update on Janna (Chelsea's mom)

Janna is continuing to do well.  Prayers have been answered!

Update on Janna (Chelsea's mom)

The surgery is over and she is doing well!


Praise God and Thank Him for all of us!


Cheryl

Janna (Chelsea's mom)

Surgery this morning @ 8:00 a.m.


Please pray.


Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

It is about time...

I checked Jim Martin's blog this morning and found this:

1. I don’t have time to waste on things that don’t matter….I have plenty of time for the things that count.

2. I don’t have time to get moody, self-centered, and irritable….I do have time to love my wife and children.

3. I don’t have time to wallow in the past at what might have been….I do have time to focus on what God wants to do in my life today.

4. I don’t have time to play self-importance games (Whom do you know? What kind of house do you live in? What have your kids accomplished? What are you driving?)….I do have time to build up others and forget myself.

5. I don’t have time to coddle worldly, immature Christians whose idea of church is getting their way….I have plenty of time to love fellow Christians who may express a variety of opinions.

6. I don’t have time to be a peacemonger (doing whatever it takes to keep others from getting upset)….I do have time to be a peacemaker (loving people no matter what).

7. I don’t have time to play it safe. My life will soon be over….I do have time to risk. I can trust God who has promised to never leave me or forsake me.

8. I don’t have time to whine and blame others for being obstacles….I do have time to take responsibility for my own actions and behavior.

9. I don’t have time to complain and focus on the negative….I do have time to speak a word of hope to people who are overwhelmed by heartache.

10. I don’t have time to settle for the mediocre….I do have time to be passionate about what matters most to God.

Powerful!  
Here is the link if you want to see what else is there:
Jim Martin's blog

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

Hello there!

Long time no post!  Sorry about that, I am still hovering at 39 lbs lost.  but I have gone to the gym every day for two weeks and it is becoming a welcome time for me to withdraw into my own little world and listen to an audiobook.  I never get to read novels unless I am on vacation and don't have a class online.  So this feels like I am on a mini vacation. 


Today I got sick at school for the first time.  It has been a long time since I got sick from eating anyway.  I ordered chinese with the third grade teachers.  Almond Chicken, steamed rice, etc.  and it did not like me!


It tasted sooo good when I first started eating it, then pow!   I am still trying new things, and I will get there.  meat continues to be a challenge for me. 


I have had some other challenges along my path this week, but I am determined to "choose" a smile!  There is nothing I have any control over, so just leave it with God-He knows best for me! 

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

Matthew 10:29 (New International Version, ©2011)

2 more pounds!

YAY! The scale is my friend today.  


I worked out twice yesterday.  Once at home on the ROM machine. (http://www.fastexercise.com/ We have had it for 3+ years and John uses it regularly. ) and then at the Kroc Center.  It just about did me in, but I was glad to have done both.   I am focusing on more protein, but it is difficult.  John made some scrambled eggs last night for his supper and I had a spoonful with success for the first time.  Always before they didn't agree with me.  Now maybe I can add them to my repertoire :)


I have several challenges this week.  My grad class is full speed ahead and late last night I got a message from the instructor saying that 3 assignments needed to be posted today.  YIKES.  I have mad good progress on the main one, but I certainly have my work cut out for me.  It is a 4-day week at school which is a challenge by itself, and I am having to concentrate on my food even more-which takes much thinking and planning......


I will just have to "build a bridge- and get over it" (from my niece, Addie) or, as my daughter would say, "Put on my big-girl panties and deal with it."  I think you get the picture!


So I will press on.


Isaiah 40:29


²⁹ He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 

Some Random Thoughts

I am enjoying a day off.  Today I also started a new graduate class.  I am getting my Master's degree in education online through Abilene Christian University.  In every course, they have reading and reflection focused on spiritual matters.  (I think I have mentioned it before)  I must recommend a book I am reading for this class.  It is "A Resilient Life" by Gordon MacDonald.  I am learning much about myself, and have gleaned many useful quotes from this book. I will share one that is a quote from chapter 8, "Resilient People Cultivate Christian Character."


"There is one sister in the community who has the knack of rubbing me the wrong way at every turn; her mannerisms, her ways of speaking, her character strike me as unlovable.  But then she's a [sister]; God must love her dearly; so I am not going to let my natural dislike of her get the best of me.
Thus, I remind myself that [Christian] love is not a matter of feelings; it means doing things. I have determined to treat this sister as if she is the person I love best in the world.  Every time I meet her, I pray for her, and I offer [thanks] to God for her virtues and her efforts.  I feel certain that Jesus would like me to do this."

