Well yesterday was an interesting day. I spent 5 hours in the emergency department of our local hospital. I wasn't rushed there or anything like that, actually I drove myself there. The problem was that I had been having weird chest pain/discomfort with an added bonus of pressure and numbness in my left arm, jawline and neck. All very suspecting of heart troubles. It started Monday night, continued on during Tuesday (coming and going as it pleased) and finally Wednesday morning I bit the bullet and decided maybe I should go seek medical attention. Well I promptly was lectured by my nurse about waiting so long to seek help. She was very sweet and you could tell her concern was sincere. So I promised that if this ever happened again I would come in right away.
So anyway, I was given a ECG and hooked up to a heart monitor. Everything came back clean, no trouble with the heart. Then they did a bunch of blood tests to check for heart damage, still everything came like perfect. So the resident doctor was all ready to let me go home but the jaw/arm pain thing was making them second guess themselves. So they decided to give me a shot of nitroglycerin to see if my chest discomfort would go away. So first they ask me what the discomfort level is on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst pain I have felt, and I responded maybe a 1. Well they give me the nitro and ask me if I feel better, I am like well, I guess so. It wasn't that bad so it was kind of hard to tell. So they run off again to chat amongst themselves. I wait and wait, and wait. Nothing to read or do so I started experimenting with how much I could affect my heart rate, making it go faster or slower. I got my heart rate down to 47 beats per minute and I think the highest was 120 or something like that. What else could I do???? I was attached to oxygen, heart monitor and such... I had to do something to entertain myself...*Grin*. So after a bit the doctor comes in and says they are considering keeping me overnight for observation. Then he goes away again. Next he comes back and says he has spoken with a cardiologist and they have decided I should have a heart test done. So that should be in about a months time and I go see the cardiologist next week. They gave me 3 prescriptions to take home 1-a nitro bottle * just in case, 2-aspirin, and 3- a medication that will slow down my heart so it won't work too hard and lower my blood pressure. I asked the doctor if he really thought it was a good idea to put me on this and he said it is better to prevent than treat so he said yes. Well I did more research this morning on the drug and I have decided I am not going to take it. You see I already have a slow heart rate (50-60 bpm) and my blood pressure is always pressure is always low as well (95/50) so for me to take this medicine would be highly dangerous in my opinion ESPECIALLY when they don't think it is a heart problem but are treating it as one until after the test I take in a months time. Sometimes I have to really wonder about doctors. This is why a person has to be their own advocate when it comes to their health, educate themselves on their conditions and drugs prescribed.
So in summary, I feel fine today. My chest still feels a bit funny but I am guessing it has to do with my back/neck being out and I am going to go and see my chiropractor about it. The doctor also mentioned that I may have a viral infection in the cartilage of my chest (which I have had before) which would also explain some of the chest discomfort.
So that was my exciting day yesterday.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
More random thoughts...
We have been enjoying down time for our family. We have been enjoying camping with friends and taking in tourist attractions -- Science Center and local rodeo. We have one more camping trip -- well sort of camping trip at my SIL's this weekend. Then I think we will be staying home more.
A wonderful thing happened this weekend. While Wes and the kids were at the rodeo they joined up with Wes's brother and family. Now for over a year now, we have been estranged from them. They shunned us and we had no idea why and we still don't. But the great thing is that they had a wonderful visit and it looks like we will be able to restart our relationship with them. They have invited us up to their house for a visit and we received an invitation in mail to attend their youngest sons birthday next weekend. This is such a relief to me. It has really bothered Wes and I that things were not ok with them but it looks like there is hope there now. Thank you Lord.
More good news. My cousin and his wife have been trying to have a baby for years now. This year they decided to try invitro and last week I got the phone call it was successful. YAY! The first few months are fragile so I am praying that all goes well. I think a baby will be a saving grace for my cousin. He is a guy with no purpose in his life and I think a little one will make his world more full. I think the due date is in February.
