Sunday, December 25, 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Our family hopes you and your families have had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with friends and family!! :)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
BIG Day of Thanks!!!
Day 10 ~ Today I am SOOO THANKFUL for my FUTURE BROTHER IN LAW, Rodney !! I'm so excited that he will be apart of our family!! :)
I am so so so so super excited!! YAYNESS!!!! My bestest twin sister in the whole wide world just got engaged on Tuesday!! Yes, I knew about it but had to keep it hush hush!!
CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON & RODNEY!!!!!!!
I am so so so so super excited!! YAYNESS!!!! My bestest twin sister in the whole wide world just got engaged on Tuesday!! Yes, I knew about it but had to keep it hush hush!!
CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON & RODNEY!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Seven, Eight & Nine
I took the above picture on my iPhone. Beautiful!!!!
Day 9 ~ Today I am so thankful for my sister, Allison! Thankful for her sweet and giving heart. Thankful for her willingness to help out when I need her and she expects nothing in return. Thankful that she loves my babies and treats them as if they were hers. Thankful for the things she has been through in her life that have made her into a strong and independent but truly loving and caring woman. I pray that God will bless her tremendously in all areas of her precious life. ♥ you Dee-deed!!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Two In One
Day 5 ~ I am so thankful for unexpected blessings. God knows just what we need when we need it. :-)
Example: A few weeks ago, Mimi came home with some papers from school that said her class was going on a field trip. Yay!! Ummm no, not when I got the details.
The field trip is in December....about two weeks from Christmas and they are going to the Tennessee Aquarium, an IMAX movie and then to Rock City. For my child to go was going to be $83 and if a parent or chaperone wanted to go, then it would be $109. WHAT???? HOW MUCH???? $200 TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS???? AND THEY ARE JUST NOW TELLING US ABOUT IT!!!! Grrrrrrrr!
Immediately my thoughts were....who planned this trip? They must have money because no one in their right mind would plan a trip that costs this much two weeks before Christmas and with them only giving us about two paycheck periods to pay for it. Who is this person? I have some words for them!!!
After I calmed down, David and I talked it over and said that if she was going to be allowed to even go on the field trip, then one of us would most definitely have to go with her since they would be traveling so far away.
Then we talked back and forth about whether or not we could afford to go. I mean, it's two weeks before Christmas. In adult terminology....that's Christmas money. We made the decision that we probably shouldn't spend the money to go with Christmas being so close and we had, for the most part, told Mimi that she would not be able to go. I think it bothered her some, but I think she understood it.
Well, this past Tuesday, my dad called me and started asking me about the trip. Like, when it was, how much, when did the money have to be turned in etc. I told him that we had pretty much decided that is was a no-go for us. Then he started talking about how him and Judi had never given me a birthday present. My birthday was in August. And honestly, I hadn't thought about it at all. His next words were......"well, Happy Birthday! We are going to give you the money so that you and Mimi can go on her field trip. We know that it would mean a lot to her to go and for you to be able to go with her, so, Happy Birthday!" I was shocked! Grateful! Thankful and so appreciative! I hung up with my dad and started crying! God knew in my heart how much I wanted Mimi to be able to go and how much I wanted to go with her. It broke my heart to have to tell her she couldn't go and God provided a way for us to be able to go! He is so good and loving and I am just so thankful for the way He demonstrates that love to us. He cares about the little details of our lives.....not just the big ones!! I feel so blessed by Him and by my dad and Judi. Thank you!!
Day 6 ~ Today, I am thankful for my friends. Friends in the past who have helped shape me into the person I am today. Friends in the present who love me for who I am now and not for what I could be or because I do or don't fit some mold, and friends who make me laugh and are there for me no matter what. I'm even thankful for the friends I haven't met yet but know that they will come into my life in God's perfect time. If I've known you for a really long time or just a short time, or if I see you all the time or hardly at all, please know you are special to me and will always be considered a friend!
Example: A few weeks ago, Mimi came home with some papers from school that said her class was going on a field trip. Yay!! Ummm no, not when I got the details.
The field trip is in December....about two weeks from Christmas and they are going to the Tennessee Aquarium, an IMAX movie and then to Rock City. For my child to go was going to be $83 and if a parent or chaperone wanted to go, then it would be $109. WHAT???? HOW MUCH???? $200 TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS???? AND THEY ARE JUST NOW TELLING US ABOUT IT!!!! Grrrrrrrr!
Immediately my thoughts were....who planned this trip? They must have money because no one in their right mind would plan a trip that costs this much two weeks before Christmas and with them only giving us about two paycheck periods to pay for it. Who is this person? I have some words for them!!!
After I calmed down, David and I talked it over and said that if she was going to be allowed to even go on the field trip, then one of us would most definitely have to go with her since they would be traveling so far away.
Then we talked back and forth about whether or not we could afford to go. I mean, it's two weeks before Christmas. In adult terminology....that's Christmas money. We made the decision that we probably shouldn't spend the money to go with Christmas being so close and we had, for the most part, told Mimi that she would not be able to go. I think it bothered her some, but I think she understood it.
Well, this past Tuesday, my dad called me and started asking me about the trip. Like, when it was, how much, when did the money have to be turned in etc. I told him that we had pretty much decided that is was a no-go for us. Then he started talking about how him and Judi had never given me a birthday present. My birthday was in August. And honestly, I hadn't thought about it at all. His next words were......"well, Happy Birthday! We are going to give you the money so that you and Mimi can go on her field trip. We know that it would mean a lot to her to go and for you to be able to go with her, so, Happy Birthday!" I was shocked! Grateful! Thankful and so appreciative! I hung up with my dad and started crying! God knew in my heart how much I wanted Mimi to be able to go and how much I wanted to go with her. It broke my heart to have to tell her she couldn't go and God provided a way for us to be able to go! He is so good and loving and I am just so thankful for the way He demonstrates that love to us. He cares about the little details of our lives.....not just the big ones!! I feel so blessed by Him and by my dad and Judi. Thank you!!
Day 6 ~ Today, I am thankful for my friends. Friends in the past who have helped shape me into the person I am today. Friends in the present who love me for who I am now and not for what I could be or because I do or don't fit some mold, and friends who make me laugh and are there for me no matter what. I'm even thankful for the friends I haven't met yet but know that they will come into my life in God's perfect time. If I've known you for a really long time or just a short time, or if I see you all the time or hardly at all, please know you are special to me and will always be considered a friend!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Day 4 ~ It's the Little Things
Today I am so thankful for the little things in life. Little things as in : my children are healthy and safely tucked in their beds sleeping soundly, the messes they make because it means that I have children who are able to make the mess, spending time with each of them individually, seeing how and hearing how their little minds work, the little nicknames we have for each of them, their personalities, the random hugs and kisses I get, the blessings that they really are that I sometimes take for granted. Each moment with them is precious.
This morning I was sitting in traffic and watched an ambulance and firetruck zip past me with their sirens blaring only to find out a little while later that they were going to the call of a head on collision involving acquaintances I know from the ballpark. Children were involved that my children know from school. One of the children was airlifted to Children's Hospital and has been undergoing tests and scans to see what kind of trauma his body went through. Last I heard, his 1st and 3rd vertebra was fractured. This child is the same age as one of my sons. I can't even begin to imagine what his parents are going through tonight. I know they must be scared and worried but also thankful that he is alive.
It's the little things sometimes that make you really stop and think. As someone said today, what is happening with the "C" family today is the reason we should hug and kiss and tell our kids we love them every chance we can!
Blessings......that what my babies are!!
Please lift up the "C" family and their little boy, Seth, as they wait to hear if he will have to have surgery and then have to go through the long haul of recovery.
Every moment is a gift!
