Family Resemblance

Ya think?

A Cheerful Heart

"A cheerful heart is good medicine...."

Scribe received a get-well card in the mail advising him to do the following as he is recovering from his operation....

1)  Pick a foreign accent and talk in it all day.

2)  Make a costume from your bedsheets.

3) Learn the Morse Code.

4)  Build a fort out of tissues and toilet paper rolls.

5)  Make a macaroni sculpture.

6) Try to sell your macaroni sculpture on eBay.

7)  Practice exotic bird calls.

8) Gargle "The Star-Spangled Banner"

9)  Make puppets out of empty pill bottles.

10)  Draw happy faces on your toes.

Any other clever suggestions?

Twenty-Three Years

When I was just 18, self-centered, bratty, and immature, I said, "I do."  I'm sure there were a lot of skeptics present that day, at least more than my Mom ever told me about.  :)  I truly thought the world revolved around me, so it's no wonder that there were those who didn't think this marriage would last.  I'd be the first to admit that I've been one of my Beloved's greatest and most painful sources of sanctification.  Our marriage is a strong testimony of the grace of God, and I'm so thankful for the mercy He has poured out on us these many years.  I pray He'll continue to bless us beyond belief, stretching us and growing us in ways we didn't think possible.  Here's to many more years together, and to God be the glory.

No Fever

Thank you for your prayers!  Scribe's fever cleared up last night, and he's had a pretty good day today. Yippee!

With love,

Update on Scribe

Scribe saw his surgeon today.  A simple visit it was, but the trip to the hospital was full of God's blessings.

~The surgeon worked him into her schedule, especially before going out of town for a week.

~The receptionist at the x-ray dept. moved Scribe ahead after I mentioned that he was in pain.

~The x-ray looked "beautiful."

~The doctor prescribed stronger pain meds. but thinks Scribe looks great considering and is progressing as expected.  She even ordered him to hold his baby brother (just protect his chest with a pillow).

~We found a parking space close to the entrance. (Surely, you can understand why that's such a gift.:))

Scribe doesn't have to return for 3 months.  Progress is slow but steady, and we're hoping this new pain medicine will give him more relief.

He did start running a fever tonight, so please pray it will go away soon.

Even though he can't thank you himself right now, please know that he is very, very grateful for all of the cards, gifts, and prayers. 

With love,

Miscellany

My Mom returned home Monday.  She had great flights and her luggage arrived when she did. :)  That's always nice.

She did fall a second time while she was here, and her doctor said, based on the x-rays,  it's likely she has some fractured ribs.  That explains the great pain she was in her last few days here.  She also had the MOHS procedure on her face like I had on mine almost 2 years ago.  However, she required 22 stitches!  So, please pray for her continued healing and strength.

It was a mega-blessing to have her with us during Scribe's surgery.

****

We're getting into a new routine with my Mom gone and Mountain Man back at work.  I use the word "routine" lightly since each day is different.  Do you want to know how much Scribe did to keep us sane around here?  A LOT.

We're all filling new roles, and I'm learning, ever so slowly, to let go and just enjoy this time as it is.

Scribe's pain is about the same, but thankfully, his doctor will be seeing him tomorrow.  He'll be getting an x-ray first.  The doctor said to remember that he's going to be in pain for quite some time since he's healing from several fractured ribs.  As she says, they really "pounded" on him.  Right now, activity is to the very minimum, and he's finding audiobooks to be great friends.  

****

Jedediah?  Well, I'm so grateful that he is such an "easy" baby.  Truly, he's so content, blesses us with endless smiles, and sleeps several hours at night.  His gentle disposition is a gift from the Lord.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Love,

Jewels in His Crown

Doesn't God's goodness make you weep?

He daily humbles me with His many blessings, including the gift of seeing His hand at work, especially at work, in our afflictions.

How truly amazing is this grace that has given this wretched sinner the promise of eternal life.  How amazing is this grace that offers me HOPE everyday.

And to think that we, His redeemed, will be jewels in His crown.

"A jewel in Immanuel's crown! Not only raised from the ash-heap to be set among princes; but to gem through eternity--the Forehead that for me, was once wreathed with thorns!


Shall I--can I--murmur at any way my Savior sees fit to polish and prepare me for such an honor as this? Let me sink down on my nightly pillow overpowered with the thought; and as I hear my covenant God whispering in my ear the astounding accents, "You are Mine!" I may well reply, "I will both lie down and sleep in peace,  for You alone, O Lord, make me live in safety!" Psalm 4:8
~John MacDuff
(www.gracegems.org)


With love,

Ella's Banana Bread

Amelia Bedelia style, that is.


