Just a quick update:
Andrew is doing okay. He is very tired and not feeling like himself, but we are still working on getting his thyroid medicine right. And he has increased his seizure meds to where they were before the insurance gave us fits. He is working hard and running hard. His days start well before 6:00 am, so I am glad spring break is coming soon for him! He can rest and watch Net Flix and rest some more!
Peter got his leg brace today. It fits from the top of his lower leg to the end of his foot. It will keep his leg/foot straight so his foot will continue to be in the proper position for healing or to keep it healed! We were fortunate to get to Hickory and back before it started snowing...again. So now, it can pour. We got that checked off the big list! Peter goes to DECA on Sunday, and we will miss him. He will be back Wednesday. His senior year is flying by way too fast. He goes back to the foot doctor mid-March to see if his foot has healed.
Will got a new bike...again. Only this child could sell his bike and then buy another - in an ICE STORM! I had to fuss at him for wheeling and dealing on his own. It is a pretty bike, and I hope it stays around for a little while! We have talked and walked and talked about settling down and being satisfied with what we have. It's a problem a lot of us have these days - we need that good deal! (It runs in my family - not naming any names!)
Sam is doing well. He has a long check list that he is not aware of...yet. It consists (and is still in my head) of all of the things that bother me. The things he is behind in, the learning difficulties he has, the goals he has not met. I am just going to tackle them - with God's help. His sugars have been mostly good. He has a little cough but has not been sick. We are so thankful for that! He said one night out of the blue recently (I put it on FB already) that I would not have to remind him in Heaven to check his blood sugar because his pancreas would work! He understands more than we think! And what a great reminder!
Pete is not sure when he will be going on another long trip - maybe not until fall. So I have started bugging him about finishing up the bathrooms and moving on to some other projects! Will is still on standby too!
I cried all the way to work the other morning. Pete drove because it was pretty icy. A song came on, and I don't remember which one it was, and I just had tears rolling down my cheeks. Pete prayed with me and for me. He reminded me to keep casting all of those cares and worries. And I keep trying. It felt good to have reminders everywhere in the past two days that HE is with me. There were so many things that I know were sent from Him directly to me - reminders of how He cares and how He provides.
Today, I heard a Quick Word with Beth Moore THREE times! The scripture was Jeremiah 33:6-16. I am going to go back and read it a few more times. There was a reason I heard her three times today when I miss her most days.
There are so many things that make my heart heavy - so much sickness and so much sadness. I have been reminded over and over that He is in control. He loves us and cares for us. I praise Him because of Who He is!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Jumping Over the Stumblers!
The other day I read a devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada. She was writing about “Insults” and how she felt indignant about the way she had been treated in an airport. She referenced I Peter 2:23 which tells of Jesus not retaliating when insults were hurled at Him. He “entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
When someone hurts my feelings, it is easy for me to feel sorry for myself. Then instead of hurting them back, I want to drop “hints” that what they said did not bother me! I have wasted a lot of time on this quest, which probably never turned out the way I wanted or intended. I thought if I was not hurting back but let them know they did not bother me, the hurt would not cut so deeply or hurt so much. But it hurt me more and took up even more of my valuable time. Jesus did not waste His precious time on this earth. Should I?
I find when I am in the middle of a crisis, I do not have time to second guess what someone meant when they wrote me a note or sent me an email or made a comment. I don’t have time!!!! My time is spent on whatever the crisis is. Maybe later, I think back and wonder; but during the time, I simply don’t have time! Instead, during those times, I draw nearer to the One who never hurts me but simply loves and helps me. I draw nearer to the One who loves me the most. Why should I care about others?
I guess because I am human? My first reaction is to retaliate – whether it is to hurt back or to be passive and make sure the person knows they did not hurt me. Maybe they did not mean to hurt me or be insensitive in the first place. I have had people tell me that they could not be me. It was not in a flattering way. It was telling me that they could not deal with some of the things I deal with. They may have meant it as a compliment, but it made me feel even more burdened with my already heavy burdens. This is when I am looking at ME instead of Him. I can be so overly sensitive and can make up things that are not even there! Who has time for that?
So there are ones who maybe mean to be encouraging but do not come across that way if they are not good with words or I am overly sensitive. Then, there are the ones who are really out to get me!
