Back at the Ranch

We are home.  Hallelujah.  It is good to be here, back where Dad said he wanted to be for the last 3 weeks.
We asked Dad several times if this was still his goal, and he always answered YES. So today, we began the process of getting him home.  Hospice stepped in to help us facilitate the transition and all that had to be done to get him here.  There is no question in my mind, that God hand picked the hospice staff to walk us through this and to care for our Daddy.  Each and every one of them have been so precious, gentle, and caring for Dad, and so kind to us.
We left the hospital this evening, in a caravan, with me leading the way to the ranch, then Dad and Mom in the ambulance transport, followed by all the rest of the siblings.  Some of the other family members; aunts, uncles, cousins, all had left each with a specific job to do, greeting the nurse at the ranch, accepting and helping set up equipment we needed at the house, going by the grocery to get us coffee and creamer for in the morning, you name it, they each had a role.......Team Janszen.
As I looked in my rearview mirror, at the motorcade bringing Dad home, me in the lead, and Tully bringing up the rear, to wrangle in any stragglers, I thanked God for my family.  We are together, we are working as a unit, those in the caravan, and those doing all the other jobs to prepare the house, so we could come home. We are not perfect, we have our flaws, we have our stuff, just like every other family, but I praised God tonight for each and every one of them.  This is our family, the family Dad has had such a huge role and influence on, and I thanked God.


Before we left the hospital, one of our precious nurses, Billy, was asking about our family, and we began to talk about his faith, and our faith.  He asked if we believed in "once saved always saved". I told Mom later I am an idiot in sharing the gospel, I certainly couldn't think of the references, but I started quoting scripture to support why we believed what we believed. Thank goodness it is not up to us to save someone, and it is totally by the grace of God and the working of the Holy Spirit!! Anyway, I think I got nervous and just kept sharing our story of our family, Dad, Jesus, what He did for us on the cross, etc....... I finally asked, if I was just rambling on too much, and he said, "no, I'm a sponge and I am soaking it up." Mom suggested I write down the scriptures for him, so I did, then stuck them in his backpack before we left to go home.  Pray for Billy, who knows the seed that could have been planted because of Dad's suffering.


So what now? We are home, Dad is in his favorite spot in the game room, by the window where he always sat to do his Bible study, and could watch the beautiful sunrise.  Dad is hanging in there, but his body just seems to be doing the best it can, and yet continuing to lose strength.  We are all here, the 4 kids and Mom. Our husbands are holding down the fort at my house with the 7 grandkids.  They will be joining us in the morning.  Everyone has gone to go lay down and try to get a little rest, I am sitting with Dad and the nurse for awhile, and wanted all of you to know you are sitting here with us.  We have felt your prayers, there have been so many moments when it seemed we felt something carrying us through, and it is the Lord.  He is mighty, He is worthy, we love Him so much.


We are not sure what will happen next, but God is in control.  We are going to be together, that I know for sure.  We are so grateful for your understanding during this time for our family to be together and share this very intiment time with Dad. We are so grateful for your love for Dad, and wish all of you could come be with us, but thank you for your understanding as we reserve these moments for family.


I will keep you posted, but right now, he is resting.
We love you all,
JJ