prayers for strength, healing, and peace.

Sorry, folks, this one isn't so much about Lance.
He is still doing great, and he is still in Kentucky. We are playing the game of waiting on a bed and insurance approval at the same time. Last week in therapy, he was able to go from a sitting position to standing, while only holding on to the parallel bars, 10 times. So, yep he is getting stronger all the time.

Because many friends, family, and even strangers read this blog, I'm asking you to say some prayers for some friends of mine.

My friend's daughter, Autumn will be having surgery tomorrow (Feb 7th) at Cincinnati Children's. Its going to be a complicated procedure. Comfort is needed for her sweet momma and the rest of her family.

A lady that use to work at the hospital with me, lost her daughter over the weekend. Another one of my very good friends is living a nightmare that I was so close to living myself, 14 months ago. She lost her brother in a car accident yesterday.

These three ladies, who I adore are facing scary times this week.  So, as you go about your busy life and take a minute to scan this blog, please say a prayer for each of them.
Also, count your blessings and hold them tight.

Thank ya
-Chelcee

Shepherd? Sure!

On February 17th, Lance traveled from the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to dad's house in Vanceburg. That was almost a year ago. His doctors, nurses and therapists didn't say goodbye when he left, they said we will see you later. They all had high hopes and expectations, as did we, that Lance would continue to make huge strides in physical and cognitive development. And would someday be able to go back to the Shepherd Center for an intense therapy program. 


Throughout this past year Lance has been to Cardinal Hill, in-patient and outpatient, receiving therapy. As well as, Kings Daughters Outpatient Center. They have all been excellent in helping Lance work to regain strength in every aspect. Lance's normal week involves him being on the road for more than 13 hours just to travel to and from therapy sessions, so it was time to look into a program where he wouldn't have to travel but could still get the hard work-out that we know he needs, and wants. 


So, insurance and bed availability pending... Lance is on his way back to the Shepherd Center!
We are so excited to see the nurses and therapists that helped Lance and us make it through those first very critical weeks of rehabilitation. We don't have the specifics yet, still many things to work out, but chances are he will be heading south within the next 2 weeks. As soon as we know the details, we will let everyone know. 
Hopefully, Atlanta offers some warmer weather, or at least some more consistent weather :)


-Chelcee

Happy 2012!

It's been a little over a year since we started blogging. For a long time, we didn't upload pictures. We shared stories, some probably made you laugh, some made you cry. 

However, a picture is worth a thousand words and as most of you know, my busy schedule has doubled this month, so here ya go:

My dad and Lance have been boxing each other. This helps Lance work on his arm extension as well as his aim, as he moves his fist towards my dad's face. or mine. Perhaps not the best form of therapy. 

Sarah, Brock's girlfriend, got Lance a pair of boxing gloves for Christmas. 

great fun :)

For as long as I can remember, Lance has been involved in the music for the Christmas church service. This year he wasn't playing, but he sang in the choir. 

:)

Lance goes to Ashland and Lexington every week. He is in the wheelchair and strapped in seven different ways inside the van. Back in the fall, my dad took him for a ride in the convertible. His second ride was in my car on Christmas day from mom's house to dad's house. 

:)

He is determined. He is so very strong. Here he's standing, balancing himself by holding on to the parallel bar and stretching, just like Ami and Susan tell him to. 

Leslie was really sad she missed work this day! 

Happy 2012 Everyone! 

Miracles Happen! 

every. single. day

Our Papaw, John Fleming, is in his new home.

Most of you know, our papaw John passed away this past Saturday and as my Aunt Christa said, he is in his new home, moved in at 7:36 with a clean bill of health and a brand new body.
We will miss him greatly.

John Fleming O'Cull moved on to his eternal reward on Dec. 10, 2011, surrounded by family, which he cherished.

He is survived by his wife Lois Marlene (White) O'Cull; they were married July 16, 1952. They have three children: John D. O'Cull (wife-Eugena) of Vanceburg, Christa Beth Little of Tollesboro, and Kimberly Sparks of Maysville. They have been actively involved in the lives of their six grandchildren: Chelcee, Lance, and Brock O'Cull and Bethany, Shelby, and Lucas Sparks. Step-grandchildren are Shauna (Larry) Spencer and Deah (Chris) Dunaway. Great-grandchildren include Maddie and Peyton Spencer, and Noah and Grant Dunaway.

