55

I turned 55 on Thursday.  I made it to the big double nickel.  Three months ago when I was in the hospital with a severe case of pneumonia, I honestly didn't know if I would make it to see 55.  I was on oxygen and struggling to breathe, but God pulled me through again.

Time after time throughout my life, the Lord has protected me and kept me alive.  He spared my life in 2005 when I was in a car crash and my truck overturned.  I came away from it with only a few cuts and scratches.  My truck didn't fare as well, but I survived.

After surgery
in 2014

When I developed spinal stenosis in 2013, I lost a lot of motor function in my already limited mobility, and I ended up having to move into a nursing home.  Thanks to God and a skilled surgeon, I didn't become even more paralyzed, and I have regained part of that function.

It was a dark time in my life.  When I came into the nursing home, I couldn't feed myself.  I couldn't type on this keyboard.  I couldn't do much of anything, and I couldn't understand why I was having to go through this ordeal.  It was the only time that I felt like giving up.  I wanted God to take me home to heaven, but He didn't.  

I kept going back to a Bible verse I had read many times.  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

That verse reminded me that God can take something bad and turn it into something good.  I never expected to be in a nursing home at this stage of life, but God has turned even that into a good situation.  I actually have a good set-up here.  I don't have to cook, clean or do laundry, and I have the help I need.  I've also met a lot of great people here.

My scooter and my truck

I do miss living in Amarillo and all the places I went in my truck, but now I can get around better on my scooter in Pampa.  I go to a wonderful church, and it's only a 10-minute ride.  There's a grocery store, the movie theater and several fast-food restaurants within a couple of blocks.  I can ride almost anywhere in town in about 30 minutes.

I ride all over town.  It makes me feel like I still have some independence.  Some people see me and think I've escaped and call the police to come check on me.  One of the officers who checks on me is Neal Gardner, a friend from grade school.  He'll pull up beside me and say, "I knew it was you!" 

The bottom is God is good!  He has taken care of me all these years.  I don't know what the next year will bring, but I know God is faithful, and He will bring me through it all.