God gave us the most wonderful gift....I mean, our family...besides for the most important gift...Christ Jesus, our Lord.
My parents, my girls and I were all together last evening. And thanks to Flylady, I had all things ready and stress free. But, God's gift was one of peace and laughter. We were all together and we laughed so hard that our stomachs hurt.
You never think that it will be your last Christmas, but this year has shown us how tenuous life really is. I cherish this memory with my parents. I pray that my girls will remember this time, fondly, for many many years.
May the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Deuteronomy 31:6
It's starting already.
Deuteronomy 31:6-"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6-"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Dealing
The decision is made. Mom is going for the least invasive treatment. But that involves 5 weeks of radiation. That seems quite daunting to me. Hopefully, they will get onto it soon. I think there needs to be a bone scan first. Let's get started.
John and Anna are in town. With big news. I know part of the news. Not good for me, but perhaps for the girls. It will be character building, for sure. (God, aren't I enough of a character already???!!!) Please pray for us all. Hmmm...including some of the readers of this blog.
I think of all the miracles of this year. It amazes me. And all the sadness. Life is full of ups and downs. When they are such extreme paeks and valleys it takes one's breath away...
...Seek ye first the kingdom of God...
...I want to go on another mission trip...
John and Anna are in town. With big news. I know part of the news. Not good for me, but perhaps for the girls. It will be character building, for sure. (God, aren't I enough of a character already???!!!) Please pray for us all. Hmmm...including some of the readers of this blog.
I think of all the miracles of this year. It amazes me. And all the sadness. Life is full of ups and downs. When they are such extreme paeks and valleys it takes one's breath away...
...Seek ye first the kingdom of God...
...I want to go on another mission trip...
Monday, December 18, 2006
Decisions
Disclaimer: This post might be a little fuzzy as I haven't slept yet!
First of all, the doctor seems very nice, very efficient and very caring. Those are positive qualities in a situation like this.
It appears that mom has three choices. Of course, I can't remember them...
1. partial mastectomy with 5 weeks of radiation 5x/wk.
2. full mastectomy. no radiation.
3. full mastectomy, plus reconstruction. no radiation. (unless the lymph nodes show something).
It is so easy to decide when it isn't you....for some reason, mom wants to think about it! LOL
They sent a bunch of literature home with her to look at, so that should help some. They are also doing a chest xray and a bone scan to look for other signs of cancer. I'm very glad about that. They are also making Mom an appmt with the plastic surgeon to explain the reconstruction.
All this could be done by the end of January. So they move pretty quickly. I guess that they are guarantied a surgery date within 21 days, for mastectomy, if it is without reconstruction. Christmas will cause some delays, though.
So, there are the facts. Emotions will come later , I guess. It is all a little more than I expected, but not.
Mom seems good, but I think it is sinking in a bit more. Whatever she decides, this is going to take a lot out of her.
Dad is worried. Cathie seems quite practical. Lynn is not letting herself think.
The good news is: the prognosis is very good. It is just a matter of getting things done.
Thank you all for your concern. :)
First of all, the doctor seems very nice, very efficient and very caring. Those are positive qualities in a situation like this.
It appears that mom has three choices. Of course, I can't remember them...
1. partial mastectomy with 5 weeks of radiation 5x/wk.
2. full mastectomy. no radiation.
3. full mastectomy, plus reconstruction. no radiation. (unless the lymph nodes show something).
It is so easy to decide when it isn't you....for some reason, mom wants to think about it! LOL
They sent a bunch of literature home with her to look at, so that should help some. They are also doing a chest xray and a bone scan to look for other signs of cancer. I'm very glad about that. They are also making Mom an appmt with the plastic surgeon to explain the reconstruction.
All this could be done by the end of January. So they move pretty quickly. I guess that they are guarantied a surgery date within 21 days, for mastectomy, if it is without reconstruction. Christmas will cause some delays, though.
So, there are the facts. Emotions will come later , I guess. It is all a little more than I expected, but not.
Mom seems good, but I think it is sinking in a bit more. Whatever she decides, this is going to take a lot out of her.
Dad is worried. Cathie seems quite practical. Lynn is not letting herself think.
The good news is: the prognosis is very good. It is just a matter of getting things done.
Thank you all for your concern. :)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Sarah
Hi, Sarah
If you read this, I just want you to know that I have been trying to add a comment you your blog, but it won't let me!
Grieving is tough. It throws you all over the place...You only have to worry if you get stuck in one spot! On the positive side, there is never a dull moment, eh?
