Friday, August 8, 2014
Allergic Reaction
Face goes from pasty to bright red
Lips start swelling
Throat constricts
Breathing is hard
Stop the med
Eight people appear almost out of nowhere
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomit
It just isn't pretty. Two bloodshot eyes met mine in a question,
"What's going to happen here, Mom?"
He didn't say it, but I read it. Later I found out that it was one of the scariest moments he'd ever had. I was glad for a quiet, calm, and practically studious crew who knew how to deal with allergic reactions.
When things got a little calmer and we all knew he was going to live, a nurse sidled over to me and asked me how I was doing!
She knew how traumatic it could be for a parent to see her child in anaphylactic reaction. I was simply an observer, other than holding Ed's hand, and then the bucket for this nausea.
You just never know what a day will bring, do you? I certainly didn't. They saved his life. We spent the night in the hospital, his swollen head reducing in size. Fluids through IV. Today after two blood transfusions we were able to head home. Some swelling was apparent this morning, but he looked better as the day went on.
Delicate conditions.
Strange experiences.
It's been a bumpy road.
"Jesus walked that lonesome valley,
He had to walk it by Himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for Him...He had to walk it by Himself"
Thankful He walks our road with us.
Ed is with us, thank the LORD.
Lips start swelling
Throat constricts
Breathing is hard
Stop the med
Eight people appear almost out of nowhere
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomit
It just isn't pretty. Two bloodshot eyes met mine in a question,
"What's going to happen here, Mom?"
He didn't say it, but I read it. Later I found out that it was one of the scariest moments he'd ever had. I was glad for a quiet, calm, and practically studious crew who knew how to deal with allergic reactions.
When things got a little calmer and we all knew he was going to live, a nurse sidled over to me and asked me how I was doing!
She knew how traumatic it could be for a parent to see her child in anaphylactic reaction. I was simply an observer, other than holding Ed's hand, and then the bucket for this nausea.
You just never know what a day will bring, do you? I certainly didn't. They saved his life. We spent the night in the hospital, his swollen head reducing in size. Fluids through IV. Today after two blood transfusions we were able to head home. Some swelling was apparent this morning, but he looked better as the day went on.
Delicate conditions.
Strange experiences.
It's been a bumpy road.
"Jesus walked that lonesome valley,
He had to walk it by Himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for Him...He had to walk it by Himself"
Thankful He walks our road with us.
Ed is with us, thank the LORD.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Chartreuse to Sage
One morning last week I woke up to sunlight transforming our hollows from electric chartreuse green to a gentler, warmer faded green. It looked more sage. The summer had grown long and mature.
I am hearing the loon cry as I write this, and I'm pretty sure that we have a couple months of beautiful days left this year, before the loon heads out to the Gulf of Mexico. Two Pileated Woodpeckers visited the yard this morning as Predicate the cat took a turn around the shrubbery, stopping at the catnip for a snack.
She was unconcerned, but I think they could have made short work of her had they desired.
Margaret returned in the night. Tired and looking radiant, my lovely daughter is home. Cherie talked non-stop to her for half an hour, so happy to see her.
I am SO glad she was able to have her adventure. It went well.
My friend came again yesterday to help me clean, fixing the house up for the adventurer's return. So sweet of her! It's fun to have everything so spiffy. Now that we're getting caught up we can start doing our "Fly Lady" routines again!
Projects continue.
Ed feels pretty well these days. He's trying to master computer programming, so he chafes at the bit to get more computer time. I'm the damper to his enthusiasm, only allowing a limited time on the computer each day. Rules are rules.
I finished administering the second round of chemotherapy at home last Sunday. It went okay. This week's chemo will be at the clinic, after the oral chemo cycle finishes on Thursday. Ed and I both felt crabby this past week, and the nurse said it was a "stage of grief" we had reached.
I guess that makes sense. Everything has stages.
I am always amazed and touched at hearing people are praying for Ed. I got a sweet note from a person I've never met, telling me that their family is praying for us. Wow. Just wow! I hear that churches all over the Midwest are lifting up Ed in their prayers. Oh, how thankful I am! Cards and words of encouragement continue to come in, daily lifting our spirits!
God is good. He cares for His children. He makes the trials smoother, He aids our recovery, soothes our cares. Knowing His peace gives us distinct ability to deal with life.
My daughters-in-law have had interesting things lately: One was accepted to do a master's degree in family counseling! The other is racing catamarans in the Columbia River, Oregon, this week. Her boat is in second place right now, maybe a championship is possible?
Things just continue to be colorful. At times I think this is a summer that didn't happen----the usual Minnesota summer, that is. No time by the lake, no exercise, few campfires, camping?? Nope. Actually this weekend is the annual church camp-out, and Cherie wants to go very badly. My husband (who is running on little sleep with a non-stop drive to and from Winnipeg) plans to make that happen.
