Lights! Motor! Asian?--Feb 2010 Part II. 11/6-Pix, part 2. Page 199.

[Sleepingbooty]

Oh Jordan, you've been shouldering a lot. and prayers for you, Wendy, and Derek. I'm so sorry.

 

[KatGarcia]

I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to the whole clan from me & from KC too! Much love to you all!!!!!

 

[rentayenta]

Please extend my condolences to Wendy and your entire family.

 

[MaryAz]

I am so sad to hear of your loss. Big coming from Az. Boy God must have been in need of some great people up there, My Mom, TK's Mom, Wendy's Dad, Ginny, and Mya Rose. All wonderful people I have "met" through the Dis.

 

[MaryAz]

Jordy
It was good to hear from you-glad you are hanging in there-as well as you can. Here are some song lyrics that made me think of you

Refrain
I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.
I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.

1. There is a road meant for you to travel.
Narrow and steep is the shepherd’s way,
and as you say, "Yes,"
letting me guide you,
I will be strength for the journey.

2. There is a cross meant for you to carry.
There is a cross meant for you alone,
and as you bow down
in humble surrender,
I will be strength for the journey.

3. How many times have you doubted my word?
How many times must I call your name?
And as you say, "Yes,"
letting me love you,
I will be strength for the journey.

I really hope you can find your way during this difficult time.

 

[All7OfUs]

My DMIL, as you know, passed away in January, and also had cancer. But, that is not what took her life. She had an embolism and went very quickly. In many ways, we actually rejoiced about that, because a long, drawn out battle with cancer is so very, very hard. You never know what the Lord spared your uncle from by taking him this way. His ways are so much higher than our own.

Regardless, our family is praying for you all from WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY over here in Blankistan. Truly you have many from all over the world standing with you.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Thanks everyone for your prayers and condolences for Wendy's family. It's been a really long week with Wendy's dad (Reverend Dave) being admitted early Monday morning and going through the ups and downs each day. Wendy and I had received a pretty sobering prognosis from Rev. Dave's doctor on Tuesday evening when the doctor said he probably won't make it out of the hospital. I was immediately made aware that he wouldn't be saying goodbye to Erin, Dylan and Ashlyn.

We know that Rev. Dave is celebrating in heaven but now the rest of us are surviving in our loss. He was a tremendous part of our immediate family (Wendy's parents, my parents, Wendy, me and the kids) as we would see each other regularly during the week in between meals, pick-up and drop off of the kids from their various activities, at church, etc. The void is going to be tremendous, especially in taking care of the kids, but most of all, I'm concerned for my mother-in-law who was completed devoted to my father-in-law.

Unfortunately, these turn of events came at at a time when we were just about to leave for a short vacation trip to Palm Springs with Jordan (but he will be sending us trip reports from the pool so we'll be living vicariously through him.).
Here's a pic of Wendy's dad and our family. Rev. Dave is next to Dylan (my dad is on the end)

]

 

[Underdog369]

My TR has been such a downer lately...I guess I need to liven it up a little. Maybe I'll just start farting....

J. to liven it up farting won't work. Now if you wanted to lighten it up, you could do that in more ways than one when farting.

If Terry and I were at WDW together and had gas...instead of selling ponchos, stores would be selling hazmat suits.

I could see it now. On the front of the suit is mickey standing there looking innocent while minnie, standing next to him, has her nose plugged, is turning green, and looks about ready to keel over.

Let's just hope there's no sudden altitude change. There'd be a whole lotta wavin' goin' on... And I'm not talkin' to each other.

 

[lovealldisney]

Jordy
It was good to hear from you-glad you are hanging in there-as well as you can. Here are some song lyrics that made me think of you

Refrain
I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.
I will be, I will be,
I will be strength for the journey.

1. There is a road meant for you to travel.
Narrow and steep is the shepherd’s way,
and as you say, "Yes,"
letting me guide you,
I will be strength for the journey.

2. There is a cross meant for you to carry.
There is a cross meant for you alone,
and as you bow down
in humble surrender,
I will be strength for the journey.

3. How many times have you doubted my word?
How many times must I call your name?
And as you say, "Yes,"
letting me love you,
I will be strength for the journey.

I really hope you can find your way during this difficult time.

This is really beautiful.

