A Little Catch-Up Post

Needless to say that life has been busy.  I'm loving it and so thankful that I am here to enjoy the
busy-ness of it all.  I get tired but so does everyone else so I don't worry that ... oh no, it's the cancer. I think more along the lines of ... oh well, I'm tired and keep moving.  I told my daughter once that I would rest when I died.  Praise the Lord for being tired.

Last Monday I made my wonderful trip to Mexia, TX for my dentist appointment.  It takes me a little over two hours to get there so that means it takes me a little over two hours to get home.  I thoroughly enjoy the drive.  Once I exit off of I35 South at Hillsboro, there isn't such a rush rush atmosphere, however, the speed limit does get up to 70mph on this two lane highway.  On the way there, I kept seeing all these cotton fields and the cotton was still there, you know like it hadn't been picked yet.  Just the week before, my daughter who teaches 7th grade history said she needed some stems of cotton ... this was actually while we were at the local antique shop and they had some fake ones ... and after she looked at the price she said ... I'm not paying that much for fake cotton stems.

So being the good Mother that I am when I saw those cotton fields ... my thoughts were that I could stop and pick some stems of cotton for her.  And then those thoughts turned to the following thoughts ... 1) is that stealing if you stop and get a couple stems of cotton; 2) what would I do if a police man or state trooper stopped and ask me what I was doing; 3) what if the farmer who planted that cotton saw me and decided to beat me up or steal my car and leave me standing by the side of the road; 4) there was a lot of traffic on that road for me to stop and pick a few stems of cotton ... but ... guess what?  I pulled over on the side of the road, waited for all the cars to go by, jumped out of my car with my keys in my hand ... why I got my keys I have no idea ... and was heading down the little gulley thing that separated me and the cotton field and then as I was trotting up the other side to the edge of the cotton field this thought popped in to my chemo affected brain ... what if there's a rattle snake out here or what if there was a snake of any kind out here.  That was not one of the many things that popped in to my head before when I was deciding whether to stop or not.  Luckily there was not a rattle snake or any other snake between my car and the field because I would probably have wet my pants.  You see ... I don't hate many things ... but SNAKES.  They say ... leave them alone and they will leave you alone ... ba-lo-ney ... I see a snake and I run and it don't matter what's in front of me ... bed of nails,  hot asphalt or a hoe/shovel or any other garden tool  ... snakes might not directly hurt you but they will make you hurt yourself ... I know!  <laughing>

Before picking said 'cotton', I first took a quick picture of the growing cotton and then pulled two little stems off of different plants so as not to get too many off of one plant.  I stood up and was headed back to the car admiring my cottons stems and how proud my daughter would be to get them ...  and then I thought, maybe I'll get just one more so I turned around and trotted back (all the while looking for the snakes) and got one more.  Cotton is so cool on the stem ... did I take a picture of the stems when I got home?  NO ... I would do that before I posted that blog.  I just went to my daughter's bedroom where the cotton had been laying for a week to take a picture and discovered it's gone.  School starts next week and I guess she's taken it to school.  So all I've got is the picture of the field ... or the part of the field that would fit in my iPhone camera.    

I got the cotton, got back in the car all without a single car coming by, or the farmer or a state trooper.  The cotton I picked  is being used for learning purposes so I'm sure the farmer wouldn't mind.  Children these days probably don't see cotton growing in the city much.  

A little further up this Hwy 171, I could see a big truck pulling out and look what it was towing...

A house.  Yep, that's a house alright.  In this picture can you see the guard rails on each side of the road in front of my car?  That is a bridge ... wide enough for two cars ... not a house and car.  Well these guys that were on foot directing the traffic around the house, kept waving me on so I got to the bridge and saw how big the house was and decided to back up off the bridge and pull over and wait.    Besides I wanted to get a picture of the house as it got closer to share on my blog.  So I did what every other friendly farmer does, I sat and smiled and waved and snapped my pictures.

Below look at the house and the guard rails for that little bridge ... does it look like my Highlander would fit between that white line and that rail?  I don't think so ...  <smile>  There was a guy sitting on the hood of that truck and a guy standing on the running board by the driver.  They thought I was pretty cool for taking pictures... I just made that up ... they probably thought ... what a weirdo looking almost bald lady sitting here taking our picture.  <laughing>  Who cares what they thought ... I got the pictures.

