Nope, huh uh, no way - I refuse to believe that it's Labor Day weekend already! I mean, really. How can that be? School just got out yesterday, I'm sure it was just yesterday! My grandma always used to say how the passage of time speeds up as you grow more mature (notice, I didn't say "older"). Now, at the tender age of 66, I know exactly what she meant.
Today was busy. We ran a bunch more town errands, and the phone literally rang off the hook - some serious potential CraigsList buyers, others were just "Lookie-Lou's." My poor brother, who has difficulty with speech (particularly on the phone), just hung in there and struggled through talking with all the callers. Only a couple of times did he ask for my sis or I to take the phone and do the talking. It's SO HARD to watch him struggle to come up with even the simplest of words to make a complete sentence. Although, sometimes he does really well, too.
We even got an email from a guy somewhere in Africa, or some such place, who wanted to send a cashier's check - Blah, blah, blah! Uh huh, sure. Another guy wanted my brother's bank account and routing numbers "so he could deposit a check" to his account for one of the cars listed for sale. Yeah right! They came out of the woodwork! Anyway, to make a long story short, we sold two cars today - one to the guy in Florida, of all things. He bought it sight-unseen from a few photos posted on CraigList and some additional ones we emailed. He wanted pictures of the under-carriage of the car, of all things. I was NOT going to let my ailing brother crawl under a car in this heat, so I just held my camera under the car in several places and pressed the button. Fortunately, my attempts met whatever weird expectation he had, and (after a dozen emails back and forth) he sent payment today via overnight mail to seal the deal.
The guy is having the car shipped to Florida. This whole thing was somewhat of a surprise, since the selling price of the car was hardly more than the cost to ship it to Florida. Whatever floats your boat, I guess. He guy said this car is one he's looked and looked to find. Kinda weird, but oh well... He's tickled and my brother is happy to have the car sold.
We're having a big family get-together tomorrow at my brother's. My neice & nephew are coming (with kids & spouses, etc.). My mom is making a "vat" of her famous potato salad (at my neice's request) and we're having other picnic-type stuff to go with it. We're looking forward to a great day together, in spite of promised triple-digit heat (without A/C).
I've been thinking for the past couple of days - dangerous, I know. Tuesday was my first-born daughter's birthday. Talk about time flying by. She's nearly twice the age I was when she was born, and truly, in many ways it seems like only yesterday. I still remember EVERY detail of her birth and the way I felt when I first looked into that little face when they plopped her up on my chest. I have to believe that the deep love we feel for our loved ones helps us to understand how much God loves us and wants the best for us. I loved that baby girl before she was born, just the way God must love us. At the Beth Moore meetings a few weeks back she kept saying, "God is crazy mad ABOUT you." I'm completely convinced that the love we have for our kids, family and friends is there to help us understand God's love for us - even when things are in an awful mess and we're tempted to wonder where God has gone, it's there. What a comfort that is!
I love you all - thanks for being there!
XOXO
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Psalm 139:13-18
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
"You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and you scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!
"How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!"
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday and counting...
Hi, guys:
Not much to report since my last post. My brother took the second dose of his new chemo medication Tuesday night at bedtime, so we kept a pretty low profile yesterday so he could rest. Actually, we were pretty surprised - and happily so, that the medication didn't cause any terribly negative side effects (extreme fatigue, mostly). However, we just hung around the house most of the day and concentrated on trying to stay cool - it was 99! In fact, my sis' car thermometer registered the outside temp at 105 just before 4 p.m. on a quick trip down the hill to mail a birthday card. These three old northwest gals are really feeling the heat! Our bedroom never cooled below 80 degrees all night, and today is even hotter than yesterday. Whew!
In the morning yesterday (before it got too hot), my sis & I vacuumed and cleaned out one of the cars my brother is selling. We were going to wash it too, but it got just way too hot before we could get at it. My dad always said you should never wash a car in the sun or in the heat of the day. So, what could we do? You have to follow your Dad's advice, right?
This morning I got a couple of additional items posted for sale on CraigsList, and added some photos to a couple of existing ads. My sister has the phone growing out of her ear because of spending tons of time on the phone bird-dogging the local Kaiser office people. She is trying to get some necessary documentation for Aflac to pay a pending high-dollar insurance claim for more than a year's worth of my brother's chemo treatments. It gets complicated dealing with Kaiser because of the way they charge (or don't charge) for their services. She has gotten the royal run-around on this claim since the beginning of April - it's getting ridiculous! (You gotta love insurance stuff!)
It's getting interesting with these CraigsList ads. We're getting responses on a couple of the cars (we have 7 vehicles listed) from as far away as New York and Florida. My brother said he would love to sell one of his cars to someone in New York, just for the bragging rights!
You won't believe this, but my sister just made a big bowl of popcorn - my crazy brother was craving it, so... I guess I'd better go get some before it's gone!
Love you all!
XOXO
j.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 35:3-6 (LB)
"With this news bring cheer to all the discouraged ones. Encourage those who are afraid. Tell them, "Be strong, fear not, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you. And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf. The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing!"
We claim this promise for my brother and another friend who is battling this awful disease.
Not much to report since my last post. My brother took the second dose of his new chemo medication Tuesday night at bedtime, so we kept a pretty low profile yesterday so he could rest. Actually, we were pretty surprised - and happily so, that the medication didn't cause any terribly negative side effects (extreme fatigue, mostly). However, we just hung around the house most of the day and concentrated on trying to stay cool - it was 99! In fact, my sis' car thermometer registered the outside temp at 105 just before 4 p.m. on a quick trip down the hill to mail a birthday card. These three old northwest gals are really feeling the heat! Our bedroom never cooled below 80 degrees all night, and today is even hotter than yesterday. Whew!
In the morning yesterday (before it got too hot), my sis & I vacuumed and cleaned out one of the cars my brother is selling. We were going to wash it too, but it got just way too hot before we could get at it. My dad always said you should never wash a car in the sun or in the heat of the day. So, what could we do? You have to follow your Dad's advice, right?
This morning I got a couple of additional items posted for sale on CraigsList, and added some photos to a couple of existing ads. My sister has the phone growing out of her ear because of spending tons of time on the phone bird-dogging the local Kaiser office people. She is trying to get some necessary documentation for Aflac to pay a pending high-dollar insurance claim for more than a year's worth of my brother's chemo treatments. It gets complicated dealing with Kaiser because of the way they charge (or don't charge) for their services. She has gotten the royal run-around on this claim since the beginning of April - it's getting ridiculous! (You gotta love insurance stuff!)
It's getting interesting with these CraigsList ads. We're getting responses on a couple of the cars (we have 7 vehicles listed) from as far away as New York and Florida. My brother said he would love to sell one of his cars to someone in New York, just for the bragging rights!
You won't believe this, but my sister just made a big bowl of popcorn - my crazy brother was craving it, so... I guess I'd better go get some before it's gone!
Love you all!
XOXO
j.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 35:3-6 (LB)
"With this news bring cheer to all the discouraged ones. Encourage those who are afraid. Tell them, "Be strong, fear not, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you. And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf. The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing!"
We claim this promise for my brother and another friend who is battling this awful disease.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday already - Where has the week gone?
Hi, All:
It's hard to believe it's Tuesday already! We've been in California a week, and it seems like we just got here.
Saturday we basically just hung out at the house. My sis-in-law's kids dropped by for a visit and we spent most of the day resting, reading, listening to Gospel music, and eating - a very relaxing day. In the evening, my sis made a gigantic bowl of popcorn, which took the place of supper. (Works for me - I'm an admitted popcorn-aholic!)
Then on Sunday we made a major grocery shopping trip to the giant Wal-Mart Super Center in nearby Vallejo. We wanted to give my brother and his Beloved some time to themselves, so we elongated our errands with a couple of additional stops, along with a bite of lunch at Taco Bell. Then we stopped in Napa on the way home to visit my neice (my brother's eldest) for a couple of hours. It was an enjoyable day, and we felt good about providing a bit of a respite from our visit.
Yesterday was a rather intense day. My brother had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, and we were all a little afraid of what the doctor might have to say. We ran several town errands in Napa for our sis-in-law while they went to visit the doctor in Vallejo. On our way home from running errands, they called to say they were going to stop for a bite to eat, and of course, we interpreted that as having the worst possible meaning - they were probably having difficulty absorbing some really bad news from the doctor. Naturally, we imagined fear and sadness in their voices and dreaded learning the "bad news." But when they arrived home, they were in great spirits and all seemed well.
Finally, later in the evening we could stand it no longer, and asked what the doctor had to say. "Nothing much - just more of the same," my brother told us, but he later shared with Mom that the doctor had evaluated him as being "way ahead of the curve" with regard to the length of time he has survived since his diagnosis in May 2007, and the tiny encouraging signs that have happened since the first dose of the new chemo medication 6 weeks ago. For instance, the feeling is returning to his right foot, which has been totally numb. We are sure that has to be a positive sign. Little miracles! However, the speech difficulties, seizures and motor-skill problems are still there, in varying degrees, depending on how stressed and/or tired he is. So, your prayers are still desperately needed. Thank you for hanging in with us.
Stay tuned!
XOXO
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Psalm 92:1-4 (LB)
"It is good to say, Thank you for your kindness, and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness. Sing his praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre. You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy. O Lord, what miracles you do! [and Lord, we so need one now!] And how deep are your thoughts!"
It's hard to believe it's Tuesday already! We've been in California a week, and it seems like we just got here.
Saturday we basically just hung out at the house. My sis-in-law's kids dropped by for a visit and we spent most of the day resting, reading, listening to Gospel music, and eating - a very relaxing day. In the evening, my sis made a gigantic bowl of popcorn, which took the place of supper. (Works for me - I'm an admitted popcorn-aholic!)
