Prayers For My Sisters

My sister, Glenda, had surgery today. It was a complete success, and she is in the process of recovering, but she's in a great deal of pain. My other sister, Norma's, incision from her surgery doesn't want to heal properly. She has a doctor's appointment Wednesday. Please help me pray for their complete healings. And if you could spare a prayer for my third sister, Zita, and one for me, that would cover us all. Thank you, readers for your continued support.

Double Moss Washcloths

Our church likes to pick a family of the month. That means that for an entire month, that family is recognized and honored, and made to feel special. This allows us to show each church member how important they are to the church and how much we all love them. This month was for my cousin's household. A few months ago, Dave made a CD from an old cassette that has special meaning to our families. It is a recording of my mom, my aunt, and his mother performing songs that his mother wrote, with my uncle on guitar. His mother, and mine are both gone to live with the Lord in Heaven, so we all cherish this tape. I wasn't sure if he had it on CD, or how well his cassette tape still played, so I made him a copy of ours.

For the two of his daughters still living at home, I gave little bottles of bath gel along with a hand knitted color coordenating washcloth. I knitted several different patterns, but none of them really looked just right. I decided to create my own, using the double moss stitch from my stitch dictionary, and I was much more happy with the effect. For any of you who'd like to knit a couple, I've included directions for how I made mine:

Double Moss Cloths

Cast on 36 stitches

Rows 1 and 2- K2, P2 to the end of the row

Rows 3 and 4- P2, K2 to the end of row

Knit these four rows 14 times, then repeat row 1. Cast off in pattern, and weave in ends.

Optional: Crochet a border. I just made a simple single crochet border, but the possibilities are endless.

A Max Sighting

God is so good. Today, I was allowed to see Max. One of the neighbors in that area lives in a house, whose backyard faces the back of the apartment building, where Max used to live with sis JoAnne. I had given this woman a current photo of Max with my name and phone numbers on the back, and she's been helping me look. Around 1pm today, I got a call from her, telling me she'd seen him hanging around the back of the apartments. Dave and I went over there to check it out, and it was Max. He was laying on the concrete storm drainage area that runs behind the appartments. My heart just leapt with joy. This is the first time I've seen him since we rehomed him in October, and he just looked so good. I guess he's forgotten us, because he ran away as we got closer. He ran along the back of the building and disappeared around the corner. By the time we got to the corner, he was gone. We hung around for a bit, calling him, but he never returned.
Now most people would consider it a disappointment to get so close and still leave the area without him, but I've chosen to look at it as an answered prayer. I have been out of my mind with worry. My illness causes my imagination to run wild, and I had so many unanswered questions: What if he's hungry? What if he's injured? What if he's (God forbid) dead? Well, now I can speak to those questions and doubts. I saw him with my own eyes today, and he looked fed, unharmed, and very much alive.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to see him. Now my prayer is that he'll find a home with somebody who'll love him as much as I do. I'll still go over there everytime I get a call, because I'd love nothing more than for him to be reunited with Peace and Sis JoAnne, but if that's not to be, then Please, Father God, let him find someone. Please don't make him have to live the life of a street cat. He deserves a home. Please lead him to the perfect companion for him. If that is us, we'll gladly bring him home. If not, please lead him to that forever home.

Success!

Well, our Thanksgiving went really well, in spite of a little snag. Actually, it was a big snag. The turkey took a hour longer to cook than anticipated. There we were will all our veggies and side dishes all ready to eat, and no turkey. The day could have gone down in our minds as a failure, but it didn't. It just gave our family a chance to visit, and share stories about thier own little Thanksgiving turkey hitches. When the turkey was done, Dave rewarmed all the side dishes, and we ate our delicious meal. In the end, it was a great day.
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled with many blessings.

Preparations

Dave and I are having so much fun preparing for tomorrow. By the time he got home from work, I had finished my pasta salad, and sliced up my pineapple (for the fruit salad). Dave made the crusts for our pies, and a pan of cornbread to be used for dressing. He's really the cook around here, while my role is to chop, peel, measure, and assist him. Right now, I have a pecan pie in the oven (yes, except for the crust, I made it), and Dave is unwrapping the turkey to help it thaw faster. I honestly am having a great evening. Yes, it's a lot of work, but Dave and I enjoy working together like this. I hope our Thanksgiving dinner is tasty tomorrow. If it's not, it won't be because we didn't try.