Open wounds preclude any camping for Ed. Really, that wound is closing up fast. Healing from the inside out, layer by layer, the healing is a fascinating example of God's design in our bodies! That this design can do three things--reproduce, exist while growing to maturity, and heal itself----is so remarkable that it merits deep analysis! To be genetically programmed in this way is a miracle. We still need to take care to keep the site of the wound clean. Camping might jeopardize the healing.
Perhaps by early fall it will be healed.
The new incision is completely closed over the new port. It looks beautiful.
Thankful.
Sage green is a mellow color. I'm ready for mellow.
I am hearing the loon cry as I write this, and I'm pretty sure that we have a couple months of beautiful days left this year, before the loon heads out to the Gulf of Mexico. Two Pileated Woodpeckers visited the yard this morning as Predicate the cat took a turn around the shrubbery, stopping at the catnip for a snack.
She was unconcerned, but I think they could have made short work of her had they desired.
Margaret returned in the night. Tired and looking radiant, my lovely daughter is home. Cherie talked non-stop to her for half an hour, so happy to see her.
I am SO glad she was able to have her adventure. It went well.
My friend came again yesterday to help me clean, fixing the house up for the adventurer's return. So sweet of her! It's fun to have everything so spiffy. Now that we're getting caught up we can start doing our "Fly Lady" routines again!
Projects continue.
Ed feels pretty well these days. He's trying to master computer programming, so he chafes at the bit to get more computer time. I'm the damper to his enthusiasm, only allowing a limited time on the computer each day. Rules are rules.
I finished administering the second round of chemotherapy at home last Sunday. It went okay. This week's chemo will be at the clinic, after the oral chemo cycle finishes on Thursday. Ed and I both felt crabby this past week, and the nurse said it was a "stage of grief" we had reached.
I guess that makes sense. Everything has stages.
I am always amazed and touched at hearing people are praying for Ed. I got a sweet note from a person I've never met, telling me that their family is praying for us. Wow. Just wow! I hear that churches all over the Midwest are lifting up Ed in their prayers. Oh, how thankful I am! Cards and words of encouragement continue to come in, daily lifting our spirits!
God is good. He cares for His children. He makes the trials smoother, He aids our recovery, soothes our cares. Knowing His peace gives us distinct ability to deal with life.
My daughters-in-law have had interesting things lately: One was accepted to do a master's degree in family counseling! The other is racing catamarans in the Columbia River, Oregon, this week. Her boat is in second place right now, maybe a championship is possible?
Things just continue to be colorful. At times I think this is a summer that didn't happen----the usual Minnesota summer, that is. No time by the lake, no exercise, few campfires, camping?? Nope. Actually this weekend is the annual church camp-out, and Cherie wants to go very badly. My husband (who is running on little sleep with a non-stop drive to and from Winnipeg) plans to make that happen.
Open wounds preclude any camping for Ed. Really, that wound is closing up fast. Healing from the inside out, layer by layer, the healing is a fascinating example of God's design in our bodies! That this design can do three things--reproduce, exist while growing to maturity, and heal itself----is so remarkable that it merits deep analysis! To be genetically programmed in this way is a miracle. We still need to take care to keep the site of the wound clean. Camping might jeopardize the healing.
Perhaps by early fall it will be healed.
The new incision is completely closed over the new port. It looks beautiful.
Thankful.
Sage green is a mellow color. I'm ready for mellow.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Prophecy Notes
I happened to peruse a train of comments on a rapture-related article today. It's interesting to me how many views there are about events in the future, even when we all have one Bible to lead us.
It doesn't concern me, as I know GOD does what HE pleases in the end, and we needn't fear His love for us, even as we follow and believe. What happens, happens to all of us who believe, whether or not we believed it!
The Bible, in its wonderful way, gives an outline of hope to every person who ever believed for the last two thousand years. Even the earliest Christians awaited Christ's return. They believed in a rapture that no-one could predict the timing of.
Watch and be ready!
That belief still exists. The Bible states that we don't know the time or the hour.
On the other hand, the time of Christ's return to earth is a well-known time frame. It is preceded by seven years---literal years---of terrible hardship. It will be easy for people to see the timing of Christ's eventual return when the time of tribulation, or "Jacob's Trouble" comes upon the earth.
Will some people survive as believers during that time? Those who come to know Christ after the church is swept away may endure to the end of the that tribulation.
I believe the Bible indicates that they do. So have hope, friends who come to Christ after the rapture! The Bible predicts a thousand year time period where Christ reigns on the earth. I think we can take that literally, and see 1,000 years as 1,000. People have to be here to have that kingdom.
The church is considered the Bride of Christ---in contrast to the nation of Jews being symbolic of the bride of the Father. It's there. Its imagery is stunning.
Our promise, as the church, is to come back with Christ, on white horses (see Revelation) to keep order on earth during that 1,000 year time period. Then comes a judgement. Everyone will be judged. Those under Christ's blood and redeemed by His death on the cross escape eternal death.
