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,