Visitors

Today, I had a pleasant, and very welcome, surprise. My sister, Glenda, arrived earlier than her doctor appointment, and decided to come by. We sat out back and had a lovely visit before she had to go. We talked about plants, pets, house cleanining, and even bugs (ew!) It was so relaxing and fun.

Glenda, we had prayer for you at tonight's prayer meeting, and we're continuing to pray. You're surgery is going to be a complete success, and you're going to feel better than you have in a long time. I ask this in Jesus' name- Amen.

More Cleaning

Today was another cleaning day. There has been a funky smell in the house lately, and Dave and I believe the source has been coming from behind the recliners. During his lunch break, Dave moved the recliners and end tables out from the wall, before he went back to work. I vacuumed back there, then shampooed the area using my Bissel Little Green, and the solution for pet odors. I also emptied the litter boxes, washed them, then refilled them with new litter. I must have gotten to the root of the problem, because the house already smells fresher. Hopefully, by the time Dave gets home from work, the carpet will be dry enough to move the furniture back, and I can run the vacuum where the chairs were sitting. I'm hoping to finish the big tasks today and tomorrow, so all I'll have to do Thursday is tidy up the living area before my guests arrive. Sisters, you're all more than welcome to join us. Ricky has called, and he and Alice will be coming. This will be the first time I've entertained one of my brothers for a holiday. He, Dave, and any other man who wants to, can plant themselves in front of the football game while we ladies visit. It will be fun.

Bringing In The Plants

Well, it's that time again. The time of year, when the outdoor temperatures at night begin to dip too low for my houseplants, and I have to bring them indoors. We chose this weekend because I can't do the heavy lifting and ladder climbing myself, and Dave is too busy during the week. We watched the Dallas Cowboys Football game (which we won!), then began the time consuming task, which includes bringing each plant in, watering it, then choosing a location. I always get so overwhelmed during the process. I have a small house, and it looks so cluttered with freshly watered plants lining (and dripping onto) the kitchen counteres. Have I mentioned that I hate clutter? Keeping the indoor cats from escaping, is another challange, but with Dave's help, we always manage. Now my house smells fresh, and is green with life, until next Spring. I've included a couple of photos. This isn't even nearly all the plants, but it's enough to show you the effect. I'm very proud of us, and it was well worth the effort. I've come to the realization that I've neglected my house long enough. I have some work to do in the yard, and a few odd housecleaning tidy-ups, and my house will be back in shape...just in time for Thanksgiving.

Doubting Thomas- Just A Thought

Dave and I were talking last week about Thomas. Lately, I have been having a hard time blindly trusting. There is a certain thing Dave and I have been praying about, but I'm still worried. Dave assures me that it will be ok, but I want to see for myself. In fact, I almost need to see for myself. Of course, this always leads to the usual comments about doubting Thomas. We use his example to gently (or sometimes not so gently) scold someone for not having enough faith. It's almost like an insult to be compaired to Thomas, but lets think about it. Did Jesus love Thomas less than the others disciples because he wanted to see? No. God knows there are going to be times when we want to see. Of course nothing compairs to the peace we feel when we just believe; When we just know God is taking care of all that concerns us, but as humans, there will always be times when, like Thomas, we want to see with our eyes. And sometimes, like He did with Thomas, God allows us to see...

Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

Another Ray Of Hope

I got a call from Sis JoAnne today. Max is still missing, but she did find Peace, her Siamese cat. She had been in a fight, and had to be stitched up, but the vet says she'll be fine. This news gives new hope that Max may still be found, and returned safely home. Sis JoAnne says that Peace is physically going to be ok, but she's acting mopey. She keeps going back to all the places in the house Max used to sleep, and crying for him. We really need to pray about this, because if someone has taken Max in, and he doesn't come home, Peace needs to settle in and be happy. Of course our ultimate prayer is that Max, too, returns safely home.

Please, God, let it be so. He is so missed and loved by so many. Please, lead him home, or show somebody where to find him. You are our only hope...

Isaiah 65:24

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Thank you, Father. Please protect Max and Peace, and bring them home to Sis JoAnne.