Then on Sunday we made a major grocery shopping trip to the giant Wal-Mart Super Center in nearby Vallejo. We wanted to give my brother and his Beloved some time to themselves, so we elongated our errands with a couple of additional stops, along with a bite of lunch at Taco Bell. Then we stopped in Napa on the way home to visit my neice (my brother's eldest) for a couple of hours. It was an enjoyable day, and we felt good about providing a bit of a respite from our visit.
Yesterday was a rather intense day. My brother had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, and we were all a little afraid of what the doctor might have to say. We ran several town errands in Napa for our sis-in-law while they went to visit the doctor in Vallejo. On our way home from running errands, they called to say they were going to stop for a bite to eat, and of course, we interpreted that as having the worst possible meaning - they were probably having difficulty absorbing some really bad news from the doctor. Naturally, we imagined fear and sadness in their voices and dreaded learning the "bad news." But when they arrived home, they were in great spirits and all seemed well.
Finally, later in the evening we could stand it no longer, and asked what the doctor had to say. "Nothing much - just more of the same," my brother told us, but he later shared with Mom that the doctor had evaluated him as being "way ahead of the curve" with regard to the length of time he has survived since his diagnosis in May 2007, and the tiny encouraging signs that have happened since the first dose of the new chemo medication 6 weeks ago. For instance, the feeling is returning to his right foot, which has been totally numb. We are sure that has to be a positive sign. Little miracles! However, the speech difficulties, seizures and motor-skill problems are still there, in varying degrees, depending on how stressed and/or tired he is. So, your prayers are still desperately needed. Thank you for hanging in with us.
Stay tuned!
XOXO
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Psalm 92:1-4 (LB)
"It is good to say, Thank you for your kindness, and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness. Sing his praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre. You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy. O Lord, what miracles you do! [and Lord, we so need one now!] And how deep are your thoughts!"
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Saturday Stuff
Well, here we are again. Yesterday was pretty much spent in the car. Sis & I ran errands up and down the hill. Some friends of my brother's came in the morning to help with a fencing project that my brother is unable to complete, so we went to town to pick up some deli sandwiches to feed the guys. We were instructed to stop by the peach orchard at the bottom of the hill to buy a box of tree-ripened peaches, which we happily did. They are so luscious sliced atop a bowl of Cheerios or on a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We will enjoy them all weekend. For lunch we ladies opted for yet another fresh tomato sandwich, still a real treat since we so rarely have tomatoes fresh from the garden (we can have a deli sandwich any old time). I'm trying to make up for my Lutein deficiency (ha!). Wow, I can tell you they taste like real tomatoes, unlike the store-bought variety.
After lunch, we ventured back down the hill to pick up some items our sis-in-law needed around the house, and made a run through the super market for weekend meal supplies. By the time we finished and got back to the house, it was time to think about fixing some dinner. We've been trying to take care of meal preparation, but our sis-in-law made her famous homemade quesadillas (yum - restaurant quality!), which we dutifully scarfed up in a hurry - so good! During the evening we enjoyed Gaither music DVD's (my brother's favorite gospel group), and went to bed just before 10:00.
My brother didn't rest as much as he should have yesterday, and by evening he was exhausted - we were rather concerned about him. He needs several naps through the day, but he just wasn't comfortable laying down to rest with his friends outdoors working in the heat on a project he felt he should be doing. That's so hard for a man. Then we learned last night that he had a seizure soon after we arrived on Wednesday evening. I was busy unpackng and didn't notice when it happened, but Mom & Sis picked up on it at the time. Apparently, they asked him about it this morning, and he admitted it had happened. Stress or lack of rest can bring on a seizure, so we want to try to guard against either of those things. Thankfully, after a night's rest he seemed some better today.
The weather has been in the upper 80's -- 88 yesterday, and similar temp today. Fortunately, it has cooled off enough in the evenings to be able to sleep without feeling like we're lying in a sauna. I haven't slept well since we've been here, but it has nothing to do with the temperature. I keep waking up and mulling over everything, and praying for a miracle and the strength to face whatever is ahead. More prayers, please (this is the "broken record" speaking!).
Stay tuned - I'll try to update y'all in a day or two.
Love you! XOXO
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 65:24 (LB)
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"
After lunch, we ventured back down the hill to pick up some items our sis-in-law needed around the house, and made a run through the super market for weekend meal supplies. By the time we finished and got back to the house, it was time to think about fixing some dinner. We've been trying to take care of meal preparation, but our sis-in-law made her famous homemade quesadillas (yum - restaurant quality!), which we dutifully scarfed up in a hurry - so good! During the evening we enjoyed Gaither music DVD's (my brother's favorite gospel group), and went to bed just before 10:00.
My brother didn't rest as much as he should have yesterday, and by evening he was exhausted - we were rather concerned about him. He needs several naps through the day, but he just wasn't comfortable laying down to rest with his friends outdoors working in the heat on a project he felt he should be doing. That's so hard for a man. Then we learned last night that he had a seizure soon after we arrived on Wednesday evening. I was busy unpackng and didn't notice when it happened, but Mom & Sis picked up on it at the time. Apparently, they asked him about it this morning, and he admitted it had happened. Stress or lack of rest can bring on a seizure, so we want to try to guard against either of those things. Thankfully, after a night's rest he seemed some better today.
The weather has been in the upper 80's -- 88 yesterday, and similar temp today. Fortunately, it has cooled off enough in the evenings to be able to sleep without feeling like we're lying in a sauna. I haven't slept well since we've been here, but it has nothing to do with the temperature. I keep waking up and mulling over everything, and praying for a miracle and the strength to face whatever is ahead. More prayers, please (this is the "broken record" speaking!).
Stay tuned - I'll try to update y'all in a day or two.
Love you! XOXO
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 65:24 (LB)
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"
Thursday, August 21, 2008
From Sunny California
We made it! It wasn't a bad trip at all. We left at 7 a.m. yesterday and arrived at my brother's at 7:30 last night, with stops in Salem for breakfast and Grants Pass for lunch. Not to mention, an ice cream cone break at McD's in Redding (justified as a potty stop) and a stop to fuel up in Williams, CA where we headed west from I-5. (Hot! The car's thermometer that registers the outside temperature read 105 degrees).
My sis did most of the driving on the trip, although I drove from Grants Pass over the Siskyous to Redding. During my stint at the wheel, they slowed us down every five miles (perhaps exaggerated a teensy bit) from 70 to 55 mph for road work - irritating! In spite of my lead-foot driving, the Volvo SafetyMobile got over 30 mpg - I was pretty impressed.
I was disturbed to note that my brother has deteriorated significantly since I last saw him at the end of July. He has such difficulty finding the words to carry on basic conversation. Every sentence is punctuated with hesitation, stops, and incorrect or unusual combinations of words (parts of two words run together as one word). During the evening, I had to retreat to the bedroom a couple of times in tears. This is even harder than I anticipated - Prayers, please!
Last night we unloaded just the bare necessities from the car. So, much of this morning was spent unloading and organizing our "stuff." I sat down near my brother after we got organized and I had taken my shower. He said to me, "When it's time to write 'something' about me, I want you to do it - When it's time, I want you." Whoo! I burst into tears and ran and hugged him and kissed his neck as he clung to me. Both of us crying by this point. You know, you read about this stuff and watch stories on TV, but there is NO WAY you can appreciate what it's like unless you've been there. Later, out of my brother's hearing, I confessed to my sister that I'm not sure I can do this - like I have any choice in the matter, right? Prayers, please!
I slept fairly well, but several times during the night I woke up and literally begged God for a healing miracle (for His honor and glory and only within His perfect will). I know that hundreds of people die every day from this awful disease, but we still pray every day for a miracle.
This morning we learned that earlier this week my brother could hardly walk and could barely speak at all. He shared with us that somehow he had been taking more than the prescribed dose of one of his meds. Since adjusting the medication back to the correct amount, he has improved a bunch. In fact, he said he felt so good this morning that he wanted to get dressed and work on a couple of little projects he had been wanting to do. We hope to go with him to a doctor's appointment next Monday - we have questions we'd like to ask the doctor and hear the answers firsthand!
Well, everyone but me is in the kitchen making sliced tomato sandwiches for themselves, so I'd better get in there before it's all gone. However, the tomatoes are freshly-picked off the two extremely fruitful plants in my brother's back yard. The tomato plants are named are Julius and Caeser. I'm not kidding - They really do have names! They also have a "brother," a baby walnut tree named Earl. You don't have to be crazy to be part of our family, but it helps!
Before I go, I want to tell you the story behind Earl, the walnut tree. There was a bag of walnuts (still in the shells) buried under "stuff" in the garage. When my brother and his wife were cleaning out the garage early last fall, they happened on the bag of walnuts. Growing up out of the top of the bag was a spindly, yellowish sprout from one of the nuts. My brother took pity on this little nut struggling to be a tree. He planted it in a large pot on the patio and began tending and watering it, and named it Earl. When I visited here last October, Earl was about 12 inches tall. Now he is a proud tree towering out of his pot almost two feet toward the sky. You go, Earl! It seems like a positive omen in all of this - struggling to live, and winning!
Love you all - Gotta go make my sandwich.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Phil. 4:12-13 (LB)
"I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to (even this!) with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."
Or as it says in the good old KJV (familiar and well-loved): "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
My sis did most of the driving on the trip, although I drove from Grants Pass over the Siskyous to Redding. During my stint at the wheel, they slowed us down every five miles (perhaps exaggerated a teensy bit) from 70 to 55 mph for road work - irritating! In spite of my lead-foot driving, the Volvo SafetyMobile got over 30 mpg - I was pretty impressed.
