The other evening, a dear and industrious friend (you will soon discover why I refer to her this way) called me. Our conversation went something like this:

My Industrious Friend: “CC, Do you have time to talk?” (This question is always appreciated by me. Sometimes there are better time slots to talk on the phone than others)

Me: “Uh, well, not a whole lot of time tonight (we were listening to the Bible)…what’s up?”

My Industrious Friend: “Well, I just wanted to tell you that you are “the bomb”.

Me: “Hey, I can listen to you talk all night, if you’re saying stuff like that!” (We laugh). But I’m just curious, exactly why am I “the bomb”?

For those of you who don’t know, to call someone “the bomb” is the equivalent to saying you think they are totally awesome, cool, etc. I remember hearing, in my early days, when someone referred to someone else as a “walking time bomb“…uh…that was not very complimentary!” But this was definitely meant as a compliment, and yeah…it was pretty powerful. Oh…but if bomb is used as a verb, it basically means that you failed. For example, “I totally bombed that pop quiz”.

Getting back to our story…my friend proceeded to explain how I had helped her to finish her quilt by telling her earlier in the day, during our church break, what to buy, and how to sew it on her quilt. So, I no longer felt like the bomb, but I passed that title back to my industrious friend, who had actually completed her quilting project that same day.

Meanwhile, I was feeling inspired. The girls had started a quilt almost three years ago, and we were almost finished, but we lacked the ruffled trim (okay, and maybe motivation). So, on the Thursday afternoon when we read about the sluggard who doesn’t finish what he started, we all knew what we had to do-finish the quilt. The girls worked very hard and finished the quilt late that evening. Amazing! So, they were also dubbed as “bombs”!

Here is the finished quilt. They have worked on this project with their sweet Nonnie during the summer break, and here and there, as time allowed…sweet memories. I did very little work on this project. I was delighted to watch my little women using their hands in such a practical way. They plan to make more.

Praise the Lord, the “Balm in Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22). I remember hearing BC’s grandmother remark that “There is a Balm in Gilead” was her favorite hymn, and I thought she said, “There is a Bomb in Gilead”. It never sounded  very “hymn-like” to me. As we completed this quilt/comforter, we thank God for the comfort that He alone gives, and we praise Him for the ability to accomplish everything we do!

While making this quilt, I have especially been reminded of a dear great Aunt Colleen, who made each one of my sisters (there were four of us) our own hand-made quilt-back when we were living at home. She was the ultimate bomb in quilting! She is no longer living, and is missed. I wish she could see this, but this totally pales in comparison to Whom she now sees!

As we entered 2010, Brad and I were both led to increase our “Family Bible Reading Time”. There was a lot of movie watching over our holiday break, and I knew we needed more Bible time…as a family. So, I prayed that BC would be led in this way too, because he primarily leads our family.

I was so encouraged when he sent a “read the Bible in 90 days” link home on Jan 2, and we have been reading since Jan.5, 2010. I guess it could now be called: “The Family Bible Hour“…because that is what we have been averaging. We found a helpful website here which has the chapters of the Bible divided, so that you can read the entire Bible in 90 days! We are excited about this challenge. I’ve never read the entire Bible in 90 days. It was sometimes challenging to finish it in 365 days!

At www.thebiblein90days.org, they have a book/study program that can be done with your church group. However, we are just reading it through as a family, and pausing if anyone has a question or comment. Wow! Reading large quantities at one sitting has been such a blessing! We didn’t start right in Genesis, because we had been studying Hosea. We read the minor prophets, and then went straight into the New Testament.

Over the years, we have been blessed to have acquired some wonderful DVDs that have provided much encouragement to our reading of the Scriptures, especially in large amounts. One DVD has the entire Old and New Testaments in 2 CDs, and you can read along with this dramatized version of the Bible. This has helped with Bible reading consistency (their voices never tire, get sick, or have trouble pronouncing some of those difficult names). It is titled Holy Bible: Complete King James Version-Old and New Testaments. It is narrated by Stephen Johnston, and published by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc. (2003).  I really love this tool! However, he does have an audio Bible that is available for free—online here. At that website, it mentioned the retaining power of hearing and seeing the Scripture. I totally agree.

Then, another DVD we have enjoyed is Matthew. Bruce Marchiano does a wonderful job portraying the joy that Jesus had in human form. This is Word-for-Word from the New International Version. It can be found here (www.visualbible.org).

