Faith + Can

Our faith never wavered as the needs for a new church grew.  To many people it appeared to be an impossible task.  The little building loaned to us to begin the Hispanic Church was bursting at the seams.  We needed land!  Ideal spots we prayed about were unavailable.  We had no funds.

Faith Promise

We had a Faith Promise Sunday at church.  This is a promise, between you and God, to give a certain amount that you can trust God to provide.  The people promised $10,000!  What a beautiful beginning in learning how to trust God!  Prayer and faith go hand in hand.

Faith Honored

Through an unexpected insurance policy at the death of a dear husband, a donor gave the tithe from the inheritance to help purchase land for the church.  A pastor friend told us of land that the owner might sell.  He was approached and asked if he would sell this particular plot of land.  He told us it wasn’t for sale.  However, he said he would talk to his “partner” and see if he would agree to sell the property in question.  He did and they agreed.  He said he thought there might be about two acres. They said they would sell it for $17,000!  That is property parallel to I-59 Freeway and in the City Limits!

 Property Surveyed and Purchased

Surveyors completed their work to determine the amount of land.  We were very much surprised that there were over 3 1/2 acres!  With the money in hand and all transactions completed, we now owned property on which to build a new Hispanic Church.  Thank you, Jesus, for faith to believe!  Thank you, Jesus, for answering prayer!  To God be all the honor and glory!

Ground-breaking Ceremony

March 2009 a special ground-breaking ceremony was held on the property.  Friends came from several churches in support of this adventure of faith.  Leaders, donors, church members and City officials turned the first shovels of dirt!  Praise the Lord for the support of the people in beginning a church building to minister to needy people in the area.  Thus plans were underway to erect a multipurpose building on the property.  God would show us how this was possible.

May God’s blessings abound in my heart and in yours this New Year.

What does it take to be blessed?  Simply look around.

I am blessed each morning when I see the light of a new day. There are millions who do not have that privilege.  They are blind.

I am blessed when I can get out of bed. I CAN get out of bed. My sister, and hundreds of thousands of people like her, are paralyzed from a stroke or an accident and can’t get out of bed.

I am blessed because I can walk. There are those who are confined to a wheelchair.

I am blessed to have a loving family. Not everyone is loved by their family. Homeless people abound.

I am blessed because I grew up in a Christian home.  My Mother taught me about Faith in God.  She taught me that Faith Can move mountains.

I am blessed because I can talk to my Heavenly Father directly!  I don’t need a mediator to put me in touch with Him!  Oh the joy to know Him!  He knows me! He calls me by name!

I am blessed with friends!  Yes, although most live too far away or are busy people, there are those who would drop anything they were doing to help.

I am blessed to have this web site. I have the opportunity to say what I please. I have Freedom of speech! I intend to use it this New Year.  You need to know what God is doing through Faith.

May your New Year find you knowing you are blessed.

It was about 15 years ago while visiting my dentist that I heard the name for the first time.  Speaking of excessive dryness in my mouth, my dentist friend suggested I could have Sjogren’s!

THE BEGINNING JOURNEY WITH A RARE DISEASE

A couple of years passed without other major developments.  During the prior year we had accepted the challenge of caring for an elderly friend who had no children or close family.  The nearest relatives were nephews.  It wasn’t convenient for them to care for her.  Because I knew she would eventually need more specialized care, I took 120 hours of night courses and clinical study to become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).

My sister who had been sitting with patients, worked through an agency.  She had been sitting with the same individual for many years.  He had someone around the clock.  She suggested I contact the agency and see if I could take one of the shifts.  I did and they gave me the job.  I didn’t just sit with this dear gentleman, I cleaned his house from top to bottom.  They paid me well for private duty.  Then one day things seemed to begin to fall apart.  I realized my energy level wasn’t up to par.  Behind my ears began to hurt.  The Parotid glands began to swell.  They were huge.  I had to give up my job and curtail all activities.

THE SEARCH FOR A DOCTOR

An oral surgeon had removed a growth in the roof of my mouth sometime back so I decided to see him.  He suggested maybe I had TMJ.  However, he referred me to a rheumatologist. This new doctor, after my telling him of an excessive dry mouth and the pain in my jaws and glands. he suggested it was stress.  He advised my husband to go home and take me fishing.  He said his wife got nervous and had dry mouth when she had to speak.

