The smiley face catapillar
Karen
Pretending to be flamingos - a technique for acclimating to frigid waters :)
Horses: one of the definitions of happiness :)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Moments to treasure
The smiley face catapillarKarenPretending to be flamingos - a technique for acclimating to frigid waters :)Horses: one of the definitions of happiness :)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Surgery Scheduled
Surgery has been scheduled for the 10th of May.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Cathedrals in time
A thousand steps of praise.
A thousand cathedrals in time.
A thousand moments lived.
A thousand cathedrals in time.
A thousand moments lived.
In this counting of His gifts I have discovered new dimensions in the architecture of the present. It has been the beautiful beginning of a journey - of learning to have grateful eyes. Grateful eyes and a trusting heart not only in the sunbeams of spring but even in the midst of devastation, grief, and loss. To give thanks in all things. . .
Here are pieces of my journey:
640 Apple blossoms outside the kitchen window
641 Cardinals kissing in the rain
679 Resolving chord progressions
685 Packages on the porch
705 Flames of dainty columbine
707 A protected cove
712 Wood smoke scent
720 Kerosene lamp light
759 Organized drawers
791 Letters from the Philippines
805 Familiar faces in the hospital
829 Nest-full of baby blue birds
830 True humility
838 Sisters creek-walking
841 Walking behind the falls
857 Wild roses
860 Sunlight gold through green
875 Worship at Kristin's house
877 Ms. Trudy's love and prayers
878 Hindi mothers
887 My hymnal
896 Sweet joy
907 Peppers of many colors
916 Saralyn comfort
919 Verses of hope
921 Storm preparation
924 Strength of trees in the wind
946 Awareness of humanness
947 Colors after a storm
949 Butterflies dancing
953 Polite drivers when traffic lights are out
954 Pumpkin bread baking
963 Worries turned into prayers
971 My paramedic neighbor
972 All those who worked 24 hour shifts through the storm
974 Search and rescue teams
977 Last day events
980 A Louisiana water thrush
982 Wearing moccasins together
991 Talking to Shama on the phone
998 Stories of deliverance
999 Peace in the night
1000 This moment
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Good Friends
There is a magnet on my refrigerator that says:
"Running around with good friends is one of life's greatest pleasures."
And it is true.
"Running around with good friends is one of life's greatest pleasures."
And it is true.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wings of the Dawn
Last night when I tucked into bed I was scared.
Not of resting, but of falling asleep to anesthesia the next morning. My surgeon had requested a repeat uppper GI scope before scheduling the surgery to remove the tumor. I agreed it needed to be done and mentally I understood the procedure, but my whole body constricted at the thought of being intubated again.
Laying there in the dark my mind fumbled for hymns and verses to steady my heart, but I kept tripping on the vivid terror of waking up on a ventilator the last time they did this procedure. Yes, there had been complications. . . but even months later I still cannot fall asleep with a shirt or blanket snugged close around my neck.
Then a tune slipped between my thoughts and I could breath deep again.
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
It is the chorus to a choir song from academy years and the words to one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. These promises have walked me through every chapter of my life thus far. And last night they were my lullaby.
I arrived at the hospital this morning with a greater measure of peace in my heart, but God knew I was still struggling and He had several blessings in store:
When I arrived in pre-op my nurse told me that she has been praying for me every morning because I am on the prayer list at her church, and how glad she was to meet me.
Then God sent Kristin Thomas to come access my extremely positional port - she is in my humble opinion is the best IV team nurse ever! It's nice to have friends in medical places :)
Then another nurse came in and we all had prayer together.
As I turned over and they put the plastic bite block into my mouth the fear swelled up again. God, please help me not to fight them this time, help me not to aspirate. But then a bigger wave rolled over it. . . "If I rise on the wings of the dawn. . . ." and there was peace.
When the Doctor brought the results in he said that the tumor has shrunk a lot - up to 75%!!! I'm so very grateful! I'm still facing a complex and tricky surgery, but the chances of the being able to eradicate the cancer has improved! Thank you for your prayers!
"Even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
Not of resting, but of falling asleep to anesthesia the next morning. My surgeon had requested a repeat uppper GI scope before scheduling the surgery to remove the tumor. I agreed it needed to be done and mentally I understood the procedure, but my whole body constricted at the thought of being intubated again.
Laying there in the dark my mind fumbled for hymns and verses to steady my heart, but I kept tripping on the vivid terror of waking up on a ventilator the last time they did this procedure. Yes, there had been complications. . . but even months later I still cannot fall asleep with a shirt or blanket snugged close around my neck.
Then a tune slipped between my thoughts and I could breath deep again.
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
It is the chorus to a choir song from academy years and the words to one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. These promises have walked me through every chapter of my life thus far. And last night they were my lullaby.
I arrived at the hospital this morning with a greater measure of peace in my heart, but God knew I was still struggling and He had several blessings in store:
When I arrived in pre-op my nurse told me that she has been praying for me every morning because I am on the prayer list at her church, and how glad she was to meet me.
Then God sent Kristin Thomas to come access my extremely positional port - she is in my humble opinion is the best IV team nurse ever! It's nice to have friends in medical places :)
Then another nurse came in and we all had prayer together.
As I turned over and they put the plastic bite block into my mouth the fear swelled up again. God, please help me not to fight them this time, help me not to aspirate. But then a bigger wave rolled over it. . . "If I rise on the wings of the dawn. . . ." and there was peace.
When the Doctor brought the results in he said that the tumor has shrunk a lot - up to 75%!!! I'm so very grateful! I'm still facing a complex and tricky surgery, but the chances of the being able to eradicate the cancer has improved! Thank you for your prayers!
"Even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."
Monday, April 4, 2011
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