Oh and by the way ... my teeth cleaning went well.  I didn't see my friend the dentist but may catch him next time.  Who knows.

On Wednesday of last week, I had an appointment with my breast surgeon.  Yeppers, I get to check in with her every six months now.  She looked at my scars and did the checking for lumps and bumps.  She laughed at me quite a bit during that visit ... I will spare you the details of our conversation.  I don't have to go back now for six months.  I love her and her staff to pieces but I'm happy to not have to see them for six months.

Thursday evening finally came ... I had plans .. BIG plans in my books.  I was going with two of my sweet friends, Sue Ann and Carol, to my first ever Pink event for Gateway Church.  This event was called ... Laugh.  The event was at the Southlake campus and I was so excited to get to see the new Church.  I go to a Gateway satellite campus' here by my house.  We have live worship music but Pastor Robert is on the big screens.  People ask me if I like that ... you know not getting to see him in person and my answer is ... Yes.  The new Southlake facility is so big that I would be watching him on the big screens anyway so why not save the gas and time and go right around the corner from my house?  The keynote speaker for the night was Jeanne Robertson.  I am including a couple of links for Jeanne's Youtubes.  Please click on them and listen and watch her ... she's a scream.  LAUGH was definitely a good name for the evening.  Jeanne refers to her hubby as ... left brain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs   Don't Send a Man to the Grocery Store.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_W0LCHwK4  Don't Bungee Jump Naked.

Below are three pictures I took from where we were sitting ... and guess what?  I didn't get a picture of the three of us.  <sad face>  But there's another Pink night coming October 25.  If you're interested let me know ... we will make it happen.

Friday rolled around and I happened to look on Facebook and the sweet nurse navigator at The Center had posted that there was a luncheon at The Center for anyone who had gone through, was going through or was supporting someone who had breast cancer.  I was taking off work early last Friday due to the fact that it was my day off anyway but I had gone to the office for a bit so I took off at 10:45 and headed to The Center.  It was a great lunch ... pasta and salad galore and wonderful cupcakes for dessert.  There wasn't a meeting ... a beautiful thank you Lord prayer that got us started and we went around the room and introduced ourselves and what we were going through or had been through.  Such a sweet group of ladies sharing their breast cancer journey.  After everyone had eaten it was picture time ... so guess what ... Yes, I got a picture.  I made new friends that day ... friends who I know I have something in common with and pray that God continues to bring them through the rushing waters of this disease.

And last but not least ... I kept my precious newest grand baby, Brooklyn.  Her Mommy and Daddy had to go to a wedding in Milwaukee so it was Grammy time galore for me.  Brooklyn and I bonded and had so much fun.  I mean who wouldn't have fun with me ... the Grammy and a 2 1/2 month old?  We talked and cooed at each other for hours.  Life is precious ... don't let it slip by ... cherish the precious moments.  I sure do.  Three of the pictures I got while I was with her.  (NOTE:  Someday I am going to learn how to arrange these pictures and possibly have text beside them like a professional.  That 'someday' is not going to be tonight though.  <smile>)

And today (Tuesday) I learned if the model holds out for the tropical storm/hurricane headed in to the Florida area, it will impact Tallahassee.  Tallahassee is where my oldest nephew lives.  I text him today and sent him the models and he replied ... Wonder what it will be like?  No clue here but please let me know.  <smile>

Above:  See the 'blue blob' .. that's the storm... 

Above:  See the blue blob has moved upward toward
Florida panhandle.  As I mentioned, if it
holds together, the blue blob will
hit next Tuesday.  

Now if you happen to be interested, you can track the storm also.

Go to …. mag.ncep.noaa.gov

Model Area … Select NAMER

Model Type … Select GFS

Under SFC-Layer Parms … select 1000_500_thick

Under Forecast Hours … select Loop All

That should take you to the latest model.  You can click the screen at that point to make it larger and you can also click and hold to move the area which you want to see.  Please understand I'm no expert at this ... I just find it interesting.  

