The New Norm...

I started the new year off by saying...

"This year, I want to remember to stop  smell the roses and not take life for granted. I want to be happier and make those around me happy. But most of all, I want to be who God wants me to be. I want to do, what God is calling me to do. I want to go, WHEREVER He leads. I want the abundant life He has set for me. The good, the bad and the ugly."

Wow! What a month it has been. It has been full of surprises and changes. On January 3rd my papaw fell and cracked his knee cap and broke his wrist. That was just the beginning of what was about to become my "new norm". 

My papaw has been through a lot medically (another post, another time). Each time he has bounced back more then we could imagine. We expected the same this time but it hasn't happened. We had to come to the realization that "the time" has come. For as long as I can remember my grandparents have told me that "when the time came that they could no longer care for themselves they wanted to go to the nursing home." Well that reality came true this week. This past Tuesday, my papaw was placed in the nursing home. 

As I type this, I sit in the hospital with my nanny. She just had shoulder surgery. Now it's time to get her recovered.

My "new norm" this month has become caring even more for my grandparents. I have traveled the roads from Alabama to Tennessee several time. I'm learning the in's and out's of Medicaid and Medicare. I've helped plan both of their funerals. I've taken over their finances and  learned what it mean to have to Spend Down.

I'm not complaining. I'm so thankful that I'm in the position to do it. I'm thankful to have a supportive husband who is understanding and freely gives his wife to go. I asked God to grow me. I asked God to send and use me "wherever". I just didn't imagine it would start here. 

Earlier this week, a sweet lady told me that things would get easier once I accepted my new norm. So that's what I'm doing. My place of ministry for this season is with my grandparents. I accept it FULLY! I know God is going to use me and teach me so much more. I want to be FULL of Him and what He has for me.

~Kandice