Weekend

It's 9pm Sunday night, and what a weekend it has been. I never would have dreamed that this would have happened.

We left for Missouri early Wednesday morning. I slept and did homework. We had a good trip. All the family was there when we arrived. My uncle had brought ping pong, pool and air hockey tables and we decided to have tournaments. We bought posterboard for the rankings and prizes for the champions. We drew names and fit everybody in for each of the games. We were having a great time playing and being together. Thanksgiving Day, we had a feast, and enjoyed cheesecake for my birthday cake. Friday - Brenda, Dee, and I organized some of Grandma's cabinets. We made a couple trips to Wal-mart. That evening some of us were working on the tournaments. I was reffing Ping-Pong. Grandma and my cousin was playing. Grandma was doing really well. She had already played air hockey (and loved it) and had played pool. She had lost one game of ping pong (but still had done good). I believe she had just tied up the second game when she went for the ball and fell and just laid there moaning. It hurts me to write about it now. Quickly my aunt Tricia, a nurse, came in and told us to get blankets and to call 911. Grandma was still moaning and it looked like she fell on her arm - she could still move her fingers. A volunteer fire squad responded first. Then the ambulance finally came. There was a big rush as we decided who was going and getting the vital documents and clothes for Grandma. I sat on the swing outside in the cold holding my two younger cousins as we watched the nightmare. I prayed. I was scared. I was sad.

That night we brought in a TV from the camper and watched August Rush while we waited for news. It helped distract us for a while. We cleaned the house - anything to get our minds off it for awhile. There was a lot of worried glances and troubled hearts. Grandma and Grandpa live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest family members. We've already been talking to them, trying to convince them to move closer. They have so much stuff in the house and the barn - so much stuff.

Later that night, we heard that Grandma had gotten Xrays and they were releasing her. It was a holiday weekend. She couldn't get into the doctor until Monday. They came home with her about 2:30 in the morning and got her situated in a recliner. I went to bed soon after.

Saturday, I got up around 11 a.m. Grandma was sleeping, but she had vomited in the night. Saturday was hard. She would eat, but anytime she got up to walk around, she would vomit. Those memories of my very sick Grandma will stick with my for some time, I'm sure.

I remember my aunt Brenda, papers spread out before her, calling people, trying to figure out insurance stuff, trying to get advice as to what was best.

We debated on whether to take her back to the ER - the vomiting, nausea, pain. Finally we decided to keep her unless things got decidedly worse. After several bouts of nausea and vomiting, Grandma's doctor friend wrote her a prescription for different pain medicine and nausea medicine. My dad and uncles and aunt Tricia met the dear angel doctor at Walgreens to get the medicine. He even took them to the hospital to see the X rays. No wonder Grandma was in pain. She had fractured her humerus and had a bone spur a piece was pressing on a nerve- I don't know what else but it's bad.

They brought the medicine home and pizza for the family. After administering the medicine, Grandma slept and slept and didn't vomit and was perky - she still has pain, but she said she feels like a new person.

Dad, Andrew, and I left early this morning to head home. We had rented a van and had to get it back to the airport by 8:30 tonight. Mom and aunt Brenda are staying with Grandma this week and hopefully she'll be well enough to go to my Uncle Dewayne and Aunt Dee's house in Oklahoma this weekend.

Needless to say, we are all tired. Those first 3 hours on the road were rough for my dad - he was so sleepy. I couldn't drive the rental van because I wasn't old enough. But God gave me special strength those first 3 hours to keep me awake so I could keep Dad awake. I got a lot of reading done.