Weather is interesting and fun, I wonder why?  Do you think 27 years working for the agency that forecasts the weather has anything to do with it?  I am so thankful that 27 years ago last Saturday (August 18), I was told about a part time clerk typist position at the National Weather Service, I applied and got it.  What was a part-time gig, turned in to a full blown career.  I'm blessed to work for such a great agency and the many people who had crossed my path.  

As I come to the close of this post, I want to thank those who have emailed to check on me and ask if I am OK since I had not posted in a week.  That means a lot to me as do you who care to read about my life experiences.  I hope you find humor in most of my writings, I hope you see the joy I have when I write and feel every day that I am allowed to be here on this great God given earth.  I continue to be blessed every day.  I want to continue to walk in the light of His almighty glory.  

"... I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  John 8:12

Blessed and praying blessings for you!  

genam44@charter.net

I'm Still Here ...

Life got busy and I'm praising the Lord that I am able to be busy with it.  I promise I will post more some time this week ... maybe tonight.  Lots to share and I HAVE pictures.  You don't want to miss last weeks excursions.  You know me ... it's always something.  Check back often...

Blessings!


genam44@charter.net

Sunday Catch Up Blog ...

It's been a full week since I have had an opportunity to sit and write.  I've missed it ... there are so many things that have passed through my life this week that I wanted to share but fatigue set in about mid-week ... back at work after being off the previous week really did something to my energy level.  I was able to walk this week at work ... got in about 4 miles all total... Praise the Lord.  Of course I feel every single muscle that had not been used in a while ... they scream at me all the time when I try to get them going but I don't listen and keep moving.

I went back to see Helena at The Center for my one week follow-up from the pneumonia/inflammation in my lung.  She had gotten the official x-ray report and was reading it on the computer screen in the room with me ... for a long time she kept reading ... which was kinda freaking me out.  I'm thinking ... what is she looking at?  Then she said to me ... Did you know that you had had a broken rib on your right side?  Well ... nope!  She said ... this shows you did.  GREAT!  Just wait until I see my brother and sister and ask them ... which one of ya'll beat me up and broke my rib?  <laughing>  Growing up we were little scrappers!  <smile>  Glad I'm grown and don't have to do that anymore.  I was the middle child and the smallest in stature ... however ... I could hold my on!  <laughing>  OK, back to the x-ray report.  It officially showed a cloudy area at the bottom of my left lung, however, there was nothing definitive as to what it was.  All I know is the medicine cleared it up and I was released.

On Thursday I had my two week follow-up to the six week follow-up for my hysterectomy.
Dr. Kohlmorgen released me ... Praise the Lord.  I ask her if I could ride my bicycle and she said yes.  Now, I have to buy a bicycle.  <laughing>  I was just making sure I could ride it before I bought it.  I want an old fashion single speed bike.  Why, you ask?  I really just want an old single speed bike if I can find one.

The week was very busy at work ... so much so that I didn't feel like sitting in front of the computer when I got home.  I had so many things I wanted to write about but I was so tired.  When I woke up Saturday, I had a migraine that haunted me all day ... all because I was so tired from the week.  I know my energy level will build back up and I am trying so hard to be patient.  Praise the Lord, I slept all night last night and didn't wake up until 5:00am this morning.  That's good for me.

Thank you all for your prayers for Mandy.  It was posted on Facebook that she woke up and was responding well to everyone on August 6.  This is answered prayer.  She had to undergo surgery on her pelvis which was broken and also had to have a stomach surgery.  It is expected that she will be transferred to a rehab facility possibly early this week.  Thank you again for your prayers.

A few really neat quotes and scripture verses that was on Twitter this week.
*  Thinking hasn't gone out of style.
*  When you focus on God's promises instead of the problems, you’ll notice your thoughts will be healthier and filled with peace.
*  When we stay focused on our own process of refinement we will have little need to criticize or look down on others. {Psalm 66:10}
*  When you are trying not to interfere, pray for the person then they won't know you're interfering.
*  Everytime you forgive you disappoint the devil.

Yes, believe it or not, I'm on Twitter and I love it.  I follow many Christian women who speak and write blogs.  I get so much from reading their tweets throughout the day.  It is a neat way to stay connected and focused on what matters ... our awesome Lord ....  Sign up for Twitter and look me up.  I don't tweet much ... I retweet the good stuff though.