On a more somber note... it seems like the world is collapsing around us lately (with the exception of the last two pieces of good news posted above). Marriages quickly falling apart, marriages struggling, health declining quickly, friendships scarred and struggling, trusts broken, church walking away from God's ways, struggling to be patient in so many matters... and so it goes. On Sunday Wes and I were really struggling and feeling overwhelmed with life. It felt like the kind of day you just want to go and hide under a rock and pretend the world doesn't exist. Luckily we don't stay feeling discouraged very long but sometimes ya just need to take the time to feel that way and then move on. I wish there was some way to make the world a better place. To help those who struggle so deeply.
A wonderful thing happened this weekend. While Wes and the kids were at the rodeo they joined up with Wes's brother and family. Now for over a year now, we have been estranged from them. They shunned us and we had no idea why and we still don't. But the great thing is that they had a wonderful visit and it looks like we will be able to restart our relationship with them. They have invited us up to their house for a visit and we received an invitation in mail to attend their youngest sons birthday next weekend. This is such a relief to me. It has really bothered Wes and I that things were not ok with them but it looks like there is hope there now. Thank you Lord.
More good news. My cousin and his wife have been trying to have a baby for years now. This year they decided to try invitro and last week I got the phone call it was successful. YAY! The first few months are fragile so I am praying that all goes well. I think a baby will be a saving grace for my cousin. He is a guy with no purpose in his life and I think a little one will make his world more full. I think the due date is in February.
On a more somber note... it seems like the world is collapsing around us lately (with the exception of the last two pieces of good news posted above). Marriages quickly falling apart, marriages struggling, health declining quickly, friendships scarred and struggling, trusts broken, church walking away from God's ways, struggling to be patient in so many matters... and so it goes. On Sunday Wes and I were really struggling and feeling overwhelmed with life. It felt like the kind of day you just want to go and hide under a rock and pretend the world doesn't exist. Luckily we don't stay feeling discouraged very long but sometimes ya just need to take the time to feel that way and then move on. I wish there was some way to make the world a better place. To help those who struggle so deeply.
LOVING JESUS
Loving Jesus
by Megan Breedlove
Jesus DIDN'T say, "Whatever you do for the least of
these, I appreciate it." HE SAID, "Whatever you do
for the least of these, you do FOR ME" (Matthew 25:40)
I started my day early,
Before the room was light.
I lifted my son from his crib
And wished it was still night.
But as I held him close and said,
"Hi Tyler, precious one,"
I knew that as I greeted him,
I greeted too God's Son.
When my daughter woke up later
Calling, "Mommy! Mommy! Down!"
I picked her up and hugged her
In her worn Elmo nightgown.
I know she felt the closeness
That a mother's touch affords.
I welcomed not just Danielle,
But so, too, the Lord of Lords.
That day, I mixed some formula
And opened jars of peas.
I fixed some "pizza butter" bread
When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."
I heated up some leftovers;
I had to nuke them twice.
And when I fed my children,
I was feeding Jesus Christ.
I made some funny faces,
And "played pubzzles" on the floor.
I dressed kitties, ran around outside,
And played with them some more.
We laughed and jumped and tickled,
Making memories to be stored.
When I spent time with my children,
I spent time with my Lord.
I wiped up sticky cereal
And washed the dishes clean.
I straightened, picked up, put away,
And dusted in between.
I did six loads of laundry
And folded it like new.
When I cleaned for my children,
I cleaned for my Savior, too.
When my children were both crying,
I held them in my arms.
I cuddled them and whispered
That I'd keep them safe from harm.
I told them how their Father saved them
With His perfect Lamb.
When I comforted my children,
I comforted I Am.
Later on that evening,
I put them in the bath.
I washed their little bodies
As they kicked around and splashed.
I dried them in soft towels
And put their jammies on.
When I washed my children's feet,
I washed the Holy One.
I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,
Made beds and taught and played.
I made sure that we had food to eat
and that we often prayed.
I died to self.
I made a home from ordinary things
But when I served my children,
I served the King of Kings.
To some, I have done nothing,
But to two, I've done the world.
I made eternal differences
To my precious boy and girl
And to the One who watches over
Every pathway that I've trod.