So here I am. Home. Mom's not here. I've got homework, errands, grocery shopping, Christmas program, night class. I'm overwhelmed. I guess the whole reason for this post is that I'm asking for your prayers. I need you to lift me and my dad (especially) up to God this week. I don't feel bold or selfish in asking, because the Bible tells us to carry each other's burdens, and how do you know if I have a burden unless I tell you. God has helped me and my family so much this weekend in so many big and little ways, I know He will not fail. But I do need your prayers and love and encouragement as I face this next week. Thank you, if you've stayed to read all of this. I needed to get it all out. I'm not sure how to end this but to again ask for your prayers and support. I'm sure I might be blowing this out of proportion a bit - I know I'm emotional, but that is why I'm reaching out. Please don't isolate me. Include me, support me, love me, pray for me. And perhaps sometime I can return the favor. Thank you again, friends, for listening and being there for me. I'm looking up to the One "...who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask and think..." (Eph. 3:20 NKJV)

Thankful

Tonight I got to be with old and new friends for a little over an hour - quite enjoyable. Tiffany and I go way back to Jr. High where we hated each other. Then I went to ACA for 2 years then Tiff came when we were Juniors and we became fast friends. Those last 2 years of HS were probably some of the best and bittersweet years of my life. We had great times and times we regret, but we stuck it out with each other through all the changing, confusing, heartwrending guy relationships we had (you know how HS is!) Now we've both been in college 3 years. We don't talk or see each other near as much as we did in HS, but our relationship is still very cool. Anytime we talk or see each other, we just pick up where we left off. I haven't seen her since summer but it "feels" like we've seen each other every day for the last 3 months. Know what I mean? It is quite wonderful and I cherish our relationship.

Melissa (Tiff's cousin) was also there who I am blessed to see around school. Lissa's great too - she keeps me laughing. Love ya girl!

It was good seeing Tiff and Melissa's cousin Heather and seeing Leanne (Tiff's friend from college) and meeting Katherine (another friend from college).

These lovely pictures are Tiffany's attempt to get all six of us in a picture. (Because she wouldn't ask the cute guy at the window to take them - Tiff and I have a funny experience about cute guys and pictures!)

What a great start to Thanksgiving Vacation.

I'm thankful for FRIENDS and FAMILY. (I get to see family tomorrow night - more pics to come!)

And to my faithful readers out there in blog land - I'm thankful for YOU too! Much love!

Faith-filled Speech

I'm tired and busy and wonder how it's all going to get done, but "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ." And it won't be the end of the world if I don't get everything done. :) God is good. Be "estatic in Christ" (borrowed from M.M.).

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Fa La La La La

Christmas Music is uploaded for yours (and my) listening enjoyment. Right now all I have is Jim Brickman and Mannheim Steamroller. M.S. brings back such great childhood memories. It was (is) our favorite Christmas music. But I also enjoy Jim Brickman too. Enjoy!

P.S. We might be putting Christmas up next weekend, so I'll put up a "Christmasy" picture.

Olio* of Thoughts

Hmmm...
I just printed off all the issues / candidates that will be on my ballot. Since this is my first election to vote in - I have a few questions. Can anyone shed some light? Some of the lingo has lost me. For instance this is a proposed tax levy:

"An additional tax for the benefit of (yada yada - school) for the purpose of Current Operating Expenses at a rate not exceeding three and five-tenths (3.5) mills for each dollar of valuation, which amounts to thirty-five cents ($0.35) for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2008, first due in calendar year 2009."

So what does that mean for me? or my parents? What does "valuation" mean? And voting "for the tax levy" means I'm voting for the tax increase?

Also, I noticed that on my ballot there are municipal issues, a lot of which is similar to this:

"Milford City F - Local Option - Rooster's - Sunday Sales"

Now what does this mean? I'm guessing that it has something to do with liquor / wine sales on Sunday, but I really don't have a clue. If my dad were home, I'd ask him. :)

So I'd appreciate some knowledge and help if you can! :) I want to vote knowledgeably.

Switching subjects~

Today was absolutely beautiful! I sat out on my front porch/stoop in the sun and looked at books full of ideas/curriculum for my kid's class. That was really an answer to prayer. I forgot that the GBS library had books like that! I've been working off of no curriculum; just my mind - and have been feeling frustrated. Now I feel like I've got lots of ideas!!