What to do about those? I am fortunate to have had very little in the way of purposeful discouragers. Along the way, I have wondered at some people who wanted to make sure I knew my children were not perfect. And it is hard when it has to do with children. But some of the comments and consistency of the discouragement made it seem very much on purpose. I tried to look at what I did and said and tried to see if I somehow was doing or saying something I should not. After that, I had to pray and move on and hope not to be around the person quite so much. Sometimes I was around them for years! But being on the other side now, it was a good lesson for me in how not to let those things bother me.
Then were the ones who picked at everything I did like it was their mission in life to point out anything I did wrong and make sure everyone knew about it. That is hard to live with for long periods of time. Thankfully, none of this happened at home. So home was a good respite, refuge, and rejuvenating place. I literally let people steal my joy! Who has time for that?
Sometimes it can be hard and blatant, and sometimes it is easier to ignore and go on. What Joni reminded me of was a different perspective. Do I need to spend time in some kind of retaliation? Or can I just pray and leave it up to the One who judges justly?
Sometimes I know I need to speak up – and for me, it would more likely be on someone else’s behalf. But most of the time, I just need to pray and trust. Instead of knowing it bothers me and using my energy to fight, I need to acknowledge it bothers me (because it sure does!) and take joy in letting it roll off of me. I can do that too. If I remember. I sure do remember faster and better when I am in His Word and can see things as they are. In this world, things are not clear to us. But in the spiritual warfare and darkness, there is Light. If I run to the Light, I can see better than if I stay over in my “feel sorry for myself” corner and feel crushed.
I need to look around. Do I make “jabs” at people who hurt me or discourage me? Do I waste time on this stuff? Do I have that time to waste?
One week I had one child in the hospital newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I begged God more than once on my children’s behalf. “Not seizures, Lord, we cannot deal with that!” “Not diabetes, Lord, I already have this other child with so many things wrong.” “Please no seizures this week, Lord, I am so tired.” I can be very specific in my begging. And I know He hears me. And I try not to whine, but sometimes…
That week, my oldest had a seizure before going to bed; so I put him in bed with me. Near midnight, he started talking about his Geometry test and talking out of his head. Then came the bad seizure followed by another. I was helpless. I was scared. I was at the end of me. The ambulance came, and my son was scooped up and taken. When I last saw him, he was not breathing. I jumped in my clothes and yelled instructions at my two younger sons and took off to follow them to the hospital, all the while praying (very loudly) out loud. Fortunately, he was okay. But I will never ever forget how that felt – feeling totally helpless. Yet, I could still cry out to the One who loves me most.
So can I take some of the petty stuff that comes my way? I admit it’s harder when it comes from a friend instead of an acquaintance. But can I overlook it because they have bad days too that are overwhelming? Maybe they did not realize what they said or did. Maybe they needed to blow off some steam or transfer some hurt with or without knowing it. Is it enough to ruin my day or my week or my year? Not anymore (I hope). I want to be like Joni who wants to model Christ. Leave it to the One who judges justly. And go on and not waste time!
When someone hurts my feelings, it is easy for me to feel sorry for myself. Then instead of hurting them back, I want to drop “hints” that what they said did not bother me! I have wasted a lot of time on this quest, which probably never turned out the way I wanted or intended. I thought if I was not hurting back but let them know they did not bother me, the hurt would not cut so deeply or hurt so much. But it hurt me more and took up even more of my valuable time. Jesus did not waste His precious time on this earth. Should I?
I find when I am in the middle of a crisis, I do not have time to second guess what someone meant when they wrote me a note or sent me an email or made a comment. I don’t have time!!!! My time is spent on whatever the crisis is. Maybe later, I think back and wonder; but during the time, I simply don’t have time! Instead, during those times, I draw nearer to the One who never hurts me but simply loves and helps me. I draw nearer to the One who loves me the most. Why should I care about others?
I guess because I am human? My first reaction is to retaliate – whether it is to hurt back or to be passive and make sure the person knows they did not hurt me. Maybe they did not mean to hurt me or be insensitive in the first place. I have had people tell me that they could not be me. It was not in a flattering way. It was telling me that they could not deal with some of the things I deal with. They may have meant it as a compliment, but it made me feel even more burdened with my already heavy burdens. This is when I am looking at ME instead of Him. I can be so overly sensitive and can make up things that are not even there! Who has time for that?
