HOW DID WE DO THAT?

This past Saturday began as an exciting day.  The Grandbaby's very first county league cheer football game was early that morning.  All week was filled with anticipation as she loves cheering.  The Out of State Nana and Grandaddy were here to observe the fun along with The Girl, The Son-In-Law, The Poppa, and me.  

I was quite unprepared for the multiples of parents, grands, and children that was at this event or I should say the multiple events in this one location.  When The Poppa and I arrived, we saw The Grandbaby's group of K-2 cheerleaders waiting in an area.  The Grandbaby ran to happily say hello and give hugs.   My heart is filled with joy that she actually does love The Poppa and me.  In a few years when she gets to MS and HS, her visible love for us may change but for now, I'll enjoy the joy and hugs.  

As The Girl is Team Mom for the group, the other five of us made our way with our chairs and such and waited for the first game to end.  Then we settled in our chairs near the cheerleaders.  We immediately noticed our sweet double-jointed cheerleader was not doing her cheers enthusiastically.  Then after the 3rd cheer, she turned around to tell her coach something then promptly hit the ground in a faint.  I'll skip details here but will say was so very scary.  EMS came and checked her out and she was allowed to be driven to the ER by her parents.  After a ten hour time of testing and treatments in the pediatric ER, the little family arrived home Saturday night.  Heart checked out okay thankfully.  The diagnosis was dehydration and onset of pneumonia.  The Grandbaby had a cold for a couple of weeks but it had gotten better after about 8 days so no pediatrician was visited as they don't prescribe antibiotics until it's been 10 days.  She is tiring easily and has begun nightly fevers but is much improved.  The Grandbaby is full of the ER story....wires (EKG), seeing inside of her body (x-rays), breathing treatments, needle sticks (labs and IV), and a TV showing the movie Cars.  She was most enamored with the bright purple elastic bandage going from middle of thin little upper arm down to mid lower arm....her purple "cast".  :)  

That night, The Girl said to me, "I was surprised and proud of you, me, and The Nana that we didn't fall apart at all."  Quite frankly, The Nana and I had already decided that as we four grands had waited together all day and spoke of that.  I did consider how we were able to do that.  Many girls, as you know, fall apart easily and sometimes mamas, nanas, and neemas are no exception.  I will admit that as The Out of State Nana and Grandaddy, The Poppa, and I "hung out" that day waiting for reports, we had a time or two of sincere prayer together with many tearful requests to the Heavenly Father we all serve. We also had a lunch out and The Nana and I took some time for some retail therapy in the Target Toy Department as The Nana and I held our phones and looked at them constantly.  I told her I bet people were thinking we were like the phone obsessed teenagers but I really didn't care.

How were we able to get through such a fearful, heart wrenching, totally worried day?  I've heard so often that "it takes a village" and I guess that is the truth.  We all worked together to do what had to be done on this end of the experience while our children took care of their little girl that is the world to us all.  And even moving a bit further, all you blog readers know that our Heavenly Father helped comfort us as we continued praying a hedge of protection around those we love.  As The Poppa and I got in the car from their house to head home Saturday night, The Poppa and I just sat in the car as The Poppa said aloud, "Thank you, Jesus!" to which I replied, a hearty "AMEN!"

The Grandbaby still tires easily and has begun nightly fevers but is much better from two days ago.  We have, of course, went to play when she has called to ask and have enjoyed puzzles, dolls, and games.  The Poppa looked great in a tiara and jewelry as he won the Pretty Pretty Princess game. So life works its way back to a normal with a few more days away from school ahead for the week.  Hopefully The Grandbaby will have her nightly prayers answered of "Please let my hospital boo boos heal (the IV and lab efforts were hard and left bruises) and please let me cheer again."  The answers to those sweet prayers are already on the way, I know.  As the ER doctor said, The Grandbaby is a tough cookie.  The Girl said, "She comes from good stock."

