I suggested yesterday to the doc that we measure the bump on Mike's head. I am hoping today when I measure it, it will be smaller and likewise when the doc measures again on Thursday we hope for smaller. Isn't it amazing that we often need just a few milimeters one way or the other to make a huge difference in our lives?
We can't, however, measure the ourpouring of love and kindness that has been shown to us. We can't measure the amount of love we have for our family and friends. We are so grateful for such an amazing support group. We feel your strength. If we could measure... our yard stick would reach far beyond the eternities.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Good news!
We visited with the doctor. The cultures are still inconclusive. The appearance of the infection is looking so much better. The surgeon sent Mike down for his last radiation treatment (since he missed the one on Friday due to being in the hospital.) We saw the radiation oncologist who agreed the infection (or whatever it is) is much, much better. We are so grateful that there hasn't had to be a surgery yet. God has again blessed us with peace. Thank you for your continuing prayers. Our Heavenly Father has listened and will continue to listen - and answer.
Something I read last night which was a blessing to me: "Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best - better than does God. Or, at least we are asserting that our timetable is better than his. Either way we are questioning the reality of God's omniscience..."
Something I read last night which was a blessing to me: "Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best - better than does God. Or, at least we are asserting that our timetable is better than his. Either way we are questioning the reality of God's omniscience..."
Making the most of each day
Each day is so precious to me. Yesterday, it was great to be able to work for half a day and attend a couple not-for-profit board meetings in the afternoon-evening. There is so much good to be done in the world and we have an opportunity to contribute to that good. I'm impressed by the quality of leadership and the sincere way in which volunteers and professionals serve our community. As this journey progresses, each day brings new opportunities to learn, but also new opportunities to serve. I love serving and hope each reading this finds some way to serve another person or organization today.
my dear companion serves me every day and provides encouragement and great hope. I thank her for this selfless devotion as it might be getting a little old after two and one half months. Enduring is a gift which she possesses. We head for the doctor's office in a bit to learn the next step of the journey.
my dear companion serves me every day and provides encouragement and great hope. I thank her for this selfless devotion as it might be getting a little old after two and one half months. Enduring is a gift which she possesses. We head for the doctor's office in a bit to learn the next step of the journey.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Organic eating...
Mike went to a couple of board meetings this afternoon and was asked if I would post some organic recipes that we like. Here are two of our favorites:
Lentil and Chicken Stew
3 t. olive oil
8 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces (I use free range chicken)
3/4 c. carrot
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 c. onion
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 c. organic chicken broth
1/2 c. lentils
1/2 c. brown basmati rice
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. fresh dill
Heat 1 t. olive oil in a pot. Add chicken. Stir fry 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add remaining olive oil, heat. Add carrot, garlic and onion that have been pulsed in a food processor. Saute in olive oil until aromatic (2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken broth. Heat to boiling. add rice and lentils. Reduce heat. Let simmer (covered) for 35 to 40 minutes or until rice is tender. Add diced chicken, lemon juice and dill. Cook till heated through. (Serves 4)
Mixed Berry Cobbler (I have adapted this recipe to organic)
8 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen) I like to use mostly blueberries, but it is also good with peaches.
1/2 c. Turbinado (raw sugar)
1/4 c. tapioca
juice of 1/2 lime
pinch of salt
Topping:
1 c. white wheat flour
1 c. raw coconut
1/4 c. Turbinado (raw sugar)
3/4 c. pecans (chopped)
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. cold organic butter
1 free range egg
Mix berries, sugar, tapioca, lime juice and salt. Let set in a bowl while making topping. Put all ingredients for topping in a food processor except egg. Pulse until mixture is course. Add egg and pulse just until it is incorporated. (You don't have to use a food processor. If not, mix ingredients together. Cut in butter. Knead in the egg.
Place fruit in a 2 qt. buttered dish and sprinkle crumbs over the top. Bake @ 375 for 45-50 minutes.
I usually make half of the recipe.
Lentil and Chicken Stew
3 t. olive oil
8 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces (I use free range chicken)
3/4 c. carrot
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 c. onion
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 c. organic chicken broth
1/2 c. lentils
1/2 c. brown basmati rice
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. fresh dill
Heat 1 t. olive oil in a pot. Add chicken. Stir fry 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add remaining olive oil, heat. Add carrot, garlic and onion that have been pulsed in a food processor. Saute in olive oil until aromatic (2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken broth. Heat to boiling. add rice and lentils. Reduce heat. Let simmer (covered) for 35 to 40 minutes or until rice is tender. Add diced chicken, lemon juice and dill. Cook till heated through. (Serves 4)
Mixed Berry Cobbler (I have adapted this recipe to organic)
8 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen) I like to use mostly blueberries, but it is also good with peaches.
