sometimes reluctant
Friday, December 30, 2005
The Kissing List
Every Friday I play volleyball at the same sports/recreation center. It's a fun place.
One of my favorite things about it is on the door of the second stall of the ladies room.
Yes, I read the contents of the stall... So there. I said it.
Anyway, on the door of the second stall, on the inside, there a big square with KISSING LIST at the top. There's room for a couple dozen names, but only one is listed. Travis, though listed, was crossed out. Apparently, he was not worthy of making the list after all. No other names emerged to take his place. It's a list that goes nowhere.
Why even make a list of none? Hope springs eternal.
I don't know if this little lady inspires me because I see myself tracking all the wrong things too. Or if it's because she apparently has not given up on finding a kissable fella, so I find her optimism cute. Maybe she has completely forgotten about the list, and I'm the only one interested in the contents. Perhaps she's moved on to more worthwhile persuits. But I doubt it. ¶ 4:12 PM 3 comments
One of my favorite things about it is on the door of the second stall of the ladies room.
Yes, I read the contents of the stall... So there. I said it.
Anyway, on the door of the second stall, on the inside, there a big square with KISSING LIST at the top. There's room for a couple dozen names, but only one is listed. Travis, though listed, was crossed out. Apparently, he was not worthy of making the list after all. No other names emerged to take his place. It's a list that goes nowhere.
Why even make a list of none? Hope springs eternal.
I don't know if this little lady inspires me because I see myself tracking all the wrong things too. Or if it's because she apparently has not given up on finding a kissable fella, so I find her optimism cute. Maybe she has completely forgotten about the list, and I'm the only one interested in the contents. Perhaps she's moved on to more worthwhile persuits. But I doubt it. ¶ 4:12 PM 3 comments
Monday, December 26, 2005
The Twelve Days of Christmas
My children and I composed the following song about our holiday this year. I think you'll know the tune.
On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 2nd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five shiny rocks, .....
On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies....
On the 7th day of Chirstmas, my true love gave to me, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post!
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments ...
On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards...
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten giant hugs, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post!!
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven macaroni, ten giant hugs, nine...
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve Heywood Banks songs, eleven macaroni, ten giant hugs, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post!!!!!
Thus ends the rant.
Hope you had a great time too. ¶ 6:00 AM 7 comments
On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 2nd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 4th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post.
On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five shiny rocks, .....
On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies....
On the 7th day of Chirstmas, my true love gave to me, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes and a kitten on a scratching post!
On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments ...
On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards...
On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten giant hugs, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post!!
On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven macaroni, ten giant hugs, nine...
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve Heywood Banks songs, eleven macaroni, ten giant hugs, nine pieces of mhyrr, eight greeting cards, seven homemade ornaments, six snowflakes, five shiny rocks, four sugar cookies, three family parties, two moon shoes, and a kitten on a scratching post!!!!!
Thus ends the rant.
Hope you had a great time too. ¶ 6:00 AM 7 comments
Thursday, December 22, 2005
What a Mess!!!
My 9 year old daughter can be a slob. To say she gets it from her mother would be true, but not helpful.
Her room has always contained countless boxes and bags of items no one else would value. She likes: leaves of various shapes/textures, interesting rocks, feathers, scraps of fabric, torn paper, pieces of broken toys, anything that reminds her of something fun, or is a lovely color, or feels interesting… An exhaustive list would be impossible. She also likes stuff other 9 year olds like - stuffed toys, craft supplies, photos, music CDs…
Additionally, she is not terribly interested in liner tasks. Chores like putting away her clothes, spelling, or cleaning up after a craft, are tedious for her (and the rest of us). I’ve reminded, and reminded… oh who am I kidding? I’ve turned to nagging.
I’ve tried to help numerous times by going into her room when she was not home and cleaning it out. I have disposed of trash bags of stuff I define as trash. I’ve discreetly returned many rocks to the great outdoors. I’ve labled bins for her clothing, and shelves for her toys. I’ve created a place for everything I think she needs. The times, I’ve gone in (in combat gear) and imposed order, I thought she’d enjoy it! Appreciate it! I thought she’d say, “If I’d known how nice this would be, I would have done this long ago!” This did not happen.
