Alzheimers and Family Team Work

💔This past week has been one of those sacred, stretching seasons for our family.💔

My mother-in-love, who is in the advanced stages of dementia, was taken to the ER and admitted to the hospital last Sunday. We were blessed to be able to bring her back home on Monday evening.

We are continuing to make adjustments as her needs increase and her condition declines.

Dementia is such a cruel disease—it slowly takes memories, cognition, and independence, abilities, & even self esteem, while the heart of the person we love is still there.

It requires constant surrender, patience, supervision, and moment-by-moment grace.

This photo captures something incredibly meaningful… she is surrounded by her two remaining living children after losing her daughter a few years ago.

That alone carries so much weight and tenderness.

Watching my husband Steve and his brother come together in this season to care for their mom has been both heartbreaking and beautiful.

Both these men love their mom so deeply, and it’s not easy to watch her decline.

My husband, Steve, takes care of her in the most beautiful, loving way that it makes me love him all the more.

I am so grateful that we are able to have her home with us—to love her, care for her, and walk with her through these final chapters with dignity and compassion.

It truly takes a family. My daughters have stepped in in the most beautiful ways, helping care for her when Steve and I are working. Watching them love her so gently has touched my heart more than words can express. How they have sacrificed, learned, & sought to understand when she's not herself. 

My daughters, my grandson, Steve, his brother, and I—have come together as a team to make sure she is surrounded with love and the best care possible.

Her sister, brother in law, granddaughter, grandson, & others have contributed by visiting & calling her to show her love & give her additional companionship.

Even in the midst of the hard, God gives us glimpses of His goodness.

After a very rough day earlier that day, we gathered together Friday night—laughing, sharing a meal, playing a game, hugging, praying, and simply loving on her. She was so happy just being surrounded by us all but especially her two sons enjoying time together with her.

That night, she went to sleep with a peace and joy that brought me to tears. I found myself praising the Lord, overwhelmed with gratitude, and falling asleep praying… crying at what God has done and is still doing in the middle of this.😴🥱

Moments like that are a reminder that:

 Love still reaches them

 Presence still matters

 Connection is never wasted

For anyone who has walked or is walking this road, you understand—this is both sacred and heartbreaking.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” – Psalm 23:4

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” – Psalm 91:4

If you’ve noticed I’ve been a little quieter on social media, this is why. Between work and this season of caregiving, I’ve had to step back a bit from some of my other ministries & even cut back on work for now.

When I’m not working, I’m trying my best to be fully present with our family and helping manage her care the best I can. Sleep is often interrupted & often, I'm unable to even get back to sleep for hours. Not being able to do caffeine doesn't help. 

This season is teaching us all even more about love, patience, understanding, sacrifice, teamwork, grace, honoring a woman who worked so hard, & what truly matters.

We would deeply appreciate your prayers—for peace, strength, wisdom, rest, sleep, comfort, and for her to feel surrounded by love every single day.

Thank you for walking with us in this season. 🤍