Ride Out Your Storm

I've been going through a pretty rough patch lately, as my readers know. I'm truely sorry for the depressing tone my blog has taken lately. I've actually contemplated putting my online musings on hold, or even possibly ending them all together, but because this blog has served as a way to keep in touch with my sisters, I've kept going. Maybe a little less often, but still going.
This weekend, a song came to my rememberance, that I haven't heard, or even thought about in years. A long-time, dear friend used to sing this song at church. We're all grown up, married, and no longer attend the same church, but in my mind, I can still hear her singing it with so much conviction you just have to know it's true. I googled the title, and found the lyrics. I hope they bless someone....

Ride out Your Storm
You've been in this storm....It seems like forever..And your night of Confusion..Has been OH so long...Your Ship has lost anchor...And the storms got your drifting..Just Hold on to Jesus..And Ride out your storm..
(CHORUS) Ride out your storm...GOd's right there with you..Oh you may not feel him...But you're not alone...You're hurting now...But your morning is coming..Just hold on to Jesus...And ride out your storm....
Remember his promises..He said I'll never forsake..Though the waters are troubled...They'll do you no harm..Don't give up the battle ...For your answer is coming...Just hold on to Jesus ..And Ride out your storm...

A Thread Of Hope

For the last three days, Dave and I have been going over to the area where Max and Peace went missing. I've been worried out of my mind about them, because they're indoor cats and I worry they may not be street smart enough to survive outdoors. Today, during our search, we happened to meet a very nice woman. Her backyard is directly across the small street that runs behind the apartment building where the cats live. She was having a garage sale today, so she was outside. I went over to her, explained what happened, and asked her if she'd seen the cats. She told me she hadn't but she'd be looking. In the course of the conversation, I found out she feeds and cares for the neighborhood cats. Her friend, who was helping her with the sale told me she has the strays spayed and neutered so they won't overpopulate. Wow! A woman after my own heart. I left my cell phone number, thanked her, and told her I felt better knowing that food was available to them. She told me, with conviction in her voice, that if they stayed in the area, they'll find food.

Thank you, God, for the miracles you do everyday. Thank you for all the animal lovers out there, who care for your little creatures, and thank you for the peace I feel, knowing they're chances for survival are good. Help me hold onto that peace when the wee hour of the night haunt me, as they often do. Please, keep the cats in this area of safety until they overcome thier fears and make it home. Please, Father, I still ask you to bring the cats safely home, and restore to Sis JoAnne, all that was stolen from her.

Please Pray

Last night, we found out something terrible has happened. Sis JoAnne, our friend who took Max in, came home to find that her apartment had been burgularized. One of the things stolen had tremendous sentimental value for her. If that isn't bad enough, her cat and Max escaped thought the broken window, and haven't been seen since. This all happened while she was out of town, sitting with my sister in the hospital. Please pray for her. She feels terribly guilty about Max missing, even though it isn't her fault. She's no more at fault than I would be if someone had broken into my house and let him out.

Please father, I ask you to please help us. Please restore all that was stolen from Sis JoAnne. She was doing your work, Father, hospital sitting with one of your sick children. Please, God, don't let this happen to her. Stop it in it's tracks. I ask you please, in you holy name, lead the police to her things and allow them to be returned. Watch over her cats. Keep them safe from harm, and lead them home to her, or please help us find them. Please, Father, restore her peace of mind and her sense of safety in her own home. Ease her guilt, and cause her to know that nobody is blaming her for the missing cats. Please, just send them home. I'll be expecting to hear some good news, Father. I ask all this, in your Holy name, Jesus.

Just Checking In

It's been almost a week since I've posted, and I just wanted to check in. Honestly, things have been pretty uneventful this week. I seem to have fallen into a routine. I wake up, eat lunch with Dave, then just go about my business until he gets home. At least three days a week, that routine includes working out at the gym, then stopping by the Sonic for a happy hour Diet Coke, and on home to feed my critters. I haven't written about the gym, because I've always found it annoying when people constantly talk about their work-out schedule. Sometimes I get the impression that they feel superior, because they exersise regularly. With the so-called health movement (which is actually a thin obcessession movement, in my opinion), it seems to have gotten worse. I don't want to be like that, so I just try to quietly go about my business. Hopefully, my writer's block will move, and I'll find something interesting to regularly blog about again.