So there are ones who maybe mean to be encouraging but do not come across that way if they are not good with words or I am overly sensitive. Then, there are the ones who are really out to get me!
What to do about those? I am fortunate to have had very little in the way of purposeful discouragers. Along the way, I have wondered at some people who wanted to make sure I knew my children were not perfect. And it is hard when it has to do with children. But some of the comments and consistency of the discouragement made it seem very much on purpose. I tried to look at what I did and said and tried to see if I somehow was doing or saying something I should not. After that, I had to pray and move on and hope not to be around the person quite so much. Sometimes I was around them for years! But being on the other side now, it was a good lesson for me in how not to let those things bother me.
Then were the ones who picked at everything I did like it was their mission in life to point out anything I did wrong and make sure everyone knew about it. That is hard to live with for long periods of time. Thankfully, none of this happened at home. So home was a good respite, refuge, and rejuvenating place. I literally let people steal my joy! Who has time for that?
Sometimes it can be hard and blatant, and sometimes it is easier to ignore and go on. What Joni reminded me of was a different perspective. Do I need to spend time in some kind of retaliation? Or can I just pray and leave it up to the One who judges justly?
Sometimes I know I need to speak up – and for me, it would more likely be on someone else’s behalf. But most of the time, I just need to pray and trust. Instead of knowing it bothers me and using my energy to fight, I need to acknowledge it bothers me (because it sure does!) and take joy in letting it roll off of me. I can do that too. If I remember. I sure do remember faster and better when I am in His Word and can see things as they are. In this world, things are not clear to us. But in the spiritual warfare and darkness, there is Light. If I run to the Light, I can see better than if I stay over in my “feel sorry for myself” corner and feel crushed.
I need to look around. Do I make “jabs” at people who hurt me or discourage me? Do I waste time on this stuff? Do I have that time to waste?
One week I had one child in the hospital newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I begged God more than once on my children’s behalf. “Not seizures, Lord, we cannot deal with that!” “Not diabetes, Lord, I already have this other child with so many things wrong.” “Please no seizures this week, Lord, I am so tired.” I can be very specific in my begging. And I know He hears me. And I try not to whine, but sometimes…
That week, my oldest had a seizure before going to bed; so I put him in bed with me. Near midnight, he started talking about his Geometry test and talking out of his head. Then came the bad seizure followed by another. I was helpless. I was scared. I was at the end of me. The ambulance came, and my son was scooped up and taken. When I last saw him, he was not breathing. I jumped in my clothes and yelled instructions at my two younger sons and took off to follow them to the hospital, all the while praying (very loudly) out loud. Fortunately, he was okay. But I will never ever forget how that felt – feeling totally helpless. Yet, I could still cry out to the One who loves me most.
So can I take some of the petty stuff that comes my way? I admit it’s harder when it comes from a friend instead of an acquaintance. But can I overlook it because they have bad days too that are overwhelming? Maybe they did not realize what they said or did. Maybe they needed to blow off some steam or transfer some hurt with or without knowing it. Is it enough to ruin my day or my week or my year? Not anymore (I hope). I want to be like Joni who wants to model Christ. Leave it to the One who judges justly. And go on and not waste time!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
February Cruise 2013
Pete called me January 2nd on my way back from taking Peter to the foot doctor in Charlotte. I had been so sick the night before that I was not sure I could make the trip to take him, but it was too late to cancel. So my dad went with us in case I could not go in. On our way back, I felt a little better but was happy to almost be home. He was surprised when he told me he had been offered a free cruise at work and I did not act extremely excited! I was not excited about ANYTHING that day. But as I felt better, I was so excited. Until I realized that Andrew could not go...nor Peter. Then I began to feel pulled and very worried. I prayed about it, and friends and family encouraged us to go on. So I began to plan...
I left phone numbers with everyone I could think of who may need them - teachers, professors, friends, family, etc. I shared phone numbers with people who were probably wondering why I thought they may need them! But everyone was gracious and helpful and encouraging. My parents insisted on coming to stay the week at my house, so that helped a lot. Still, I was worried that no one here would be on high alert for Andrew as it seems I always am.
