Thankful Thursday

A nurse from G's doctor's office called today to say that his carotid arteries looked great.  I am so thankful that he does not have any blockage in these arteries.  A radiologist still needs to look at the rest of the scans from the CT, so we still don't know what might have caused his speech issue and the numbness in his right hand, but at least we've ruled out one possibility.

Music Monday

Oh, Vincent . . .

Is it spring yet?

Of course not.  It's still winter.  Still cr*ppy winter.

We got about three inches of snow on Thursday and we're supposed to get more snow next week.

I don't like snow . . . or cold . . . or wind.

Basically, I don't like winter, so hurry up spring!

Thankful Thursday

I have sooo much to be thankful for this Thursday!

I'm thankful that G was able to quickly get an appointment with his doctor.

I'm thankful that our insurance agreed to authorize the tests that G needs to have.

I'm thankful that G will be able to have the tests in just a few days, on Monday morning.

I'm thankful that M did well on her physics test.

I'm thankful that even though M's cat, Puddles, escaped from the Crew house, he didn't suffer any harm.  He stayed close by the house and when M discovered him outside, she was able to quickly scoop him up and get him inside to safety.

I'm thankful that Elizabeth has a job.  It's not perfect; it's not her dream job, but it is a job that will give her a chance to make a little money, get out of the house and meet people and make new friends.    

I'm thankful for friends and sisters in Christ who lift up my family in prayer.   

A Word for Wednesday

This Word for Wednesday comes from Warren Wiersbe (how's that for alliteration?) by way of David Jeremiah.  I suppose I could also have titled this post "I heard it on the radio," because I did.

According to Wiersbe, "God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble.  If all we had were blessings in our hands, we'd fall right over.  So, the Lord balances the blessings in our hands with burdens on our backs.  That helps us keep steady.  And as we yield to Him, sometimes we can even turn the burdens into blessings."

Dr. Jeremiah went on to say that this God ordained balance of burdens and blessings enable us to stand straight and to be thankful to the Lord for His providence.

I really needed to hear this today.  G and I have definitely been blessed by God, and we have also experienced times when we have carried a heavy burden.  During the times of blessing, it can be so easy to forget about the burdensome times.  So, when God allows a burden to settle upon us, it is often a shock, and the temptation to cry out "Why, Lord?" is great.

But in many ways, burdens can truly be a blessing.  Many people say they have never felt nearer to God than they have when they have faced adversity.  The apostle James tells us to "draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8  God is always with us, but when things are going well, we tend to feel self-sufficient and foolishly think that we don't need to rely on Him.  Yet, when things fall apart, we are humbled, and we realize what we've known in our hearts all along -- we can't make our way in this life on our own; we need God!

Every day, but especially right now, this day, G and I need the Lord.  We are facing a season of incredible uncertainty like we have never faced before.  But God knows what lies ahead and we can trust Him . . . we will trust Him!

I feel that in this trial, God is calling us to a new level of obedience, faith, trust, and reliance on Him.  One of the scriptures that I am claiming is 1 Peter 5:6 -- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

God has chosen to humble us, but in His perfect timing, He will exalt us.  As I cast all my anxieties on Him, I can rest in His sovereignty -- without fear, without dismay, because He is my God. He will strengthen me; He will help me, and He will uphold both G and me with His righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Thanks be to God! 

Taking the first step

Today G and I took the first step toward determining what happened almost two weeks ago.

Music Monday

I love Al Green and I love this song.  I wish today's artists were still making music like this.

So tired

If I've ever been more tired than I am today, I don't remember it.  I woke up early to accomplish something I should have done months ago.  Truly, months ago. 

By mid afternoon, I still felt like I wasn't fully awake, plus I had a toothache and a wicked sinus headache.  (I'm sure hoping that the sinus headache is the cause of the toothache.) So, I did what any sensible person would do.  I took a nap.

A few hours later, my headache/toothache was gone, but I still felt incredibly tired.  I don't know what my problem is.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Music Monday

Music Monday

Birmingham

Birmingham

Thankful Thursday

Heading to WL to pick up M.

As if it were yesterday

I had to proofread a paper for M this evening.  She had written a response to a documentary on childbirth and midwives that she watched in her Women's Health class.

Music Monday

MM

Home

G got home today a little past 2:30, so now everyone is home where they're supposed to be: G in CS, K in Chicago, E in Virginia, and M in WL.  I didn't really breathe a sigh of relief when my family was in their proper places, but I did offer up a Thank you Lord.

I know that accidents happen and disaster may strike at any time and in any place, but I think most people feel as if home is a place of safety, while danger lurks outside those protective walls.  Since I can't keep everyone closed up and never let them venture out, I just have to trust that God will keep them safe, and then bless His name when He does.