walking through the past five months following an accident where I was critically injured, I thought it would be a good idea to identify some the things I am thankful for. Here we go:

• For God saving me - twice (at least). The first time was in 1981 when I entered into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The second time was on June 18 of this year, when He saved my life from a terrible accident with a car while on my bicycle.
• For God taking care of me emotionally. I haven't had much anger (except with myself when I'm frustrated with what I see as limitations).
• For my family. Both of my parents have passed away, but I am very thankful for the time I had with them. My brother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece. I love them so much.
• My job at Lakeside Church. It has been a wonderful place to work, grow and connect. I work and serve with some wonderful people.
• My caretakers, Steve and Vickie - than have been a God-send. They have provided a wonderful home and environment to recuperate. (As well as driving me to many places, waiting for me during rehab appointments and feeding me well!)
• The paramedics who worked on me and my friend, Kathy.
• The helicopter pilot that got me to the hospital.
• For the many doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who operated on me and took wonderful care of me.
• For my rehab therapists - they are great.
• For the many people who have prayed, given to help meet my needs (including giving blood), have written notes or emails, phoned, and/or visited: the encouragement has been a big part of my healing process.
• For the healing that has taken place - I'm definitely a lot better than I was five months ago.
• For God bringing good things out of hard times. God's love, care, hope, and faithfulness.

I know the list could be a lot longer, but I'll stop with this and continue to note the many blessings.

It's interesting, but I've begun to look and hear things differently following my accident. While singing at church or listening to music on my iPod - many of the words have a deeper meaning to me. (I hope this isn't just a temporary condition!)

I hope that there is plenty on your "thank you" list.

Love,

Kathi

Five Month Anniversary!

Isn't it hard to believe that we're close Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) - meaning we're at the end of November? Time has definitely been flying by. Tuesday (November 18) was my five month anniversary since my accident. I've already been out of the hospital and staying with my friends for three months! Wow.

It doesn't "seem" like anything too exciting is going on, so I hesitate writing anything. But friends remind me of the severity of my accident and that it is pretty exciting to see how far I have come in such a short amount of time. When I remember how severe my head injury was, as well as my leg - I am so thankful for God's grace and His healing power; thankful for His placing such incredible, helpful people in my life.

At times, I must admit, that I get kind of discouraged. I know I still have some limitations and boundaries that I don't always like. I find that hard when I'm feeling so much better. I'm seeking to trust God, knowing that He has a plan and His timing is perfect.

My therapy continues, but I think it is winding down. My therapists have been a wonderful encouragement to me. They've been great. I'm volunteering at Lakeside for a few hours a week. I'm trying to apply things I am learning in rehab. I'm not sure when I'll be officially going back to work, but hopefully soon.

For those of you who have prayed for me - thank you! That means so much. Well, have a good week. In next week's blog, I hope to share with, that in light of my accident, the things that I am thankful for.

God bless you!

Kathi

Happy Halloween!

Hello Friends!

I trust that you've had a good week. My week has been pretty nice, as it has been filled with rehab appointments, attending church and Bible study, as well as seeing friends (including the "Great Pumpkin). It has been great to catch up with some friends that I haven't seen in a number of years - as well as those I haven't seen in a few months.

As rehab continues, I'm encouraged by how my therapists are encouraged. I'm not sure when I'll be cleared to go back to work - but we're working on returning (as close as possible) to my "pre-accident" state. I'm not a 100 percent there yet - but I am getting closer.

When I was in the hospital, I was told that this would be a long haul, that perseverance would be very important. I am definitely finding out how true that is. Though I am incredibly happy with the time frame of my recovery, sometimes it feels too long. I realize that I am not as persevering as I thought I was.

Thanks to all who have been praying for me. Here are a few more requests:

• For God to strengthen my perseverance
• For continued increase in stamina
• For the continued healing that needs to take place

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

Kathi

A Good Workout!

Who would have thought doing jumping jacks, jogging a short distance down the hallway, as well as walking a short distance, turning while walking and then walking backwards would be anything to get excited about? But being 48-years-old and having suffered a traumatic brain injury brings a new appreciation for the simple things in life.

My therapists think I am doing very well. My balance has been returning, so that is encouraging and exciting. It enables me to get excited about doing things that I had really taken for granted. Four months ago (my accident occurred on June 18), medical personnel were wondering if I'd even survive and today I am jogging down the hallway!

God has been so faithful and gracious to me. I'm thankful for God's care of me. He has provided through many people: for my care needs, for my relational needs, my physical recovery needs, as well as my spiritual needs. I have been incredibly blessed.

I have been able to attend church two weeks in a row, as well as a women's Bible study. It has been great to be able to return to Lakeside. It has been fun and encouraging to see people I haven't seen in a while. This church has demonstrated Jesus to me and to my family in an extraordinary way.

This past weekend, my pastor gave a tremendous message on leaving a legacy - how would people remember me? Wow! That hit a little close to home having almost died, but it was a huge thought to ponder. I'm still processing that idea, as I know that there is plenty I have not done well and people I haven't loved well. But I am thankful for forgiveness, and to know that God is working in my life - changing me from the inside out. I want to be a woman with a strong character and life that honors God and I want to love others well.

May my life (through God's strength) be one of faith (in a faithful God), that in turn exudes hope that only God can bring (even when things don't look too "positive"), that produces a love for others as God would have me love them.

I hope that as you are reading this, that you recognize God's love for you. May you see it and experience His love in a special way.

Blessings,

Kathi

Hi friends,

I know that it has been awhile since I've been in touch, so I 

thought I'd write about what has happened this past week.

Monday (September 29)

On Monday, my sister came to town! It was SO good to see her. This was actually her fourth trip to California since my accident, but I only remember the last trip (a few weeks or so ago).

Things have changed since I saw her last. For example, I'm walking (most of the time) without the use of my cane. My memory is a lot better. Physically I am doing better . . . it was an encouraging visit for her and for me.

My sister is 3 1/2 years younger than me and it was great to see her in action. She is mature, smart, a go-getter, and has a good heart. I've been the recipient of her love, hard work, encouragement, and expertise.

She left Sunday and this was probably the longest time we spent together in a couple of years. I can't wait until she can return again. We spent the past week going to therapy appointments getting together with friends, doing a little shopping, eating, and just hanging out together.

Tuesday & Wednesday (September 30/October 1)

My therapy continues to progress. I had two days of therapy last week and will have two days this week. Today (October 6) had me in for all three therapies (physical, occupational, and speech). It went well and each of my therapists has been very encouraging and helpful.

Thursday (October 2)

Here is another cool thing that happened last week! I got to meet the medics who responded to the emergency call for Kathy Hurd and me. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the men and women who treated and cared for us in the initial moments of our accident. Their timely and accurage treatment of us was critical. They saved our lives.

I know I have a hard time understanding just how critical my condition was, but hearing the various stories and seeing some pictures from when I was first in the hospital is enlightening me.

Sunday (October 5)

It was sad to leave my sister at the airport, but I'm thankful her family let her come down for the week. I'm glad she is back home with them.

Sometimes I don't feel like I'm doing anything! But I am consistently reminded that doing what I can do to get better is what I am to focus on. Though I don't have a lot "scheduled" into my week, it does take physical and emotional energy from me. I'm encouraged to hear that the frustrations and challenges are all part of the healing process.

If you have been praying for me - Thank You Very Much - and please continue. Pray for perseverance, continued healing, and for the wisdom that I need each day. Thanks.

Blessings,

Kathi