We saw another rheumatologist.  After a couple of visits, he was also very unprofessional in his approach to the problems I was having. He referred me to an ENT doctor for a biopsy of the glands.  The biopsy was sent to three different laboratories, the last one being the University of California.  Medication had reduced the swelling in the parotid glands, so we decided to visit our son in Washington State.  While there the rheumatologist called to say the report showed positive B cells for lymphoma.  I was devastated.  We returned home to see the doctor again.  They suggested another biopsy, going deeper and taking a larger piece to be examined.  It was sent to California for evaluation.  The Pathologist wrote back and said although there were positive B cells present it was not conclusive for lymphoma.  Another rheumatologist was recommended to me.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

When I walked into the office of this new doctor, he was so kind friendly and sympathetic, I almost broke down crying.  The road had been long up to this point with no help at all.  No one had understood or seemed to care.  My family didn’t understand the magnitude of what was taking place in my life.  This doctor suspected I definitely had the disease Sjogren’s.  With the uncertainties of the report from the last biopsy, this doctor prescribed medication given to patients with lymphoma.  For a year I took the medication.  Steroids were also prescribed which kept the glands from swelling but raised the pressure in my eyes causing further damage.  An Ophthalmologist was suggested to do the Schirmer test for Sjogren’s.  With dry eyes, without a diagnosis of Sjogren’s, I had already been diagnosed as having glaucoma.  This resulted in optic nerve damage in one eye.  With many eye problems I had ten different surgeries on both eyes. Today, I am practically blind in my right eye, and really don’t have good vision out of the other.

THE ABSOLUTE DIAGNOSIS OF SJOGREN’S

The Ophthalmologist performed the Schirmer test and immediately told me, “Indeed, you test positive for Sjogren’s Syndrome.”  My lifestyle had already changed.  My mouth felt as though I had cotton in it due to dryness. It was necessary to carry a bottle of water at all times.  I had enjoyed being involved in public ministry necessitating speaking on a number of occasions.  The dry mouth was definitely a hindrance. Since I seemed to have many other ailments it was time to find out just what is Sjogren’s.  Surely something else is causing the extreme fatigue that leaves you with little or no energy.  The aching bones are sometimes unbearable.

WHAT IS SJOGREN’S SYNDROME:

I began to read of this rare virtually unknown disease that affects 4,000,000 Americans.  Nine out of ten patients are women.  This autoimmune disease is one which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture producing glands.  Sjogren’s is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders.

Fifty percent of the time Sjogren’s syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective issue disease.  The four most common diagnoses that co-exist with Sjogren’s syndrome are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus, Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma) and Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis.  Sometimes researchers refer to the first type as “Primary Sjogren’s” and the second as “Secondary Sjogren’s.”  All instances of Sjogren’s syndrome are systemic, affecting the entire body.

The hallmark symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth.  Sjogren’s may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.  Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain.  Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into remission.  While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life.

In my case, I have been diagnosed as having neuropathy which causes extreme numbness of extremities, arms and legs.  I have acid reflux and gastrointestinal problems.  I have raynaud’s.  I have had a heart attack and suffer with congestive heart failure. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis.  The dental problems are almost unsurmountable.  Dental Implants have been suggested but due to being on blood thinners and recent blocked arteries which were stented, the dental surgery was postponed for a year.  This in itself causes other problems.

TREATMENT

In research of Sjogren’s syndrome, I discovered there was a Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation with information about the disease.  I learned they have Patient Conferences to bring enlightenment to those suffering.  I went to one of the conferences.  It was there I learned they have produced a “Moisture Seekers Magazine” to which I subscribed.  They had samples of products to aid in dryness of the mouth and eyes.  Evoxac is a medication discovered that will increase salavation.  Restasis seems to aid in the excessive dryness in my eyes.  Through their informative lectures and interaction with other Sjogren’s sufferers, I began to understand that I was one among many with the disease.  The Sjogren’s Handbook is also informative in covering the entire spectrum of the disease.