We took off last Saturday morning for Florida. We had planned to go Friday night and spend Saturday at Disney World with our other child I am always on high alert for. He has wanted to go back to "Mickey Mouse's House", and I think he should be able to go - with all he goes through. But after fighting over Andrew's seizure medicine with our insurance company for two days straight (again...), I was exhausted and behind in my packing and preparing. Sam said he was fine with stopping somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese because Chuck E. was fun too! Bless his little heart (which makes me want to take him to WDW even more before he gets much older!).
We stopped at Chuck E. Cheese in South Carolina at lunch time on a Saturday. This one was small and had about five birthday parties going on and did NOT have one single Pac Man game! Pete and Will blasted all of the records on basketball while Sam came to me for more coins to play more games. He had a great 1 1/2 hours. I wish I had brought a book, but I enjoyed watching the boys play basketball and Sam running around oblivious to the big crowds which usually overwhelm him.
We got to Jacksonville to find the "hot pool" was not working - or was working with cold water. Oh well. We got up Sunday morning to go to church and hear a pastor Pete works with quite a bit over the phone but had never met in person. Great service and great music. We sat upstairs at Sam's request and ended up sitting where someone signs the service. Everyone was very friendly and happy that we were there. We were invited to lunch but ended up going to Pete's favorite place - The Waffle House - right near our hotel. The hotel was beautiful and had a pool right in the lobby.
One thing I noticed at the hotel was a number of Mennonite couples. They were actually going on the cruise, so it was interesting to me to observe them the whole week. I don't know if any were Amish, but some were definitely dressed more conservatively than the others.
On Monday morning. we took off for the airport. Pete had gone before us to help, so we made a quick trip to Walgreens to kill some time and get a magazine and Sam a small toy (he gets so excited over anything). We also got some chocolate which came in handy later in the week! Then off to the port we went!
We found the port and parked and were greeted by someone to help with our luggage. I made sure we had the luggage tags on each piece and regretted leaving my matching bright ribbon at home. We had luggage tags, but I like to spot all of mine easily together with polka dotted or gingham ribbon. Black suitcases start to look alike when piled together! We got our carry on bags and made it into the port with our ID's, birth certificates, and other paperwork. We were fortunate to get seated at a great time and did not have to wait long to board. In the meantime, Sam turned gray; so I got a snack for him while Will got him some water. He perked back up quickly from a 51.
After boarding the ship, Will helped us get settled at a window table right near the pool but in the shade. I stayed with our bags as Will and Sam went to get something to eat. Tons of people were pouring in, so they were gone a little while. Sam came back with his lunch that Will had gotten him and started eating. Will finally came back, and I dreaded the long line. But Will had gotten TWO lunches and asked me which I wanted! What a great young man. So we sat and ate and people watched. Will took Sam off to explore the ship while we waited to check into our cabin. I read my book - and shared our extra chairs and eventually our table with some people still trying to figure out the process.
We got to our cabin and unpacked just what we thought we would need. By the time Pete got there in early afternoon, we were organized and had our luggage against one wall. We went to our emergency training session and found our muster station and got Sam his ship bracelet. We checked out the water park up on the deck, the putt putt, the walking track, the gym, etc.
Every morning I got up and walked. I walked on the outside track unless the wind was too bad. Then I walked at the gym at the front of the ship on a treadmill with a window looking out onto the ocean with its own TV! Walking goes a lot faster when I am watching a favorite show or on the deck of a moving ship!
We went into Freeport when the ship stopped, but it was not the same as Nassau. We only stayed about 30 minutes and boarded again. On Wednesday, we boarded a boat being tossed around by waves to get to the private island of Half Moon Cay. Someone had told Pete to splurge and get a cabana which helped us be on the first boat over with very little waiting AND have a quiet little place out of the sun but right near the water. We also had the bath house right up behind us! We swam in the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen and saw the whitest, softest sand. We had hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch and stayed all day. It was beautiful. I got to swim and read and watch the parasailing. We also had a group of people right near us who got into the water with all of their clothes on - shoes included- and stayed for long periods of time. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, and I think they may have been Mennonites too. Sam spent his whole day building a ship out of sand and digging the biggest hole he could. My children love to dig holes in the sand! It was a great day, and we returned to the ship with a good tired and a little bit of sunburn!