Everytime I have seen my new grand daughter, Brooklyn, I look at this baby and think to myself ... this baby looks just like my brothers baby pictures.   Below is my brother, Marvin and Brooklyn ...

Well as it turns out, Brooklyn looks just like my baby pictures.  My daughter, Bonnie (her Mommy), kept saying ... This is scarey that she looks so much like your baby pictures.  I'm thinking 'scarey' <laughing>  I thought I was a cute baby.  <laughing>  So I told Bonnie that ... she said ... no, it's that she looks so much like you and the Cagle family.  I love that my little grand daughter looks like her Grammy did at an early tender age and favors the Cagle family.  

Yesterday I went to the first church service at Gateway (4:00pm) so this morning was free.  I got my grocery list together and headed to the Kroger.  Yes, KROGER ... I can get .10 off a gallon of gas for every $100 I spend.  Today I stayed on budget ... $80 or less and am headed to $100 for the gas discount.  AWESOME!  Bonnie told me Friday that she looked at her most recent Kroger receipt and was up to .70 off per gallon of gas.  I was commenting  ... Wow, Bonnie that's good, that makes your gas cheap AND she was saying ... Mom, do you realize that's $700 worth of groceries?   I guess it's all in how you look at it and besides it wasn't like she had spent $700 all at once.  <laughing>  The gas points accumulate.  <laughing>

Speaking of Gateway Church ... I love the worship there and plan to take the class to become a member.  I know God is calling me to do something at Gateway and I am following this call.  Pray for me that God reveals what it is when He is ready.

So after the grocery store, I can home and got the Italian Chicken recipe in the crock pot (not pictured) and put together the Chicken and Spinach Pasta bake casserole.  Both of these recipes make enough for two meals for us so I will freeze the other portion for a week I don't want to cook ... like probably next week.  <laughing>  Here's a picture of the Chicken and Spinach Pasta bake ...  it's supposed to have mozzarella cheese on it.  I will add that when we get ready to eat it.

I also splurged and bought a lemon bar mix.  After lunch, I threw the eggs, water and mix together and baked it.  

   As it was baking I decided I wanted a cup of coffee ... weird, I know.  The coffee was so good and so was the hot out of the oven lemon bars.  I ate way too much ... I don't want anymore.  <smile>  From the picture below, it looks like I ate a lot .. I heard Alicia in the kitchen getting her some ... I only ate the width of the pan about 3 inches over into it ... you see where she started her row ... why did she leave that little piece?  hmmmm I may need .... never mind, I'm sick of lemon bars.  

A couple of weeks ago, I went to my Walmart Neighborhood Store and as I was checking out, there was a lady and a young girl pull up behind me with their cart.  I heard the lady say ... Look at this, this is terrible.  My first thought was ... Is she talking to me?  In actuality ... she was.  <laughing>  Me and her daughter ... and this is what she was talking about.  Notice anything strange in the picture below?  OK, I confess ... it took me a minute to realize what she was talking about ... the .03 cent charge for the gift card to Walmart.  You have to pay .03 cents for the card now ... they used to be free.  I could not believe this.  Perhaps this has been happening for a while and I just never noticed but ... REALLY!  

I 

I am currently reading a wonderful book by Lysa TerKeurst ... Unglued.  It is awesome and Lysa is so upfront and personal about her own behaviors about coming unglued.

I think if we were all honest about it, we all come unglued at one point or another.  I personally have been 'unglued' most of my life ... now hold on before you judge me.  I don't remember God appointing any man-made judges here on earth.  <smile>   Try Amazon .. it's probably cheaper than on Lysa's website.

I am going to my first-ever Women of Faith Conference in Dallas in September.  I am so excited about this that I get giddy when I talk about it.  My sister and her friends have gone for years and always come back renewed and refreshed with lots of good books to read.  Is anyone else out there going?  If so, let me know, maybe we can get together there.  I have added the video from the website ... hoping it will play for you.  If not, here's the link ...   http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/dallas/

Guess what time it is ... Sonic Happy Hour ... first a good cup of coffee and now a Sonic ice tea (only .99 cents)  ... yep, I'm from the south ... I love them both ... tea and coffee and I love the cheap price during happy hour.