1/2 c. Turbinado (raw sugar)
1/4 c. tapioca
juice of 1/2 lime
pinch of salt
Topping:
1 c. white wheat flour
1 c. raw coconut
1/4 c. Turbinado (raw sugar)
3/4 c. pecans (chopped)
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. cold organic butter
1 free range egg
Mix berries, sugar, tapioca, lime juice and salt. Let set in a bowl while making topping. Put all ingredients for topping in a food processor except egg. Pulse until mixture is course. Add egg and pulse just until it is incorporated. (You don't have to use a food processor. If not, mix ingredients together. Cut in butter. Knead in the egg.
Place fruit in a 2 qt. buttered dish and sprinkle crumbs over the top. Bake @ 375 for 45-50 minutes.
I usually make half of the recipe.
A Walk of Faith into a new week
This week will start with unknowns. We will contact the doctor this morning to see if there is any word on the type of infection I am harboring. We don't know if it is easily treatable or if I will face the surgery from last week. We will walk by faith and face decisions with confidence in the Lord's plan. It is a bit of a step into the darkness, but we know there is solid footing which we just cannot see yet.
It was nice to have the weekend at home with my sweetheart of 34 years! Actually she has been my sweetheart for 38 years, just married 34 of them. We were able to have a wonderful visit with close friends and have an anniversary dinner out on Saturday night, as well as worship at church yesterday. Nancy is an incredible woman and is facing this with courage and faith. I love her so very much and recognize that this journey is harder on her than on me. We walk hand in hand together.
Addendum: Just talked to the doctor's office. Mike will be seen tomorrow morning.
It was nice to have the weekend at home with my sweetheart of 34 years! Actually she has been my sweetheart for 38 years, just married 34 of them. We were able to have a wonderful visit with close friends and have an anniversary dinner out on Saturday night, as well as worship at church yesterday. Nancy is an incredible woman and is facing this with courage and faith. I love her so very much and recognize that this journey is harder on her than on me. We walk hand in hand together.
Addendum: Just talked to the doctor's office. Mike will be seen tomorrow morning.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!
Mike and I are celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary today! We are so grateful that Mike is home rather than in the hospital. We did go out to dinner last evening and today we will go to church (sit in the back and leave before anyone wants to shake hands,) take naps and perhaps make an appearance at our neighborhood picnic.
What an amazing 34 years we have shared together! We have had such an amazing journey together. We have loved each other to the fullest. My weaknesses are Mike's strength and vice versa (not that Mike has too many weaknesses!) We were meant to be a team. We have been blessed with incredible children. They have brought us such an extreme amount of joy. And now that we have added grandchildren to our family, we have even more joy. Our extended families have been loving, encouraging and helpful through out our lives together.
We have loved serving together in our family church,and community. We have established many, many lasting friendships over the last 34 years. How grateful we are for dear friends.
We plan on sharing many more anniversaries. I don't think I have ever loved Mike more than right now... Next year I'm sure I will love him even more...make that tomorrow!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Gratitude Attitude
I realize that title is not original, but I feel such gratitude this morning. I got a good night's sleep with a quiet sleeper, got some food in my belly last night, and there were no interruptions by nurses to take vitals during the night. Life is great!
We are so extremely grateful for a wise and well schooled surgeon who carefully considered options and researched potential outcomes before proceeding with surgery. We realize that we could be heading for OBX next week and, if this had not been caught, the infection could have had 3 weeks run in my body with potentially very dangerous consequences. Though we would love to have been on the beach, we are grateful that it was caught at this point.
We see the Lord's hand in this result and still know that He is in contol of what needs to happen. We but need to trust Him and follow His path as we are lead through this journey of life experience. We have learned so much about ourselves, our wonderful children and friends during the last 2 months. We pray that we continue to have the faith and courage to walk in His paths. Prayers of gratitude are appropriately offered for His guidance this past week. We also are so very grateful for each of you who diligently wade through this blog each day and offer loving support with your comments, thoughts, and prayers.
We are so extremely grateful for a wise and well schooled surgeon who carefully considered options and researched potential outcomes before proceeding with surgery. We realize that we could be heading for OBX next week and, if this had not been caught, the infection could have had 3 weeks run in my body with potentially very dangerous consequences. Though we would love to have been on the beach, we are grateful that it was caught at this point.
We see the Lord's hand in this result and still know that He is in contol of what needs to happen. We but need to trust Him and follow His path as we are lead through this journey of life experience. We have learned so much about ourselves, our wonderful children and friends during the last 2 months. We pray that we continue to have the faith and courage to walk in His paths. Prayers of gratitude are appropriately offered for His guidance this past week. We also are so very grateful for each of you who diligently wade through this blog each day and offer loving support with your comments, thoughts, and prayers.
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