Another Vacation Bible School is wrapped up and will be officially put to bed during Sunday's worship service when the kids gather on the steps leading to the altar and sing their hearts out. The songs they sing all have motions to learn, and we, the leaders, need to learn them as well. This year's theme was Barnyard Roundup, and the Scriptural basis the 23rd Psalm. Storytelling staff told children ranging from age 4 to 11 (Pre-k through 6th graders) age level versions of parables and miracles including the Prodigal son, the Sower of Seeds, Jesus feeding the 5,000.
It was my first year helping with music...and it's not a job for sissies. There are about 6 or 7 songs that we sing regularly during openings, and closings, and in the music sessions during the course of the morning. And we, the leaders, need to learn them all, and the motions which go with the words are especially important. We have a video of groups of children of various ages who perform the songs and go through the motions. They are awesome kids, talented and they seem sincere in the joy they exhibit during their singing. It's contagious and between Monday morning and Friday at noon, our kids go from needing those videos of the kids doing the songs, to only needing the music and not the videos. They did so well today when they sang for their parents for the closing.
It never fails, when the last child has left, and it's all over but the taking down of the decorations, there is both a sigh of relief, and one of regret that the week went so quickly and that it's over.
This morning was no different. I suppose this year was different because of the mid 90s temperatures, and of course I'm not getting any younger. Sigh.
But now Ron and I look to our trip to the family reunion. It's been 3 years since I've seen my sisters and their families. We were supposed to go last year, but Ron's neck surgery changed that. So we will have an awesome trip and I can't wait to see everybody. Our kids and grand kids will be there too. What more can a girl ask for?
I think that I have given the wrong name to this blog...because I used the past tense. All that He gave me? No, the Lord just keeps giving.
And I am grateful.
Til next time...
Sue
Friday, June 24, 2016
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Blessed Days
It's been a busy week. Meetings at church, doctor appointments and shopping for and mailing birthday gifts for our 12 year old granddaughter, Veronica. Twelve. How can that be? Wasn't I just there when she cried in that first moment, and as Scott was amazed by the reality of being a dad? But yes, today she is 12. And I remember the long cold night in the hospital...the air conditioning surely doing it's job on the hot and humid June night and the long day of labor which followed until she was born. And all the blessed days which have followed. Not all easy ones, but they have been blessed.So thankful we will see her and her dad and her "other" mom. Violet, Scott's fiance, is a wonderful stepmom - loves Veronica as her own.
We'll be seeing them in a few weeks for our family reunion in TN with all the members of our family. Our Mom and Dad's 3 girls and their husbands, and all of our children and grandchildren. It will be a wonderful weekend, and I will be thankful to be there. Our family is scattered all over the place, but when we all get together, it's like we never were apart. Pat and Chelle and me. Our kids are getting older, and our grand kids are growing into beautiful young people. Mom and Dad will be looking down from heaven and smiling for sure. And we will be gathered, our hearts missing them. We'll probably do another balloon launch to heaven, I'll say a prayer, as we gather together....and let them go. Blessed times and we need to make every one count.
So last night was the opening worship service for the Rocky Mountain District Convention of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. It was held at our church - a wonderful service with probably close to 350 people in our sanctuary. Scripture, music, litany, and the Lord's supper served by 8 of our Lutheran Pastors from the district. It was such a blessing to be there, seeing many friends I've made in the 6 years we've been here in Colorado. Onward Christian Soldiers - sung by 350 people - no words to describe the sound.
Today Ron and I are packing for a camping trip. We'll leave tomorrow when I get home from church. Going to a state park not too far from us. So excited - I love camping. The preparation and shopping, menu planning, all of it is so much fun. Even the making sure that the house is picked up before we leave. It's a really great past-time and heaven knows we've spent many wonderful years doing so. We'll take our trailer to the reunion and stay not far from where Pat lives so this is our first trip of the season - a dry run, so to speak before our trip to TN for the reunion. Warm days and cool nights. Perfect!!
While we are camping we will need to make a run into town because I am scheduled for a stress test and an echo-cardiogram. That will take 4-5 hours. The worse part of that? NO COFFEE or chocolate for 24 hours before the test. How fair is that? lol
When I think of all that God has given me....I can't help but be grateful. Life isn't without trials, but it's precious. I'm not a young woman any more, but I think He still has some things for me to do. Something left to give, and plenty of His love to share.
