Daddy, I missed you so much.

Happy weekend everyone. I can't believe this week went so fast - waaay too fast. But it's good to have a weekend in front of me.

First, I'd like to wish my good friend Erik best wishes. His blog - A Long Strange Trip took so many of us to the sands of Iraq, and then back to Minnesota as he finally came home to his beautiful family. He always spoke his mind, and we always knew that his words were honest. He's a great young man and I wish him and his family many blessings as he leaves his blog behind. Cathy (Call me Grandma) first "introduced" Erik to me through a link on her blog and I enjoyed meeting him and got to know his family a bit as well. You know what they say about friendships - God brings them into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. However God planned it, it has been a blessing to know Erik and his family.

There was a report on the local news tonight that was absolutely wonderful. A young man - who had just done a tour of duty with the Navy in Iraq - walked quietly into his young son's classroom.

He stood there and said "Hi buddy." The camera focused on the little boy's face as he teared up, ran to his daddy's arms and said, "Daddy, I missed you so much." I sat in front of the tv and cried my eyes out. Cried, and cried, and cried. Not for sadness, but just to see this little boy's joy, and the love he and his dad have for each other. Each day, this scene is repeated time after time...dear Lord may you continue to bring these men and women home safely to their families. The joy is beyond measure.

My cousin Tina is improving slightly - still in critical condition though and in need of many prayers.

The knee is a bit sore tonight - I've not been wearing a brace most of this week - dr. said I could start doing that, but I think I overdid it a bit. Tonight it's an early night for pjs, a movie, or the Sabres game on tv. It was a good week at work and now I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow Ron and I will do some shopping and Scott and Tina have invited us for dinner. I'm looking forward to it and to spending time with the kids and grandkids.

On Sunday morning, I'll be back in a pew for worship as I go to church for the first time since the accident. Sure has been strange not being there on Sunday mornings.

Praying for our troops and for our President. May God bless them and put His hedge of protection all around them and keep their hearts filled with courage for He does not give us a Spirit of fear.

Have a great weekend friends...

Blessings,

Sue

Walking in the shadow...

Today I am going to ask for your prayers for my cousin Tina. I've posted about her before...she recently underwent her second bone marrow transplant because the first one didn't take. She is a woman with a strong, wonderful, tender and faith filled heart who is fighting the hardest battle of her life right now. On paper, the results of the BMT looks good - her blood counts are going up and getting better each day. But she has developed a terrible complication of the transplant - it's a disease called Graft versus Host Disease - her body has broken out in a terrible rash which is a result of her body trying to fight the donor's bone marrow. There have been experts from two hospitals working on her and they all agree that if she develops an infection it could very well prove fatal.
At times like this, the words of my prayers feel so awkward and so inadequate.... and repetitive. I know that God's divine will is already in place - Lord please help me to trust in that will.
Where God allows us to go is sometimes very frightening - but I guess the heart of the matter is this: He IS with her in this journey, walking beside her. No, more likely, He is carrying her.
Dear God, if it is your will, lead her out of this valley, and into the green pastures.

First week nearly over...

Well, for this week, it's three days down, two to go. It sure has been a good one though, getting back to work and all. And while all the cards and baskets and notes made me feel missed while I was home, my friends and co-workers (one and the same) sure have made the return a great and welcoming experience. Monday I hardly got any work done as people stopped by my desk to ask how I am doing and to say welcome back. I was a little nervous about going back - kind of wondering how I would navigate with the brace and all. It's working out fine - and I am really getting around very well and everyone is so willing to help.
The kindness of others - a balm for healing if ever there was one.
It was a little bit sad kissing Ron goodbye on Monday morning when he left me at my desk. I had shown him around the office, introduced him to one of my co-workers, and then kissed him goodbye and told him to be careful driving home (those are usually his words to me when I leave for work in the morning, but with his driving me this week, the tables are turned). If I could spend each day with Ron it would be great, but our finances are not ready for me to retire yet, and I think God still has some things planned for me in my job yet, still...it would be kind of nice to have each day in front of us to spend together as we choose.
There are a lot of things to do this spring - at work, at church, at home. Plans to make for our trip with the kids and grand kids this summer, a prayer retreat at church in May, and the daily busy-ness at work. Everybody (especially my family) tells me that I need to slow down, and I want to. But this is always easier said than done and how does a person begin doing that?
So I guess it's time to start listening for that still small voice that God uses when He wants to get our attention. We have a tendency not to hear Him when we are rolling along our own merry little way. Hmmm.
Nope - can't retire yet. Not ready to do that anyway. But it's a nice thing to look forward to. Meanwhile, it sure is a nice feeling to be able to look forward to going to my job each day. Not everyone can say that.
Thank you, God.
May He bless you all as you look forward to the weekend.
God bless our troops and those who wait.
Sue

Luck of the Irish?

