I haven't written much lately (ok, nothing) because: 1) I've been busy planting flowers in my new flowerbeds; 2) I've been busy spring cleaning our house; and 3) I just have no clue what to write about. I've started several blogs, but I figure that if I'm bored writing them, then the reader(s) will be extremely bored.
If you haven't been to my husband's website lately, check it out (www.suffering.net). He has worked very hard on it recently to give everyone daily updates on his sister, Debby. She is currently in Seton Specialty Hospital to recover from being placed on a trach vent. The goal is to get her weaned off of the vent completely, and she has been off of it since Saturday. She does still have oxygen hooked up to her trach, but in the past she was not able to exhale well enough to keep her carbon dioxide levels at a safe level. So, she's doing better, but there is still a long road ahead for her. She desperately wants to leave the hospital and go home, so we are all praying that God will strengthen her enough to be able to do that.
As stated earlier, I've been planting flowers a lot lately. We had new flower beds put in along both sides of the house, so I spent at least a week moving bushes, splitting out daylillies and irises, and planting new annuals and perennials. I also did my own planters for the deck, and I'm just praying that I remember to water them!
My mom has always had the most beautiful gardens ever. When I was younger, she grew almost all of our vegetables, but now that my sister and I are grown, she only grows flowers. She tried getting me interested in gardening when I was younger, but she failed miserably. To me, spending time in the garden was worse than being sent to your room.
However, now that I've grown up and matured, I have a whole new appreciate for flowers. I love planting them, watering and feeding them (thank God for Miracle-Gro), and watching them grow. (Still not fond of the whole weeding thing, though) Daffodils always make me smile when I see them, and my collection of daylillies never cease to amaze me. The house just seems so much more inviting with flowers planted around it.
I'm also amazed at how hearty some plants are. I always line the front flower bed with red begonias, and these things are indestructible. A couple of years ago, I was awoken by a horrible growling sound. I had no idea what happened till the next morning when I went outside and saw two of my begonias completely shredded. My best guess is that a rabbit or other small creature was being chased by a fox and the begonias were collateral damage. I was devastated by the destruction, but was utterly amazed when those flowers grew back! They were noticeably smaller than the rest of the begonias, but they did grow back. Isn't God's creation amazing?
Tending the garden just reminds me, in this world full of pain, suffering, death and destruction, that God is still in control. Plants and flowers that He created are still glorifying Him just by growing and being beautiful. May we all seek to glorify Him in all that we do with the gifts that He has given us.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
First date!
Six years ago today was my first date with my husband, Tim. What a wonderful ride the last six years have been. I'm more and more in love with my husband each day, and am continually thankful that God brought us together.
According to my husband, he stopped dead in his tracks the first time he ever saw me. No other woman had ever had that affect on him before, but, it took him over a year to actually start talking to me! As for me, I had always had a great respect for Tim, but really didn't know how to talk to him. Then one night, he taught our singles group when our pastor was out of town, and I just remember sitting there thinking, "why can't I find a man like him"? A month later we finally had our first "real" conversation, and I was immediately smitten. However, it would be another 3 months before he'd actually ask me out. Talk about torture!!!
Anyway, 6 years ago today, we met at Victory Field to watch an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. We didn't watch too much of the game, but I do remember that the Indians came back from 3 runs down in the last inning to win it. That was pretty exciting, but not nearly as exciting as talking to Tim! We had so much fun together that we were the last ones to leave the ballpark.
About a week and 3 dates later, I started having a meltdown. I didn't know how serious I could get with Tim because I didn't know if I could handle all the demands of his disability (he's been in a wheelchair for the past 15 years due to MD). I didn't know if I could handle those demands because I didn't even know what they would be. And, I certainly didn't want to break this guys' heart--he was (and still is) way too special to do that to him. I cried my heart out to God claiming that I didn't know if I should date him because I didn't know if I could marry him. God answered, "I'm not asking you to marry him--I'm asking you to date him". Well, I told God that I could do that! Within a month, I was begging God to let me marry Tim. Thankfully, God granted that request 8 months later.
Six years later, Tim still makes my heart smile. I am continually amazed by his faith in God and how that gives him true joy in this life. I am truly blessed to be able to serve him as his wife!
According to my husband, he stopped dead in his tracks the first time he ever saw me. No other woman had ever had that affect on him before, but, it took him over a year to actually start talking to me! As for me, I had always had a great respect for Tim, but really didn't know how to talk to him. Then one night, he taught our singles group when our pastor was out of town, and I just remember sitting there thinking, "why can't I find a man like him"? A month later we finally had our first "real" conversation, and I was immediately smitten. However, it would be another 3 months before he'd actually ask me out. Talk about torture!!!
