It is of God's mercies that we are not consumed. They are new every morning. Great is God's faithfulness.

We continue to be strenthened by God's mighty right hand as He gives us healing and energy. A lot has happened since I last posted on Christmas night and today has been expectionally long and tiring for both of us. Let's see if I can make a long story short as I bring you up to date.

When I arrived at the hospital the day after Christmas, Tom broke into a big, tearful smile when he saw me. He was beginning to be more himself, communicating his needs, doing what he was asked to do and did a good short session with the physical therapists who came to his room. Yesterday was a bit better and he was able to walk between 50 and 60 feet with the therapist and was sitting on the sofa when I arrived after church. We had begun to take the initial steps to move him to a skilled facility and I had carefully and somewhat emphatically explained that Monday was a pretty impossible day to move him.

Facilities were not available for us to visit over the holiday weekend and I had a treatment in Corinth at 11:30 a.m. today. Today Tommy visited the two facilities between which we were choosing, keeping in touch with me by phone during the day. About 2:30 p.m., on my way home from Corinth the social worker called and wanted a decision within 15 minutes because they were in the process of discharging him. There was absolutely nothing I could say that would convince her that he needed to wait until in the morning. I got home, made some calls, got a few clothes together and went to the hospital thinking they were ready right then. That was 4 p.m. and we finally pulled away from the hospital at 8 p.m. When I got to the nursing home, I couldn't get in because it was after hours so I called Tommy and aksed him to call the desk and tell them we were at the door but couldn't get in. We were sent to the ambulance entrance, were met with a wheelchair and he got situated. He was so tired that he was having a hard time staying awake to be admitted. I left there at 9 p.m., came home and crashed--something I usually do as soon as I'm home from Corinth. Tommy and Liz came over and brought supper. Otherwise I would have skipped eating . I would say that I don't know where I've gotten the energy since all this started and especially today, but I know.

The initial response to the nursing home is positive, both to Tommy who made the visit and to me after my brief exposure. Tom is trying with all he has to work hard so he can come home. He thinks in terms of a few days' stay, while we know it may take longer.

Again, our thanks for your love and prayers. What great friends you are! I'm off to bed.

Blessings,
Pastor Margaret