I'll be back in a few days....meanwhile, find God's blessings in every single day. They aren't hard to find....I promise.
We'll be seeing them in a few weeks for our family reunion in TN with all the members of our family. Our Mom and Dad's 3 girls and their husbands, and all of our children and grandchildren. It will be a wonderful weekend, and I will be thankful to be there. Our family is scattered all over the place, but when we all get together, it's like we never were apart. Pat and Chelle and me. Our kids are getting older, and our grand kids are growing into beautiful young people. Mom and Dad will be looking down from heaven and smiling for sure. And we will be gathered, our hearts missing them. We'll probably do another balloon launch to heaven, I'll say a prayer, as we gather together....and let them go. Blessed times and we need to make every one count.
So last night was the opening worship service for the Rocky Mountain District Convention of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. It was held at our church - a wonderful service with probably close to 350 people in our sanctuary. Scripture, music, litany, and the Lord's supper served by 8 of our Lutheran Pastors from the district. It was such a blessing to be there, seeing many friends I've made in the 6 years we've been here in Colorado. Onward Christian Soldiers - sung by 350 people - no words to describe the sound.
Today Ron and I are packing for a camping trip. We'll leave tomorrow when I get home from church. Going to a state park not too far from us. So excited - I love camping. The preparation and shopping, menu planning, all of it is so much fun. Even the making sure that the house is picked up before we leave. It's a really great past-time and heaven knows we've spent many wonderful years doing so. We'll take our trailer to the reunion and stay not far from where Pat lives so this is our first trip of the season - a dry run, so to speak before our trip to TN for the reunion. Warm days and cool nights. Perfect!!
While we are camping we will need to make a run into town because I am scheduled for a stress test and an echo-cardiogram. That will take 4-5 hours. The worse part of that? NO COFFEE or chocolate for 24 hours before the test. How fair is that? lol
When I think of all that God has given me....I can't help but be grateful. Life isn't without trials, but it's precious. I'm not a young woman any more, but I think He still has some things for me to do. Something left to give, and plenty of His love to share.
I'll be back in a few days....meanwhile, find God's blessings in every single day. They aren't hard to find....I promise.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Take the medicine.....and appreciate the motivation.
Monday and a date with Ron to the PX at Fort Carson. We do love our dates - being retired, well, you know that old saying about retirement that every day is Saturday. Not quite, but I will admit that I do wake up some mornings trying to figure out what day it is. We were going to go to the Commissary also, but I was pooped. I was looking all over for Ron, and finally found him sitting down and waiting for me in the cosmetic department.. :-) I've been feeling a little under the weather the past few days...called my primary doc's office this morning but so far no call back with an appointment.
If you have coronary artery disease, do you find things a little unsettling when you feel like you have symptoms but aren't sure they are heart related? When I had my symptoms which sent me to the doc originally, they were not typical - not chest pain, per say, but pain in my left breast and between my shoulder blades and sometimes in my jaw. And waves of fatigue that would just about bring me down if I was standing. Our daughter Laurie, who is a PA, told me in no uncertain terms to call the doctor.
The cardiologist thought it was muscular skeletal pain when I was admitted for all of this last year. But then the ekg was really funky so he didn't question it. Yesterday morning, when I had that same pain, I decided to take a nitro pill...it's what they told me to do if I have that pain. So, I took a nitro, and the pain in my breast and shoulder went away. Sigh...I guess that means it was angina. So now, I am taking a week off from the treadmill because I don't know if I should risk it. I have a stress test next week and my echo-cardiogram. That should tell the doctor something. When I first was diagnosed and had the stents put in, I was really depressed after I got home. 33 Cardiac rehab classes were ahead of me...how was I ever going to do that? God saw to it....and it was such a blessing to be there with so many others walking the same path as I was. The path I'm still walking.
I began to realize how much my life had changed, until the doctor told me how close I'd come to a massive, if not fatal heart attack. I realized that His will for me had been to work His pure grace in my life. And the cardiologist agreed...he said to Ron that God probably kept me here for him...it's so difficult for older men if their wife dies before them. We've been married almost 47 years, so we're attached at the hip.
So Laurie decided that I needed some motivation and got me involved in an online fitness group. She's our coach. Granted, most everyone is her age or younger, but I'm so thankful to belong to such a great group. They don't make me feel old. Ron bought me a treadmill for Christmas and my goal has been to do a mile 5 days a week. Have achieved that for the most part in recent weeks. I need to be accountable, not just to this fitness group, but to myself, my family, and to God. He did, after all, give me this chance to "get it right." And He helps those who help themselves.
