The Golden Heart

Maybe you've met someone with a "golden heart", someone who is beyond loving and kind, generous and always giving.

Our golden heart belongs to our friend and neighbor, Jana.  She's been side-lined the last few years with a brain tumor.  Her fourth surgery was just a few months back.

When Micah came home from her pop-up shop at school yesterday, she was a bit disappointed.  She had two boxes of cookies and some cupcakes left and she didn't know what to do with them.  Both Sam and I are on spring break, so they couldn't go to our schools.

Since her last brain surgery, Jana hasn't always been able to do the acts of kindness that she's known for, particularly gifting people with yummy treats, partly due to her surgeries and partly due to the businesses she frequented have closed.

So I called Jana on Micah's behalf last night and asked her if she wanted to buy any cookies for (her daughter) Jessica's school or for church that night and told her why.  She had me put Micah on the phone, and with her usual joyful countenance said, "Hey, girlie whirl, what can I do for you?" 

Jana bought every baked good Micah had left because that is the heart of Jana who has the heart of Jesus!

Micah came home from Jana's all excited.  "Mom, I didn't charge Jana for all the cookies.  I 'forgot' about a box and she got that one for free because I'm so glad she helped me out!"  I was impressed with my daughter's cunningness and congratulated her on a job well done!  Except . . . 

We had forgotten about Jana's day job.  She's a lawyer.  She dropped off the cooler this morning and said to me, "Micah didn't charge me for a box of cookies.  I want to pay her the full amount."  I had to say, "No can do, Jana.  She so appreciated what you did for her that she wanted to gift YOU!"

I'm so grateful God has put these two giving, loving women in my life!  

Thankful Thursday!

This week is spring break for our district! Angela was off to San Diego, Jen was going to Spain, Aimee would be on the beaches of North Carolina, Susie in Cancun, and I . . . I had our taxes, Matt's taxes and Micah's taxes to do, along with FAFSA, helping Micah apply to St. Paul College, renewing passports, leading Bible study, two continuing ed classes to finish, three certification classes to take, thank you's from Sam's dad's memorial to write, and groceries to buy, along with cleaning the house and making meals and doing laundry!  I am ever so thankful to say, save for laundry and cooking which never ends, it is all DONE!  And I still have four days of break left to enjoy!  Indeed, it is a thankful Thursday!🎉

Pursuring New Passports . . .

With Sam's passport expiring in two weeks and mine expiring two months ago, we decided to get new passports today.  With our checkbook and paperwork in hand, we arrived at the government center on Galaxie only to be greeted by a sign that said, "Passport appointments strongly encouraged.  Walk-ins may not be available." 

A quick look around showed us that NO ONE ELSE was there, so we took a number.  Less than thirty seconds later, we were called up, only to discover that the government center no longer did passports.  They needed to be mailed in (which would save us a good $50.00 processing fee in the long run!).

But they could do our pictures!  So we said sure, and since they weren't busy, the clerk looked over our paperwork, made sure it was all correct, helped us with the details, and sent us to the post office.  At noon.

There was NO ONE there!  It was amazing and we were thrilled!  Less than an hour from start to finish, and we got groceries, too!   

Happy Micah Day!

Twenty-two years ago today, we went before the judge and Micah became our daughter in the eyes of the law.  We celebrated most oddly this year, with a lunch together Sunday afternoon at Buffalo Tap, her final pediatrician appointment at 8 a.m. this morning (our most favorite doctor is retiring!), and her taking the day off of work so she could go up to North Central University for a "Pop Up Shop" where the entrepreneurial students were able to sell their goods. 

Top sales for Micah were

• Her malted milk ball cookies that finished in the top three of the StarTribune "Holiday Cookie Contest" in December;
• Her now known as "Better than Sweet Martha's" chocolate chip cookies (students across campus agree!); and
  
• Chocolate cup cakes, of course!
  

 

Certified!

I left sunny Lakeville, only to be caught in a blizzard in Eagan, that settled down to a snowstorm in St. Paul, that became sunshine once again in White Bear Lake where I was headed to renew my CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Emergency Oxygen Administration.  You'll be glad to know I found the White Bear Lake Y without a problem, I passed by CPR-Pro with flying colors and my O2 by the skin of my teeth!  I'm now good for another two years . . . relief.

Thankful Thursday!