Tuesday, the right motivator presented herself. Selena, another 3rd grader in Morgan’s girl scout troop, wanted to come for a sleep-over. I consented to this plan with the condition being a clean room to entertain in. She thought this was unreasonable, but I'm the mom... Without homework, school, and other tedium in the way, she dove in. She identified and removed 3 trash bags full of trash!!! She sorted through her clothes and bagged ones she can no longer wear. She organized her art supplies. In two days (+/- 10 hours all together) she had it clean and organized. (OK, I helped quite a bit, but she was doing the job.)
Before Selena arrived, Morgan was in her room, with the door closed, enjoying the serenity. She was playing beautiful music and doing some sketching. This time, she got it.
Early this morning, the children were sleeping. It was dark and quiet.
I read, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water…”
I thought about creating an environment in which I can find peace and serenity. A sincere heart that draws near to God. A clean conscience. Getting there often takes some effort - like getting up early. But it’s worth it. It provides real rest. I can lay in the floor, listening to beautiful music and do a little sketching... ¶ 3:24 AM 3 comments
Her room has always contained countless boxes and bags of items no one else would value. She likes: leaves of various shapes/textures, interesting rocks, feathers, scraps of fabric, torn paper, pieces of broken toys, anything that reminds her of something fun, or is a lovely color, or feels interesting… An exhaustive list would be impossible. She also likes stuff other 9 year olds like - stuffed toys, craft supplies, photos, music CDs…
Additionally, she is not terribly interested in liner tasks. Chores like putting away her clothes, spelling, or cleaning up after a craft, are tedious for her (and the rest of us). I’ve reminded, and reminded… oh who am I kidding? I’ve turned to nagging.
I’ve tried to help numerous times by going into her room when she was not home and cleaning it out. I have disposed of trash bags of stuff I define as trash. I’ve discreetly returned many rocks to the great outdoors. I’ve labled bins for her clothing, and shelves for her toys. I’ve created a place for everything I think she needs. The times, I’ve gone in (in combat gear) and imposed order, I thought she’d enjoy it! Appreciate it! I thought she’d say, “If I’d known how nice this would be, I would have done this long ago!” This did not happen.
Tuesday, the right motivator presented herself. Selena, another 3rd grader in Morgan’s girl scout troop, wanted to come for a sleep-over. I consented to this plan with the condition being a clean room to entertain in. She thought this was unreasonable, but I'm the mom... Without homework, school, and other tedium in the way, she dove in. She identified and removed 3 trash bags full of trash!!! She sorted through her clothes and bagged ones she can no longer wear. She organized her art supplies. In two days (+/- 10 hours all together) she had it clean and organized. (OK, I helped quite a bit, but she was doing the job.)
Before Selena arrived, Morgan was in her room, with the door closed, enjoying the serenity. She was playing beautiful music and doing some sketching. This time, she got it.
Early this morning, the children were sleeping. It was dark and quiet.
I read, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water…”
I thought about creating an environment in which I can find peace and serenity. A sincere heart that draws near to God. A clean conscience. Getting there often takes some effort - like getting up early. But it’s worth it. It provides real rest. I can lay in the floor, listening to beautiful music and do a little sketching... ¶ 3:24 AM 3 comments
Monday, December 19, 2005
It Was A Stretch...
Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach children at church. I’m not always given this opportunity, which may be because I do stuff like the story I’m about to tell…
When I arrived, the students were creating Christmas cards to deliver to a local nursing home in the afternoon. The plan, if I understand it, was to: visit, sing, pass out the handmade greeting cards, and be generally cheerful. The kids understood why they were making cards and for whom. They genuinely wanted to do a good job. In my view, time they were spending making these cards was worship.
I was assigned to 4th thru 6th graders, as they are a little bit less impressionable than the younger ones. Another teacher (name withheld to protect the innocent) had a lesson for the 1st thru 3rd graders. This teacher and I were reluctant to split the children into study groups, because we didn’t want to break up the card making/crafting. It was worship. We waited, trying to give them adequate time to make enough cards so that every resident at the nursing home would get one. It seemed a worthy endeavor.
The lesson for the older group was about gender differences and respecting others – especially those creepy boys! Or yucky girls! It was a good topic; and the scripture was a gem! A doozy! It was that passage in Colossians that says we should clothe ourselves with compassion - and kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We should ‘bear with’ one another, and forgive each other! And LOVE, holds all these virtues together. Wow!