This morning I was sitting in traffic and watched an ambulance and firetruck zip past me with their sirens blaring only to find out a little while later that they were going to the call of a head on collision involving acquaintances I know from the ballpark. Children were involved that my children know from school. One of the children was airlifted to Children's Hospital and has been undergoing tests and scans to see what kind of trauma his body went through. Last I heard, his 1st and 3rd vertebra was fractured. This child is the same age as one of my sons. I can't even begin to imagine what his parents are going through tonight. I know they must be scared and worried but also thankful that he is alive.
It's the little things sometimes that make you really stop and think. As someone said today, what is happening with the "C" family today is the reason we should hug and kiss and tell our kids we love them every chance we can!
Blessings......that what my babies are!!
Please lift up the "C" family and their little boy, Seth, as they wait to hear if he will have to have surgery and then have to go through the long haul of recovery.
Every moment is a gift!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 3 of Giving Thanks
Day 3 - today I am thankful for being able to be a mom. There are so many women who want to be moms and for whatever reason, God is allowing His timing to be evident in their lives. I am thankful that He blessed me with four uniquely different little people. It is tough and challenging at times, but I praise Him for allowing me to be the mommy to these specific children. I ♥ my four M&M's!!! :-)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
30 Days of Thankfulness
I decided yesterday to go along with others that I had seen doing this. I think it's a great idea and will be a great reminder. Yesterday, I started the 30 Days of Thankfulness!
November 1, Day 1 : Today I am thankful for Jesus, who died on the cross for me. Without Him, I would be nothing.
November 2, Day 2: After 12 years of marriage and four kids later, there is so much I could write here, but I will simply and lovingly say, I am so very thankful for David and the love and commitment he has for me and our children.
What are you thankful for today?
Blessings y'all!! :)
November 1, Day 1 : Today I am thankful for Jesus, who died on the cross for me. Without Him, I would be nothing.
November 2, Day 2: After 12 years of marriage and four kids later, there is so much I could write here, but I will simply and lovingly say, I am so very thankful for David and the love and commitment he has for me and our children.
What are you thankful for today?
Blessings y'all!! :)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Revelation In the Hallway
If you are reading this, I sincerely hope you are doing well! I hope that you are counting your blessings everyday!
David and I have been battling some serious sinus issues the last few weeks but we both seem to be doing much better now. The kids are doing well and growing up so fast! Too fast that is!
I had the opportunity to visit with a few of my high school friends a few weeks ago and it was such a fun time! We caught up with each others lives and just laughed! Thanks Stephanie, Allison and Allison!! (Yes, two Allison's!) And Allison, if you move closer we'll definitely have to make sure we have our "General Math" meetings monthly! Love you girls!
I just wanted to share something amazing that happened to me a few weeks ago.
A while back, I started praying and asking God to speak to me or to reveal Himself to me in a way that I would know and understand. He answered my prayers!
A few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and was headed down my hallway towards the kitchen to get something to drink. I was very much awake. I did not turn on the hallway light like I normally do but just kept walking in the dark towards the kitchen. When I got to the end of the hallway, right at the opening of the stairs, I heard Jesus speak to me. It was a calm and gentle man's voice and He CLEARLY said to me "Amanda, I am coming soon. Tell your friends." Chill bumps....I know, right? :)
I actually stopped in my tracks and took my eyes and scanned them back and forth. Of course, there was no one else physically in my house except for my family and they were all asleep, but in my heart I already KNEW who it was. God had answered my prayers and not only did He answer them, He said MY NAME !!! How awesome it was to hear that and I am truly humbled!!
I have shared what happened to me with only a few people until now. He is coming back very soon!
Sweet family and friends, God loves you so much that He sent His only perfect son to die for you! Jesus, died a painful and horrible death when He didn't have to . That's how much He loves you and me! All of the sins of the peoples of the world were put on Jesus as He hung on the cross. I can't even begin to imagine what that would feel like. How heavy and burdensome that would feel, but He took it for us! He took our punishment for sin, which is eternal separation from God, and bore it himself so that we may have an abundant life through Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He doesn't say through Buddha, or Joseph Smith, or Jesus' mother Mary, or Allah, or Cabala or Scientology. The Bible says, ONLY through Jesus will you be able to come to the Father.
I'm asking you right now to think about this.....If you died tonight , where would you spend eternity? If you don't know for sure, then I can tell you how to know for absolute sure!! Let today be the day of your salvation!! Don't wait!! Give your life to Jesus!
You can just start off by praying, "Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner in need of your grace and I confess my sins (the bad things we do) to You. Please cleanse me from all of my sins and make me pure before you. Thank you Jesus for your promise to forgive us of our sins if we will confess them with our mouth. I believe you are God's Son and that you died for me. I believe you were buried and rose again on the third day and are now in Heaven sitting next to our Father. I ask you Jesus to come into my heart and save me. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me so that I could spend eternity in Heaven with you. Thank you Jesus for saving me! In your name I pray, Amen."
If you prayed that prayer with a sincere heart, please let me know. I would love to talk to you and encourage you and jump up and down with you. There is such freedom in knowing Jesus and knowing His joy and peace in your life, even in the trials!!
I love you all so much! :)
David and I have been battling some serious sinus issues the last few weeks but we both seem to be doing much better now. The kids are doing well and growing up so fast! Too fast that is!
I had the opportunity to visit with a few of my high school friends a few weeks ago and it was such a fun time! We caught up with each others lives and just laughed! Thanks Stephanie, Allison and Allison!! (Yes, two Allison's!) And Allison, if you move closer we'll definitely have to make sure we have our "General Math" meetings monthly! Love you girls!
I just wanted to share something amazing that happened to me a few weeks ago.
A while back, I started praying and asking God to speak to me or to reveal Himself to me in a way that I would know and understand. He answered my prayers!
A few weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and was headed down my hallway towards the kitchen to get something to drink. I was very much awake. I did not turn on the hallway light like I normally do but just kept walking in the dark towards the kitchen. When I got to the end of the hallway, right at the opening of the stairs, I heard Jesus speak to me. It was a calm and gentle man's voice and He CLEARLY said to me "Amanda, I am coming soon. Tell your friends." Chill bumps....I know, right? :)
I actually stopped in my tracks and took my eyes and scanned them back and forth. Of course, there was no one else physically in my house except for my family and they were all asleep, but in my heart I already KNEW who it was. God had answered my prayers and not only did He answer them, He said MY NAME !!! How awesome it was to hear that and I am truly humbled!!
I have shared what happened to me with only a few people until now. He is coming back very soon!
Sweet family and friends, God loves you so much that He sent His only perfect son to die for you! Jesus, died a painful and horrible death when He didn't have to . That's how much He loves you and me! All of the sins of the peoples of the world were put on Jesus as He hung on the cross. I can't even begin to imagine what that would feel like. How heavy and burdensome that would feel, but He took it for us! He took our punishment for sin, which is eternal separation from God, and bore it himself so that we may have an abundant life through Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He doesn't say through Buddha, or Joseph Smith, or Jesus' mother Mary, or Allah, or Cabala or Scientology. The Bible says, ONLY through Jesus will you be able to come to the Father.
I'm asking you right now to think about this.....If you died tonight , where would you spend eternity? If you don't know for sure, then I can tell you how to know for absolute sure!! Let today be the day of your salvation!! Don't wait!! Give your life to Jesus!
You can just start off by praying, "Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner in need of your grace and I confess my sins (the bad things we do) to You. Please cleanse me from all of my sins and make me pure before you. Thank you Jesus for your promise to forgive us of our sins if we will confess them with our mouth. I believe you are God's Son and that you died for me. I believe you were buried and rose again on the third day and are now in Heaven sitting next to our Father. I ask you Jesus to come into my heart and save me. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me so that I could spend eternity in Heaven with you. Thank you Jesus for saving me! In your name I pray, Amen."
If you prayed that prayer with a sincere heart, please let me know. I would love to talk to you and encourage you and jump up and down with you. There is such freedom in knowing Jesus and knowing His joy and peace in your life, even in the trials!!
