Recovered Stolen Bike

Praise God for his intervention! My husband is a motocross enthusiast and has a couple of dirt bikes. Our shop was broken into a few months ago and one of the items stolen was the dirt bike. It was the SECOND time this particular motorcycle was stolen (it was stolen once in California and recovered by the police months later).
My husband happened to be in town working on the shop (wiring, plumbing, etc). He has been on the road for 6 weeks and took 5 days off. Since he was home, he went to pick up the boys from school after football practice. The timing was God's because they had called earlier to get picked up and when he got there they weren't ready to leave. He'd gone back to the shop after the first attempt and worked for a while until they called to be picked up again.
As he was driving to the school, he was crossing the railroad tracks near the school (a few miles from our property) when a work truck was stopped at the tracks. On the back of the truck was strapped a dirt bike which immediately caught his eye. He scrutinized the slow moving vehicle and he instantly recognized the motorcycle as his because of a bent brake handle. He followed the truck around and pulled the guy over (all the while on the phone to the police) and when the young man stopped to get out of his truck my husband said, "that motorcycle is stolen property."
The police came and verified the serial numbers. The young man will be going to jail for trespassing, breaking and entering, and grand theft. The bike needs mechanical repairs but my husband was just glad to have it back.
Had he been 2 seconds later, he never would have seen the truck or his bike. Coincidence? I think not.

And Everybody Said. . .

. . .AMEN!

Newly baptized young men on God's journey.

Baptism

On Sunday, September 17, 2006 my youngest son made a public profession of faith and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was baptized a day before his 17th birthday. I'm so thankful for God's grace and abiding love; and for drawing J into the fold. Please pray for him in the days to come. And continue to pray for all my children who have strayed and my husband who is agnostic. But, let us rejoice together for J and my stepson B who was also baptized. Both young men are hungry to learn and I pray that God surrounds them with loving, Godly people who will instruct them by God's will and in His word.

Still Praying

Remember we have been praying for Bobby? To briefly update, he's been moved from intensive care and taken off the respirator. He had been given a tracheotomy and is now on a feeding tube. They suspect a stroke occurred but his brain swelling has finally diminished. We've prayed for a miracle and each day He grants one! We are believing the Lord will restore his body and mind completely and that he will be a vibrant witness for Christ one day. Below, his mother writes the latest update:

Bobby is doing pretty good, although I think his care was much better
in the NSICU area. They took out his Central Line today and he is not
receiving any IV fluids at this time. The only thing being given to
him is his formula (food, and salt tablets, going through his feeding
tube in his stomach. I did notice that the mucous coming out of his
trach is starting to get a yellowish, green color into it, so that
causes me a little concern that he may be getting another lung
infection (pnuemonia). The nurses are suppose to be keeping an eye on
it. Nothing more to report.

Thank you everyone for your continued prayers, positive thoughts, and
words of encouragement.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BOY

This is my son (with his cousin). He HATES it when I call him "my youngest" or "the baby of the family." But, it is his birth order and I'm a little sad to say that my baby turned 17 today. He's a senior this year and my heart just aches each and every day at how fast the years have zoomed by me. All my babies are grown up and it feels like I was so busy working and being stressed that I missed it.
He and his stepbrother got baptized in church yesterday and he gave he his life to the Lord. (Pictures to follow next post). For that, I'm thrilled and cried tears of joy and sang songs of praise. Please pray for both of them. Pray that their new walk is bolstered by good Christian people and heavenly truths. Pray that God puts a hedge of protection around them and a hand of guidance upon them. May He lead them to their future wives, their future careers and their future calling serving Him.
Happy Birthday J! Your Mama loves you!