Anyway - God is good, all the time. I was able to work on my Bible study for Herm. this afternoon in the library. I've been looking at Eph. 6:10-20. I found something interesting in Clarke's Commentary. I guess when the Greeks and Romans fought: they went constantly armed; before they fought, they ate together, and they began every attack with prayer to their gods for success. While Paul I don't believe mentions eating together, he does show us that God has prepared full armour for us and in v. 18 says "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)" Cool, huh?

Well, I want to put some Christmas music on my blog, but I think I need to get to the homework! Don't forget to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4 NASB)

Also - Happy Birthday (yesterday) to Rachel! Love ya girl!

*Olio - "a mixture or medley; a hodgepodge." I have no idea if I used this correctly - I was just looking for a synonym for conglomeration. lol

I've been wanting to post for a few days now, but haven't allowed myself the time. I just want to unload about the last few days, but I don't think I have enough time. :) And also because a certain secret lurker said that he likes to read my blog because I'm not all negative and depressed and discouraged (or something like that). lol So because of you, secret lurker, you'll be spared. :)

Actually, there are so many things I want to do (things I need to do) but I'm just getting through each day - doing what has to be done (and sometimes not doing it my best) and I'm not sure how to right my world right now.

I need God's joy, my strength. Meredith and Sam's words in Hermeneutics were very timely for my thirsty soul. I need to rejoice, pray continually, and give thanks - for this is God's will (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

Father - I need you right now. My life is so busy and cluttered right now and I'm not really sure what to do about it, frankly. But I will rejoice in You - in who You are. You never grow weary, faint, or stumble. Be my rock and stronghold. Keep me from falling. Help me to cultivate a subconsciousness of prayer - so that I'm always relying on You. Thank you for salvation, love, grace. Thank you for being my Father, and knowing all about me, and still loving me. Help me to reflect and magnify You. I need you Father.

JESUS

was whose name I cried as I opened my eyes and saw that I was nearly in the path of an oncoming car. (Sigh) It shook me up a bit. I've got to do better. I have to get more sleep.

A Diversion

Well, I was typing notes for Christian Beliefs, but I had to ask: Anybody out there enjoy crackers (like Ritz or Saltines) with mustard on them? This was a snack I grew up on. Mom would always write little letters, shapes, or curlie-cues (sp?) with the mustard and that would be my after-school snack. Just curious if anyone else enjoys this snack?

Ok, back to my notes. :)

Life is a little off-kilter right now! :)

Wilberforce: Billy, no one of our age has ever taken power.

Pitt: Which is why we are too young to realize that certain things are impossible, so we will do them anyway.

I've been meaning to post this quote since I saw Amazing Grace the Movie. Powerful quote and powerful movie.

One more powerful thought. God's gift of salvation is so simple. I was watching the Open Campaigner's doing the academy's chapel today and was struck by how simple salvation is. Not cheap, that is not what I said - simple. Not complicated, not mysterious, not sophisticated - simple enough for children to understand. Wow.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15 NIV

This Week in Words

Monday - (not necessarily in chronological order) - traffic. fruit. laughs.biology. library. late meeting. sleep. homework.

Tuesday - classes. car. Panera. disappointment. tears. resolve. God's strength. peace. help. change. sleep.

Wednesday - flute. classes. long nap. Queen Esther. forgotten leaves. precious kids. help from above. my passion.

Thursday - big day. stress. Hector & Evangeline. inspiration. goal. vision. 1:30p.m. spraypaint. construction paper. styraphoam. Chipotle. sugary tea. chaperones. exhaustion. the Boss. cotton. hot glue. decisions. direction. teamwork. sore. clothes. sleep.

Friday - judgment day. flute. smiles. Eden park. bugs. choir. lunch. Oswald Chambers. Hollywood. lost. Grapes of Wrath. corner. library. bean bags. sleep. clothes. tuner. frustration. baton. rhythm. proud. examples. yo-yo. people. walking taco. money. familiar faces. longtime friends. dress-up. a glance. cleanup. recycling. tallying. exhaustion. drive. stars. hot shower. sleep.

Saturday - muffin. Panera. strawberry smoothie. library. Chipotle. Ephesians. magazines. sleep. textbook. Stuart Little. Red Robin. Florida. soon sleep.