Thoughts on Today (and Yesterday)

Elisha had his knee surgery yesterday and they told us everything went perfect. That's great news I know, but man the recovery ahead of us is daunting. Six to eight weeks on crutches and the physical therapy they have asked us to begin today hurts a bit. Good times.

The tv has been on non-stop today and is beginning to drive me nuts.

(yesterday, after being home an hour or two)

Because Elisha couldn't eat yesterday until after his surgery, we all - including Bethany - fasted with him until he could eat too. Unfortunately Bethany had bad headache and stomach ache afterward which lasted through this morning. She conned her dad into staying home today too and if wasn't for the fact that she wouldn't/couldn't eat anything until early afternoon I would have called her a faker since she begged all week long to stay home with Elisha the day after his surgery and I kept telling her no.

Despite the fact that Bethany stayed home when I believe she probably didn't need to Elisha kept asking for her to come and sit in the room with him, so I guess he needed her after all.

(Bethany yesterday, after I took Elisha's photo, doing her best to look pathetic too)

Elisha is still in a lot of pain and taking two pain pills at a time. I'm not a big fan of pain meds but it's better than seeing him cry, which is what he was doing along with being extremely emotional until we upped it (per doctor's permission).

Elisha's knee is in a brace that keeps it straight and will keep it that way for the six to eight weeks he's on the crutches. He'll be home again tomorrow as he has to keep it elevated for 48 hours which will not end until 5:30 pm tomorrow. Which means tomorrow will be a juggle for Yohn and I as we try to balance who will be home with him at what times.

Track started today but Elisha will miss the entire season and he's a bit sad about that. Bethany missed her first day of practice as well because 1) she stayed home "sick" and 2) Elisha could not be left home alone and since Yohn was working this afternoon I couldn't go anywhere with her.

(Elisha today during his afternoon nap)

Elisha got a new pillow case (you can see in the pictures above) from the hospital that someone sews and donates to the kids. He thinks it's pretty awesome.

Because Elisha has to have his medicine every four hours, it's gonna be another long night as I will need to wake up to give that to him. Fun times I tell ya, fun times.

And just so you know, this post is not meant to complain. Not at all. we are blessed beyond blessed and have a great many things to be thankful for. I just needed a way to process my thoughts and what's been going on.

Although, we still appreciate your prayers!

Twelve

Well, his birthday has come and gone and a few weeks have passed now, but I still wanted to get this post completed. It sat in the drafts for a while, waiting for his dad and I to put the finishing touches on his 12 year old letter.

Yep, that's right, he's twelve now. Crazy how that just sneaks up on you. He mentioned not too long ago that he can't wait to learn to drive. Yeah... I better not blink because it'll be here before I'm ready.

Elisha,

We love you son! Thank you for being the amazing young man you are. Even when adolescence creeps up on us and you just can't control your tongue, you surprise me with sincere apologies and hugs. When many of your friends seem to just be naturally rude, you do care about how things are said and do not like it when it seems that you are misunderstood. Your passion can be a good thing, if utilized properly.

It's neat to see the man you are becoming, you have a bright future son. And whether your future is to play in the NBA, or be a cop, or in the ministry we pray that you'll always follow God's leading and His perfect will and plan for your life. Also the fact that you love Jesus and are truly doing your best to follow Him makes us incredibly proud. Many kids think they know it all when they grow up in the church, especially being a pastor's kid, and you keep wanting to learn, even spending time in the Bible by yourself. That in itself is extremely awesome.

We love you so much!

Dad and Mom   

UPDATE: Today

UPDATE: As of today (Wednesday evening) the fire is about 80% contained. We've been warned it can only take a small breeze to get it going again though. People have been allowed back into their homes. No lives were lost and neither were their any "deaths of horses" as Bethany put it. Only one structure caught fire and burned.

Bethany has been checking on this constantly morning and night to see what was going on and what new pictures there were. I'm sure as soon as we are able we'll head up to see the damage.

*    *    *    *    *

Today we watched the sky fill with smoke as a fire started on our favorite mountain. The one nearby where we hike and camp and explore as a family.

This is the view from the overpass, which is walking distance from our house. This is when it had burned 400 acres and had 175 firefighters trying to stop it. It was estimated at 20% contained at the time (about 7 pm).

I just checked the website at 9:30 pm, and it's now at 800 acres with over 250 firefighters battling it. It's already doubled in size and is estimated at 10% contained. People have been evacuated, but thankfully no homes destroyed. 

Please pray, the mountain is really only a stone's throw away. We know people in that area, we know of a ministry in that area, our family loves to visit this area and take our children's friends along for the adventure.

I know it's not much compared to the fires over the summer, especially the one that burned out of control in Colorado. But it's so close to home. We were just up there for a family trip over Labor Day Weekend and it is very, very dry up there. 

When I took these pictures, Bethany wanted to know why I would want a photo of the "horror" as she put it. Yes, she's a little bit worried herself. Although I think she was more worried about the horses, as there are many horse ranches at the foot of the mountain, until I explained to her how the fireman were in danger and people may lose their homes. Then she really began to realize how bad this could be. It wasn't just about our favorite little spot getting "ruined". It was about people. 

Pray for wisdom and safety for the firefighters. Pray for those operating the helicopters. Pray for the people evacuating. Pray for the police officers guiding and directing the people evacuating. Pray for those that open homes and those that minister to the evacuees.

Thank you. 

