Blessings

I received an urgent prayer request this morning ... her dad died suddenly yesterday. Thankfully she's scheduled to be back in the country tomorrow night, but I know she is heartbroken that she's away from her family during this time. Her dad has been in a rehab facility for several week now. Back in July ... on the same day my dad was rushed to the hospital ... her dad went in for pneumonia. He'd suffered a couple of strokes a few years ago, and bless his heart, he was in poor health. Cheryl had said she didn't think he'd ever leave the rehab center, but I don't think she was expecting him to go be with the Lord so soon or she wouldn't have left the country.

Had a wonderful SS lesson today ... about Elkanah and Hannah and their struggle to have a child. Finally God blessed them with Samuel, and you know the rest of the story (hopefully). One thing that impressed on my heart today was that when Hannah brought 3-year-old Samuel to live in the temple, she also brought along other sacrifices to offer. Now me, dropping off my child to be raised somewhere else by someone else is unthinkable. But Hannah had "made a deal" with God and she was upholding her end of the bargain. But she also brought 3 additional offerings: a bull (blood offering), flour (grain offering), and wine (drink offering). She was doing some SERIOUS worshiping. Seriously thankful for the son God blessed her with. And she later had additional sons and daughters. Wow.

We have an important birthday celebration to attend later this afternoon. Granny turned 95 on Friday. I've always called her Granny, although she isn't really my granny. Her daughter Ann and I have been bestest friends since we were teenagers ... 40 years ago. Granny is amazing. 95 and she still works in the yard with all of her flowers, cans and freezes hundreds of quarts of vegetables every summer, teaches SS, does home demonstration things, and lives on her own. Has more energy than anyone I know and Lord knows she can run rings around me.

Later we'll run by the funeral home. I think I shared in an earlier post that Sandy's cousin lost her 13-year battle with cancer. Actually, that' another celebration. Pat is healed, pain-free, and with her Savior.

God is good. 

P.S. Just got another email that Dale, my favorite EIC, lost his mom yesterday.

Barry and I grew up in the same church ... since we were babies. Then about 20 years ago he married a young mother with 3 kids. They went to a different church, different denomination, and Barry joined their church. So I seldom see him, even though he lives in the same small town we do.

We spent 15-20 minutes getting caught up. His kids are grown and gone, as are ours. Barry is a pharmacist, having been at the same place for over 20 years. But last fall the company sold out and things weren't the same. He left, and he says he is still mourning the loss of that job. He's employed, but not particularly happy there.

Told Barry that in 2010 our church will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary. He was so excited and wants to come to the celebration. He asked about a number of folks at church. I could tell he misses them.

Changing gears ... my Jaybug is here! And we made cookies ... chocolate chip and some oatmeal raisin. Only the slice and bake things, but he was tickled. Put on my apron and helped me. Such a cutie pie. He's up in his room and waiting for Mawmaw to come watch a movie with him. Gotta go!

We slept in this morning, but I was up and down several times last night so I don't feel very rested. Still having some off and on problems with leg cramps, even though I've been off the cholesterol meds for about a month. Anyway, we got up and went out for breakfast ... a nice treat because that' something we seldom do. Then we hit a couple of the hardware places looking for a new towel bar for one bathroom and a tp holder for another.

Also looked at firepits/firebowls. Amanda wants one and I thought it would make a nice birthday gift. Her birthday is next month ... just in time to start building fires. And Kelly's birthday is in 3 days and I thought she'd enjoy one on her patio. So we bought 2 of them. I'd like one for us as well, but we waited. Home Depot has some outdoor chaise lounges on sale that I want, but after buying the firepits, we had to pass them up ... for now anyway. Maybe soon.

My friend Sandy has a cousin, Pat, who went to be with the Lord yesterday after a 13-year battle with cancer. She had been in remission for a long time, but that horrid monster returned with a vengence. The tumors that had taken over internally were finally popping out all over her neck and spine. She had been in a great deal of pain and on a morphine drip for the past week or so. She slipped into a coma sometime Thursday and went home peacefully about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, surrounded by friends and family. She leaves behind a wonderful Christian husband and 2 boys who are both in their early 20s.

My cousin who attempted suicide last week is doing better ... at least physically. He underwent 4 surgical procedures earlier this week, inserting a trach, feeding tube, and 2 procedures on his eyes. He lost his vision in his left eye but apparently can see somewhat with his right. No brain damage, which is truly a miracle considering he put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Not sure when he will undergo pychologist testing and therapy. He's got a long and winding road ahead of him. Thanks for your prayers for him and his sisters as they take care of him.

And there's another one I'm supposed to be working out that goes out the door next week too. Most of it got dumped on David because I've been swamped and the EIC is useless. The very minute I got back in from lunch he came in and asked if I could show him how to do footnote foam (is what it sounded like) for Internet sources. I asked him THREE times what he was saying, and I swear he kept saying footnote foam. I was getting mad and finally said, "I guess I can't help you because I don't know what the heck you're saying." So he spelled it: F-O-R (uh)-M. He thought it was cute. I wasn't amused. I've had enough of high maintenance people for one week. For one day.

