Sunday Blessings

Chelsea is home!  YAY!  We picked her up at the airport last night and took her home.  The dogs went wild when she walked in the door and she was almost as happy to see them.  She was exhausted and just wanted to be home.  We went over to the Cracker Barrel where Jonathan was working and had supper.  He looks great, new haircut and all.  One of the waitresses came over, introduced herself and asked if we were Jon's parents.  That is always a tricky question until you now where it is going......Ha-ha-ha  She began to expound on all of his wonderful attributes and what a special young man he is, etc. We beamed with pride.  Then she went on and on about Chelsea and how sweet she is and what a great match they are,   and we agreed whole heartedly! What a blessing!


We had our church's Ladies' Retreat this weekend.  Our speaker was Brooke Hollingsworth from Westover Hills C of C in Austin.  She spoke on the "Presence of God" and the text was the book of Exodus.  She showed us some new perspectives about the absence (silence) of God and how he re-established his relationship with his people.  Another revealing moment was when "God remembered" means He decided to act.  There were many "aha" moments along the way and she was a very interesting presenter.  Great study!


After the retreat, John and I went to San Antonio to do some shopping and pick up Chelsea.  I had quite an experience.  I knew I had gone down another size (as of Friday!) but when I tried on clothes even that size was too big.  I have gone down 2 more sizes!  That makes 5 sizes down in 5 months!  WOO-HOO!!!!
It was sooooooo much fun!!


Today, our church culminates 40 days of prayer and dreams.  We have been focused on dreams we have for our church for this next year.  We have a potluck today after church and then we will go to our assigned areas to share our dreams for the church.  It is an exciting time for our church. I am anxious to see what happens next.

(NIV) Exodus 2

²³ During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. ²⁴ God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. ²⁵ So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Update on Chelsea's mom, Janna

Janna was supposed to have her back surgery on Monday of this past week.  It was postponed to today.  Last night Chelsea said it has been postponed again. I don't know the reasons for all of this, but we know how many of God's people have been praying.  There is a reason for the waiting and it may become clear sometime later.  Please continue to pray for all involved they are faithfully trying to understand this situation with their loved one and it is difficult.

Chelsea and her dad were able to get an emergency passport from the U.S. embassy so now she can come home tomorrow.  (whew!) 

Here is the scripture that came to mind when I was praying about all of this today:

Isaiah 26:8

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.

Wet Wednesday

Foggy, Drizzly and overcast but not cold!  I am still at 43 pounds.  I go to the endocrinologist (diabetes) today and it is a regular follow up appointment.  I am doing very well in that department.  :) 


I have been battling a sinus infection since last week and headaches- :( probably caused by the sinus and my neck is out of whack.  Doing my neck exercises DOES help, but it is a pain (inconvenience and literal!)


Chelsea is in Mexico City with her family and her mom is in severe pain.  They had planned to do the surgery on Monday, but had to postpone it until Friday because of her sore throat.  This family is under tremendous stress please pray for God's will for all concerned. 


Jonathan had the day off yesterday and came to K'ville for some doctor check ups. He brought Ploonky (sugar glider) and visited John's office and my school and Ploonky was a major attraction at both venues.  It was fun to have him here and seemed like old times! :)  Some of the students still remember him from his volunteering in classes during high school.  I love him being so close that we get to see him more often.


My thoughts are with Chelsea's family especially her mom.  Prayers are constant for pain relief and healing.


my favorite verse: 
Ephesians 3:20-21
NIV

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Where does the time go?

I am now hovering at 43 pounds lost.  It seems like I have been at this level for a long time, but evidently I haven't blogged in a long time. :) So here we go.

Lots going on and not the least of which is grad school.  I am learning so much and morphing into a much better teacher.  It is amazing how interesting the research can be when you are immersed in a school setting already. 

On a personal note, Chelsea (daughter-in-law) is going to Mexico city today to be with her family as her mom goes through an intense and highly risky back surgery on Monday.  Prayers are needed for all concerned.  Her mom is currently infection free, but in a great deal of pain.  We are hopeful that the surgery is successful and that the long recovery (possibly a year of bedrest) will also be successful.  I personally have been praying for a full and complete recovery (a miracle) and I feel confident that she will come through this stronger and healthier.

My eating has been good for the most part.  We went to a new restaurant for my oldest son's birthday.  It is a Hibachi grill type place.  We sat around the large cooking grill while our "chef" put on quite a show!  I was able to eat all of the soup, some rice, teriyaki chicken and a shrimp. Jenny and I split an order and even with that we were both taking some home!  Fun and delicious.

My motivation of listening to audiobooks has been very interesting.  I couldn't wait to get to the gym to listen to what happens next in the murder mysteries I so love.  Then two other books were recommended to me and I put those on my shuffle.  They were good reads, I am sure, but didn't have that "can't wait to see what happens next" quality and so. . . . .  you guessed it!  I haven't been to the gym since Monday!  YIKES!!  Also, I did put a new Lisa Gardner book on it and it has me hooked, but I haven't been feeling great this week and had appointments on Monday/Tues. after school, so yeah, I am behind.

BIG NEWS:  Laura and Eric are expecting a baby in August!!!!  My first grand child.  I am soooooo excited about it. 

This is for Janna:

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21
NIV