The lesson for the younger group involved reading the Luke 2 account of the savior’s birth and singing carols. After making a ton of Christmas cards, we were short on time. The birth account seemed like a good fit, so kept both groups together. We sat them all down and read and talked about the birth of the Christ child. We asked them to think about how He was different than other babies. We discussed what it meant to be a ‘Savior’.
Then we moved on to singing carols. They called out the names of songs they wanted to sing. The first choice, by far, was ‘Jingle Bells.’ It was not what we had in mind, but we’re boring adults. Next, they wanted ‘Rudolph’. We acquiesced, thinking they’d soon run out of secular songs and hit one about Jesus.
As we sang the story of the abused, fictional reindeer, it occurred to me that the characters in the song could use a dose of Colossians 3 – compassion, gentleness, kindness, humility… Those jerks wouldn’t even let him play in all the reindeer games!!!
So I went for it. We read and discussed the passage in light of the Rudolph song. We talked about what it means to ‘bear with’ others when they’re getting on our nerves. Even siblings aren’t exempt!! We acknowledged that we could not be gentle, compassionate, kind, humble, or loving without Jesus’ help. So we settled that the best way to share Christmas with our community is to demonstrate those virtues (for the record, none of them could define ‘virtue’ initially). We would make it our purpose to be just like Rudolph – I mean Jesus…. well, unlike Rudolph’s friends anyway.
OK, it was a stretch… ¶ 12:00 PM 6 comments
When I arrived, the students were creating Christmas cards to deliver to a local nursing home in the afternoon. The plan, if I understand it, was to: visit, sing, pass out the handmade greeting cards, and be generally cheerful. The kids understood why they were making cards and for whom. They genuinely wanted to do a good job. In my view, time they were spending making these cards was worship.
I was assigned to 4th thru 6th graders, as they are a little bit less impressionable than the younger ones. Another teacher (name withheld to protect the innocent) had a lesson for the 1st thru 3rd graders. This teacher and I were reluctant to split the children into study groups, because we didn’t want to break up the card making/crafting. It was worship. We waited, trying to give them adequate time to make enough cards so that every resident at the nursing home would get one. It seemed a worthy endeavor.
The lesson for the older group was about gender differences and respecting others – especially those creepy boys! Or yucky girls! It was a good topic; and the scripture was a gem! A doozy! It was that passage in Colossians that says we should clothe ourselves with compassion - and kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We should ‘bear with’ one another, and forgive each other! And LOVE, holds all these virtues together. Wow!
The lesson for the younger group involved reading the Luke 2 account of the savior’s birth and singing carols. After making a ton of Christmas cards, we were short on time. The birth account seemed like a good fit, so kept both groups together. We sat them all down and read and talked about the birth of the Christ child. We asked them to think about how He was different than other babies. We discussed what it meant to be a ‘Savior’.
Then we moved on to singing carols. They called out the names of songs they wanted to sing. The first choice, by far, was ‘Jingle Bells.’ It was not what we had in mind, but we’re boring adults. Next, they wanted ‘Rudolph’. We acquiesced, thinking they’d soon run out of secular songs and hit one about Jesus.
As we sang the story of the abused, fictional reindeer, it occurred to me that the characters in the song could use a dose of Colossians 3 – compassion, gentleness, kindness, humility… Those jerks wouldn’t even let him play in all the reindeer games!!!
So I went for it. We read and discussed the passage in light of the Rudolph song. We talked about what it means to ‘bear with’ others when they’re getting on our nerves. Even siblings aren’t exempt!! We acknowledged that we could not be gentle, compassionate, kind, humble, or loving without Jesus’ help. So we settled that the best way to share Christmas with our community is to demonstrate those virtues (for the record, none of them could define ‘virtue’ initially). We would make it our purpose to be just like Rudolph – I mean Jesus…. well, unlike Rudolph’s friends anyway.
OK, it was a stretch… ¶ 12:00 PM 6 comments
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
More About Dogs
I read interesting post at Attention Span (http://rev-ed.blogspot.com) entitled, "WhatHave I Done?" It says:
I ran across this quote from author Gene Hill today:
"I can't think of anything that brings me close to tears than when my old dog -- completely exhausted after a hard day in the field -- limps away from her nice spot by the fire and limps over to where I'm sitting, puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend."
