He Knows

Quote of the Day: “We have thought about this for eighteen months or a year, but you knew about this and planned it before time began.” (Understanding that God knows everything and has everything in his control.)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird):  So…the last few days have been some of the toughest in my life.  (When it rains it pours!  Of course it is all relative when you look at other situations like Haiti.  Yet, it is still hard!)  I always joke that when I pray boldly…God chooses to take a piece of my body out. (Surgically that is.) This time no part taken out…just a heart-broken. (Luckily, He can heal that!)  This does not mean that bold prayers are bad…you just have to be prepared for bold answers. Oh… does he answer boldly!!!!  So…Jim and I currently rest in Him, knowing that He is trustworthy and that He has a plan for us that is divine and was known before time.  A plan not to harm, but for us to prosper.  So…we keep walking in faith and obedience, longing to look more like Him at the end of all of this than we did when it began.

The Good and the Scary

Quote of the Day: “It is so good to just hear your voice.” (The best quote of the day…even though I cannot explain.  Let’s just say that God’s timing is always perfect!)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird): Tomorrow I go in for yet one more procedure.  This one is simple, but I have to admit I am a little scared.  It is silly!  I have been through surgeries that were a lot more intense…I think I have watched way too much Discovery Health and TLC and I have myself freaked out!  I know the surgeon could do this with his eyes closed, or while he was sleeping (By the way these are not suggestions to Dr. Pinnell), but I think after a while you just get sick of being messed with.  (Truthfully, I do not even like getting my hair done that much because of being messed with.  For those of you who question this statement…I only faithfully go to the hairdresser because of the result!  I have to maintain my natural blondness.) Sorry I digressed, I know in my heart…pardon the pun…that this is the right decision.  (It just really is very close to my heart, which is super healthy and I want to keep it that way!)  So…here we go again.  Tomorrow at this time it will be all behind me and I will be so glad that I can get the fluids I need without destroying my veins.  I just need tomorrow…actually 8:30a.m. to get here already!  (I cannot wait for the good white sleep medicine.)

Prayer for Haiti

Currently, I am sitting watching the news coverage of the Haiti earthquake.  All day I have been avoiding watching, to avoid seeing the devastation in Haiti.  A country that was already in such poverty with so few resources prior to the earthquake; I could not even imagine what it could be like.  After watching for over an hour…it is so much worst than I could even have imagined (and I am seeing it from the comfort of my living room).  My heart breaks for the Haitian people and all the people in Haiti.  To see so many people in physical and emotional pain.  People waiting for over a day with life threatening injuries outside of medical clinics that have no power or supplies to even help the injured properly.  People filling the streets because they have nowhere to go.  It leaves me asking what do we do?  How do we help?  How do we love the Haitian people?  It also makes me realize how much I take for granted.  It is so easy to get caught up in my own life and my own problems, and I am so blessed.  I never worry about clean water, medical supplies and personnel or housing.  I have an abundance of resources.  I have so much and I fail to appreciate it!

In the last year, my church has been creating a vision for how to reach and serve Haiti.  In the midst of this tragedy, I know that God will still be glorified even in the darkest times, but we need to be praying.  Praying for the people and their needs, as well as how God want us to respond.  These people matter to God, and in turn we cannot ignore there needs.

Is Your Grandfather Really Hot?

Quote of the Day:  “I think Alec Baldwin is pretty hot.  He reminds me of my grandpa.”  (I am not allowed to disclose who said this, but these two lines should never go together.  It is just wrong. )

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird): I am really glad that this week is over.  There were a lot of really good things…especially hanging out with amazing friends last night.  We were the loud table at the restaurant.  I am sure we were a little obnoxious, but it was so good to laugh really hard!  Jim’s niece Katie is also in town, which is great!  Spending time with her is wonderful!  Yet, this week has also been really challenging.  God is really asking Jim and I just to rest in Him and trust Him with our future.  All the things we learned and prayed through in Australia are really being used….and tested.  It is good to know that I am not in control.  I just have to rely on Him and walk in obedience (This is often easier said than done, but it is worthwhile.)  So…here is to a better week….walking in faith, striving for obedience and resting in the Hope that can only be found in Him! 

