Five months ago!

Oh my, I can't believe it been also 5 months since I last posted on my Blog. A lot has happened since April 1. We were having a normal Sunday, or normal to us. DH and I were getting ready for bed and he started complaining of not being able to get a breathe. He was a smoker! It got so bad that I had to call 911 and get an ambulance here at once. My DH was suffocating to death. The ambulance did arrive in a matter of minutes with oxygen and everything of necessary means. They took him to the hospital and immediately admitted him and he spent the night in ICU attached to all sorts of medicial machinery. The next day he was admitted to a private room and stayed the week in the hospital on oxygen and taking steroid medicine. Needless to say, my DH DOES NOT SMOKE now. However, we have had a long struggle with meds, a sore mouth from the Advair and the nebulizer. Now, he is struggling with pains in his abdomen. They have ruled out gall bladder and an ulcer. This week we have been to the doctor 3 times for tests. They are still thinking it might be gall bladder, even though the test did not show that. Today was a cat scan of the pancreas and liver. Hopefully, we will know something the first part of next week. He is able to work some and gives him some pleasure, as he enjoys his work and the people he works for, (he is a self-employed contractor).

And, to add to all this, the stress of all this, added to my Lupus problems. It really flared up this time in my hands. Fortunately, I have been able to keep myself on my feet, but close to home. I have not been able to do any cross stitch or quilting during these months. I'm doing good to cook and keep house and care for DH. The last few days have been good however, and we are very thankful for that.

The weather here is VERY HOT, temps in the 3 digits. Everything is very dry and starting to look very droopy!

And finally, our beautiful little town, has a tragedy here last Sunday. A man entered a church here in town, actually the beautiful old church across from the building that we owned in town, and killed 3 people and injured several others. But, our town, always comes together, and supports each other, no matter what nationality you might be. Tomorrow is the funeral service for the 3 men and Sunday, the church in town is having an afternoon memorial service for their families and the families of the injured people. It is just a shame we had to make national news about something so sad.

Last Sunday was promotion Sunday in our church for the Sunday School children. I now have new 5th graders and my 5th graders are now 6th graders. I lost a group of great kids, as the 6th graders moved on to the youth department, but gained a new group of great kids. This Sunday I am having donuts, milk and juice for them and will be spending time getting to know our new members.

I am also going to head up the Wednesday night meals again at church. I won't be doing a lot of cooking, but they want me to be in charge and see that things run smoothly. I have all the menu's planned for the next six weeks and have several ladies lined up to work and grocery shop. I had actually resigned from this position, and our pastor came to visit with me, so, we'll see what happens.

I cross stitched the following Bible verse many-a-year-ago and it hangs in my dining room. I have read it several times a day during the past few months.

He gives strength to the weary and

increases the power of the weak...

Those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength,

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29,31

Blessings to you, my friends,

Barbara