Chilled to the Bone

Last night when I went to bed I was so chilled that I put on two blankets and wrapped a shawl around my head. My insides were chattering. Thankfully the cat curled up at my feet and I slipped into warm oblivion. But I woke up around three thirty and was wide awake. I had the alarm set for six because I needed to be out the door by eight. I laid there for awhile with all sorts of thoughts running through my head. I finally asked God, "why am I awake, do you have something to talk to me about?" I really never got an answer so I just laid there, turning and tossing and getting up once to feed the cat. Last time I looked at the clock it said 4:30 and I came to the conclusion that I would fall asleep just about when it was time to get up. Sure enough, I did. I may not have gotten an answer to my question I asked of God, but I was able to rest assured that I was wrapped in the warmth of His love and everything was under control. Maybe I was awake just in order to remember that.

Fast Food Blues

Since being ill last week I have had the opportunity to not eat much food. I wanted to loose a little more weight, just not like this. However when I put a pair of new jeans on tonight and discovered they no longer hugged my body the way they did when I bought them, which is why I bought them, I panicked. I don't own a belt, don't like them. I tried a couple of other pair on, same thing. Guess it's back to Goodwill for some new jeans! But I digress......

I made a pan of mac and cheese tonight thought it sounded good. Looked at it after it was done, took a bite and threw it away. It just didn't happen. I then remembered my all time favorite comfort food after being sick is an Arby's roast beef sandwich. Plain. When you walk into Arby's they shout, "Hi, welcome to Arby's" without even looking at your face most of the time. I just want to say, "leave me alone I'm looking at the menu." But what REALLY gets me is while someone is taking my order they still stop and to say "Hi welcome to Arby's" to whoever walks in the door. It is so rude. Then they have to stop and ask you "what was that you said?" I was taught when you were talking to someone you didn't stop in mid sentence and start talking to someone else. It's called MANNERS. Even big business has forgotten that.

I think I'll write Arby's a note. :-)

What A Difference.....A Day Makes

It's been a horrible week. Oh well maybe not that horrible. Last week I came down with the flu. I mean THE FLU. And usually after that you start to feel better. That didn't happen. I got worse in other ways. Two days ago I finally broke down and had someone take me to the ER. I am so blessed. Every time in my life I've gone to the ER I've had good service. I got excellent care this time. After two liters of fluids because I was dehydrated, several tubes of blood and the little cup to tinkle in.....the results were in. I had one of the worse infections the doctor has ever seen. I literally began to feel better after the first dose of antibiotic.

Soon the bills will start to arrive. You get billed for the nurse in the Triage, the doctor in the Triage, the doctor in the ER, radiology, lab, bathroom attendant and blanket....well maybe not those two but it will seem like it. How does one pay for that when there is no insurance and no income? Thankfully.....My God shall supply ALL my needs according to His riches in Glory!

On another note as I said either here or on Facebook. I was letting the Lord restore a friendship that had been damaged over 2 years ago. I heard from this friend and afterwords accessed some of the things she said to me. I said to the Lord, "nothing has changed, she still sounds the same, she still talks like everything is depressing, she still complained about how busy she is, why do I want to get re involved with all that again?" I haven't got an answer yet. It still bugs me.

Ok, I think I'll get some rest.

It's A Hope Thing

Do you know who some of the most hopeful people are in the world today? Here's a clue. Every year since 1908 they have faithfully stood by their men patiently and eagerly waiting. Waiting with a glint in their eye and confidence in their heart that one day while they are still alive to tell the tale, one-day so that generations to come can recall the amazement of it all, the Chicago Cubs will again win a World Series.

So many things have occurred since the Cubs won a series. Radio and television were invented. Haley's Comet passed the earth, twice! Sixteen U.S. presidents were elected. Five states were admitted to the Union. Man landed on the moon, as did several home runs given up by Cub's pitchers!

Seems kind of silly to have hope in something that doesn't seem possible, but a Cub fan always speaks hope. From "this year the Cubs will go all the way" to "we'll get em next year!" We've been saying it since 1909.

We've all let those 'woe is me attitudes' slip out now and then. The thing I hear the most is, "I guess it's just my lot in life to...."and then the blank is filled in with something negative. Through certain circumstances over the past few years, I've learned to start speaking to that which I can not see yet. I try as much as possible to speak out the hope that is in my heart. And when I do, I'm breathing the air of destiny. Pretty cool huh?

For example, I have something in my heart that I feel so strongly about that when I see it, read about it, hear about it, write about it, well I just get all emotional. It's Italy. There's something about Italy that gets me all mushy. I believe one day I will go there because God has placed it in my heart so strongly. So instead of the usual, "yeah right like I'd ever get to go to Italy", I speak out the hope that is in my heart, "someday WHEN I get to Italy."

I've been thinking about this Destiny and Hope thing for quite some time now and decided it was to be my theme this month. Then just a few nights ago Kim Clement spoke the same thing that I have been feeling and the same words I have been doodling on pieces of paper.

"I found out that when I'm in the fiery furnace that's when I see the fourth man, when I'm in the lions den, that's when I hear His voice the greatest, when I"m in the pit that's when my gift is sharpened and when I'm in the prison that's when God really sharpens my sword BECAUSE He is prepraing me for something greater!"

Something greater than Pekin? How about Italy? I'd like to go go to Scotland too while your at it! How about the New York Times Best Seller List, how about the Cubs winning the World Series? You see there is always hope, with a God like ours how can there not be?

My Apologies

As I set here listening to Josh Groban and eating candy corn I want to convey my humblest apologies for not being around lately. Two weeks ago I had an emergency with my sister and life has not been the same since. Things have settled down a bit. I have to admit I am very disappointed in some of my family at this very difficult time yet at the same time I'm so very thankful and blessed to have church family. Some have gone many extra miles to help us. They are there for me to call when I'm driving down the road and being an emotional wreck. A dear sweet woman from church who just very recently lost her husband sent me, the caregiver, a very nice "thinking of you" card. It not only brought tears to my eyes to read, but just the mere thought that someone was actually thinking of me and took the time to let me know was heart wrenching. Especially to receive it from someone that is going through so much herself. I can honestly say that if we didn't have our church family and friends, we would be pretty much on our own.

Some things I can laugh about. Some things make me see red. For instance, I asked a family member to PLEASE make a few phone calls for me I was at the end of my rope talking to people. Their response was, "I hate doing that" and I was proud of myself for saying, "yeah well I hate putting my sister on a bedpan every day but I do it".

I look forward to being with 'my' kids tomorrow! Paperwork can wait.

SATURDAY

I took sister K with me to the hospital today, to see our sister N. I thought it was high time someone other than myself saw what was happening. We hadn't been in her room five minutes and I noticed sister K wiping tears from her eyes over what she saw. Sister N is all hooked up to electrodes and is being monitored. FINALLY. I couldn't stay long. Sister N is doing strange stuff with her food before she takes a bite. Then her phone rang and because she couldn't reach it and had her food tray in front of her I answered it and she got mad at me and said, "excuse me I'm not insane yet". Whew! After we left we treated ourselves to the never ending pasta deal at Olive Garden!! My favorite.

Book Giveaway Question

Question......For $10,000, would you be willing to move away and never speak to your best friend for a year? No phone calls, no emails, no letters, no texting.

Everyone who answers the question will get their name put in a 'hat' and one will be drawn for the book, "You're All That" Understand God's Design for Your Life by Paula White.

No Anonymous Posts. Deadline is September 10th 2010