On this St. Patrick's Day, the time is winding down on my days spent at home - Monday morning I will be back at my desk at work, my leg propped up on a box. I have mastered using a cane instead of the walker, so that will make walking around a little bit easier and a lot less cumbersome. The past three weeks have passed quickly - though not without pain. I know that 6-12 months will pass before my knee is healed completely, but it's good to be well enough to return to work. There will be many tasks to greet me in my inbox but that's ok. I am fortunate to be returning so soon.

When I think of how painful this journey was when it began, I am so thankful for answered prayers for God's healing love. And for the care that Ron has given me. God sure has blessed me in that man.

I love you, honey.

So today and tomorrow, I will be doing a few simple chores around the house - dusting, picking up, getting rid of some of the clutter. Ron and I will make a pot of homemade sauce today and I will make a pan of lasagna too. It will help with dinner during the week next week. We are getting blasted with some more snow as the entire Eastern coast is experiencing a Noreaster. We always have snow on St. Patty's Day so this is just winter's last hurrah, right on schedule.

This morning's online news headlines ask: Did St. Patrick really drive snakes from Ireland?

Huh?

A long time ago, I was asked to do a short devotions for a gathering of our Ladies Guild at church. It was St. Patrick's Day so I decided to use that as the theme. Scott and Laurie were little then - but with both of them in tow, I went to the town library to get some information on St. Patrick (an experience if ever there was one as two year old Laurie kept finding books for me to read to her and Scott asking a million questions as he found dozens of dinosaur books-more up Ron's alley than mine).

St. Patrick is remembered best as bringing Christianity to Ireland by preaching the doctrine of the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. That's what the Shamrock represents - the Triune God. Wearing a shamrock is not just an indicator of a day set aside in March to honor an Irish saint, but rather a sign of another heritage - Christianity. My mom was Irish - and proud of it. But more than Irish, she was Christian - dad was too. So today, when I put that Shamrock on, it's because I am grateful that I know how great it can be to be in an Irish family, but also the BLESSING it is to be a child of God.

Hope you have a great day wearin' the green.

Sue

Sixty Big Ones.

So this is what "beware the ides of March" means.
Today is my birthday and I am 60 years old. I'm not used to saying 60 yet. It's not a bad thing - really, I mean what is the alternative? Last night Laurie was telling me that her schedule is kind of hectic today and so she would call me this afternoon. I told her not to mess up her schedule and she said, "Mom! This is a big one - I'm not going to miss calling you."
Big as in old? Well, she did point out the benefit of the senior citizen part of the menu and we'd be able to save money for dinner now that both Ron and I are in our 60s. Smartie pants.
Seriously, God has blessed me. I have spent nearly 38 of these 60 years with Ron, have 2 wonderful birth children and their spouses - 4 children in all and we have 3 grandchildren (one more would round things out nicely, :). I have wonderful friends, a great job, am part of a great church family...
what more is there to life?
Well, my hope for the next however many years God gives me is to give back; to pass some of these blessings on to many others. I've always tried to practice "do unto others" but sometimes those best intentions get mixed up in a busy schedule and they remain intentions.
And I'd like to slow down. Just a little bit so that I can smell the roses a little longer and drink in the goodness God has bestowed on my life.
Oh and I would like to always be thankful~to always remember that without my faith and family and friends, these 60 years would be empty.
The truth of the matter is, each day for as far back as I can remember, my cup has been overflowing. Thank you, God.
Sue

My new laptop.

Well, I've been awake since 0430 this morning and after trying to go back to sleep but being unable to turn the brain off, I decided at 6 am that it was time to start the day. With Ron and Lilly still asleep, I didn't want to make a lot of noise - but I did manage to make the coffee. It's at times like this that I realize the challenges that come with having a broken knee cap. The coffee smells great - it was just a bit difficult getting it from the kitchen to the family room while still maneuvering my walker. But hey - when it comes to coffee, where there's a will, there's a way.
Being able to sit at the computer has been great, but I am not able to do so without putting my feet on a chair, and (because I am not double jointed or a circus performer) I have to put the keyboard on my lap to be able to type. I am also getting really good with using my left hand for the mouse so that I don't need to reach as far. To say I have a laptop is a far stretch of the imagination but it works. :)
This morning I wanted to ask y0u for some prayers for a group of soldiers who were killed in Iraq last week. They are buddies and comrades of a soldier who is the son of a dear friend of mine. So sad. I wish all of our troops could come home and yet, listening to some TV interviews of some Officers and enlisted men and women, THEY think their mission is valuable and important. You can hear their belief in doing whatever needs to be done. They know first hand the sacrifices, and also know where their duty lies...their honor as well. God bless them for their courage.
Well, guess it's time to start my day. Hmmm - what kind of challenge can I find today? Holding on to my trusty walker, you just never know where it's gonna take me. Maybe back to the coffee pot.
God bless your day and thanks for stopping in.
Sue

"Foxy Lilly"

Keeping Warm!

