Andrew's Knee

Please pray for Andrew this week.  His knee is killing him, and he has an MRI scheduled for Friday.  The PA we saw Friday told him he could keep doing what he could, so he is running in the pool and riding the bike at home.  He is starting to feel frustrated with it all.  I told the PA that I did not get Peter an MRI until he ran on a stress fracture for probably over a year, so he went ahead and set it up instead of waiting a few weeks.  I just did not feel like we should wait, since the summer is flying by and cross country will soon be upon us.  I also checked with Dr. Adams who thought that was a reasonable plan (and who checked on other joints and fevers which are all negative, thank goodness!).

Andrew is also finally over getting his wisdom teeth out!  He was so tired of a mushy and liquid diet!  We are glad to have that behind us now.  I don't think he will willingly eat pudding, ice cream, or applesauce anytime soon!

Sam is doing well.  He just finished his third grade reading camp - which was required of most children who were not reading on grade level at the end of third grade.  It was most of six weeks beginning Monday after school was out.  He rode the bus and loved that.  He has his birthday puppy a little early and loves Lucy.  She is a sweet little dog and has kept him quite busy for the last two weeks!  His blood sugars have been a little high the past few days after being pretty "normal" for a few days following some bad lows on several days/nights.  I am just happy we are not seeing 49's at bedtime that refuse to come up for hours.  I am sure a lot of it is because he is growing so much.  Dr. Parker will remind me of that when I take Sam in a couple of weeks.  He keeps warning me about age 10.  I think I have come to dread it a little bit!  It's hard enough for my baby to turn 10, so I don't need to add more diabetes stress and confusion to that age.  We will just keep checking him, praying a lot, and doing our best.

On another good note, I was trying to pay the boys' tuition and fees for fall last night and found that Andrew has an extra scholarship!  It's not big, but it helps a lot!  Since I worked in Admissions for over 20 years, and a lot of that was with scholarships, I recognized the name on the scholarship.  It's for students in his major with a certain gpa.  It is just one of those things that I know God threw in there, knowing I would see it and recognize it.  I know Deanne, Joe, Paul, Paula, Harry, Patrick, Cyn D., Treva, etc. would recognize it too and see how all of that comes together!  They would appreciate how much I appreciate it!  We waived their health insurance and now are waiting for that to process before we pay their bills (just a heads up to other Appalachian parents to get that waiver done before you pay!).

Peter is working hard every day on campus.  Will is working hard most days - somewhere.  He is literally everywhere, but his next big project (I hope!) is our new garage door for the basement.  I cannot believe school is about to start in just a few short weeks.  The summer is almost gone!  It's weird, but summer is my least favorite season; so it's okay.  I am just not ready for school yet.  My girls' (mommies) weekend is coming up, and we used to buy all of those little school clothes and church clothes when we went.  Not anymore!
My boys don't like having a ton of extra clothes, and they even buy a lot of their own now.  So it will be more fun and not long lists of things I cannot find in Boone.

Pete leaves next week for Alaska.  He is going on a cruise for work.  I pray it's a restful time for him - as he has been way too busy for many months now.  He is glad to see some "extra" jobs come to an end at the end of the summer, and I am too.  I appreciate that he takes on extra things, but sometimes it adds up to too much.  Fortunately, he is realizing that for himself without me telling him!  But he has also provided a way to save for something special for Sam, and I appreciate that so much too.   Since taking a church, he has not had a minute to take a break; so I am praying that he just has a wonderful time in that majestic place.  Even though we will miss him here!

This is a lot longer than I intended, but thanks for praying.  Thanks for asking about the boys and encouraging us.  We appreciate it all.  And though sometimes I sound tired and negative, I do know where to look for my strength.  And He is faithful to give it to me and provide all that I need.  And I appreciate all of the reminders that God gives - sometimes through some of you (and you don't even realize it sometimes!).  I find myself sinking down sometimes (ironically) when I am NOT in the middle of a crisis.  And I have to read and listen to get myself back on track.  Thanks again.  Hope comes from trusting - fully trusting God to take care of whatever I have to worry me or concern me.  And I want to overflow with that hope instead of being mired down in that old pit.  It's like Reverand Thrasher once told me - dancing in the rain (he told me before that was popular!).

"God of hope, I pray You fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

The Bear ~ 2014

Thanks to those of you who prayed for Andrew tonight running The Bear!  Some of those texts miraculously made their way off the top of Grandfather Mountain, and I knew people were praying as Andrew was weighing on my heart.  Then my phone would not work anymore up there, so I knew God let them go through!