Another inspiring one is Mark’s Gospel-Told By Max McLean. It is also a Word-for-Word presentation of the Gospel of Mark…from memory. We are always encouraged when we see and hear him recite.

Then, we see and hear most of Luke when we watch The Jesus Film (you can actual watch the movie by going to this link). This portrayal does leave out a few passages. They quote from Good News For Modern Man and the King James Version of the Bible. We showed this video to Paige and Michelle when they were “itty bitty”.

I’ll never forget the time when we were on a neighborhood walk, and Michelle decided to quote a line from that movie for the first time. She was three years old. As we were passing by another family, her voice boomed out (as only a three-year-old voice can) toward Daddy: “Master, why do you always speak in parables when a crowd is near?” Oh, we laughed so hard that day wondering what that “crowd” thought.

A favorite is The Gospel of John. This is beautifully done, and it is Word-for-Word based on the Good News Bible. It is three hours, but so worth it. However, please use discretion in deciding to show the violent crucifixion to your younger children.

• Disclosure: I am not paid to advertise for any of these people or companies. These are just my suggestions, and opinions…not that I claim to be an expert. Blessings to you! We are currently, by God’s grace, over half-way through the Bible. Praise Him! What a treasure! What a Savior!

Jesus said, “This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)

Our four girls wear glasses. Thankfully, they are not the 3-D glasses (as seen in above picture). You see…BC and I started this family “tradition” of wearing glasses when we were kids. We think it is only a matter of time for our boys to continue the “tradition” (in the near, as opposed to far, future). One of our girls, Grace, found out that she needed to wear glasses in a very nontraditional way.

Yesterday, I took Grace to our ophthalmologist for her yearly check-up. As the new assistant was testing her vision, I asked him to be sure to check her pressures because of her eye trauma history. He said, “Was that the water balloon?” My eyes popped out in surprise…even the new guy knows about us! I replied, “Yes…the water balloon incident.”. He then added that he was reading about that in her file (oh, what interesting medical files we provide our medical providers with!). I am thankful to say that the Lord saw us through that dark day.

It was the first week of summer…2006. It also happened to be Faith’s B-day. My husband absolutely loves summer and water balloons (he will have to share his story later). We had a fun time at Peter Piper Pizza for lunch, and then we started having water gun fights in the afternoon with our neighbor. Then, the kids asked if we could have a water balloon fight. So, we all decided to make a trip to Wal-mart (our neighbor went, too) to buy some water balloons. When BC eyed a water balloon sling shot there, he thought…”The kids are going to have a blast with this thing!”. Needless to say, we didn’t see eye-to-eye on this matter. However, I didn’t want to spoil the fun on Faith’s birthday, so as I rolled my eyes, I tried to limit the negative comments. Looking back, I think it was only $7.00. What a deal, right? Wrong!

We returned home, and the “water balloon fest” preparations began. Every sink and faucet was being used to make water balloons. It looked like we were starting a small balloon business (we kept them in ice chests). We were slinging them over to his house, and he was slinging them over to ours. Of course, this was all in fun…harmless summer fun, or so we thought. I had a bad feeling about this one, and had made the comment to BC…”You don’t think we will shoot an eye out, do you?” So, we even implemented a rule to keep it safe. There was only one rule: Only throw water balloons when the other side knows you are throwing them. We were also afraid that the actual sling might fling into someone’s eye, so we attached one side to a steel bar. Next thing we knew, all the neighborhood kids were coming out. Please know, I really don’t fault BC. Even though we’ve read the David and Goliath story, we thought we were doing all we could to keep it safe.

On our team, there was the girl down the street, and all eight of us. Her mom, dad, and sister had just walked down to meet us (eyewitnesses:)). I think Kane was there watching/encouraging us and trying to stay dry. Our neighbor “D” across the street had about seven neighbors and friends helping him. Water balloons were flying high. We were flying high. Then, we called a time-out to refuel (make more balloons). Grace was a quick water balloon filler-upper, so she went right to work. However, there was a neighborhood kid who just couldn’t resist the tempting water balloons (either he didn’t play by the rules, or he didn’t know the rules–not sure). So, he sent one flying over and Grace never even saw it coming (as she was filling up water balloons). It hit her left eye, and she was in a lot of pain! Her eye was very red, and watery (and it wasn’t from the water inside the balloon). When she said she couldn’t see anything, it was “lights out, party is over” time.

