Tag Archives: family

How Modern Technology Can Help Us Care for Others

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Many of you simply care for your spouse and children and for others who may be living in your homes. Some of you are caring for elderly parents either in your home or theirs. Many are trying to manage the needs of a large family while working a full-time job.

How do you stay in touch with all of this? Do you have all the medical papers needed for each individual should a crisis arise? Do you have easy access to medicine lists, doctors’ numbers, and other vital information? Could someone else find the information if you were unavailable?

If you have a child with specific allergies or needs, do others in your family know what their needs are?

My brother faithfully called me from out of state every single week to ask about Mother’s condition and her needs.  I did well to tell him how she was that very day. Later I would recall information he needed but I had failed to tell him.

I’ve been exploring some ideas that may be helpful for you.  In doing so, I look for inexpensive to free and programs or items that are easy to use and understand (in other words, something even I could manage easily!)

In my next letter I will be sharing one of the best products I have seen for managing information for the entire family in one place. Be thinking now of those who may need this information and be on the lookout for Caring from the Heart next week.

Hugs,

Encourage a friend to sign up for the newsletter. Help is on its way! Also,  a copy of MY MOTHER MY CHILD would make a great Mother’s Day gift for any age.

Caregiver Parent Friend Change Will Come

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Tiny white snowdrops have pushed their way through the dead leaves to greet winter’s end. Two chattering wrens perch on the banister as if considering where to make a nest and a family of grey squirrels frolic in the trees.

As I write this it is sixty degrees here in the Ozarks–soft breezes call me outside. Yet it’s not winter’s end and a blizzard is forecast for the weekend with frigid temperatures and snow and ice.

Change – it is inevitable although usually not so drastic, or is it? Have you faced unforeseen changes in your life in the past year? Are you aware of some changes you will have to make this year in order to care for your family or others?

Many of you have been called to step in and help in areas you felt ill-equipped for and yet have done a great job. Others perhaps have had your schedules changed due to work, illness, or other issues. Sometimes change can be hard.

As sure as there is a God in heaven, the flowers will bloom again; the birds will find a home; and we, too, will find our places in the scheme of things. In thinking of  your changes (past and future) pause to find something praiseworthy and give thanks for those.

It’s easy for me today. I simply pause, breathe deeply, and give God thanks for each of you reading this letter. I am so thankful we have a few minutes together. I pray that this year I can offer real hope and helps to you as you care for others.

I continue to learn of exciting avenues to explore and plan to share new ideas each month. You know, I would love to hear from you as well. What do you need me to do for you? What changes are you facing?

Remember to find good thoughts to focus upon and trust the One Who holds you in His hand.

Hugs,

Have you read my book, MY MOTHER MY CHILD? Filled with helps and hope, it’s a great gift to pass along to someone.

 

Help for Your New Year

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Are you a goal setter? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What do you plan to achieve for you and your family in the coming year?

I have a challenge for you; join me in making this our best year ever. No matter how busy, stressed or worn out we are, we can do this!

Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “Susie, I just hope to get through one more day with a little sanity left. I am not really ready to look at an entire year before me. I’m bone tired, worn out, and physically and mentally empty. I cannot think of making a resolution for next year!”

Maybe, like me, you watch the news and wonder how anyone will make it. We can so easily get weighed down with our daily struggles and the cares of this world there seems no way out.

Consider joining me this year on a journey. We will set one personal resolution (goal) we can keep for the entire year. I promise this simple goal can change your life, give you a new perspective,  ease your burdens and lighten your load.

Here is the deal. My one major goal this year is taken from God’s Word in Philippians chapter 4 (paraphrase):

“…fix your thoughts on what is honorable – right – pure – lovely – admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let’s not plan to change our doing, let’s work on changing our thinking, one day at a time. For me, as my thoughts head for old familiar territory-I Can’t Hill, They Won’t Road, Trouble’s Coming Village, We’ll Never Make It Curve,  I will fix my thoughts on lovely, pure, good things. I will look into the mirror and smile at myself until I laugh out loud at that silly woman staring back. I will hug someone nearby or call a friend or simply raise my hands high and breathe deeply as I sing aloud.

Yes, precious friend, I will have other goals. I have to make them for my work and for my family and for me. However, this one goal will be my priority and all else will follow.

Let me hear from you. We can make this a great year.

Hugs,

Idea: Get a friend to sign up for the newsletter and encourage each other this year.  Check the box at the top right of the page.