Thankful Thursday!

Today I'm thankful for the doctors we have.  

This morning I saw my knee surgeon to check out those bloody scrapes on my knees that came about when I fainted after giving blood on Monday.  After he had a good laugh, he pronounced me fine*, gave me some things to look out for and said, "See you next week!"  

"What?!?  You just told me they were fine!"  We had already talked about his cut in hours, so I asked, "What?!? Are you lonely?"  More laughter.

When I got home, the phone rang.  It was Micah's pediatrician with the results of her labs.  He was so proud of her and happy for her.  The result of her losing weight was an improvement in all of her labs from a year ago.  She was so encouraged.     

I am thankful for our doctors and all of the doctors out there who are putting there lives on the line during this COVID-19 crisis.  Thank you!

*Note:  I have to be aware of any infections that could get into my bionic knees and ruin them. 

The Trail Untrammeled

As an outdoor ed. major, when I walk through Raven Lake, the closest thing we have to a park in our neighborhood, I like to see it as God made it, without painted rocks, trash, did I mention painted rocks?  The bane of my existence!

So when I walked Annie through Raven Lake on Sunday and saw the painted rocks along the trail - HORROR! - I held back.  I didn't toss them in the lake.  I just mocked them.  "This one would look better here."  "That was a stupid place to put a rock."  "Creative people would have put a rock here."

When I walked Annie through Raven Lake on Monday, I moved the rocks to where I thought they would look best.  I did not deprive the rock painter of their freedom of expression (untrammeled), but I did choose to exhibit a much more creative design.

 

When I walked Annie through Raven Lake on Tuesday, I took pictures of some of my favorites.  (Trust me, some were really ugly.). Let me know what you think!

Back at the YMCA!

Oh, don't I wish I had been there to swim, but the pool's been drained for repairs and cleaning during COVID-19.  Nope, I was there to give blood:

Unfortunately, in my haste to meet our new Y director, I probably got up too soon.  Then I probably talked to him a bit too long.  As I walked to the car, the world went dim and I passed out.  Now instead of those cute knees you see in the picture, I have two bloody blobs!

Yoga . . .

During this time of pandemic, while I haven't been able to swim, I've been doing "Gentle Yoga" with Linda on-line.  I'm not sure which I dislike more, Linda who never smiles or yoga.  But I persist . . .

Friday, I asked my chiropractor after he had adjusted me, if he had noticed anything different.  He said, "Yes.  My neck and back were more in line than normal.  Why?"

Yoga.😝

 

Run for the Unreached

This morning, Micah, I and our friends' dog, Dakota did the second annual "Run for the Unreached" sponsored by the Antioch Institute.

We chose to walk the course in Lakeville, although Dakota was quite willing to run!

Meanwhile, over in Richfield, our friends Heidi and Julie did the same run/walk at the Wood Lake Nature Center.

 

Sometime this summer, the four of us (sorry, Dakota!) are going to get together and celebrate today's event TOGETHER!

Forty Days!

It's been exactly forty days since I received the call that we were closing the Y.  I am pleased to report that in those forty days, I have deep cleaned (think cobwebs, vents, ceiling fans and light fixtures, baseboards, walls, cupboards and beyond):

• the Dining Room,
• the Living Room,
• three Bathrooms, 
• three Bedrooms, 
• the Family Room,
• two Hallways, 
• the Stairwell,
• five Closets,
• the Kitchen, and
• the Rocks bordering the house.

I would love to say, "It is finished", but it's not.  Once Micah finishes this semester, we'll be tackling her room.  Once Sam finishes the school year, he's got two closets, the laundry and the ping pong room to help me with.  And then there's always the mulch, the deck, the garden and moving a few plants . . . The fun never ends!

Thankful Thursday!

"Give thanks in all circumstances . . . "

1 Thess. 5:18a

In this time of Covid-19 and sheltering in place, I continue to work on giving thanks.  In total random order, today I am thankful for the following:

• My husband has a job and a regular paycheck.  While his working from home may drive me batty, I am ever grateful that money is not a worry.
• Annie, our lab-wanna-be, went for three walks yesterday and is soon going for her third one today.  They may be short, but I am so grateful, that while she still has a touch of head tilt, she's doing so much better.
• I was able to share my walk this morning with neighbor Jill-from-the-top-of-the-hill.  She had a bad news day yesterday.  I'm grateful that I could listen and encourage.
• The kitchen is finally deep-cleaned - or at least as deep-cleaned as it's going to get as long as I have two bionic knees!  That last cupboard?  I leave to Sam!  
• Matt's going to help me work on the deck next week.  He walked right into that one when I asked him what he was doing next week and he said, "Nothing."
• Micah's professor changed his mind regarding the quiz she missed.  She now gets to write a four-page paper regarding her reaction to COVID-19 instead of taking a zero.  I'm glad, even though I will be "editor-in-chief". 