I was disturbed to note that my brother has deteriorated significantly since I last saw him at the end of July. He has such difficulty finding the words to carry on basic conversation. Every sentence is punctuated with hesitation, stops, and incorrect or unusual combinations of words (parts of two words run together as one word). During the evening, I had to retreat to the bedroom a couple of times in tears. This is even harder than I anticipated - Prayers, please!
Last night we unloaded just the bare necessities from the car. So, much of this morning was spent unloading and organizing our "stuff." I sat down near my brother after we got organized and I had taken my shower. He said to me, "When it's time to write 'something' about me, I want you to do it - When it's time, I want you." Whoo! I burst into tears and ran and hugged him and kissed his neck as he clung to me. Both of us crying by this point. You know, you read about this stuff and watch stories on TV, but there is NO WAY you can appreciate what it's like unless you've been there. Later, out of my brother's hearing, I confessed to my sister that I'm not sure I can do this - like I have any choice in the matter, right? Prayers, please!
I slept fairly well, but several times during the night I woke up and literally begged God for a healing miracle (for His honor and glory and only within His perfect will). I know that hundreds of people die every day from this awful disease, but we still pray every day for a miracle.
This morning we learned that earlier this week my brother could hardly walk and could barely speak at all. He shared with us that somehow he had been taking more than the prescribed dose of one of his meds. Since adjusting the medication back to the correct amount, he has improved a bunch. In fact, he said he felt so good this morning that he wanted to get dressed and work on a couple of little projects he had been wanting to do. We hope to go with him to a doctor's appointment next Monday - we have questions we'd like to ask the doctor and hear the answers firsthand!
Well, everyone but me is in the kitchen making sliced tomato sandwiches for themselves, so I'd better get in there before it's all gone. However, the tomatoes are freshly-picked off the two extremely fruitful plants in my brother's back yard. The tomato plants are named are Julius and Caeser. I'm not kidding - They really do have names! They also have a "brother," a baby walnut tree named Earl. You don't have to be crazy to be part of our family, but it helps!
Before I go, I want to tell you the story behind Earl, the walnut tree. There was a bag of walnuts (still in the shells) buried under "stuff" in the garage. When my brother and his wife were cleaning out the garage early last fall, they happened on the bag of walnuts. Growing up out of the top of the bag was a spindly, yellowish sprout from one of the nuts. My brother took pity on this little nut struggling to be a tree. He planted it in a large pot on the patio and began tending and watering it, and named it Earl. When I visited here last October, Earl was about 12 inches tall. Now he is a proud tree towering out of his pot almost two feet toward the sky. You go, Earl! It seems like a positive omen in all of this - struggling to live, and winning!
Love you all - Gotta go make my sandwich.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Phil. 4:12-13 (LB)
"I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to (even this!) with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power."
Or as it says in the good old KJV (familiar and well-loved): "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Major Praise!
So far you have heard from Grammy J, but I have something so awesome to share today you get to hear from me. My hubby and I are on a group health plan from where I retired. In July I got a monthly premium notice for over $25oo. (What!?!) Since I paid the usual premium, I got a bill in August in excess of $4000. I have been on the phone to Customer Service several times since mid-July. From everything I could gather, it seemed to be a computer glitch (dontcha love 'em?) and would eventually be resolved. However, I have had to go to the doctor, have a blood draw and refill prescriptions that I thought I might have to pay on my own if the worst came to pass.
As you learned yesterday, Mom, sister and I are headed to the Napa Valley tomorrow. I wondered how this insurance thing would all work out in my absence. I could deal with it from down there but it would certainly not be as easy. Now here's the good part - I have such a loving and caring Heavenly Father that He took care of this confusing mess in time for me to get a call from Customer Service today. Yup, I was told that it was an error and had been corrected. It made me cry. Not because the error was fixed (I was pretty sure that it would be eventually) but because He is so good that Customer Service called me the day before I am going out of town to ease my mind. Is that neat or what? As my brother-in-law would say, "God is gooood all the time!"
Amen on that!
As you learned yesterday, Mom, sister and I are headed to the Napa Valley tomorrow. I wondered how this insurance thing would all work out in my absence. I could deal with it from down there but it would certainly not be as easy. Now here's the good part - I have such a loving and caring Heavenly Father that He took care of this confusing mess in time for me to get a call from Customer Service today. Yup, I was told that it was an error and had been corrected. It made me cry. Not because the error was fixed (I was pretty sure that it would be eventually) but because He is so good that Customer Service called me the day before I am going out of town to ease my mind. Is that neat or what? As my brother-in-law would say, "God is gooood all the time!"
Amen on that!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday again
Missed y'all the past couple of days. Sunday was a hot and muggy day. We mostly worked around home and tried to stay relatively cool in 100-degree temperatures. Hubby did some finishing work on the housepainting project in the morning, before it got too toasty outdoors, and in the late afternoon ran the ride-on mower over our two-acre patch to drive back the dandelions. They seem to be able to survive almost ANYTHING - isn't that the way with weeds! Our grass has long since dried up and turned a lovely shade of beige, but the dandelions are thriving - Go figure!
We had some excitement on Sunday. In the evening (about 6:00) my hubby was putting away some of his painting stuff. He was taking the 14' aluminum ladder down from the side of the house, folded it and was carrying it to its hidden resting place under the eaves behind the house. On the way from here to there, there's an old root that sticks up out of the ground - each of us has tripped over it a hundred times in the four years we've lived in this house. Yup, you guessed it, this was one of those times. Hubby's toe caught on the root and his hands were involved in carrying the ladder - he totally biffed his face against some sharp edges of the ladder. He came running into the kitchen with his hand cupped to cover his lips and chin, announcing that he had fallen as he carried the ladder. I checked it out and immediately knew there would be stitching involved, and we headed for our local emergency room.
In the car on the way I learned that he also had injuries to his right upper arm and left shoulder, causing him a great deal of pain. Now we can add a couple of x-rays to the stitches I already knew about. The folks at the hospital were very kind and provided excellent care. Praise God, the x-rays showed no broken bones or shoulder dislocation. The doctor put in a total of 14 stitches (5 in the lip, 9 in the chin). Of course, I had my digital camera with me and dutifully recorded it for posterity. It's not serious, but is a pretty sad photo! The good news is that he slept well last night (thanks to good drugs) and feels much better today.
That brings us to Monday. Our eldest daughter's four children (ages 9, 11, 14 and 15-1/2) have spent most of the summer visiting their cousins on the Oregon coast. They came home over the weekend, and we grabbed them today and took them to lunch. We had a delightful time with them debriefing about their summer. They've grown so much - both physically and spiritually. Listen to this: When we arrived to pick them up, they had cleaned and swept the kitchen, started the laundry, and changed the cat's litter box. All this without being asked! This would NOT have happened two months ago - Wonderful progress!! We are so pleased and proud.
Tomorrow I will spend the day packing and preparing to leave Wednesday morning to be away from home for an open-ended period of time. I will take my laptop with me to my brother's, and hope to resume blogging by Thursday, Lord willing. We will be enroute in the car all day Wednesday (and possibly part of Thursday, depending on how tired of the interior of the car we become on Wednesday). This is a 13-hour trip, and we aren't sure we'll have the stamina to do it all in one day. I'm thinking "motel" at about Redding or Willows, but we shall see.
At any rate, please pray that we have "journey mercies," as my very favorite pastor always puts it (He knows who he is!).
XOXO to all!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 33:2-3 (LB)
"But to us, O Lord, be merciful, for we have waited for you. Be our strength each day and our salvation in time of trouble. The enemy RUNS at the sound of your voice!"
See, this is me, packing up my computer till Thursday. Catch you later!
We had some excitement on Sunday. In the evening (about 6:00) my hubby was putting away some of his painting stuff. He was taking the 14' aluminum ladder down from the side of the house, folded it and was carrying it to its hidden resting place under the eaves behind the house. On the way from here to there, there's an old root that sticks up out of the ground - each of us has tripped over it a hundred times in the four years we've lived in this house. Yup, you guessed it, this was one of those times. Hubby's toe caught on the root and his hands were involved in carrying the ladder - he totally biffed his face against some sharp edges of the ladder. He came running into the kitchen with his hand cupped to cover his lips and chin, announcing that he had fallen as he carried the ladder. I checked it out and immediately knew there would be stitching involved, and we headed for our local emergency room.
In the car on the way I learned that he also had injuries to his right upper arm and left shoulder, causing him a great deal of pain. Now we can add a couple of x-rays to the stitches I already knew about. The folks at the hospital were very kind and provided excellent care. Praise God, the x-rays showed no broken bones or shoulder dislocation. The doctor put in a total of 14 stitches (5 in the lip, 9 in the chin). Of course, I had my digital camera with me and dutifully recorded it for posterity. It's not serious, but is a pretty sad photo! The good news is that he slept well last night (thanks to good drugs) and feels much better today.
That brings us to Monday. Our eldest daughter's four children (ages 9, 11, 14 and 15-1/2) have spent most of the summer visiting their cousins on the Oregon coast. They came home over the weekend, and we grabbed them today and took them to lunch. We had a delightful time with them debriefing about their summer. They've grown so much - both physically and spiritually. Listen to this: When we arrived to pick them up, they had cleaned and swept the kitchen, started the laundry, and changed the cat's litter box. All this without being asked! This would NOT have happened two months ago - Wonderful progress!! We are so pleased and proud.
Tomorrow I will spend the day packing and preparing to leave Wednesday morning to be away from home for an open-ended period of time. I will take my laptop with me to my brother's, and hope to resume blogging by Thursday, Lord willing. We will be enroute in the car all day Wednesday (and possibly part of Thursday, depending on how tired of the interior of the car we become on Wednesday). This is a 13-hour trip, and we aren't sure we'll have the stamina to do it all in one day. I'm thinking "motel" at about Redding or Willows, but we shall see.