I feel the same way whenever I really, really look at a cross.
Thanks Rev. I love that. ¶ 10:48 AM 10 comments
I ran across this quote from author Gene Hill today:
"I can't think of anything that brings me close to tears than when my old dog -- completely exhausted after a hard day in the field -- limps away from her nice spot by the fire and limps over to where I'm sitting, puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend."
I feel the same way whenever I really, really look at a cross.
Thanks Rev. I love that. ¶ 10:48 AM 10 comments
Monday, December 12, 2005
Speaking of Dogs...
We had another dog. He was a terrier mix and was grumpy with children. We trained him to be tolerant of our kids. He knew if he growled at or bit either of them, he'd have to account for it with the BIG DOGS (the hubby and myself)! He was pretty compliant by nature; he wanted to please.
One evening a few months ago he attacked a neighbor who was sitting on our porch steps. The offended person was a 9 year old girl who is a welcome guest in our home. This child had been previously instructed that LeRoy (that's the dog) was grumpy with kids and should be 'left alone'. She complied. The attack was completely unprovoked and random. My husband and I discussed it and decided that even though the child was OK, this event was a deal-breaker. LeRoy had to go. We would try to find a home for him where there were no children around. We couldn't keep a dog who might randomly attack kids.
We informed our children and received the expected barrage of begging, complaining, crying, wailing, pleading etc... He's been with us for several years and it wasn't easy for anyone. We calmly informed them that it was a 'adult decision,' and the decision was made.
Luke, our 8 year old, was distraught. He loved LeRoy and was sure that nothing unpleasanat would ever happen again. LeRoy had been punished, and (according to Luke) reformation had occurred. There was absolutely no problem!! You could see the, "What's wrong with you people!!!!" look on his face as he accused us of overreacting. We re-stated that it was an 'adult decision' and that the decision was already made. It was difficult to accept that his opinion, though passionate and reasonable to him, made no difference in the outcome.
Luke's frustration continued to build as he realized that his arguments were going nowhere. Finally, in a burst of frustration, he said, "If you can't handle how LeRoy is, maybe you should leave." Parenting is grand. When feeling frustrated and powerless, your beloved child may be willing to swap you for a terrier mix who randomly attacks children.
It wasn't until I was discussing the parental nature of God's dealing with us that I saw that I'm the powerless child. When I think I know best, or I complain about things beyond my control, I am doing the same thing. I'm choosing a erratic terrier, when I should be choosing the ONE who knows my past, present and future, and loves me despite all my failings. The thing that I think is perfectly safe and fine, may indeed attack without warning and leave wreckage in my life. The 'it's an adult decision' position seems good and right, until I recognize I'm the child - powerless in the hands of ONE who knows best. ¶ 11:35 AM 4 comments
One evening a few months ago he attacked a neighbor who was sitting on our porch steps. The offended person was a 9 year old girl who is a welcome guest in our home. This child had been previously instructed that LeRoy (that's the dog) was grumpy with kids and should be 'left alone'. She complied. The attack was completely unprovoked and random. My husband and I discussed it and decided that even though the child was OK, this event was a deal-breaker. LeRoy had to go. We would try to find a home for him where there were no children around. We couldn't keep a dog who might randomly attack kids.
We informed our children and received the expected barrage of begging, complaining, crying, wailing, pleading etc... He's been with us for several years and it wasn't easy for anyone. We calmly informed them that it was a 'adult decision,' and the decision was made.
Luke, our 8 year old, was distraught. He loved LeRoy and was sure that nothing unpleasanat would ever happen again. LeRoy had been punished, and (according to Luke) reformation had occurred. There was absolutely no problem!! You could see the, "What's wrong with you people!!!!" look on his face as he accused us of overreacting. We re-stated that it was an 'adult decision' and that the decision was already made. It was difficult to accept that his opinion, though passionate and reasonable to him, made no difference in the outcome.
Luke's frustration continued to build as he realized that his arguments were going nowhere. Finally, in a burst of frustration, he said, "If you can't handle how LeRoy is, maybe you should leave." Parenting is grand. When feeling frustrated and powerless, your beloved child may be willing to swap you for a terrier mix who randomly attacks children.