The saying: “It’s all fun and games, until someone gets hurt” is painfully true. I didn’t even want to think about the velocity of that balloon. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew I wanted to get a second pair of eyes to check her out. I gave her a bag of frozen fruit to put on her eye, and we hustled off to the E.R. (no ambulance necessary). It was about 6:30 p.m.

I was signing Grace in at the E.R., and she was standing on my left. I happened to notice, out of the corner of my eye, what appeared to be “blueish-purplish blood” that had dripped down from Grace’s  eye to her forearm. She and I loudly gasped at the same time…thinking her eye was bleeding…then we remembered what she had on her eyes…a package of frozen blueberries…that had a twisty-tie at the top! Seeing that frozen bag, quickly unfroze our fear as we shouted out in unison, “BLUEBERRIES!!!!” I’m sure the other people in the room (who were “all eyes” now) thought we were fruity, but we sure did enjoy a “berry” good laugh together. Yeah…I didn’t think her eye would bleed like that, but believe it or not…I haven’t seen everything!

After waiting in the E.R. for awhile, the doctor said I would have to see an ophthalmologist the next day, because all they could determine was that she had definite eye trauma (Duh, right?). In all fairness, they said they just didn’t have the right equipment to see the extent of the damage. When I asked them if they would call our family ophthalmologist (primarily for Paige), they assured me that none of them work after hours. I just asked them if they might call this particular one and ask him for me. I had seen him probably over 40 times for Paige’s left eye (cancer, cataract surgery, glasses, eye-drops, etc.). Well, they called him, and being the good and kind ophthalmologist that he is, he agreed to meet us at the office at 9:00 p.m. Yeah! I  was praising the Lord!

I was so thankful we could see him, because he put her on pressure-reducing and steroid drops immediately. He called it an eye hyphema (hemorrhage). Her pressure was high, and he said she could lose sight in that eye and hemorrhage again (esp. high risk during day 3-5) if we didn’t keep her very calm, head elevated, eye covered, and rested for two weeks. Also, there was risk of a possible detached retina. So, we did as we were told, and we kept a close eye on her eye!

That was literally the darkest two weeks of our lives! We covered all our windows with blankets. Everyone had flashlights. We basically felt like we were moles living in a cave or workers in a coal mine. We learned about bats, caves, and coal-miners during this time. Grace could watch some movies for a certain amount of time per day, so we mostly watched the Little House on the Prairie Series. Interestingly enough, the episodes were about Mary going blind. We also listened to stories, and took turns reading aloud…by candlelight. I think I checked out 150 books from the library during those two weeks!

I learned a lot about my kids during this resting time. I was thankful that Grace’s sisters and brothers were so thoughtful of her, and graciously accepted the fact that we would be inside for awhile. When it happened, Grace couldn’t figure out why that boy would have done that to her. She softened and went from somewhat of an “eye for an eye” attitude to a more merciful one. I was really glad Grace found it in her heart to forgive the boy when he eventually asked for her forgiveness.

Grace ended up needing glasses, and she was so happy about that! We purchased glasses that turned into sunglasses, because for about two years…the sun continued to hurt her left eye. She was eight at the time, and her left pupil was considerably larger than her right one. Two years ago, we noticed it is pretty similar to the right one. The doctor said it probably would stay like that forever, but again…the Lord knows and sees all things.

By the way, her recent check-up went fine. Because of the accident, she has a higher chance of developing glaucoma in that eye; so, we make sure it gets looked at once a year. I would encourage the use of safety goggles, even swimming goggles, to offer some added protection…if you should decide to take up the sport of slinging water balloons. We had a fun time, and we were out there supervising this activity. Our story proves that it really could happen in the blink of an eye! The leading cause of blindness in children is related to eye injuries. Just in case you think this can only happen to us, there are 500,000 eye injuries each year.

When we walk through dark times, God is always with us. During this time, I was especially encouraged by the beautiful hymns written by Fanny Crosby, who was blind. Two favorites…”Draw Me Nearer” and “All The Way My Savior Leads Me”. Also, the hymn, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” was especially sweet.

I was also encouraged by Gennie Owens, a contemporary Christian singer. Here she sings one of my favorite songs. When I went to her concert years ago, I had the privilege of thanking her for being so encouraging with her music. She is also blind, but she plays piano, and sings such sweet songs. It really helped me change my outlook. Of course…I am thankful that Grace can say both physically and spiritually “I once was blind, but know I see…Amazing Grace…!”