Happy Belated Birthday

This is a picture of my daughter, with HER daughters (grandchildren are God's expression of pure joy) four years ago. My daughter's birthday was Saturday and I want to wish her a belated birthday on the blog so all you friends can pray for her. My granddaughters spoke to me on Saturday and said, "Grandma, why did you send Mommy a birthday card that made her cry?" I had sent her a gift and a card ... but she's been missing me and the dam of tears burst at that moment. We're friends as well as mother and daughter and I truly wish things were "as they used to be" when I lived there. I was there for any crisis, there to enjoy my grandchildren on the weekend and give her a break, there for holidays and soccer games. Now, I'm not. I'm sure there's a lesson God would have us learn during this separation, but it's difficult to endure. Most likely, it is to put God first and not get wrapped up in family until HE is the priority. Pray for us and wish Jess a Birthday when you do.

Labor Day Greetings

Here is a little trivia:
The song Rosie the Riveter was already popular when Actor Walter Pidgeon discovered the real thing--Rose Will Monroe, a Ford employee who built B-24 and B-29 bombers at the Willow Run Assembly Plant in Michigan.
Rose went on to make war bond promotional films and was the inspiration for the Rosie the Riveter poster, symbolizing all U.S. women who worked in manufacturing jobs to support the World War II effort. She passed away in 1997

The origin of Labor Day :
Because of long hours and low pay, the idea of organizing workers according to their trades propigated because of a young man named Peter McGuire. He organized a march and held meetings (to organize unions) that spread around the country. Factory workers, dock workers and tool makers all began to demand and get their rights to an eight-hour workday, a secure job and a future in their trades.

Peter McGuire and laborers in other cities planned a holiday for workers on the first Monday in September, halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day. On September 5, 1882 the first Labor Day parade was held in New York City. Twenty thousand workers marched in a parade up Broadway. They carried banners that read "LABOR CREATES ALL WEALTH," and "EIGHT HOURS FOR WORK, EIGHT HOURS FOR REST, EIGHT HOURS FOR RECREATION!" After the parade there were picnics all around the city. Workers and celebrants ate Irish stew, homemade bread and apple pie. At night, fireworks were set off. Within the next few years, the idea spread from coast to coast, and all states celebrated Labor Day. In 1894, Congress voted it a federal holiday.

Today we celebrate Labor Day with a little less fanfare on the first Monday of September. Some cities have parades and community picnics. Many politicians "kick off' their political campaigns by holding rallies on the holiday. Most Americans consider Labor Day the end of the summer, and the beaches and other popular resort areas are packed with people enjoying one last three-day weekend.

Wishing you all a relaxing, safe and wonderful holiday. I enjoy the 3 day weekend, but hate the end of summer. Especially this year. It just seemed to go by so fast...I didn't really get to enjoy it. All work and very little play.

Praying for Bobby's Miracle

My friend writes a glum and hopeless sounding update. But, won't you join me in praying for a miracle? I know that God is greater and Bobby can receive a miraculous interventive healing from our creator. Lift him up in ferverent prayer, won't you?

Good Evening Everyone,

Today was a very sobering day as the doctor had a sit down with us (me and my sister-in-law). It looks like they are going to keep him on the phentobarbital through the weekend as expected. The doctors are going to try and take him off possibly on Monday in order to see if his body will give us any type of response. There is a possibility that his inner cranial pressure has been high enough where he may have had a stroke. Once again there is no way to determine the amount of damage that was done to the brain without an MRI and they have been unable to do an MRI as he has not been medically stable enough to do one. In addition, the amount of fluids that he has been dumping through his urine is making a possibility of dehydration, and with all the medication that they have been giving him there is a possibility of kidney failure. The doctors have also told us that he has a slim/low chance of having a normal lifestyle if he is able to overcome the swelling on the brain and low blood pressure and dehydration. Chances are very strong that he would have to be on a ventilater and a feeding tube for the rest of his life. At this point they are unable to do surgery to remove a flap from his skull as he is not stable enough to go into surgery and the risks would be very high right now.

Please continue with the positive thoughts and prayers he really needs them.

Thank you,
Michelle

More on Bobby

Good Evening Everyone,

No real change today, the inner cranial pressure stayed about the same around 15 to 19. They are still having a difficult time keeping him from dumping so much fluid from his urine. They are trying to find the happy medium between keeping his inner cranial pressure down and keeping him from dehydrating himself from peeing to much.