The Son-in-Law (who strongly did his dad skills well) and I did finally yesterday get a chuckle as we recalled the help that folks were offering.  There were two nurses there, the mother of a diabetic child, and a mother calling EMS.  The funny thing was the mother who was wanting to check the blood sugar of The Grandbaby.  She was explaining diabetes (I actually saw myself in her as a young diabetic child mother)....but she was explaining to The Girl sitting on the ground holding The Grandbaby who was whiter than a sheet.  The funny part was The Girl finally said, "I have had diabetes for 31 years...yes it's fine to test her sugar."  Oh, and I failed to mention the funnier part....The Girl had two blood glucose sensors taped to each arm for yet another sensor/diabetes research trial she only began last week.  So there was some humor there....trying to tell The Girl about diabetes which she has lived with so long.  But with all that said, we were glad to grin a little at that point yesterday and are forever grateful to all who offered help.  My family doesn't want to do that scary experience any more.  Once was enough.  

This experience also goes along with my last post, "More Than Enough and Extra."  Yes, grateful are we for those who care.

Again, we claim Romans 8:28 in action in our lives....

"And we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Consider....

MORE THAN ENOUGH AND EXTRA

Our friend, Mr. Webster, defines "enough" as "as much or as many as required".

Here lately I've considered what is enough and what is not enough in certain areas of my life.  I'm still considering that as there are areas that I certainly seek the correct improvements.  I guess we all do to a certain point.  

I had an experience yesterday when I was unable to find something that was REALLY important that I needed in a very timely manner.  I called all the different places that would possible have this and no one did.  Then I thought of one more place that I knew well and had dealings with and called that as a last resort.  I left a message as to my dilemma and got a callback that yes, they could help.  I just had to come and pick up.  I explained that I only needed one or two of this item to get me to the point I needed to be.  I drove there and they had a bag ready for me.  I could tell the provision in the bag was more than the one or two items I had requested.  When I explained I only needed a small amount, I was waved away kindly with the whole bag.  It solved my problem and gave me extra.  

I have been struggling a bit the last few days and seeking the Lord's guidance for things in my life.  I thought about yesterday's experience this morning and had a heart full of thanks for those who are kind and so caring.  Their actions speak more than enough and extra.  

As this blogger often winds up leading to, this experience has encouraged me and I in turn am going to encourage you that we an be more than enough and extra with our actions, with our thoughts, with our kindnesses and with our love.  I'm not going to tell you that doing this will be easy.  We are so so so human.  But I will testify to you for myself as I'm the only one I know about for sure, that I have a heavenly Father who will help me with this when I feel like I am not enough.  I would encourage you to know that blessings are more than enough.  And extra!

Consider.....

WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE.....

It's been a couple of weeks now since school began.  It's on that first day when all these cute photos begin to appear via text and social media of all the little darlings ready to attack their new grade for this year.  The Grandbaby is in the first grade.  Mercy, how time flies!  

I enjoyed the trading of grand pics between me and The Pray Without Ceasing Friend.  Mine was of The Grandbaby of course and hers were of her three grand boys.  I do remember last year how The Grandbaby's chosen profession was a nail lady.  I don't know that anyone asked her this year and her yearly first day of school chalk wipe on/wipe off board doesn't as either.  I did a chuckle with the remarks of The Pray Without Ceasing Friend as she said her oldest whose profession choice is an engineer would probably be an engineer.  The youngest's choice was a doctor and she said he technically COULD become a doctor.  The middle boy's choice was a baseball player.....ahhh....the wishes and dreams of the young.   We laughed about these a bit while we continue to pray for all four of ours that whatever they become, it will blessed by our Heavenly Father.

Out of all the profession choices I saw, the "winner" had to be from the oldest girl grand of another good friend of mine.  She said and it was so good, "When I grow up, I want to be happy."   Does that not get you?  Really?  What better wish?  

Some days I still wonder what I want to be when I grow up but now that question seems to have the best answer ever.   When I grow up, I want to be happy....and going on a bit further I can truly say that I want to be kind, give grace and mercy, and love others on a daily basis.  I fail at this many days and I struggle and repent and am forgiven.  