At any rate, please pray that we have "journey mercies," as my very favorite pastor always puts it (He knows who he is!).
XOXO to all!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Isaiah 33:2-3 (LB)
"But to us, O Lord, be merciful, for we have waited for you. Be our strength each day and our salvation in time of trouble. The enemy RUNS at the sound of your voice!"
See, this is me, packing up my computer till Thursday. Catch you later!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Sizzlin' Saturday
Wow - was it ever HOT today! I think it was hotter today than yesterday, at least it felt warmer because of the humidity. It reminded me of the days when we used to make summertime trips to the midwest to visit our daughter and family.
We ventured out into the heat to browse a couple of garage sales this morning. It seemed like everywhere we stopped, God gave us an obvious opening to share our faith with folks. In spite of the heat, I felt spiritually energized! You, who know me, are (painfully?) aware that I can talk to just about anybody about most anything at any time. I know there are many times when I talk WAY too much, but there are also times when I feel a bit like Moses (my sister always says this, too). In spite of my enthusiasm and usual gift of gab, sometimes I just don't have the words - I don't know what to say or how to start. I'm tempted to wonder, am I being too pushy and people will be turned off? I'm really trying to learn to be bold for Jesus and listen for the Holy Spirit's urgings that ask me to share.
The church we attend held its services this evening. The reason for this is that there will be a wedding tomorrow in the facility we rent for our normal Sunday worship time. Not many were brave enough to go out in the heat tonight, even though the auditorium is air-conditioned. But I have to say, it was so hot that even with the A/C running full tilt, there were several of us "more mature" ladies who sat for most of the service rhythmically fanning ourselves with the bulletin. (Come on, admit it, girls. You do it, too!) Nevertheless, it was a blessing to be there with those courageous enough to leave their air-conditioned homes (or that favorite spot on the riverbank). A missionary from Thailand spoke. He and his sweet wife are sponsored by this little church, and they brought an update regarding the spreading of the gospel to the Thai people. The wife is battling some type of serious, life-threatening illness, so in a couple of months they will have to return to the States for good. That little church family just surrounded her and lifted her up in prayer.
Almost every day we hear news of further decline in my brother's health. So, next Wednesday my mom, sis, and I will get into her super-safe Volvo and head for the Napa Valley. We are planning to be there for as long as we need to stay, while our husbands (Sis' and mine) stay home to tend the pups and kitties. Of course, we are still praying for a miracle, hoping this new chemo medication will zap that tumor and shrivel it up like an impotent little prune. Of course, we know God isn't dependent on any medicine to make a miracle. "Speak the word only, and my [brother] will be healed!" May His perfect will be done to His honor and glory.
While we're down there, my sis is going to help with some gnarly administrative tasks that my brother and his wife find overwhelming (endless insurance paperwork, etc.), and I have offered my services to help my sis-in-law in her classroom and with projects for the kindergartners. Rumor has it that she is thrilled at the prospects of having some help from my sister and I, both at home and at her school. Also, we usually take over the kitchen and food prep duties to lift the load for the lady of the house. We've planned a menu filled with my brother's favorite dishes - don't you just love it when your mom comes and cooks all your favorite stuff!
We ask for your prayers for so many facets of this issue: (1) For a safe trip down and back; (2) for a miraculous healing for my brother; (3) for courage to face whatever is ahead; and (4) for the discernment and boldness to give spiritual encouragement where walls have sometimes seemed to exist. Pray, pray, PRAY!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: 2Cor. 4:18 (LB)
"So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven, which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
XOXO
We ventured out into the heat to browse a couple of garage sales this morning. It seemed like everywhere we stopped, God gave us an obvious opening to share our faith with folks. In spite of the heat, I felt spiritually energized! You, who know me, are (painfully?) aware that I can talk to just about anybody about most anything at any time. I know there are many times when I talk WAY too much, but there are also times when I feel a bit like Moses (my sister always says this, too). In spite of my enthusiasm and usual gift of gab, sometimes I just don't have the words - I don't know what to say or how to start. I'm tempted to wonder, am I being too pushy and people will be turned off? I'm really trying to learn to be bold for Jesus and listen for the Holy Spirit's urgings that ask me to share.
The church we attend held its services this evening. The reason for this is that there will be a wedding tomorrow in the facility we rent for our normal Sunday worship time. Not many were brave enough to go out in the heat tonight, even though the auditorium is air-conditioned. But I have to say, it was so hot that even with the A/C running full tilt, there were several of us "more mature" ladies who sat for most of the service rhythmically fanning ourselves with the bulletin. (Come on, admit it, girls. You do it, too!) Nevertheless, it was a blessing to be there with those courageous enough to leave their air-conditioned homes (or that favorite spot on the riverbank). A missionary from Thailand spoke. He and his sweet wife are sponsored by this little church, and they brought an update regarding the spreading of the gospel to the Thai people. The wife is battling some type of serious, life-threatening illness, so in a couple of months they will have to return to the States for good. That little church family just surrounded her and lifted her up in prayer.
Almost every day we hear news of further decline in my brother's health. So, next Wednesday my mom, sis, and I will get into her super-safe Volvo and head for the Napa Valley. We are planning to be there for as long as we need to stay, while our husbands (Sis' and mine) stay home to tend the pups and kitties. Of course, we are still praying for a miracle, hoping this new chemo medication will zap that tumor and shrivel it up like an impotent little prune. Of course, we know God isn't dependent on any medicine to make a miracle. "Speak the word only, and my [brother] will be healed!" May His perfect will be done to His honor and glory.
While we're down there, my sis is going to help with some gnarly administrative tasks that my brother and his wife find overwhelming (endless insurance paperwork, etc.), and I have offered my services to help my sis-in-law in her classroom and with projects for the kindergartners. Rumor has it that she is thrilled at the prospects of having some help from my sister and I, both at home and at her school. Also, we usually take over the kitchen and food prep duties to lift the load for the lady of the house. We've planned a menu filled with my brother's favorite dishes - don't you just love it when your mom comes and cooks all your favorite stuff!
We ask for your prayers for so many facets of this issue: (1) For a safe trip down and back; (2) for a miraculous healing for my brother; (3) for courage to face whatever is ahead; and (4) for the discernment and boldness to give spiritual encouragement where walls have sometimes seemed to exist. Pray, pray, PRAY!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: 2Cor. 4:18 (LB)
"So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven, which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
XOXO
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday's Thoughts
Well, last night turned out to be another short night. I woke up at 4:15 and couldn't go back to sleep for thinking about my brother. Finally I gave up trying to sleep, and made it to the kitchen to make the morning coffee. Then, since a heat wave was predicted for the next few days, I decided to do some housecleaning before the heat of the day. It was nice to have it done by 10:30 in the morning - I'm not usually nearly that ambitious. At this point, I should probably confess that my sweet husband does all the floors - vacuuming, mopping, etc.
You would have seen the true level of my ambition if you had happened by my house around 2:00 this afternoon. I probably wouldn't have heard you knocking at the door over my snoring. Had to make up for getting up at zero-dark-thirty this morning. Now, here it is bedtime and I'm not the least bit sleepy - vicious cycle!
Today's highlight involved taking some old appliances to the metal recyclers. Now I see why the druggies steal everything metal (just kidding!) - we had a couple of dead washing machines, a dryer, and a rusted out wood stove, for which they handsomely paid us $60 for recycling. Viva la recycling!
We felt sufficiently rich enough to enjoy lunch at our favorite little Mexican restaurant in town, and then headed home to the coolness of our little haven. We always have a breeze on our hill, and it is usually 15-20 degrees cooler here than in town. We do have the little window A/C unit humming in the background as I write, but it hasn't really gotten uncomfortably hot in our house. It was cool enough this afternoon that I had used a light blankie during my nap.
I had a lengthy, pleasant conversation with my daughter-in-law this morning. She wants to come up for a visit over the weekend, especially if I'm leaving to be with my brother for an undetermined length of time. I do really miss her and the two munchkins!
I have (for the moment - ask me again in five minutes) a real sense of peace about my brother. This could get really tough as time goes on, but I know Who holds the future, and I know Who holds my hand! I read Psalm 91 last night before going to bed - my favorite! I am using a portion of it for today's text.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Psalm 91:1-6
"If we live in the shadow of the Almighty, we are sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap, and protects you from the fatal plague.
"He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning."
Need your prayers...
XOXO
You would have seen the true level of my ambition if you had happened by my house around 2:00 this afternoon. I probably wouldn't have heard you knocking at the door over my snoring. Had to make up for getting up at zero-dark-thirty this morning. Now, here it is bedtime and I'm not the least bit sleepy - vicious cycle!
Today's highlight involved taking some old appliances to the metal recyclers. Now I see why the druggies steal everything metal (just kidding!) - we had a couple of dead washing machines, a dryer, and a rusted out wood stove, for which they handsomely paid us $60 for recycling. Viva la recycling!
We felt sufficiently rich enough to enjoy lunch at our favorite little Mexican restaurant in town, and then headed home to the coolness of our little haven. We always have a breeze on our hill, and it is usually 15-20 degrees cooler here than in town. We do have the little window A/C unit humming in the background as I write, but it hasn't really gotten uncomfortably hot in our house. It was cool enough this afternoon that I had used a light blankie during my nap.
I had a lengthy, pleasant conversation with my daughter-in-law this morning. She wants to come up for a visit over the weekend, especially if I'm leaving to be with my brother for an undetermined length of time. I do really miss her and the two munchkins!
I have (for the moment - ask me again in five minutes) a real sense of peace about my brother. This could get really tough as time goes on, but I know Who holds the future, and I know Who holds my hand! I read Psalm 91 last night before going to bed - my favorite! I am using a portion of it for today's text.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Psalm 91:1-6
"If we live in the shadow of the Almighty, we are sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap, and protects you from the fatal plague.