It wasn't until I was discussing the parental nature of God's dealing with us that I saw that I'm the powerless child. When I think I know best, or I complain about things beyond my control, I am doing the same thing. I'm choosing a erratic terrier, when I should be choosing the ONE who knows my past, present and future, and loves me despite all my failings. The thing that I think is perfectly safe and fine, may indeed attack without warning and leave wreckage in my life. The 'it's an adult decision' position seems good and right, until I recognize I'm the child - powerless in the hands of ONE who knows best. ¶ 11:35 AM 4 comments
Friday, December 09, 2005
My Neighborhood
II Chronicles 6:18-21
"Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn't large enought to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I've built. Even so, I'm bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O GOD. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I'm setting before you right now. Keep your eyes open to this Temple day and night, this place you promised to dignify with your Name. And listen to the prayers that I pray in this place. And listen to your people Israel when they pray at this place. "
The house next to ours is for sale. Wouldn't it be cool if God himself moved into our neighborhood? Especially right next door!
That's not going to happen. He's too big for that house; He'd never fit.
It seems like the Israelites felt this way after building a temple, then expecting the God of the universe to move in. But God promised to dignify this place with His name. So they expected Him because He said He'd be there. It's not so precocious after all. So He shows up at the temple becuase it's His.
I think it sounds pretentious to expect God to show up where I am all the time. At the grocery store, cleaning the dog puke off the couch, where I work...
It actually is pretentious to think HE would be concerned with the trivialities of my routines! Why would He! Yet He does show up again and again. Because I'm His. I think that's amazing. ¶ 11:12 AM 6 comments
"Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood? Why, the cosmos itself isn't large enought to give you breathing room, let alone this Temple I've built. Even so, I'm bold to ask: Pay attention to these my prayers, both intercessory and personal, O GOD. Listen to my prayers, energetic and devout, that I'm setting before you right now. Keep your eyes open to this Temple day and night, this place you promised to dignify with your Name. And listen to the prayers that I pray in this place. And listen to your people Israel when they pray at this place. "
The house next to ours is for sale. Wouldn't it be cool if God himself moved into our neighborhood? Especially right next door!
That's not going to happen. He's too big for that house; He'd never fit.
It seems like the Israelites felt this way after building a temple, then expecting the God of the universe to move in. But God promised to dignify this place with His name. So they expected Him because He said He'd be there. It's not so precocious after all. So He shows up at the temple becuase it's His.
I think it sounds pretentious to expect God to show up where I am all the time. At the grocery store, cleaning the dog puke off the couch, where I work...
It actually is pretentious to think HE would be concerned with the trivialities of my routines! Why would He! Yet He does show up again and again. Because I'm His. I think that's amazing. ¶ 11:12 AM 6 comments
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Proof
When Riley came home, he deposited the proof in the back yard, in case anyone is interested.
We didn't save it. ¶ 3:21 PM 9 comments
We didn't save it. ¶ 3:21 PM 9 comments
Isn't He a Lover?!???
We have a golden retriever named Riley. He's adorable, friendly and stubborn. Sometimes when he's laying on the front lawn and I want him to come in because I need to leave, he doesn't come when I call him. I have been known to get very frustrated with carrying him (all 70 lbs of him) up on the porch and into the house, when I'm trying to get gone! I've been known to call him names. Not nice names either!
Saturday night, Riley was sick. He threw up until there was nothing more to throw. Sunday afternoon the blood started coming. Before long, he got to the point that he couldn' t vomit. Bloody, smelly stuff just burbled out. His digestive system was shutting down.
Of course, we were alarmed. We loaded him up and took him to the local 'Emergency Vet Clinic' for treatment. I suspect the technician at the clinic wanted to say, "Eeewww...." when the stuff that smelled like diarhhea and looked bloody flowed out of his mouth, onto their shiny scale. But she didn't say it- bless her. The vet even said to Riley, "Your a beauty, but you stink!" I thought about my van and our house. Not particurlarly beautiful, but most assuredly smelling just that same way. I wondered if I smelled like that. I'm actually not sure even now. People may be avoiding me this very moment. No wonder I turn to a computer with this story.
