Update, Guidelines, etc.

Thank you all for the prayer, meals, visits, and continued support during the past few weeks. The immediate family has all arrived home. Joanne is receiving care for the pain she is experiencing and is working with nurses and health care providers to maintain a stable comfort level. Because of the strain of the pain management, Joanne’s energy level has been low and she continues to be in need of much rest. As a result, in order to allow her ample opportunity to rest, we will need to limit visitation significantly. However, because we know many of you would like to see or speak to Joanne in some way, we have made the following arrangements for visitation. Thank you for working together with us to ensure Joanne gets the rest she needs.

• If you would like to schedule a visit with Joanne, please call the home phone number (781) 329-5227. Please ask to speak to Paul, Anna, or Andrew. If you get the voicemail message, please leave a message in maibox #2, titled “Joanne Juraschek Visitation,” with your name and phone number. You can also send an email to juraschekcare@gmail.com. We will try to find a time as Joanne’s capacity permits. Please know that we will do our best to return your phone call or email as soon as is practical.

• When visiting, please continue to keep the visits short (15 minutes maximum) and to come with an encouraging spirit.

• Also, while Joanne may not be able to see visitors in person, she may be able to speak with you on the phone for a “phone-visit” of sorts. When discussing a time for visitation, this may be a suggested or preferred mode of contact with Joanne. You may also write a note or memory in the online guestbook at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jjuraschek/guestbook. You can also send messages for Joanne and the family to juraschekcare@gmail.com.

Also, in terms of practical support, if you would like to provide a meal, please continue to call Lindy Bernier at (617) 332-6221, and, if you would like to assist with general household needs, please contact Bob Rosser at (617) 875-7478.

Joanne has enjoyed spending time at home with the family. We have shared many sweet moments together including singing hymns and even going to the ocean last Saturday. The Lord has been a constant source of supply, continuing "to do superabundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20).

Thank you all, again, for your prayers and various forms of support. Please continue to pray for the working out of God’s perfect will.

Steps Going Forward

Along with an update on Joanne's current status, here are some general guidelines and information regarding visitation and opportunities to participate in helping the family.

Joanne has been very tired since she came home last week and has been focusing on getting rest. She has been working with the visiting nurse to manage back pain and nausea, while trying to keep her g-tube draining adequately. She has been adjusting to life at home and we all are glad to have her close-by. She enjoys hearing the sounds of the family and has been encouraged through the visits of many friends and fellow believers.

We know that many of you are eager to come to see Joanne or communicate with her in some way. Since it is important that Joanne gets plenty of rest each day, we have tentatively set aside a time between late morning and early afternoon for planned visits. If you would like to visit her, please call Lindy Bernier at 617-332-6221 to set up a time. When coming to be with Joanne, please understand that she may not be able to see you despite your scheduled visit. Also, do your best to keep the visits short and positive—she greatly appreciates your visits and can thoroughly benefit from them if they leave her energized and encouraged. Be sure to come in the Spirit and if possible bring a portion of the Word or a hymn to share with her. 

Also, if you would like to send your greetings or offer your love in some way, please consider sending a card or leaving a note at the online guestbook we have set up at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jjuraschek/guestbook. She is often unable to take phone calls, but we will be certain to pass on your correspondence from these channels to her.

We would like to thank all of you for your caring support of our family during this challenging time. We have certainly sensed the supply of the Body and are grateful to each of you for your prayer and assistance. If you are interested in continuing to help in some capacity, please contact the following saints according to the area of need:

• If you are interested in providing a meal for the family, please contact Lindy Bernier at 617-332-6221.
• If you are interested in assisting in caring for Muriel Kowalski, Joanne's mother, please contact Christine Padgett at 339-225-5589.
• If you are interested in helping the family with practical needs and home maintenance, please contact Bob Rosser at 617-875-7478.

Finally, in lieu of phone calls, if you would like to receive periodic updates on Joanne's status, please send your email address to juraschekupdate@gmail.com. This blog (variedgrace.blogspot.com) will continue to be used primarily for general information and Joanne's personal messages, as she is able to write them.

The Lord is continuing to perfect His grace in our weakness as we abide under the canopy of His love expressed through all the members of His Body. We are resting in the confidence that He remains on the throne in the power of His resurrection life with authority over all things.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support.