So when I got to a stopping point, I went into his office to show him how to do the footnote. Didn't matter that I'd already done the first two for him. Whatever. I showed him again. Then he said he had a number of sources that he didn't have a page number for and would I order the books. Sure, no problem. Do it on Monday since our library is closed on Friday. David says, "We have 3 days." Well, Jesus might have risen from the dead in 3 days, but there's no way to order a bunch of books through Interlibrary loan and get them in 3 days. Monday would be the earliest I could submit the request and it takes 1-3 weeks to get the books. And then God knows how long to look for a particular sentence in a book. Talk about looking for a needle in a haystack. Three days, he says. Did I say I've already had enough of high maintenance people?

THEN he asked if I'd verified all of these statistics. Honestly, I don't know. I started on them, but I'm pretty sure I didn't finish because the source the writer sent was a 154-slide PowerPoint presentation. It takes FOREVER to do a search through all of those. The system works very slowly on those. I told him I'd try to get to it on Monday. Again, the 3-day thing. And again, I've had enough of HMP.

I'm going home.

On a much happier note ... VANDERBILT whipped SOUTH CAROLINA last night 24-17. They are 2-0 after stomping Miami Ohio last week. How 'bout them 'Dores!!!!!! We were up to 11 last night watching the game. THEN I was too pumped up to go to sleep. So nice to see them off to a good start for once. Been a long time coming for those boys and Coach Johnson.

But now we're at a different phase in our lives and need to update them. So this morning I emailed both kids and asked if there are any specific things that they want. Haven't heard from Chris, but his sister sent the following: "I want the house and everything in it! I want it all! Muhahahahaha!"

She's nuts. But that's another whole story.

Then she emailed back and said there are only 3 items she wants: my wedding band (which is actually an anniversary band with diamonds and sapphires), my collection of Jewel Tea dishes (which belonged to my grandmother), and my sewing machine (also belonged to Big Mama). That's it. Sounds easy enough.

So Ed called a few minutes ago and I told him about the emails Kelly and I exchanged. When I said she wants my ring, he interrupted with "Your ring? Well, I thought ..." and he paused. LONG pause. Finally I said, "You thought WHAT? That you'd give it to your NEXT wife?"

"No, no, no!!!" He wants to have it on my hand when he buries me. What a waste of good jewelry! I have 2 other wedding bands ... my original, which belonged to his great-grandmother ... and another simple thin gold band. The antique one needs to stay in the family, I think. I'd rather he just put the one that I wore for many years on me, if he insists on one. Isn't it silly the things you never think/talk about? Who wooda thunk?

Then it dawned on me that Week 6 was one we had problems with yesterday and had to have the text reflowed. Now he REALLY wasn't happy, and I felt like it was my fault ... although it really wasn't. It was the Evil Computer and Its Evil Glitches. I talked to J about it. She said that it never fails that when a B. Moore product is about to be finished Satan rears his ugly head and tries to do something to destroy or delay or cause disruption. I never did hear what happened after the EIC went to put his head together with the tech. I sure hope it can be fixed without someone having to do a lot of extra work.

Now for the itches. Started last night and has continued all day long. As far as I know, I haven't changed soaps or detergents or anything like that. OK, a new moisturizer, but would that make me itch from head to toe? I've scratched myself silly today. I finally went in the rest room and tried to lather up with lotion. That helped some, but I'm still itching insanely. Just took a benedryl tablet and will probably be unconsious in a matter of minutes. I'd already decided to forego choir practice tonight since this eternal crud is still lingering, but I'd hoped to work on some freelance work. I may be sound asleep instead.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 

Last night we went out on the lake with 2 other couples. They actually put in at Old Hickory Marina and then drove up to Saunders Ferry dock and picked us up. Just went a little ways and anchored. The boys fished for just a little while and we girls chatted. Glad we weren't depending on the fishermen for dinner or we would have gone hungry. Instead Sandy had picked up a variety of sub sandwiches. I brought chips, drinks, and brownies. Oh, and watermelon ... but we ate that while the guys fished. Appetizer, you know.

It was past dark when they dropped us off at our landing spot. Funny ... Sandy's granddaughter, who is living with them right now because it is a closer commute for her to college ... called and told Nana that it was too dark to be out on the water, that she had a curfew, and that it was time to come home. We laughed. Then Kelly called ... where are you, why aren't you answering your phone, blah, blah, blah. Jibberjabber, as she calls it.

Anyway, we got home a little after nine. Tired but had a great time. Turned on the TV for a little down time and ended up staying up to watch "Love Comes Softly." Great movie ... part of a series. I'd seen it before but was worth watching again.

So today I'm droopy. Yawning. Nose still stuffy and I must be annoying everyone on this hallway with the constant blowing. Can't be helped.

