One more update: On Monday, January 17, Dad will be leaving the Carrington Nursing Center. He has been there since mid-October and has made great improvements. He uses a walker and a cane most of the time, but is grateful for a wheelchair, and may be using a powered chair soon. 

After much prayer and discussion,  he and Julie decided to move together to the Claiborne at Adelaide, an assisted living community here in Starkville. It is a lovely place, and they know many of the residents. We are loading the truck today and making the move on Monday. Hopefully, when Dad joins us late in the afternoon, the place will be more-or-less set up. 

It's hard to make the transition from a home you have lived in for 50 years to a one-bedroom apartment, from 1800 Sq ft to about 650, from 1.5 acres of trees and flowers and gardens and a workshop and a large deck and memories of tree swings and tree houses, to a 6 x 14 ft porch and a shared courtyard. From 50 years of family memories and joys and struggles, of game nights, and bodies littering the floor of the den, and countless family celebrations... to a community of friends and acquaintances and a long walk down the hall to the dining room and activity room. It's hard and sad, and Dad and Julie really need your prayers.

We rest in the promise that God is with us, wherever we are. In the words of our beloved friend Bertha Hardin, "If you make Me your dwelling place, I can make any place your home."

This will be my last update for a while. We thank you for praying and being with us through this journey. God bless.