I heard my name but paid no attention until I saw Coach Curcio coming towards me.  I don't mean to always think the worst, and I knew Andrew's knee was hurting as were his wisdom teeth.  But my first thought seems to be panic, so he told me quickly (because I think Coach knows how I am) that Andrew's knee was hurting; so he was in a van with Coach Weaver.  Even though I felt disappointment for Andrew, I was relieved it was not something worse.  Andrew stopped around 1/2 a mile and jogged down the road to find Coach Weaver in the pick-up (trail) van.  I know that was hard for him, but it was smart and responsible.   And I totally trust Coach Weaver and Coach Curcio to take good care of Andrew.  So that made me feel better to know he was with him.  At the end, he ended up in a vehicle with his high school coach, so he got to visit with everyone.  

It was fun to watch the runners come in, and I am the loudest yeller for my friends.  Standing in such a majestic place is good for my soul.  But my heart hurt a little.  I told Pete I have come to depend on these Bear finishes to lift me up and away from all we deal with during the year.  He told me maybe I need to look elsewhere.  But I told him that that's why The Bear is so special to me.  The wonderful races Andrew has had in the past give God the glory.  Because we know they are miracles.  And I really wanted another one tonight.  I have struggled all week, and now I know a little more why.   Andrew was fine. He was a little disappointed, but he knew he did the right thing by stopping.  He did not want to risk his summer training.  It was someone else's turn to finish up there near the front.  

Laura sent me some pictures from the start, but they did not come through until we got back to the car.  There he was, and he would have finished in that spot if he had run his best time.  He jokingly said to add DNF to the pictures if we put them on Facebook (Did Not Finish).  So at least he was joking, and I realized I needed to straighten up. 

I sent an email to someone dear to me earlier this week with some information on someone we both knew.  I thought he would want to see it as we both really liked and respected this man we met in different decades.  When I came home from the Bear, I had a message from him.  Short and nice and encouraging.  And I sit here with tears rolling down my face, because he has no clue how my night has been.  Or my week.  But he knows so much more about what we deal with in our home than probably anyone outside of our little family.  Because he deals with this stuff too - or has in the past.  So I know without a doubt that God knows my heart.  He knows what I need.  And He knew I needed a little reminder that He knows - and most of all, He cares, tonight.  And this person responded to my email at just the right time.       

Andrew is waiting for medical clearance to get his wisdom teeth out ASAP.  They are killing him, and he has been taking Advil constantly the past week.  Just another reminder that there is nothing simple about anything about him.  But at least the doctor cares to take good care of him. And though I wish life were a little easier or simpler for him sometimes, I want him to be who he is supposed to be.  And I am so blessed that I am his mom.  I will just keep trying to do a better job - and I don't mean that in a bad way.  I just have to keep trying to keep up and looking to God for guidance and not get bogged down feeling sorry for me! 

Thanks again for praying.  We know prayer works.  We can see it so clearly in our lives.  Andrew and I are helping at the Grandfather Mountain Marathon this Saturday, so that will be fun for us.  He just bounces back and keeps on going.  He is a great example for me!       

Just some fun facts about The Bear and my boys - not including the years Pete ran!

2008  Andrew 41st (39:13)

2009  Andrew 9th (35:30)   Peter 7th (34:38)

2010  Andrew 6th (34:59)

2011  Andrew 22nd (38:09)  Peter 10th (36:38)

2012  Andrew 3rd(!!!!!!!)  (32:56)  (would have made him 2nd place this year!)

2013  Andrew 4th (33:46)  Will 11th  (36:39)

Another fun fact ~ When Peter was near the front when he was young, he saw Ryan Woods on a turn in front of him and yelled for him and cheered him on (while Peter was running up Grandfather!), because he wanted Ryan to win!

More Church Updates

Last week, we were excited to have some visitors at church on Sunday and Wednesday night.  It was great to see some friends and meet some new people.  It is so nice to have that love and support.

Today, we had more visitors at church.  Some we knew.  Others we did not.  And some we just had not yet met in person!

Our sermon today was on suffering.  It was a great reminder to praise God in suffering and trust Him.  We cannot expect to understand everything, but knowing that He is with us will help us get through.  And what a great opportunity to share Who sees us through.  We had communion too.  Again, another time to remember the greatest sacrifice ever given - God's only Son for us.  It seemed fitting to have communion this Sunday following the 4th of July when we remember the sacrifices made to keep our great country free.  We don't need communion or the 4th to remind us of things we should ponder on every day.  But they are times to get us back on track and remind us what we often take for granted.

After church, we went to eat with someone Pete had met through his job.  She was a delight and gave a wonderful testimony about her trip to the Holy Land and how it has affected her - during her trip and when she got home.  I look forward to going one day myself...

Another great thing about communion today is that we had to add more to what we had.  What a blessing - to not have enough and to get a refill so everyone can participate!

Have a great week!