Anyway, 6 years ago today, we met at Victory Field to watch an Indianapolis Indians baseball game. We didn't watch too much of the game, but I do remember that the Indians came back from 3 runs down in the last inning to win it. That was pretty exciting, but not nearly as exciting as talking to Tim! We had so much fun together that we were the last ones to leave the ballpark.
About a week and 3 dates later, I started having a meltdown. I didn't know how serious I could get with Tim because I didn't know if I could handle all the demands of his disability (he's been in a wheelchair for the past 15 years due to MD). I didn't know if I could handle those demands because I didn't even know what they would be. And, I certainly didn't want to break this guys' heart--he was (and still is) way too special to do that to him. I cried my heart out to God claiming that I didn't know if I should date him because I didn't know if I could marry him. God answered, "I'm not asking you to marry him--I'm asking you to date him". Well, I told God that I could do that! Within a month, I was begging God to let me marry Tim. Thankfully, God granted that request 8 months later.
Six years later, Tim still makes my heart smile. I am continually amazed by his faith in God and how that gives him true joy in this life. I am truly blessed to be able to serve him as his wife!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Fernando Ortega
Last night, Christian recording artist, Fernando Ortega, gave a concert at our church. My husband and I are huge fans of Fernando's, and we were greatly blessed by last night's performance. I am continually amazed at his musical and poetic gifts and his ability to make the complex sound so simple and calm. Whenever I feel stressed or on-edge, Fernando's music can calm me down and get me to return my focus to Christ.
Just before attending the concert, my husband and I went to the hospital to visit his sister, Debby. She was admitted last week for breathing difficulties related to her muscular dystrophy. She had already come through one procedure successfully this past week (the draining of her lungs) and seemed to be headed on the road to recovery. However, yesterday afternoon, it was necessary for the medical staff to put her on a ventilator. That procedure, while still successful, did not go as well as we would have hoped. Therefore, it is necessary for her to go on a trach vent, which will be permanent. That procedure will be done tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. We have known for several months that a trach vent was inevitable, and now, that day is here.
The first song that Fernando sang last night was "Our Great God", which is one of the most beautiful and worshipful songs I have ever heard. Whenever I hear that song, I am taken back to June of last year and the funeral of Erik Steffen, a young man from our church. I was driven to tears at the funeral as I watched his wife, Kelly, stand to her feet with arms raised towards heaven as we (the congregation) sang "Hallelujah, Glory be to Our Great God". It takes great faith to praise God in the midst of such a painful trial. And as I sat there last night, still hurting from seeing my sister-in-law lying so helpless in that bed and none of us really knowing what the days ahead will hold, I was comforted in knowing that we serve a GREAT GOD, who shelter us in the storms of this life despite our weaknesses and frailties.
While it's so easy to get overwhelmed by the shear awfulness of Debby's situation, there is still much to be thankful for. Debby has raised two beautiful daughters, and she has more friends than I could even try to count. These friends have been a huge help to her over the years, and I'm sure that they will continue to be there for her in the months ahead. I am thankful for all of my husbands siblings--it is a very close-knit family that has certainly learned how to weather storms together. I am thankful that God allowed her the time and opportunity to make the decision to get the trach vent. I am thankful that my husband and I are surrounded by such loving brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for the entire family. And, I thank God that HE IS SOVEREIGN! No matter what happens, God is still in control and worthy of our praise.
Fernando's latest album, The Shadow of Your Wings, is a meditative worship album, and was written while he was dealing with the loss of some relatives in the past couple of years. One of our associate pastors challenged us at the end of the concert to go out and turn the ugly stuff in our lives into beautiful music (he worded it much better--this is the best paraphrase I can come up with). And that is my prayer for Debby--that she will be comforted by God and will give all of the glory to Him, and in so doing, Christ's beauty will be made known to everyone who comes into contact with her.
Just before attending the concert, my husband and I went to the hospital to visit his sister, Debby. She was admitted last week for breathing difficulties related to her muscular dystrophy. She had already come through one procedure successfully this past week (the draining of her lungs) and seemed to be headed on the road to recovery. However, yesterday afternoon, it was necessary for the medical staff to put her on a ventilator. That procedure, while still successful, did not go as well as we would have hoped. Therefore, it is necessary for her to go on a trach vent, which will be permanent. That procedure will be done tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. We have known for several months that a trach vent was inevitable, and now, that day is here.
The first song that Fernando sang last night was "Our Great God", which is one of the most beautiful and worshipful songs I have ever heard. Whenever I hear that song, I am taken back to June of last year and the funeral of Erik Steffen, a young man from our church. I was driven to tears at the funeral as I watched his wife, Kelly, stand to her feet with arms raised towards heaven as we (the congregation) sang "Hallelujah, Glory be to Our Great God". It takes great faith to praise God in the midst of such a painful trial. And as I sat there last night, still hurting from seeing my sister-in-law lying so helpless in that bed and none of us really knowing what the days ahead will hold, I was comforted in knowing that we serve a GREAT GOD, who shelter us in the storms of this life despite our weaknesses and frailties.