I'll be praying for you ...especially so during this holiday season.
Lynn
If you read this, I just want you to know that I have been trying to add a comment you your blog, but it won't let me!
Grieving is tough. It throws you all over the place...You only have to worry if you get stuck in one spot! On the positive side, there is never a dull moment, eh?
I'll be praying for you ...especially so during this holiday season.
Lynn
Friday, December 15, 2006
Yep...
I read this and laughed. It sooo hit home. I am so needy. My ''good on you, Lynn'' bank is so overdrawn from years of not measuring up. Like a bank account, when you are over drawn they charge you interest. So it takes longer to bring it back up into the black. Small deposits are important, but sometimes they just barely cover the interest. It's hard to get ahead. I am so thankful for everyone who has 'deposited' into my account!
I need to tattoo Deut 31:6 on the back of my hand!! LOL
Single Parenthood: Facing Life's Unfulfilled Expectations
Sandra P. Aldrich
Most of us single parents have learned others can't fulfill our expectations. But we keep hoping, don't we?
It's been several years since her divorce, but Jan still describes the Wednesday night service when her husband handed her the car keys, said, "Who are we kidding?" and walked out.
In that moment, she knew their struggling marriage was over. Numb, she sat through the service, wanting to give her husband time to walk home and pack his suitcase
.
Afterward, the woman sitting behind her asked if everything was all right. With tears running down her cheeks, Jan blurted she was facing divorce.
"Then the woman patted my arm, said God would be with me and went home to her husband!" Jan says.
Sure, it would have been wonderful if the woman had hugged her and said, "Oh, Honey!" but she didn't.
If we're going to be hurt every time someone fails to provide what we think we need, we're going to be hurting a lot.
Yes, single parenting is hard work. And naturally we'd love to have a pat on the back occasionally, but other folks don't realize what we're shouldering. I began to learn that years ago when a relative and I drove to Kentucky to take my grandparents, Papa and Mama Farley, and my Aunt Adah to Michigan.
An eight-hour drive was ahead, so my grandmother had an enormous lunch perched next to her on the front seat. On top of the basket she placed a bunch of bananas, then settled her cane against her thigh, ready for the trip.
Delayed road construction and numerous detours forced us to wind around the hills on dangerously curving stretches of asphalt. Topping one more rise, we discovered a rock slide covering the road.
The relative got out of the car after hastily throwing the gear toward park. Then as he climbed onto the rock pile to survey the situation, the car stalled and began to roll backward.
I was in the backseat wedged between Aunt Adah and Papa, but it was up to me to reach the brake. In an instant, I threw myself over the seat, knocking the lunch to the floor as I scrambled to stomp onto the brakes.
When I got the car stopped, it was already several feet beyond the asphalt. And beyond that was a 500-foot drop into the ravine below.
With the car safely braked, I released my breath and tried to push my heart out of my throat. Finally, I looked at Mama. Surely she had some praise for my quick action that had saved the four of us from severe injury--if not death.
But she was picking up the scattered lunch. Then she muttered, "You smashed the bananas."
So much for my need for appreciation.
Even after the detour lesson, I still expected folks to live up to my expectations. In fact, during our first Christmas in Colorado Springs, my children and I attended a musical downtown.
The show was usually given as part of a dinner package, so our matinee audience was seated at round tables, too. Before the curtain went up, waitresses delivered soft drinks.
When the show started, the performers sang as though they were having a wonderful time. Then, during one tender holiday song, I started to cry, missing my previous life.
Just then the man across the table pulled his arm back toward his wife. My tears increased as I decided he was going to give her shoulders a little squeeze.
How fortunate his wife is, and how wonderful of him. My thoughts were moving faster than the man's arm.
At last, with his arm all the way back, he reached for his soft drink--instead of his wife!
I laughed aloud as life's reality shattered another fantasy.
Yes, it's taken a while, but I've finally learned to stop looking to others to fulfill my heart's needs. Instead, I claim Deuteronomy 31:6-"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
What a difference that promise makes in my expectations of myself--and others.
Adapted from From One Single Mother to Another: Heart-Lifting Encouragement and Practical Advice by Sandra P. Aldrich. (2005 Gospel Light/Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission.) Author or co-author of 17 books, Sandra is an international speaker who handles serious issues with insight and humor. For information about her speaking availability or to order this book, contact her at http://ca.f503.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=BoldWords@aol.com
I need to tattoo Deut 31:6 on the back of my hand!! LOL
Single Parenthood: Facing Life's Unfulfilled Expectations
Sandra P. Aldrich
Most of us single parents have learned others can't fulfill our expectations. But we keep hoping, don't we?