So as I close here I want you to consider the sentence and finish it.....When I grow up, I want to be_______?

Consider....

SHOW UP

My prayer life is not where I would love it to be.  I can say that because I have again been encouraged and taught how it should be by The Pray Without Ceasing Friend.  We exchange prayer requests often.  She shows me by her example by responding with all these bold requests for which she entreats the Lord.  And I want that kind of boldness.  I REALLY want it.   Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  And that's only one time in the Bible where we are taught to be bold.  There are more.  

Something The Pray Without Ceasing Friend said in her response to me last night that she was praying for  God's people to show up in this particular area of need.  That has stuck with me and my thoughts have realized what a wonderful request that is....

Show up when someone is hurting and needs encouragement.

Show up when someone just needs a little grace.

Show up when you need a little grace.

Show up to listen closely when God speaks to you.

Show up when someone says, "Pray for me". 

Show up with thanksgiving and rejoicing when the Lord answers a prayer.

Show up when it's time to spend some time in the Word.

Show up when someone just needs a listening ear.

Show up when you just need to acknowledge the Lord's presence.

Show up for everything!

Consider....

FORGETFULNESS

For the first time in days, I am sitting for a minute at my computer while I wait for church worship to begin.  Yes, I am online worshipping today.  I had another surgery last week and am still in recovery mode.  This one has not been a walk in the park.  My nurse remains strict but even if he wasn't, I would still be in recovery mode as I feel like doing little else.  I do look forward to full recovery and feeling better than I have in the past two months. 

This surgery's anesthesia has affected my memory seeming more than in the past.  The first couple of days were very foggy and The Husband tells me many things I can't do for a couple of weeks that I don't remember hearing.  But if I can't trust his word after 43 years, I'm in trouble so I will follow his instructions.

I was blessed this morning to receive a video text of The Girl and The Grandbaby singing their duet during revival...Tis' so Sweet to Trust in Jesus (see last post)...and I was again blessed.  I tend to take blessings for granted.  I want to stop that.  It seems each surgery gives me the incentive to "do better"....this time maybe I will be successful hopefully. 

I just wanted to share a card I got from The Pray Without Ceasing Friend last week.  She has sent me the card before.  It's actually a favorite of mine but I had never looked at the back of it so I want to share what it says with you blog readers.  I hope you are blessed also.

  

Consider....

YES, TIS' SWEET....

Today is the next to last service of my church's annual summer revival.  You blog readers might remember that is the one that has services twice daily for the whole week.  While I don't tire of the worship and the blessings, my body has tired because it's my body, it's aging, and that's just how the body works.  

The best I can calculate, this is my 48th year of summer revivals at this church.  48 years.  It seems in this blog lately I calculate a lot in years.  Could that be an age thing, too?  There have been a lot of revival memories in those 48 years.  There's been a lot of changes in those 48 years but the main thing is that the Lord has not changed nor will he ever change.  Praise HIM for that!  If you want to read any of my numerous salvation testimonies on this blog, the most recent is titled "Moments" (March 27, 2022) and my oldest is titled "Revival" (July 5, 2012).  You get a photo of my baptizing in that one.  Just as the Lord has not changed, neither has my precious salvation testimony.

There are many good old gospel songs that I have grown up with and many newer contemporary ones that I have grown to love.  I'm from the world of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, There Shall be Showers of Blessings, and How Firm a Foundation.  One of the dearest of the older songs to me is Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.  The Girl has sang that often as a solo and The Husband has lead it for the congregation as well.  

This year it took on  a new blessing for me as The Girl AND The Grandbaby decided to sing it as a duet.  The Grandbaby and The Girl have sang it at home a lot.  The Grandbaby rode to church with me the other morning and we arrived a bit early so I sat at the piano and found the good key for her to sing it.  I admit that I got really teary-eyed when she got to the chorus that says "Jesus, Jesus PRECIOUS Jesus" and that precious came out of her mouth with force.  Isn't that what Jesus truly is?  I know HE is to me.