- from the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux

Each chapter is filled with precious lessons that apply to my life in some way or another.  I have found parts to use at school with some of my student groups.  Some parts clarify "the big picture" for members of my family and myself, others I would like to use in a Bible study class or Ladies' class.  

On a more personal note, I have joined the Kroc Center here in Kerrville to use their fitness facilities.  It is a brand new facility run by the Salvation Army in partnership with the Kroc family.  You can see pictures and read about this amazing place at this website:

http://kerrvillekroc.org/

Biggest Loser update

Yikes!  It was our first weigh-in of the Biggest Loser contest at my school.  I went in apprehensive because the scale is always different when you have clothes on and have eaten breakfast, and just because ......

The good news was that I had lost 3 pounds since last Friday- on the school's scales.  (At home I am still at 37)  So I didn't have to pay $1.00 for any weight gained! (whew!)

Gotta go.
Have a great weekend.

Wonderful Wednesday

The scale is stuck!  LOL  It isn't a problem though, I can tell my shape is shifting.  I have been exercising every day and it is showing results.  I feel good and I am able to focus on other things.  Life is good!  I am blessed.


                      From Peggy's book:

"We may run, walk, stumble . . .or fly, 

but let us never lose sight of the reason

for the journey or miss a chance

to see a rainbow on the way."

-Gloria Gaither

Saturday

We made it through the first week back after Christmas break.  Whew!  Those 4-day weeks are killers!  It seems longer than a regular 5-day week.  I guess because you feel like you must accomplish the same amount of work in a shorter time. Hopefully, next week will be at a better pace.


We are starting a new version of the "Biggest Loser" at my school (adults only) and so far we have about 12 participants.  The way it works is this:

• each person pays $10 to "play"
• each of us comes up with an alias for privacy
• we are weighed in the nurse's office every Friday
• the nurse keeps a confidential record of each one of us
• She figures out what percentage of weight loss we have
• she sends an email with our alias and the percentage of gain/loss
• we pay $1 for each pound we GAIN!!! (talk about incentive!)
• after 12 weeks, the "biggest loser" gets the $$

The nurse also sends emails about healthy choices and information. 

Each week we fill out a form about how much water we drink, sleep we get, exercise we do, preventive measures (flu shots, etc.) and so on.

So we had our first weigh-in on Friday.  Now we are ON!

Here is the quote today (from Peggy's book):


"The art of life is to live in the present moment and to make that moment as perfect as we can by the realization that we are the instruments and expression of God Himself."

-Emmet Fox

Back to work!

Today was our first day back to school- tomorrow the kids come!  At our meeting this morning, our principal showed a slide show from the first semester and it was amazing to see how many events happened already this year.  I was only in 1 or 2 pictures, but it was a shock to me to see myself "then and now."  I will post a picture of before surgery and now.  It is strange how you don't see yourself. 

THIS IS IN AUGUST BEFORE SURGERY:

 THIS IS 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY

        
I am so surprised at the difference in these pictures.  I don't know if you can tell how different I feel and look.  I am looking forward to my 6 month pictures!


This picture was taken in my mom's "orchard" and we were picking oranges from the tree.  I found this quote in Peggy's book and thought about the joy I felt when I realized how much has changed in the last 3 months.

"What happens when we live God's way? 

He brings gifts into our lives, 

much the same way that fruit

appears in an orchard."

-Galatians 5:22 (MSG)

Home FROM the Holidays!

Travel is exhausting!  Fun, but it wears you out.   We had a wonderful visit with my mom.  We had everyone in our family at Christmas in California (except for Jon and Chelsea) and it was great!  We have several family traditions that just begin as a one time occurrence.  Then they are continued the next year until they are part of the whole experience. A new one that I "vote" to be a tradition is the brisket that Christy and Don made the last 2 years for our "big" dinner.  It is from Don's Aunt's recipe and it is a winner! 


My eating is getting better all the time now.  I still have some challenges, and some episodes that pass a little more quickly than before. The great news is that I have lost 6 more pounds since I last posted!  A total of 37 now.  I am finding that it is easy to eat the "wrong" things because they are easier or quicker or taste good and don't hurt, but are not what I need to be eating.  I need to focus on protein and exercise. 


We have enjoyed many blessings and a few Christmas miracles when it came to our travels.  God is so good and we are so unworthy.  

¹¹ Lord, you are great and powerful. 

       You have glory, victory, and honor. 

       Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. 

    The kingdom belongs to you, Lord; 

       you are the ruler over everything.

 ¹² Riches and honor come from you. 

       You rule everything. 

    You have the power and strength 

       to make anyone great and strong.

 ¹³ Now, our God, we thank you 

       and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

(New Century Version) 

3 more days

The word is "survive" - - - the last 3 days before Christmas break. The only other time for "survival" in schools is the first week, and the last week. :)

Chelsea's mom

Update on Janna: She is improving. She is at home with nursing care. They are looking for a doctor in the states to treat her.

