[Epley Update] April 27, 2006 Russ Update

[Russ and Flossie Epley]

I think back on March 30, the day of Russ' stroke. From the time I 
received the phonecall from a stranger telling me that my husband had 
collapsed on the street, God's peaceful presence has been my comfort 
and strong tower. How thankful I am that God never leaves or forsakes 
us!

 From that first day God has asked very little of me...just trust and 
rejoice in what He is doing and will do in the future. It's hard to 
explain unless you've experienced this yourself, but somehow God has 
taken the sting from this ordeal. It's not fun or what I would have 
chosen for my dear husband, but it has never been totally overwhelming. 
I've been amazed at how much joy I've found in each blessing of life. 
This is a gift from God to me since my human nature more naturally runs 
to fear. I've been fearful about much smaller things! God in His mercy 
has helped me see that all I need is simple, child-like trust. Just as 
a young child clings to Mommy's hand so I reach up my hand to Jesus and 
He never lets go!

There are numerous things to rejoice in today. Here's today's list!
• Russ signed "I love you" spontaneously to me.
• He is breathing so well that he should be able to be off the 
nebulizer in a day or two.
• He looks like a different person (good coloring, alert, and tries 
hard to communicate)
• I read him Philippians 4. When I asked him if he was content as Paul 
was in difficult circumstances, he nodded his head and had a peaceful 
look on his face.
• When I told him about my Bible study with Yuki this morning he was so 
pleased and touched that tears came to his eyes. (I realize that many 
people with strokes cry easily, but he is crying at appropriate times.)
• When I asked Russ if he wanted to review the alphabet in sign 
language he looked at me as if I were asking something too simple. He 
signed two letters at a time easily with short breaks between to rest 
his arm.
• I showed him pictures of family members. He was able to sign "C" for 
"Christie" and "J" for "Joel". He also did the sign "mother" for his 
mom. When I showed him the last picture we had taken of the two of us 
just over a month ago, he grinned and grinned.
• God knows when I need rest and makes sure I get it! This evening it 
wasn't until after I said my goodbyes to Russ that I realized it was a 
full hour earlier than I realized. I could have stayed later but since 
I had already brought closure to the evening, I decided it was God's 
way of telling me to just home and rest.
• Everyone at Christian Academy has been very understanding of my need 
not to overdo so that I can stay strong for Russ during this time in 
our lives. They don't ask me to go in to the office. I do it because I 
love it and there are things that need to be done. Today I was too 
tired to go in so I didn't. This kind of flexibility on their part will 
make it possible for me to continue in ministry and be all that Russ 
needs me to be.

Thanks for your continued prayers,
Flossie Epley