His final breath, in this life, occurred in the Tollesboro home he and Marlene had occupied since Christmas 1953. This was also the home of his childhood - having been reared there by grandparents Leander and Matilda Applegate Trumbo, as well as his father, Charles Barnes O'Cull. This history unfolded because John's mother, Elizabeth Trumbo O'Cull, died three weeks following his birth on Dec. 27, 1928. Charlie Barnes remarried Virginia McCarrihan. She then was step-mother to John, and later grandmother to John and Marlene's children.
After graduating Tollesboro High School, O'Cull continued his education at Morehead Teachers College/Morehead State University where he received his Bachelors and Masters Degree, then a Rank I and Principal Certification. His 42-year career, in the Lewis County Schools included teaching math at Tollesboro High School, then serving as principal of Garrison Elementary (10 years), Lewis County Central (seven years), Tollesboro High (two years), and Tollesboro Elementary (nine years).
John served as elder in the Plumville Church of Christ where he and Marlene have been members since 1998. Previously, he had served in leadership at Tollesboro Christian Church. Additionally, he was a 60-year Mason and was a member of the Tollesboro St. Mary's Lodge No. 240.
Marlene and the rest of the family wish to celebrate John's life, his commitment to God, and his loving kindness during a visitation to be held in the Tollesboro Christian Church on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5-8 p.m.
Services will be the following day at 11 a.m., also at Tollesboro Christian; visitation also Wednesday from 8 a.m. until time of service.
Interment will follow in Lewis County Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lance O'Cull Trust, Bank of Maysville, 20 West Second Street, Maysville, 41056.
Barbour and Son Funeral Home is assisting the family.


Read more: http://maysville-online.com/news/local/obituaries/article_ea2b609e-c728-57ca-acf4-03859bc19b14.html#ixzz1gMJI31hx

Peace....and Strength

2011 Thanksgiving weekend was much different than 2010; I guess we are changed forever as people and events affect change around and in us.  This year, as the weekend ticked by, I could recall most every hour from Thanksgiving last.  There were similarities as well as stark contrasts.  Thanksgiving Day included a visit to my mom and dad's in Tollesboro. Dad is in a battle with colon cancer that has been diagnosed about 3 months.  I have wondered what role the stress that we have endured in the past year has played in dad's disease process.  Lance made this trip; when dad and Lance are together it is interesting to watch.   These two men are much alike in many ways - both are well read and can recall/discuss materials that were reviewed at anytime in their respective pasts.  Both have mathematical minds and love a wide variety of music genres.  Both can make a dollar go farther than the rest of us could imagine.  When Brock is in the room, the three most important men in my life are assembled.  On that day as dad and Lance held hands and gazed into the other's face, I realized that two of the three main men in my life are down.  "Dear Lord, I pray for Your strength."

On Black Friday we had nearly 30 gathered at our house for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was fun, but different than 2010.  Dad didn't feel up to attending, sister Kim stayed with him.  Lance is in a wheelchair; last year he ran 7 miles before we sat sown to eat.  Things change.....sometimes alot in a year....sometimes alot in a second.  During this weekend two of my wonderful boyhood and lifetime friends are hospitalized - Mike Ginn and Bill Barbour.  "God, please send me Your peace."  I need something that passes understanding cause I cannot figure it all out.

On Saturday and Sunday, I spent lots of time with Lance and enjoyed every minute.  The weekend counted down the same as when I drive the road between Vanceburg and Morehead - as the miles click by my heart pounds, as Poe described in the Pit and the Pendulum.  As I got closer and closer to the Sunday evening anniversary of the crash, I figured others could hear the violent pounding in my chest.  I did have one total meltdown on Friday night; it was a time much like old times, with lots of people in the house staying over.   Grandkids were watching movies - Maddie, Noah, and Peyton with Gena and Chelcee - Grant with Brock and Sarah,  Lance was asleep.  I crashed in bed for an hour and a half - laying on a tear-soaked pillow, knowing what blessings and heartbreak really mean.  "Thank you Lord for teaching me so much in the past year - thanks for putting around me people filled with Your love, Your compassion."

Monday, the 28th; this is the actual anniversary of Lance's second life.  On this day I accompany dad for medical consultations in Lexington; it is a long, dark, rainy day and the reports are as dismal as the weather.  Since this day Kim, Luke, Shelby, Christa, Chelcee, Mary, and I have taken turns staying the night with mom and dad.  "Please Lord, Keep reminding me to 'Fear not!'"