For when I've loved my precious children,
I've loved Almighty God.
by Megan Breedlove
Jesus DIDN'T say, "Whatever you do for the least of
these, I appreciate it." HE SAID, "Whatever you do
for the least of these, you do FOR ME" (Matthew 25:40)
I started my day early,
Before the room was light.
I lifted my son from his crib
And wished it was still night.
But as I held him close and said,
"Hi Tyler, precious one,"
I knew that as I greeted him,
I greeted too God's Son.
When my daughter woke up later
Calling, "Mommy! Mommy! Down!"
I picked her up and hugged her
In her worn Elmo nightgown.
I know she felt the closeness
That a mother's touch affords.
I welcomed not just Danielle,
But so, too, the Lord of Lords.
That day, I mixed some formula
And opened jars of peas.
I fixed some "pizza butter" bread
When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."
I heated up some leftovers;
I had to nuke them twice.
And when I fed my children,
I was feeding Jesus Christ.
I made some funny faces,
And "played pubzzles" on the floor.
I dressed kitties, ran around outside,
And played with them some more.
We laughed and jumped and tickled,
Making memories to be stored.
When I spent time with my children,
I spent time with my Lord.
I wiped up sticky cereal
And washed the dishes clean.
I straightened, picked up, put away,
And dusted in between.
I did six loads of laundry
And folded it like new.
When I cleaned for my children,
I cleaned for my Savior, too.
When my children were both crying,
I held them in my arms.
I cuddled them and whispered
That I'd keep them safe from harm.
I told them how their Father saved them
With His perfect Lamb.
When I comforted my children,
I comforted I Am.
Later on that evening,
I put them in the bath.
I washed their little bodies
As they kicked around and splashed.
I dried them in soft towels
And put their jammies on.
When I washed my children's feet,
I washed the Holy One.
I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,
Made beds and taught and played.
I made sure that we had food to eat
and that we often prayed.
I died to self.
I made a home from ordinary things
But when I served my children,
I served the King of Kings.
To some, I have done nothing,
But to two, I've done the world.
I made eternal differences
To my precious boy and girl
And to the One who watches over
Every pathway that I've trod.
For when I've loved my precious children,
I've loved Almighty God.
The Bible
This is a quote a rediscovered yesterday in my travels...
The BIBLE is the only book whose AUTHOR is always present whenever it is read. ~Author unknown~
The BIBLE is the only book whose AUTHOR is always present whenever it is read. ~Author unknown~
Monday, June 11, 2007
random thoughts for today
Today I have been going through piles of papers trying to get ready for my year end visit with my homeschool facilitator (note to self, I really need to be more organized!). While shuffling through papers I came across this note I had written on a scrap piece of paper:
"Church became more valuable to me as I recognize the value of associating with others who put the search for God's truth and love in the forefront of their lives." ~M. Simms
I would have to say that I agree with this statement. I think that is why attending church and our weekly bible study has been important to me. It is so great to build relationships with those who have the same values and goals as I do. In this past year I have developed many great relationships with people I have been going to church with for years. What changed? I am not exactly sure it was any one thing, but I really like the change.
In our bible study we have spoken many times about making disciples as we are commanded in Matthew 28. And I have read about how one missionary does that at The M Blog. But I wonder, how do we make disciples? I have been meaning ask my minister his thoughts on this but I keep forgetting. I did do a search today and found this webpage http://www.believers.org/believe/bel220.htm and I think it does a good job of breaking it down. Here is what it says:
Making Disciples
Jesus' command for all believers is to make disciples. It is not optional.
MATTHEW 28:19-20 NKJ 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Like Raising Children
Making disciples is much like assuming the responsibilities of being a parent:
Until they learn to feed themselves, you make sure they are fed.
You teach them how to feed themselves as soon as possible.
If they get into trouble, you help them -- even if it is inconvenient, because they are your top priority.
You train them to do what they need to do.
You teach them what you know.
You help protect them from danger.
Mostly, you must spend time with them because people learn best by example.