Today I'm thankful for a couple of different, but related, things.  Here they are:

• I am thankful for Sam's co-teacher, Barb, who, when I told her today was "Dress Like Your Favorite Storybook Character Day", came up with all sorts of wonderful ideas for me!  My favorite idea came from the book, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura Numeroff.  Barb said she'd lend me her stuffed moose.  I needed to add an apron, the book and a muffin tin.  Cheesy peasy easy!  Never mind that the apron said, "Do not disturb.  Chocolate fantasy in progress" which the teachers' absolutely loved and the students totally did not get!

• I am thankful for the second grade student who asked me if I would read my book to all the second graders during lunch, which I did!  There were at least seventy-five students listening to me while eating.  And they gave me a round of applause when I was done!  What I didn't realize was that the cooks were listening to me, too!  And they asked me if I'd be willing to read my book again to the third graders.  Of course the third grade students wanted to be read to during lunch, over one-hundred of them!  And I got another round of applause . . .  It made the day fun, and it kept the lunchroom quiet

• Lastly, I'm thankful for everyone who participated!  It was so fun to hear who the students were dressed up as.  Their creativity knew no limit!  My favorites had to be the fifth grade dinosaur (I have no idea what book, but it was a delightful tail!), Miss Viola Swamp (the meanest substitute in the whole wide world!), and Charlotte, who wore a real "Charlotte" around her neck while carrying Wilbur, the pig.  

1. 

   Corduroy, our special ed teacher, and I
   

   
   

New York, NY

I ordered a pair of rain boots on Sunday from Tractor Supply in Prior Lake.  I didn't even know it existed, but it definitely had the best price!  I got the email today saying my rain boots were being shipped - to me, at my street address, in New York, NY.  Where did that come from?  I was being billed in Lakeville.  Why not ship them to Lakeville?  When will they ever get here?

Lost Kinder or Doctor's Appointment?

That was my choice yesterday!  I had exactly two minutes left in my day and I decided to hit the staff bathroom before leaving school.  On my way there, I was stopped by the music teacher.  She had a missing kinder girl.  Could I look for her?  She was an ESL student (English as a Second Language) and supposedly in the bathroom.  I turned around and checked the girl's bathroom by the music room.  It was empty.  I went back to the music teacher and said I would check the other student bathroom on our floor, then see if she'd gone back to her classroom.  

Fortunately, I found her in the second bathroom, which totally made sense if you were her.  Our other bathroom is right next to the ESL room!  And I was only a few minutes late for my doctor's appointment!

Sam's Dad's Memorial Service

Before God turned on the lights this morning, Matt, Micah and I were in the car heading down to Sumner, Iowa, for Sam's Dad's Memorial Service.  Sam had gotten a ride down Friday night with his oldest brother, Mark, so he could help his siblings with the set up.

Three hours in the car were about two hours longer than my bionic knees could take.  Add to that, we were already an hour into the service and it wasn't even half done according to the program.  I told Sam that I needed to go stand in the back or I was never going to walk again.  I was in pain.  

Unfortunately, there really was no place to stand in the back of the auditorium, so I stepped out . . . and into the land of nieces with small children.  I spent the next hour (yup, it was a two HOUR service) enjoying our nieces and their little ones, many of who I had never met (their little ones!) or not seen for at least a couple of years!  In fact, some of the nieces I hadn't seen for YEARS or EVER, in one case.  It was the most delightful time of catching up and rebuilding friendships!  I loved it!  

After the service, we were all asked to come back in for a family picture.  As you can tell by the photo, I had plenty of other family to talk to for the rest of the afternoon!

That's us - front and center!

 

Just a bit of Photo Shopping . . .

Last week, Micah had a Photo Shop project due for her photography class on Tuesday nights.  While we were walking outside Sunday afternoon, she was telling me about the project.

"I need to take pictures of three people in the same place at the same time with the same background and make them into one person."

As she was saying that, who should step outside but neighbors Tom and Nancy?  They readily agreed to the project, so Micah ran in to get her camera.  Check this out:

 

We all think it's hilarious.  The question is, can YOU tell who's who?
  

Thankful Thursday!

It is absolutely impossible NOT to be thankful for the wonderful weather we're having up here in Minnesota!  It's a joy to go outside for recess every day and watch the children enjoy the sun, the warmth, the mud puddles!?!

Recognize me?

Due to our two absent tutors today, Jen and I got our first recess together since last spring!  It was my normal group and she was having a blast subbing, seeing third graders she hadn't seen for quite a while.

She asked one of the girls whom she had worked with when V. was in kindergarten, "Do you remember me?" to which V. responded, "Yup, except you have a lot more wrinkles now!"   