On November 29 Lance made his regular pilgramage to Lexington for Lokomat walking therapy.  That night he sat at the kitchen table and ate chili and a grilled cheese sandwich while seated in a regular chair.  This was a first time accomplishment and a huge feat.  For me.......I recall 11-29-10 as I watched his broken and swollen body in a hospital bed.  There was so much equipment I could not even be close to him.  The respirator was inflating his lungs as we, full of fear, watched monitor readings: intercranial pressure, heart rate, blood pressure, so much more that I did not understand.

The following Saturday, Lance had his longest day since the crash.  During the morning hours we listened to LCHS Jazz Band play and attended breakfast with Santa.  During the afternoon Lance visited with Pappaw John, then returned home for standing therapy and a shower.  The evening event was traveling to Morehead to listen to Brock as he and the Celtic Band of the MSU Traditional Music Program performed at hometown holidays.  "Thank you Lord for blessings abundant.  Thank you for this season which commemorates your great gift to mankind - Jesus Christ.  We are forever grateful for the grace He brings....to each of us who accept the gift."

Daniel 10:19 "The angel said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not!  Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!"    The angel, the voice of God is still saying that to me........and to you.

-John

one year ago...

One year ago this very second, I was laying my bed trying to go to sleep. 

My dad was leading worship at Vanceburg Christian Church, so most Saturday nights he would be on the piano, practicing. Since Lance was home for the Thanksgiving weekend, he was going to play the guitar and accompany dad on stage at church the next morning. 

I can't remember what I had done that day, maybe I had been at work. maybe I had just eaten a lot of turkey. Either way, I was tired and wanted to go to bed early. 

As dad was on the piano, Lance was bouncing around playing his guitar. They were playing and singing Days of Elijah. At the end of the song, it says, 'There is no god like Jehovah" and its repeated about 50 times. 

I remember even after dad quit playing the piano, Lance was still playing his guitar right outside my door and quietly singing over and over... there is no god like Jehovah, there is no god like Jehovah, there is no god like Jehovah.... 

he was probably dancing too, knowing Lance. 

Some of you might be shedding a tear, because you think thats the last time I heard my brother play the guitar and sing. It wasn't.

I heard that song again in church the next morning, Lance playing and singing, maybe even with his shoes off... 

And I've heard him sing those words quite a few times the past couple months. He wasn't standing outside my room, but I was standing outside of his. 

we made the paper! 
Counting Their Blessings - Ledger Independent
Misty contacted us about doing a followup story. She had written about his early stages of recovery and then when he went to Atlanta, this time she wanted a picture and to interview Lance. 
I didn't realize we were going to be on the front page, on Thanksgiving morning! anyway, thanks Misty. :)


Lance can write. 
I remember when we were at the Shepherd Center with Lance, I would hand him a marker and hold a dry erase board out, praying that he would take off writing me a note, telling me his every thought, in his small cursive script. He would hold the marker. he would even twirl it like he always did while holding a pen. He would sometimes put the marker on the board, but then... nothing. well, nothing I could understand anyway. Brock got him to hold a pen and make some marks on a paper one evening. What we think were the makings of an L. However, since then, not so much luck on the writing front... until 10 days ago. 
On the Thursday before Thanksgiving, Lance and I were hanging out at the house by ourselves, I usually have a pen stuck in my ponytail, I leaned over to get something off the floor and it fell out on the couch and Lance reached for it. When I handed it to him, he clicked it on, twirled it around, clicked it off. Then, well, I don't know what he did because I ran into the other room, grabbed the small dry erase board, took my pen, handed him a marker and said, write your name. this is what i got:

So, I screamed, took a picture erased it, and told him to write Brock, then O'Cull, then Chelcee, then Dad, then Mom... it was crazy. I was snapping pictures, texting them to everyone. He didn't need any help spelling, that's for sure. Sometimes he tries to write in cursive. And I think we might need a huge dry erase board, because sometimes his perception on how much room he has is a little off. But nonetheless, it was remarkable! 
here are some more:

and this above... is 3.14
I asked him what pi was, so you know, he told me. I wouldn't expect anything less. 




We have some adaptive tools to help him be able to use the computer. Yesterday morning, I asked him if he wanted to sign in to FaceBook. I put the laptop in front of him and he very carefully hit every letter for his username. Sometimes his fingers will move when he doesn't want them to, so he might have hit some extra keys. But he knew exactly where they were placed on the keyboard. I was impressed. 


