family

•

I don't generally "do" Thanksgiving Day.  This year I'm really not.

Tom and I are at home, we got take-out rib tips and we're getting ready for a movie marathon (Transformer 2 and the new Star Trek movie)

But I am thankful.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,
"I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O LORD,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I wa dismayed.

To you, O LORD, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
"What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!
O LORD, be my helper!"

You have turned for me my mourning int dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Psalm 30 ESV)

•

I'm home...need to unpack, but a lot of it can wait for a little while.  Cooler stuff needs to come in, laundry needs to be done.  I think I'm going to buy a big tub to put my sleeping bag (and bedtime gear) in so it stays together.

Tom's first day of classes are today.

I think he'll do fine...and he said that the "cute, blonde exchange student from Finland" was "looking at him".  He's been playing games, watching movies, going out for a "cigar and ice cream".  Making friends and getting to know people.

I have the window cling for my car...I'm a  university mom.

•

I was going over my day...as tired as I am, I have been tempted to be a little impatient.  Maybe that "natural", but I don't want it to be me.

I snapped at my dad.  We had mom halfway out of the car on her transfer board.  his cell phone rang and I said, "ignore it".  He answered it, dropped the board, my mom was slipping and he said, "we're having a hard time getting your mom out of the car.

I said, "that's because you're talking on the phone!"

Just now...a man named Joseph came to mind.

When pharoh's wife was tempting him to sin in a sexual way, he fled.

(Joseph has left the building)

Ran away.  Flee temptation.

So fast, when she grabbed his cloak he didn't stop to get it.

I need to keep a handle on my thoughts when slips happen.  Flee that temptation.

•

I think we saw real progress today.  She's getting stronger and I helped her with PT for the first time since I left last week  there are exercises that she's doing on her own that she could not do then.

•

I'm helping to take care of my mom.

That act of care-taking is the biggest part of what is helping me.  This woman that I love, that nurtured me and took care of me...is in need.

There are moments (not very many), but for the most part, I'm glad that I can be there.

Some if it is going through the motions...some of it must be hard for her, so I'm "matter of fact" about it.

 

•

Mom was a lot more fragile today...jittery and shaky.  A lot more time spent in bed and we skipped a lot of PT (at the therapist's suggestion).  She did the sitting exercises and she transfered a lot of times.  then she just wanted to rest.

when the PT got here, she said that she had taken on another patient that was in the same boat and they tried something that worked.   She put Mom's chair close to the kitchen sink and had Mom rock...on the count of 3...stand up.  the support belt helped because we can help lift her.  The cabinet doors kept her knees from buckling and she held onto the sink for dear life.  It was only a few seconds, but she was standing.

Those were the only good tears of the day.

Me...it wasn't one of the worst days.

•

A sermon was preached yesterday based on the premise that God knows what we need before we ask...before we even know that we need it.  (this, I totally agree with)...

and the instruction:  instead of "me, me, me"...for one week, we are not to ask God for anything, but rather we should wait and trust because He already knows what we need.

I'm holding on because I am in constant supplication for strength and help.  And I'm supposed to not ask God for anything?  Not even help?

Excuse the language:  bullshit.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Luke 11:3
Give us each day our daily bread.

Jesus instructed us, ask.  that's good enough for me.

I suppose what got me into trouble was that I said so...in front of my family...and it was my brother-in-law that preached the sermon...