So the nice doctor takes some xrays and a blood sample. (He was a nice doctor.) We waited. We thought Riley had a bowel obstruction. Riley has been known to eat an occasional sock. He's passed several in the back yard. The vet called this a "dietary indiscretion." I remember thinking we live in very different worlds. I think french fries are a dietary indiscretion.
The xray seemed to be consistent with a sock blocking up the works. The lab work indicated "pancreatitis." The presence of an obstacle in the intestines can cause the pancreatic enzymes to do bad stuff. Poor Riles. He was a mess. He hung his head in shame. He knew he was disgusting.
The doctor said he would like to prep Riley for surgery. He said he'd work up the paperwork and we said OK. Then came the document. The proposal for treatment required a signature that we would be responsible for payment for the services rendered. The surgery, without follow-up care would cost some amount up to $2400. I was not prepared for that. It staggered me. We said, "We can't do that!!" "We have to!" "We can't!" The kids cried. I cried.
We asked the nice doctor if there was anything we could do to increase Riley's chances of surviving the night so we could take him to a regular, non-emergency vet on Monday morning.
After much deliberation, we decided to load him up on fluids, take him home, and pray.
Debt is bondage. When you owe, there's never a clear answer to, "Do we have money for this?" My husband and I have been discussing this very thing for several days prior to this financial disaster. I've been working a lot. Can you work extra and still trust God as provider? I think so. We've been praying for God to move in our finances.
So we took a gamble with Riley's life, throwing ourselves (but moreso our dog) in the hands of the living God. We said He'll be God whether Riley makes it or not.
Upon arriving home, I called my friend Lynn. I knew she would see this as a satanic attack on our family - on our finances. She'd call for healing in Jesus' name. She did. She rebuked the sock in Jesus' name! You havn't lived until you prayed in faith, believing as you rebuke a sock! We layed hands on pitiful Riley and prayed for healing. We asked for a divine puking. And we believed.
Monday morning: Riley survived the night. He puked - but no sock.
Upon arrival at the vet's office, new xrays were taken and compared to the ones from the night before. Surprisingly, there was a change. The doctor wasn't sure there was an obstruction after all. "The pancreatitis is bad enough to illicit those symptoms," he told me. So, we decided to hold off on surgery. We hospitalized him on IV meds and fluids. Nothing by mouth. And we waited. Then we waited some more.
"He's acting better," the vet told me on the phone Tuesday morning, "I think we should try him with some food." "Wow! Sounds good," I replied. So he ate, and he kept it down. The vet's office called me to set up a 'going home' appointment. No surgery required. Just fluids and Jesus.
It was frightening to pass on the surgery that seemed so reasonable. It appeared to be just what Riley needed. Instead, what Riley needed was for us to be ready to pray. (Otherwise, he'd have a big incision right now.)
My friend Lynn (the one who rebuked the sock) wasn't surprised to hear there wasn't an obstruction after all. "Isn't He a lover?!?" she asked.
Was there ever a sock? You decide. My husband isn't sure. He just hasn't been in a sock rebuking situation before. There's no proof either way.
But, isn't He a lover?!? ¶ 10:10 AM
Saturday night, Riley was sick. He threw up until there was nothing more to throw. Sunday afternoon the blood started coming. Before long, he got to the point that he couldn' t vomit. Bloody, smelly stuff just burbled out. His digestive system was shutting down.
Of course, we were alarmed. We loaded him up and took him to the local 'Emergency Vet Clinic' for treatment. I suspect the technician at the clinic wanted to say, "Eeewww...." when the stuff that smelled like diarhhea and looked bloody flowed out of his mouth, onto their shiny scale. But she didn't say it- bless her. The vet even said to Riley, "Your a beauty, but you stink!" I thought about my van and our house. Not particurlarly beautiful, but most assuredly smelling just that same way. I wondered if I smelled like that. I'm actually not sure even now. People may be avoiding me this very moment. No wonder I turn to a computer with this story.
So the nice doctor takes some xrays and a blood sample. (He was a nice doctor.) We waited. We thought Riley had a bowel obstruction. Riley has been known to eat an occasional sock. He's passed several in the back yard. The vet called this a "dietary indiscretion." I remember thinking we live in very different worlds. I think french fries are a dietary indiscretion.