I love you all so much! :)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Deeply Sharing My Heart
Wow! Let me start off by saying that again.....WOW! What a summer!! Busy, busy but full of fun!! I want to post about all of the happenings in our life, complete with pictures but right now I want to share some things that are deeply on my heart!!
I so desperately want somebody, EVERYBODY to pay attention to what I'm about to share. I'm not crazy or delirious or anything like that. Just aware. Very aware. There is a sense of urgency in my spirit and I'd like to share about it. Please don't dismiss this blog. Please keep reading if you will. It is probably the most important blog I have ever written.
The Lord has really been working in my life since about March. I "woke up", so to speak, to the things going on around us in the world. Honestly, before March, I didn't really care much about the turmoil in the Middle East or the economic issues in regards to our country or any other country because I was so wrapped up in my life. Being a mom of 4 kids definitely has it's moments of busyness and it seems as though, the older the kids get, the busier we become. Something changed for me in March.
A friend had posted a link on Facebook of a video from a preacher in Hawaii and the title of the link intrigued me greatly. He has a FB page called "Aloha Bible Prophecy and Aloha Bible Teaching". I clicked on the link of the video and watched the 30 minute video. I was fascinated!!! This pastor was teaching about Bible prophecy and the things that are currently going on in the world. He takes about 30min every Sunday morning before his normal sermon to talk about Bible prophecy and how it relates to the things going on in the world. He has been doing this for at least the last 6 years. He's been studying Bible prophecy for over 20 years. I think he has a pretty good handle on what he's talking about..
Bible prophecy is something I have been interested in for a very long time but didn't understand it or never really heard anyone preach on it, so to hear someone actually put some things in perspective was awesome to me. He started his video off by saying "Don't take my word for it, study the Scriptures for yourself to see if what I'm saying is true. Be a Barean." I liked that! So, I took notes and when I had the time, I searched in the Bible for what he was talking about and everything he said was true. It was there. I continued to watch his videos that were published every Monday and again, took notes and studied the Bible for myself. It made me dig deeper into the Word.
Since I started paying attention to what was going on around the world I have literally seen Bible prophecy unfold. We are living in some very exciting times people!!
Think about all that has happened just since January. There have been record breaking floods not only in America but Australia and other places. Famines. Extreme winter weather in areas of the world. You had the huge earthquake in Japan which was followed by a devastating tsunami. Inactive volcanoes suddenly showing signs of activity. Earthquakes galore in various places. An extreme heat bubble that covered most of the country during the summer. Lets not forget the horrific and deadly tornado outbreak in the South East and in Joplin. And most recently, hurricane Irene which hit the North East and has set historic flood calculations. There is just so much more but those are the ones I can think of right now.
In America alone, the value amount of the dollar is basically non existent and will be only a matter of time before it goes away completely. Housing market stinks, stock market stinks, economy stinks, unemployment stinks. Most of the political influences stink and are only in it for themselves and dot, dot dot. We are a country that is in massive debt and only wants to increase that debt like a credit card instead of doing what really needs to be done, cutting out the junk and start paying off the credit card. Credit score being downgraded which is huge.....See where I'm going? America is no longer the power house it used to be. Corruption is everywhere not only politically but spiritually and morally.
Besides all of that, since January, the Middle East seems to have exploded. There have been massive riots, upheavals and the overthrowing of many governments. A lot of those countries right now don't have a leader in charge. Maybe the Muslim brotherhood, which by the way, has found it's way into the American political system, but that's a whole other story. Basically, no one is in charge. Lots of turmoil and people dying.
Now, honestly, before March, I didn't understand of any it. Never paid that much attention to it because it seems that in all of my 35 years, there has always been turmoil in the Middle East and some might say "They will never have peace". But......it's eye opening.
Something is obviously going on. The worlds just seems a little too crazy in all aspects.
I have been doing a lot of reading in my Bible and trying to search the Scriptures and based on what I have read , I really believe we are living in what the Bible calls, The End Times. I really truly believe in my heart that Jesus is coming back soon. I know He is.
Matthew 24 talks about signs of the end of the age. Verses 6-8 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various (diverse) places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."
Birth pains start out slow and increase in intensity and duration. Which means, earthquakes for example, will increase and will be more intense. We've had some pretty severe ones here the last few years. Don't think one won't hit where you live.
If you have or haven't been paying attention to what's been going on in the Middle East, basically, alot of the countries or nations want to divide Israel and give some of the land to the Palestinians. The UN is set to vote in September regarding this matter and it seems as though the majority will rule and Isreal will be divided. That is a huge no no in God's eyes. He says in Joel, chapter 3, that those who seek to divide His land, which is Israel, He will "enter into judgment against them". So, that means that if the U.S. doesn't continue to stick up for Israel, our long time ally, we will be considered in that group of nations that seeks to divide God's land and there will be consequences. Severe consequences.
There is just so much more in regards to the headlines and the Middle East. I don't understand all of it sometimes but I am trying to. All I know is that , things are happening in the world that are seemingly coming together to make way for the Antichrist and his rule on the earth. Revelation talks about a time of God's wrath and tribulation that will be poured out on the earth to those that have rejected God's Son, Jesus. It is going to be a time that the world has never experienced. It's almost unfathomable to think of. The world that we know of right now will be completely different.
I don't write this to scare anyone but my purpose is to ask you to take a good long hard look at yourself. Are you living for yourself or for the Lord? Are you living a life of "I'm going to do what I want because it's my life" or "we'll be here another 100 years" or " I don't believe in that Bible stuff" or "I don't need a Savior" or "I've heard this all my life"?
I know for me, I recognized at an early age that I was a sinner and asked Jesus to live in me and in my heart. But honestly, it hasn't been since I was really an adult to fully understand and comprehend all that that meant. And to realize that I truly needed a Savior to forgive me and one was provided. His name was Jesus. He was a perfect man who didn't sin and yet, He took on the sins of all the peoples of the world and He died a painful and horrific death for us. He made a way for us. He paid the price for our sin, because our sin causes us to be seperated from God, but Jesus took that for us. He loves us that much, that He died for us!! I can't say thank you to Him enough. Yes, I am still a sinner and yes, I still do things sometimes that grieve the Father, but thankfully , I can approach His throne boldly and ask for forgiveness and I know , without a shadow of a doubt that I have been forgiven. His GRACE is sufficient for me!!! And what an abundant amount of grace He extends to us!!! The very breath that I am breathing is grace that is being extended to. Oh how He loves you and me!!!
I know that there are a lot of people who debate the whole Rapture issue. I personally believe in the Rapture and I believe in a pre-trib rapture which means that the "church", those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and who are living for Him, will be taken away before the tribulation time. Jesus tells us in several places in the Bible that when you start to see all of these things (things I mentioned earlier about the turmoil of the world etc), to LOOK UP and BE READY because our redemption draws near.
I am looking up!! I am waiting to hear the sound of the trumpet and to be snatched away. I know that sounds like crazy talk to some people, but studying the Bible, that's what I believe will happen. Unfortuanatley, the world will have some excuse and say that millions of people have disappeared because of aliens or something like that. That's NOT what will happen!!
Anyway, my heart is burdened because I know their are people who need Jesus. I know that there are people who already know Jesus but aren't ready for His return because they want to get married, or have a baby, want to see their kids grow up or extend their career or whatever, but I'm asking you to think about what you are living for. Are you living for your kids, your spouse, your career or are you living for Jesus? He tells us to be ready for His return. Are you ready? All of the things of this earth, possessions and such, WILL pass away. So are you storing up your treasures here on earth or in heaven?
I really believe that a big portion of "the church" is asleep. They are so busy preparing for church programs or activities or are just too busy in their own personal lives to be paying attention to what's going on around us. Jesus said He would come as a "thief in the night". Which implies that He will come at a time when no one suspects. That's why He tells us to be ready. To be looking up. To be waiting for His return. To be living for Him. Making sure we are living the way He tells us to. To make sure we are trying our hardest to live a holy life and if we mistakingly sin, make sure we confess that sin immediately and turn away from it.