Eternal death exists according to the Bible.
Now, remember, I don't try to make up my own ideas. I take them from the Word of God. If the Word of God says it, that defines it for me. We weigh one idea and passage against all passages and ideas. An intricate and thorough knowledge of the Bible is absolutely imperative to understanding the Christian walk. How else are you going to know what to believe?
You can't make it up. You can't pick and choose. You can't dismiss the parts you disagree with. That's idolatry. So don't do it.
Give in to God's Holy Word, His precious plan for you, for the future.
One thing more: if you have learned your doctrine entirely from one or two preachers of the same denomination, perhaps you haven't learned it from God Himself. Try a few other teachers of different views and weigh their words. Practice discernment! Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and not some preacher. There is such a danger of following a person, and not the Lord Himself when you listen to such a limited resource.
There will be differences, opinions, disagreements, discrepancies. That is completely normal, and even spiritually healthy. Peter and Paul had a few of those too.
What I have loved about the social media world is the linking of fellow believers in Christ world-wide. We all share a common spirit, a tight bond of loving Christ, and awaiting His return. We are kindred. We love each other immediately, as we share a hope that is like no other. We encourage each other, strangers perhaps in one sense, but bonded family in our spirits. It is the most beautiful thing. How exciting to look forward to eternity together, just serving Christ Jesus.
I've been grateful for the precious gift of prayer and support from these brothers and sisters in Christ, especially during these past weeks. God is good. He's prepared these bonds of friendship for these hard times.
Maybe that helps clarify a few things for anyone who may be questioning ---Exactly what does the Bible say about the future?
Lots. It's FULL of prophecy. It's all happening, too. The next event is the Lamb's Supper.
Exciting.
It doesn't concern me, as I know GOD does what HE pleases in the end, and we needn't fear His love for us, even as we follow and believe. What happens, happens to all of us who believe, whether or not we believed it!
The Bible, in its wonderful way, gives an outline of hope to every person who ever believed for the last two thousand years. Even the earliest Christians awaited Christ's return. They believed in a rapture that no-one could predict the timing of.
Watch and be ready!
That belief still exists. The Bible states that we don't know the time or the hour.
On the other hand, the time of Christ's return to earth is a well-known time frame. It is preceded by seven years---literal years---of terrible hardship. It will be easy for people to see the timing of Christ's eventual return when the time of tribulation, or "Jacob's Trouble" comes upon the earth.
Will some people survive as believers during that time? Those who come to know Christ after the church is swept away may endure to the end of the that tribulation.
I believe the Bible indicates that they do. So have hope, friends who come to Christ after the rapture! The Bible predicts a thousand year time period where Christ reigns on the earth. I think we can take that literally, and see 1,000 years as 1,000. People have to be here to have that kingdom.
The church is considered the Bride of Christ---in contrast to the nation of Jews being symbolic of the bride of the Father. It's there. Its imagery is stunning.
Our promise, as the church, is to come back with Christ, on white horses (see Revelation) to keep order on earth during that 1,000 year time period. Then comes a judgement. Everyone will be judged. Those under Christ's blood and redeemed by His death on the cross escape eternal death.
Eternal death exists according to the Bible.
Now, remember, I don't try to make up my own ideas. I take them from the Word of God. If the Word of God says it, that defines it for me. We weigh one idea and passage against all passages and ideas. An intricate and thorough knowledge of the Bible is absolutely imperative to understanding the Christian walk. How else are you going to know what to believe?
You can't make it up. You can't pick and choose. You can't dismiss the parts you disagree with. That's idolatry. So don't do it.
Give in to God's Holy Word, His precious plan for you, for the future.
One thing more: if you have learned your doctrine entirely from one or two preachers of the same denomination, perhaps you haven't learned it from God Himself. Try a few other teachers of different views and weigh their words. Practice discernment! Let the Holy Spirit lead you, and not some preacher. There is such a danger of following a person, and not the Lord Himself when you listen to such a limited resource.
There will be differences, opinions, disagreements, discrepancies. That is completely normal, and even spiritually healthy. Peter and Paul had a few of those too.
What I have loved about the social media world is the linking of fellow believers in Christ world-wide. We all share a common spirit, a tight bond of loving Christ, and awaiting His return. We are kindred. We love each other immediately, as we share a hope that is like no other. We encourage each other, strangers perhaps in one sense, but bonded family in our spirits. It is the most beautiful thing. How exciting to look forward to eternity together, just serving Christ Jesus.
I've been grateful for the precious gift of prayer and support from these brothers and sisters in Christ, especially during these past weeks. God is good. He's prepared these bonds of friendship for these hard times.
Maybe that helps clarify a few things for anyone who may be questioning ---Exactly what does the Bible say about the future?
Lots. It's FULL of prophecy. It's all happening, too. The next event is the Lamb's Supper.
Exciting.
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