On Thursday, Valentine's Day, we got off at Nassau. I went "purse shopping" with the best and ended up having a great hour watching how the sellers and buyers interact. I like to keep a pocket book until it wears out. I don't have a closet full of them. And if I pick up one at TJ Maxx that I like, it is always one of the $89.99 ones or more! I was very happy with the one I found and am excited to change from my Vera Bradley that desperately needs a break! I met Pete and the boys at an ice cream store - they had gone to the Straw Market. Pete was happy I finally found my Valentine's Day gift. We headed back to the ship and did not do any other excursions though we heard the aquarium in Atlantis was wonderful.
On Friday, we were to be at sea the whole day returning to Jacksonville sometime during the night or early morning. It was chilly and rainy which does not bother me a bit, but the ship was rocking a little which had really started to get to me. Then we heard an announcement that there was a medical emergency and we would need to port at Port Canaveral. Sam and I went up to the walking track and watched as they took a couple of people off the boat. We had already prayed for them. We stayed out until the ship got going again - it was chilly out there!
We ate breakfast Friday morning in the dining room. We had only gone to the formal dining room a few times, but our waiter knew Sam's name and had picked up on the fact that he is diabetic. He went the extra mile to offer him things not on the menu. He sought us out and said bye to Sam. Sam was excited to tell Peter that "that man knew my name!"
We loaded our car and were happy to see it still the same as we left it. We saw other people excitedly getting out of their cars to begin their cruise! We stopped to get gas and a quick bite to eat, and I drove way into South Carolina before we stopped again. It was hard not to stop at a couple of places that had outlets right off the interstate for my convenience! But I was anxious to get home to Andrew and Peter. We stopped and took another quick break and went on. In Charlotte we hit rain then snow, fog, and ice! Fortunately, 85 South kept moving, and we got off in Gastonia to hit 321. That is when I turned over the keys and decided that Richard Petty was tired. Pete drove us into Hickory where the snow disappeared. We did not see any more until later in the evening!
We got home to some very excited people to see us - mostly Sam, but that is totally okay! While Pete went to clean one of his places (yes, he is crazy sometimes!), I got my stuff all unpacked and started a load of laundry. It began to snow more and more.
I noticed my house was a little brighter than I had left it! The windows are shining. Andrew evidently had his own personal transportation to and from school most days - my dad. I have not figured out all they did yet, but they stocked our fridge. And my mom made my favorite chocolate cake from scratch! We are so thankful they stayed with the boys and did so much with them and for us!
I will write more later on some of the preaching I heard on the ship. Two totally different preachers with two totally different styles gave basically the same message one day on not worrying - that God goes before us and makes a way. The music I listened to was great, but the preaching and teaching really hit home. I came back reminded of things that I needed reminders of! I also wrote down some quotes from one preacher I cannot wait to share with our preacher, but I am pretty sure since they are not his style he cannot use them!
We are very thankful for this mid-winter trip and for the memories we made. And we are so thankful to be home and back together as a family. Thanks for all of the prayers!
I left phone numbers with everyone I could think of who may need them - teachers, professors, friends, family, etc. I shared phone numbers with people who were probably wondering why I thought they may need them! But everyone was gracious and helpful and encouraging. My parents insisted on coming to stay the week at my house, so that helped a lot. Still, I was worried that no one here would be on high alert for Andrew as it seems I always am.
We took off last Saturday morning for Florida. We had planned to go Friday night and spend Saturday at Disney World with our other child I am always on high alert for. He has wanted to go back to "Mickey Mouse's House", and I think he should be able to go - with all he goes through. But after fighting over Andrew's seizure medicine with our insurance company for two days straight (again...), I was exhausted and behind in my packing and preparing. Sam said he was fine with stopping somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese because Chuck E. was fun too! Bless his little heart (which makes me want to take him to WDW even more before he gets much older!).
We stopped at Chuck E. Cheese in South Carolina at lunch time on a Saturday. This one was small and had about five birthday parties going on and did NOT have one single Pac Man game! Pete and Will blasted all of the records on basketball while Sam came to me for more coins to play more games. He had a great 1 1/2 hours. I wish I had brought a book, but I enjoyed watching the boys play basketball and Sam running around oblivious to the big crowds which usually overwhelm him.