She's 10

My baby is ten today. Well, maybe by the time you read this it will actually be tomorrow, but right now it's still technically her birthday, especially since technically she joined the world at 7:58 pm on this day ten years ago.

We had her party on Saturday, which I'll post about later since I am oh so behind on this here bloggin' anyway. Although if you're around here much you're probably figured out I was behind since I'm still throwing in posts from our vacation at the beginning of July. Ah well, only so much time to give to bloggin'.

She had to have a picture with the pup who soon won't really be able to be called a pup anymore either. They grow so fast these kiddos and puppies. :)

Cupcakes in classroom. It might be the last year for it since she is in fifth grade and next year might not want us to pop in with treats for friends. You just never know though. At this point Elisha is insisting we will still come for his birthday in February.

(oh and I'll be posting first day of school/back to school photos too soon I hope. You didn't miss it, I promise)

She chose dinner at Chik Fil A this year. Of all the choices... ah well, she is only a child once and will probably look back on this fondly.

We played her new Simon game right there in the restaurant!

Elisha's gift to her. It was too big to take inside with us, LOL!

Birthday money from her party well spent at Toys R Us.

My Beautiful Child,

I can't believe how fast the past ten years have flown by! You've looked forward to being ten for some time now as you watched your brother gain some independence with the maturity being ten brings. Although I will caution you not to wish it away. Some day you'll realize just how quickly time flies, and how much easier it was to be this young. 

It is our prayer that you keep your eyes focused on the Lord and always be you. I know you have already ran into a few people who have tried to convince you to be something that you are not and have boldly resisted. I pray you will always find the courage to stand up for what is right, even when everyone around you is not. "...seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God..." Micah 6:8 (and a favorite verse from the song Courageous). 

You are such a wonderful part of our lives and I am so thankful to be your mom. Your dad and I couldn't be prouder of you! 

WE LOVE YOU!

Mom and Dad

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

I Needed This Tonight

I was listening to Air 1 tonight and this song came on. I may have heard it before because it seemed like I knew the words, but it was just so powerful and exactly what I needed to hear tonight. Hope you enjoy it too!

Gardening God's Way

I just got this in my e-mail and loved it and thought I'd share it.

Gardening God's Way

Plant three rows of peas:

Peace of mind - Romans 14:5

Peace of heart - Acts 15:9

Peace of soul - 1 Peter 1:22

Plant four rows of squash:

Squash gossip - Lev 19:16

Squash selfishness - Luke 18:11-14

Squash grumbling - John 6:43, James 5:9

Squash indifference - Mark 14:32 - 41

Plant five rows of lettuce:

Lettuce be kind - 1 Peter 2:1-3

Lettuce be faithful - Dan 3:16-18

Lettuce be obedient - 1 John 3:22

Lettuce love one another - John 3:16

Lettuce financially support our church - Mal 3:6-12

No garden can be without turnips:

Turnip for service - Acts 3:1

Turnip for meetings - Heb 10:25

Turnip to help one another - Rom 12:13

We must have Thyme:

Thyme for God - Psalm 3:1-8

Thyme for prayer - Psalm 54:4

Thyme for each other - John 15:12-14

Thyme for Bible study - Ezra 7-10

Author Unknown

If Only...

If only I were a computer genius, I wouldn't have been minus one computer for a week and a half.

If only I would have realized just how much I was going to lose off of my computer and backed up my screen saver pictures too. Now I have to go through all my pictures again to have them just as organized as before. *SIGH*

If only my husband realized that when I giggle at him and how he talks with his wisdom teeth problems that I am not laughing but with him *wink, wink*.

If only he also realized how big my smile was this morning as he stumbled through the house after getting all four wisdom teeth removed and that that smile was a sign of just how much he was loved.

If only my kids would stop growing so quickly.

If only I wouldn't stumble about in my Christian walk and wonder if I'm really where I'm supposed to be. But I guess the moment I finally "arrive" at that fact I'll probably be dead and none of it will matter anymore.

If only I could put a cap on my mouth when talking to my children and really think about the things I want to say before allowing them to come out.

If only...

Praying For Your Kids

I got this in my e-mail today and thought I would share:

Praying for Your Kids

Col. 4:12: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondslave of Christ Jesus, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (NIV).

As we tackle the details of life, we may neglect the most important thing-praying for our kids. Do you find yourself too distracted or exhausted to pray? Perhaps your prayers have become a bit routine? Paul gives us an example of a great prayer warrior in Epaphras. What does it mean to "labor fervently" in prayer? The Greek word used here is agoonizomenos (the English word is agonize) and describes the struggle of an athlete as he competes. It implores us to throw ourselves into prayer with persistence, discipline, and zeal.

Imagine if we invested as much time and effort praying for our kids as we spend on their sports activities--buying uniforms and equipment, going to their practices, and cheering them on at games!

Follow the example of Epaphras in praying fervently for your kids.


Wow! As a parent who spends a lot of time at her kids' sporting events this one totally hit home and I wanted to share it here. Prayer is the only defense we have against the wordly influence on our kids' lives. If we are not fighting for them in prayer then who is?

Clouds

I'm beginning to notice that I really enjoy looking at the clouds. Well, not the monster storm clouds, but the fluffy white ones.

I'm also beginning to notice that they don't photograph so easily.

Or at least, I don't have the knowledge of how to photograph them so well.

Still, I like to try. Remember this picture from our Oregon vacation last year? It's one of my favorites.

"...and then shall they see the Son of Man
coming in the clouds with great power and glory."

Mark 13:26