I am NOT being judgemental in anyway. I just have this sincere urgency in my heart to let others know that His return in IMMINENT.
Again I ask, what are you living for? What are you holding onto here on earth? Is it something that will pass away or are your treasures in heaven? Because where your treasures are, your heart is there also.
If you don't know Jesus and want to, then all you have to do is understand and accept that we are all sinners in need of grace. Sin is what seperates us from the Father and Jesus made the way for us to be with the Father. He said "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me."
(I love the way this was written so I borrowed it from someone on the Aloha FB page)
The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" The problem is that all of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life , of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. " As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
If you want to accept Christ as your Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always. "
Thank you Jesus for your promises!!
I pray Lord that someone, anyone, would read these words and come to know you today. Today is the day of salvation!!!
If anyone has any questions or anything, let me know!!! I would love to talk to you!
May the Lord bless you abundantly!!
Love,
~Amanda :)
I so desperately want somebody, EVERYBODY to pay attention to what I'm about to share. I'm not crazy or delirious or anything like that. Just aware. Very aware. There is a sense of urgency in my spirit and I'd like to share about it. Please don't dismiss this blog. Please keep reading if you will. It is probably the most important blog I have ever written.
The Lord has really been working in my life since about March. I "woke up", so to speak, to the things going on around us in the world. Honestly, before March, I didn't really care much about the turmoil in the Middle East or the economic issues in regards to our country or any other country because I was so wrapped up in my life. Being a mom of 4 kids definitely has it's moments of busyness and it seems as though, the older the kids get, the busier we become. Something changed for me in March.
A friend had posted a link on Facebook of a video from a preacher in Hawaii and the title of the link intrigued me greatly. He has a FB page called "Aloha Bible Prophecy and Aloha Bible Teaching". I clicked on the link of the video and watched the 30 minute video. I was fascinated!!! This pastor was teaching about Bible prophecy and the things that are currently going on in the world. He takes about 30min every Sunday morning before his normal sermon to talk about Bible prophecy and how it relates to the things going on in the world. He has been doing this for at least the last 6 years. He's been studying Bible prophecy for over 20 years. I think he has a pretty good handle on what he's talking about..
Bible prophecy is something I have been interested in for a very long time but didn't understand it or never really heard anyone preach on it, so to hear someone actually put some things in perspective was awesome to me. He started his video off by saying "Don't take my word for it, study the Scriptures for yourself to see if what I'm saying is true. Be a Barean." I liked that! So, I took notes and when I had the time, I searched in the Bible for what he was talking about and everything he said was true. It was there. I continued to watch his videos that were published every Monday and again, took notes and studied the Bible for myself. It made me dig deeper into the Word.
Since I started paying attention to what was going on around the world I have literally seen Bible prophecy unfold. We are living in some very exciting times people!!
Think about all that has happened just since January. There have been record breaking floods not only in America but Australia and other places. Famines. Extreme winter weather in areas of the world. You had the huge earthquake in Japan which was followed by a devastating tsunami. Inactive volcanoes suddenly showing signs of activity. Earthquakes galore in various places. An extreme heat bubble that covered most of the country during the summer. Lets not forget the horrific and deadly tornado outbreak in the South East and in Joplin. And most recently, hurricane Irene which hit the North East and has set historic flood calculations. There is just so much more but those are the ones I can think of right now.
In America alone, the value amount of the dollar is basically non existent and will be only a matter of time before it goes away completely. Housing market stinks, stock market stinks, economy stinks, unemployment stinks. Most of the political influences stink and are only in it for themselves and dot, dot dot. We are a country that is in massive debt and only wants to increase that debt like a credit card instead of doing what really needs to be done, cutting out the junk and start paying off the credit card. Credit score being downgraded which is huge.....See where I'm going? America is no longer the power house it used to be. Corruption is everywhere not only politically but spiritually and morally.
Besides all of that, since January, the Middle East seems to have exploded. There have been massive riots, upheavals and the overthrowing of many governments. A lot of those countries right now don't have a leader in charge. Maybe the Muslim brotherhood, which by the way, has found it's way into the American political system, but that's a whole other story. Basically, no one is in charge. Lots of turmoil and people dying.
Now, honestly, before March, I didn't understand of any it. Never paid that much attention to it because it seems that in all of my 35 years, there has always been turmoil in the Middle East and some might say "They will never have peace". But......it's eye opening.
Something is obviously going on. The worlds just seems a little too crazy in all aspects.
I have been doing a lot of reading in my Bible and trying to search the Scriptures and based on what I have read , I really believe we are living in what the Bible calls, The End Times. I really truly believe in my heart that Jesus is coming back soon. I know He is.
Matthew 24 talks about signs of the end of the age. Verses 6-8 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various (diverse) places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."
Birth pains start out slow and increase in intensity and duration. Which means, earthquakes for example, will increase and will be more intense. We've had some pretty severe ones here the last few years. Don't think one won't hit where you live.
If you have or haven't been paying attention to what's been going on in the Middle East, basically, alot of the countries or nations want to divide Israel and give some of the land to the Palestinians. The UN is set to vote in September regarding this matter and it seems as though the majority will rule and Isreal will be divided. That is a huge no no in God's eyes. He says in Joel, chapter 3, that those who seek to divide His land, which is Israel, He will "enter into judgment against them". So, that means that if the U.S. doesn't continue to stick up for Israel, our long time ally, we will be considered in that group of nations that seeks to divide God's land and there will be consequences. Severe consequences.
There is just so much more in regards to the headlines and the Middle East. I don't understand all of it sometimes but I am trying to. All I know is that , things are happening in the world that are seemingly coming together to make way for the Antichrist and his rule on the earth. Revelation talks about a time of God's wrath and tribulation that will be poured out on the earth to those that have rejected God's Son, Jesus. It is going to be a time that the world has never experienced. It's almost unfathomable to think of. The world that we know of right now will be completely different.
I don't write this to scare anyone but my purpose is to ask you to take a good long hard look at yourself. Are you living for yourself or for the Lord? Are you living a life of "I'm going to do what I want because it's my life" or "we'll be here another 100 years" or " I don't believe in that Bible stuff" or "I don't need a Savior" or "I've heard this all my life"?
I know for me, I recognized at an early age that I was a sinner and asked Jesus to live in me and in my heart. But honestly, it hasn't been since I was really an adult to fully understand and comprehend all that that meant. And to realize that I truly needed a Savior to forgive me and one was provided. His name was Jesus. He was a perfect man who didn't sin and yet, He took on the sins of all the peoples of the world and He died a painful and horrific death for us. He made a way for us. He paid the price for our sin, because our sin causes us to be seperated from God, but Jesus took that for us. He loves us that much, that He died for us!! I can't say thank you to Him enough. Yes, I am still a sinner and yes, I still do things sometimes that grieve the Father, but thankfully , I can approach His throne boldly and ask for forgiveness and I know , without a shadow of a doubt that I have been forgiven. His GRACE is sufficient for me!!! And what an abundant amount of grace He extends to us!!! The very breath that I am breathing is grace that is being extended to. Oh how He loves you and me!!!
I know that there are a lot of people who debate the whole Rapture issue. I personally believe in the Rapture and I believe in a pre-trib rapture which means that the "church", those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and who are living for Him, will be taken away before the tribulation time. Jesus tells us in several places in the Bible that when you start to see all of these things (things I mentioned earlier about the turmoil of the world etc), to LOOK UP and BE READY because our redemption draws near.
I am looking up!! I am waiting to hear the sound of the trumpet and to be snatched away. I know that sounds like crazy talk to some people, but studying the Bible, that's what I believe will happen. Unfortuanatley, the world will have some excuse and say that millions of people have disappeared because of aliens or something like that. That's NOT what will happen!!