Late!?!

If any of the tutors are ill or taking a personal day or on holiday, the rest of the tutors come up with a plan to cover all the shifts.

We had two tutors out today and I volunteered to take Angela's 11:05-11:35 a.m. in the lunchroom, on top of my regularly scheduled hours.  At 11:00 a.m., I started eating lunch and at 11:08, it hit me!  I wasn't supposed to be eating lunch!  I was supposed to be Angela!!!

Forget that rule about NOT running in the halls!  My space is as far as you can get from when I needed to be - three minutes ago!  

In less than a minute, I was in the lunch room, with Jen just laughing at me.  She said, "I was hoping you'd show up because I was getting ready to call the office and have the secretary put it over the loudspeaker."

Um . . . NOT!

The Doctor's Report

After meeting with his internist last week, Dad had decided he was not going to have surgery for his colon cancer and let nature take it's course.

On Monday, he met with his surgeon (who had removed Dad's original colon cancer in 2015).  The doctor said that there was a small polyp that was causing Dad's bleeding.  He would go in on the left side and take it out.  Dad would come to the hospital the day before for the colon cleansing procedure, have surgery the next morning, and be dismissed to go to a nursing home for a one to two day recovery.

Dad said, "I'm not going to the nursing home."

The surgeon said, "I guess you'll be staying two days in the hospital after surgery."

Dad is very comfortable with this change of plans and scheduled for surgery on April 26, ten days after his ninetieth birthday!

Thank you, Jesus!

The Phone Call

By Monday night, I was absolutely exhausted.  I was telling Sam that I wanted to call Dad to see what the surgeon had said, but I just didn't have the energy.  Sam quickly volunteered to call him and went down stairs with the phone.

FORTY-FIVE minutes later, after I was already in bed, he came back upstairs.  My first question?  

"What did Dad say the doctor said?" 

"Oh, we didn't talk about that . . ."

"Wasn't that why you called?"

"Well, yeah, but he didn't say anything so I didn't bring it up."

Tuesday afternoon, I called my dad.  I asked him why he never told Sam what the surgeon said.

"Well, he never asked."

 

Fried Friday!

I don't think there was a staff in the building who wasn't exhausted today.  It had been a long and grueling week, and the challenge was compounded by indoor recess today.  I can only say I am ever so grateful that Karen, my counterpart, got to deal with the one third grade girl choking another!  That left me with four classrooms to watch, but they were just fine . . . 

Thankful Thursday!

I looked out into the backyard Thursday morning before I left for work . . . and the snow just sparkled!  I had never seen anything like that before!  There were blue and red and green sparkles and even sparkly sparkles.  It was such a beautiful sight.  I am thankful God gave it to me!

 

Creeper Sweatshirts!?!

The front of a creeper sweatshirt

As I looked at the third grade boy who's sweatshirt was zipped up, totally covering his face, but with "peek holes" for the eyes, I said, "What are you wearing?"

"A creeper sweatshirt."

Turns out, it's from Minecraft which EVERY child at school plays😉
 

Lollipops!

All day long, I was getting compliments on my South African earrings.  Until I met with my last second grader for "Read Naturally".

"Mrs. Zupke, why do you have lollipops on your ears?"

Burst my bubble!

 

Dad Update

Dad didn't sugar coat anything when I talked to him today.  He has cancer of the colon.  That's what was causing his blood loss.  He's currently leaning toward NOT pursing treatment.  His internist said that without any treatment, the cancer could win in a month or ten years.  He doesn't know.  

Dad is seeing the surgeon who did his colon surgery seven years ago on Monday.  Maybe something will change.  Maybe not.  I'm sad, but I totally understand.

The best part of today's story:  My brother was having a bad day, and didn't want to drive over to Spirit Lake with Dad, so my mom's little brother, Uncle Bob, age 79, took them both over to see Dad's doctor.   

Update on Dad

I just got off the phone with my dad and he's so funny!  

"Well, they found more cancer in my colon today and that's what was causing the bleeding, but it's stopped.  I have a couple of more tests they're going to run tomorrow and then we'll know what they want to do.  You can call back then."

So, thank you for praying for him and I'll call back tomorrow😊

Twin Cities Faith-Based Org. On Front Lines In Ukraine To Help Civilians: 'God Will Change Something'

Twin Cities Faith-Based Org. On Front Lines In Ukraine To Help Civilians: 'God Will Change Something': “We are mobilizing the whole Christian world here to not stay and just pray, but to do actually do something,” Valera Ryabokonenko said.  Valera was our point man when we were in Ukraine in 2017.

