Right now it is 1:36 Central time. Terry has just taken Lauren, our oldest, to the eye doctor. She has scratched her eye ball with a stick. The scratch is visible to us, but we do not know if it will heal or what. When we called the eye doctor, he wanted to see her right away. I don't know who will be reading this, but I believe God will draw those to see this that He would like to pray for us. Can you please pray for her eye? I would appreciate it so much.
I will post an update as soon as one becomes available.
I'm so thankful that I can reach out to you across the country through the Internet. I'm thankful Terry was home and could take her to the doctor right away. I'm thankful for His arms of comfort around me as I sit alone typing this and trying not to worry.
Thank you so much for being my friend in deed...
Valerie
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The View From Here
It's been a crazy week, and it's only TUESDAY! We started it off on Sunday night by taking Mitch to the ER. He was coughing up blood and not breathing well. The doctor said that the croup he had the week before had masked the symptoms of Strep throat and a bronchial infection! Wonder where he could've gotten that??? ;) Anyway, the doctor started him on Amoxicillan and said he'd be better in two days. That would be today. He was still having trouble breathing yesterday and again today, so back to the ER we went. The doctor said he needed an albuterol - or fast acting inhaler. I have allergy induced asthma, which means my asthma flairs up when I inhale something I'm allergic to, like pollen. Recently diesel fuel caused me to have attack! I hope this clears up his trouble. I also went to the dentist today to see about finishing up the teeth that got root canals (affectionately referred to as #30 and #31). He is re-doing the one that already had a crown for FREE!! Praise the Lord! I am also getting a $250 discount on the other one! I am so thankful!
I love the view from my dentist's office. Here's a photo I took as I was pulling out of the parking lot. It's a small - very small - sample of the scenery here in the Hill country. I'll be sure and post photos of the bluebonnets this spring, if we get any.
A view from the Dentist's office.
I thought this was hilarious! It made a bummer of a week seem not too bad!
Here's Mitch at the ER. We were killing time!
Here's a photo I snapped on the way home from Llano. You should see it in the spring!! Gorgeous!
I'm so glad that even during the days when I wish I were somewhere else, doing something else, I can look out at the beauty - and the laughs - that surround me and be content with the view from here! :o)
I love the view from my dentist's office. Here's a photo I took as I was pulling out of the parking lot. It's a small - very small - sample of the scenery here in the Hill country. I'll be sure and post photos of the bluebonnets this spring, if we get any.
A view from the Dentist's office.
Take a good look at he blue car. Not too great, right? Now look at the bumper sticker that is on it in the next photo.
I thought this was hilarious! It made a bummer of a week seem not too bad!
Here's Mitch at the ER. We were killing time!
Here's a photo I snapped on the way home from Llano. You should see it in the spring!! Gorgeous!I'm so glad that even during the days when I wish I were somewhere else, doing something else, I can look out at the beauty - and the laughs - that surround me and be content with the view from here! :o)
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Some Inspiration
Do you need encouragement to keep witnessing for the Lord? Then look no further! This video is compelling. You know not how the Lord is taking what you think to be small efforts at witnessing, and multiplying them beyond your wildest dreams.This video was a great inspiration to me to keep sharing the Gospel with everyone I possibly can! Let us all keep going! Let us hold His banner high and tell the world of Jesus' redeeming love!!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Lord, I Need You!
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Have you ever told the Lord about someone else's faults? I have, many times! After all, it is better to complain to the Lord than to take it out on your family or upon the one with whom you are irritated! Well, today, I was giving the Lord an "earful" of what I thought about a certain situation. I told Him how it was clear to me just who was at fault in that situation. After this, I went on my merry way, feeling much satisfaction after my time of "unloading" upon the Lord.
Well, it wasn't long after my prayer time that the Lord reminded me that this year I was trying to lay aside pride...and that I had just picked it up and carried it forth happily. I was so ashamed. Later, my husband (without knowledge of my prayer time diatribe) pointed out an area in which I had done the exact same thing as the person I was "lining out" to God earlier.