Also... Lance has been cheesing. A lot. All of my life whenever we had family pictures done, I had to hold my smile until Lance and Brock got their act together. They would make funny faces, make sad faces, hide their faces, hide my face, sometimes it would go on for an extended period of time. Not anymore, Lance is the one that's smiling first. 

Chelcee, Luke, Lance, Brock, Shelby, Bethany

Brock, Grandma Betty, Lexi, Chelcee, Lance, Jazz, Ian, Kaylee

So... its been a year. Its been the longest and shortest year of my life. We have been so busy traveling to and from hospitals, to and from therapy. Busy with work, busy with school. Busy doing whatever will make Lance better. So, yes in a way, its flown by. 

However, when I think back to a year ago when he was singing and moving his arms and legs freely on the small stage... his voice strong, his hand writing definite, his random texts showing up on my phone, his footsteps quick, and his jumps high, those things seem far away in my past, but not so far away in our future. 

-Chelcee

Hey guys... Lance, Brock and I have a very dear friend, Bekah who will be traveling to Haiti in March of next year. I've talked to Lance quite a bit about this and we've decided to help sponsor her trip. It's an adventure that Lance would be love to be embarking on himself. Please read this beautiful letter, maybe you will find it in your heart to help as well.

Dear Family & Friends & Others Who Find Themselves Reading This Letter:

God is good.  My life is nothing but blessed.  From the people I am surrounded by, to the school I attend, to the health that I have, to the material goods that I cherish and use everyday.  I absolutely have no need to complain about a thing.  And I am not.  But there use to be something missing in my life.  

Usually when someone says there is something missing in their life, it is God.  Or a spouse.  Or kids.  God...I have.  Spouse...I do not want yet.  Kids...I do not need yet.  This was something deeper.  It was purpose.  It was passion.  I knew God had me where I was for a reason, but the curiosity was killing me, and I was running out of patience in finding what filled this hole in my heart.  

But that missing thing in my life...I found it two and half years ago.

I found it on filthy streets filled with trash and animals and disgust.  I found it in the eyes of a woman who had no way of feeding her children for the next week until she washed my laundry.  I found it sitting in the middle of a orphanage floor with six toddlers playing with my hair and fighting to sit in my lap.  I found it in a silent moment holding a blind elderly man's hand while rocking in rocking chairs.  I found it standing in a brothel looking around at a group of women who held their children who had lost all hope in their future.  I found it in a small church building listening to a city of people praise a mighty God.  I found my passion in a nation that has the most beautiful people who understand what it is to have nothing, but yet have everything.  

Haiti has a part of my heart.  I have no idea why God decided to send me there in June of 2009, but He did, and I will be forever grateful.  Those ten summer days has changed my life in every way.  My perspective of life...of God...of poverty, is completely different.  That trip hit hard.  I felt guilty, ashamed, stupid, uneducated, lost, and like a complete failure.  How did I not know that people lived like that?  Why did I not have faith like these people?

Even though my first trip made me feel absolutely horrible about myself as a human and as a Christian, I had to go back.  I was addicted.  I had to be around those people.  I had to serve them.  After the earthquake in January of 2010, the opportunity arose for a group of us to return in March.  Again Haiti stole more of my heart and I learned more about myself and my God.  After returning once again, I found myself thinking of the country and its people more than I already had before.  They had become my friends.  I was ready to go back and this past March, I did for the third time.

I have been to Haiti three times and I fall deeper in love each time I travel there.  God has taught me about joy, service, and hope - three words I hear everyday here in the States, but have never truly experienced until I walked on the soil of Haiti.  Those people know what it is to have joy when you have nothing else.  They understand that we are called to serve even when you have nothing to offer.  And the Haitians have hope when they have no reason to.  

Here is the point - I love my God.  I love Haiti.  And I will return to serve His people there as many times as He allows.  

In March of 2012, I plan on returning to St. Louis du Nord, Haiti for a fourth time  I am so excited to be able to once again see God's work being done in this Fourth World country.

Not only am I traveling along with a group, but this time I am leading the group.  Yes, I am super excited about this opportunity to lead 34 people on a trip that will completely change their life, but I am also super nervous.  I am beyond humbled and shocked that God is using me to help this group of young people have the opportunity to see what breaks His heart.  It is a huge responsibility, however I know God is going to be with me every step of the way.  

