Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Abundant Life

As you may have guessed by the lack of blog entries the past month or so, things have been a little busy here. This is my attempt to catch up with y'all.

We went to Hawaii in early April for Alan's dad's one year memorial. There wasn't anything elaborate planned; Mom simply wanted the entire family to visit the grave together. So that is what we did. Dad is buried at the famous Punchbowl Cemetery. It is a beautiful and ethereal site, a perfect place of remembrance.



We did have lighter moments in Hawaii. The kids swam in the lagoon at Magic Island, my fave childhood spot.



They also devoured shave ice. It's the one time a year when we ignore Feingold and consume lots of Red #40.





Back on the Mainland...

Our homeschool ministry organized weekly co-op classes with 30+ families. We looked forward to going every Friday.

Jonathan took a Bible study class and learned how to implement the inductive study method. I was so excited because it is my preferred way of studying the Bible. The teacher, a friend of mine, was engaging and encouraging, and Jonathan decided he wanted to continue with the inductive method.

He was also enamored with his Mythbusters science class, taught by our cool and clever youth pastor. One of the challenges was to design a container for an egg drop experiment. His contraption, created from a tennis ball can and packing foam, won First Place! It now
has an honored spot on his bookshelf. He refuses to throw it away. I guess it's a trophy of some sort. :-)



In the meantime, Elizabeth and Daniel painted Indian portraits in their Atelier Art class.





Also at the co-op, Elizabeth enjoyed participating in a Civil War history class while Daniel learned how to play the recorder.

At the end of the session, we held our semi-annual Presentation Night. The kids recited the poem Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.



Trees, by Joyce Kilmer.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed,
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.


Also at Presentation Night, Elizabeth recited a portion of the Gettysburg Address along with her history group. Daniel played the role of a king in the William Tell Overture. He also played the song You are Holy on the recorder along with his class.

Add to this list our homeschool days, Taekwondo lessons, nursing home visits, a Civil War re-enactment, field trips, our church's annual women's retreat, Awana, Royal Rangers, a camping trip to the Sequoias, Bible studies, baby showers and birthday parties, doctor and dentist visits, laundry, laundry and more laundry and you have a taste of how things have been here recently.

Life, and that more abundantly.

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

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Monday, May 12, 2008

Mother's Day

Roses are delightful.



Matching dresses are amusing. :-)



But here are the three reasons why I love Mother's Day.



"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

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Sunday, March 23, 2008

He is Risen!



Rejoicing because He lives!

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Happy Birthday, Nutmeg

Nutmeg turned one today!



Who would've known when we brought her home in May that she would take over our family room, our backyard, our sofa, our paper towel tubes, our wallet and our hearts?

Nutmeg's recovery from hip surgery is going relatively well. She is no longer in her crate, but we still have to supervise her forays into the backyard. While she is walking smoothly most of the time and occasionally running like the crazy puppy she is, there are times when she will limp or appear to have trouble balancing. This is because while her left hip has a new implant, her right hip is still a victim of hip dysplasia.

We were hoping to postpone the surgery on her right hip for a while, but we may have to move forward on it soon. We'll see what the surgeon says after her next check up.

Here is Elizabeth and Nutmeg (2 months old) on her Homecoming Day.



And here are the girls today.



Happy Birthday, Nutmeg!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17

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Sunday, March 02, 2008

Birthday Boy



Look who turned seven today!

Thank You, Lord, for this rascal who dances like an elf; smirks like Calvin plotting a scheme with Hobbes; and writes love notes to Mommy.

Bless him from this day forward with the knowledge that You love him with an everlasting love. Help him to walk in truth and righteousness. Give him a clear and bold vision for his life, even at this early age. Thank You for the work You are already doing in his heart. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

Happy Birthday, Daniel! We love you!

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

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Friday, February 01, 2008

Don't Forget the Missing Piece

This morning's prayer time:

Me: ...and Lord, help us to put on the full armor of God--the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation, holding up the shield of faith, wielding the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always.

Jonathan: Mom, can I add one more thing?

Me: Sure!

Jonathan: And, Lord, help me to put on the underwear of contentment.


Everyone: (giggling) AMEN!

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Revelation Song

We sang this song at church today. What an incredible time of worship!