The Lord scolded me sharply within my heart. He brought to mind the verse above, especially the last line: for without me, ye can do nothing. That's the long and short of it. Without Him, I can not achieve any good thing. Without His giving me a clear mind, I could not form these words that I am writing in my mind, much less type them! Without His giving me strength, I could not even rise from my bed each morning. I cannot persuade the folks in my town to come to Christ, I can only tell them that there is a way to Heaven through Christ. The Holy Spirit does the real work. I want the Holy Spirit upon my life so that He can work easliy through me. It isn't up to me to "save" people - though at times I do act as though it all depended upon me! Do not misunderstand - I am fully aware that we, as born again believers, have a responsibility to tell any who will listen about Jesus' gift. But without HIM I cannot even do that!
This has changed my prayer life. I do not want to habitually read off names mindlessly to my Lord, nor do I want to be known to Him as a complainer. I want to come before Him realizing fully that I need Him, for without His help, how can I raise children who are like Him? Without Him, how can I be a wife that would be an ornament to my husband? Again, I ask, how can I do anything? The answer - I cannot. I am reminded today that I need Him. I want my prayer to be from this day forward, "Lord, I need You! In all I do, think, say, desire - I need You."
Have you ever told the Lord about someone else's faults? I have, many times! After all, it is better to complain to the Lord than to take it out on your family or upon the one with whom you are irritated! Well, today, I was giving the Lord an "earful" of what I thought about a certain situation. I told Him how it was clear to me just who was at fault in that situation. After this, I went on my merry way, feeling much satisfaction after my time of "unloading" upon the Lord.
Well, it wasn't long after my prayer time that the Lord reminded me that this year I was trying to lay aside pride...and that I had just picked it up and carried it forth happily. I was so ashamed. Later, my husband (without knowledge of my prayer time diatribe) pointed out an area in which I had done the exact same thing as the person I was "lining out" to God earlier.
The Lord scolded me sharply within my heart. He brought to mind the verse above, especially the last line: for without me, ye can do nothing. That's the long and short of it. Without Him, I can not achieve any good thing. Without His giving me a clear mind, I could not form these words that I am writing in my mind, much less type them! Without His giving me strength, I could not even rise from my bed each morning. I cannot persuade the folks in my town to come to Christ, I can only tell them that there is a way to Heaven through Christ. The Holy Spirit does the real work. I want the Holy Spirit upon my life so that He can work easliy through me. It isn't up to me to "save" people - though at times I do act as though it all depended upon me! Do not misunderstand - I am fully aware that we, as born again believers, have a responsibility to tell any who will listen about Jesus' gift. But without HIM I cannot even do that!
This has changed my prayer life. I do not want to habitually read off names mindlessly to my Lord, nor do I want to be known to Him as a complainer. I want to come before Him realizing fully that I need Him, for without His help, how can I raise children who are like Him? Without Him, how can I be a wife that would be an ornament to my husband? Again, I ask, how can I do anything? The answer - I cannot. I am reminded today that I need Him. I want my prayer to be from this day forward, "Lord, I need You! In all I do, think, say, desire - I need You."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Church is Better than a Root Canal!
I do not understand why some people do not want to come to church. There are times when I invite a stranger to come visit my church, and they look at me like they'd rather have a root canal...
Oh, and speaking of root canals, mine are through finally. Let me tell you - I'd rather spend a lifetime in church than ever have another one!
I have a wonderful Endodontist (that's a dentist who only does root canals all day every day - yes, he's very busy). But no matter how nice they are, they are still having to do something for which no personality could ever compensate. On my first visit,[see my archives: Dec.31,2007] I went to him in pain, and left feeling sweet relief. This time, I went in without pain, and left miserable. This visit he had to put in a real filling in my tooth, the last one was just temporary. Well, I have never been punched in the jaw - thank goodness- but I would imagine that if I ever was, I'd feel the way I do now. My whole head hurts. My teeth really hurt. Will I ever have pain free teeth again?