Anyway, my heart is burdened because I know their are people who need Jesus. I know that there are people who already know Jesus but aren't ready for His return because they want to get married, or have a baby, want to see their kids grow up or extend their career or whatever, but I'm asking you to think about what you are living for. Are you living for your kids, your spouse, your career or are you living for Jesus? He tells us to be ready for His return. Are you ready? All of the things of this earth, possessions and such, WILL pass away. So are you storing up your treasures here on earth or in heaven?
I really believe that a big portion of "the church" is asleep. They are so busy preparing for church programs or activities or are just too busy in their own personal lives to be paying attention to what's going on around us. Jesus said He would come as a "thief in the night". Which implies that He will come at a time when no one suspects. That's why He tells us to be ready. To be looking up. To be waiting for His return. To be living for Him. Making sure we are living the way He tells us to. To make sure we are trying our hardest to live a holy life and if we mistakingly sin, make sure we confess that sin immediately and turn away from it.
I am NOT being judgemental in anyway. I just have this sincere urgency in my heart to let others know that His return in IMMINENT.
Again I ask, what are you living for? What are you holding onto here on earth? Is it something that will pass away or are your treasures in heaven? Because where your treasures are, your heart is there also.
If you don't know Jesus and want to, then all you have to do is understand and accept that we are all sinners in need of grace. Sin is what seperates us from the Father and Jesus made the way for us to be with the Father. He said "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me."
(I love the way this was written so I borrowed it from someone on the Aloha FB page)
The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" The problem is that all of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God is perfect and holy, and our sins separate us from God forever. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.”
The good news is that, about 2,000 years ago,God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
Jesus is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life , of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me."
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child. " As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name." You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
If you want to accept Christ as your Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always. "
Thank you Jesus for your promises!!
I pray Lord that someone, anyone, would read these words and come to know you today. Today is the day of salvation!!!
If anyone has any questions or anything, let me know!!! I would love to talk to you!
May the Lord bless you abundantly!!
Love,
~Amanda :)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Surgery
I'm sorry I'm just now able to post. We have been so busy with All Stars that this is the first chance I've had to sit down and write.
So anyway, I was discharged from the hospital on that Sunday afternoon. I immediately got something to drink because I still hadn't been able to have anything up until discharge. What was cruel (or I thought so) was that a nurse came to my room several times looking for a meal tray pick up? WHAT?? Didn't she know I had beenstarved kept from eating anything because of a potential surgery? ;)
The Dr.'s office called me around 6:00a on Monday morning and said that I was going to have surgery around 8:30a so I needed to get to the outpatient center as soon as I could.
David and I got to the surgery center, checked in and before long I was up in the surgery area. I put on my gown and layed in the bed and then a nurse came and put in the IV. It wasn't too bad. I layed there and waited and then the Dr. came by (cute I might add.....reminded me of Jay Barker). A few minutes later, a man in scrubs came up and told me that he was going to be my nurse.....HUH? Ok, and then a very pregnant girl walked up to me and said she would be my nurse too. I'm special....I had two nurses. I was laying there listening to them talk and she walked up to my IV and inserted some liquid. I remember watching her and then............My eyes wouldn't open but I remember hearing someone tell me to breathe heavily. And that was it. I was, as David would say......geeeeooone.
The next thing I remember was a different lady nurse, not as nice as the other two, standing over me telling me to wake up. I was sleeping so good though. Probably the best sleep I've had since I started having babies over 9 years ago. Come on lady...let me be! Eventually I opened my eyes to see David staring at me goofily. :) I also saw my dad and step mom. Weren't they sweet to come to the hospital? I was so out of it. I remember saying Hi to the nurse several times and introducing myself. My dad also told me that apparently I gave David the "birdy" finger because he made a joke about me going home and cleaning up the house. That is soooo David and by the way, Har Har honey!! Dr.Dreamy Face Wood came by and spoke with me about some "issues" I might have since I no longer have my gall bladder and then left.
I must have come out of it enough because I barely remember getting dressed and going home. I was so glad to see my sweet babies faces and of course showed them my battle scars and then went to bed. I was so tired!
So far, I haven't had any "issues" and if I do, I sure hope they are not like this poor guy....
*Please excuse the title of the video*
http://youtu.be/EXFsz1V5s18
LOL! I know, I'm sorry. (head is now hung in shame)
BUT, I do want to say a massive and very heart felt THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who prayed for me, came and stayed with me, cooked for my family and took my kids to baseball practice or VBS that week! I could not have gone through all of that without all of your help! You are the bestest family and friends that anyone could have! I love you all! HUGS! :)
So anyway, I was discharged from the hospital on that Sunday afternoon. I immediately got something to drink because I still hadn't been able to have anything up until discharge. What was cruel (or I thought so) was that a nurse came to my room several times looking for a meal tray pick up? WHAT?? Didn't she know I had been
The Dr.'s office called me around 6:00a on Monday morning and said that I was going to have surgery around 8:30a so I needed to get to the outpatient center as soon as I could.
David and I got to the surgery center, checked in and before long I was up in the surgery area. I put on my gown and layed in the bed and then a nurse came and put in the IV. It wasn't too bad. I layed there and waited and then the Dr. came by (cute I might add.....reminded me of Jay Barker). A few minutes later, a man in scrubs came up and told me that he was going to be my nurse.....HUH? Ok, and then a very pregnant girl walked up to me and said she would be my nurse too. I'm special....I had two nurses. I was laying there listening to them talk and she walked up to my IV and inserted some liquid. I remember watching her and then............My eyes wouldn't open but I remember hearing someone tell me to breathe heavily. And that was it. I was, as David would say......geeeeooone.
The next thing I remember was a different lady nurse, not as nice as the other two, standing over me telling me to wake up. I was sleeping so good though. Probably the best sleep I've had since I started having babies over 9 years ago. Come on lady...let me be! Eventually I opened my eyes to see David staring at me goofily. :) I also saw my dad and step mom. Weren't they sweet to come to the hospital? I was so out of it. I remember saying Hi to the nurse several times and introducing myself. My dad also told me that apparently I gave David the "birdy" finger because he made a joke about me going home and cleaning up the house. That is soooo David and by the way, Har Har honey!! Dr.
I must have come out of it enough because I barely remember getting dressed and going home. I was so glad to see my sweet babies faces and of course showed them my battle scars and then went to bed. I was so tired!
So far, I haven't had any "issues" and if I do, I sure hope they are not like this poor guy....
*Please excuse the title of the video*
http://youtu.be/EXFsz1V5s18
LOL! I know, I'm sorry. (head is now hung in shame)
BUT, I do want to say a massive and very heart felt THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you who prayed for me, came and stayed with me, cooked for my family and took my kids to baseball practice or VBS that week! I could not have gone through all of that without all of your help! You are the bestest family and friends that anyone could have! I love you all! HUGS! :)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Ohh Sweet Happy Juice!
As most of you know, I had emergency surgery last Monday. I am ok and doing well but I wanted to write down what happened that weekend for my own personal musings and for anyone else who might be interested in hearing the details.
We had been at the ballpark all day for an invitational tournament that my son was playing in. I felt totally fine all day. David , and our friend Chris, both were working late so my friend Lee (Chris's better half ) and I decided to hang out at her house and let the kids play. Mimi and Bud were going to be spending the night with her two youngin's anyway so we thought we'd get a few pizza's and chill out. Chris eventually got off work and picked up the pizza's for us......all the while being delayed because he just *haaaad* to try their chicken wings......;) LOL!
Anyway, I ate two pieces.....1 BBQ piece and 1 meat lover's. Now before you go all yuck on me about the BBQ pizza, don't knock it until you try it! I made the comment to Chris that I couldn't believe how full I was after only eating two pieces. Gimme a break people, I hadn't eaten anything all day except for a small turkey roll up, so I figured I might could scarf down another piece, but couldn't. About 20 minutes later while sitting on their couch, I noticed that the top part of my stomach started to hurt a little. It was getting late anyway and I knew that I needed to go home and put Boogs and Pudgie to bed so I said my thanks and goodbye's and drove all the way home (a mere 30 second ride home by the way.....literally). When I got inside, I immediately went to the bathroom. SORRY for those who might have not wanted to know that, but I'm putting it all out here.