Here's a pic of Wendy's dad and our family. Rev. Dave is next to Dylan (my dad is on the end)

]

Beautiful family! Again I am so sorry for you loss.

thanks. he's no longer suffering. on tuesday, he was really not very coherent, but yesterday, we were all able to talk with him and he was alert....that was a gift for sure.

When my mom was in the hopital and we knew that there was nothing more that could have been done for her my dad had her listed as DNR. Well on New Years Day we were called back to the hopital because she was in cardiac arrest, we all thought she would be gone when we got there. When we got there the doctors approached us and told us that she had pulled herself out of the arrest! And that they had never seen anything like this before. I like to think she wanted all of us there to say our good byes, she didn't want to be alone. Later that evening she passed away very quietly with just my dad, sister, me and my little brother by her side.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Rev. Dave looks like such a sweet man! I know he's looking down & watching over all of you from heaven!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

sorry for your family loss, even though you are a close family it will bring you all closer.

 

[DisneyDerek]

This is really beautiful.

Beautiful family! Again I am so sorry for you loss.

When my mom was in the hopital and we knew that there was nothing more that could have been done for her my dad had her listed as DNR. Well on New Years Day we were called back to the hopital because she was in cardiac arrest, we all thought she would be gone when we got there. When we got there the doctors approached us and told us that she had pulled herself out of the arrest! And that they had never seen anything like this before. I like to think she wanted all of us there to say our good byes, she didn't want to be alone. Later that evening she passed away very quietly with just my dad, sister, me and my little brother by her side.

Thanks for sharing about your mom. I think Wendy, her mom and all of us were hopeful that Rev. Dave would pull out of this last hospital stay as he did so many times before. His doctor said "his will to live is strong" but ultimately, his body was weak. (A nurse even asked permission to intervene vs. continue on life support and he chose intervention to live).

Actually, Jordan must have heard something different than I observed on Tuesday. He was actually very coherent then although I didn't get a chance to visit with my father-in-law on Wednesday when I visited the hospital because there were a lot of folks in his room (med techs working on his dialysis, Wendy, Jordan, family members) so I just peered through the glass door. In fact, on Wednesday Wendy showed Rev. Dave video we took on Tuesday night chopping off Erin's hair. (He smiled at the video). Unfortunately, that was his last chance to see his grandchildren.

I had always dreamed of a time when each of the kids could hold his hand, pray with him as he passed on his legacy to them, the kids blessing him as he went onto Heaven and he blessing them in return. The quick turn of events and Kaiser's policy not to allow kids in the hospital prevented this but we know he's smiling down on us from Heaven. Our last happy memory as a family was on Sunday night, celebrating Mother's Day at our house. My parents bought all the food and I BBQed steaks on our grille. It was a nice dinner but unfortunately, we didn't take any pics.

 

[TrayRene]

Derek - thanks for sharing the photo. You can see the love shared by all in their eyes. Such a beautiful photo.

 

[ajh88]

Love and prayers are with you and Wendy and all your family now.

 

[shannon47142]

thoughts and prayers for your whole family

 

[*Seanaci*]

Chapter 28. Hodgepodge.

So....here's the laundry list of stuff that's been going on the last few weeks:

Putting my resume together. I am not sure at this point whether I'd return to my position at church in 6 months. No one who I know out here seems to think that would be a good idea, but you never know. However, I am pulling the cobwebs off the old resume and updating it. I am looking into restaurant mgmt again. I found myself missing it alot over the last few years.

I personally think that things happen...or occur in our lives for a reason. So, if you don't return to the Church, consider it a blessing and that it wasn't meant to be for a reason.

Getting temporary work. I used to clean houses for a living (I love cleaning). So it was easy to get on the horn and drum up a little business. I have 4 regular clients lined up already. I could easily do this for awhile if I needed to. Plus, it would allow me the flexibility to continue my recovery and healing process.

I think the cleaning of houses may in the end be something symbolic for you. Given what you are going through now, once you have made it thorugh this tough time, you can consider it akin to cleaning house. Cleaning your life and moving on with it to better and more happy thing.

Looking into treatment/recovery programs. Dang it if recovery programs aren't expensive. Trying to find one that fits my needs and is affordable has been tough. However, today I found one online that's 15 minutes from my house. I am waiting for my "team" of people from church to verify that it's a reputable organization and maybe I'll go for it.