Another Good Day

Saturday mornings are Dave's time to take it easy. His alarm doesn't ring at 4am, which allows him to sleep until 9 or 9:30am. Being a night person, I'm never awake of a morning. This gives him the opportunity to relax in his recliner, have a cup of coffee, and read his paper until I drag myself out of bed (usually around noon, give or take).
This morning started out much the same until around 11. Dave woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go to Dallas. My sister, Norma, is at Baylor hospital, and he thought it would be nice for us to go visit her. We had a great trip down. We talked, listened to 60's music, and laughed a lot. Norma looked so good, and seems to be in such good spirits. Her doctor is confident they caught the cancer at an early stage, and removed it. She is discussing Norma's case with fellow Doctors to help determine if precautionary radiation treatments are needed, but she (the doctor) feels the cancer is gone, Praise God!
After our visit, Dave and I stopped by Costco to stock up on cat litter, cat food, and several other items we buy in bulk monthly. We then went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for a lovely dinner before heading home. I can't remember the last time I spent a day free of worry and stress. I still miss Max very much, but he's in a great home, where he's happy and cared for. But more importantly, the fear I've been living with since the last of September, the fear that I was going to lose my two eldest (and much loved) sisters, is gone.

Thank you, God, for your healing touch, and for the peace I feel at this moment. Please help me to stay focused on you instead of the worries that steal that peace. Please bless Norma with a complete and speedy recovery, and provide a successful surgury for Glenda. Be with Zita in her home and work. Keep Dave safe, and give him the strength to do the extra tasks he's been given. He's tired, but he's happier than I've seen him in a long time. Please, bless him for his willingness to do for others. Thank you for him, Father. In Jesus' name- Amen.

A Change of Mind

This summer, I made a goal to knit using only stashed yarn until the end of this year. I'm a little embarrassed to confess that it's a goal I couldn't keep, but I did pretty well for several months. During that time, I started a Noro Striped Scarf, using the two muted colorways I had in my stash. It isn't a color combo I'd have chosen for the scarf, but it wasn't horrible. On the other hand, I didn't particularly love it either. Then, last month, Dave offered to take me yarn shopping for our anniversary. It had been a hard month, and feeling depressed, and a little rebelious, I accepted that offer. This gave me the opportunity to choose my own two Noro colorways for my next striped scarf. Of course, that made it even harder to work on the scarf I have on the needles that feel so lukewarm about.

Wednesday night, I decided to try a little experiment. I have a Debbie Bliss pattern booklet called "Pure Cashmere," that contains the "Lace & Cables Scarf" pattern. I've knitted this scarf twice for gifts, and both times it was well recieved. The pattern calls for a solid color yarn, but feeling adventurous, I decided to use one of the muted colorways from my Noro Striped Scarf in progress. I hadn't used any of the second skein of browns, so I did a few pattern repeats to see how it would look. The pictures I've taken don't do it justice, but trust me, it's really beautiful. I'm going to frog the original scarf I started, and use the browns to make this scarf....And that means, I can start the other striped scarf anytime!

Dinner Date

Dave and I had such a good dinner tonight. We went to this great steak house in Powderly, then over to Dairy Queen to get him a mini blizard, and me a diet coke. The trip over there was so nice. It reminded me of when we were dating. We'd take these totally unnecessary little road trips to eat at out of the way restaurants, and just enjoy eachother's company.

Muscle Ache

As much as I hate to admit this, I injured myself while taking a shower. Yesterday, I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. I don't remember why, but I turned my head to the side, and hurt my upper back, close to my right shoulder blade. I had worked out yesterday, and I thought maybe I'd strained it, and it would be better today, but it's not. In fact, the pain seems to be moving up toward my neck. I don't know how to care for it, because I don't know what I did. Assuming it's just muscle strain, I've been going about my business, hoping to work it out, but it still hurts. If it's a pulled muscle, I really should take it easy. If it still hurts tomorrow, I might try that.
Gotta be careful. I did fine at the gym, but apparantly, showering is dangerous business.

Job 5:9-10 (NIV)

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.

Thank you, Father, for your miracles. Thank you for reminding us, once again, that you are in control. Last night's prayer meeting was awesome. There was a freedom, and a lightness I haven't felt in a long time. Thank you, Jesus, for that. I can't help but feel there are great things on the way. Thank you, God. Amen.

Election Day

I have never been more glad to see an election day in my life, because that means it's finally over. I am so tired of all the calls asking who I'm voting for and why. In the last week or two, it seems I've gotten a call every day. I told Dave the next time someone calls and asks me who I'm voting for, I'm going to say, "The one who hasn't bugged me to death."
I remember a day when nobody would dare ask who someone was voting for. It was considered rude, and an invasion of privacy. What has happened to make good manners a thing of the past?