We got to Jacksonville to find the "hot pool" was not working - or was working with cold water. Oh well. We got up Sunday morning to go to church and hear a pastor Pete works with quite a bit over the phone but had never met in person. Great service and great music. We sat upstairs at Sam's request and ended up sitting where someone signs the service. Everyone was very friendly and happy that we were there. We were invited to lunch but ended up going to Pete's favorite place - The Waffle House - right near our hotel. The hotel was beautiful and had a pool right in the lobby.
One thing I noticed at the hotel was a number of Mennonite couples. They were actually going on the cruise, so it was interesting to me to observe them the whole week. I don't know if any were Amish, but some were definitely dressed more conservatively than the others.
On Monday morning. we took off for the airport. Pete had gone before us to help, so we made a quick trip to Walgreens to kill some time and get a magazine and Sam a small toy (he gets so excited over anything). We also got some chocolate which came in handy later in the week! Then off to the port we went!
We found the port and parked and were greeted by someone to help with our luggage. I made sure we had the luggage tags on each piece and regretted leaving my matching bright ribbon at home. We had luggage tags, but I like to spot all of mine easily together with polka dotted or gingham ribbon. Black suitcases start to look alike when piled together! We got our carry on bags and made it into the port with our ID's, birth certificates, and other paperwork. We were fortunate to get seated at a great time and did not have to wait long to board. In the meantime, Sam turned gray; so I got a snack for him while Will got him some water. He perked back up quickly from a 51.
After boarding the ship, Will helped us get settled at a window table right near the pool but in the shade. I stayed with our bags as Will and Sam went to get something to eat. Tons of people were pouring in, so they were gone a little while. Sam came back with his lunch that Will had gotten him and started eating. Will finally came back, and I dreaded the long line. But Will had gotten TWO lunches and asked me which I wanted! What a great young man. So we sat and ate and people watched. Will took Sam off to explore the ship while we waited to check into our cabin. I read my book - and shared our extra chairs and eventually our table with some people still trying to figure out the process.
We got to our cabin and unpacked just what we thought we would need. By the time Pete got there in early afternoon, we were organized and had our luggage against one wall. We went to our emergency training session and found our muster station and got Sam his ship bracelet. We checked out the water park up on the deck, the putt putt, the walking track, the gym, etc.
Every morning I got up and walked. I walked on the outside track unless the wind was too bad. Then I walked at the gym at the front of the ship on a treadmill with a window looking out onto the ocean with its own TV! Walking goes a lot faster when I am watching a favorite show or on the deck of a moving ship!
We went into Freeport when the ship stopped, but it was not the same as Nassau. We only stayed about 30 minutes and boarded again. On Wednesday, we boarded a boat being tossed around by waves to get to the private island of Half Moon Cay. Someone had told Pete to splurge and get a cabana which helped us be on the first boat over with very little waiting AND have a quiet little place out of the sun but right near the water. We also had the bath house right up behind us! We swam in the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen and saw the whitest, softest sand. We had hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch and stayed all day. It was beautiful. I got to swim and read and watch the parasailing. We also had a group of people right near us who got into the water with all of their clothes on - shoes included- and stayed for long periods of time. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, and I think they may have been Mennonites too. Sam spent his whole day building a ship out of sand and digging the biggest hole he could. My children love to dig holes in the sand! It was a great day, and we returned to the ship with a good tired and a little bit of sunburn!
On Thursday, Valentine's Day, we got off at Nassau. I went "purse shopping" with the best and ended up having a great hour watching how the sellers and buyers interact. I like to keep a pocket book until it wears out. I don't have a closet full of them. And if I pick up one at TJ Maxx that I like, it is always one of the $89.99 ones or more! I was very happy with the one I found and am excited to change from my Vera Bradley that desperately needs a break! I met Pete and the boys at an ice cream store - they had gone to the Straw Market. Pete was happy I finally found my Valentine's Day gift. We headed back to the ship and did not do any other excursions though we heard the aquarium in Atlantis was wonderful.
On Friday, we were to be at sea the whole day returning to Jacksonville sometime during the night or early morning. It was chilly and rainy which does not bother me a bit, but the ship was rocking a little which had really started to get to me. Then we heard an announcement that there was a medical emergency and we would need to port at Port Canaveral. Sam and I went up to the walking track and watched as they took a couple of people off the boat. We had already prayed for them. We stayed out until the ship got going again - it was chilly out there!