"So, Mommy, to make banana bread you take the banana and stick it in the bread?"

The One Question...

that I think Scribe is getting tired of hearing.

"How's your pain?"  


On a scale of 1 to 10, of course.

As we wrap up day 3 of being home from the hospital, we still haven't been able to improve Scribe's pain level.  The good news is that it is at least steady even though he's in more pain than we think he should be at this point.

So, we appreciate prayer for:

~reduced pain levels.

~healing of ulcers in his throat that we think are from the tube used during surgery...they're really impacting his ability to eat as much as the doctor wants him to

~clarity of mind for me as I go into tomorrow and physical and mental endurance for Mountain Man as he returns to work after so much time off

~eyes FIXED on Christ and not our circumstances

Thank you!


With love,

Happy 3 Months, Cap'n

"A babe in a house is a wellspring of pleasure."

~M.F. Topper

The Wheel

In one of his sermons, Spurgeon compares God's providence to a wheel.  Our circumstances are ever changing.  One minute the view is great from up top while the next minute we're eating dust.

Scribe's wheel has been moving steadily along this past week.  He's seen and felt the low and he's enjoyed the view while up high. When I left him last night, he was doing well and looking forward to coming home.

I drove home, left speechless by God's goodness to us this past week.  My heart was overwhelmed, not by our circumstances, but by His kindness to us in the midst of them.  He's shown His power and His lovingkindness in myriad ways, and as a loving Father does, He has given us many good gifts.

The recovery now begins, and it will be a long process.  Today Scribe was grinding the dust.  Stripped of the epidural and the iv pain medication, he has found relief to be a fickle companion.  And while we can blame poor hospital discharge procedures on our difficulty, we also know Who is in control and Who has ordained every moment of our days for our good.

"Thy state is ever changing.  Sometimes thou art exalted, and sometimes depressed; yet there is an unmoving point in thy state.  What is that axle?  It is the axle of God's everlasting love toward His covenant people.  The exterior of the wheel is changing, but the center stands forever fixed.  Other things may move; but God's love never moves: it is the axle of the wheel."~C.H. Spurgeon

So while this ride is going to be very bumpy and uncertain, we hold fast to His love for us, and we ask for your continued prayers.  Tonight we ask especially that God would grant Scribe some relief from this pain while giving him a song in the night.


With love,

Moving Forward

Scribe continues to improve.  He's walking the halls more and laughing more (though most carefully...:)).

Today his epidural will be removed so the doctors can make sure he'll do okay on the oral pain medication.  Please pray for sufficient pain control without nasty side effects.

If all goes as expected, we'll be bringing him home sometime tomorrow.  Thank you again for faithfully praying for all of us.

Love,

I'll Take Fries With That, Please

We praise God that Scribe had a much better day yesterday.  Tuesday was his roughest, as he wasn't able to eat or drink anything.  But, Wednesday, he was taken off the oxygen, was sitting up in a chair most of the day, and was finally able to take a bite of solid food.

His request?

French fries.

Now I was thinking crackers were the way to go, but you know, when you haven't eaten in almost 3 days, I think you know better than anyone what you'd like to at least  try once you can eat again.  Mountain Man would have moved heaven and earth to get his son french fries, but thankfully, he just had to go to the eatery downstairs. :)

So, when I left him yesterday evening, he was looking much better and had even laughed quite a few times.  Of course, Jedediah brings some of the biggest smiles to his face.

My Mom aptly observed that Scribe just isn't a complainer.  And, there are always things in a hospital to complain about.  Our son is the patient, but he is also our teacher, as we watch him quietly endure this path God has set before him.

"There is a vast difference between happiness and blessedness. Paul had imprisonments and pains, sacrifice and suffering up to the very limit; but in the midst of it all, he was blessed.  All the beatitudes came into his heart and life in the midst of those very conditions."
~Streams in the Desert

Scribe is blessed, and so are all of us as we continue to see God's gracious Hand in everything.

We're hoping for Saturday as his release date, and we continue to ask for prayers for pain management, no infection in the epidural site, strength, wise and caring medical staff, and increased faith and trust in our Heavenly Father.

With hearts full of thanks,
for all of the Poff Clan

These Many Blessings

It's getting late, and I'm looking forward to the sweet sleep that only God can give.  BUT, I can't rest before thanking everyone for your prayers and before praising God for His goodness and mercy to us today.