THE FUTURE

Some have asked if there is a cure for Sjogren’s.  There isn’t!  However, by raising awareness of the disease there can be a cure in sight as researchers test the unknown.  We need to talk about the disease.  This is a most difficult thing to do.  It is hard to find listeners or those who care if it has not touched their lives.  It is hard for your own family to understand the changes that have taken place.  It is hard on the family budget with multiple out-of-pocket expenses, not reimburseable by any insurance company.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to keep a positive attitude.  It is necessary to involve oneself in as many activities as possible without jeapordizing one’s health.  It is necessary to eat properly.  Exercise, inasmuch as possible, should continue. Life is still beautiful if we look for the the best in people and place our entire being completely in the hands of our Creator.

Please be more informed about rare diseases such as Sjogren’s.  A member of your family could be suffering with the disease and not know it.  Go to: http://www.sjogrens.org/syndrome/ to increase your awareness of this little known disease.  Funds are needed for researach.  You can donate to the Foundation.  Early detection is essential.  Thank you for being sensitive to people in need with diseases rated as incurable!

It has been too long!  What has occupied my time?  For months circumstances beyond my control have kept me from coming to my beloved website.  The details are many.  I will share a few!

My husband landed in the hospital in September.  After nine days there, the day he got out he took me to another hospital for an abscessed wisdom tooth. My jaw and face were so swollen my jaws locked.  I guess my husband was glad for one time!  He isn’t a good listener unless you enjoy FOX.  After surgery to remove the tooth I spent six days in the hospital due to severe infection.

Our dear friend who lived with us nine years fell at the assisted living facility. We took her for an MRI and x-rays.  They said no broken bones. She fell again. We took more x-rays which revealed a fracture in her lower spine.  The next time we visited she had bruises on her forehead.  I was alarmed.  They didn’t call us as they were supposed to have done.  She had fallen again. We sent the records of the MRI for a second opinion.  The neuro-surgeon said definitely she had bad fractures that would be causing her much pain. To make a much longer story shorter, she got to where she wouldn’t eat anything.  She was transferred to the other side of the facility where they assist with feeding.  They got her up each day to sit in a wheelchair.  She went from walking on her on to a walker then a wheelchair.

One day in November they called to say they were admitting her to Regency Hospital for observation.  They told me she had a “little pressure sore” on her buttocks. When I inquired as to when they first noticed this they said October 24. Within two weeks she had a terrible sore both on her buttocks and heel.  They called in a plastic surgeon to treat this. He said it was one of the worst he had ever seen and if he were to take off the scab there would be a hole clear to the bone.  I was horrified.  She entered the hospital Wednesday. I was with her each day. Saturday I took my suitcase to stay around the clock with her.  When I arrived, she was very agitated looking one place and then the other.  It was difficult to calm her.  They gave her something to help. By late Saturday night I asked the nurse if they had checked her oxygen level.  They had not.  When they did, it was “0.” They called Code Blue and everyone was by her side.  They asked about a living will.  I told them she had one. They said ordinarily at this point they would put her on a ventilator.  She had adamently said she didn’t want to live off a ventilator.  They asked me if I understood what being put on maintenance care meant.  I told them I did not but to make her comfortable. They put a face mask of oxygen on her.  They said they would make her as comfortable as possible.  They lined up syringes of morphine on the table which they intended to give her every hour.  She was struggling so hard to breathe.  I asked why she was struggling so hard.  They said the morphine helped her to not know she was struggling, but at the same time made her struggle harder.  I told them to cut back on it.  By now it was midnight Sunday.  I stood by her bed longing to help.  It was hard to believe this dear lady was about to enter Heaven’s gates.  What was the cause?  She seemed to be doing so well.  At 6:15 AM Monday she drew her last breath.  The cause of death was written down as Decubitus pressure sores and mal-nutrition.  To think that she didn’t get the proper diet and that she had severe pressure sores without my knowing it was devastating.  What do you do in a case like this?  We felt like pressing charges against the facility that didn’t take care of her as they should.  I had inquired about her diet, feeding, and so forth.  They said they were taking care of it.

Following her desires we made arrangements to take her from Mississippi to Florida to be buried next to her husband.  This was the week of Thanksgiving so things had to be expedited to be able to take care of her wishes.  How much we miss her!  She had become a part of our family several years prior.

My sister-in-law, with whom I was very close and talked with daily, was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth.  She chose not to take treatments.  Within three months she died.  She had round-the-clock care by her daughters.  It was such a difficult time for everyone.  She wanted to live so badly, but didn’t want to suffer.  Of course the medications take care of her not knowing how badly she is suffering.  She is missed so greatly. She loved the work of missions and especially the Hispanic work in which we are involved.  The family requested that in lieu of flowers donations be given for the construction of a new church in our home town.  Her children gave their tithe off their inheritance for the foundation of a new church.  Hopefully we can begin soon.