So the bad part - this trip is going to cost $2,136.  Additionally, my trip must be paid off by mid-January.  Yes...that number is big.  But my God is bigger.  And I have seen Him work in some amazing ways to provide and I have no doubt after three different times of having to raise a similar amount, that He will come through in what seems a small amount of time.  

Here is where you come in.  I need help.  I do not have this kind of money.  However, I have been told to return to Haiti once again to serve and to lead a group of people that God has put together to do work for His Kingdom.  I cannot argue with that.  So I very humbly ask that if you can financially support my upcoming trip in any way, I would be beyond grateful.  

I know that not everyone can travel to Haiti...or Africa...or New Zealand...and not all of us need to.  There is mission work that needs to be done right here in our own towns in the United States.  But God's children is not limited to our borders.  Some of us are called to other countries and I have no doubt that I am one of those people.  But I cannot do it alone.  I also know that God uses people like you to help spread His love and HIs truth through your finances. 

If you feel led to help support my trip, you may make a check out to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission.  By making your check our to this mission, your gift is tax deductible.  Please send your check to:

Rebekah Bryant

1828 Foxport Road

Wallingford, KY 41093

I must ask of one other favor.  Please keep Haiti, Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, my group, and myself in your prayers.  God is sovereign and He listens when His people lift their voices.

If you have any questions, or would like more information about my trip or Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, please feel free to email me at rbryant@kcu.edu or you can go to their website at www.nwhcm.org

For Him,

Rebekah Bryant 

thankful

I know we haven't been very good at updating this blog lately and for that, I apologize. 


Dad has gone back to seeing patients at least 3 days a week, Brock has been super busy with school and playing in any musical group he can. Mom is working longer hours during the week to be able to take off to stay with Lance. Gena is trying to work a day or two mornings. and I'm back in school and working part-time. And sometime, during the week, we all try to go to a therapy visit with Lance. Gene and Helen Hickle have also been accompanying Gena on many trips to Ashland, Lexington, or Flemingsburg. Also, Chris and Deah. Carol Thomas, Charlie Stapleton and Ben. 
**This just in** I just heard that to distract Lance one day when he wasn't feeling good, Charlie sang Michael Jackson's Thriller. We have great friends. :)


Lance was traveling to Fleming County Hospital for antibiotic therapy to treat a kidney infection, every day for the last 10 days. Since he has finished that treatment, he has made great strides in his cognition and muscle tone. The therapist at Cardinal Hill have been impressed with his continuous hard work of the right leg, while on the lokomat. And more recently, the beautiful firing of the muscles in the left leg! 
Also, Lance has been eating more and more in the past couple of months, and its a good thing, since his feeding tube fell out one day last week. It was been placed back in March, and it seems the bulb had disintegrated. So, we are very thankful for all the beans and cornbread that he has eaten lately!


In other news, my papaw John was diagnosed with cancer around a month ago. After multiple doctors visits, scans, lab work, etc, they decided to start radiation last week. They estimated do to about 25 radiation treatments, then let him rest for approximately 5 weeks, followed by surgery to remove the tumor in the colon. Then, they will re-evaluate and see what's next. Papaw was feeling pretty rough over the weekend. The trips to Lexington have left him tired and weak. They decided to admit him to Fleming County Hospital a couple days ago for pain management and antibiotics. I've been with him all day and He looks better to me than he has in a week. He appears stronger and is, as usual, cracking his hilarious jokes. Probably will be discharged to home tomorrow and he hopes to start back to radiation treatments early next week. 


I know we say this a lot, but our entire family is so very thankful for every single thing our extended family, neighbors, friends and community have done for us. So many people have been so supportive in helping my grandparents get to doctor appointments, bringing them food (which is big since my Grandma is ALWAYS cooking) and even mowing the yard. 
Since the first day of November, everyday, I've been uploading something that I'm thankful for to a facebook album. The way its looking, I may not be able to end at the end of the month. We have so many things to be thankful for.  
My family. we call, we text, we facebook, whatever it takes to get to each other fast and efficient. I'm thankful to have the dad that I have, the mom that I have and the stepmom that I have and the baby brother I have. Together, we have been able to care for Lance almost 24/7. He hasn't been left alone for almost a year. Which brings me to my next thing to be thankful for... Lance. He is alive! He has been one of the most inspirational people in my life. Through all of the therapy, the trips to and from, the admissions, the stretching, the paperwork, the questioning... Lance doesn't act aggravated, he doesn't appear to be mad. He may give us a questionable look every now and then, but for the most part he is very compliant. I think about that whenever I'm complaining about something silly. 


