Grueling Week

That's the best way to describe last week.  I got to NC on Monday afternoon.  Her husband had decided to donate her kidneys so we waited another four hours before removing life support--it was to that point and everyone was ready to let her go.  They gathered the doctors, the OR and the staff necessary in that four hours, removed the tubes, stopped the pacemaker.  She acted as if she was having another cardiac arrest, as described by my niece who was with her when the initial one happened, they administered morphine and she calmed down.  We waited...and waited...and waited.  One hour approached, passed and it was too late to use her kidneys because the oxygen levels were too low.  We waited another 28 hours until she left the confines of this world to enter the glories of heaven.  We all were so relieved for her.  Though sad, it was a blessing.  Her funeral was a tribute to a lovely, intelligent, faithful lady.  I'll miss her.  Even though we didn't see each other very much, we connected on face book, phone and by email.  Her daughter says this will change her lifestyle.  I'll be checking on that one and her brother.  Though they knew of their mother's faith, they did not live it themselves.  I do hope things will change for them and her husband.  "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes."  I'm banking on that scripture!

In A Daze

I'm glad God is in control because I'm not.  I'm living life, doing the basics, getting ready for Bill to leave and for me to leave the next day.  Things are not going well with my sister and decisions will have to be made for her future--whatever that may be.  Prayers offered are welcomed.

Swirling--

and not the dance kind of swirling.  I so wanted to go see my sister today after her having had another cardiac arrest last Saturday.  Cost of airfare was too much for me--twice that of the ticket I purchased for my trip next week.  I chose not to cough it up, maybe the wrong decision.  My other sister has been the rock--again--and has been our strength in our family trouble times.  She took care of Mom and Dad while I sat back this long distance away wishing I were there to help.  It seems distance has always been the barrier.  It's been two years since I've even seen my sisters.  We connected over the past year on facebook, shared pictures and messages.  It was good
 She was about to retire from teaching--next year.  It has been "next year" for about three years now.  She won't have a choice now, if she makes it to retirement.  It's notable that God seems to bring things to a halt, make us take a good look at our lives and realize how negligent we've been with our loved ones.  Why does it take a tragedy to do this?  I don't like to talk on the phone and I'm super bad about not communicating with another, even my family.  My daughter is the one to whom I go every day (besides God) and it's mainly because she contacts me.  I'm happy with my hole in the wall doing my little "ministry things," such as they are.
Another thing I noticed about this happening in our family now--Bill's going to Senegal next week.  Why do the bad things happen the few weeks before such commiting trips?  The evil one has his hand in everything good and tries to stir up our faith.  He succeeds more than I'd like to admit.  I was expecting some warfare but nothing like this.  I was alerted to it during my Bible reading sessions and sermons from speakers and my pastor.  Everytime someone uses Psalm 23 in their messages, I take notice.  Last year about this time, Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I was actually getting bored with the number of times that scripture was being used--Tricia's Bible study, Joel's sermon, a visiting pastor's sermon, my daily email devotion(s)--and all during a two-week period.  This year was the same--and this happened. 
I am grateful to be here, though, and able to help my friend this week by taking her to therapy sessions.  I had committed this month to her and I've already had to break my commitment by making plans for next week.  She has many friends who can help but some of them are physically down now, too.  More church members are sick and I go back to the stirring of the "evil pot."  I just will not let him get me down.  My trust is in the Lord God Almighty.  He's the one who can make everything right.
I was so glad to see you, T, at church yesterday.  Your hug made my day.  Hearing and seeing A's new baby helped a lot, too.  Though it was difficult keeping my mind focused, I enjoyed the sermon and the music, plus we had two baptisms.  And I think I have it bad--one of those has to go back to Uganda and face her M husband and family.  Everything in perspective, I guess.  Spouting is over.  Working has come.  "Keep on keeping on" is the mantra for the day.  "Prayers and Thanksgiving"-- the order of the day.  Amen.