"Be Still...

and Know that I am God"

Psalms 46:10

Our Story...

...The road God has us on...

This is the story of learning patience, peace, and Serenity…”Be still and Know that I am God”...

We are the Anderson’s…Tim & Viva. We met while in Bible College in 1980, and were married in 1981…the years that followed became “life” as we knew it…children, work, busy days, everyday life…that filled the months and years…

Then, on January 26, 2001 - on our way home 10 pm at night, while stopped at a red light, in the middle of a conversation neither of us can recall, our world was turned upside down. Within a time span of a few seconds we became a statistic. A drunk driver had passed out with his foot wedged on the gas pedal – smashing into the back of our car…a total of three times…being rammed from behind on each hit. The car was “broken” almost in half…with both the back and front bumpers touching the ground.

(Tim writes) Within minutes the paramedics were on the scene. Viva readily climbed out a broken window but it took me a long time to get myself out of the car, I was pretty banged up. When I did get out, we held each other…then I collapsed, with Viva’s arms around me. Apparently it was more than just bumps and bruises. The ambulance ride was unbearable…as you see, I also have a low back disease, where the spinal fluid seeps out from in between the discs; and to be transported I was strapped to the back board. I was finally able to convince the paramedics to un-strap my legs, and allow me to bend my knees…

Over the next few years and after countless doctor visits we had an understanding what we were fighting. I have a torn spinal cord and occipital nerve damage in my head. Together, we have experienced what a spinal cord injury of this type is: memory loss, hearing loss, decrease in eye–hand coordination, walking into door frames and corners, long pauses in conversation, incredible and indescribable pain from sunlight and noise, depression, mourning the loss of “normal”, loss of income, feelings of complete worthlessness.

(Viva writes) Twice, Tim has gone thru the pain management program at Sister Kenney Institute. It was there, on his second visit, that his creativity found its way to the surface once again, and he started to paint. We believed the pieces to this “life puzzle” would finally come together, and we could get back to normal…but the puzzle pieces didn’t connect like we had thought…instead, we finally asked, “Maybe God doesn’t want us on our old road of life”….thus began life on our new road!

(Tim writes) The Lord began a good work in me. I started to see a different message in the passage, “Be still and know that I am God!” For years, the words “I am God!” rang loud and clear. All of a sudden “Be still!” took center stage.  Slowly, Minnesota Serenity became a reality. I could use my creativity and talents to glorify God, by creating unique and one-of-a-kind gifts.

(Viva writes) The years since the accident have passed – counted by ten! Our children have grown, graduated, one has married, grandchildren, college, careers…life continues…and we have started using the word “retired” instead of “disabled” for Tim. We have learned to accept as “normal” the continued slow thinking process, memory loss, and long pauses in conversation. What often times comes out after a long pause is HUMOR! And we laugh! Oh my…we could tell stories!

People often ask if I too was injured in the accident. The answer is yes; my injuries were not as extensive or profound as Tim’s. It took me about one year to return to my new normal. I am blessed to have the energies to work, and God has opened up doors to work several jobs (up to seven at once!) that can all be scheduled around each other. I also continue with therapies that help me maintain the level of living that God allows.

This has not been an easy road by any means. God continues to be faithful, and He continues to remind us, “Be Still…and KNOW that I am God”.