I hope you can find something that suits you soon.

Struggling to make it through each day. It hasn't been easy. The last 2 years at church has burned me out and really sent me back to old ways. Ways that i thought were long gone. It is discouraging to know that I've not gotten past the past and for crying out loud, I'm 48! I'm not getting any younger. I thank you all for your continuing support and prayer. Please continue praying for me as this last week was especially difficult.

I have a feeling that the old ways are back because of the stress and burn out of the last 2 years. Perhaps think of it this way...if it weren't for the stress and burn out of the last 2 years, those "old ways" just may not have come back. KWIM?

Learning life lessons. Did you know you can eat a meal for under 3.00? Del Taco- a burrito and 3 tacos!!!! So you now know what my diet has been and what smells are emanating from my posterior regions.

We have a Del Taco here. I've eaten there ONE time. And HATED it. Maybe I should try it again though.

And oh dear...good thing they haven't invented smell-o-internet. We'd all be in trouble.

Anyways...I will try to get an update up within the next few days, but am not making any promises...

Love to all of you!!!!!!!!

Click here for next installment

Meh. We'll all still be here for ya...even if it takes you a month or more ot get back and do a trip update. So don't worry about it. Just get through healing you and following your life path. We'll all be waiting for you somewhere along that path.

Quick update

Wendy's dad went home to be with the Lord this morning. He went peacefully. While we grieve his loss, we are happy to know we will see him again and he is no longer in pain.

Wendy and I were just talking a few minutes ago about the DIS. She asked if I had posted on the DIS yet about her dad. We both kinda laughed. We talked about how weird it is how you all have become part of our extended family. We truly love you guys and thank you so much for your continued support and your prayers.

My parents, Wendy's mom, my aunt and uncle, Wendy's in-laws, Dylan and Ashlyn and I are all at Wendy's home. I just cooked a big breakfast for everyone. They are now trying to figure out funeral arrangements. Since my uncle David was a pastor and Wendy's and my side of the family is huge (120 and growing), they are expecting 400-600 people to be at the funeral.

Okay gotta go....love you guys!

I am so sorry for the loss. But I am glad he went peacefully and is not suffering any more.

In fact, it sounds very similar to how my dad's mother (I just can't call her grandma...but that's a story for another day)passed away. She was in the hospital for a UTI (i think). They said once she got past the worst of it, she'd be fine and be able to go home. I don't remember the details. But, she slept the whole time she was in the hospital. My aunt and uncle said she'd talk and laugh in her sleep. She never woke up...and went peacefully in her sleep.

Thanks we are having fun reminiscing. Apparently my mom used to beat my uncle up as kids.

Those are the best times. And it sometimes makes the loss not feel as heavy on ones heart.

At my Uncle's funeral 2 years ago, family and friends were given the opportunity to stand and share a happy story or memory. And I can tell you that when my cousins (who were super close with him) stood and told their stories, the church was filled with giggles and laughter. Which is, I am sure, how my Uncle would have wanted it.

So, remember the happy times and celebrate this life!

My TR has been such a downer lately...I guess I need to liven it up a little. Maybe I'll just start farting....

Again, see my comment above regarding the lack of (thank goodenss) smell-o-internet.

Thanks

We've all been up since about 5am. I think it's catching up to us all. People have been emailing, texting, calling and stopping by all day.

Wendy's in-laws brought lunch and cousins are bringing dinner tonight....why is it that food seems to be a great remedy for sad events. My stomach appreciates it.

Food is a common denominator among people. Plus, when you don't cook it, for some reason, it always tastes better.

 

[*Seanaci*]

And because I love you so much...I give you this little gem.

Peep Jousting

 

[mousebymarriage]

So sorry for your loss Jordan. You and your family are in my prayers.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Rev. Dave looks like such a sweet man! I know he's looking down & watching over all of you from heaven!

Thanks Lauren. I'm sure he's watching over us. I almost hear his incessant coughing (he had pulmonary fibrosis, scarring throughout the lung) but I guess he doesn't have anymore pain in heaven. Yay!

sorry for your family loss, even though you are a close family it will bring you all closer.

Well, we're pretty close already...any closer and we'd be living together

Derek - thanks for sharing the photo. You can see the love shared by all in their eyes. Such a beautiful photo.

