We finally made it back from Florida, and yes, Betty’s surgery went beautifully. She’s in her own room now, walking up and down the halls, and able to take a shower, eat, etc. Thank you so much for your prayers.
I have a lot of pictures from the trip, but no time for re-sizing and such. Perhaps later.
1. Bible Outburst on the 12 hour drive to Florida.
Me: The category is Things Offered to God in the Old Testament
Dad: Doves
Mom: (not hearing dad) Turtledoves!
Dad: Snapping Turtledoves
2. Peanut slowly warming up to me, albeit our first few minutes together were full of sharp growls. By the end of the weekend, he was my new best friend.
3. Ensemble practice turning into a large southern gospel hullabaloo. Think They Baptized Jesse Taylor. Yes, I was uncomfortable at first but I soon got into the swing of things.
4. IHOP with Hannah and Heather. An omelet and 3 pancakes. An absolutely wonderful but stuffing meal.
5. Seeing my mom’s old high school, elementary school, her house where she lived as a child, and the cemetery she played in. (Odd, both of my parents grew up beside cemeteries)
6. Three Netflix dvd’s waiting for me when I arrived home.
7. Hearing my mom make the statement, “My friend just came back from Vegas and she said that the ‘presenter’ ladies walk around 24/10.” What was terribly cute was that she didn’t even get the 24/10 thing until my dad and I burst out laughing. And the word presenter just cracks me up.
8. Gathering dvd’s and books for the Online Yard Sale.
9. Pondering about what I should do regarding the Big Decision. I’m supposed to have a meeting this week and hopefully I’ll get more answers then.
10. A wondrous new purse from Old Navy. Very autumn-like.
11. Watching my step-grandmother exceed expectations after a triple bypass.
12. Listening to my step-grandmother’s best friend talk about her “spirit” name.
While teaching Sunday School this morning, I had one of those “I’m teaching to myself” moments.
I was re-telling the story of Jesus calming the waters of the Sea of Galilee, and I got to the point where the disciples were completely freaking out about the ship being covered by the waves. I asked the question, “do you ever find yourself so afraid that you forget to ask for help?”
Elliot laughed and said, “Yeah, every time I have to get my nose cauterized.” (He has been having a lot of problems with nosebleeds and such and I feel so sorry for him) Meagan and Chelsea laughed and we each took a turn to tell the things that scare us. I began telling them about how I memorized Psalm 56:3 when I was merely four years old. A tonsillectomy at that young age terrified me so greatly that I quoted that verse at every doctor and nurse who walked into the room.
Which probably clarified that I was indeed a very odd child.
But while I was sharing that story this morning, it suddenly hit me. I still run around frantically, worrying about things that I have no control over while the Lord waits for me to rush to Him and ask for help.
What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
The doctor told us this afternoon that she has three arteries that are almost entirely blocked. She is scheduled for open-heart surgery on Friday morning. And me and my parents are leaving for Florida in the morning.
I’m grateful that I’ll be there with my grandparents, but I’m also grateful to have this chance to get away. I have some absolutely major decisions ahead of me and I wasn’t expecting any of this. The time away will give me a good chance to ponder it all.
I covet your prayers. Not only for my step-grandmother, but also for us. Dad is still recuperating from the Great Clorox Spill of ’04 and mom is recovering from an ear infection and sinus infection. And I’m just overwhelmed.
The cutest little girl walked up to me today, her bright red hair glistening and her eyes sparkling.
Her dad was buying traveler’s cheques and I could tell she wanted to ask me something. I smiled at her and raised my eyebrows as if to say, yes?
She took a deep breath and whispered, “roten Lollie?”
My eyes widened a bit and her dad chuckled and started to translate when I interrupted him.
“Ja. Hier ist ein Erdbeerenlollie.”
Her mouth fell open and she giggled. I blushed because I knew my German was lacking but we kept grinning at each other.
She unwrapped the strawberry lollipop and held it up as if it was a priceless jewel. (And when you are merely six, I suppose all lollies are jewels)
“Danke,” she whispered, “pretty.”
Her dad grabbed her hand and they began to walk away when I whispered, “Auf wiedersehen.”
I heard her little gasp as she whirled around and giggled one last time.