"He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning."
Need your prayers...
XOXO
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Midweek Thoughts
Dear Ones:
Let me just say, this is way TOO hard! My brother called Mom today, and by the end of the conversation he was crying. He had tried to keyboard a message on his computer, and said he just "couldn't figure out the keys!" Not one of his better days. Of course, this is horribly upsetting to us. Picturing this bright, capable man at his computer, struggling to find the right keys - it's almost more than we can bear! He has said it's too long till we come to visit him in October (during the World Series), and we're beginning to understand what he's trying to convey to us. He confided, "I might be a vegetable by October." So hard!
So now we're contemplating just getting in the car and heading down there, for as long as we need to be there. The hard thing is that his wife is a teacher and has had to go back to her school already to get the classroom set up and ready for her little students (she's teaching kindergarten this year). It's harder for our brother when he's alone all day with his thoughts. He can't do many of the things he used to do to while away the alone time, so it makes for a long and lonely day for him, with nobody there to help or encourage. He was very discouraged and afraid today. We can't stand to think about it! Funny, yesterday I did a lot of thinking about mortality, and now it is being made all to real!
Forgive me for sharing all this heavy stuff, but you are dear friends and I know you are ready to "bear each other's burden's" with us. Talking about it and writing it down is my way of processing "stuff," so please bear with me.
On to the more mundane... You'll be excited to know that the highlight of our day today was a trip to the dump. That's always a fun experience, right? We are cleaning out some of the junk that our son left on our property - just plain junk. And we have more than our share of his dead cars (and boats/trailers), complete with grass growing up around the tires. It makes for a nice white-trash "Dogpatch" look. We'll face the issue of the deceased vehicles later.
Oh, wait - there was one other really exciting thing: I had my haircut and got a perm this morning. But there's sadness connected to that experience, as well. Carol, my haircut gal for the past four years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last fall, and I learned just this morning that she passed away on July 14. I now am at the mercy of the shears of a sweet SDA girl named Nancy. Just kidding - she does a great job, but I miss my friend, Carol. A hairdresser becomes a friend, and often knows some pretty intimate stuff about you and your family in the process of tending to your hair, am I right? But now, Nancy is becoming my new friend, since she has cut my hair for the past several months.
Something I forgot to include in yesterday's lengthy diatribe: During a brief overnight visit to our little beach house late last week, I locked us out. We were headed to the grocery store half an hour before they closed, and you know that sinking feeling you get when you've just pulled the door shut with that little button pushed in the inside of the doorknob - as you pull the door closed, you know you've just locked yourself out. Through the kitchen window I could see the keys lying on the table (on a ring separate from the car keys). We have that little place secured like Ft. Knox (double locks, sticks in all the windows, etc.), since it sits unattended for long periods of time.
Anyway... I quickly confessed to my husband that I had just locked us out, and he did a superb job of staying calm, even though he was exhausted from the long workday we had just spent. He cranked and jiggled the doorknob (why do we do that when we KNOW it won't help), but of course we were still locked out. In desperation, I tried the house key from home that lives on the ring with the car keys -- nothing! Then I noticed there was another Kwikset key on the ring - my sister's house key. Why not? So I held my breath and tried it, just for fun. I nearly fell over when to my complete amazement, the key turned the knob!! Now, I don't know if by some chance those two keys are really similar, and that's why it worked in that lock (they look NOTHING alike - the "teeth" don't line up AT ALL!). Somehow I prefer to believe I witnessed a little miracle there (not so little, when you're as tired as we were). Either way - THANK YOU, GOD, for caring about the little foxes that want to get in and spoil the vines in my life!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Phil. 4:6 (LB)
"Be anxious about nothing. Instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."
Let me just say, this is way TOO hard! My brother called Mom today, and by the end of the conversation he was crying. He had tried to keyboard a message on his computer, and said he just "couldn't figure out the keys!" Not one of his better days. Of course, this is horribly upsetting to us. Picturing this bright, capable man at his computer, struggling to find the right keys - it's almost more than we can bear! He has said it's too long till we come to visit him in October (during the World Series), and we're beginning to understand what he's trying to convey to us. He confided, "I might be a vegetable by October." So hard!
So now we're contemplating just getting in the car and heading down there, for as long as we need to be there. The hard thing is that his wife is a teacher and has had to go back to her school already to get the classroom set up and ready for her little students (she's teaching kindergarten this year). It's harder for our brother when he's alone all day with his thoughts. He can't do many of the things he used to do to while away the alone time, so it makes for a long and lonely day for him, with nobody there to help or encourage. He was very discouraged and afraid today. We can't stand to think about it! Funny, yesterday I did a lot of thinking about mortality, and now it is being made all to real!
Forgive me for sharing all this heavy stuff, but you are dear friends and I know you are ready to "bear each other's burden's" with us. Talking about it and writing it down is my way of processing "stuff," so please bear with me.
On to the more mundane... You'll be excited to know that the highlight of our day today was a trip to the dump. That's always a fun experience, right? We are cleaning out some of the junk that our son left on our property - just plain junk. And we have more than our share of his dead cars (and boats/trailers), complete with grass growing up around the tires. It makes for a nice white-trash "Dogpatch" look. We'll face the issue of the deceased vehicles later.
Oh, wait - there was one other really exciting thing: I had my haircut and got a perm this morning. But there's sadness connected to that experience, as well. Carol, my haircut gal for the past four years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last fall, and I learned just this morning that she passed away on July 14. I now am at the mercy of the shears of a sweet SDA girl named Nancy. Just kidding - she does a great job, but I miss my friend, Carol. A hairdresser becomes a friend, and often knows some pretty intimate stuff about you and your family in the process of tending to your hair, am I right? But now, Nancy is becoming my new friend, since she has cut my hair for the past several months.
Something I forgot to include in yesterday's lengthy diatribe: During a brief overnight visit to our little beach house late last week, I locked us out. We were headed to the grocery store half an hour before they closed, and you know that sinking feeling you get when you've just pulled the door shut with that little button pushed in the inside of the doorknob - as you pull the door closed, you know you've just locked yourself out. Through the kitchen window I could see the keys lying on the table (on a ring separate from the car keys). We have that little place secured like Ft. Knox (double locks, sticks in all the windows, etc.), since it sits unattended for long periods of time.
Anyway... I quickly confessed to my husband that I had just locked us out, and he did a superb job of staying calm, even though he was exhausted from the long workday we had just spent. He cranked and jiggled the doorknob (why do we do that when we KNOW it won't help), but of course we were still locked out. In desperation, I tried the house key from home that lives on the ring with the car keys -- nothing! Then I noticed there was another Kwikset key on the ring - my sister's house key. Why not? So I held my breath and tried it, just for fun. I nearly fell over when to my complete amazement, the key turned the knob!! Now, I don't know if by some chance those two keys are really similar, and that's why it worked in that lock (they look NOTHING alike - the "teeth" don't line up AT ALL!). Somehow I prefer to believe I witnessed a little miracle there (not so little, when you're as tired as we were). Either way - THANK YOU, GOD, for caring about the little foxes that want to get in and spoil the vines in my life!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: Phil. 4:6 (LB)
"Be anxious about nothing. Instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday Musings
Do you ever have "one of THOSE nights?" Man, oh man - What a night last night was! We watched the 11:00 news and Nightline, turned off the TV and went to sleep just before midnight. I felt the need to head "down the hall" around 1:30 a.m., and was instantly and absolutely wide awake, like it was 1:30 in the afternoon. I layed there quietly in the darkness, pretending to be asleep (wishing desperately I could actually BE asleep!), till three-darned-o'clock! At that point I figured out that Hubby was awake, too. So we turned the TV back on and watched the rebroadcast of the Olympics till 5 a.m. (men's swimming and gymnastic events). Then at 9:40, I awoke with a start, realizing I had slept away a major portion of the morning - still, I got only about 5-1/2 hrs. of sleep. Not nearly enough for this old girl! Pretty groggy, even after a good stout cup of java. Fortunately, I have no pressing projects today (Note to self: Must stay alert enough to change and launder the sheets and stir the bean salad!).
During my wakeful time last night, and actually for the past couple of days, two women dominated my thoughts. One afternoon last week we spent a couple of hours browsing through one of our favorite thrift stores (one of our favorite pasttimes). Just before we left the store, I was digging through the huge bins of used books, and heard a young mom beside me talking to one of her little daughters about a specific book they were looking for - The Beginner's Bible. Aha, she's a Christian! So I struck up a conversation with her. I thought I might possibly have that book at home. She gave me her phone number, and I promised to call if I have the book - I don't have the book and have forgotten to call her. Shame on me!
During our conversation of about 20 minutes she shared with me that she homeschools her youngest three, but her husband is insisting that their 13-year-old enroll in public high school in the fall, which she feels is a really bad idea. I got the sense right away that all was not well in their family, and I was right. She told me she strongly suspects her husband is continuing an affair with a woman at work (after assuring her "it's over"), and she is hurt and scared, yet trusting in God to care for her and take her through whatever might be ahead. Did you do the math - they have four kids. I must remember to pray for her. Her name is Laura, will you pray for her, too?
Then on Saturday morning we went to a couple of garage sales (another favorite pasttime). At one of the sales there was a lot of women's clothing - brand names I like and the type of stuff I wear (old grandma-type), but I noticed that the woman playing "cashier" for the sale was tiny and mid-30's-ish. No way those were her clothes! I asked her - she said, they're my aunt's things. While I shopped, my hubby struck up a conversation with the older-looking man (her uncle(?), a guy about our age) who sort of aimlessly wandered around among the tables of knick-knacks, shoes and clothes. I made my purchases without eavesdropping on their conversation.