> Chelcee's Thankful album < Here is the link for the album, if you want to look at it. but its not finished yet. 


Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

if only i had an app for this...

I think if I had an app for this blog, I could update on a more timely manner. Or maybe Lance needs a twitter, would you follow him? Hmm, he might not like that.
Ok, anyway, we haven't updated in over a month, lets see... what all has happened.
Lance spend a whole month at Cardinal Hill. He was able to walk on the lokomat two or three times a week. Lisa, the therapist that helps him with that was able to make great strides this time in the flexion of his left knee. Physical therapy and occupational therapy (Kelly and Deanna) were working with him on a daily basis, stretching his muscles and helping him with daily activities. Gretchen cleared him for eating! Lance can now eat almost anything. We started with soft, moist foods. However, he can chew most anything. In fact, he has been eating so well, that we no longer have to give him the 7 cans of tube feeding every day through the tube in his stomach. He is down to only 2 cans. Lance was discharged from Cardinal Hill last Friday. Since then he has been eating lots of homecooked meals. Vegetable soup, brown beans and cornbread, meatloaf, etc.... I would say that we will be taking the last 2 cans of tube feeding away soon. He is also taking all of his pills by mouth now :)
Lance has stepped up his singing game quite a bit lately. I can youtube any song I can think of and he can sing it to me. Born to be Wild, Bennie and the Jets, Boy Named Sue. It doesn't matter, he knows the words and sings right along.
We went to church this past Sunday and he sang to all of those songs as well.
Since he is back home, we are back to trips almost everyday. Which is tiring but very helpful for Lance.

So, things are going well. Thanks to everyone who sent me gentle reminders that no one had posted anything in weeks. We appreciate ALL of you sooooo much!

Back to Lex and Cardinal Hill, Here We Go, Go, Go

Lance has relocated; he is back in Lexington - at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital.  This time it is clearly a progressive move for him, one that was recommended by Dr. Salles and the outpatient therapists from King's Daughters and Cardinal Hill.  They feel that he has the energy to endure three hours of therapy per day and make some gains.  We enjoy him being home, seeing him everyday, and just serving as his family and friend......but we know this is the next step, and a necessary one for him to recover.  We continue to trust and wait on God - just wondering what He has in store for us, how he intends to use Lance for His glory.

We witnessed the Cardinal Hill expansion project as it was nearing completion while here from early May through July.  Now we are occupants of the new wing - in fact the first to use room #212, as this unit was just opened yesterday.  As would be the case, there are many kinks to be worked out in the addition; in spite of that, it is very nice and has many amenities that should make it good for him.  We have enjoyed renewing acquaintance with friends made during Lance's first stay. He was restless the first night but has had a good day with assessments from occupational(Kim and Joe) and speech therapy(Karen).  During admission we got to see Dr. Nickerson, as well as Kelly - fresh back from her Utah trip.  Also this afternoon we spent a couple of hours outside at our Lexington "tailgate party"(in the Cardinal Hill lot).  As I type this I am listening to the Cats and Cards do battle at Commomwealth Stadium.....and thinking about how Lance would probably have been there, had things been different.  (TV is one of the kinks that I mentioned so I'm tuned into WLAP on my laptop.)

Chelcee and Brock and Sara were able to stop in for visit yesterday.  Also Grandma Marlene, Christa, and Mary Corns .  Lambert Farmer, a friend from Southand Christian, stopped in this afternoon and Jill was here this evening.  So Lance's welcome has been more that adequate and if I know Lance he will quickly adapt to new surroundings.  His attitude has been so pleasant - lots of smiles and today a spontaneous shared humorous moment as he and I worked on lyrics for our new song - a tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.

Daddy says I gotta go to rehab - I say no, no, no
It' not 'cause of drugs; and man is he glad, don't you know, know know
 
Headed back to Lex and Cardinal Hill, here we go, go go
Good nurses there and one is Bill - that we know, know, know

I know they'll work me hard on Monday morn
They say everyday seems like a marathon
Like a Lion, I will try to be brave and strong
Life - with all its tears - is really not too long 
   
Gonna put my faith in God - I know that He will save the day, day ,day
I will keep on trusting Him - all along the way, way, way

-John