Please keep up the positive thoughts and prayers.

Thank you,
Michelle

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Michelle,
Here is my own little prayer,
Love Susan

Precious Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer with my friends Bob and Michelle. Together, we pray in one accord and where three are gathered in your name...there you will be also. We lift up the health and welfare of Bobby to you Lord God. He is one of your beloved, one of your children. Created by you before the foundation of the world, you knew where he would be this day. We know that your word says you will not forsake him and we trust you in your infinite wisdom and holiness.
You are the master healer, physician extraordinaire and we place his care in your hands. Be with the physicians, technicians, hospital staff and specialists as they attend to his needs. Oversee every decision and medication given. Give his parents, sibling, friends and loved ones strength, faith, and hope to endure the difficult waiting period as he recuperates. Father, stand with them and give them comfort; for it is difficult to see your child helplessly laying in a hospital bed with monitors, tubes, IV's and countless other medical instruments.
Speak to Bobby in his dreams and draw him close. Give him the willpower to fight so his body will respond in the way necessary to heal completely. Grant him a full and complete recuperation Lord God...this young man has work yet to do. Your work Father.
We love you and praise you Holy Father. Thank you for the gift of children. Thank you for all that you give us each day. We pray these things in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Update on Bobby

It's been up and down, touch and go for our young friend Bobby. His mom writes daily and this time she had some hopeful news:

Good Evening Everyone,

Well I am moved back into the hotel. Today was a fairly good day for Bobby, his inner cranial pressure stayed between 2 -6. Then we found out he was dumping too much fluid and that was why his inner cranial pressure was so low. So the doctors put him on another fluid to retain some of the fluid and that brought his inner cranial pressure up to between 14 & 16 which is still good. The pituitary gland is what regulates your fluid retention level and right now his gland is telling his body to dump all fluids and that will cause his body to de-hydrate which is not good either. Tomorrow they are doing a trachostomy so that the ventilator will go through a hole in his neck instead of through his mouth. The doctors say that is better and gives him less of a chance of getting recurring pneumonia.

Well I think that covers everything.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Michelle

Dear Father God,

Once again we come before you with praise, hope, and love. Your word tells us to lay everything at the feet of our Lord Jesus. We humbly do that now. We trust you with our very lives and it is that trust once again with which we appeal to you for the sake of Bobby. You are working on his body Father, and we ask that you continue to heal him. We also pray for his spirit Lord God. Draw him (and all those who don't know you completely) gently back to the fold. Keep us every mindful of our own walk and help us to be faithful "do-ers". Let everyone see the rainbow after the flood Father. Let those who don't know you weep with joy and adoration of the fullfillment and revelation the Holy Spirit brings.

I love you Father God. WE love you and pray together in one accord in the powerful and wonderful name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Bobby's Prayer Request

My friend Michelle emailed me with a prayer concern. Please pray for her son and her family.

I haven't had time to call everyone, so this was the best way I know to let everyone know what is going on with Bobby. For those that don't know Bobby was in an automobile accident early Monday morning. The car rolled 6 times and he was ejected out of the vehicle. He is at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and this is what we know so far.

He does not have any broken bones.
He does have a dislocated knee.
He does have head trauma. He is in an induced Coma to reduce the swelling of his brain and has had a line inserted in his skull to drain the fluid from his brain. He will probably stay in the induced Coma & Paralysis for the next week to try and keep his inner cranial pressure down. The doctors will try every couple of days to reduce the meds that put him in the Coma and see what the inner cranial pressure is. If they can get the inner cranial pressure stabilized than they have to evaluate how severe the damage is to his brain. He has multiple bruises on the brain so until they get the fluid and swelling down there is no way to tell what kind of damage we are talking about. If the doctors can not bring the swelling down than they will have to go to alternative measures up to and including surgery, but it does not look like we will have to go that route as his pressure is being managed with the line that was inserted in his skull.