\”If You Want Me To\”

Poor Michelle. She has had “issues”with her toes…literally. She has had more than her fair share of ingrown toenails in her life (growing pains, right?). Yesterday, she had her third minor surgery to remove about half of her toenail, and hopefully it will cause that toe to toe the line! (Clarification…third toe surgery on third toe…but not the third toe…it was the second-the long one-on the left, and the two big toes.)

I think I eventually “outgrew” the ingrown nail problem. When I was in high school, I remember my mom taking me to a family doctor (we were on an HMO at the time) for my infected, ingrown “big toe”.  This elderly doctor said, “Well…I think it’s best if I just yank the whole toenail off of there.” I remember asking begging my mom if we could take off. She agreed, and off we went. I can’t remember what happened (like, if I ever remedied this problem), but I do remember having pain in my toe…a lot! I know that playing basketball exacerbated the problem as my toes were stepped on quite a bit! I also remember performing my own “toe surgery” with a needle and a little bit of cotton that I shoved underneath the nail.

Well, she seems to be following in our footsteps, because her daddy also had the same toe surgery when he was in tenth grade. I suppose Michelle’s toes were predisposed to have woes (please forgive me for that one).

So the other day, the girls came to me pleading, “Mom, Michelle’s toe looks really bad. It’s like black!” So, after one quick look, I told Michelle that we needed to get into the podiatrist.

She smiled and said,”Oh, I think it’s okay. It doesn’t hurt…really.”

Then (to put the fear in her, and to let her know that I was putting my foot down) I said, “You could seriously lose your toe, sweetie! It looks awful! We need to go in!” (Unfortunately, all the kids heard this, and I put the fear in them as well.)

So, the podiatrist worked us in, and the offending nail out!

Dr. G asked Michelle, “Hey, do you remember how you got your first ingrown toenail back in 2007?”

She smiled and said, “Yes…uh…it involved my sister…”

Then he added, “…and a Pogo stick! Yup, I remember that one!”. (We all laughed.)

I guess there are just too many weird things that have happened over the years, because I had forgotten about that incident, until he mentioned it. I assume we got rid of the pogo stick after that.

So, they numbed her toe, cut off about half of the nail (although they said she might lose the nail), put some acid on there so it wouldn’t grow back, and we were back on our feet. When we returned home, her siblings gathered around and inquired about her toe. This was my remark: “Well, they only had to cut off half of her toe–“…but can you believe I left out the nail part (okay, so I’m a little tired theses days). I knew I had put my foot in my mouth or something, by their horrified looks and squeals…so I quickly corrected my slip, and we had a good laugh! It can always be worse, right? These kids definitely keep me on my toes!

I was reminded of this verse…

Matthew 18:8  “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.”

When Michelle and I were sitting there waiting in the waiting room, we were trying to figure out what to call that toe (besides Morton). I said, “Hey, it’s the one who stayed home from the market! Do you remember that song I showed you on Youtube with Andrew Gullahorn?”.

When I saw Andrew Peterson in concert, Andrew Gullahorn was with him, and he shared this funny story/song about another Andy who actually did lose one of his toe. Here it is: watch?v=hD5WzXCVdZA

Enjoy!

Oh how it warms my heart when my children give me sweet hugs and whisper: “I love you , Momma!” in my ear. My youngest still does this several times a day—almost out-of-the-blue, and yet not in a manipulating way. He is such a sweetie!

This reminds me of the words to a sweet song that my loving mom wrote when we were children. It’s called “Little Children”, and has always been a favorite. Here are the words:

Little Children

Little children, when I watch you as you play,

And I see your happy faces through the day.

When I hear the music of your laughter,

How the joy inside me starts to stir.

I’m reminded of my Father’s love for me—

How He loves to see me walking happily.

And my laughter comes to Him in song,

And with joy He wants to sing along.

Little children when you come to me for love,

And you throw your arms around me with a hug.

Then how very closely I must hold you

As you whisper softly, “I love you”.

I’m reminded of my Father’s love for me—

How He wants for me to crawl upon His knee,

And He wants for me to hug Him too.

And to whisper softly, “I love you”.

Little Children, when I hear you as you cry,

And I know your hurt is deep inside.

I just lift you up into my arms,

And I ask the Lord to heal your heart.

I’m reminded of my Father’s love again—

How He wipes away my tears with His hand—

How He comforts me so tenderly,

And He heals the hurt, and strengthens me.