Thanks Tracy. I'm just glad we took the photo last month after Wendy's and my anniversary dinner. This is our last official family photo together (note: that Wendy, Ashlyn and me are missing).

Love and prayers are with you and Wendy and all your family now.

thoughts and prayers for your whole family

Thanks for the love and prayers. Can use tons now.

 

[Millie12591]

I (we) appreciate the support and kindness that you have shown to Jordan, Wendy and me and just wanted to keep you in the loop as we would our "extended family". In brief, I (we) may be away from the boards to care for our immediate family's needs.

It seems in life, "when it rains, it pours" (speaking on behalf of Jordan's concerns, Wendy's dad's health concerns, Wendy's second cousin's recent diagnosis of lymphoma, a family friend's diagnosis of liver cancer, etc., etc.).

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement.

Derek, Wendy, Jordy, I feel I can speak for all the amazing big hearted people on here when I say....We love you and the support is never ending. What ever you need, when ever you need it.

Chapter 28. Hodgepodge.

So....here's the laundry list of stuff that's been going on the last few weeks:

Putting my resume together. I am not sure at this point whether I'd return to my position at church in 6 months. No one who I know out here seems to think that would be a good idea, but you never know. However, I am pulling the cobwebs off the old resume and updating it. I am looking into restaurant mgmt again. I found myself missing it alot over the last few years.

Getting temporary work. I used to clean houses for a living (I love cleaning). So it was easy to get on the horn and drum up a little business. I have 4 regular clients lined up already. I could easily do this for awhile if I needed to. Plus, it would allow me the flexibility to continue my recovery and healing process.

Looking into treatment/recovery programs. Dang it if recovery programs aren't expensive. Trying to find one that fits my needs and is affordable has been tough. However, today I found one online that's 15 minutes from my house. I am waiting for my "team" of people from church to verify that it's a reputable organization and maybe I'll go for it.

Struggling to make it through each day. It hasn't been easy. The last 2 years at church has burned me out and really sent me back to old ways. Ways that i thought were long gone. It is discouraging to know that I've not gotten past the past and for crying out loud, I'm 48! I'm not getting any younger. I thank you all for your continuing support and prayer. Please continue praying for me as this last week was especially difficult.

Dealing with family illness. I'm sure most of you have already read Derek's update, but Wendy's dad is in critical condition and in the hospital. He has cancer, but had some sort of infection in his intestines and went sepsis. His one remaining kidney failed and he also had internal bleeding. It didn't look good, but he seems to be out of the woods for now. He is on dialysys and it seems to be cleaning the fluid out of his body/lungs etc. It's been tough on the family. My mom has been taking it hard as Wendy's dad is her baby brother.

Learning life lessons. Did you know you can eat a meal for under 3.00? Del Taco- a burrito and 3 tacos!!!! So you now know what my diet has been and what smells are emanating from my posterior regions.

Anyways...I will try to get an update up within the next few days, but am not making any promises...

Love to all of you!!!!!!!!

Click here for next installment

My love right back to you, I know it's strange to say this to someone I haven't met, but I feel truly connected to you brother. Stay strong, stop beating up on yourself for back sliding some, you have a lot to over come and until those spiritual roots are taken out the weeds from the past will fester and stay there. Words to live by trust me....I know what I speak of, we'll have to sit and talk some time. I think your doing a great job, God isn't so concerned with your sins as much as He's concerned with YOU the you He created....just remember that. Christ's life offering covers the yuck so He can see the real you Jordy (not the Jordy the enemy is trying to convince you, you are), walk in knowing that while you go through the ups and downs of healing. He's a BIG, BIG, BIG God, and He can handle anything you've done, thought about doing or have yet to think about doing. OK? Just let the other carp go and just deal with today, only today.

Jordan - glad to see you working through everything. If everyone around you thinks going back to the church may not be the best idea, they may right.
This may be the time to be a little selfish on your part and find something that gives you what you need without demanding you give more to get it.

Right now if cleaning houses give you that - great- you get the satisfaction of seeing your efforts recognized and none of dust mind being told where to go and what to do.

I think you are doing a great thing right now and I know you will find the answers you are seeking.

I'll ditto this.

Thanks for all the kind words. I love you guys more than u will ever know.

It honestly goes both ways my friend.