Christmas was enjoyed with our two daughters here and the family of our oldest daughter. We never have the privilege of having our son or his family.  They have their own families and do not live close by.  Nevertheless, it was a good time together.  We always spend Christmas Eve at our church.  This year, our daughter agreed to dress up as Santa for the kids.  She was the most beautiful Santa you have ever seen and was a hit with the children and adults alike.  New Year’s Eve again we spent the time at our church celebrating with singing, praying, and seeing the old year out and the new year in.  We got home around 2:00 AM Monday.

We enjoyed a party at our house for 20 seniors who do not have the opportunity to get together.  Basically these were made up of a Sunday school class.  We had to work for three days to ready the house for the party because other activities had prevented me from cleaning.  It was worth the work to see the joy they seemed to receive from coming.  I had bought gifts of candy jars for each one.  In all the rush, I forgot to give them out.  That is yet to be delivered to them.

Where in the world can I go to enjoy something different and get my mind off the sorrows of life?  Well, I can’t go alone.  However, not many around enjoy anything else but the same status quo.  So, I ‘ll sit in the confines of my home, find something to occupy my mind and choose to be happy.  Life is a choice.  How we live it is a choice.  Lord help me bask in your Sonship and give to others until there is no more to give.  This gives much satisfaction.  The body, however, needs some relaxation, a change of scenery.  He didn’t expect us to not come apart for renewal.  But how?

Now to schedule the major dental surgery I need.  Both lower jaw bones to be rebuilt in preparation for four teeth implants.  Other means of replacement of missing teeth are not successful due to excessive dry mouth.  Sjogren’s Syndrome takes its toll on he entire body.  The date was set for January 15.  First, however, the Pulmonary doctor felt I should have a check-up from the cardiologist and scheduled an appointment.  January 14, prior to the scheduled dental surgery I saw the cardiologist.  He went into action and called to cancel the dental surgery. The next day I had a heart catheterization w hich revealed two small arteries almost 100% blocked and one major artery with a stent more than 60% blocked with restenosis. One year after a heart attack in 2003 the stent had restenosis and the Intracoronary brachytherapy was used to stop the restenosis.  However, it appears the stent is filling up again.  The cardiologist was going out of town for the weekend.  Therefore, we do not know what will be the next course of action will be.  The catheterization has left my leg in much pain.  The site of the entrance of the cathe is okay but all around my leg is discolored and black on the back side of my leg.  Pain persists to bend or walk, or even while sitting. A temperature of 101.5 was reason to go to the ER said the doctor when called. They did EKG, chest x-ray, blood tests and sent me home.

 What a beautiful story !!!

Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin-cursed earth have been men and women of prayer.  You will find that Prayer has been the mighty power that has moved not only God, but man.

Abraham was a man of prayer, and angels came down from heaven to converse with him.

Jacob’s prayer was answered in the wonderful interview at Peniel, that resulted in his having such a mighty blessing, and in softening the heart of his brother Esau.

The child, Samuel was given in answer to Hannah’s prayer.

Elijah’s prayer closed up the heavens for three years and six months, and he prayed again and the heavens gave rain.

The Apostle James tells us that the prophet Elijah was a man “subject to ike passions as we are.”

I am thankful that those men and women who were so mighty in prayer were just like ourselves.  We are apt to think that those prophets and mighty men and women of old time were different from what we are.  To be sure they lived in a much darker age, but they were of like passions with ourselves.

We read that on another occasion Elijah brought down fire on Mount Carmel.  The prophets of Baal cried long and loud, but no answer came.  The God of Elijah heard and answered his prayer.  Let us remember that the God of Elijah still lives.  The prophet was translated and went up to heaven, but his God still lives, and we have the same access to Him that Elijah had.  We have the same warrant to go to God and ask the fire from heaven to come down and consume our lusts and passions–to burn up our dross, and let Christ shine through us.

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions on Bringing Love to Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING:
Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

Can it be that a whole month has passed since I had the privilege to sit down to write!  Yes, it seems sometimes the bottom drops out from under you.  It did for us.  Other things planned came to a standstill. 