One more pound = yay!

Blessings: Numbers 6:24-26

²⁴ “The LORD bless you

and keep you;
²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”

some good news...

I saw the hematologist yesterday and my white blood count levels are already improving. She said it was probably a result of an infection I had about 3 weeks ago, or the meds I took for it, or several other factors. I have to go back in a month just to make sure. (They did draw blood - 12 vials of it!) and the Dr. had the results before I saw her- she had even looked at it under the microscope and said it looked healthy)

John went with me and I am so glad he did. It was an unnerving place. It was beautiful and well organized and ran like clockwork. But it was just scary when you walk into a place named, "Cancer Care Center of South Texas." So many people were there for chemo, radiation, or such like that. A young lady (high school age) came in with her mom, she had short hair in places on her head where she still had hair, and they said they were there for radiation. The impact of that place was tremendous! Christmas decorations up and such life threatening treatments going on. I am so blessed with health that others are struggling with and have a positive attitude about. Why is it so easy to get "caught up" in our own triviality?

Yesterday, we got an email from our school nurse saying that we have a 4th grader at my school, and all he wants for Christmas is a Christmas tree. Thanks to some benefactors, they have been able to get a tree and lights, and asked for donated ornaments (one from each staff member) to go with the tree. Such simple things to make a child happy.

Is this what Christ was telling us? to come to him like a little child? We are the ones who make things so complicated. It doesn't have to be that way does it...

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14 (New International Version, ©2010)

Thorough Explanation of Chelsea's mom's situation

Chelsea is my new daughter-in-law. She is married to Jon our youngest son. They were married in October and her mom, Janna and I hit it off right away. Janna is a vibrant and sweet lady and her pain is shared by all who care for her. I asked Chelsea if I could post this on my blog. It is such a good explanation of what is going on with her mom. It is rather lengthy, but worth the read. Please continue prayers on her behalf.

from Chelsea:

"My Mom, has been having several surgeries because of Idiopathic Scoliosis. That disease, is passed thru generations, usually skips one (grandma has it, then it goes to the grandchildren) in my family's case it was my mom's Grandma, then her, then me (the skipping generations did not occur). Also, of all the people who have scoliosis only 1 out of 7 are boys, the rest are girls (this is y i got it, and not my brothers). She had her first surgery in her early teens, and has had several several more (20+).

Over ten years ago, mom had surgery on vertebrae L1 (L stands for lumbar, meaning lower back). When she had this surgery done, one of her lungs was punctured and 2 of her ribs were broken of and taken out. (i thought it was so cool when i was young, because i could see her heart beat thru the hole where ribs were no longer there). I used to think that she had such a pure heart, that i could literally see her heart thru her skin!

Then, during the summer of this year, she had another surgery to fix a pinched nerve (vertebrae L3 and L4) that was causing her lots of pain. The surgery had apparently gone well, but a couple of days later, when she was not healing, and the doctors took the stitches out and the incision reopened, they discovered that she had a very bad infection. They took her into emergency surgery, scooped out all of the infected tissue, put a catheter thru her heart to pump antibiotics and after 3 months, it had seemed to gone away.

Now the problem is that,she went to the hospital because she could not take the pain any longer. Doctors took blood and found that the infection came back. To know more about the origin of the infection, they did something called a "Bone Gamaeotomy," which is dying all of her bones ~ the die is one color with healthy bone and another color with sick bones. They found that ALL (L1, L3, L4) vertebrae were infected. Looking back at her past history, they dont know if the infection started with the surgery of L1 and just now surfaced, or if it happened during her last surgery of L3-L4. The doctors don't know how to begin treating her because they dont know the origin of the infection.

Usually what would happen: The doctors operate again, take all of the plates and screws from any previous surgery, and leave the spine unstable (very painful~ no walking for several months, just bed rest).

the problem: her back is waaay too unstable, and while doing the surgery, they would have to puncture her lung to undo the L1 surgery, and take out completely vertebraes L3 and L4. Most likely she will die if this is done.

What is being done: she is being pumped with very potent antibiotics, trying to get her as strong as they can, to fly to the US and have surgery.

I hope that for everyone wondering what is going on, this is a good explanation. Please keep praying for her!!!!"

12 weeks!

30 pound mark attained today! Yay!

Update from Chelsea (daughter in law) about her mom, Janna.

"They did the bone biopsy ... similar to a spinal tap (very painful) It takes 4 days to get the results back."

Please continue prayers for pain relief, healing and wisdom.

Quote:

"There is divine purpose in bringing out the best in one another."

-Denis Waitley