Thursday morning The Girl took a little stool for The Grandbaby to stand on, they wore their matching dresses (The Grandbaby is such a fashionista and loves those matching dresses), and they sang Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. 

I don't think there were many dry eyes in the building when they finished.  I know that the Savior had to be beaming down from heaven above and pleased with HIS girls.  

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus here in my world years ago, now, all the years in between, and all the years ahead.  For all of you who may not be familiar with the treasured song, here's how it goes....

"'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end."

I pray that all reading this blog post do know Jesus and the sweetness of trusting HIM for all you need.  If not, know that you can know Him.  The Bible says "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved".  

(Romans 10:9, KJV)

Consider.....

43 YEARS OF SEASONS

At 8:00 p.m. tonight, it will be 43 years ago The Husband and I said "I do" in our wedding ceremony.  43 years of seasons.

Yes, it's been seasons of:

learning

growing

sickness

health

plenty

want

laughter

tears

sorrow

joy

celebration

grief

and so much more.  If it had been any different, I don't think it would have been real life.  Forty-three years later, I love him more than I did on that wedding day.  

As we celebrated our anniversary at our favorite higher dollar restaurant, I was doing my order from the Lunch Menu as that restaurant allows that menu all day for ages 62 and up.  As I began to order, the little waitress said, "Uh, ma'am...that's the lunch menu.  We have to use the dinner menu now."  I replied, "But it says 62 and up all day."  And she surprised, replied, "You are that age?  You don't look it."  I thought I might have to be ID'd for a plate of stuffed crab.   And of course, that compliment was a nice gift for me.  Duh.  A girl likes to be told she looks young but a girl also likes the discounted lunch menu all day.  :)  After that we told her we were celebrating our anniversary and she wanted to know the secret of a long marriage.  (She was even younger than I was when I married.)  The reply was a no brainer....put Jesus first and love your spouse.  

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, here's three thousand words...

I didn't love this picture at first because all I saw was my double chin, then I saw the joy and the double chin didn't matter.

Real life now....

Consider the joy.....

31 YEARS TO CELEBRATE

Happy 10th Birthday to this blog!  If I remember correctly, the very first blog post on June 21, 2012 was titled CELEBRATION and was celebrating The Girl's diabetes diagnosis 21 years ago from that date.  So yes, this year is celebrating 31 years!

There's probably no need for me to tell you, my regular blog readers, how proud I am of The Girl that made me a mama.  If you read this blog at all, you know that already.  

As I experience this day, little did I know 31 years ago that today would hold a sweet healthy-with-a-disease girl, a fine son-in-law and a precious little girl that calls me Neema.  My cup overflows on this day and still, after 31 years and after 10 years of writing about this on this particular day, my eyes still get wet.  It's just something a mama can't control.  The "wet" is a joyful wet.  

You've heard it and heard it over and over so I won't tell you again about my girl.  She is a joy.

I'm grateful for a son-in-law and a grand baby who knows that there's a disease but are good to understand and help when it's needed.  I'm thankful for the ability to have learned about diabetes those years ago.  Maybe I'm not so glad that as years go by the powers that be change the rules.  Back then a normal fasting blood sugar was between 80 and 120.  Now lab reports expect to be under a 98.  Well, really?  Come on....

Yesterday The Grandbaby was here and we were changing around some furniture and goods for "her" bedroom.  It is now a guest/play room.  It's still a work in progress but close to being finished.  The Grandbaby helped me all day long.  She got down and got stuff from under the bed, she dusted, she organized....and yes, she earned herself some shopping money.  She worked patiently hard for a 6 year old.  As we were sorting, there was a little pink case that had a purpose, I don't know what.  When she saw the case, she remarked, "Look!  It's somebody's medicine box cover."   Well duh.  She calls her mommy's insulin pump a medicine box as she has been taught to do.  

This past weekend The Girl also had some sort of stomach bug.  She made the remark that she was so glad to have the pump and that she couldn't imagine what I had to do when she was younger and had a bug by giving her spoonfuls of regular sprite every ten minutes.  The Girl has done numerous research trials the past few years by wearing sensors in both arms, testing sugars, fasting....many things involved but in hopes of finding a cure.