Heavenly Father,

We come before you with praise and adoration this day. We know that you love every soul on earth beyond what we can think or comprehend. And Father, it is that love and compassion we appeal to today. We lift Bobby up to you and put his health concerns in your capable hands. Lord, give him strength and provide him with the best care as he recuperates. Grant him a full recuperation. Be with the doctors and staff that watch over him and help them make the best decisions. You are the master physician, healer, and creator. We trust in your miraculous intervention.

And Father, be with Bob, Michelle and Michael during this time. His family is concerned and worried. Bolster their faith Lord. Give them rest and peace, help them with the financial burden that is bound to arise.

We thank you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

What About Me?

I AM - a child of God, taking baby steps each day by His wonderful grace.
I AM THANKFUL - for God's Love and for His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I SAID - I'd be an entertainer (singer) when I grew up.
I WANT - so much good and happiness for my children and grandchildren.
I WISH - I had more self control in areas of great weakness.
I MISS - my family and friends in California (and Wisconsin).
I HEAR - God speaking to me through music and song.
I WONDER - when I will truly grow up.
I REGRET - every single bad choice I made and every sin I committed.
I AM NOT - disloyal.
I DANCE - when no one is looking.
I SING - whenever I can.
I CRY - like a ninny all the time over silly sentimental things like kindergarten graduation or handmade birthday cards.
I AM NOT ALWAYS - on time, or focused.
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS - creative little scrapbooks of love, memories, and family history as a token of my heart.
I WRITE - because I can express myself with ease through written words, whereas verbally I solidify.
I CONFUSE - directions.
I NEED - to spend more time with God.
I SHOULD - lose 40 pounds.
I START - getting melancholy over the speed at which time has passed.
I LOVE - to love.

Hallmark Humor

I love the Hallmark character "Madge" and the little note to the right came to me in an email. Isn't it funny how sometimes things are just so appropriate? I'm REALLY dragging today and when a friend sent a few of "Madge's" little blurbs (courtesy Hallmark Cards) it brought a chuckle to this tired soul.

Speaking of which, they have a "tax free" weekend in Texas for school supplies and school clothes, etc. All the stores have special sales cuz' there's no tax! We just had it and I a spent fortune. Darn teenagers just keep growing! I used to love to shop...but now, I just see gobs of money slipping through my fingers and I'm exhausted at the end of the day. Then I feel guilty because I should have paid bills but the kids had needs that had to be met. I only have 2 school aged children left in the house (and of course I had to send my granddaughters' a little something for 1st grade), but it still seems like I'm borrowing from Peter to pay Paul whenever it's back to school time. There was a time when there were 4-5 in the house to buy for!!! I should be grateful.

Then, if they are in sports (like mine are) there's also sports gear and various sundries. Did God make a money tree? Cuz' if he did, I need to plant one PDQ (PRETTY DARN QUICK). No matter how hard I try to budget and save, something always happens. Like, last weekend someone broke into our building and stole a motorcycle. Again! This is the second time that motorcycle has been stolen (this time, I doubt it will be recovered).

Anyway, what do you all do when it's back-to-school time?

Flaming Hot

Oh my goodness! It has been hot here in the Southwest (and California too I'm told). I recently heard a Christian comedianne explain what living in Arizona was like. She said, "If you want to experience the Arizona heat, go home...plug in your hair dryer and stick it in your mouth!" LOL! That is exactly how it feels here in Texas right now. Every swimming pool in sight is full of kids. I must have made a dozen glasses of fresh squeezed lemonade and my mouth still feels like I ate a sandwich made of cotton balls.

What are you doing to beat the heat?

110 DEGREES!

It's 110 degrees in Northern California! We just got over 107 degrees here in Texas. But, after talking with my grandchildren today--"Mommy can't get the big pool blowed up, we have to wait for Daddy" --I decided to publish these pictures from a visit in April. It was warm then. It reminded me that we all need to bring out the inner child within and run through the sprinklers, letting the water tickle our tongue. Especially when it is 110 degrees. Not only then, but especially then. Let the grass tickle our bare feet and giggle when we get the "itchies" from it. Why? Because youth passes in an instant and we should revel in the glory of childhood. Children are most precious to God. Thank you Father for giving us children! You are worthy of all our praise.

