July 3 - “A kid nonetheless”

We had some more visitors yesterday. Jachin and Micah came on their way to work. Well, sort of. Jachin had to be in an hour before Micah, so Micah hung out with us until time for him to depart. They both had time to grab a bite to eat here, too. 

Since Jachin left early, I was up to drive Micah. We chatted about school and his ice cream making job and his future in general. Good kid. As of July first, a 20-year old kid, but a kid nonetheless. 

When I got home, Chris and I spent some time on the back porch. We enjoyed the breeze, especially when it suddenly got cooler. Then we listened to the rain and watched for our resident bluejays to continue making use of the bird bath. Nice. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭4‬ says, Trust in the Lord forever, because in Yah, the Lord, is an everlasting rock!

Father, thanks for those bluejays of yours. Beautiful. Amen. 

July 2 - “The next step”

We kept our morning activity level relatively mellow. Well, aside from Chris watering the plants in the backyard. And doing her exercises. And working through a shower (yes, that is kind of chore still).  Hey. We had to save energy for her PCP appointment. 

And that one went pretty well. The doc went over all the stuff that has happened, now focusing on the passing out, since the surgery is behind us. Apparently Chris has some kind of wild hybrid of POTS and vasovagal issues. But to make sure it’s not something else, they scheduled an ultrasound of her carotid arteries (neck) as the next step. Hey. We were just lamenting the lack of activities on the schedule for next week. 

Oh. The report finally came in on the CT scan of her chest. Aside from the well-known issues around her heart, they noticed quite a few of those tiny nodules (the x-ray just noted one). At this point, though, the doc assured us it was not time to take any kind of action there, oncological or otherwise. She will repeat the scan in a year unless Chris develops further symptoms. So good news, I guess. At least for now. 

We heard from our fishin’ family. Kel’s crew got to go out in a charter boat for the day. They reported a great catch. Even hooked into some sharks. I know the kids enjoyed that. Micah even mentioned a fish fry in the future. And that future arrived faster than we anticipated. They all came over last night, since their kitchen was “constructionally unavailable.” Good stuff. Fried fish tacos with all the fixin’s. 

Of course with all the activity and doctor-type stress, Chris overdid it. She was royally whooped. Even had me get her an ice bag while everyone was still here. When they all went home and things were back in order, she took some Tylenol and crashed. Well-earned. 

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ says, Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

Father, thanks for the relatively good news from the doc. And thanks for the great catch on the boat. Amen. 

July 1 - “A mean old bear?”

Chris had her real physical therapy yesterday. Not that her home therapist isn’t a mean old bear. I’m just a bit scared of her. 

Come to find out, the one exercise she most dreads was officially discontinued. “You’re not supposed to cry during physical therapy.” Well, there’s your quote of the week. 

On the way home we made two stops. Academy, to see if they had any long underwear (for our trip to Alaska). They didn’t. And Walmart, for bananas and some dog food for Freddy. A few other things leapt into the basket, as Walmart merchandise has a tendency to do. 

And after all that, Chris was whooped. She broke out the ice pack and settled into her recliner for a long summer’s nap. 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, Freddy sprang from her chair to see what was the matter. Away to the front door she flew like a flash, wagging her tail at the end of her dash. Yep. Company. 

Christina, Josiah, Noa and Ezra came over. They just wanted to hang out. Oh, and eat pizza. And stay out of their house while new floors were being installed. Not sure which reason was most pressing. 

Last night Cathy brought over a really tasty casserole that was kind of like one of those King Ranch ones. She followed that up with a lime pie. Strawberries and blueberries on top. Good stuff. She also left some chicken salad for lunch today.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭28‬ says, Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Father, bless Cathy and the LaMarque Vaughans - our bringers of food. Amen. 

June 30 - “The old Home PT”

We were back at the old Home PT again yesterday. And not only did Chris actually attempt the most difficult maneuver (sliding her arm back and forth across the table in a thumbs up position), she got farther than she did the day before. Success! Of course it was pretty painful, but I was really proud of my patient on that one. 