I'm sorry I didn't get pics of this exciting procedure, I just couldn't do it. It'd be great if I did! For 1 1/2 hours I couldn't say anything!! I had a rubber dam in my mouth (it wraps around the tooth that he's working on and protects your mouth from the debris created by his work) and it is very uncomfortable. I was so miserable that when they stepped out of the room for a minute, I thought about just "hulking out": turning green, ripping the rubber dam out of my mouth, and then growling as I stared at them and ran out of the building. But...I thought better of it. Honestly folks, it wasn't fun. I did survive the claustrophobia brought on by having a piece of rubber in my mouth and people crowding over me and placing various and sundry tools in my face. Boy, did I breath a sigh of relief when it was over.
I came home and Mitch was still sick and Leslie and Laci were cranky because they still feel rotten. I was done for the day. I got supper, had the kids bathed and was in bed by 8:30.
I had better go take care of all the little sick ones - and take a big dose of Vicadin myself (relax, I'm just kidding) and get busy.
The next time you invite someone to church and they look at you like they'd rather have a root canal, just smile and say "Hey, it's painless...really!" (I ought to know!)
Oh, and speaking of root canals, mine are through finally. Let me tell you - I'd rather spend a lifetime in church than ever have another one!
I have a wonderful Endodontist (that's a dentist who only does root canals all day every day - yes, he's very busy). But no matter how nice they are, they are still having to do something for which no personality could ever compensate. On my first visit,[see my archives: Dec.31,2007] I went to him in pain, and left feeling sweet relief. This time, I went in without pain, and left miserable. This visit he had to put in a real filling in my tooth, the last one was just temporary. Well, I have never been punched in the jaw - thank goodness- but I would imagine that if I ever was, I'd feel the way I do now. My whole head hurts. My teeth really hurt. Will I ever have pain free teeth again?
I'm sorry I didn't get pics of this exciting procedure, I just couldn't do it. It'd be great if I did! For 1 1/2 hours I couldn't say anything!! I had a rubber dam in my mouth (it wraps around the tooth that he's working on and protects your mouth from the debris created by his work) and it is very uncomfortable. I was so miserable that when they stepped out of the room for a minute, I thought about just "hulking out": turning green, ripping the rubber dam out of my mouth, and then growling as I stared at them and ran out of the building. But...I thought better of it. Honestly folks, it wasn't fun. I did survive the claustrophobia brought on by having a piece of rubber in my mouth and people crowding over me and placing various and sundry tools in my face. Boy, did I breath a sigh of relief when it was over.
I came home and Mitch was still sick and Leslie and Laci were cranky because they still feel rotten. I was done for the day. I got supper, had the kids bathed and was in bed by 8:30.
I had better go take care of all the little sick ones - and take a big dose of Vicadin myself (relax, I'm just kidding) and get busy.
The next time you invite someone to church and they look at you like they'd rather have a root canal, just smile and say "Hey, it's painless...really!" (I ought to know!)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Now It's Laci's Turn...
Now, Laci is running a high fever!! I guess it's her turn now. The doctor just called in some antibiotics for her, too. It is such a blessing not to have to take them in to the office for an appointment - to be exposed to even more germs!! Anyway, please pray for her - and me! :0)
I have to go back to my endodontist today so he can finish up the rest of my root canals...yeah, it's gonna be a fun day!!! Oh, and Mitch just got up with a fever...oh boy.
Hope you all are enjoying the blessing of God in your lives. I am thankful that He's right there for all the ups, and downs of life!
Until tomorrow~
Valerie
I have to go back to my endodontist today so he can finish up the rest of my root canals...yeah, it's gonna be a fun day!!! Oh, and Mitch just got up with a fever...oh boy.Hope you all are enjoying the blessing of God in your lives. I am thankful that He's right there for all the ups, and downs of life!
Until tomorrow~
Valerie
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Happy Birthday To You...
I'd like to wish my sweet nephew, Andrew, a Happy 8th Birthday!
He lives aaallll the way in North Carolina, so I do not get to see him very much. I hope you can feel my love across the miles today, Andrew!!!! I'm so sorry that your card is late...you should get it on Tuesday, if the post office doesn't let me down! :o)
Have a wonderful day!!
Love,
Aunt Valerie