Annie Update!

After hearing our sweet lab-wanna-be, Annie, had idiopathic vestibular, more commonly known as "old dog syndrome", last Monday, we began to wonder if she was ever going to get better.

Today, eight days after she was first diagnosed, we can finally say, "Yes, she is getting better."  She actually climbed up the stairs by herself this morning, walked down the stairs by herself this afternoon, and went for her first walk on a leash since April 11 just before supper.

Her head still has a bit of a tilt to it (which may never go away), she's still a bit unsteady on her feet, and she's still moving slow, but we believe we're finally getting our Annie back!  

Praise God!

Just for fun . . .

Just for fun today, I went up to my neighbor Jana's house and cleaned out the flower bed beside her mailbox.  

I'm sure you've heard of my friend Jana.  She helped us with every trip to Africa, with crafts, ideas and funding.  She's also had three surgeries for a brain tumor.  

She sat on the tailgate of Sam's truck.  We laughed, we talked, we shared.  It was great.  Her son, Seth, joined us after his run.  My daughter, Micah, joined us after she dropped off her "I-Want-To-Work-This-Summer" form at Cub.  We laughed even more, talked even more and shared even more.

Excellent time together while maintaining social distance! 

Some Ideas for Being an Awesome Human - COVID and Beyond

This is post has been reblogged from "Girl Catch Fire" by our friend, Erin Kirk.

 

🍀 Define for yourself what your new normal is. Don't leave that to anybody else - the government, the marketplace, the media. 

🍀Use whatever is in your hands to encourage people around you. 

🍀 When someone is overwhelmed by big emotions, don’t try to fix it or blue-sky it for them. Just sit quietly with them and witness it. 

🍀 Give as much money as you can to food banks because they always need it.

🍀 If you mow your lawn today, mow someone else’s too. 

🍀 Write love letters to people you don’t see much and drop them in the mail. 

🍀 Walk barefoot outside and say hello to everyone who passes, maybe even introduce yourself. 

🍀 Visit your local park and pick up trash. 

🍀 When you have the choice, drive less and rest more. 

🍀 Make cards with your kids for nursing home residents who can’t or don’t see their families. 

🍀 Ask your essential worker neighbors how you can support them. Don’t assume they’re okay because they haven’t asked for help. ASK THEM!

 

The Aspirational Gap

Most of us know we live with a gap between the person we are and the one we want to be. It seems Coronavirus has invited us to take a hard look at that gap and how we might begin closing it.

♥️ Maybe when we do reopen, we’ll choose not to pick up our old frenetic ways. 

♥️ Maybe we will sit longer, rest more and dwell in the presence of God, rather than filling every second with busy-ness.

♥️ Maybe we’ll maintain some of the rhythms we’ve developed with our kids. 

♥️ Maybe we’ll be more mindful with our spending, I know economists don’t like that, but our consumer habits are part of what makes us rush around in a panic. 

♥️ Maybe without that pressure, we’ll even be more patient with each other. 

♥️ Maybe we’ll keep singing from our porches, just to encourage those struggling among us.

Virtual Run for the Unreached!

Next Saturday morning, April 25, Micah and I will be walking the "Virtual Run for the Unreached".  We've love to have you join us!  The information is listed below:

Virtual Run for the Unreached

 

This year's Run for the Unreached is a virtual event! Anyone can participate, wherever you are located! The run is on April 25 and we will have Zoom calls for check-in starting at 10:00 a.m. The cost is $10, and we will mail you a t-shirt and Live Dead book. The run is a great way for our North Central University community to do something together even while social distancing and to make a difference in the lives of millions of people who still have no access to the gospel of Jesus. You can get more information about the run here, and register on this site.

 

Nick Robertson, The Antioch Initiative

A Mercy Ships Update . . .

. . . via New Zealand's Graeme Walls who was our supervisor on the ship one summer!

The COVID-19 disruptions that we’ve felt here in New Zealand have made dramatic measures necessary in our Senegal field service. Out of concern for the patients and crew, the Africa Mercy was forced to suspend our services ahead of schedule. Thankfully, I can share that there are no cases onboard. This has made us even more grateful for our experience in Senegal. Even though our stay was cut short, we miraculously met our programmatic goals—treating more patients, training more professionals, and building more capacity than we should have been able to. None of that would have been possible without miraculous intervention. And, it’s one more reason to be grateful. We are grateful that so many, like the rascally twins Assane and Ousseynou received desperately needed surgery that will forever change their lives and their legacy.