Little children, when I tuck you in your beds,

And I kiss your five sweet sleepyheads,

And I kneel beside you as I pray,

And I thank the Lord for the day.

I’m reminded of the love of my Father—

How He prays for His sons and His daughters,

Through the night, He never even sleeps…

Even in the dark, it’s me He keeps!

~Rita Wisdom

T

Oh, how God wants us to whisper to Him that we love Him throughout our busy day. May we remember His great love, and His/our Father’s great love, and keep our hearts burning with our love for Him. May our hearts never grow cold! “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

~Mom—I’m so thankful that you are my sweet mother. Thank you for showing me God’s love through your many sacrifices and acts of kindness. You have always blessed me with wonderful birthday gifts, but having you as a mom is truly the best gift of all! Happy Birthday! I’m sending out hugs of love—oh,  and of course, a whispered “I love you!”.

Here is a poem that I have loved over the years. I have had the last stanza (written on an index card) on the wall of my closet for the last eight years; however, I changed the word “teacher” to “mother”. When I change my clothes, I pray for a change of heart as well. It has been a great reminder to lean on Him and His great strength!

The Teacher

Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?

I teach them knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.

I teach them power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness thru and thru.

I teach them love for all mankind
And all God’s creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.

Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.

Leslie Pinckney Hill

We have had a wonderful Christmas break—celebrating the birth of our sweet sixteen-year-old daughter (22nd); celebrating the birth of our dear Lord and Savior (25th); celebrating the birth of our marriage (29th); and celebrating the birth of a new year(31st/1st)! Wow! It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

However, it also happens to be the most germ-carrying time of the year, as well. So, we are currently not well. I don’t know about you, but the birth of germs is one birth we do not celebrate around here! All six kids seem to have the flu right now. Once again, we will trust in God’s plan, and His timing.

In the tradition of blogging, when you get to your 100th post you are supposed to write “100 THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF”. So, here goes…

1.) I almost drowned at my sixth birthday “pool party”.

2.) The funny thing was that I accepted the dare to swim across the pool in a floaty race.

3.) A funnier thing was that I offered my floaty to my opponent…because she didn’t have one.

4.) Funniest of all, was my sweet mom (who also could not swim) jumping in—with her clothes on—to save me!

5.) My parents made me join the swim team.

6.) I learned to swim, and I swam fast (esp. when there was a snake swimming right beside me). I later became a lifeguard, and taught swimming lessons.

7.) When I was in ninth grade (at high school), I took a fall down the stairs, from the top to the bottom, and broke three of my ribs.

8.) I found out my kidneys were refluxing (I had three ureters), and had an operation to fix it. One kidney was the size of a quarter on the X-ray. They told me that at least I had one. One year later, my little kidney miraculously recovered and I had two normal-sized kidneys. This was the first time I realized that nothing is impossible with God! The doctors even called it a miracle.

9.) I wrecked my first car.Thankfully, nobody got hurt.

10.) It was raining that day.

11.) You know, I still don’t enjoy driving in the rain, and my younger sister still doesn’t enjoy it when I drive.

12.) I was in drama in high school, and I got the lead in the Jr./Sr. Play.

13.) I played a new high school teacher in “Up the Down Staircase”.

14.) I must have liked it, because I have a degree in teaching, and I am currently teaching high school to Paige.

15.) However, the real drama started when I had kids. I had no idea, when I joined the Drama club, that I would be a lifetime member!

16.) More drama came when I had a miscarriage.

17.) I was told I wouldn’t be able to have any more children (when I only had two). The LORD is so good and in control…I have six blessings!

18.) I hemorrhaged with my third and seventh child. These were close calls! Praise the Lord for His mercy to me!

19.) Then…the most painful experience ever…kidney stones were developing. I had to have one surgically removed.

20.) More drama came when my oldest was diagnosed with cancer in 2002.

21.) The doctors initially thought it was allergies, and I had to ask for an MRI.

22.) More drama came when I attended funerals for children…

23.) Some (total of ten) of our little friends who had lost their battle with cancer.

24.) My heart was breaking.

25.) It really was.

26.) On our Make-A-Wish trip, I realized I couldn’t breathe very well.

27.) An elderly couple passed me when we were hiking on Mount Rushmore.

28.) I jokingly told my hubby that I wanted to die in Texas.

29.) I seriously knew something was wrong.

30.) I thought I was out of shape.

