June Already????

Wow - when I get distracted, I really get distracted! While it's been a good, long while since my last post, these past months have not been without their drama and heartache. My Dad had surgery in March for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. We were all looking forward to him having more energy and maybe actually enjoying life again, but the surgery created more problems than it fixed. Acute kidney failure, multiple small strokes, infection; after a month in the hospital, including two separate weeks in ICU and a second surgery, after which he coded while being transferred from the gurney to the bed, Daddy died at the Hospice Mitchell Campus. I could dwell on the hurt, but that isn't productive. Yes, I grieve, but I thank my God everyday that He gave me such a wonderful man to call my Daddy here on earth. I am also thankful to Dr. Milch, the Hospice doctor, who was able to help us fulfill Dad's wish not to die in the hospital - especially Mercy Hospital. This next year will be full of firsts that none of is looking forward to - the first birthday without Dad, the first holiday, Dad & Mom's 60th anniversary (that's gonna be a really hard one)...you get the idea. We'll get through it, because that's what Dad would want. He always said that he didn't want anyone crying over him when he was gone, but to remember the happy times. So that's what I'm going to do. I love you, Dad.

Random Thoughts

First random thought - Wow! It's been a while since I last put my thoughts down in blogdom. It's been an absolutely wonderful summer - activity-wise, not weather-wise! We have been doing a lot of bike riding together, my Honey and I. Who knew I'd actually like something which is also physically beneficial (i.e., good exercise)! We had a terrific 4th of July with my sister, brother-in-law, and parents; a totally awesome family reunion in Indiana; our son-in-law's ordination (so proud of him!); "Camp Grandma-Grandpa 2009" with R & L. Perhaps the most thought-provoking thing we've done this summer, though, is something called The Truth Project, a 13 week dvd series put out by Focus On The Family. Which leads me into:

Second random thought - Each week Dr. Del Tackett takes the viewer on a "tour" of a given subject. I highly recommend this series to any and every believer. It is not an apologetic series, therefore I would not take unbelievers to it (the ALPHA course is better suited for that purpose). It presupposes at least a desire to live within the framework of God's leading; it strengthens the belief system already in place. Amazing series...

Third random thought - In conjunction with #2, I am reevaluating some areas of my life. I find that I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME on things that do not further the cause of the Kingdom, and hope to purge my life of said things as quickly as possible.

Fourth random thought - In all of my years as a Christian, I have noticed that God speaks to me most clearly during the summer months (perhaps I listen more closely then?). This summer He has impressed upon me a portion of Scripture which I have endeavored to memorize. It is 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. It is a phenomenal thought captured in these verses; I feel a sense of awe and wonder every time I ponder it, and I've done a lot of "pondering" lately.

Fifth (and last) random thought - "I will set before my eyes no vile thing." - Psalm 101:3

Pine Springs Here I Come!!

Well, I'm in the middle of packing because tomorrow I leave for PA to spend the week with my daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren. While L & J are running a missions camp for middle/high schoolers at Pine Springs Camp in Jennerstown, PA, I will be playing with...er, I mean, watching my grandchildren, also at the camp. How much fun is that going to be?? I can't wait! We had a really fun time last year, so I anticipate more of the same this year :)

Heart Trouble

I am currently experiencing heart trouble. Not the physical kind (Thank you, Lord), but the emotional kind. I found out yesterday that our Pastor of Children's Ministry is being "let go", a seemingly nice way of saying he's being canned. Now, I don't know WHAT the Board was thinking, but Tim has been here for almost 10 years. Unless he has done something illegal or immoral (and I'd be willing to bet he hasn't), they had no right to terminate his employment the way they did. He was told this past week, and his last Sunday is June 28. The kids in that church adore him and his wife, Diane. I can't begin to imagine what the Sunday School teachers are feeling - they are much closer to them than I, and I feel like I've been kicked in the teeth. I guess this is something that will have to work itself out, but I don't see how. Tim is on facebook, and his status said "God DID NOT say, 'What the heck just happened here?' I know I can trust God no matter what!!!!! Still!" I feel blessed to know these people, and I pray that God will grant them His peace until He reveals His plan for their lives. Selfishly, I hope that His plan keeps them here in the area because I'd love to be involved in their ministry. Okay, I'm done ranting - for now.

Makes You Think

My husband has been helping a friend of his, Bob, with Bob's shop for a couple of years now. Bob has all sorts of health problems - diabetes, he's on dialysis, heart attack, amputations... today my husband called to tell me that Bob's wife, Peg (his caregiver), had a heart attack last night. The aorta ruptured, but the docs thought everything was under control. A couple of hours later, my husband called again to tell me that Peg had died. My mind is numb, not wanting to accept what he told me. I wasn't particularly close to Bob & Peg, but I know them, and they are very good to my husband. All of this has gotten me to thinking about my Dad & Mom. Mom has been Dad's caregiver since 2002 when he had surgery to repair a brain aneurysm. A year later he was doing well with his recovery when he was suddenly diagnosed with Wegener's, an autoimmune disease, which won't kill him, but it does require a good deal of care-giving on my Mom's part. So back to Bob and Peg. What is going to happen to Bob? I don't think he can stay by himself. What would happen to my Dad in the same situation? It's not something I want to think about, but maybe I need to consider the alternatives in case Mom goes before Dad. Gee, such a happy post. Sorry ....

Weigh In Day - Woo Hoo!!

I weighed in at Weight Watcher's this morning and made it to my 10% goal! They gave me a cute little key chain and, since I've been there for 16 weeks, I also received a little charm to put on my key chain. Isn't that cute :) As you can see from my ticker, I'm down 19.8 lbs., so hopefully I'll be breaking the 20 lb. mark next week. This is actually turning out to be FUN!! Go figure!

What I Really Wanted To Say...

Wednesdays are busy days for me. I usually go to my friend's house for a little crafting/conversation time, then head home to get ready for work. After work I go directly to the church for a very quick dinner before our Financial Peace University class starts. Herein lies the problem. As I was heading to church after work, I realized that I'd forgotten the book.... the one we take notes in... the one that I have somehow become responsible for. So, after weighing my options, I decided to call my DH and ask him to bring the book. No problem, really. Except, he didn't answer. Now what do I do? I decided to swing by the house and see if the book was still there. Maybe DH had been in the shower when I called and he'd gotten the message. But, what if he couldn't find the book??? Oh my... I began to think of what I would say to him if he couldn't find the book. Something like "If you would just open your eyes you would have seen the book, right where it's been for the last eight weeks!" BUT, then I realized that this was not the real problem. Sure, he sometimes looks right past an item he's searching for (don't we all?). The real issue was that I had forgotten the book, and I guess I was kind of mad at myself. The easiest thing to do was to pass the blame along, instead of owning up to it. So, when I saw him at the church, I kissed him and I said, "Hi, Honey. I love you." - Thanks God, for the attitude adjustment!!