I’m still wondering where seven months have gone, and the 12-36 months before that! Turns out in ’24 I had update posts for August, September, and Christmas, then one in January before I disappeared again.
Everything’s pretty much as is was, with the decline that comes with degenerative issues. All bodies are relatively healthy, mine is potentially getting a leadless pacemaker. Food is an interesting challenge, finding things within nutritional boundaries and taste appeal for three different appetites. Travel/exploration is nearly nonexistent, and a bit of mechanical monitoring has been added. Minds are slipping at varying rates, one approaching freefall.
Alzheimer’s lives at our house, if you didn’t already know. I came home to be closer than 4 hours away, knowing that a sole caretaker will lose their own cognitive skills. It was time for the parent-care phase that happens at about this age if “the reaper” doesn’t arrive first. I’m now way less than 4 hours out, living in the guest room of their home.
I mentioned in other updates that I’d like to find a job that grants the income to live, including repaying a school note, as well as the flexibility to be available. Mmm…not happening… though I did register a business so I can do “gig work” without broadcasting my SSN all over town (bad enough that everyone wants your cell number). I signed up with a temp agency, several “M-F 9-5 for a long time starting next week” jobs have been presented, but health and availability prohibit those, along with my semi-random commitments to the fabric shop.
Work for Deaf Kids Connect has phased out, as they recently merged with Deaf Harbor. That group has video, signing, and ASL songwriting skills, so I have high hopes for them both with this union. They’ll operate as two units under one organizational umbrella, ministering to all ages of the Deaf Community and the friends and family whose goal is to share Jesus.
Indigenous is best, as each people group knows the heroes, villians, and stories of their culture, as well as how to present the new life they’ve found so others can join. I’m getting ok with being on the edge of the Christian Deaf community, welcome to visit whenever possible. My indigenous constituents would be the comfortable western church crowd who are unaware of the mission field in their neighborhood. I do celebrate glimmers of progress, and I still want to help.
A few of those visits, maybe even that help, are in the next few months with a couple of weekend camps and a picnic. I’m very much looking forward to those. I’m still involved with a Deaf Church nearby and wanting to visit another Deaf Church & friends across town.
In all, every day is an adventure, Jesus is never surprised, and I am well taken care of (including by the guardians of my sanity).