Please know that I pray for you daily.  While I may not know you specifically, please know I pray.  I know that is what God wants us all to do... Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

I would love to hear from you ... leave me a comment or send me an email and as always .. thank you for visiting and reading my blog.  It means so much to me and my prayer is that there is something you will come away with that lifts you up and lets you know that God is with us all.   Forgive my pictures being all over the place ... I'm learning.  <smile>

Blessed and praying blessings for you.

genam44@charter.net

It's Thursday Already ...

All is well ... Busy week ... See you Saturday !!!
Blessings!



genam44@charter.net

Joyful Mondays

I meant to post this yesterday but got busy and forgot.  Every Monday a sister blogger shares a segment on her blog called Joyful Monday. I was honored recently when I received an email from her asking me to share a Joyful Monday post. Take a few minutes and visit my blogger friend athttp://lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.com/   Scroll down to Joyful Monday ... 
Blessings!

genam44@charter.net

Praising God ...

Mandy woke up today.  Here is the Facebook post ...

Great news on Mandy! She is responding today! She recognizes/calls people by name; can associate things together. She will say random things and repeat herself, but she has come back to us! She will have surgery Wednesday to repair her diaphragm/stomach problems. Keep the prayers coming!!!! — 

We service an awesome God.  Thank you Father for Mandy's life and healing her.
Blessings.

genam44@charter.net

Great Weekend ...

Monday morning has rolled around ... I'm ready to face the world.  Feeling great  ... Praise the Lord.  I will have my recheck with Helena at The Center today.  Praying for a good report.

It was a good productive weekend.  I love weekends like that.  The heat is monstrous but I know fall is on the way.  BEWARE  ---  I went out last night to water a couple of pots of flowers on the patio, bent down to pick something out of the mulch in one of the pots and was bombed by the waiting grasshopper in the flower.  He hit me in my left eye and I have to tell you ... it hurt.  This morning my left eye is a little sore.  I guess I need to get my work goggles to go outside.  <smile>

Colossians 3:12-17

  

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one bodyyou were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdomthrough psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  Continue to pray for Mandy, please.

gkmorrison12@gmail.com

Prayers for Mandy ...

Isaiah 41:10  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I have a beautiful friend who needs our prayers.  Mandy is a lady I went to school with some 35+ years ago.  She is beautiful inside and out.  She was in a terrible car accident on Tuesday, presumably someone ran a red light and hit her.  She has a severe concussion and crushed pelvis.  She is in and out of consciousness.  The medical staff planned an MRI last night to see what was going on with her brain.  Please pray for Mandy and her family.  God will hear one and all.   Sweet story ... We were finishing up dinner last night and I had tears running down my face as I was thinking about Mandy ... my sweet grand daughter reached over and patted my arm with her lasagna covered hand and said "it's OK Grammy".  God sends us angels of all sorts especially with our grand babies.

Gabby Douglas, the young woman who won the gold last night praises her Lord.  What a blessing it was to hear her on national TV praising God for her success.  "It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling.  And I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me," Douglas testified in the interview.  She tweeted: "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me."  Gabby also mentioned that she lives one precious minute at a time.  Congratulations to the young woman who has a God given talent and stands up and praises Him for it.  

I am not sure what happened with me and sleep last night but it was not to be.  I turned the TV off at 11:00pm and was awake at 2:00am and ready to get up.  I turned the TV on and it was some more swimming so I turned it off.  I took many cleansing breaths and then I prayed.  If you needed prayer, I'm sure I covered you with it last night.  It may have been the build up of the steroids in my system that caused the insomnia.  I am on the count down ... two more today and one tomorrow and I am finished with them.

I am praising God for feeling so much better.  Yesterday the 'knife stabbing pain' was gone in my left lung.  I could take a deep breath and enjoy it.  Praise the Lord.

Today my prayers continue for my friend, Mandy and her family.  A difficult time for all.  Again, please join me.  God continues to listen ... He loves for us to call on Him.  Thank Him for you blessings.

Ephesians 1: 3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"

Blessed and praying blessings for you all.  Praying healing for Mandy and comfort and peace for her family.  

genam44@charter.net

What Happens When Frustration Sets In?

