Zoey joined our family in February of 2009. She is a pitt bull/red heeler mix and is a very sweet delightful dog and brings much joy to Jonathan and to all who meeet her!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
God is in control!
I am feeling overwhelmed by God's protection, His mercy, and His grace! I am basking in knowing that He truly does care about me, and that He plans to keep me around a little longer!
I was scheduled to have major surgery yesterday, and right at the last second - those plans were changed!
The Anesthesiologist found out what the kind of stents were that I had implanted into my arteries last April when I had my heart attack, and basically REFUSED to assist in the surgery because it would be too much of a risk in losing me on the operating table! That specific kind of stent and the medication that I'm taking has to be ongoing, in the patient, for at least one year before they can do a big surgery of any kind. The interesting thing is that my Cardiologist gave the OK to do the surgery, but my Primary Physician was against it, and my Surgeon wasn’t aware of the high risk until the Anesthesiologist pointed it out to him! The Anesthesiologist had a HUGE article (about 5 or 6 pages long) on this subject and showed it to my Surgeon; and after looking at it – the Surgeon very much agreed. Apparently, the percentage of people who die on the table because of not waiting until the first year is passed – is VERY high! This article had come out in August of 2008. Thank God for Dr.s who are “on top” of things! So, things have been put on hold until at least May.
God’s protective hand was truly upon me! I was prepped for surgery, the IV was in place, and I was lying on a gurney in the hallway – just waiting to be wheeled into the OR room when they came to me and said “No deal!”
I have had other surgeries and have gone with a positive attitude about what was going to happen, but this was very different. Perhaps because my Primary Physician didn’t think it was a good idea, or God’s prodding – I don’t know; but I was very apprehensive about this whole thing. I have had a nagging feeling, for the past 2 weeks, that I was going to die on the operating table. So, when the Anesthesiologist was talking to me, I couldn’t help but feel that that was a confirmation straight from God Almighty!
I am excited to be alive, and I am excited to be in love with a living God!
I was scheduled to have major surgery yesterday, and right at the last second - those plans were changed!
The Anesthesiologist found out what the kind of stents were that I had implanted into my arteries last April when I had my heart attack, and basically REFUSED to assist in the surgery because it would be too much of a risk in losing me on the operating table! That specific kind of stent and the medication that I'm taking has to be ongoing, in the patient, for at least one year before they can do a big surgery of any kind. The interesting thing is that my Cardiologist gave the OK to do the surgery, but my Primary Physician was against it, and my Surgeon wasn’t aware of the high risk until the Anesthesiologist pointed it out to him! The Anesthesiologist had a HUGE article (about 5 or 6 pages long) on this subject and showed it to my Surgeon; and after looking at it – the Surgeon very much agreed. Apparently, the percentage of people who die on the table because of not waiting until the first year is passed – is VERY high! This article had come out in August of 2008. Thank God for Dr.s who are “on top” of things! So, things have been put on hold until at least May.
God’s protective hand was truly upon me! I was prepped for surgery, the IV was in place, and I was lying on a gurney in the hallway – just waiting to be wheeled into the OR room when they came to me and said “No deal!”
I have had other surgeries and have gone with a positive attitude about what was going to happen, but this was very different. Perhaps because my Primary Physician didn’t think it was a good idea, or God’s prodding – I don’t know; but I was very apprehensive about this whole thing. I have had a nagging feeling, for the past 2 weeks, that I was going to die on the operating table. So, when the Anesthesiologist was talking to me, I couldn’t help but feel that that was a confirmation straight from God Almighty!
I am excited to be alive, and I am excited to be in love with a living God!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Surprise visit!
We were blessed with a surprise visit from Liz and baby Rachel and spent 10 wonderful days together! Rachel is 2 months old now, and we were all so delighted to be able to have some time with her and with her mommy!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Autumn
Friday, September 26, 2008
Something to think about
So often, only in weakness do we reach out to God, and only as we reach out to God do we find the strength He always intended for us, the strength for whatever comes next.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Life
"... and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us..." Romans 5:5
So many times we hear people describe the Christian life as picture perfect, with no struggles, no hardships; just happiness and love. If you’re a realistic person, you will quickly realize that the Christian life is NOT always full of beautiful roses and perfumed pathways. The pathway that I have traveled has often been crooked and filled with unbelievable hardships, holes along the way, and stumps that I have tripped and stumbled over, sharp horrible prickly thorns have often caught me off-guard, and I have experienced enormous loss, and unbeatable disease. Sometimes the struggles that I have gone through have become almost all-consuming and I’ve thought that I couldn’t go on anymore. The wounds that I carry are very deep. I have questioned everything I could possibly question, and have thrown my fists up high in the air yelling at God – “WHY God, WHY?? I don’t understand!!” Numerous times I have wished for a way out, but I am so thankful for a Savior who loves me regardless of the many times I stumble and fall and want to give up, and for a Savior who gives me hope and a purpose for living. I am so thankful for the moments of unspeakable joy, love, and happiness, and for family and wonderful friends that I have been blessed with along the way! Even when things look bad, God is always good! He is still standing there with His arms spread wide open, ready to accept us, strengthen us, encourage us, forgive us, and love us! How awesome is that?!
"...Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption..." Psalm 1:30
So many times we hear people describe the Christian life as picture perfect, with no struggles, no hardships; just happiness and love. If you’re a realistic person, you will quickly realize that the Christian life is NOT always full of beautiful roses and perfumed pathways. The pathway that I have traveled has often been crooked and filled with unbelievable hardships, holes along the way, and stumps that I have tripped and stumbled over, sharp horrible prickly thorns have often caught me off-guard, and I have experienced enormous loss, and unbeatable disease. Sometimes the struggles that I have gone through have become almost all-consuming and I’ve thought that I couldn’t go on anymore. The wounds that I carry are very deep. I have questioned everything I could possibly question, and have thrown my fists up high in the air yelling at God – “WHY God, WHY?? I don’t understand!!” Numerous times I have wished for a way out, but I am so thankful for a Savior who loves me regardless of the many times I stumble and fall and want to give up, and for a Savior who gives me hope and a purpose for living. I am so thankful for the moments of unspeakable joy, love, and happiness, and for family and wonderful friends that I have been blessed with along the way! Even when things look bad, God is always good! He is still standing there with His arms spread wide open, ready to accept us, strengthen us, encourage us, forgive us, and love us! How awesome is that?!
"...Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption..." Psalm 1:30
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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