Thursday, July 23, 2009

July in MO: Week 3

Most of this past week was spent visiting my mom in the hospital. She has been there since Sunday morning and I am ready for her to come home. No word yet on when that will be. The doctor diagnosed her with ulcerated colitis and is trying to find out what caused it.
Last Sunday, my sister and I went to the church she attends in St. Louis. She was very excited to reconnect with all her friends and to be able to attend their yearly church picnic. I am beginning to learn how different Kristi and I are from each other when it comes to church preferences and even some doctrinal stances. Nothing major but it is interesting to see the unique way that God created us.
Tomorrow we plan to go to St. Louis with our cousins to visit the arch. This past week I collected four extra large cups from McDonald's that each have a $5 off coupon for a trip up the Arch. :)
I finished the Noel Piper book and started a new book called M. Renaissance by Reggie McNeal. I am reading it per recommendation of the Associate Pastor/Outreach Leader of MH.
I forgot to report last time that my dad and I went hiking at Pickled Springs in Farmington, MO. The hike was roughly 2 miles and we finished it in less than an hour. We had a lot of fun and I am thankful for the quality time with my dad.
My family and I have almost finished that 1000 piece puzzle. :)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Update on My Mom

Please continue to pray for my mom. The ER sent her home Friday with antibiotics saying that she had a severe bladder infection. The medicine made her very sick so we got her a new prescription on Saturday. My dad took her back to the ER this morning as she continued to grow worse. They admitted her this time and have relieved some of her pain with meds. She is supposed to have a colonoscopy tomorrow. She has not slept or ate much since Wednesday and has been in severe pain. The hospital decided not to do anything today since Sunday is their "day off" and they don't "do much." Thanks to those of you who have been praying. I forget that people actually read my blog so I have been surprised by the amount of people who know about her situation. Colossians 4:2.

Friday, July 17, 2009

July in MO: Week 2

I finished A Call to Die yesterday. The Lord has used that book to show me what areas of my life I still need to die to...and there are many. God is gracious, though, and I am thankful that He doesn't give up on me. I also started a book last week called Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. The book is very challenging and inspiring. I am always amazed at how God uses no-name people to do amazing things for Him. This theme runs with last week's church service where a lady shared her testimony of how God called and uses her as a vessel to transform the lives of prison inmates. I need to hear/read these things. I have been presented with several opportunities where I can serve Christ in the Louisville community this fall. I have been hesitant to pursue them because I am doubtful of the impact that I could make. God is reminding me, however, that He is the one that will make the impact. My confidence should be in Him and not myself. I am nothing, but He is everything. I am to simply obey Him and follow Him wherever He leads me. The new message series at church is about leadership and I am pretty excited about it.

My family and I have started an 1000 piece puzzle. It is rather nightmare-ish I am not going to lie but we have made a considerable dent in it once we finally got the border finished.

I have been thinking of ways that I can serve while I am home and the Lord revealed to me that I can serve Him by finding ways to serve my family. Isn't it amazing how there are opportunities to serve right under our noses but we fail to recognize them?

My sister and I had lunch with some unbelieving family members last week. We plan on getting together a few more times with them before I leave. I am praying for the opportunity to share Christ with them. We have tentative plans to take them to St. Louis this Wednesday (Lord willing).

My mom has been sick since yesterday. Please pray for her. My dad just took her to the ER. She is having pains in her lower stomach and hasn't slept or ate much in the last day and a half. I hate that she suffers so much (Romans 8:18).

Thursday, July 9, 2009

July in MO: Week 1

I am home now. It has been a nice change of pace...sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. I have slowly been clearing out and cleaning my room and closet. It has become a sort of a storage area while I have been away and when I came back with my stuff there was literally now room to walk around. Well, four days, six trash bags and a trunk load of items for Good Will later, I am finished! It is still crowded in my room, but there is much more walking space and organization (which means a lot less stress for me).

Kristi and I have started reading The Count of Monte Cristo together. I haven't read it since high school so it is very fresh to me. We have also been working out together. I am not sure if she thinks it is fun (especially at 7:00 in the morning), but I enjoy it.

I have taken over the cooking responsibilities for the month. I am not sure my parents know what to think since I have been switching up the menu on them. I made beef stroganoff from scratch last night and my dad was like, "this doesn't taste like Hamburger Helper [from the box]." Exactly.

The Lord allowed me to experience His presence last Sunday during church and also during my evening quiet time for the first time in what seems like forever. I cannot even describe what a blessing that is.

I have a dentist appointment today. Dread. Please pray for me.