Another thought from Barbara
Do you remember that epiphany you had in your late teens or early twenties? The one in which you realized that your mother actually did know what she was talking about and had experienced life and was a source that you could trust and that she was a lot smarter than you thought she was. Well, I had that and again I have had a similar experience in my forties.

I have always known that my mom was a nurse and that she knew a lot about medicine, but I only saw it practiced as any mom practices nursing her children. I have been to places where she has worked and her fellow employees have raved about her nursing abilities and care beyond the call of duty that she demonstrated for her patients.

But, it has not been until this year that I have been able to see first hand her knowledge and abilities and care. She demonstrates her love for Dad every day in how she cares for him. Her hands are full of service and love. She is meticulous in his physical care. She is so detailed and demanding of herself. I would let things go that she will do and do and do until they are perfect. She knows how to do everything to care for Dad. She is so confident in what is to be done and how to do it properly that she makes me feel competent when I am copying her. She never stops and works tirelessly way beyond what I would be able to do. She has a broken foot and yet spends 12 to 14 hours standing by Dad's bedside without complaint. I could not do that.

I say all of this to quote Proverbs 31 that her children will rise up and call her blessed. I stand now to call my mom blessed and a blessing to Dad and to all of us. I know that this blog is about my dad, but he would not be the man he is if he had not had the woman I call Mom.

Please pray for her. Pray for God's strength when she has no more strength. Pray for health and unceasing grace to flow into and from her. She is in a precarious position - emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But God is able to do far more than she could ever ask or imagine for her.

With humility,
Barbara

Hello everyone,
I am posting for Dad today. This is Barbara and I have been visiting Mom and Dad for the past week. Joanna has also been here and left yesterday. Hopefully, we have helped Mom this week in her vigilant care for Dad. Also, we have tried to do all that David and Rachel do every day to help Mom and Dad.
Dad remains very happy and positive while being paralyzed by ALS. I would think that he would get discouraged or angry or upset at his condition or limitations, but he continues to be joyful and thankful and to see the greatness in everything in his very small world. He wrote the prayer just a few days ago and has sent me and others encouraging emails that express his joy in life.
His memory fades about some facts and events that have occurred in his life. This is sad for Mom and for all of us. It is sad for him, too, because thinking about yesterday, today, and the future is all that he can do. It is absolutely wonderful that he has this computer Tobi communication tool. I can still converse with him and "hear" what he is thinking. This would be almost impossible without this amazing technology because reading his lips becomes increasingly difficult. We need to figure out a way for him to blog using his Tobi computer. Right now, that is not possible and I am not enough of a computer person to even try to figure out how that could be accomplished.
I know that not everyone has had a wonderful father, but I have. To me, Dad is the earthly representative of God the Father here on earth. His unconditional love, his complete forgiveness, his servanthood, his humility, his endurance, his patience have always been the example of Jesus in a man here on earth. I have lived an unbelievably privileged life following in the footsteps of my earthly father. He has never led me anywhere except to the foot of my Heavenly Father. What a wonderful place to be!
In the footsteps of my father,
Barbara Boersma Keller

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Daddy.
Happy Birthday to You.

Today is Dad's 76th birthday. Barbara and I are here enjoying time with Mom and Dad. I am sure that David and Rachel and the boys will be over at some point and we will have a little celebration. We do miss Mark but his duties in Africa make it hard for him to be here right now.
We are so thankful that we have another year to celebrate with Dad. We treasure each and every moment with him.

Prayer

Dear Lord God Jehovah,  we humbly praise your name. Lord, everywhere we
look we are reminded of you. Stately trees suggest your magesty. The fields
of grass or crops remind us of your providing for us. Air enables us breath
by breath to be envigorated and carries sweet odors. We are awed when we
look at the moon and stars at night to realize how tiny we are compared
with you, and yet you have made provision for each of us individually. The
hugeness of your power and strength is unfolded to us bit by bit as we rely
first on muscle power, then steam power, then atomic power, we know not
what will be in the future. Yet, God, in spite of your immeasurable
strength and power and wisdom you have considered each of us individually
and made eternal provision for anyone who expresses love to you. Such a God
brings joy with tears whenever i stop to consider. Thank you Lord.