When we got back into the car, Hubby shared with me that the man's wife had just passed away. One recent afternoon as they were getting ready to head to their beach house (very near our own beach house), she suddenly collapsed and died, right there in her kitchen. What a horrible shock! Never a serious sick a day in her life, no chronic health issues, and she just up and died, right there in front of him. So sudden and totally unexpected! I can't stop thinking about it.
Then, as I sat in church on Sunday (wearing a pretty. soft pink shirt that had belonged to the lady), I thought so much about her and how this could happen to any of us at any time. She had worn that pink top, laundered it and hung it in her closet till the day when she chose it to wear again. Isn't it amazing how we just slide along, day by day, thinking we'll always be there - that is so NOT true! Thinking about that doesn't scare me, although it certainly does sober me. It makes me want to live each day, each moment, as though it could be my last. Sometimes when I attend a funeral, I silently muse about what folks might say about me when that microphone is passed around to friends and family at my services. That may sound morbid - but hey, we're all going to die, unless Jesus comes to take us home before that happens. (Even so, COME, Lord Jesus!)
In considering my mortality, sometimes I also think about whether it might take something such as a death (mine or their Dad's) to bring reconciliation between my quarreling grown children, or might an event of that type bring my own "prodigal" son to his senses where he would return from enjoying the husks with the pigs, as he squanders his spiritual "inheritance." Just some thoughts that occasionally flit through my little pea brain. And..., BTW, we (and our heavenly Father) are waiting for our precious son with open arms!
Lest you think I'm being too maudlin and serious, au contrare! I am in excellent spirits, just trying to remind myself to stop and enjoy life's little pleasure: A knowing glance or an inside joke with my husband, my kitty rubbing against my leg in the kitchen, wet kisses from my two smart, faithful and sweet Black Labrador Retrievers, and (even as I write) I can hear the windchime tinkling softly on the front porch of the home we are SO blessed to enjoy. Life is precious and God is so faithful and good!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: 1Tim. 2:1-4 (LB)
"Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.
"Pray in this [same] way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.
"This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth."
Till later...
XOXO
During my wakeful time last night, and actually for the past couple of days, two women dominated my thoughts. One afternoon last week we spent a couple of hours browsing through one of our favorite thrift stores (one of our favorite pasttimes). Just before we left the store, I was digging through the huge bins of used books, and heard a young mom beside me talking to one of her little daughters about a specific book they were looking for - The Beginner's Bible. Aha, she's a Christian! So I struck up a conversation with her. I thought I might possibly have that book at home. She gave me her phone number, and I promised to call if I have the book - I don't have the book and have forgotten to call her. Shame on me!
During our conversation of about 20 minutes she shared with me that she homeschools her youngest three, but her husband is insisting that their 13-year-old enroll in public high school in the fall, which she feels is a really bad idea. I got the sense right away that all was not well in their family, and I was right. She told me she strongly suspects her husband is continuing an affair with a woman at work (after assuring her "it's over"), and she is hurt and scared, yet trusting in God to care for her and take her through whatever might be ahead. Did you do the math - they have four kids. I must remember to pray for her. Her name is Laura, will you pray for her, too?
Then on Saturday morning we went to a couple of garage sales (another favorite pasttime). At one of the sales there was a lot of women's clothing - brand names I like and the type of stuff I wear (old grandma-type), but I noticed that the woman playing "cashier" for the sale was tiny and mid-30's-ish. No way those were her clothes! I asked her - she said, they're my aunt's things. While I shopped, my hubby struck up a conversation with the older-looking man (her uncle(?), a guy about our age) who sort of aimlessly wandered around among the tables of knick-knacks, shoes and clothes. I made my purchases without eavesdropping on their conversation.
When we got back into the car, Hubby shared with me that the man's wife had just passed away. One recent afternoon as they were getting ready to head to their beach house (very near our own beach house), she suddenly collapsed and died, right there in her kitchen. What a horrible shock! Never a serious sick a day in her life, no chronic health issues, and she just up and died, right there in front of him. So sudden and totally unexpected! I can't stop thinking about it.
Then, as I sat in church on Sunday (wearing a pretty. soft pink shirt that had belonged to the lady), I thought so much about her and how this could happen to any of us at any time. She had worn that pink top, laundered it and hung it in her closet till the day when she chose it to wear again. Isn't it amazing how we just slide along, day by day, thinking we'll always be there - that is so NOT true! Thinking about that doesn't scare me, although it certainly does sober me. It makes me want to live each day, each moment, as though it could be my last. Sometimes when I attend a funeral, I silently muse about what folks might say about me when that microphone is passed around to friends and family at my services. That may sound morbid - but hey, we're all going to die, unless Jesus comes to take us home before that happens. (Even so, COME, Lord Jesus!)
In considering my mortality, sometimes I also think about whether it might take something such as a death (mine or their Dad's) to bring reconciliation between my quarreling grown children, or might an event of that type bring my own "prodigal" son to his senses where he would return from enjoying the husks with the pigs, as he squanders his spiritual "inheritance." Just some thoughts that occasionally flit through my little pea brain. And..., BTW, we (and our heavenly Father) are waiting for our precious son with open arms!
Lest you think I'm being too maudlin and serious, au contrare! I am in excellent spirits, just trying to remind myself to stop and enjoy life's little pleasure: A knowing glance or an inside joke with my husband, my kitty rubbing against my leg in the kitchen, wet kisses from my two smart, faithful and sweet Black Labrador Retrievers, and (even as I write) I can hear the windchime tinkling softly on the front porch of the home we are SO blessed to enjoy. Life is precious and God is so faithful and good!
MY TEXT FOR TODAY: 1Tim. 2:1-4 (LB)
"Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God's mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them.
"Pray in this [same] way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.
"This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth."
Till later...
XOXO
Monday, August 11, 2008
Happy Monday!
Somehow Mondays don't have the negative connotation they suffered when I had to set an alarm clock on Sunday night to start another work week on Monday morning. Mondays are great! The most stressful thing about a Monday these days is remembering that it IS indeed Monday and the garbage can needs to be at the end of the driveway for Tuesday morning's pickup. When you're retired, every day is the "weekend." There's something wonderful to be said for that, you'll have to agree. Retirement doesn't pay all that well (sometimes I miss the paychecks), but is well worth any belt-tightening sacrifice in that regard! Thank you, God - we are so bountifully blessed!
Nothing exciting today. The weather was beautiful - sunny with a few clouds, and warmish, but not hot. Did a little laundry (washed several blankets we brought back from the beach house) and did some grocery shopping this morning - more good bargains! We usually have lunch at Taco Bell when we go grocery shopping, but today we just came home, put away our treasures, and made bologna sandwiches. Actually, Hubby had bologna. I had peanut butter with my own homemade bread-and-butter pickles - great combination! Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Also, this afternoon I made a batch of my mom's "multi-bean" salad (she uses 5 different beans; I use 3) - it sounded good. The problem is, it immediately smells wonderful, but you can't eat it right away. It has to marinate for 48 hours and be stirred every now and then during the "marination" period. I'll probably sneak and eat some tomorrow before it's officially done marinating. Shhhhh!
My daughter (the one getting a divorce) called me during her lunch hour. She is again newly frustrated with her soon-to-be "Ex." He loves to stir things up in the family by sending an inflammatory email filled with untruths (mostly about her) to everyone. It is so hard for her to keep from responding to him with an equally acrid message, but today she resisted the temptation. That's progress! It never accomplishes anything anyway, but I understand her frustration.
I tried to call my daughter-in-law this afternoon, but there was no answer. She promised me she would be here by noon LAST Monday to start work on cleaning out their mobile home (which is pretty much trashed and full of their furniture, clothes - which are literally strewn everywhere, and garbage). She is precious and I love her so very dearly, but, let me just say, housekeeping is not among her strengths! Even though I'm just a so-so housekeeper, I've tried to be the "Titus 2" older wiser(?) woman and help her learn better housekeeping habits and some little tricks to stay more organized, but had zero success. She desperately wants to do it right, but it just doesn't happen for her - she grew up with absolutely NO role model (and my Mom is Mrs. Clean - I know she wonders where she failed with me). This poor girl's druggie prostitute mom gave her a marijuana joint for her 13th birthday, for pity sake! She never had a chance. She tells me all the time that I'm the only real "Mom" she's ever had. Poor baby! I miss her - we're accustomed to gabbing together every day. Not any more.
I went for my mammogram last Thursday. Today I received a letter letting me know that everything was normal - good news! You just never know. I've learned that it CAN happen to me. Praise God, he is in charge. That's freedom in Jesus - he calls the shots, so I won't have to. (Doncha just LOVE Jer. 29:11).
Well, I guess I'll head out to the back porch fridge to give the bean salad a final stir for today and head to bed to watch a little TV.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY:
Col. 3:1-4 (Living Bible) "Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories."
Till next time...
XOXO
Nothing exciting today. The weather was beautiful - sunny with a few clouds, and warmish, but not hot. Did a little laundry (washed several blankets we brought back from the beach house) and did some grocery shopping this morning - more good bargains! We usually have lunch at Taco Bell when we go grocery shopping, but today we just came home, put away our treasures, and made bologna sandwiches. Actually, Hubby had bologna. I had peanut butter with my own homemade bread-and-butter pickles - great combination! Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Also, this afternoon I made a batch of my mom's "multi-bean" salad (she uses 5 different beans; I use 3) - it sounded good. The problem is, it immediately smells wonderful, but you can't eat it right away. It has to marinate for 48 hours and be stirred every now and then during the "marination" period. I'll probably sneak and eat some tomorrow before it's officially done marinating. Shhhhh!
