May 7 - “My tumbleweeds”

We hit the workplace hard and early. Around 8:15 I started mowing and edging what little grass we have left around here. Chris raked some more of the dead stuff, and then did some sweeping of what she affectionately called “my tumbleweeds.”  Sadly, we had to add an item to our Walmart list (or maybe Home Depot). The outdoor heavy-duty dust pan broke. Sigh. Another victim of Galveston rust. 

Freddy also received a little attention. It was that ever-dreaded … bath day. She actually kind of enjoys it. But not until she is finally in the tub. She avoids Chris like the plague when Chris is getting everything ready. Even hides in the backyard. But once she gets that first squirt of warm water, she is fine. 

Last night we went to the Seaside prayer team meeting. There was some pretty passionate praying for the upcoming mission trip to Alaska. Encouraging. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬ says, “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Father, begin now to guard and guide those folks going to Alaska to serve you through serving others. Amen. 

May 6 - “Prophylactic”

Back to UTMB yesterday. Twice. Both times were for Chris appointments. 

The first one was a new patient one. Site was getting establishing with a different kind of oncology doc.  That meant, of course, she has the immensely enviable task of filling out six or eight pages of medical history - all of which is already present in her MyChart file online. 

The appointment was kinda insisted upon by her surgeon’s nurse practitioner. This guy’s recommendation is to have a prophylactic surgery to remove ovaries and tubes … just in case - thanks to family history. We’ll see. At least I got to type “prophylactic.” Three times. 

We stopped on the way home at Shrimp n Stuff, courtesy of Zak and Lindsay. Always a real treat, to be sure. I had fried shrimp. Chris had shrimp tacos. 

Her next appointment was in the afternoon. This one was with her PCP to talk about the four falls (NOT the waterfall kind!) in Spain and after we got home. She has had back and arm and leg problems ever since. To her credit, she fessed up pretty well. She says she doesn’t really know how to gauge the 1-10 degree of her pain. She always undercuts it. But it was enough to get them to at least do x-rays (and an MRI on her shoulder). They also prescribed physical therapy. Gotta admit, Chris is really, really good at following through on the PT. Hope they can get it done in May. We have places to be in June. 

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ says, Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Father, please work some healing on Chris. Amen. 

May 5 - “How do you do that, anyway?”

It was Monday, so that means Laundry Day around here. Someday I’m gonna learn the secrets of separating the clothes. How do you do that, anyway? Somehow my dual method that got me through college doesn’t seem appropriate (or possible) any more. Oh, you want to know my two-pronged laundry theory? Easy. 1. Take it home and let Nani or Mom sort it out. 2. Crumple it all together, stuff as much as possible into a machine (had to save those quarters), turn it on and call it a day. Well, same with the drier, of course. Hence, saving the quarters. 

I got started working on the Bible study for Thursday night. Still on the life of David, although change is afoot!  

Chris had a doctor appointment in the afternoon. Checkup with oncology, so she brought no issues with her there. And all was well. The aches and pains from her numerous recent falls will be addressed by a different doc today. 

On the way home we stopped for some groceries. Yep. I had the last banana for breakfast. We did get a few other things (of course).  How could we not? We were in Walmart, after all. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭37‬-‭38‬ says, Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Father, thank you for Chris’ good news from the cancer doctor. Amen. 

May 4 - “Enough”

Well, we have us a new mayor in Galveston. The incumbent timed out after two terms, so it was a free-for-all election. Welcome Mayor John Paul Listowski. 

Our district council representative race has to go to a runoff, so no victor there. It’s between the same two guys who had a runoff last time when the victory was determined by one vote. Gotta love small town politics? 

And as it turned out Pastor Kel (and the prophet Nahum) reminded everyone that the main thing we need to be concerned about is not Republican or Democrat or even Other. Our number one concern is the Kingdom of God. God is enough. 

Interesting day. 

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

Father, thanks for you for being bigger than politics. Thank you for be Enough. Amen. 

May 3 - “Election/Birthday/Prom Day”

Well, there was another flurry of activity on the trip planning front. Looks like the Huntley’s will be joining us. So we started forwarding them the info we have received so far. 

We also had a few errands to run. First we went over to Moody Methodist Church. It was Election Day! At least it was for Galveston city council and mayor. 

Then we went to Randall’s. As usual, that trip was to pick up prescriptions. And the clerk actually recognized us and knew our names. Always a pleasant experience. 

After some lunch we went out west. Noa was having a birthday party at a bed and breakfast out there. Thirteen years old. Not counting Jachin (he’s an old man of 22), and counting Micah (he’s still just 19), they now have 3 teenagers at one time in their house. Lotsa luck there. 

Cailyn was also in town at a beach house somewhere. Last night was her prom, so she and a batch of her girlfriends were getting all gussied up all day long. We saw the prom pictures. Gorgeous. Just gorgeous. 

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36‬:‭26‬ says, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Father, thanks for Noa. Guide her in her growth into a beautiful woman who loves you and cares for people. Amen. 

May 2 - “2 or 3 possibilities involved”

We awoke to a dull, rainy day. Actually, when I woke up, it was just a little windy. Of course that was at 4 am, and the rain didn’t blow in until closer to 7. Not sure why I woke up so early. Just … awake. It happens. I dozed a little in my chair, though, so I picked up a few more winks before Chris got up. 

We spent about an hour on the phone catching up with Josh. That’s a usual Friday event for us. He had a lot of news. Prom, football Spring Training, basketball camps, homeschool conferences, church news, children’s camp, and then there was the usual day-to-day madness. Sigh. Brought back memories. 

We also spent some time emailing back and forth with our travel agent. We are trying to get some information together about a trip to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. As of now she has 2 or 3 possibilities involved. The woman is unstoppable when she gets started. And we have to juggle our desires and budget with the Winkle’s.  Good thing Chris and KayLynn love the process. 

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ says, Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.

Father, be with Josh and his family as they navigate some all those deep activity-waters. Amen. 

May 1 - “The Mystery Heart Attack?”

We grabbed a couple of miles again. Lowered our time a little bit, too. Chris was feeling a little shaky for a while, but she powered through, as usual. 

Next … Thursday, so that’s clean house for home group day. I got vacuuming again. Chris got a bit sidetracked when the notice came that her EKG from the heart doc was ready to view. No changes. Just says she had a heart attack sometime in the past.   

Mine actually said I may have had one at some time, but they didn’t know how old I was. The Mystery Heart Attack. Hmm. I do vaguely recall a time when I was trying to uproot a small tree. I remember it like it was yesterday. Worst indigestion I ever had. But I was just in my 40’s - still indestructible, right? Chris said she remembered being really mad at me. Sorry, don’t recall that part. 

Over some lunch we watched an episode of DayTripper. Haven’t seen that show in a long time. He was in Northeast Texas this time. 

After that show we switched over to the Astros. They had a doubleheader with the Orioles in Baltimore. It was fun to be able to say we have been in that stadium. Sadly, the good guys bombed big in the first game. But they came back in game two and scored 10 runs for the victory. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭43‬ says, All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.

Father, thank you for the good reports on those EKG’s. Amen.