Sooo, that didn't seem to help. The pain intensified and on top of that, a pain started in the same spot but in my back. It was weird. Felt like someone was twisting a knife through my stomach and it was coming out of my back. It also felt like my back was contracting like when you are having back labor and believe me, I KNOW what that feels like, but it wouldn't let up. It was like a constant high peaking contraction. I called my sister and asked her if she had any peptobismal. I figured it might be indigestion. I called David and asked if he could pick it up on his way home from work and he was ok with that. BUT, the pain got worse so I called my sister back and asked if she could just bring it to me. Because she is THE BESTEST sister in the world, she did. I took the peptobismal and waited. It didn't phase the pain at all. I was in so much pain that I was bent over and breathing funny to try to get the pain to diminish. At this point I was wondering if it was the meat lover's pizza I ate. I wondered if my friends were doubled over at their house too? What was going on? Puuuuhhlease dear Lord, take the pain away!!
By the time David got home, I was laying in the bed in the fetal position doing Lamaze breathing. My sister actually thought that I might be pregnant and not know it and in labor because of my breathing. Seriously? Really??? Sheesh, thanks Dee-deed! I was doing the Lamaze breathing because I thought it might help to diminish the pain. That's what they say when your in labor right? I tried getting in all different positions. I tried laying on the floor, in my daughter's bed (because her room is always cooler), in my bed, stretched out or curled up. I tried walking around, bent over of course, moving my legs up and down, pacing, sitting, standing.....whatever I tried to do wasn't helping. AND the pain was getting worse.
My sister and I have a friend who is a nurse. We'll call her nurse Lori. :) Allison asked nurse Lori to call me and sweetly, she did. I know I must have sounded completely crazy because of the way I was breathing and moaning, but I was in a lot of pain. I described to her what was going on and she said that it sounded like my gall bladder. By this time the pain had been non stop for over an hour and she advised me that I might want to go to the ER. Really? The ER? I thought about it and thought about how it would affect our pocketbook considering we now have a huge family deductible to meet but I had to put those thoughts aside and decided to go. I called my sister back and asked if she could come watch the kids while David took me to the ER. Bless her heart, she had to cancel her plans with her boyfriend to come watch my babies. But, because she is THE BESTEST, she did gladly.
We contemplated driving to the same great hospital that my babies were born in, but there was no way I could stand to sit in the car that long so we went to a smaller local hospital about 12 miles away. I thought we would never get there. You know, behind slow drivers and hitting every red light. We finally got to the ER and David dropped me off at the door while he went and parked the van. It was around 9:30p. I walked right up to the front desk, still breathing heavily and Lamaze like AND bent over at the waist. Of course it was a guy at the desk and in a non chalant way, he asked how he could help me. Couldn't he see the pain I was in. Why wasn't he screaming....."Get this lady a wheelchair and a room stat!". Only in my mind huh? I filled out this silly little half sheet of paper and he asked me to sit down and wait. OHH GREAT! The waiting game. I couldn't wait. I needed help asap! I needed something and quick!
Thank the Lord, I didn't have to wait that long.....maybe 45 minutes but that 45 minutes was the longest of my life. Of course I kept up the breathing and moaning......it was helping me to keep my mind off of the horrific pain I was in.
Finally, my name was called to go into a triage room. I explained to that sweet guy what was going on and he could tell I was in a lot of pain. He told his helper friend to find me a room. Of course, there wasn't one. But that sweet fella hurried up and got someone discharged so that I could have a room. After getting some info, they started an IV and gave me some Dulotta (sp)......let's just say that it's a miiiighty fine pain medicine! I literally felt that yummy goodness go through my veins and down to my feet and then I suddenly felt very relaxed. Didn't have a care in the world. I won't lie.....it was niiiiiice!
I didn't care much about anything at that point until the medicine started to wear off. My sweet nurse gladly gave me another shot of the lala medicine and even though I could literally feel it going down to my feet, this time it wasn't taking the pain away. I tried to bare with it though. Someone wheeled my bed up a few floors and I was stuck under a florescent light waiting to be seen by the ultrasound tech. I waited there for a little bit but didn't mind that much because my pain wasn't too bad. She finally navigated my bed into the room and she started on the ultrasound. I saw lots of nothing. It's not like when you go for a baby ultrasound and are looking for your little peanut shaped bambino. This was just nothing. Black and white was all I saw. Of course I tried to look as if I knew what I was looking at. Wonder if she was impressed? ;)
She spent a few minutes on my stomach and then told me that I indeed had gall stones and that my gall bladder looked as if it hadn't been working in a while? Really?? I hadn't had any symptoms of anything weird going on down there. It was a sudden attack. She wheeled my bed back out of the room, definitely hitting the door on the way out and stuck me back in my original position by the wall under the florescent light and told me that someone would be up to take me back downstairs in a few minutes. I waited......and waited.....and waited. No one. Still staring up at the florescent lights. She came out and said that if no one showed up in a few minutes then she would wheel me back down herself. Ummmm, ok? I can't go anywhere so I really have no choice. As I was laying there , the pain medicine had definitely started to wear off again. My stomach and back were starting to hurt again as if I had never had any pain medicine. I was laying there thinking......Ladyyyyy, come on! She finally came back out of herdark dungeon of ultrasoundness office and wheeled me back downstairs to my room. David was outside talking to our neighbor's brother (How weird was that? That someone we had met briefly before was there too with a family member.) and I was laying there dying. Well, not really.
Our sweet nurse came back in and finally gave me some more of that happy juice and this time I think she gave me a *tad* bit more than the last time because I felt it go through my veins again and I was good to go. No more pain for a long while! By this time it was well after midnight and the Dr. came in after a little while and told me that I was going to need emergency surgery so they were going to admit me. Ok...la, la, la, la, laaaaaa, sure. I didn't care. I felt niiiiice. He said that I was going to have surgery on Sunday, probably in the morning time. They brought a wheelchair for me to sit in and they took me upstairs and admitted me. I was in a very nice room.....quite surprised , but I was just thankful at that point that I wasn't in pain.
I was severley thirsty however. I hadn't been allowed to have anything to drink except a few sips of water right before midnight and I had the most cottony mouth you could ever think of. I mentioned that to the nurse and she of course told me that I wasn't allowed anything to drink but that she did have some glycerin sticks that I could have. Ummm, a what??? I was desperate so I said "Ok, sure." Boy was I ever disappointed. Picture an oversized Q-tip with the cotton tip on just one end. It is moist on that cotton end but with a weird taste of something I hadn't ever had before. Some sort of "citrus" something er other. I was supposed to "swab" my mouth and tongue with it to give me some relief. Yeah, ok. I swabbed and nothing. My cheeks and tongue were a tad bit moist but nothing like what I was wanting. I then decided to suck on the end of the swab. Ick. But it made my mouth salivate just a bit so that it made me think I was actually sucking on something worth while. It was so gross. Guess, what? I had two more of those wonder sticks in my pouch. Let's just say they were still there when I checked out.
Time went on and the pain that I was having and having to ask for pain medicine every once in a while eventually subsided at 4:30a that Sunday morning. I was exhausted. It seemed like I would doze off and then would wake up only to find that it was only 5 or 10 minutes from the last time I had looked at the clock. Needless to say, I didn't get hardly any sleep at all. I did take comfort in knowing that my love, David, was asleep on the not so comfy looking hard couch with his crack hanging out. :-P
The morning went on and on and we waited and waited for the surgeon to come in. I had even gotten up and brushed my teeth (with the provided hospital necessities.) By the way, may I suggest that they spend the few extra coins to invest in some decent tooth brushes? I could have cleaned a grill with the one they gave me to use. Anyway, I brushed my hair and washed my face etc. And then waited. And waited. And waited. It was about 12:30p when he came in and said that I did indeed need surgery , but that he wasn't going to perform it that day. WHAT??? I've been sitting here thirsty (& now kinda hungry) all this time and you weren't going to do surgery today. Hold me back people! I know I need to lose weight but starving me ain't gonna get it!