A new day has dawned and I am praising God for feeling so much better than Monday.  I can take a deep breath now without the feeling of a knife sticking in the bottom portion of my left lung ... this is a BIG ... Praise the Lord.  My energy level is coming back up.  My frustration, and I know so very well that it is temporary, comes when I must be careful.  Careful about getting too tired, careful about being around people who may be sick or have been sick in the last several days, trying to eat right even when I'm not hungry (well ok I try to do this all the time).  I'm frustrated with daytime TV ... while I love the Olympics, they are about to get on my last nerve.  I mean who knew that there were nine jillion swimming races and so many different types of strokes and they all have a different stroke (we called it paddling when I was growing up ... you know dog paddle or arm over shoulder paddle or whatever).  <smile>  I think it's time that we move on to synchronized swimming, pole vaulting ... whatever is next.  <laughing>

Another day at the Olympics

I know all my frustration stems from the set back of once again knowing that my body still may have issues from the breast cancer treatments.  I try hard not to complain because I am so thankful for where I am today as opposed to where I was 5 months ago ... which by the way was in the middle of chemo.  Those days are gone ... Praising.

I read this morning that no matter what is going on or where we are in our lives ... good or not so good ... God is still in His Holy Temple.  He will always know what is ahead for me, He always looks out for my best interest.   1 Peter 5:7 Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  What a great scripture.  He is watching out for everything that concerns me ... me ... little whiney Gena.  John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift --- peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid.  OK, that sews it up ... I'm jumping off now ... yes, jumping off the poor pitiful 'me' box and getting on with the day.  The day which God has given me ... He wants me to rest and take care of myself and be trouble free.  Who in the world am I to dispute Him?   Thank you for Father for letting me vent my frustrations and not turning your back on me.  I know You are looking out for my best interest and all I can do is say thank you and follow the instructions I have been given.  Amen 

Now let's talk about customer service reps on the telephone.  Anyone out there ever get so frustrated with those people ... those customer service reps ... who are by the way are just doing their jobs ... that you want to scream and shout ugly words?  I know you are out there, as well as, the person sitting here typing has been the same way.  Months ago when I was not able to work in the office due to my compromised immune system (chemo), I was blessed to get to work from home - Praising.  I was provided a laptop by my work and I think from the git-go that laptop did not like me.  It seemed I had more problems with that thing than you can shake a stick at.  Of course, it was not ME, the operator, it had to be that laptop.  There were log on issues, there were password issues (more than I can count), email issues ... ugghhh!  But I persevered, as well as, all the IT guys at work who I, it seemed, was in constant contact with ... almost daily.

This is how I felt that day and
probably looked except I
was completely bald at the time.

I was working at home one day and the internet decides to take a road trip ... packed it's bags and walked right out of my house.  Now I don't know about you but I have never understood how something can be working one minute and all of a sudden just decides it wants to pack it's bags and go south.  How and why?  That particular day my internet did.  I know just enough about all this to probably be very dangerous, however, I do not know enough.  A mild frustration settled in ... OK, maybe medium frustration.  I called my internet provider who I believe was probably in a foreign country.  It seemed she wanted me to disconnect the cord from the wall that is behind the heaviest file cabinet and chest of drawers that holds my TV.  I said ... Lady, I have had major surgery and you want me to disconnect this cord from there?  Why can't I disconnect the cord from the modem?  In her broken English, she said ... Oh no, won't work.  Must be disconnected at the wall.  Well GREAT!  I was able to wiggle the file cabinet out of it's indented home in the carpet and reach behind the very heavy chest of drawers and disconnect the stupid cable.  After leaving it disconnected about TWO minutes (really two minutes disconnected is going to fix my internet) she said ... Ok, now reconnect.  Duuuhhh!!!  Reconnecting was harder than disconnecting because I had that connection thingy with that needle like thing on the end of it that had to fit in the hole so it would let me screw it back on.  Uggghhh!  Can you see my frustration building?  I wanted to scream at her and tell her to come here and fix it.  And do it NOW!  I didn't feel like disconnecting and reconnected all these cords ... you know the scenario because you've probably faced something similar at one time or another.  To make the story a little shorter ... this did NOT fix my internet ... frustrated even more.  I ended up having to have a new cable run through the attic from the far side of the house to where I needed it.  A big blessing, they didn't charge me - Praise - and they did fix my internet.