My daughter (the one getting a divorce) called me during her lunch hour. She is again newly frustrated with her soon-to-be "Ex." He loves to stir things up in the family by sending an inflammatory email filled with untruths (mostly about her) to everyone. It is so hard for her to keep from responding to him with an equally acrid message, but today she resisted the temptation. That's progress! It never accomplishes anything anyway, but I understand her frustration.
I tried to call my daughter-in-law this afternoon, but there was no answer. She promised me she would be here by noon LAST Monday to start work on cleaning out their mobile home (which is pretty much trashed and full of their furniture, clothes - which are literally strewn everywhere, and garbage). She is precious and I love her so very dearly, but, let me just say, housekeeping is not among her strengths! Even though I'm just a so-so housekeeper, I've tried to be the "Titus 2" older wiser(?) woman and help her learn better housekeeping habits and some little tricks to stay more organized, but had zero success. She desperately wants to do it right, but it just doesn't happen for her - she grew up with absolutely NO role model (and my Mom is Mrs. Clean - I know she wonders where she failed with me). This poor girl's druggie prostitute mom gave her a marijuana joint for her 13th birthday, for pity sake! She never had a chance. She tells me all the time that I'm the only real "Mom" she's ever had. Poor baby! I miss her - we're accustomed to gabbing together every day. Not any more.
I went for my mammogram last Thursday. Today I received a letter letting me know that everything was normal - good news! You just never know. I've learned that it CAN happen to me. Praise God, he is in charge. That's freedom in Jesus - he calls the shots, so I won't have to. (Doncha just LOVE Jer. 29:11).
Well, I guess I'll head out to the back porch fridge to give the bean salad a final stir for today and head to bed to watch a little TV.
MY TEXT FOR TODAY:
Col. 3:1-4 (Living Bible) "Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories."
Till next time...
XOXO
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Laid back Sunday
So, I was right. Church was a huge blessing. We went early to enjoy the fellowship time prior to the service, and the worship team was practicing the music for the day - FUN! The worship group is great - so dedicated and talented, and today's music was lots of fun stuff to harmonize with. I watched everyone else eating donuts (maplebars, would you believe - complete torture!) and just enjoyed the music and gabbing with friends. No donuts for me! I've fought hard to lose 8 lbs. and don't want to lose my momentum! Have at least 30 more to lose.
Our pastor is on vacation, so we had a guest speaker from another local church (this guy is available on a Sunday morning because his church meets on Saturday evenings). We adore our own pastor, but also love it when this pastor visits. He is so down-to-earth, practical and real. Today he shared about praying for answers to our issues (looking for "signs" - putting out the fleece, knocking on doors, and the like). It was really good stuff. He used Matthew 12:38-40 where the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking him for a miracle to prove he was the Real Deal. Sometimes we kinda do this in a way by asking for "a sign" from God. He pointed out that prayer is really about us pouring our hearts out and sharing our issues with the Father, but acknowledging Him as sovreign and aligning our will with His perfect will and plan (Jer. 29:11). He has no obligation to prove Himself to us. Like I said, good stuff!
After church we had some lunch at our favorite Teriyaki chicken place, and then stopped by one of our favorite liquidator stores to check for the latest bargains. I went in there looking for nutrition bars for my bro-in-law - didn't find them, but did find $51 worth of a lot of other fabulous deals (e.g., to name only a few: Viva paper towels for $.66/roll, gigantic dishwasher soap for $2.99, and humungous liquid laundry detergent for dirt cheap (and it smells soooooooo good - scent tops my list of priorities for certain products, laundry detergent being one of them). I always feel like I've gotten away with something when I find a fantastic bargain. I dearly love the hunt, and living on Social Security makes bargain hunting a necessity - a "sport" I can enjoy regularly and without guilt.
TEXT FOR TODAY: Ps. 145:14-19 (Living Bible) "The Lord lifts the fallen and those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all mankind look up to you [Lord] for help; you give them their food as they need it. You constantly satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
Our pastor is on vacation, so we had a guest speaker from another local church (this guy is available on a Sunday morning because his church meets on Saturday evenings). We adore our own pastor, but also love it when this pastor visits. He is so down-to-earth, practical and real. Today he shared about praying for answers to our issues (looking for "signs" - putting out the fleece, knocking on doors, and the like). It was really good stuff. He used Matthew 12:38-40 where the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking him for a miracle to prove he was the Real Deal. Sometimes we kinda do this in a way by asking for "a sign" from God. He pointed out that prayer is really about us pouring our hearts out and sharing our issues with the Father, but acknowledging Him as sovreign and aligning our will with His perfect will and plan (Jer. 29:11). He has no obligation to prove Himself to us. Like I said, good stuff!
After church we had some lunch at our favorite Teriyaki chicken place, and then stopped by one of our favorite liquidator stores to check for the latest bargains. I went in there looking for nutrition bars for my bro-in-law - didn't find them, but did find $51 worth of a lot of other fabulous deals (e.g., to name only a few: Viva paper towels for $.66/roll, gigantic dishwasher soap for $2.99, and humungous liquid laundry detergent for dirt cheap (and it smells soooooooo good - scent tops my list of priorities for certain products, laundry detergent being one of them). I always feel like I've gotten away with something when I find a fantastic bargain. I dearly love the hunt, and living on Social Security makes bargain hunting a necessity - a "sport" I can enjoy regularly and without guilt.
TEXT FOR TODAY: Ps. 145:14-19 (Living Bible) "The Lord lifts the fallen and those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all mankind look up to you [Lord] for help; you give them their food as they need it. You constantly satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
"The Lord is fair in everything he does, and full of kindness. He is close to all who call on him sincerely. He fulfills the desires of those who reverence and trust him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them."
XOXO
Saturday, August 9, 2008
So... here goes!
This whole blogging thing is new to me. In fact, I'm not really sure what it's all about, but I'm a writer and process things best with my fingers on a computer keyboard. I thought I would try putting my thoughts on "cyber paper" and see how it goes.
First, you need to know there's a lot going on in my life right now. Thankfully, I'm a Christian and have the assurance that no matter what happens, God is in charge on His throne, not somewhere taking a tiny nap missing His opportunities to take care of me.
Dateline February 2007: Our eldest daughter, whose life has been horribly stressful for many years, called me and tearfully admitted to being an alcoholic. Twelve days later, on her firstborn son's 14th birthday, she entered a rehab facility a couple of hours from her home for a three-week inpatient treatment program. She was dropped off by her husband who coldly opened the car door, patted her shoulder and said, "Do good" and pushed her out of the car. He has barely spoken to her since that day some 18 months ago. As it turns out, he was already "involved" with her best friend (who also happens to be the ex-wife of our son). At any rate, his change in loyalty (to the best friend) later explained his ability to be so cold and cruel to the bride of his youth after 18 years of marriage and four children.
That situation has continued to get worse and the pain for my precious girl, her children, and most of both families, has been excrutiating - almost unbearable. As her mom, I received those middle-of-the-night phone calls from my baby girl when she was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe: "Mom, I can't do this! You have to come." More than one night I got up from my bed, dressed, tossed a few things in a bag, and made the 60-minute drive to spend the night listening to her, trying to comfort her, and finding it impossible to answer her agonizing questions ("WHY?" and "What on earth has happened to my husband??"). And now they are in the throes of an ugly divorce, which should become final in the next few weeks. It's been horrible!
Dateline April 2007: After suffering "stroke" symptoms, my brother, who lives almost 1,000 miles away, was diagnosed with a brain tumor just before his 60th birthday. He had surgery to remove most of the tumor on May 7 and was released from the hospital on my 65th birthday, May 9. A couple of weeks later, when the results of the lab tests were revealed, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme Grade IV. I had no idea what that was, so I Googled it. The news wasn't one bit good. It's the most aggressive form of brain cancer - almost always fatal. Again, not great news! Our entire family was stunned by all of this discouraging information. We (my mom, sis and I) try to visit him two or three times a year, and are headed there in mid October for a lengthy visit and to watch the World Series (and "The Closer" - his favorite show!) with him.
Dateline November 2007: Thanksgiving... To accommodate a couple of family members, we usually have our family dinner on Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. This past year was no exception. Our son, who had been working out of town (90 minutes from home) for several months, kept stalling about when he could arrive to eat our traditional meal - the same exact menu I grew up with, and have prepared for my family since I cooked my "maiden turkey" in 1971 (after 8 years of marriage), as we spent our first Thanksgiving away from my own mom's Thanksgiving table.
My son has always LOVED our family's holiday dinner, and usually fills his plate to the brim, more than once. He finally arrived just before 9 p.m. (after multiple phone calls "explaining" why he had been unable to arrive yet). He barely ate anything, which I intereted to mean that he had already eaten his Thanksgiving dinner "somewhere" - we had no idea where or with whom. But we began to have strong suspicions, as did his wife.
In the months that followed, our son was obviously absent from his wife and two children (who were living in a mobile home on our property where their little family had moved in the spring of 2004). He came home less and less frequently, and finally not at all. In the meantime, his out-of-town job location was changed to a city almost 6 hours away. As things continued to unfold, our suspicions grew stronger. Then one Sunday evening in early June, we received an anonymous phone call from someone who thought we needed to know what our son was involved in. He told us that our boy had established a second life for himself, complete with a live-in girlfriend - they told us her name.
The next morning, on our 45th wedding anniversary, we decided to get in the car and go to the town where our son was working and see for ourselves what was going on. We made the 5 1/2 hour drive, checked into a motel, drove around to familiarize ourselves with the town (including our son's jobsite) and parked at a strategic intersection to wait for our son to drive by. We noted the direction he turned at the intersection, and went back to our motel to wait for darkness.