It was also Laundry Day again. Chris already had the dirty clothes separated and in neat little piles before I ever got there. She is doing everything she can to prove she is a tough, independent woman. I can’t convince her that no proof is necessary. Both adjectives have been and continue to be completely applicable to her … one arm or two. 

Along with the Astros, of course, we managed to fit in a bit of World Cup soccer. Paraguay versus Germany. Didn’t think anybody would ever win that one. Guess that’s what makes it interesting? Paraguay came through with the upset in penalty kicks at the end. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ says, I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

Father, be with Chris at her regular physical therapy session today. Amen. 

June 29 - “Videoing the excitement”

We had 102 people in church Sunday. That pretty much fills the place up to the brim. Lots of new faces, many of them locals. We met a sharp looking young man named Dillon, who was very much into worship and especially the teaching. He lives in nearby Pirates Cove. Well, for the summer, anyway. He is a college student … West Point. 

 And to top off the Sunday experience, we had three baptisms at the beach. Dillon really enjoyed that. He told me he couldn’t remember the last time he saw a baptism. He also got a kick out of how the onlookers who just happened to be on the beach were videoing the excitement, not to mention how they joined in the clapping and cheering when the candidates came up out of the water. 

The Astros came through with a win again. This time in extra innings. Slowly creeping up on the division leaders. 

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ says, For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Father, be with Dillon as he searches for a summer church home. Amen. 

June 28 - “Sans Sling”

Early start for me yesterday. The grass was calling my name. Got it mowed and almost finished weed-eating when the unthinkable happened … 

It started raining. Not much. Just enough to cool things down. I didn’t stop. Chris came outside and quite patiently explained to me that when it is raining, one should stop operating electrical appliances. I assured her that it wasn’t really rain. I was just sweating. A lot. She didn’t buy it. I still finished, though. Even had to rip the broom out of her hand. Yep. She was trying her best to sweep one-handed. With her weaker hand. Wasn’t working. 

We finally finished up. I got all the tools put away.  Just in time to head back into the coolness of the house so Chris could once again tackle those exercises - sans sling. I like that word. “Sans.” I think it’s French. Best I can tell it means “without.”  So … Sans Sling. Sounds like a monicker right out of the Old West. 

But speaking of sling, we took the sling off so Chris could do her first round of arm exercises. She was clearly sore from the day before, so we cut the most difficult one. Gotta do them regularly to overcome the soreness, though. 

After watching the Astros pull out an exciting win over the Detroit Tigers, Chris did another round of the arm exercises. She didn’t have to do the really difficult ones. They are only once a day. The more she does, the more confident she gets without the sling. You’ll get there, Babe. 

Last night Lauren and Ed provided us some lasagna and salad for dinner. Thanks, guys. 

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ says, Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

Father, bless the Dawson’s for thinking of us. Amen. 

June 27 - “ain’t for the faint … of heart”

Chris started her home exercises for that shoulder rehab. It was obviously painful, but she was determined to do them. And to do them right. I gotta say … I think I’m way better as a coach than I am as a nurse or hairdresser. Chris may disagree with that one. Perhaps I am just equally mediocre …

Sigh. Yes. She had yet another appointment yesterday. This one was with the sleep doctor. Just her yearly check-in so she can get supplies for her c-pap. 

We had a brief scare when we checked in. They had no record of her appointment. Didn’t even make the screen. Chris was desperately reaching for her purse to show them the email confirmation, when the clerk  finally located it on a different screen altogether. Whew. That would have been a 30 minute drive into Texas for nothing. 

Speaking of “for nothing,” all we ended up doing was re-filling out paperwork and chatting for a minute or two. But that’s all it took. Supplies renewed for another year. Check.

We stopped by the LaMarque Vaughan house on the way home. Jachin and Micah and Ezra were engaged in a hot game of TV golf when we arrived. At one point it magically transformed into bowling. Hmm. The joys of video gaming … I guess. Kel got home after a while. He had been at a training session for his Krav Maga (however you spell it) black belt. Guess it’s a good thing. Although he did get bit. Yep. Actually bit. With human teeth and everything. Krav Maga just ain’t for the faint … of heart. 

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ says, Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.

Father, be with Chris as she gets into her exercises. Ease the pain and spasms. Amen.