It's been several years since her divorce, but Jan still describes the Wednesday night service when her husband handed her the car keys, said, "Who are we kidding?" and walked out.
In that moment, she knew their struggling marriage was over. Numb, she sat through the service, wanting to give her husband time to walk home and pack his suitcase
.
Afterward, the woman sitting behind her asked if everything was all right. With tears running down her cheeks, Jan blurted she was facing divorce.
"Then the woman patted my arm, said God would be with me and went home to her husband!" Jan says.
Sure, it would have been wonderful if the woman had hugged her and said, "Oh, Honey!" but she didn't.
If we're going to be hurt every time someone fails to provide what we think we need, we're going to be hurting a lot.
Yes, single parenting is hard work. And naturally we'd love to have a pat on the back occasionally, but other folks don't realize what we're shouldering. I began to learn that years ago when a relative and I drove to Kentucky to take my grandparents, Papa and Mama Farley, and my Aunt Adah to Michigan.
An eight-hour drive was ahead, so my grandmother had an enormous lunch perched next to her on the front seat. On top of the basket she placed a bunch of bananas, then settled her cane against her thigh, ready for the trip.
Delayed road construction and numerous detours forced us to wind around the hills on dangerously curving stretches of asphalt. Topping one more rise, we discovered a rock slide covering the road.
The relative got out of the car after hastily throwing the gear toward park. Then as he climbed onto the rock pile to survey the situation, the car stalled and began to roll backward.
I was in the backseat wedged between Aunt Adah and Papa, but it was up to me to reach the brake. In an instant, I threw myself over the seat, knocking the lunch to the floor as I scrambled to stomp onto the brakes.
When I got the car stopped, it was already several feet beyond the asphalt. And beyond that was a 500-foot drop into the ravine below.
With the car safely braked, I released my breath and tried to push my heart out of my throat. Finally, I looked at Mama. Surely she had some praise for my quick action that had saved the four of us from severe injury--if not death.
But she was picking up the scattered lunch. Then she muttered, "You smashed the bananas."
So much for my need for appreciation.
Even after the detour lesson, I still expected folks to live up to my expectations. In fact, during our first Christmas in Colorado Springs, my children and I attended a musical downtown.
The show was usually given as part of a dinner package, so our matinee audience was seated at round tables, too. Before the curtain went up, waitresses delivered soft drinks.
When the show started, the performers sang as though they were having a wonderful time. Then, during one tender holiday song, I started to cry, missing my previous life.
Just then the man across the table pulled his arm back toward his wife. My tears increased as I decided he was going to give her shoulders a little squeeze.
How fortunate his wife is, and how wonderful of him. My thoughts were moving faster than the man's arm.
At last, with his arm all the way back, he reached for his soft drink--instead of his wife!
I laughed aloud as life's reality shattered another fantasy.
Yes, it's taken a while, but I've finally learned to stop looking to others to fulfill my heart's needs. Instead, I claim Deuteronomy 31:6-"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
What a difference that promise makes in my expectations of myself--and others.
Adapted from From One Single Mother to Another: Heart-Lifting Encouragement and Practical Advice by Sandra P. Aldrich. (2005 Gospel Light/Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission.) Author or co-author of 17 books, Sandra is an international speaker who handles serious issues with insight and humor. For information about her speaking availability or to order this book, contact her at http://ca.f503.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=BoldWords@aol.com
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Cancer
Just found out that my mom has cancer. Not really thinking right now. She has an appointment on Monday to see what they are going to do. It is small. I'm choosing to think that it is not too serious. Cancer. hmm...Cancer= serious. Well, we shall see. My mom doesn't get cancer. That is for other people...people with cancer.
Anyway, I'm praying now. We'll just have to wait and see what is said on Monday.
I'm numb.
Anyway, I'm praying now. We'll just have to wait and see what is said on Monday.
I'm numb.
Monday, December 4, 2006
Grieving....Sorry, your time is up!!
So, how long is the *appropriate* time to grieve? Does it depend on what you are grieving? How are you supposed to know? How do you explain to your heart that it is 'time to get over it'? And who do people think they are, telling you how you should feel? Have they been through this? NO. If they had, they wouldn't expect you to just forget all about it and move on.
Betrayal. Jesus. Judas. God.Agape.
Betrayal. Jesus. Judas. God.Agape.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
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