A New Joint

It's been 11 days since I went to The Medical Center, Beaver to receive a new knee. I am such a wimp or at least I feel that way. Surgery went well and I was discharged on Friday, Dec. 12. Now that I'm home I can't seem to find a lot of comfortable places to sit and I wonder if any progress is being made. But, then, I stop, take a deep breath and remember that a week ago, I couldn't lift my leg by myself. I couldn't get into bed without difficulty. I couldn't walk up and down the steps without talking to myself for 5 minutes first to "gear myself up." And, a week ago I couldn't get into a bathtub. Yes, the exercizes are painful and some may be from Satan instead of the Lord, but, little by little, the right things are happening. I can't drive yet (It's too cold outside anyway) because I don't have a 90 degree angle at my knee. That's fine with me! Last year I was in Ghana for Christmas and I was hoping to be around for some of the festivities at church this year. But, I'm not sure if there is a comfortable chair to sit in, where I can put up my leg. I'll try to work this out for Christmas Eve. All in all, God is good. It's His mercy and grace and the prayers of believers that have gotten me this far. I'm looking forward to using this new knee in Ghana!

The Blessing of Family

The holiday season always brings the thought of family to mind. I have been blessed with two brothers, a sister, their spouses, their children and grandchildren. They mean so much to me. I have such wonderful memories of times spent together.

This year I celebrated Thanksgiving with my sister, her son and daughter in law in Texas City, Texas. It was wonderful! So relaxing and warm! I was able to visit and reconnect with my nephew and his wife. I don't see them very often. This trip has been another of the great blessings of our God.

The Successful Failure

Apollo 13 was called "The Successful Failure" because the three astronauts returned to earth alive and safe although they never walked on the moon.



Gene Krantz, Flight Director of several Apollo flights always wore a vest made by his wife, each one specific for each flight.

While at the Johnson Space center, I, too, wore a vest for a brief time. The vest I am wearing is NOT one of Gene Kranz's vests, but he did wear it. Thanks goes out to the volunteer who put the vest on me for a picture!

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day

We bow our heads to You and pray.

We give You thanks for all You've done

Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.

For beauty in nature, Your glory we see

For joy and health, friends and family;

For daily provision, Your mercy and care

These are the blessings You graciously share.

So today we offer this response of praise

With a promise to follow You all of our days.

~ Mary Fairchild

Gratitude

Gratitude...takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.

~Thomas Merton

Basking in God's Grace

I went home today to check my mail and messages. The good news is my stress test was normal. I am basking in God's Grace.

Preparation or Battle?

The question I pose today is this: "Is God preparing me for Ghana or am I in a spiritual battle?"

When I had my EKG for my previous surgery, no one made any comment that something may be wrong. But, when my surgeon for my knee replacement had whom so ever look at the EKG he saw something irregular. It seems like I have had a heart attack in the past. Now, I am waiting for a stress test to be scheduled. This is providing stress in my life.

So which one is it...preparation or battle?

Random Thoughts on Surgery

Last week I had surgery. Nothing major, but it was surgery none the less. As I waited to be taken to the OR, a few random thoughts crossed my mind:

~ There were no chickens running around.
~ Everything was very modern and very sterile.
~ I don't like not being able to take care of myself.
~ It's hard to ask for help.
~ I want my mommy!
~ I wish I had my favorite blanket with me.
~ God is still in control.

One surgery done, one to go. I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to being the patient again. This time it will be for a knee replacement. The hospital stay will be longer. The recovery time will be longer. The two good things about it are: 1. My knee will quit hurting and I'll be able to walk a lot easier and 2. God is still in control.

Disturb Us, Lord

Disturb us, Lord when we are too pleased with ourselves,

When our Dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, with the abundance of things we possess

We have lost the thirst for the waters of life

Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity.

And, in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wider seas where storms will show Your mastery;

Where loosing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes,

And to push into the future in stregnth, courage, hope and love.

Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577

Gaurenteed Dividends

I'm sure most people have been watching what has been happening on Wall Street during the last two weeks. People have lost more money than I'll ever see in a lifetime.

But, there IS good news!

When you invest in Missions, in spreading the Word of God throughout the world, you will always have dividends. There WILL be great rewards.

Invest in Missions today. You won't be disappointed!

Blessed to be Born in the USA

I am so blessed. So are you.

This week I have been working on lessons for the Children's Program for a week long Mission Festival. I am focusing on Bibleless people groups. And, I am overwhelmed at how blessed I am just because I was born in the United States of America. I own at least 8 Bibles of various translations in my heart language. Some have footnotes and some are study Bibles and some are annotated.

Do I appreciate this blessing? Rarely. Yes, I read Scripture. Yes, I study Scripture. Not as much as I should. I have become accustomed to having Bibles around. The Word of God is easy to access. Yet, I don't always take advantage of it. Most times the child like wonder of it all is missing. I get caught up in "stuff to do" instead of getting caught in the Word of God.

Ghana has 79 languages not counting the dialects. Only a couple of these languages have a complete Bible. People there hunger and thirst for the Word of God in their heart language. I should, too.

This IS a Test

This IS a test. I think it has somethig to do with that "5 letter 'T' word" again.

I had excruciating pain on Tuesday night. It lasted for hours. Of course, I didn't call anyone. The good news is, it was not a heart attack. It may be gall bladder trouble. So, I am in the midst of tests. some which aren't scheduled for 3 weeks.

Trust is the key word here. I have knee replacement surgery scheduled for Dec. 9. I am traveling all over PA during the next 3 weeks, speaking at churches and communing with God and driving back home in the midst of it all for tests and doctors appointments. I have to admit, I'm not thrilled about all the driving. But, things need to be done. And I need to trust God to keep me safe and awake as I drive. I need to trust Him as the Great Physician, trusting that all will be well in time for my knee surgery.

The Girl Effect

In most of the world, girls are denied education. Or, at best, their families cannot afford to send them to school. Families have to pay for the education of their children. Many countries do not provide secondary education that is underwrited by the government/taxes. So, since girls are thought of as being of less worth than a boy, they oftentimes do not get an education.

Girls can change the world!
(With Christ's help. of course!)