While it's so easy to get overwhelmed by the shear awfulness of Debby's situation, there is still much to be thankful for. Debby has raised two beautiful daughters, and she has more friends than I could even try to count. These friends have been a huge help to her over the years, and I'm sure that they will continue to be there for her in the months ahead. I am thankful for all of my husbands siblings--it is a very close-knit family that has certainly learned how to weather storms together. I am thankful that God allowed her the time and opportunity to make the decision to get the trach vent. I am thankful that my husband and I are surrounded by such loving brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for the entire family. And, I thank God that HE IS SOVEREIGN! No matter what happens, God is still in control and worthy of our praise.
Fernando's latest album, The Shadow of Your Wings, is a meditative worship album, and was written while he was dealing with the loss of some relatives in the past couple of years. One of our associate pastors challenged us at the end of the concert to go out and turn the ugly stuff in our lives into beautiful music (he worded it much better--this is the best paraphrase I can come up with). And that is my prayer for Debby--that she will be comforted by God and will give all of the glory to Him, and in so doing, Christ's beauty will be made known to everyone who comes into contact with her.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
NFL Draft Day
Today is the first day of the NFL draft. You have no idea how thankful I am that it is FINALLY here. Am I eager to see who the number one pick is? No. Am I eager to see who my favorite team (the Colts) pick? No. I am excited that the never-ending predictions and analysis are almost over.
Every morning, my husband and I watch ESPN's Sportscenter. And, every day for the past 2-3 weeks (maybe more--I lose track of time quite easily), they have had segments in which they analyze every team and who they should and should not pick. I am, at the same time, amazed by the analytical skills that these men possess and appalled that they apparently have nothing else to do with their time. I realize it's their job, but come on, it's football. At least the daily predictions are done, but, I'm sure that for the next 2-3 weeks, Sportscenter will have daily segments on how the actual picks will effect the teams in the upcoming season.
Now, you might assume that I really don't like football, but I actually love the game. My husband and I are huge Colts fans, and we have a special fondness for Peyton Manning. As a child, my husband's favorite football player was Archie Manning, Peyton's father. His admiration of Archie was sooooo huge, that my husband was nicknamed "Archie", and to this day, his family still calls him by that name.
My husband was quite the athlete when he was young. His main sports in high school were wrestling and baseball, but he did play football in middle school and junior high. Tim was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy while he was in high school, and he has been in a wheelchair since the age of 30. Since I never knew Tim when he was able to walk, I get a lot of pleasure watching sports with him. He can see plays and moves on the field better than anyone I've ever met, and watching games with him gives me a glimpse of the athlete that he was at one time.
Those skills he used as an athlete have been crucial in his battle with MD. He knows how to assess a situation and make a decision quickly, much like these coaches and team owners are doing in the draft today. Most importantly, though, he is a fighter. He doesn't let adversity get him down. While sports prepared him for this trial, Jesus Christ is what gets him through it. Tim knows that he is nothing without Christ, and it is only by the grace of God that Tim has this sports background and is able to transfer those skills to his current situation.
Every morning, my husband and I watch ESPN's Sportscenter. And, every day for the past 2-3 weeks (maybe more--I lose track of time quite easily), they have had segments in which they analyze every team and who they should and should not pick. I am, at the same time, amazed by the analytical skills that these men possess and appalled that they apparently have nothing else to do with their time. I realize it's their job, but come on, it's football. At least the daily predictions are done, but, I'm sure that for the next 2-3 weeks, Sportscenter will have daily segments on how the actual picks will effect the teams in the upcoming season.
Now, you might assume that I really don't like football, but I actually love the game. My husband and I are huge Colts fans, and we have a special fondness for Peyton Manning. As a child, my husband's favorite football player was Archie Manning, Peyton's father. His admiration of Archie was sooooo huge, that my husband was nicknamed "Archie", and to this day, his family still calls him by that name.
My husband was quite the athlete when he was young. His main sports in high school were wrestling and baseball, but he did play football in middle school and junior high. Tim was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy while he was in high school, and he has been in a wheelchair since the age of 30. Since I never knew Tim when he was able to walk, I get a lot of pleasure watching sports with him. He can see plays and moves on the field better than anyone I've ever met, and watching games with him gives me a glimpse of the athlete that he was at one time.
Those skills he used as an athlete have been crucial in his battle with MD. He knows how to assess a situation and make a decision quickly, much like these coaches and team owners are doing in the draft today. Most importantly, though, he is a fighter. He doesn't let adversity get him down. While sports prepared him for this trial, Jesus Christ is what gets him through it. Tim knows that he is nothing without Christ, and it is only by the grace of God that Tim has this sports background and is able to transfer those skills to his current situation.
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