The xray seemed to be consistent with a sock blocking up the works. The lab work indicated "pancreatitis." The presence of an obstacle in the intestines can cause the pancreatic enzymes to do bad stuff. Poor Riles. He was a mess. He hung his head in shame. He knew he was disgusting.
The doctor said he would like to prep Riley for surgery. He said he'd work up the paperwork and we said OK. Then came the document. The proposal for treatment required a signature that we would be responsible for payment for the services rendered. The surgery, without follow-up care would cost some amount up to $2400. I was not prepared for that. It staggered me. We said, "We can't do that!!" "We have to!" "We can't!" The kids cried. I cried.
We asked the nice doctor if there was anything we could do to increase Riley's chances of surviving the night so we could take him to a regular, non-emergency vet on Monday morning.
After much deliberation, we decided to load him up on fluids, take him home, and pray.
Debt is bondage. When you owe, there's never a clear answer to, "Do we have money for this?" My husband and I have been discussing this very thing for several days prior to this financial disaster. I've been working a lot. Can you work extra and still trust God as provider? I think so. We've been praying for God to move in our finances.
So we took a gamble with Riley's life, throwing ourselves (but moreso our dog) in the hands of the living God. We said He'll be God whether Riley makes it or not.
Upon arriving home, I called my friend Lynn. I knew she would see this as a satanic attack on our family - on our finances. She'd call for healing in Jesus' name. She did. She rebuked the sock in Jesus' name! You havn't lived until you prayed in faith, believing as you rebuke a sock! We layed hands on pitiful Riley and prayed for healing. We asked for a divine puking. And we believed.
Monday morning: Riley survived the night. He puked - but no sock.
Upon arrival at the vet's office, new xrays were taken and compared to the ones from the night before. Surprisingly, there was a change. The doctor wasn't sure there was an obstruction after all. "The pancreatitis is bad enough to illicit those symptoms," he told me. So, we decided to hold off on surgery. We hospitalized him on IV meds and fluids. Nothing by mouth. And we waited. Then we waited some more.
"He's acting better," the vet told me on the phone Tuesday morning, "I think we should try him with some food." "Wow! Sounds good," I replied. So he ate, and he kept it down. The vet's office called me to set up a 'going home' appointment. No surgery required. Just fluids and Jesus.
It was frightening to pass on the surgery that seemed so reasonable. It appeared to be just what Riley needed. Instead, what Riley needed was for us to be ready to pray. (Otherwise, he'd have a big incision right now.)
My friend Lynn (the one who rebuked the sock) wasn't surprised to hear there wasn't an obstruction after all. "Isn't He a lover?!?" she asked.
Was there ever a sock? You decide. My husband isn't sure. He just hasn't been in a sock rebuking situation before. There's no proof either way.
But, isn't He a lover?!? ¶ 10:10 AM
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Tagged
I suppose I have a lot to say as I've been tagged -
Seven things that attract me to my husband:
Seven things that attract me to my husband:
- he always knows the weather forcast
- he picks up dog poop from the yard when we're expecting guests
- he saves newspaper articles for me if he thinks they're of interest to me
- he doesn't care if I'm fixed up (me always thinks I'm gorgeous)
- he does laundry
- he prays over each member of the family before leaving the house every morning
- he's willing to cry
Seven things I want to do before I die:
- be so conformed to the image of Jesus that it's stunning
- organize my closets
- paint a masterpiece
- visit South America
- understand my kids
- get in shape
- be a terrific grandmother
Seven things I cannot do:
- eat onions
- swim well
- drink alcohol in moderation
- play a guitar
- math
- whistle
Seven things I say most often:
- Have you brushed your teeth?
- The role of occupational therapy...
- I love you.
- Your my best girl / boy. (I have one of each.)
- I answered that already.
- Is your homework done?
Seven books I love:
- Wilfred Gordan McDonald Partridge
- Disappointment with God (Philip Yancy)
- The Best Christmas Pagent Ever
- School of Obedience (Arthur Murray)
- Narnia Chronicles (I've only read the first four)
- A Light in the Window
- To Kill a Mockingbird
Seven movies I would watch again and again:
- O Brother Where Art Thou
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- A Christmas Story
- Waiting For Guffman
- The Princess Bride
- Monster's Inc.
I will refrain from tagging anyone else as my first act as a blogger. I think I should wait a week or two...
¶ 7:25 PM 9 comments