Revelation Song
Jennie Lee Riddle/Gateway Worship
Worship leader: Kari Jobe


Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Holy, Holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven’s mercy seat

Chorus:
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing
“Praise to the King of Kings!”

You are my everything
And I will adore You
I will adore You, adore You

Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightening rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You, the only wise King

Chorus

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus, Your name is power, breath and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery! Yeah!

Chorus

Holy, Holy, Holy, we exalt you
We worship You, we worship You
With all creation I sing, “Praise to the King of Kings!”
You are my everything and I will adore You

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Psalm 95:6

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Therapy Sessions

We've made it to the two week mark. Nutmeg's recovery is going smoothly so far. We're very grateful! Yesterday she had her sutures removed, and in a few days we'll be able to take her Elizabethan collar off.

Here she is on one of her outdoor "therapy sessions." As you can see, time has not dampened her affection for Shadow.



Nutmeg is one smart cookie and a bit of a rascal. After about ten minutes of walking, she senses that it's almost time to go back into her crate. She then pulls her version of a puppy tantrum and throws herself onto the ground, rolling on the grass, in protest. I end up having to pick her up and carry her into the house, which is no small feat. At her last check up she weighed in at 47 pounds!

Two weeks down, four to go...

"The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy." Psalm 111:7

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

18 Years Later...



Happy Anniversary to us!

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." Song of Solomon 2:1

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Nutmeg is Home

Nutmeg is home! Thank You, Lord!

When we went to pick her up she was happy to see us and gave us all kisses. Elizabeth was nearly in tears when she saw Nutmeg’s shaved behind and the huge bandage. But we told her to focus on that cute face of hers, and she ended up getting kissed. :-)

Shadow was also happy to see her and seems very concerned. They both nosed each other through the bars of the crate and wagged their tails.

The next 6 weeks are crucial to Nutmeg’s recovery—she has to stay in a crate all the time with an Elizabethan collar (a large plastic collar around her face to prevent her from licking/removing her bandage) and we can only allow brief supervised outings to the back yard. While she’s outside we have to use a sling (an odd looking contraption) to give her hip support. If there are no complications, she goes back to the surgeon in 2 weeks to remove her sutures.

Here she is in her crate with just a peek of her shaven leg. She’s a modest gal and doesn’t want to scare anyone.




Our prayers for the next 6 weeks are: that she would adjust to being at home and staying in the crate; that the kids would be cooperative; and most importantly, that there would be no infection or complications and that the bone accepts the implant and that no fractures develop.

We REALLY appreciate all your prayers and words of encouragement! It has made a very difficult week a much more tolerable one.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118:11

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Nutmeg Update

The surgeon called and said that Nutmeg is doing well so far after her second surgery. He ran an x-ray and it shows that the hip is in its proper place. (Pray it stays that way!) They took her for two brief walks yesterday and a brief walk this morning (more like therapy sessions), and though she is limping SHE IS WALKING! PRAISE GOD!!

She is also eating well and is in good spirits. We are cautiously optimistic, but the next few weeks will tell the story.

We are praying that she can come home tomorrow!

"...heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled." Psalm 6:2b

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Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Second Update

As I type this Nutmeg is back in surgery.

The surgeon said an x-ray revealed that her new hip was dislocated!

Apparently the muscle tissue around her hip is loose because of atrophy, so he is going to go back in and adjust a component to tighten the socket. There is a 60-70% chance this will be successful.

If it's not successful....well, that's unthinkable.

Please pray that it goes well!

"Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness." Psalm 143:1

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Nutmeg Update



Please keep praying for Nutmeg. The good news is that her surgery went smoothly yesterday; she was sedated and slept well through the night. She also ate food, which is a good sign.

The bad news is that the surgeon said she is not willing to walk, which is normal after hip replacement, especially for a puppy. They have tried to tempt her to walk on the leash but she does not want to move even her front legs.

I can’t imagine the reason why—whether the pain is holding her back (she’s on paid meds), whether she has other physical problems holding her back, whether it’s a canine mental block of some sort or whether it’s some other reason.

She won't be able to come home today as we had hoped. The surgeon said that they will be keeping her at least until Friday for observation because she is not ambulating. Obviously, we are all disappointed. Please pray for her healing, and that she would start walking!

Thank you!


"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice." Psalm 51:8

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