He told me that I could stay and he would do the surgery the next morning or I could go home. He was fine with whatever I decided. Insurance wise, I probably should have stayed, but I really just wanted to go home. To get something to drink and get in my own bed. By the time I left ,it was around 2:30p.
Sooo, there's my ER story. I'll post another story about the actual surgery later. It won't be this long, I promise! ;)
We had been at the ballpark all day for an invitational tournament that my son was playing in. I felt totally fine all day. David , and our friend Chris, both were working late so my friend Lee (Chris's better half ) and I decided to hang out at her house and let the kids play. Mimi and Bud were going to be spending the night with her two youngin's anyway so we thought we'd get a few pizza's and chill out. Chris eventually got off work and picked up the pizza's for us......all the while being delayed because he just *haaaad* to try their chicken wings......;) LOL!
Anyway, I ate two pieces.....1 BBQ piece and 1 meat lover's. Now before you go all yuck on me about the BBQ pizza, don't knock it until you try it! I made the comment to Chris that I couldn't believe how full I was after only eating two pieces. Gimme a break people, I hadn't eaten anything all day except for a small turkey roll up, so I figured I might could scarf down another piece, but couldn't. About 20 minutes later while sitting on their couch, I noticed that the top part of my stomach started to hurt a little. It was getting late anyway and I knew that I needed to go home and put Boogs and Pudgie to bed so I said my thanks and goodbye's and drove all the way home (a mere 30 second ride home by the way.....literally). When I got inside, I immediately went to the bathroom. SORRY for those who might have not wanted to know that, but I'm putting it all out here.
Sooo, that didn't seem to help. The pain intensified and on top of that, a pain started in the same spot but in my back. It was weird. Felt like someone was twisting a knife through my stomach and it was coming out of my back. It also felt like my back was contracting like when you are having back labor and believe me, I KNOW what that feels like, but it wouldn't let up. It was like a constant high peaking contraction. I called my sister and asked her if she had any peptobismal. I figured it might be indigestion. I called David and asked if he could pick it up on his way home from work and he was ok with that. BUT, the pain got worse so I called my sister back and asked if she could just bring it to me. Because she is THE BESTEST sister in the world, she did. I took the peptobismal and waited. It didn't phase the pain at all. I was in so much pain that I was bent over and breathing funny to try to get the pain to diminish. At this point I was wondering if it was the meat lover's pizza I ate. I wondered if my friends were doubled over at their house too? What was going on? Puuuuhhlease dear Lord, take the pain away!!
By the time David got home, I was laying in the bed in the fetal position doing Lamaze breathing. My sister actually thought that I might be pregnant and not know it and in labor because of my breathing. Seriously? Really??? Sheesh, thanks Dee-deed! I was doing the Lamaze breathing because I thought it might help to diminish the pain. That's what they say when your in labor right? I tried getting in all different positions. I tried laying on the floor, in my daughter's bed (because her room is always cooler), in my bed, stretched out or curled up. I tried walking around, bent over of course, moving my legs up and down, pacing, sitting, standing.....whatever I tried to do wasn't helping. AND the pain was getting worse.
My sister and I have a friend who is a nurse. We'll call her nurse Lori. :) Allison asked nurse Lori to call me and sweetly, she did. I know I must have sounded completely crazy because of the way I was breathing and moaning, but I was in a lot of pain. I described to her what was going on and she said that it sounded like my gall bladder. By this time the pain had been non stop for over an hour and she advised me that I might want to go to the ER. Really? The ER? I thought about it and thought about how it would affect our pocketbook considering we now have a huge family deductible to meet but I had to put those thoughts aside and decided to go. I called my sister back and asked if she could come watch the kids while David took me to the ER. Bless her heart, she had to cancel her plans with her boyfriend to come watch my babies. But, because she is THE BESTEST, she did gladly.
We contemplated driving to the same great hospital that my babies were born in, but there was no way I could stand to sit in the car that long so we went to a smaller local hospital about 12 miles away. I thought we would never get there. You know, behind slow drivers and hitting every red light. We finally got to the ER and David dropped me off at the door while he went and parked the van. It was around 9:30p. I walked right up to the front desk, still breathing heavily and Lamaze like AND bent over at the waist. Of course it was a guy at the desk and in a non chalant way, he asked how he could help me. Couldn't he see the pain I was in. Why wasn't he screaming....."Get this lady a wheelchair and a room stat!". Only in my mind huh? I filled out this silly little half sheet of paper and he asked me to sit down and wait. OHH GREAT! The waiting game. I couldn't wait. I needed help asap! I needed something and quick!
Thank the Lord, I didn't have to wait that long.....maybe 45 minutes but that 45 minutes was the longest of my life. Of course I kept up the breathing and moaning......it was helping me to keep my mind off of the horrific pain I was in.
Finally, my name was called to go into a triage room. I explained to that sweet guy what was going on and he could tell I was in a lot of pain. He told his helper friend to find me a room. Of course, there wasn't one. But that sweet fella hurried up and got someone discharged so that I could have a room. After getting some info, they started an IV and gave me some Dulotta (sp)......let's just say that it's a miiiighty fine pain medicine! I literally felt that yummy goodness go through my veins and down to my feet and then I suddenly felt very relaxed. Didn't have a care in the world. I won't lie.....it was niiiiiice!
I didn't care much about anything at that point until the medicine started to wear off. My sweet nurse gladly gave me another shot of the lala medicine and even though I could literally feel it going down to my feet, this time it wasn't taking the pain away. I tried to bare with it though. Someone wheeled my bed up a few floors and I was stuck under a florescent light waiting to be seen by the ultrasound tech. I waited there for a little bit but didn't mind that much because my pain wasn't too bad. She finally navigated my bed into the room and she started on the ultrasound. I saw lots of nothing. It's not like when you go for a baby ultrasound and are looking for your little peanut shaped bambino. This was just nothing. Black and white was all I saw. Of course I tried to look as if I knew what I was looking at. Wonder if she was impressed? ;)
She spent a few minutes on my stomach and then told me that I indeed had gall stones and that my gall bladder looked as if it hadn't been working in a while? Really?? I hadn't had any symptoms of anything weird going on down there. It was a sudden attack. She wheeled my bed back out of the room, definitely hitting the door on the way out and stuck me back in my original position by the wall under the florescent light and told me that someone would be up to take me back downstairs in a few minutes. I waited......and waited.....and waited. No one. Still staring up at the florescent lights. She came out and said that if no one showed up in a few minutes then she would wheel me back down herself. Ummmm, ok? I can't go anywhere so I really have no choice. As I was laying there , the pain medicine had definitely started to wear off again. My stomach and back were starting to hurt again as if I had never had any pain medicine. I was laying there thinking......Ladyyyyy, come on! She finally came back out of her
Our sweet nurse came back in and finally gave me some more of that happy juice and this time I think she gave me a *tad* bit more than the last time because I felt it go through my veins again and I was good to go. No more pain for a long while! By this time it was well after midnight and the Dr. came in after a little while and told me that I was going to need emergency surgery so they were going to admit me. Ok...la, la, la, la, laaaaaa, sure. I didn't care. I felt niiiiice. He said that I was going to have surgery on Sunday, probably in the morning time. They brought a wheelchair for me to sit in and they took me upstairs and admitted me. I was in a very nice room.....quite surprised , but I was just thankful at that point that I wasn't in pain.