My cousin Bud is in surgery this morning ... having 4 procedures as a result of his suicide attempt. Working on his eyes, some kind of breathing tube, and a feeding tube. Keep him in your prayers. His sisters are still there trying to stay on top of things. Apparently his wife isn't showing up very often. Sad.

Used to work with an EIC who liked to boast that he has the gift of mercy. Nope. He doesn't. Don't know what makes him think he does. I'm certain he has other spiritual gifts, but mercy isn't one of them.

Honestly, I don't know if anyone TRULY has that gift. Two conversations today in particular make me wonder. First, all the publicity about young Palin girl who is pregnant. She didn't get pregnant all by herself. Anyway, I posted earlier ... Who doesn't know a family in America who hasn't been affected by an unplanned pregnancy? I can't imagine that there is anyone. And how many of us wouldn't be here today except that we were an unplanned pregnancy or one of our ancestors were? God can take any situation and make it turn out for His glory while many of us want to snicker, condemn, and point fingers. But for the grace of God go many of us.

Second, today a friend went to court regarding a recent car accident in which a drunk driver hit the vehicle carrying his wife and babies. The car was totaled; everyone walked away without a scratch. God is good.

OK, I understand that he wants justice. I would too. I do too! It wasn't her first DUI nor was it her last. But today she offered a plea (or whatever it is called) to go to rehab for a month and then come back before the court. She wants treatment. A step in the right direction. He's angry and upset because, in his words, she's going to some cushy rehab place. Well, I looked it up on the Internet. It's no Betty Ford Rehab. It's an old house with well-worn furniture. Nothing fancy. He carried on like she's going on a month-long vacation. I asked, "Have you ever been to rehab?" "No, have you? "No, but my daughter has. There are evaluations, classes, and doctor visits. It isn't a vacation. It's a process." Then came the comments about the location of her subsequent DUI arrest. It wasn't in the best part of town ... I'll give him that. But to insinuate she was a "working girl" on a corner wasn't necessary. Only a block away ... walking distance ... from where her last arrest occurred is a residential area. She COULD have been on her way home.

He just wants her locked up in jail. Period. Maybe I'd feel the same way if I were in his shoes. But this one thing I do know: We have had and do have alcoholics in our family. It's sad. My grandfather had a problem with alcohol. So did a great uncle. I've already had one cousin to die of alcholism. He was in his 50s. Now I have another who is in a hospital with half of his face shot away because he was drunk and put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Oh, that any of them had tried rehab! It's not a fix-all; I know that. As with any problem, the sick person has to truly want help and desire to change.

I'm reminded again that I serve a God of mercy. A God who doesn't give me the punishment I deserve every day. Instead, He scoops me up when I fall, brushes me off, gives me a big hug, and sets me on the right path again. And again. And again. And again. I deserve the death sentence every day of my life, but Jesus took that burden and paid that sentence so that I don't have to.

Mercy.

I just received an email from a dear friend that I believe speaks directly to this subject. Following is an excerpt:

Tonight we're going out on the lake with John & Sandy. Looking so forward to that. Just gonna take some sandwiches, chips, and drinks and max and relax.

For some reason, I'm not able to comment to posts on this site. Rich is looking into it and hopefully will have the problem resolved soon. But what I want to say is regarding the posts about the young lady, Bristol, whose unplanned pregnancy was announced over the weekend. First, it's only newsworthy because her mother is a VP candidate. All the criticism and finger-pointing distresses me. If there's a family in America that hasn't been touched by an unplanned teenage (or young adult) pregnancy, I'd be surprised.  It happens in "good" families as well as "bad." To the wealthy and the poor. The educated and uneducated. Christian and non-Christian. Every race, every nationality. We need to keep our youth and young adults in our prayers and support them through the difficult times. Next, we need to think back when we were dating and the temptations we faced. If it was difficult then (and it was), how much more so today when sex is "in your face" every time you turn on the tv or radio or read a magazine or newspaper? They have my prayers.

I think the worst of this illness is behind us now. Still some coughing and congestion but nothing like it was last week. I guess we'll live. It was questionable a few days ago.

UPDATE:

Back from the pool. Not crowded at all ... very surprised and pleased. Just about had the place to ourselves. But it was so HOT! Stayed out there about 2 hours and then went inside. I thought the steam room would help these messed up sinuses of mine. Usually I love the steam room, but I couldn't stand it today. It was too HOT! Got in the hot tub for about 5 minutes, and that was about all I could stand of it too.

Had to make a Wal-Mart run and then stopped at Shane's Rib Shack to pick up a couple of BBQ sandwiches and potato salad for our lunch/supper. No cooking today! And the food was FABULOUS!

Ed's gone back outside to mow the backyard. Not me. I love the summer, but for some reason right now I can't stand the heat. I think it's the combination of being sick for a week and also of staying inside where it's nice and cool for so long.

Back to work tomorrow ... yuck. While I'm thankful to have a job and great friends and coworkers, there, if I never had to work another day in my life, it would suit me just fine. But there's that thing about a paycheck and bills ...