It's been pretty cold in our neck of the woods the past week or so. Of course I haven't had the benefit of the actual cold air since I've not left the house since Ron brought me home from surgery last Wednesday. Looks like Wednesday will be my official day out since I have a Dr. appt this afternoon. The fresh air will feel so good.

Last night was not a good one - hardly slept. My knee was really acting up and I just had a lot on my mind. All it takes is going to bed at 11, falling asleep right away and then waking up at 2:11 in the morning because my leg is cramped or in pain. If I am in pain, and if Ron wakes up, I will take some medication...but generally I just lie there until I fall back to sleep.

The other night when we went to bed, I was feeling kind of bad because we were missing Kasey's birthday. Our little man was two years old yesterday.

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASEY!!!). Sometimes it's not hard to start feeling sorry for myself, as I was the other night. But God always finds a way to get us out of our funk. Monday night, as Ron tucked me in, I was just really hurting and missing the kids. Lilly always knows when mommy needs her to be close by. She jumped up on the bed (barely missing the sore knee :) and laid down right next to me and put her head on my shoulder. She licked my ear as if to say "it's ok mom." It sounded like a wind tunnel outside as the cold winter winds blew around the corners of the house...but inside, there was Lilly. The above picture of her was taken just a day or so ago as she was sitting on a snowy perch in the back yard. She is a cold weather doggie who warms our hearts with her silly, loving ways. Yup...God keeps us warm with His love...and with the furry creatures He blesses us with.

Hoping to get back to work in a week or less. The Dr. will tell me the prospects of that today, and although I am anxious to get back, I am also a bit worried how it will all work out. My walker, my stabilizer and my wonderful co-ordination - that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one. But I sure am enjoying the time at home with Ron. We play Rummikub for hours on end in the afternoon while his wonderful dinner preparations simmer in the crockpot. I think I will have about 10 lbs to lose when this is over. Goody - more salad.

Today I would like to ask for your prayers for the troops...I know they probably always are in your prayers, but many families have been receiving the most dreaded news lately. Please pray that they will find comfort in their faith and in the promise of a reunion in Heaven one day. It may seem like a lifetime away...but it is an assurance for those who trust in Jesus.

Keeping warm? Yes, we do have that comfort if we trust in Him. The comfort of a warm hearth, a simple afternoon spent with someone you love, or a furry creature saying "it's ok, mom" as they nuzzle your ear with a cold, wet nose.

Thanks and praise to God - who helps us find the good in all things, no matter what the situation is.

May He bless you.

Sue

Bumps in the road...errr....sidewalk.

Hi friends,

Well some of you from militarymoms.net may know that this week has been anything but boring. Last Sunday morning as I was coming out of church, having locked all the doors, turned off the lights, etc., I was walking down the bare, dry sidewalk when I decided to turn and see if I had turned out the entranceway lights. Yup, I noticed, it's all good; whereby I turned around and started walking again. I didn't even get to take my first complete step before I found myself falling...and falling hard...on the sidewalk. I landed on my left knee. Well, I thought, how bad could it be? Feeling my knee, and the several pieces under the skin. And so the answer to my question? Bad...very bad.

So I thought well I will get up, get to the car and have Ron take a look at it when we get home. NOT!! Could not stand on it. Reached for my cell phone to call Ron when I heard a car in the church parking lot. My friend Betty, (now guardian angel Betty) had been looking in her rear view mirror as she left the church parking lot and she saw me on the sidewalk.

Betty helped me to her car, we called Ron to come and meet us at the church, and then I would go to the emergency care clinic. By the time Ron got to the church I couldn't move it enough to go from one car to the next so Ron followed Betty and I to the clinic.

Three hours and a few xrays later, the prognosis: badly broken kneecap.

Having had surgery this past Wednesday, I am now (supposedly) on the mend.

I have the best nurse in the world - Ron. A bunch of wonderful friends praying for me, and some angels unaware.

Remember in my last post I said that God puts us where He wants us to be? Point in case, my friend Betty. He put her exactly where He needed her, and thank you Lord, where I needed her to be.

One place I won't be for awhile is work - at least another week or two at home. He is giving me patience. And teaching me love, oh yes, so much about love. In the gentle care Ron gives me, the flowers, fruit baskets, phone calls and cards that are being received every day, and in the prayers which I know are being spoken on my behalf.

Yes - there can be bumps in the road. But God knows exactly where He is putting them so that we will know He is picking us up and setting us gently down in the care He gives us through others.

I won't be on too often because Ron allows me 30 minutes tops each day until I get stronger.

Funny how I've been teaching my Sunday School class about Faith. It makes us whole - even when we feel broken. It makes us whole again.

God loves us so...

God bless our troops and those of us who wait.

Love,

Sue