I wish you could have seen this little family as Kiwi physiotherapist Katie Burton and her Senegalese assistant/translator helped these boys take their first tentative steps. They are now walking with confidence into their new lives. Mum’s eyes were filled with gratitude, while her boys’ eyes were filled with wonder…and perhaps a wee bit of mischief. So, where are we today?  The Africa Mercy has entered annual maintenance a bit ahead of schedule, and the remaining crew onboard is expected to be released from ship-bound quarantine soon. Busy, even during quarantine in a first-world port, our medical crew continues to equip and assist our Senegal healthcare colleagues in this difficult time. We’re mentoring health care workers caring for critically ill patients and providing training in vital care skills for surgical patients and COVID -19 infections. Our Medical Capacity Building programs are transitioning to tele-health and online collaboration. In Guinea, the Gamal Dental School students continue to be supported by remote learning, and we are honoured to been able to provide modest financial support for the COVID-19 Fund in Senegal. One of the core values permeating every part of Mercy Ships is our commitment to love and serve others.  During these difficult times, that commitment grows stronger, and our circle is stretched to embrace even more people. So, yes. We are grateful for many things—including you. Your faithful prayers and gifts have made transformation possible in Senegal. It continues to change lives in Guinea.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

It was Forced Family Fun Time (3FT)

as we each wrote Dad a note to send in a card

celebrating his 88th year!

Darcy's Birthday!

Today was my friend Darcy's birthday.  She purchased a birthday cake from Micah which we were going to deliver.  We knew she lived in the neighborhood as our kids went to the same elementary school, but we had never been to her house.  Beloved Daughter memorized the house number and we took off, me holding the cake, she driving.  

"Mom, do you know where Darcy lives?"

"No, didn't you bring your phone?"

"No, but I know the house number."

"Do you know what streets we turn on?"
"No, but I'm sure I can find it."

We got close - I used to run back there, but not quite.  We turned around, went home, got the phone, googled directions and delivered the cake:

Of course, that's not the end of the story.  Darcy invited the women in our Bible study to a parade at 6:00 p.m. in front of her house to celebrate her special day.  As we drove by, she was going to give us cupcakes.

We took two cars to the parade - both Matt's!  Micah drove the Veloster, Matt drove the Geni and I rode with Matt.    

Darcy and her hub liked Matt's cars.  He asked if he could squeal out of there - they live in a cul de sac.  They said to go for it and he did.  

Their neighbor, who was outside at the time, flipped us off.  Opps!

Thankful Thursday!

Today, I'm thankful I'm not Sam.  Sam who went to bed around 1:15 a.m. this morning after finishing his vocabulary lesson.  Sam, who Annie, our dog, woke up around 5:00 a.m. because she had to go potty.  Except . . . Sam wasn't fast enough.  Annie had already left a pile of doggie doodoo beside the bed.  Sam, who was obviously sleep walking and didn't realize he had stepped in the doggie doodoo, left a doodoo trail down the hallway.  Not to mention, Annie gave it her all when she got outside so he had doodoo in the yard, doodoo in the hall and doodoo by the bed!  Aren't you thankful that you're not Sam, too? 

A What in the Nest?

Just outside of our kitchen window, growing beside our fence, is a trumpet vine.  In our trumpet vine is a bird's nest.  

Today, Micah watched a squirrel drag a piece of bread up the vine and put it in the nest.

Wonder what's zup?

Idiopathic Vestibular

And you thought "polymyalgia rheumatica" was bad!?!

According to our vet, it "appears"  (Covid-19 saved us from a $50.00 vet bill!)  our sweet little puppy has "idopathic vestibular", an old dog disease!

Poor thing walks - if she can walk at all - like she's a bit tipsy and her head has a current left tilt!  Her back legs are struggling, but her appetite is good and she's been doing her business.

So we wait.  Nine out of ten dogs recover in forty-eight to seven-two hours.

Hang in there, Annie!  

Sunday's GIft

Wow!  

How amazingly simple!  

Jesus is the greatest gift ever given!  

And He can be yours - 

just for the asking!

HAPPY EASTER!

Saturday's GIft

Cooking.  Together.  In the kitchen.  

Making twice-baked potatoes with Sam.  I scooped out the potatoes.  He cooked the bacon.  I got out the ingredients. He mixed them up.  I filled the potato skins.

Making deviled eggs with Micah.  I scooped out the eggs. She found the rest of the ingredients.  She mixed them up.  Twelve guacamole.  Twelve salsa.  I tried to fill the whites with a piping bag.  Micah rolled with laughter and took over.  

A gift.  Cooking together.  

How the VIrus Stole Easter

(This was sent to me by my friend, Diane.  Take a moment to enjoy it!).

Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.

People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.

As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.

People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.

April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.

“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”

Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.

“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.

The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.

“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.

“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.

“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.

And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.

But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!

The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!

It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”

“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”

Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

And what happened then?
Well....the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?

The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.

So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.

May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.

May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.

May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.

By Kristi Bothur
With a nod to Dr. Seuss 😊