Paul's Update - 06/16/07

Dear Friends:

Friday was a pretty good day. Dad is still suffering from his cold but he went out for a bit to do some errands. Paul watched TV most of the day. We went out for dinner in the evening with Bill & Ronda. Our 33rd wedding anniversary is this weekend and we went out with them to celebrate. We were out pretty late ... and got home around 10pm. Paul wanted to sit up for a while but he started falling asleep in the chair about 10:30. It is pretty funny when he falls asleep and then suddenly awakens. He gets a silly smile on his face as if to say "Doh ... I dozed off!" I asked him if he was ready for bed and he slowly nodded "yes". Saturday I was awakened by Gradis praising Paul. "Good ... you can do it" then she called for Dad who was outside. I went to Paul's bedroom and found him brushing his own hair. She said that her pastor had encouraged her to start asking Paul to do things that we don't usually ask him to do. He has been praying for Paul for the last couple of months in Ghana. He is a strong man of God and does many healing services. His prayer is certainly appreciated by us. Anyway ... after he had brushed his hair I took the walker into his room and put it in front of him. It took some encouragement to get him to put his hands on the walker and try to stand up but he finally did it. He then bent over his waist and proceeded to stand up ... without any help! Then he walked all the way down the hallway with Gradis and me right behind him. I went out with Ronda shortly after that but when I came home Paul and I worked on exercising his arms for a little while. He was sitting in the living room chair and I asked him to reach out and touch my hand. He did that so I moved it a little farther from him and asked him to try a little more. After we did that for a few times I asked him to reach up and touch my hand that was above his head. He did that but it was a bit harder for him. His arms are a little stiff but he tried pretty hard to be able to do it. I got out his little two pound weights and had him do some arm curls with them. We also did a little exercise with the little peddle cycle that we have for him. I had seen a book last week entitled "Couch Potato Exercises" and I thought ... why can't Paul do exercises while he is sitting in the living room. I had to head out to the church after lunch so our women's group could start to prepare a meal for the men (a father's day tradition). Dad and Paul came to the church at 6pm for dinner. Paul seemed to enjoy the meatloaf, potatoes & green beans but dessert is always appreciated. It is always good when he can fellowship with others ... especially the men at our church! Once we got home we were able to sit outside on the swing for about an hour. It was a delightful evening and we enjoyed being outside. Sunday is Father's day but it looks like Paul will not be seeing Max. Tabby has plans with her family. We were able to spend such good time with him last weekend ... I guess it is their turn.

Have a great day! Lynne & Carl