31.) I had a lot on my plate at the time (I mean this figuratively and literally)

32.) But I didn’t think it was my heart.

33.) However, my gynecologist thought it was my heart.

34.) She is the one who discovered I had a problem.

35.) When she was listening to my heart, she said it was irregular:

36.) Atrial fibrillation.

37.) She told me to go see a cardiologist.

38.) I told her my husband always makes my heart skip a beat, but I hesitantly set up an appointment with a cardiologist.

39.) At first, the cardiologist reassured me that it was probably nothing more than caffeine-caused.

40.) I drank Coca-Cola at this time. Not to mention, that I also consumed way too much chocolate!

41.) My excuse for this was that some nights I had very little sleep.

42.) I had six kids who sometimes needed assistance at night.

43.) Particularly the one going through chemo. and the baby.

44.) So, I had some tests done on my heart, just to make sure everything was okay.

45.) I was familiar with the wait that often occurs after tests are performed.

46.) So, I had gone by myself to get the tests done.

47.) I did not know the doctor would give me my results that very same day.

48.) He did…and the results were that I had a hole in my heart, probably since birth.

49.) He told me that a lot of people don’t know they have this problem, and they are usually dead by my age. Nice, huh?

50.) He told me I really should have died giving birth to my first child, or running in high school.

51.) I said, “It sure felt like I was dying giving birth to my first child, and running in high school!”

52.) I was feeling okay, but…broken.

53.) Kinda like I got a defective part.

54.) I was determined to smile in the face of adversity.

55.) I left the office, and I was driving home on the busy highway.

56.) I started griping to my Lord. “Why this road, Lord?”, I asked.

57.) I told him things like: “Haven’t we paid enough to the medical profession?”

58.) A truck in front of me had some voting signs in the back.

59.) Just then, one sign flew up and covered my windshield.

60.) My prayers changed drastically.

61.) The sign flew off (that’s one dangerous way to get people to vote).

62.) However, it was there for seven very long and scary seconds or so.

63.) I told the Lord that He could have taken me right then.

64.) I told him I wouldn’t complain anymore.

65.) Mostly I didn’t, but sometimes I would forget…(remember, He is the only perfect One!)

66.) Jesus gave me peace about the situation.

67.) I told many to pray for my husband.

68.) He was really helping me out a lot.

69.) I was taking it easy,

70.) And popping aspirin and Plavix (to avoid a blood clot).

71.) I had an operation to try to try to mend the hole in my heart.

72.) The procedure was performed on our wedding anniversary.

73.) Operation was not successful.

74.) I was thankful to still be alive. There is no 100% with surgery.

75.) The hole was too big for the Amplatzer device.

76.) They told me they needed to order a different part.

77.) I suggested going to Auto Zone over O’Reilly Auto Parts.

78.) They laughed, and thankfully did not take my suggestion.

79.) I recovered from the first failed operation.

80.) I had another operation to fix the hole.

81.) This was a somewhat experimental operation.

82.) I told the doctor I knew where I was going, and I wasn’t afraid to die,

83.) but that I had put in my request with the Lord that I might finish my job as a mother of six.

84.) Operation 2 was done over Spring Break.

85.) Operation 2 was unsuccessful.

86.) The new part would have caused more problems than it was worth.

87.) I was a little discouraged,

88.) but told myself that God sees the big picture.

89.) I knew it must be for a reason.

90.) I slowly recovered from that surgery (my femoral arteries wouldn’t stop bleeding, so they had to apply tremendous pressure.)

91.) They signed me up for open-heart surgery.

92.) I had it on Mother’s Day weekend—2004.

93.) I referred to this time as Mother’s DayMONTH!

94.) Everyone was so kind.

95.) The operation was successful. Praise the LORD!

96.) I could breathe like I never could before. The body SO compensates.

97.) The Lord really does see the big picture!

98.) Had they done it the other way, they would have missed the second hole that they found.

99.) I am thankful that my heart trusts in Him…my Savior and my Lord. He has been with me all the way! I put my trust in Jesus at a young age by believing that He died on the cross for my sin, and He rose again on the third day. I have hidden His word in my heart, and I have enjoyed a daily relationship with Him. I have witnessed so many answered prayers. Since that time, there has been no fear of death, but many close calls. It has been  reassuring to know that He holds the keys to life and death!

100.) How is the status of your heart? Find peace and hope and life in Jesus!