Believe it, my friends. His Grace lights our path, His love strengthens our hearts - literally and figuratively; and His comfort gives us peace. The prayers of others are a soothing blessing that we are not alone. In fact, they not only pray, but they stand with us at the throne of grace, knowing His answers are forthcoming.
Hmmm - I guess I was a little more talkative than yesterday....thanks for stopping by.
Be blessed my friends,
Sue
If you have coronary artery disease, do you find things a little unsettling when you feel like you have symptoms but aren't sure they are heart related? When I had my symptoms which sent me to the doc originally, they were not typical - not chest pain, per say, but pain in my left breast and between my shoulder blades and sometimes in my jaw. And waves of fatigue that would just about bring me down if I was standing. Our daughter Laurie, who is a PA, told me in no uncertain terms to call the doctor.
The cardiologist thought it was muscular skeletal pain when I was admitted for all of this last year. But then the ekg was really funky so he didn't question it. Yesterday morning, when I had that same pain, I decided to take a nitro pill...it's what they told me to do if I have that pain. So, I took a nitro, and the pain in my breast and shoulder went away. Sigh...I guess that means it was angina. So now, I am taking a week off from the treadmill because I don't know if I should risk it. I have a stress test next week and my echo-cardiogram. That should tell the doctor something. When I first was diagnosed and had the stents put in, I was really depressed after I got home. 33 Cardiac rehab classes were ahead of me...how was I ever going to do that? God saw to it....and it was such a blessing to be there with so many others walking the same path as I was. The path I'm still walking.
I began to realize how much my life had changed, until the doctor told me how close I'd come to a massive, if not fatal heart attack. I realized that His will for me had been to work His pure grace in my life. And the cardiologist agreed...he said to Ron that God probably kept me here for him...it's so difficult for older men if their wife dies before them. We've been married almost 47 years, so we're attached at the hip.
So Laurie decided that I needed some motivation and got me involved in an online fitness group. She's our coach. Granted, most everyone is her age or younger, but I'm so thankful to belong to such a great group. They don't make me feel old. Ron bought me a treadmill for Christmas and my goal has been to do a mile 5 days a week. Have achieved that for the most part in recent weeks. I need to be accountable, not just to this fitness group, but to myself, my family, and to God. He did, after all, give me this chance to "get it right." And He helps those who help themselves.
 | |
| My beautiful daughter, and my coach. And me. :-) |
Hmmm - I guess I was a little more talkative than yesterday....thanks for stopping by.
Be blessed my friends,
Sue
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Stronger, Closer, Loved....more than I knew.
Although I've been thinking about it for awhile, I realized a few days ago that it was time to begin blogging again...a new blog that would help me, and perhaps others, in this journey of coronary artery disease. A journey in the unfamiliar territory of exercise, healthy eating, and of not taking life for granted. I am alive, simply, by the grace of God.
Someday, I'll tell you my whole story. But for today, the picture below pretty much describes what I've learned - so far - on the journey. I AM stronger. Jesus IS closer. And I have NEVER felt more loved than during those moments on an operating table in a hospital cardiac cath lab. I could actually feel the prayers of family and friends covering me with blessing and peace.
Thanks for finding me...and please bear with me. It's been awhile since I've blogged, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it again. It's not all about healthy recipes, and exercise, and things of that sort....although those are important in this journey and you will see all of those here at times.
But really, it's actually just pouring out my heart...my healthier and more grateful heart....that I'm still learning to take care of. :-)
Blessings, my friends.
Sue
Someday, I'll tell you my whole story. But for today, the picture below pretty much describes what I've learned - so far - on the journey. I AM stronger. Jesus IS closer. And I have NEVER felt more loved than during those moments on an operating table in a hospital cardiac cath lab. I could actually feel the prayers of family and friends covering me with blessing and peace.
Thanks for finding me...and please bear with me. It's been awhile since I've blogged, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it again. It's not all about healthy recipes, and exercise, and things of that sort....although those are important in this journey and you will see all of those here at times.
But really, it's actually just pouring out my heart...my healthier and more grateful heart....that I'm still learning to take care of. :-)
Blessings, my friends.
Sue
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)