Early Christmas in the Dorm

If you look closely you can see some stockings hanging on the shelves, and a Christmas tree on top.

Earlier tonight was the OPE Christmas party. We all wore ridiculous Christmas sweaters and exchanged "white elephant gifts." Thankfully I ended up with about 2 pounds of Good & Plenty candy. They sure tasted good, (I'm only kidding, I didn't eat them all).

I would consider this a decent gift considering some people receive gifts such as Playdough, a cassette tape of Elvis, or a bottle of hair bleach with a can of pork and beans. It's always a good time with OPE. We hung out for a while, after the gift exchange, as the group slowly dispersed.

Oh, and there was also food to eat. This is a fact, that although common, should never be unappreciated.

Live it up!

I am going to post about my semester in a few days, after I get home.

Ephesians 5:15-17: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

How many times have you heard the concept of "you only live once," as being synonymous with living recklessly? Just live your life and party everyday! No, that would be unwise. If we only live once, then life should not be wasted in a dizziness of regret or self-pity. The only fulfillment in life is to actively live for God. I used to have in my mind that wisdom was an unattainable concept. I was wrong, wisdom is possible, and it is practical. James McDonald from Walk in the Word gives a great definition of wisdom: "Making the best choice with the best result in every situation." I want to be making the best godly choices, and then they will become easier to make.

College Football

Congratulations to the Crimson Tide and Longhorns. They will play each other in the BCS championship game. I'm sure many are disappointed the Florida Gators did not win, because they are Tim Tebow fans. Tebow is a committed Christian and he writes bible verse references on his eye black for each game. Did anyone see which one he wrote? It was John ? :33, but I didn't catch the chapter.

Today I played a strategy board game called Settlers of Catan. I lost as usual, but it was still fun.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

-Dan

A little bit... more often

Hey this is Dan! I want to start writing some short posts on a consistent basis. I recognize that when this blog started it was to inform everyone what was happening in my physical life. I will continue to update what I'm doing in life but also what I am learning in life. I may post one sentence or multiple paragraphs. I want you to keep in mind it is my desire that everything I say and do is not for myself, but for the glory of God.

This is a quote by John Piper from his book entitled Desiring God: "I know of no other way to triumph over sin long-term, than to gain a distaste for it, because of a superior satisfaction in God.”

2 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ

-Dan

Friday Feasts

This may be the easy way out to do the blog, but Jen recent visit just reminded me of a weekly food gathering in Dan's dorm that had not been blogged about yet. Read what she has to say about Friday Feasts [as I call them] They are a great time to eat good food, strengthen friendships, AND doubles as a healthy result for Dan. He has had lower over all BP since he started cutting back on sodium and eating "dorm" cooked meals.

A very big THANKS to Sarah S., who heads up Dan's food team. Thanks to Ben who connected Sarah and Dan. Also, thanks to Anthony M, the Lawlor RA who has made some excellent "momma mia" meals on Tuesday nights. All of these meals are to die for, but are by invitation only.

Pricilla and Sarah [in the back] prepare one of the first Friday Feast meals.

Jen's Blog

Meet The Guys

It time to meet the core guys that help Dan.

All of them are full time students at Cedarville. All are OPE guys. All have arranged their class schedules to clear 1 or 2 days each week to help out Dan. They also cover Saturdays and Sundays every 4 weeks. All of them were involved with Dan's care [usually an overnight guy] last year. Pretty AMAZING group, you must agree.

Listed below is the following information - Name, Hometown, Year in college, Degree, Something about themselves. A comment from me, Bill.

Ben Roose - Tustin, MI - Senior, Biology [headed to medical school]

"I'm #2 in a set of twins, like Dan." [It's a twin thing.]

Ben comes from a home where both parents are doctors, was home schooled, excels in anything he thinks about, looks at, or touches. Ben is invaluable with his astute medical logic, and seems to be the "go to guy " for many medical issues with Dan. AND is excelling in his culinary skills.

Brad Colas - Vestal, NY - Senior, Criminal Justice,
"I enjoy watching Shark Week"

Brad, a "Just the facts" kind of guy, has great organizational skills and was instrumental with Dan's complex care schedule. Brad is the Cheif Justice for the CU student court. He is also a Cedarville EMT, never turns down food, and has an energetic spirit.

Dale - Education,
"My passion is to teach others in this world."

Dale will definitely make teahing come alive, as he has just started his student teaching. Shy at first meet, but full of intriguing stories.

Kyle Lowry - Allegan, MI - Senior, Psychology
"I enjoy hiking, spending time outdoors, you know ... manly stuff."

Kyle goes way back to Dan's Lawler dorm days. He is a true faithful friend, has a heart of compassion and quiet spirit. He has stepped in for Dale, who is now student teaching.

Uphold all of these great guys in your prayers when you think of or CheckinonDan.

CU Fall '09

Well, Dan's senior year at Cedarville, has started off with a whirlwind of activity.

Bill here -- cannot believe that I have been here for 2 weeks already. The first week was filled with OH Care Program for the nurses and the care guys, then training with the 5 primary care guys that are staying with Dan 1 -2 days per week, and alternating the weekends.

The start of the school year holds meetings galore with profs, special needs departments, and academics, etc. It was suggested that Dan do a "helps" table in the student center, so an email including the previous blog post went out to the entire faculty, staff and student body. To date, this has generated an additional 45 responses, making it a total of 66 students who are helping Dan. They were put into the categories of Care Guys, Nurses, Academics/Hang Out, Food, PT & eStim, Laundry/Cleaning and the Overnight Guys.

Thanks to the students who have volunteered and are giving generously of their time.

Special thanks to Barb, mom of CU student Emily, who has been invaluable to all of us. Holding classes for the many new PA's of Dan and Emily. Things like how to fill out forms, what supporting documents to submit , getting binder/log books in order to chart your day's care, 29 pages of documents, first aid tests, background checks, etc. and the list goes on and on. I could NOT have done all this time consuming work by myself, let alone for 5 of Dan's primary care guys and nurses. She has a well oiled system in place, and we are learning each day from her experience. THANK YOU BARB!!

Dan has had a few good weeks, getting acquainted with old friends and new ones. He was having high blood pressure issues and is currently tracking his sodium level as a possible cause. His studies are progressing well, both in classroom and online.

I am having difficulties uploading photos from my phone/camera. Stay tuned.