On Sunday, we had our Christmas Celebration at our church. We put on a musical/play based on Andrew Peterson’s “Behold the Lamb” CD mentioned in this blog). It was a lot of fun, and it was great hearing people comment on how Lord-honoring it was (thanks, Andrew Peterson). That was our prayer from the beginning. We presented the true story of the coming of Christ from Moses to the cross. Someone told me they never have seen emphasis placed on the death and sacrifice of Jesus presented at Christmas…only the birth. They thought the death was only celebrated at Easter. I had to say that if it wasn’t for His death, His birth would mean very little.

Some of my highlights…

• Seeing and hearing all the faces of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ…lifting up their voices to the King of Kings! I especially enjoyed hearing my Paige and Michelle sing a lovely duet.
• It was fun to see my son Benjamin playing the king, as well as Mike.
• Watching my youngest son play Pharoah (yes, I was concerned when he begged me if he could play the “bad guy”. I think he wanted to wear the cool hat). By his request, he asked Grace, Faith (his sisters), and Allie (a friend) if they could fan him with palm branches (Oh brother, right? Should I be concerned about this?). They graciously did, and I think he was the only one who stayed cool during the play! Mike played Moses, and did a great job!
• Seeing and hearing Baby James playing the part of Baby Jesus. Ah…the humanity of the Son of God and the Son of Man! A friend at church said this was the first time he ever thought about Jesus crying (it was not a silent night…).
• Seeing the beautiful cross (made by Mike) appear behind our (foam board) family tree of Christ (based on “Matthew’s Begats”). We had all of the names in the genealogy of Christ, found in Matthew 1, placed on the tree. When we sang “Behold the Lamb”, the tree was moved, and the cross revealed!
• I couldn’t find my folder…someone had accidentally moved it. So, I had to “wing it” on one song. However, I realized that messing up on a few words reveals my humanity, my imperfections, and it allowed me to share with a few how there is only one perfect, and sweet Lamb of God.
• It was also neat to see my somewhat reserved daughter, Faith, play an angel—flying solo. She has come a long way this year. It was great to hear and see all the sweet angels singing. I enjoyed seeing the shepherds with their sheep. Thankfully… the sheep did not shed all of their wool (which was the cotton  “baa”-atting that the girls glued onto angel costumes they had made for them). At dress rehearsal on Saturday, the little lambs discovered the sheer delight that could be found from shearing their wool with their own hands—LOL. I am still finding pieces!
• Seeing Mary and Joseph (Larry and Libby) labor…showing the labor of pain and love that Mary went through (and thankfully our pregnant momma who played this part did not go into real labor…yet!)
• I also enjoyed trying to visualize what these songs would look like…when acted out, and seeing it all come together. I am thankful for the memories we made as we were remembering our precious Lord and His awesome sacrifice.
• Glorifying His name, lifting Him up, spreading the good tidings of great joy…that was the ultimate highlight!

Some great verses…

Gen 22:7-8  “And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, ‘My father’: and he said, ‘Here am I, my son.’ And he said, ‘Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering’: so they went both of them together.”

John 1:29  “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ ”

1Peter 1:18-19  “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

Rev 5:12  “Saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’ ”

Rev. 12:11  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Rev 21:23  “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

We have a great uncle here in town that is really special to us. He  is the kind of man/friend/relative who would do anything for you. So, the other day, it wasn’t surprising when my seven-year-old said that he wanted to name one of his (twenty, he hopes) kids…”Uncle Andy!” Boy, that really made us laugh. Here is one kid who is not afraid to “say uncle“.

Then, he later went on to mention more names: “Uh-Oh, Nonnie, Grandma, G.G., G.P., Kane, Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Troy, Uncle Brad, Uncle Mike, Aunt Cyndi, Aunt Katie,  Aunt Jen, and Uncle Jay,  (and I can’t remember the rest right now)”. Those are definitely one-of-a-kind names and people! I can’t wait to share this info. with his future wife someday! LOL!

This reminded me of the time when Paige and Michelle (then age 3 and age 2) were driving with their grandparents (Nonnie and Uh-Oh), and Nonnie asked them what they thought the new baby’s name should be be (Grace). Paige answered, “We wanted to name the baby “Moocus” (as in…gross mucous…), but Momma wouldn’t let us!” We referred to “snot” as “mucous”  back then (and we still do). Maybe it was “snot” a good idea? Well, my parents said they were laughing so hard that they had to pull their car over just to wipe away their…tears!