We spent most of the night looking at every vehicle in every parking lot of every motel in that town - no small feat. We were out there sleuthing around until 1:30 in the morning. We were exhausted, and didn't discover his truck or that of his girlfriend. So, the next morning at 5:15 a.m. we were back at the same intersection, watching for him to drive by with the girlfriend (in her truck), so that we would know which vehicle to watch for later in the day. We were too late (apparently, he was already at work at 5:15!) and we missed seeing him that morning.
That afternoon, we again waited for him to drive by. We had hidden our car behind a bushy tree, and when he passed by us we dashed out into traffic, following him at a safe distance for several miles out into the country. I made note of the license number of the truck,but when I later checked it with his wife, we had followed someone other than our son! In the meantime, we learned the name of the motel where he and the girlfriend had been staying. Late that evening we were back in the cover of darkness, looking at all the vehicles parked at that particular motel - one of the better, more expensive lodging offerings in the area, I might add. Once again we came up empty - neither truck in sight. Later we learned that the prior afternoon they had checked out of the motel (which explains why he was willing to reveal the name) and moved into a real house somewhere in the town. It is so upsetting to have no idea where our son is living or how to contact him - can't even send him a birthday card in October. We were never able to find him or locate any of the vehicles he drives (including the girlfriend's new red Honda Ridgeline). We were very frustrated, not to mention using 3 tanks of $4/gal. gasoline, plus the cost for two nights in a motel! Not our first concern, of course, but it is REALITY!
So that brings us to now. Our beloved daughter-in-law and two of our precious grandbabies have had to leave the relative safety of our country property and have moved to a larger city an hour to to the south where her dad lives. The schools there are awful (both kids will be in school this fall) and the apartment where they have to live (by financial necessity) is a drug-infested rat hole where there already have been two drive-by shootings in the five weeks they've been there. But in the city she can finish cosmetology school and get a job to support her babies. Our son sends her money pretty regularly, but there are strings and the money may not always be there for her. Our son refuses to tell anyone in the family where he's living and has said he wants nothing more to do with Dad and me. We are even forbidden to call him on his cell phone. We don't know what we've done, but our hearts are broken. He's our boy! Who knows how all of this will end. Praise God - He is the Healer of broken hearts!
Dateline first weekend in August 2008: My sis, my eldest daughter and I attended a weekend Christian Women's simulcast conference where the featured speaker was Beth Moore. I had never heard her speak, but I have to say she is an awesome Godly woman with an ordained gift for delivering her message in plain talk that speaks so loudly and so clearly. What an awesome blessing that was to the three of us (and all of the 70,000 women attending the simulcast in churches all over the country). I learned so much - practical ways to keep my study of the BIble going with regularity and making it relevant to my daily life. Fantastic! We are already making plans to be on the front row when she comes in person to our area in April 2009 - God willing!
Tomorrow - worship with the local church family whom we have been worshipping with for the past year or so. I know there will be blessings and healing for us there as we fellowship with the Body of Christ.
Don't worry - much more to come. Sorry this is soooooooooooo long. I'll try to be more brief next time. Needed to give a lot of background stuff this first time. Thanks for sticking with me!
XOXO
First, you need to know there's a lot going on in my life right now. Thankfully, I'm a Christian and have the assurance that no matter what happens, God is in charge on His throne, not somewhere taking a tiny nap missing His opportunities to take care of me.
Dateline February 2007: Our eldest daughter, whose life has been horribly stressful for many years, called me and tearfully admitted to being an alcoholic. Twelve days later, on her firstborn son's 14th birthday, she entered a rehab facility a couple of hours from her home for a three-week inpatient treatment program. She was dropped off by her husband who coldly opened the car door, patted her shoulder and said, "Do good" and pushed her out of the car. He has barely spoken to her since that day some 18 months ago. As it turns out, he was already "involved" with her best friend (who also happens to be the ex-wife of our son). At any rate, his change in loyalty (to the best friend) later explained his ability to be so cold and cruel to the bride of his youth after 18 years of marriage and four children.
That situation has continued to get worse and the pain for my precious girl, her children, and most of both families, has been excrutiating - almost unbearable. As her mom, I received those middle-of-the-night phone calls from my baby girl when she was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe: "Mom, I can't do this! You have to come." More than one night I got up from my bed, dressed, tossed a few things in a bag, and made the 60-minute drive to spend the night listening to her, trying to comfort her, and finding it impossible to answer her agonizing questions ("WHY?" and "What on earth has happened to my husband??"). And now they are in the throes of an ugly divorce, which should become final in the next few weeks. It's been horrible!
Dateline April 2007: After suffering "stroke" symptoms, my brother, who lives almost 1,000 miles away, was diagnosed with a brain tumor just before his 60th birthday. He had surgery to remove most of the tumor on May 7 and was released from the hospital on my 65th birthday, May 9. A couple of weeks later, when the results of the lab tests were revealed, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme Grade IV. I had no idea what that was, so I Googled it. The news wasn't one bit good. It's the most aggressive form of brain cancer - almost always fatal. Again, not great news! Our entire family was stunned by all of this discouraging information. We (my mom, sis and I) try to visit him two or three times a year, and are headed there in mid October for a lengthy visit and to watch the World Series (and "The Closer" - his favorite show!) with him.
Dateline November 2007: Thanksgiving... To accommodate a couple of family members, we usually have our family dinner on Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. This past year was no exception. Our son, who had been working out of town (90 minutes from home) for several months, kept stalling about when he could arrive to eat our traditional meal - the same exact menu I grew up with, and have prepared for my family since I cooked my "maiden turkey" in 1971 (after 8 years of marriage), as we spent our first Thanksgiving away from my own mom's Thanksgiving table.
My son has always LOVED our family's holiday dinner, and usually fills his plate to the brim, more than once. He finally arrived just before 9 p.m. (after multiple phone calls "explaining" why he had been unable to arrive yet). He barely ate anything, which I intereted to mean that he had already eaten his Thanksgiving dinner "somewhere" - we had no idea where or with whom. But we began to have strong suspicions, as did his wife.
In the months that followed, our son was obviously absent from his wife and two children (who were living in a mobile home on our property where their little family had moved in the spring of 2004). He came home less and less frequently, and finally not at all. In the meantime, his out-of-town job location was changed to a city almost 6 hours away. As things continued to unfold, our suspicions grew stronger. Then one Sunday evening in early June, we received an anonymous phone call from someone who thought we needed to know what our son was involved in. He told us that our boy had established a second life for himself, complete with a live-in girlfriend - they told us her name.
The next morning, on our 45th wedding anniversary, we decided to get in the car and go to the town where our son was working and see for ourselves what was going on. We made the 5 1/2 hour drive, checked into a motel, drove around to familiarize ourselves with the town (including our son's jobsite) and parked at a strategic intersection to wait for our son to drive by. We noted the direction he turned at the intersection, and went back to our motel to wait for darkness.
We spent most of the night looking at every vehicle in every parking lot of every motel in that town - no small feat. We were out there sleuthing around until 1:30 in the morning. We were exhausted, and didn't discover his truck or that of his girlfriend. So, the next morning at 5:15 a.m. we were back at the same intersection, watching for him to drive by with the girlfriend (in her truck), so that we would know which vehicle to watch for later in the day. We were too late (apparently, he was already at work at 5:15!) and we missed seeing him that morning.
That afternoon, we again waited for him to drive by. We had hidden our car behind a bushy tree, and when he passed by us we dashed out into traffic, following him at a safe distance for several miles out into the country. I made note of the license number of the truck,but when I later checked it with his wife, we had followed someone other than our son! In the meantime, we learned the name of the motel where he and the girlfriend had been staying. Late that evening we were back in the cover of darkness, looking at all the vehicles parked at that particular motel - one of the better, more expensive lodging offerings in the area, I might add. Once again we came up empty - neither truck in sight. Later we learned that the prior afternoon they had checked out of the motel (which explains why he was willing to reveal the name) and moved into a real house somewhere in the town. It is so upsetting to have no idea where our son is living or how to contact him - can't even send him a birthday card in October. We were never able to find him or locate any of the vehicles he drives (including the girlfriend's new red Honda Ridgeline). We were very frustrated, not to mention using 3 tanks of $4/gal. gasoline, plus the cost for two nights in a motel! Not our first concern, of course, but it is REALITY!
So that brings us to now. Our beloved daughter-in-law and two of our precious grandbabies have had to leave the relative safety of our country property and have moved to a larger city an hour to to the south where her dad lives. The schools there are awful (both kids will be in school this fall) and the apartment where they have to live (by financial necessity) is a drug-infested rat hole where there already have been two drive-by shootings in the five weeks they've been there. But in the city she can finish cosmetology school and get a job to support her babies. Our son sends her money pretty regularly, but there are strings and the money may not always be there for her. Our son refuses to tell anyone in the family where he's living and has said he wants nothing more to do with Dad and me. We are even forbidden to call him on his cell phone. We don't know what we've done, but our hearts are broken. He's our boy! Who knows how all of this will end. Praise God - He is the Healer of broken hearts!
Dateline first weekend in August 2008: My sis, my eldest daughter and I attended a weekend Christian Women's simulcast conference where the featured speaker was Beth Moore. I had never heard her speak, but I have to say she is an awesome Godly woman with an ordained gift for delivering her message in plain talk that speaks so loudly and so clearly. What an awesome blessing that was to the three of us (and all of the 70,000 women attending the simulcast in churches all over the country). I learned so much - practical ways to keep my study of the BIble going with regularity and making it relevant to my daily life. Fantastic! We are already making plans to be on the front row when she comes in person to our area in April 2009 - God willing!
Tomorrow - worship with the local church family whom we have been worshipping with for the past year or so. I know there will be blessings and healing for us there as we fellowship with the Body of Christ.
Don't worry - much more to come. Sorry this is soooooooooooo long. I'll try to be more brief next time. Needed to give a lot of background stuff this first time. Thanks for sticking with me!
XOXO
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