[Epley Update] April 22, 2006 Russ update

[Russ and Flossie Epley]

What an encouraging day today was! A Japanese friend of mine who is not 
yet a Christian picked me up and took me to the hospital. We walked in 
and Russ was moving his right leg again! He last did that in ICU about 
10 days ago. This time he looked like he was trying with all his might 
to move it. I congratulated him and he smiled and then went to sleep. 
He obviously had been working hard!

Russ' fever was gone this morning and not so high this afternoon 
(afternoons are when it typically goes up). We praise the Lord for this 
break in his fever which gives him so much more energy. He used his 
left hand to grab the side bar on the right side of his bed in order to 
help himself change positions for awhile. I'm so thankful he had enough 
strength and left hand coordination to do that. He must be aching so 
much from being on his back for 3 1/2 weeks! The nurses do change his 
position every once in awhile but naturally even more often would be 
more comfortable for him. He is so long (if he were in an upright 
position I would have used the word "tall"!) that there are only a 
couple inches between his head and the head board. He's feet get pushed 
against the foot board frequently. The beds are made for shorter 
people, but it really is working out. I rejoice that he is 6' 3" 
instead of 6'5" or it wouldn't work at all.

Russ tried hard to interact with me nodding once or twice and smiling 
numerous times.

I took a guest book to the hospital today and wrote in the names of all 
the numerous people who have visited Russ in the hospital. From today I 
let our visitors sign their own names. I am reminded of how wonderfully 
God is providing people that care to minister to us. Every day various 
friends come and eat supper with me and drive me home. My missionary 
neighbor turns on my porch light so that I come home to an inviting 
house each night. God is graciously meeting our needs.

Thanks for your continued prayers,
Flossie Epley