Yes, we are thankful for advances and all the research to hopefully find a cure for this disease in the future.  Most of all we are thankful for the unfailing provisions of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Without HIM we can do nothing.

After I taught an adult class of VBS one night and studied a bit on hope, I found myself a new favorite scripture.  I find myself reading it every single day and trying to make it in my memory.  It's Romans 4:20, 21 and goes like this:

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."

Oh, and just an added bit of trivia, The Girl's middle name?  HOPE.

Praise be to the Lord!

Consider.... 

THE MOON

Last night there was a total eclipse.  I am way up there in age and I never recall seeing an eclipse.  if I did, it was nothing like this one.  Being the retirees that we are and sometimes have the ability to stay awake past 8:00 pm, The Husband and I gave a try to get a good look.  

It was a clear night.  The Husband took me a stool out to the driveway after the eclipse had begun.   It was an amazing thing to see.  It went fairly fast even.  I had read that the moon would be red when it was totally eclipsed and it didn't disappoint.  Amazing.  If you missed it, take a look....

As I sat and watched this amazing event and pondered it scientifically--or as much as my only slightly scientific mind could--the words to a song came to my mind.  It put it all in perspective for me.  Take a look at the lyrics....

In the beginning of time,
He was the Creator,
And into existence He spoke the heavenly blue,
And with one mighty swoop of His hand,
He threw out the stars,
He knew where they’d land,
So if you think, you’re just drifting along,
Then I have good news.

And If He hung the moon,
I know He will help you,
And if He holds the sparrow in flight,
He’ll hold you too,
Consider the lilies of the field,
How much more He loves you,
In the beginning of time, you were on His mind,
When He hung the moon.

Now you may feel like the world,
Lays hard on your shoulders,
And even your closest friend in life is pulling away,
Though you have tried so hard and lost,
There is still hope,
Just look to the cross,
There you will see just how much the Savior
Really loves you today.

So....consider.....

TEN

Well, here I am almost two weeks behind with this post.  I decided better late than never.

Recently, The Son-In-Law and The Girl celebrated ten years of marriage.  A decade of marriage.  Where in the world does time go when it flies?  They went away for a short trip for a day or two and The Husband and I were allowed time to enjoy The Grandbaby.  We had a wonderful time!  School was in session so our personal home wonderful time was shortened but a wonderful time nonetheless.

I found myself caught up a bit in memory lane.  I won't post a bunch of wedding pics as I have often done in the past.  If you want to see many of those, just check the archives for time around May 5 of every year that has passed.  I do enjoy recalling the emotions I felt on that particular day.  One of those that I recall is the one when The Husband and I stood at the door joining the church foyer and sanctuary.  Here we were standing at this door of this church where we had celebrated, rejoiced, and even grieved over the past so very many years.  As I stood there that day, I found my heart TOTALLY overwhelmed.  Yes, I wanted everything that day to go well and be a great memory for The Girl and The Son-in-Law but in that very moment, my heart was overwhelmed at the sheer goodness and provision of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..  It was a feeling that I hope I can experience often and remember when I recall that day to mind.  Yes, The Girl was grown and beautiful, but she was and is still our little girl.  She has endured just as the love of our Lord has endured.  

Another cute memory I often recall is when I think of the toughness of The Husband in life.  He seated me then went back to the foyer for his little girl.  I recall after he had finished his part at the front and been asked that question, "Who giveth this woman....?", he came and sat in his place by me.  I realized he was sniffing.  Loudly.  I glanced over and saw his teary eyes.  Yep, that tough guy and his teary eyes.  I leaned over and asked, "Do you need a kleenex?"  (I had many, you see.)  He said, "No, I have a handkerchief."  Bless him.  He has those same emotional feelings still and especially now they are doubled with The Grandbaby.  Such a beautiful thing to witness.  

So here I am, almost two weeks late, but grateful for The Son-in-Law and The Girl and the marriage they have.....happy late anniversary!