 

Back Home

Quote of the Day:  “You are built to know Him.  Built to be in relationship with Him.  It is how you are designed.” (A quote from Kevin’s sermon…I will add a link to the sermon tomorrow.  It was such an amazing reminder…that God made me to be in relationship with Him!  I like it!  Actually, I love it!)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird): It was the first day for Jim and I in Quest, the service I work for and attend at First Free Church, in a month.  It felt like being back at home…actually i was back home.  I had not even realized how much I missed it, but I had.  I love that I have a church community, that is a family.  Like any family it is not perfect, but it is good! I love seeing what God is doing there and am excited to what He is going to continue to do…. if we get out of the way and let Him work through us an in us! 

It is Time

Quote of the Day:  I told you I would freak out if a mouse ever entered our lives…and now I am freaking out.  I cannot help it…I am freaking out.  I warned you prior to our marriage vows and now you just have to fix it!  (In regards to the dead mouse I found three weeks ago that has lead me to believe that there are mice hiding everywhere.  Just imagine if I had found a mouse that was alive…I would not be living here! Thank goodness the pest guy and I are good friends!)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird):  I have had zero time and zero energy to write here lately, which makes me really sad.  I have been feeling pretty lethargic, and the energy I have had has needed to go to work and getting ready to leave.  But, it is time! We leave in less than ten hours.  It really does not seem real.  I am so excited to get to share such a special place in my life with the most special person in my life.  I hope Jim loves it as much as I do!  I cannot wait to share about our journey and have time to spend praying for our friends and family.  So…the next blog will be from Sydney!

 

 

 

A Beautiful Fall Risk

Quote of the Day: “Do you need to use the bathroom?  I think you may have juiced your pants.”  (A comment from Ted, one of Jim’s employees.  I think this may equal a hostile work environment.”

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird):  So home health came yesterday…and they will return tomorrow (more on that later).  One of the parts of the home health protocol is that they have to do a fall risk assessment.  I actually kind of laughed that we even had to do this questionnaire.  Then…we did the assessment.  I am a FALL RISK.  I told you I was 84!!!!  The nurse preceded to tell me that the standard way of handling someone in my “condition” is to call my doctor immediately and send out a physical therapist to help lessen my chance of falling and breaking a hip.  (Ok… I took creative license on the hip thing, but the rest is true.)  Then the best part happened, she said she was just going to note all my risk factors.  Why you ask…. because she thought I could not be fixed.  (In turn, physical therapy would do me no good!)  Wow…I am a mess.  At least it is pretty funny.  I am going to get a t-shirt made that says “FALL RISK”.  It is going to be great!!!!

Oh…. regarding the return visit by home health tomorrow.  I already blew out my IV and we have to get a new line started.  The RN also told me I have bad, fragile veins.  On the postive side…she said I was pretty!

One Step Away from the OATS Bus

Quote of the Day: “I just saw the OATS bus…and thought of you.  Just wanted you to know I love you.” (So glad that elderly transport makes my husband think of me!)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird): So…I went to the Doctor yesterday.  It was o.k., but I realized that my body is actually 84.  (I must say that I am hot for 84!!!!)  This is the run down:  I have to start taking B12 shots, because my levels are dangerously low (Jim tells me this is o.k. his Dad takes them…Did I mention he is in his 70’s?).  Also, I need to see a hematologist for iron shots because I am anemic.  He also suggested that I wear gloves throughout the day to keep my hands a proper temperature.  (Dr. Presti suggested some nice southern lady gloves…I think that elbow length bedazzled bridal gloves may be more my thing!)  Oh…and I have a home health aide coming tomorrow to put my IV in to give me fluids.  My status is retrogressed.  I do not think that is ever a good status when it comes to health.  The positive is that I am emotionally good!  I actually think it is all a little funny…come on gloves and socks at all times!  This disease sometimes can get me a little down, but I know that God has me and all my peeps on the OATS bus!

Alisha 0/ Bread Bowl 1

Quote of the Day: “Just hang in there….like a kitty in a tree.” (See Jim’s blog…)

Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird):  I fought the bread bowl and the bread bowl won…I think I am meant to only eat latte bars!  (Oh real food…how I miss you!)

Growing Pains

Quote of the Day:   “What keeps me from joy is often a preoccupation with myself and my own agenda.” (From my current small group study…I get there so easily!)

 Life Is Weird, Yet Wonderful (Or Maybe I Am Just Weird): Today was one of those days that you know had to happen, but you do not want to relive.  One of those days when you walk in obedience, but really you wish you could have just pulled the covers over your head and slept the day away.  One of those days you hope to look back at and know that everything turned out ok.  Those days sure are hard….but often they are the days when we grow the most.  I guess it all comes down to choosing joy, even in the moments of growing pains.