MY HERO PHIL RILEY

Bob Schubert and I were both leaders of the Dakota Impact. Bob led evangelism. I led music. Destinies were changed. Epic adventures were experienced. God was glorified. It was an honor to have worked with Bob. The years were 1977 to 1980?

GROWLING AT MAROONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

I'm in the process of catalyzing my son in law into a FEARLESS MAD DOG. I wrote him a note. It turned into a thank you note to my hero Dakota District Superintendent Reverend Phil Riley.

My dear son in law: Reminder: to practice good mental health, always growl at people who are irritating you. This is sometimes alarming to Day shift people or parishioners of large churches. My bosses at large Nazarene churches sheltered me from judgemental critics by calling me a youth pastor. I also had a fierce Shepherdess partner Lynne who would whisper in my ear, make sure I was presentable, and help by remembering everyone's name. District Superintendents put me in small churches and whenever possible, let me loose on the music. My dear friend Phil Riley actually took pity on me and my garish Neru suit, bell bottoms and long poofie California haircut and purchased every pastor a THREE PIECE SUIT, had every pastor send in their measurements to a professional tailor, and also sent each pastor THE BOOK... HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS. In the IMPACT photo you can see Reverend Riley's influence on me. I'm wearing that suit!

I also could play the piano and lead a youth choir on. Rather than using written music, I would teach the kids to learn by ear. My style was a fusion of rock and roll along with Gather style gospel music. Our choir also had a bass guitarist, Ernie Hockey. Ernie also had a set of drums that one of his friends played. The music was compelling, especially when combined with spontaneous testimonies from kids before singing a solo verse backed by the choir on chorus. God gets the credit.

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

Walmart Delivery

I have to make a shopping list for Walmart delivery tomorrow. I couldn't get to sleep till 2 and still woke up at 6:30. I suspect I may not be able to nap today. Gives me plenty of time to get done on my daily projects, including my favorite, taking care of my beautiful bride, Mary. #maddogandqueenmary  #alzheimers #lymphaticdrainage

Here's our latest picture, squinting in the bright sun.

Alzheimer's: Mary Is Improving

 #storytime x3

1. Kitty was in a favorite hiding place. Now she's snoozing next to Mary on the bed.

2. The EMT went down our street but didn't turn into our driveway which means I didn't accidentally hit my Humpty Dumpty emergency call button on my neck like I did when it was on my wrist. Boy, the firemen pound the door loud when they're checking on me! Since I live in Plymouth Indiana the best small town in THE WORLD there was no charge.

3. Mary is retraining herself to use the bathroom. I've never heard of an #alzheimers recovery like hers. #amazinggrace (my version is called Limbo Low Carb/High Fat moderate protein after my gurus Kelly Hogan and Stephanie Person. I've been changing Mary's diet incrementally and going by her A1c, which is down to 6.1. Making some more changes this week. Got a blood test coming up and I'll get back to you with that. Please please don't throw me out even though I'm a wild child because I use you guys for a reference point and I thought you'd be interested in Mary's amazing progress. My two daughters each have a helper so I have someone coming in almost daily and sometimes more to help with cleaning, cooking, while I focus on music therapy for Mary. Yes, I am blessed.

My oldest daughter is now working for me 30 hours a week, a social services plan to keep me out of a nursing home, and Mary also has full service to keep her out of a nursing home, with me as the care giver. Becky likes to cook low carb, which she gets paid to do. We're experimenting with recipes. Mary loves the salmon with cheesie butter sauce. Because of Mary's shortened bowels she tolerates a large amount of soft cheese which settles her tummy. Eggs, sausage patties, chicken salad. I made a fake cheese cake from super eggy French toast, 1/2 brick of cream cheese, and sugar free strawberry jelly. That's her favorite. Chicken salad straight out of a bowl, smoked oysters with a touch of cream every morning... Stephanie Person idea along with pre cooked sausage patties, also Stephanie. I noticed the biggest improvement when we added the smoked oysters, which greatly improved our complexion. I'm 74, she's 73. I think we look good.