Speaking of Christian Songs

...have you heard the relatively new Brad Paisley/Dolly Parton duet? When I Get Where I'm Going? My husband called me when it first came out (to tell me how it touched him)! There is another one by Tim McGraw (that escapes me right now) that "made sense" to him in the scheme of things. Garth Brooks (yes...I enjoy country western music, along with rock and roll, christian, some contemporary...I'm a lover of music) Some of God's Greatest Gifts (Are Unanswered Prayers).

Speaking of prayers, please pray for my husband. (His parents named him because a prophet told them when his mother was pregnant that she would have a son who would one day bring many to Christ). He feels like "he spent enough time in church as a kid" that he "paid his dues." And, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" "Why does He let babies die?" Or, "Why is His son more important then mine?" (Teardrop)

That just brings Richard Mullin's song Creed to mind. "I believe in God the Father, almighty maker of heaven and maker of earth... and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord..." ..."And I believe what I believe, it's what makes me what I am...I did not make it, no it is making me, it is the very truth of God not the invention of any man."

I believe.

Sending Up a Thank You

Was just listening to a cd by the late Richard Mullins. I love this particular cd. Every single song on it is salve to my soul. I love to sing and don't do it enough anymore. (My husband is not a believer and doesn't like Christian music or gospel). Whenever he is gone, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns...and soon Steve Sporre's cd are in my computer playing! Some of my favorites from Richard such as Sing Your Praise to the Lord, Our God is an Awesome God, Screen Door come to me when I'm having a hard day or feeling challenged by the world.

I just want to send up a thank you for blessing us with your talent Richard, and for drawing us closer to God. Truly, you are and have always been one of His angels Richard! We miss you and can't wait to hear you sing again one day!

Our God IS an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above with wisdom, power, and love...our God is an awesome God!!!!!

Amen

Fish N Chips Anyone?

A snapshot of me and my brother-in-law and sister at a local festival on one of the great lakes. Ya' can't beat the fish and chips when it's lake perch! Notice I'm drinking a beverage indigenous to the area while the youngin's are enjoying a Mike's Hard Lemonade. We all imbibe about once a year (we're light weights). No offense to those who battle substance or alcohol abuse. I might have had a problem years ago, but when I had my daughter...it changed everything. The last time I was drunk she was 11 months old and she is 29 now. I haven't had more then 1 or 2 drinks a year because alcoholism runs in my family. It was one struggle God gifted me with strength enough to avoid.

The weather was 98 degrees that day and even the almost non-existent breeze from the lake didn't offer comfort from the heat and humidity. We were dripping perspiration just sitting still! My old joints were aching and by the end of the day, my hip hurt so bad my brother-in-law had to literally pull my leg! I could barely walk. Folks, it really is all down hill after 40! Just kidding. I usually don't have any problems, but for some reason I must have had a virus or something that attacked my joints that week. Any who...if I haven't already said so, I had a blast visiting family recently. Will have to wear out my welcome and do it again soon.

COUSINS

Here are five cousins. My cousin P is in the purple shirt. She is one of SEVEN cousins from my Aunt C (my mother's twin sister). My sister J is the "short one" ;-) and this was taken in her yard. My sister "Shenna" is next to me and my bro "B" is in the back. Sort of a small family reunion since I haven't seen this cousin in over 10 years!

I Got All My Sisters With Me

We are
F-A-M-I-L-Y,
get up everybody and sing! Me and the sistas' during a recent visit. Notice the baby of the family to my right (Shenna), I'm in the middle (wearing light blue) and J is to my left. Nothing like sisters folks. They are the only people on earth who truly understand EVERYTHING there is about you, and put up with you anyway. God blessed me with two beautiful sisters and great friends too. I love my sisters. I am who I am because of them.