It was one of those days when my Heavenly Father continuously humbled me with His kindness to us.  His gifts flowed non-stop, and I echo the words of David when he declared...

I wil extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.   Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.  He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them.  The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.  My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. ~from Psalm 145

Here are just a few of God's gifts to us today.

~Scribe woke up in good spirits.


~My Mom fell right before we were leaving for the hospital, but, praise the LORD, she only suffered some bruising.


~Our Pastor arrived at the hospital soon after we did and stayed all day with us.  We're so grateful for the loving sacrifice of his time and energy.


~The staff...doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, etc., were all very kind and willing to answer our many questions.


~The staff was very supportive of having our Pastor pray with us, and Scribe's doctor even came out to the lobby before surgery (Scribe was already in the OR) to have our Pastor pray with her!  Isn't that amazing?  After the surgery was over, Scribe's doctor declared, "God is great.  All the time!"


~Jedediah was content the entire day.


~The children at home were responsible and cheerful.


~Scribe had no complications during the surgery, including no blood loss.


~God blessed us with close parking spaces. :)


~We have friends who are helping with our children during the week so that Scribe's brothers and sisters can take turns visiting him in the hospital.


~My cousin graciously posted the initial update about Scribe for me since I didn't have access to a computer.


~All of us had that peace that passes all understanding as we waited for Scribe to have his surgery!

When I left Scribe tonight, he was still a bit out of it from the anesthesia, and he continues to have problems with nausea.  You can imagine how painful that is when you've just had chest surgery.  So, we continue to ask for prayers as well as ask that you praise God for His goodness and mercy to our family.

I'll continue to post updates as things progress.  Thank you again for your encouraging words and fervent prayers.

Love,

Scribe's Surgery Update...

Just wanted to let everyone know that Scribe just came out of surgery and is in recovery.  The surgery went well.  We appreciate your continued prayers and will provide more updates when possible.

In Him,
Trisha

How To Improve Your Memory

"This dulness of memory is a common spiritual disease among believers.  It prevails as widely now as it did in the days of the first disciples.  It is one among many proofs of our fallen and corrupt condition.  Even after men have been renewed by the Holy Ghost, their readiness to forget the promises and precepts of the Gospel is continually bringing them into trouble.  They hear many things which they ought to store up in their hearts, but seem to forget as fast as they hear.  And then, perhaps after many days, affliction brings them up before their recollection, and at once it flashes across their minds that they heard them long ago!  They find that they had heard, but heard in vain.


The true cure for a dull memory in religion, is to get deeper love toward Christ, and affections more thoroughly set on things above.  We do not readily forget the things we love, and the objects which we keep continually under our eyes.  The names of our parents and children are always remembered.  The face of the husband or wife we love is graven on the tablets of our hearts.  The more our affections are engaged in Christ's service, the more easy shall we find it to remember Christ's words."
~J.C. Ryle
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
Vol. 2

Scribe's Surgery

****Correction~Scribe's surgery is scheduled for 12:30.



Scribe's surgery is scheduled for Monday morning at 11:30 and is expected to take around 3-1/2 hours.

He will be on quite a few medications, so please pray he would tolerate those well and would not have any complications or reactions, short-term and long-term.

I will post an update as soon as possible.  Allowing for time to see him in recovery, etc., I'm hoping that will be at least by 4:30 our time.

Thank you again for your prayers!

Love,

Family Photo Shoot 2010~Mother and Daughters, Father and Sons

and Cap'n is as serious as ever.....

Try This At Home

That is....only if you can eat just 10 chicken wings at a time.  Or if you like them in a not-the-least-bit-like-Southern-cooking way  (i.e. BAKED).  Otherwise, get out the BIG turkey fryer or just go to the restaurant.

When Mountain Man and I first moved to New Mexico, we only had Scribe and Little Big Man.  They were 3 and not quite 1, so family life looked a lot different than it does now.  One of our favorite snacks to make at home was chicken wings.  I remember having to cook more and more because a certain little one kept taking them off of our plates.

Ahem.

Well, that little one is the tallest guy in the house now, and the other night when he requested chicken wings, I was more than happy to fix them.  But I had forgotten a few things....

~The oil needs to be very hot.  Very, very hot.

~The pan only cooks about 10 wings at a time.  That's not even an individual serving in our home.