Your goal is to eventually reproduce yourself -- another believer who can also stand on their own and reproduce.
Who?1) Pray for God's direction. 2) Who do you have opportunity to help? 3) Find a way to hook up with them.
Disciples are those God is entrusting to you, that He may train them though you.
How?1) Pray for God's direction. 2) Love them till they ask you why. (Romans 13:9) 3) Take someone with you. 4) Lead by example -- not by command. 5) Keep Jesus central.
Training has not been accomplished until the desired action is being practiced.
LUKE 6:40 NKJ 40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
Although we cannot remove the inevitable human influence, we must strive to make disciples of Jesus, and not just followers of ourselves. Train them to trust in, rely on, and follow Jesus Christ.
Made Disciples
JOHN 4:1 NKJ 1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John
ACTS 14:21 NKJ 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Let Jesus Build The Church
MATTHEW 16:18 NKJ 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Beware of not seeing the trees (disciples) for seeing the forest (church). Jesus said He would build the church, but He told us to make disciples.
How do you plant a forest? You don't. You plant one tree at a time. Those trees then reproduce other trees and a forest develops.
Disciples cannot be mass-produced. Be faithful to help whoever God has given you opportunity to disciple, and Jesus will build His church.
"Church became more valuable to me as I recognize the value of associating with others who put the search for God's truth and love in the forefront of their lives." ~M. Simms
I would have to say that I agree with this statement. I think that is why attending church and our weekly bible study has been important to me. It is so great to build relationships with those who have the same values and goals as I do. In this past year I have developed many great relationships with people I have been going to church with for years. What changed? I am not exactly sure it was any one thing, but I really like the change.
In our bible study we have spoken many times about making disciples as we are commanded in Matthew 28. And I have read about how one missionary does that at The M Blog. But I wonder, how do we make disciples? I have been meaning ask my minister his thoughts on this but I keep forgetting. I did do a search today and found this webpage http://www.believers.org/believe/bel220.htm and I think it does a good job of breaking it down. Here is what it says:
Making Disciples
Jesus' command for all believers is to make disciples. It is not optional.
MATTHEW 28:19-20 NKJ 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Like Raising Children
Making disciples is much like assuming the responsibilities of being a parent:
Until they learn to feed themselves, you make sure they are fed.
You teach them how to feed themselves as soon as possible.
If they get into trouble, you help them -- even if it is inconvenient, because they are your top priority.
You train them to do what they need to do.
You teach them what you know.
You help protect them from danger.
Mostly, you must spend time with them because people learn best by example.
Your goal is to eventually reproduce yourself -- another believer who can also stand on their own and reproduce.
Who?1) Pray for God's direction. 2) Who do you have opportunity to help? 3) Find a way to hook up with them.
Disciples are those God is entrusting to you, that He may train them though you.
How?1) Pray for God's direction. 2) Love them till they ask you why. (Romans 13:9) 3) Take someone with you. 4) Lead by example -- not by command. 5) Keep Jesus central.
Training has not been accomplished until the desired action is being practiced.
LUKE 6:40 NKJ 40 "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
Although we cannot remove the inevitable human influence, we must strive to make disciples of Jesus, and not just followers of ourselves. Train them to trust in, rely on, and follow Jesus Christ.
Made Disciples
JOHN 4:1 NKJ 1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John
ACTS 14:21 NKJ 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Let Jesus Build The Church
MATTHEW 16:18 NKJ 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Beware of not seeing the trees (disciples) for seeing the forest (church). Jesus said He would build the church, but He told us to make disciples.
How do you plant a forest? You don't. You plant one tree at a time. Those trees then reproduce other trees and a forest develops.
Disciples cannot be mass-produced. Be faithful to help whoever God has given you opportunity to disciple, and Jesus will build His church.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Close down my other blog....
I am trying to decide whether or not to close down my blog at homeschoolblogger or not. I really like the format here alot better. And if I did close it down, should I just have one blog and write about all topics (school, family, religion, etc) or should have seperate blogs for these topics? I just can't decide.
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