We worked hard all that week of August 15 anticipating the arrival of our dear (only) daughter-in-law, her youngest son, Mark, and his beautiful wife, Jenni.  They were to drive all the way from Pittsburgh, PA to Laurel, MS on their way to Tucson, AZ to look for a  house.  They did!  Arriving late there was too much excitement to sleep very early.  We renewed all that had been happening in each of our lives.  Mark and Jenni had a four-month-old beautiful blond Labrador.  This was the best behaved, well-trained dog I think I have ever seen.

Saturday was a day of Thanksgiving for us in having some of our family here.  I had prepared the food we always eat at Thanksgiving in the south.  This was a very special day.  Our daughters could not come.  Wanda had a migraine and Brenda had to work at the hospital.  We had the others all to ourselves.  We sat down to eat lunch and the head of our household, Billy, pushed his plate back.  He didn’t feel like eating.  Then, I knew something was “really” wrong.  He was suffering with extreme stomach pain.  He wasn’t much company.  He was also concerned about the calls to his parishioners telling them he would pick them up for church the next morning.

Sunday morning came with everyone in a rush to get off to church.  There was an abundance of food so I didn’t have to worry about Sunday dinner.  He left for his route and I had the privilege of taking Jennie, Mark and Jeni with me.  What a joy to have them desire to be with us in church.  Jennie asked if she could help.  I said, “Sure, the older kids speak English, you teach them.”  She did, and the children loved her.  It was a good time together.  On Sunday we do not get home until around 1:30 due to fellowship and Billy taking the people back home.

After lunch it was evident something had to be done for Billy.  He didn’t eat again due to the terrible discomfort.  I began to tell him he had to go to the emergency room for help.  It was two hours later I got him there.  I checked him in.  His temperature was 103 degrees.  We hunted a seat in the very full waiting room.  As each hour passed the more uncomfortable he became.  His blood pressure was 245 over 195.  I kept going to the counter to ask how much longer.  He asked for a glass of water.  I went to the desk and the young man in charge (of what I don’t know) said, “I can’t give you a glass of water.”  I said, “Excuse me, you CAN’T give me a glass of water!”  He said, “That is right.”  I’m not sure what I said right then!  Then he added, “I can get a glass for you and you can get some water out of the fountain.”  He did.  I did.  Billy was now trying to lean against the wall to keep from falling.  I called my sister-in-law, who then called her daughter who works at the hospital but was now off.  She called to see why it had taken so long for them to see Billy who was terribly sick.  It wasn’t long until he was at least put in an examining room.  Eventually they came to take his vital signs again.  They were not good.  Time passed.  A doctor, I think, came in to check him out.  They took him for x-rays and blood work.  Six hours from the time we got to the emergency room, the doctor came in and said “Everything seems to look okay.  I said, “What do you plan to do about the 103 degrees of fever and the high blood pressure?”  He said, “Oh, I can see you want to put him in the hospital.  I’ll just call your doctor and tell him I am admitting him!”  WOW!  Would you call that professionalism in a doctor?  I wouldn’t.  I requested a gastroenterologist.  Of course Billy’s night, what was left of it, was miserable.  I went home to be with our daughter-in-law, her son and his wife who were leaving at 4;00 AM the next day.  What a short visit.  How sad Papaw couldn’t enjoy them even a little bit.

The next morning we had two specialists on hand realizing he was in bad shape.  His temperature remained high and he wasn’t getting any relief.  I told the specialists that the ER doctor didn’t think he should have been put in the hospital.  I also told them what he said.  Immediately they wanted to know who he was.  To make a very long story shorter, a tube was put through Billy’s nose into his stomach.  He was diagnosed with Ileus (paralysis of the small intestines) and severe diverticulitis).  At one point they called a surgeon on board in case he should have a rupture.  It was touch and go.  Finally, nine days later, they thought he could go home.   That nineth day is to be continued.  It is hard to believe what happened next.  Stay in touch.

The Lord’s Day!  It is a day the Lord told us to set aside for worship, for renewal, for rest.  If you are in ministry, which of seven days can you “rest?”  Perhaps your special day is structured to where you give a little time for yourself–with the Lord.  I know the saying is true, ‘You must come a-part, before you come apart.”  But how?

