The year’s fifth week holds the transition from one month to another. I’ve got today to pack for the next six days in two states, four houses, and a hotel. It’ll include a quick trip to my folks’ home, so I’ll get an extended update on how they’re doing.
This update got rather long, so I’m playing with the footnote feature. Feedback on how that works for you would be great.
First is our retreat for advisors to Deaf Kids Connect. We may revive work on the Vacation Bible School, including refitting it for home use which would extend the nightly units to five weeks and the learning stations to one per night. The Jesus Movie curriculum project is winding down so the Deaf Missions group can make everything consistent by the release date. My current focus is a pile of hard drives that contain useful files if I can get to them before age does. The biggest need, on the face of things, is for skilled staff and the donated funds to pay them appropriately.1 We can then work on projects in ernest and see faith foundations grow in families with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.
As soon as the retreat’s done, I’ll be driving to Ohio for eyecare. I need to arrive before dark because at least one cataract and potentially some internal bleeding makes night driving difficult, if not impossible. At any rate, it’s unsafe for myself and others. It’s also been an aggravating lesson in dependence, like tonight when I must have a driver for a local church service.
A set of medical bills for Christmas ’22 arrived with strange attributes but may be legitimate and is now in CHM2 hands. They’ll either graciously settle it, or I’ll need to pay over $1K myself. Though that’ll pinch, I give thanks again that all the other stroke bills were covered in full. That’s three stays in the hospital, of which I’m now one year past the second.
My friend, retired from a career in patient assistance, offered to handle all medical bills last year. This has been an illustration for faith, because with every mailing I simply said, “That’s medical billing, my friend’s problem.” Getting so automatic with handing everything to Jesus requires a bit more practice, but we’re working on it.
One example (and update) is that the Ohio room I expected to move into this spring is no longer available. Life happens, we adjust. The health adventures for my folks seem to be settling down, but it’s about time for some respite help and light oversight. Trust issues prevent us all from inviting someone to be at the house on a regular basis. Neither the stories about Indiana helpers nor having seen the inside of the direct care industry are soothing. The idea is that I could provide them respite twice a week and do ministry work the rest of the week, if I were in Ohio3.
When I return to Indiana next week, I’ll have just enough time to do laundry and some ministry work before another scheduled weekend. There’s a ladies’ event Saturday morning locally, then evening and Sunday, including a superbowl event, with another church. This trip will finish with two more doctor appointments Monday morning and some DKC work in the afternoon. I expect the cardiologist to ask why I’m not walking more and the primary to ask why I’m not as strict about diabetic care as I was this time last year. Part of my answer to them both will be that this is soup and blanket weather. When salad season and our regular ladies’ walking group resumes, I expect to do much better.
Starting this weekend, my calendar has events scheduled nearly every month through July4. I look forward to visiting with people I’ve not seen in too long, creating new friendships, and learning more about deafness, ministry, and writing. There will be many opportunities to share and to reflect Jesus. May I do it well.
(May my family stay healthy this year so I can!)
Income: I’m currently billing a maximum of 15 hours weekly due to family health, related travel, and ministry budget constraints. I’m refocusing on making quilts and writing as income streams. The collection of children’s books keeps getting put on the shelf for discouragement, but I think the stories can be really cute. They include mice, a frog, a crayon, ice cream, and more. Pulling them all together is a queen bee hostess randomly hidden at the gate of a community, Mae Bee Manors. (= maybe manners) ↩︎
Health Coverage: CHM, short for Christian Healthcare Ministries, is a cost sharing program that essentially boils down to catastrophic reimbursement. It’s not insurance, but is compliant with those laws. It’s faith based so funds won’t go toward traditionally arguable care, and it’s connected to the person(s) so changing jobs doesn’t impact eligibility.
I looked into Marketplace this year, was sent directly to Medicare due to income, and they required me to agree that my spouse or parents could be pursued to cover my medical expenses. Nope. My “spouse” has it covered with unlimited resources, but the government establishments don’t recognize Him anymore. ↩︎
Housing: Any knowledge of affordable shelter between Reynoldsburg and Heath is very welcome. It would seem a simple and natural option for me to move back in with my folks, but it’s not wise for three grown adults to live together under one roof. In particular, our independence extends to expressing what the other person(s) should be doing at any point in time. You see how that would be a challenge. ↩︎
Travel: February is the retreat. I plan to go up north in early March for a deaf event and some overdue visiting. April is the Deaf Missions conference and premier of the Jesus Film in Texas. I hope to visit with deaf friends and extended family before returning home. May is reserved for a long-term move to Ohio, maybe. June is our 102nd family reunion in Kentucky. July is the National Association of the Deaf conference in Chicago 1-7 and the Realm Makers (Christian fantasy writers) conference in St. Louis 18-20. I’m less certain of the July events, but NAD is highly likely, and my cost can be reduced by volunteering. ↩︎