Denis

We were on tour with Denis when we were in Ukraine with "No Longer Music" in 2017.  My regret?  That he didn't share his bleach with me the night he colored his hair!  Here is his update from Ukraine on what is happen through Steiger Ministries:

 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=996772501224376

Recess Today

Micah and I had walked uptown to get Dad's mail and on our way back, the elementary students were crossing the street to go back inside from recess.  

One little boy left the line, ran up to me, gave me a GREAT BIG hug, which I returned with a "it's so good to see you!" and a pat on his back.  Then he rejoined his line.  

I have NO IDEA who that child was, but it totally made my day!

Thankful Thursday!

I can not tell you how thankful I am for my co-workers - our tutor team, our fifth grade team, and our second grade team.  They have been so supportive and helpful and caring during this very long week!  

My noon supervision hours were covered by my fellow tutors even before my "Family Sick Leave" for today was approved!  I had condolences from our principal and secretary before Sam's principal even knew the details of this week.  It's been great! 

Oak Hills Elementary, I am THANKFUL for you!
 

Sam's Dad

Wednesday afternoon, just before one o'clock, Sam's father breathed his last breath.  Sam's oldest brother, Mark, and his wife, Ruth, picked up Sam early this evening.  His father will be buried tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on the opposite side of Iowa from my dad.

On March 19, we'll all go down together for his father's Memorial Service. 

Where Has All the Blood Gone . . .

This story can only be told with two pertinent bits of information:

Bit One:  My niece, Kayla, who is eight months pregnant with her second child, is a chiropractor in my home town.

Bit Two:  At Christmas, her father, my brother, Craig, was given four to six months to live due to cancer ravaging through his body.  After spending 2021 in treatment and gaining remission for a bit, he has chosen to not go through treatment again.

Tuesday morning, Dad woke up not feeling well.  He didn't want to bother Craig, who hasn't been feeling good, so he waited until Kayla was at work with patients lined up for the day, and he called her.  Her response was, "Grandpa, you need an ambulance."  Instead, my brother chose to drive outside of my home town for the first time in months, taking Dad to the hospital twenty minutes away.  Meanwhile, Kayla called the hospital and had two wheelchairs waiting for them when they arrived.

At the hospital on Tuesday, Dad received three units of blood and by dinner was actually feeling somewhat "back to normal".

Except NO ONE knew where his blood had gone . . .

Not in his urine, not in his stools, not coming out anywhere in is body . . .

So he got two more units of blood on Wednesday.

They decided a colonoscopy was his next step.  Seven years ago, Dad beat colon cancer and they wanted that doctor to do his colonoscopy - but he was unavailable until this coming Tuesday.

Bless my almost ninety-year-old dad, who looked at this very young doctor, and said, "I can't do this on my own."  He explained his age, that he lived alone, my brother's condition, my niece's condition . . . and they made an executive decision.  

Dad came home yesterday and will go back to the hospital early Monday afternoon where the staff there will keep him overnight and walk him through his colonoscopy.  We are thankful, and he is, too, that they are willing to do this for him.  He appreciates all they have done for him thus far, and while he's not looking forward to the procedure, he knows he is in good hands.

Micah and I drove down early today to help Dad get ready for his colonoscopy.  We got him the medications and food he needs, along with some groceries.  My sister and her husband, Ray, joined us from Yankton, SD, for lunch, some quality time with Dad, and some cleaning and yard work.  

As the day progressed, he seemed to get stronger in the midst of his tiredness.  At this point, we have no diagnosis or reason for his blood to have disappeared.  The only thing the doctors can think of is that his body stopped making blood. 

So stay tuned.  If you pray, do pray for him.  Thanks!     

Not a Marvelous Monday Which Led to a Terrible Tuesday . . .

A few missteps, a few missed communications, quite a few angry teachers, and my fellow tutor, Angela, and I just wanted to cry . . . Fortunately, no one shot the messengers and we'll be back in the battle on Monday.  The good news is fences have (hopefully) been mended and peace will resume and we'll be having fun on the job once again. 

It's Been a Long Week . . .

This week started out great with us being greeted by Sam's former co-teacher, Cyndee Sutherland Smith, and her husband Larry, at church on Sunday.  They were in town visiting their son, Jesse, and his family.  It was so wonderful to see them all again.  And from there, the week just went down hill . . .