The Faith of her Friends

 This summer, Vocational Rehabilitation covered the expense to redo my bathroom! Here's what is new:  Door hinges changed so there is wider access Tile flooring Roll-in shower - one-piece unit with cubbies, handle bars, and new shower head Assistant shower curtain (so my helpers don't get soaked) Retractable shower curtain (so my track lift can get in) Shower chair - reclines and has comfortable padded seat!  I also got to replace my toilet with a gently-used one with a heated seat and bidet controls, thanks to some friends, the Pianos, who are doing their own remodeling projects.  Earlier this year, I replaced my washing machine, with the help of friends, Mary Heather, Alex, and John. And replaced a towel rack, thanks to my friend, Andrea.   When I moved in, my dad installed the track lift system and cut out the cabinets under the sink so I can drive up to the sink and counter.  Just this week, my friend Lisa took me shopping to get a new laundry hamper, bath rug, countertop o

 On July 18, 2014 , I left Fort Wayne, for what I thought was forever.  This ten-year mark has hit me pretty heavily this week and the memories have tasted quite bittersweet, as I reflect on who I was then, and all that the Lord has done in my heart since.  I left Fort Wayne feeling defeat, grief, regret, and shame; to me, it was the place where everything was beautiful and then everything was terrible, and there was a tension in my spirit of wanting to cut ties, burn bridges, never look back...and also grasp the frayed edges of what once was and desperately hold on for dear life. I was convinced that I had failed everyone who mattered to me, and also that God had failed me. It took several years for me to really be able to unravel those lies and the choke-hold they had on me.  Still, I resisted any suggestion that I might return someday. I told God I would go anywhere - anywhere  in the world - except Fort Wayne. And He patiently waited me out. I was afraid, so cripplingly afraid. Wha

I live in a pretty big neighborhood, and one of its claims to fame is that there are fifteen miles of sidewalk within its boundaries. So, since I have free access now to leave and return to my house via my automatic door , I am taking full advantage of these sidewalks. My goals this summer were to find and use all the sidewalks, log fifteen miles on my chair, and figure out how to navigate to my favorite spots in the neighborhood.   One of my personal favorite past-times is to find a path I've never taken, and see where it leads. It makes for a fun and low-risk adventure in my 1mile-squared neighborhood block. Every time I go out, I try to take a different route, get myself completely lost, and keep going without turning back or retracing my steps until I get home again. I might decide that in one outing, I will only "puddle jump" - take paths around the multiple ponds, or opt for only sunny trails or only shady trails, or take all left turns or alternate left and right t