In a culturally different church the pastor (and his family) adapts to “their” schedule.  Their schedule is the “swing” shift.  They work all different hours during the week.  Men, women, and young people work.  Yet those who love the Lord with heart, soul, mind, and strength, would like to go to church every night.   Due to the distance from where we live to our temporary church building, we cannot meet those desires.  Friday and Saturday night services are held.  When the Lord provides the funds to build our new church we will be able to have meetings throughout the week.  In the meantime, we pack a great deal into a day.  That doesn’t mean we are idle the other days.

Awake and up at 5:00 AM we begin the Sabbath.  However, at 3:00 AM our prayer time already started.  We finish preparations for loading the car with essentials for the morning–crafts for the kids, snacks for the kids, music box, song books and Bibles.  By the time these things are in the car we need another bath.  The heat is extreme.

My husband starts his rounds to pick up people in the church van.  I drive an additional car and try to arrive early enough to turn the air conditioner on, reposition chairs and tables (borrowed for birthday parties during the week) and be sure we are ready for those who come.

The music team is in place.  The church fills with men, women, and children.  What a sight to behold.  There are two to three men for every woman who attends.  This is because they have come without their families to the US to make a better living for them.   Prayer is offered to God for His Presence in the service.  Testimonies are given of God’s protection throughout the week.  The right-hand of fellowship is given as the “Welcome” song, “Bienvenida” is sung.  When preliminaries are over Edith and I go with the children to the “McGuire” building for our time together.  Edith works with the small kids three and under.  I take those above up to 12 years of age.  What a task!  The little boys six and seven need to be doing something or their heavy eyes close with sleep.  Apparently they do not get enough sleep.  We do the best we can with the people and resources we have.  God gives the increase.

We start our routes back to take people to their homes.  The Nursing Home is on my way so I stop and visit with my sister who had a stroke a year ago.  I left my phone in the car.  When I got to the car I had three missed calls–from my husband.  I sensed trouble.  I quickly called him only to learn the church van had quit!  He still had people to take home.  The weather was swealteringly hot.  I made my way to the location where people were standing out waiting for another ride.  We got them home.  I picked up a KFC plate to take home to eat.  A meeting with men of the church had been called at our house for the afternoon.  Although exhaustion has already started to set in, much remains to do in the day.

Twelve men arrived at the house to brainstorm.  Only the men were invited.  HOWEVER, two women came with our little deaf boy.  They wanted me to “help” prepare invitations for little Efrain’s birthday party September 14.  He will be two.  Telling them what I had thought of for the invitation didn’t take long–then what?  I spent the afternoon visiting and finding things for Efrain to do.  He is a precious child. 

Many good ideas were discussed by the men to better our church.  Some major decisions and other minor ones were made–or were they?  PUT NOTE ON DOOR–TURN OFF CELL PHONES.  GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE YOU COME INTO CHURCH.  DON’T READ WHEN YOU SHOULD BE SINGING.  FILL FRONT SEATS FIRST.  DON’T PLAY WITH THE CHILDREN IN CHURCH.  TAKE OFF YOUR CAP IN CHURCH.  And so the list went.  Greeters were assigned.  Offering plates (baskets) would be passed rather than letting people walk to the front to place their tithe, faith promise and offerings.  Other pertinent things were discussed for the church.  By now it was 5:00 PM.  Now we can sit down and relax.  No, the van is in town and needs to be towed.

We got to the location of the van.  It still had all four tires!  No one had bothered it.  Believe it or not, in answer to prayer, it started.  Would it run long enough to get it home tonight?  It did!  Thank God!  Surely now, we can begin to wind down.  Not so. The phone began to ring lining up places different people needed to go Monday morning.  We keep “their” (the church people) calendar of events.  Indeed it can become confusing when appointments overlap.

It is bedtime.  I am so ready.  It has been a busy day, but a good day.  Rest can be better when you are tired!  That is, unless you are too tired.  Perhaps these are the hours left to “come apart.”  Exhausted I fell asleep by the time my head hit the pillow.  The Lord’s Day!  The day of rest!  Who rest?  Me!  My husband!  No, never!

Larry and Donna Burnett, personal friends, are with their son, Andy, at Walter Reid Hospital where he underwent surgery for gunshot wounds in Iraq.  Read the beautiful letter from Larry about his son.  This is a letter that needs to circulate the Internet.