I was severley thirsty however. I hadn't been allowed to have anything to drink except a few sips of water right before midnight and I had the most cottony mouth you could ever think of. I mentioned that to the nurse and she of course told me that I wasn't allowed anything to drink but that she did have some glycerin sticks that I could have. Ummm, a what??? I was desperate so I said "Ok, sure." Boy was I ever disappointed. Picture an oversized Q-tip with the cotton tip on just one end. It is moist on that cotton end but with a weird taste of something I hadn't ever had before. Some sort of "citrus" something er other. I was supposed to "swab" my mouth and tongue with it to give me some relief. Yeah, ok. I swabbed and nothing. My cheeks and tongue were a tad bit moist but nothing like what I was wanting. I then decided to suck on the end of the swab. Ick. But it made my mouth salivate just a bit so that it made me think I was actually sucking on something worth while. It was so gross. Guess, what? I had two more of those wonder sticks in my pouch. Let's just say they were still there when I checked out.
Time went on and the pain that I was having and having to ask for pain medicine every once in a while eventually subsided at 4:30a that Sunday morning. I was exhausted. It seemed like I would doze off and then would wake up only to find that it was only 5 or 10 minutes from the last time I had looked at the clock. Needless to say, I didn't get hardly any sleep at all. I did take comfort in knowing that my love, David, was asleep on the not so comfy looking hard couch with his crack hanging out. :-P
The morning went on and on and we waited and waited for the surgeon to come in. I had even gotten up and brushed my teeth (with the provided hospital necessities.) By the way, may I suggest that they spend the few extra coins to invest in some decent tooth brushes? I could have cleaned a grill with the one they gave me to use. Anyway, I brushed my hair and washed my face etc. And then waited. And waited. And waited. It was about 12:30p when he came in and said that I did indeed need surgery , but that he wasn't going to perform it that day. WHAT??? I've been sitting here thirsty (& now kinda hungry) all this time and you weren't going to do surgery today. Hold me back people! I know I need to lose weight but starving me ain't gonna get it!
He told me that I could stay and he would do the surgery the next morning or I could go home. He was fine with whatever I decided. Insurance wise, I probably should have stayed, but I really just wanted to go home. To get something to drink and get in my own bed. By the time I left ,it was around 2:30p.
Sooo, there's my ER story. I'll post another story about the actual surgery later. It won't be this long, I promise! ;)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Dirty and Tough....
But that's how we like it!! Congratulations to this year's 7U All Star team!!
That's my Bud, #11!
Shouldn't your eyes be open Bud?? ;)
The Bull Dog look.
That's my Bud, #11!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tornado Pictures
Here are some more of the pictures I took on our way back from Hackleburg. Amazing.....
This picture amazes me because the metal is wrapped around that big piece of equipment.
I hope you can see in this below picture the path of the tornado. You can see where the trees are cut off in the center of the picture. It really doesn't do it justice.
My babies were sooo tired after helping that afternoon!
One picture that stood out to me that I absolutely love is this......
The cross still stands.
He is our only hope in this time of devestation and loss and as people start to rebuild their lives.
Thank you Jesus for the hope we have in you!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hearts for Hackleburg
As most of you know, April 27, 2011 was a heartbreaking day in our state. Massive tornadoes ripped through our state destroying homes, businesses, lives and everything in it's path. Truly a sad, sad day.
The schools let out early in anticipation of the high risk storms headed our way and I'm so glad! After watching the tornadoes in Cullman and Tuscaloosa form on the skycams and bare down on it's path of total destruction, I was glad my babies were home with me. My sister was with me too because we had some stronger storms and a small tornado come through earlier that morning and her work place had been damaged and she couldn't get to work, so she hung out with me all day. We sat and cried and prayed for the people of these cities as we watched the tornadoes swirling around with their massive debris balls (never had heard that term until that day) and I really believe our meteorologists were in total shock because of what they were able to see on their skycams. We had two tornado warnings where I live, but the storms were either to the north or south of us so we were ok, but the kids were ready.....just in case.
This picture is of some of the omnious clouds that went over us. Scary looking.
After the tornadoes hit and we started seeing the massive devestation, we knew we wanted to help in some way, but didn't know where to start. Our friend, Heather, has a friend whose family is from Hackleburg (one of the hardest hit small towns that basically was wiped off the map) and they were gathering donations to take up to the people that were left from the town. We decided to start gathering gently used clothes and water to donate and on the Sunday after the tornadoes, we were able to help take a caravan of people and donations up to Hackleburg.
We decided to take our two oldest children with us so that they could help because we really wanted them to see the impact of such a horrendous storm so that they would think about other little kids like them who had lost everything. They saw the tornadoes on the tv but they couldn't wrap their little minds around what it meant on the ground.
We got to the church and immediately started unloading all of the trucks and cars that had caravaned. Our friends, Chris and Lee and their son Christian, joined us. I was so proud of the kids. They jumped right in and started to help unload the trucks.
The schools let out early in anticipation of the high risk storms headed our way and I'm so glad! After watching the tornadoes in Cullman and Tuscaloosa form on the skycams and bare down on it's path of total destruction, I was glad my babies were home with me. My sister was with me too because we had some stronger storms and a small tornado come through earlier that morning and her work place had been damaged and she couldn't get to work, so she hung out with me all day. We sat and cried and prayed for the people of these cities as we watched the tornadoes swirling around with their massive debris balls (never had heard that term until that day) and I really believe our meteorologists were in total shock because of what they were able to see on their skycams. We had two tornado warnings where I live, but the storms were either to the north or south of us so we were ok, but the kids were ready.....just in case.
This picture is of some of the omnious clouds that went over us. Scary looking.
After the tornadoes hit and we started seeing the massive devestation, we knew we wanted to help in some way, but didn't know where to start. Our friend, Heather, has a friend whose family is from Hackleburg (one of the hardest hit small towns that basically was wiped off the map) and they were gathering donations to take up to the people that were left from the town. We decided to start gathering gently used clothes and water to donate and on the Sunday after the tornadoes, we were able to help take a caravan of people and donations up to Hackleburg.
We decided to take our two oldest children with us so that they could help because we really wanted them to see the impact of such a horrendous storm so that they would think about other little kids like them who had lost everything. They saw the tornadoes on the tv but they couldn't wrap their little minds around what it meant on the ground.
We got to the church and immediately started unloading all of the trucks and cars that had caravaned. Our friends, Chris and Lee and their son Christian, joined us. I was so proud of the kids. They jumped right in and started to help unload the trucks.
After we unloaded two big box trucks and then the personal cars and trucks, we headed inside and started sorting out all of the clothes. There were so many! It really overwhelmed me at how much people had donated in a short 3 day period. It made my heart proud of the people of our great state!
While we were unloading, sorting and organizing donations, there were a few people that had started making a big spaghetti dinner for the residents of Hackleburg. A few of our team loaded up in their trucks and headed into town to bring the people back to the church we had taken all of the donations to. They were stopped by state troopers and told that they were still finding body parts in people's backyards so they were not letting anyone into the actual city at that time. So the group came back to the church and waited. We waited around for a little bit and then decided to try again so this time we (David, me, Allison, Mimi & Bud and our friends, Chris, Lee & Christian) started driving to the city. We were stopped also by a state trooper but he told us that the power company was in there trying to fix the lines so we couldn't go in. I think he told us that just because the kids were in the car and he didn't want them to hear the truth. So we turned around and went back to the church. We waited a little bit longer and then decided to head back home. The group we went with stayed and were eventually able to get into the city. Here are a few pictures that my friend Heather took.
The above picture is of the schools. Just so sad!
Here are some of the pictures I took coming back from Hackleburg in other cities.
The above picture was someone's home. You can see where there is just a foundation.....no structure at all.
My puter or either Blogger has decided that I've blogged enough today. It isn't wanting to cooperate. I'll post some more pictures in another post.
Please don't forget to continue praying for and if at all possible, continue donating to all of the communities impacted by the terrible storms They are going to need long term help as well as short term.
Hope each of you are doing well!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)