I shared my story because something struck me while I was being 'mean' to the lady on the other end of the phone that day ... all because I was frustrated.  It wasn't her fault that my internet wasn't working.  She was doing her best to get it back up and running.  This was her job ... she was doing her job.  I was the one who was being mean and hateful and how sorry I am for doing that.  I realized that day that being mean never accomplishes anything.  I can only hope the lady on the other end of the phone that day will forgive me from afar and I know that I was the one in the wrong.  Since that time, I generally speak these words first when I make a call for something that has frustrated me ... I know this is not your fault so please forgive me if I seem a little short OR better yet ... I chose the higher road and am nice from the start to finish.  Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, Do not fret; it only causes harm.  

This morning my frustration is minor.  The devil continues to try to get his ugly foot in the door and take me down but it is not going to work.  God has brought me this far and I am not turning back ... I'm moving forward with Him.  The devil can pack his bags and head south ... maybe he will find the internet connection that packed and left a few months ago.  They deserve each other.  <laughing>  So when you feel frustrated and we all do, remember 1 Peter 5:7 Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  

God is using this time that I am off allowing my body to heal ... to grow me.  He is growing me in many ways.  While I say that my life will have a new normal and it does ... my life will have a new walk ... a much closer walk with my precious Savior.  Thank you Father for this time of slowing down and learning and hearing you.  There are hidden gifts in the tough stuff.  There is grace and honor to be gained.  I will only see those gifts when I stop and realize they are gifts.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  Let's never forget to praise God for all He is doing and pray for all who need our prayers.


 genam44@charter.net

Texas Heat and Other Ramblings ...

The steroids have kicked in full force attacking the inflammation in my lung and also causing my face to be firey red and burn.  I am so thankful to be feeling better this morning and am thankful that I can take in a deep breath without as much pain in my lung.  Praise the Lord.  I know this latest hurdle is temporary and I am so thankful for that.  I believe that while I continue to build my body up physically there are still things I must keep in check.  Stress … honestly there is nothing good that can come from stress.  It affects our bodies in such a negative way.  I promised myself when I returned to work after my surgery and treatments that I would not allow my job to stress me out.  I will be promising myself that once again.  I, like you reading this, want good health and the ability to feel good and my plan is to stay healthy.  This in no way means I will not care about my job, it means I chose to take care of me.  We all have that option whether it is work stress or personal life stress … we make the choice.  I chose life … how about you? 

Since I am homebound for the week and resting, I have a lot of time on my hands.  The steroids kept me awake yesterday but I continued to rest a lot. The ePad (you read that right … Asus ePad not iPad)  I bought while I was taking chemo got a work out yesterday.  Yeppers, caught up on all my blogs that I read, searched various other blog sites and added those to the collection, checked Facebook a jillion times along with Twitter all the while watching the Olympics.  I decided about 12:45pm that I needed some lunch, even though I was not hungry due to the steroids, so I popped one of those single serving bags of popcorn and drank a 7-up and finished it off with the last two steroids for the day.  Good meal I would say. 

The heat is up outside and consequently my blinds and doors are closed.  I feel like I am sitting in a dungeon or cave.  In an effort to conserve air conditioning and electricity, we open the blinds in the morning before the heat rises to 100+ and before mid-day try to ensure all the blinds are closed.  I really dislike being in the darkened house, however, being in a cool house right now is more important.  It is a temporary darkness and I know we will make it through.  I would much rather be in the dark physically while I am keeping the Texas heat out than to be in the darkness and not know our awesome God. 

After watching the U.S. gymnast, Jordyn Weiber, there was a lesson that can be learned.  Jordyn’s minor bobble on the balance beam combined with a small misstep out of bounds on her floor exercise cost her a spot in the individual all around competition for a gold.  It makes one stop and think about how many bobbles that happen to me daily yet I am still on God’s team.  My daily bobbles do not affect my standing with God and how thankful I am about that.  When our days on earth are over, Jesus will be standing at the finish line when we arrive … clapping and singing and saying welcome home my child. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  

gkmorrison12@gmail.com