We ate breakfast Friday morning in the dining room. We had only gone to the formal dining room a few times, but our waiter knew Sam's name and had picked up on the fact that he is diabetic. He went the extra mile to offer him things not on the menu. He sought us out and said bye to Sam. Sam was excited to tell Peter that "that man knew my name!"
We loaded our car and were happy to see it still the same as we left it. We saw other people excitedly getting out of their cars to begin their cruise! We stopped to get gas and a quick bite to eat, and I drove way into South Carolina before we stopped again. It was hard not to stop at a couple of places that had outlets right off the interstate for my convenience! But I was anxious to get home to Andrew and Peter. We stopped and took another quick break and went on. In Charlotte we hit rain then snow, fog, and ice! Fortunately, 85 South kept moving, and we got off in Gastonia to hit 321. That is when I turned over the keys and decided that Richard Petty was tired. Pete drove us into Hickory where the snow disappeared. We did not see any more until later in the evening!
We got home to some very excited people to see us - mostly Sam, but that is totally okay! While Pete went to clean one of his places (yes, he is crazy sometimes!), I got my stuff all unpacked and started a load of laundry. It began to snow more and more.
I noticed my house was a little brighter than I had left it! The windows are shining. Andrew evidently had his own personal transportation to and from school most days - my dad. I have not figured out all they did yet, but they stocked our fridge. And my mom made my favorite chocolate cake from scratch! We are so thankful they stayed with the boys and did so much with them and for us!
I will write more later on some of the preaching I heard on the ship. Two totally different preachers with two totally different styles gave basically the same message one day on not worrying - that God goes before us and makes a way. The music I listened to was great, but the preaching and teaching really hit home. I came back reminded of things that I needed reminders of! I also wrote down some quotes from one preacher I cannot wait to share with our preacher, but I am pretty sure since they are not his style he cannot use them!
We are very thankful for this mid-winter trip and for the memories we made. And we are so thankful to be home and back together as a family. Thanks for all of the prayers!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Rough Night - February 1, 2013
Please pray for Andrew as he rides back from an indoor meet in Winston with the Appalachian team. He had a seizure and did not get to run. I don't know details, but it did not require medication; and he was talking soon after. They almost took him to the hospital though, so I am anxious to hear what happened. The coaches said he could ride with them. When Coach Weaver called, I was halfway ready to go out the door; but they said he seemed okay. So I did not go. He has texted me and said they were leaving.
I am so disappointed and frustrated. I am disappointed because he has worked hard and could not run. I am very frustrated that I have spent hours on the phone with insurance about his seizure meds (not the first round we have had over the years), and he could not get the dose his doctor prescribed. We should be able to get it next week. Since it is so expensive, we just had to wait. I told them he might have a seizure in the meantime, but they do not care. This has been a huge source of my anxiety - his medicine costs and the insurance's ability to deny whatever they want. So please pray we can get this handled or find an alternate source to help pay, so he can have what he needs.
We are thankful for those around Andrew who help him - so thankful. It's hard to not be there each time he needs us. Very very hard.
Thanks for praying for him. I hope to be picking him up within the hour - before more bad weather.
Andrew and I have spent a lot of time driving together this week in the ice and snow. We made it up and out our road Monday when it was a solid sheet of ice - praying the whole way! Pete could not get out of the flat driveway and ended up driving through the yard! Will told me that others took out mailboxes and landed in ditches. Yesterday, we got into town after a slick ride down the whole Deerfield Road. I talk the whole time - partly because I am a little nervous and partly to tell Andrew what I am doing. I love that my car has two low gears so I don't use my brakes much. And just this morning - through a lot of snow on the roads. We also had a time getting home Wednesday evening before the flooding got too bad. I picked up Andrew at practice and took him to his truck. He followed me home, and we got there just before our one way that was not blocked got too bad. He has been tired, but he has had a good week and really enjoys his classes.
It's just one of those nights to pray and keep turning things over. I don't like seizures, and I don't like dealing with insurance companies. And I really hurt for Andrew. So please pray for him and for the other situations - that we can just do what we need to do and let them go. Andrew is good at that.
Thanks so much. Be safe in the upcoming weather!
Wendi
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