When Giving Blood . . .

Micah and I went up to Berean on Tuesday to give blood after multiple e-mails stating, "There is an overwhelming need for your blood type . . ."  Neither of us thought we'd pass the "iron" test, but mine was a whopping 13.1 while Micah didn't quite make it.

It has to be God-ordained - the matching of you and your phlebotomist - because mine needed me that day.  I found out she was a newly wed originally from Louisiana.  Her husband was from Somalia.  We talked about the challenges of marriage, and I said Sam and I only had to deal with "eastern Iowa" vs. "western Iowa".  They had two very different continents and two very different counties.  I have lived in Africa.  She has not even visited.  I understood just a bit the challenges she faced.

Our conversation ventured on the children.  She shared with me that she had just miscarried in April.  I empathized so with her.  I told her we had had a birth mother who had changed her mind and kept the baby between Matt and Micah.  It took me six years before I was able to drive through White Bear Lake without crying.  She began to cry and shared, "My husband says I just need to get over it."  Oh, wrong answer!    

"I can be love where I live, 

and that is Christ, 

and He really does make all the difference." 

Ann Kiemel

You Have Never Failed Me Yet

This morning in church, we sang "Do It Again" by Elevation Worship.  Lines like "You have never failed me yet", "great is Your faithfulness" and "I see You move mountains" landed on me without hope.  

I watched my dear friend Jana who is battling brain cancer raise her hands in worship - Jesus is her confidence.  

I'm fighting PMR (polymyalgial rheumatica) and wondering why for a third time I've had to increase my meds.  God brought to mind the three Hebrew lads, Shadrach, Meshach and Abbednego, who faced the firey furnace with the confidence that God was able to deliver them, and even if He did not, that did not change who He was.    

He has never failed me yet.  Great is His faithfulness.  I will see Him move mountains, it just may not be in my way or in my time.  To Him be the glory.

Rescue Hero!

When the kids were little, one of our favorite TV shows was "Rescue Heroes".  

I actually needed a Rescue Hero last week when my i-pod fell into the air conditioner.  

Micah was laughing hysterically as she found wire in the garage.  Neighbor Nancy was laughing, too, when she brought over the wire coat hangers. 

We could see it on the "bottom" of the air conditioner.  We could touch it with our "fishing poles".  We could not successfully extricate it - most likely because we were laughing so hard!

Sam came home, took the top off, and used Nancy's "pinchers" to pull it out.  Since I have the i-pod, I consider it a successful mission!  Thank you, Rescue Hero!

PMR - The Slow Road

I found out yesterday that I'm on the slow road to recovery with my PRM  - polymyalgia rheumatica.  For the third time, rather than decreasing my medication dose, we're back at ground zero and increasing it.  Then rather than trying to decrease it on a weekly basis, we're now going to try it on monthly basis and see if that makes a difference.  Not what I wanted.  Not what I was hoping for.

But I am reminded again and again - it's all a matter of perspective.  Walking is difficult, but I can walk - unlike the student who graduated with Micah in a wheel chair because he is fighting brain cancer.  Rolling over in bed may be challenging, but I can roll over unlike my mother-in-law.  My chest hurts, but I still have the original chest - not like my friend Sarah who is sending me videos of what they did and are doing to her after her double mastectomy!       

So I thank God that hope may be on the horizon and I am waiting for His time.

Walk For Life!

Early this morning, Sam, Micah and I were volunteering at Lake Nokomis at New Life Family Service's Walk and Run for Life.  Micah and I manned the "Super Hero" mask making while Sam played lawn games.  Then, while everyone else did the walk, we managed to have several great conversations with the social workers, including our very own Brita Weber!  A most excellent morning!  Fortunately, the rain held off until the race was finished.  Glory!  

A BIG thank you to friends and family who helped us raise $340.00 for a most worthwhile cause!

It's all in the hair . . .

You've got to check this out!  Three years apart, my children of West African heritage both let their hair be natural at graduation.  Don't you love it?

Micah - LNHS 2018

Matthew - LNHS 2015

 

Thankful Thursday!

This post is a day late, but trust me - so was graduation last night!

You're looking at the last name called at Lakeville North's graduation - Number 463 - and let me tell you, I am thankful for her!  

I am thankful for her helpful spirit, her desire to talk, her baking, her kindness, her love of family and so much more.  

I am thankful for Micah Rae Heuer Zupke.  May God always lead you as you begin your life journey . . .