~Hot oil splatters.  Did I mention hot oil splatters?

~Cooking one batch, on the stovetop, takes about 45 minutes.  I didn't even start cooking until 7:15.  Let's see...one batch equals 10 wings and takes 45 minutes.  What time will we be done?

~Sometimes the money savings just isn't worth it.

~The cleaning of the pan takes years....yep, years.....

So, my goal to bless my family with restaurant style wings was not the success I had hoped for.  We had to eat in shifts (a big no-no in our house), and I still had to make another meal because I didn't want to catch the kitchen on fire. :)

BUT, the good news in it all is that I discovered this yummy, yummy recipe for garlic-parmesan chicken wings, and it tastes just like the ones at our favorite wing place!  So, despite the disaster, I'll be trying these again, except Mountain Man will be cooking them OUTSIDE in the turkey fryer.

Enjoy!

Love,



Garlic-Parmesan Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 24 fried chicken wings

Directions:

1. 1In a small glass bowl, melt butter in microwave.
2. 2Whisk into butter the garlic powder, onion salt and pepper.
3. 3Arrang  wings on a serving platter and drizzle with butter mixture.
4. 4Top with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

1. 
   ~from Food.com

Family Photo Shoot 2010~The Ladies

Pragmatism in the Church

In a column published some years ago in a popular Christian magazine, a well-known preacher was venting his own loathing for long sermons.  January 1 was coming, so he resolved to do better in the coming year.  "That means wasting less time listening to long sermons and spending much more time preparing short ones," he wrote.  "People, I've discovered, will forgive even poor theology as long as they get out before noon."

Unfortunately, that perfectly sums up the predominant attitude behind much of ministry today.  Bad doctrine is tolerable; a long sermon most certainly is not.  The timing of the benediction is of far more concern to the average churchgoer than the content of the sermon.  Sunday dinner and the feeding of our mouths takes precedence over Sunday school and the nourishment of our souls.  Long-windedness has become a greater sin than heresy.  The church has imbibed the worldly philosophy of pragmatism, and we're just beginning to taste the bitter results.

~John MacArthur 

 

A Perfect Date

Some time ago, a dear friend sent me a cartoon showing an older couple perusing a bookstore.  Her attached note said that this was how she pictures me and Mountain Man years from now.

I laughed and laughed because it's so true.  I'm trying to remember the last date with my Beloved that didn't include a trip to a bookstore or a library. (Hmm...is this why I've been accused of being spoiled and having "only child" tendencies? :))

After a busy audit week, Mountain Man was exhausted, so I wanted to plan a date that would be relaxing for him.

We packed up the books, added some beach towels, and went to the park.  Two hours of birds singing,  tree leaves rustling, blue skies, and uninterrupted reading!

Mountain Man actually ditched Walton for P.G. Wodehouse's short stories.  (Where did we get the Wodehouse book but on one of our dates....a surprise find at a used bookstore.:))

Jedediah is such an easy-going baby.  He was content the entire time at the park.  Perhaps he was in wonder at the GRASS.  Or the QUIET.  

The view.....

Jedediah knew just how to enjoy this date.  But see the sunlight on his face?  This Mama forgot just how quickly babies get sunburned.  The voices echoing "Bad Mother" in the back of my head won't allow me to post a picture of his face post park visit, but everyone at home, with chuckles and shaking of heads,  reminded me that the white around his mouth is in a perfect pacifier pattern.  

The rest of the date?  Great discussions about what we've been reading.  A chair massage for Mountain Man.  An unexpected but delightful find at the used bookstore where Mountain Man gets his chair massage (now don't assign selfish motives to me, please), a Teale nature book.  A delicious lunch at Mimi's during which sweet baby boy slept the entire time.  And, of course, a Coke Icee for Queen Mom.  

Love,

Family Photo Shoot 2010~The Gentlemen

Saturday was tons of fun.  We packed up some picnic goodies and headed to one of our favorite spots in the mountains.  God was so good to let us get all of the pictures done and finish eating our meal before the rain came.

It's been over 4 years since we had studio pictures done of the children, and I really wanted new ones.  So, we decided to do it ourselves.

We took pictures of all the girls together, all the boys, Dad and sons, Mom and daughters, and then family pictures.  I can't believe we forgot to do all of the children together without Mom and Dad, but we did.:(

We usually do our annual family photo in October, but we decided to get it done now since Scribe will still be recovering from surgery around that time.

Here are some photos of the gentlemen.

More to come....