Pray for Teresa B

https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayforteresab/489575127778235/?comment_id=489619621107119&notif_t=group_comment_reply

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is from her mom Ann

 

 

ECMO
This morning Teresa came out of surgery with her right ventricle struggling but not too bad. A few hours later she went into full cardiac arrest and had cpr performed for over thirty minutes. She was put on life support (ECMO).' Her left and right ventricle are not functioning at all. At this point the Doctors are unsure of what is the cause. The best case scenario would be the heart was shocked from the transplant and needs time to adjust. But it has no function at all ( not good). If this does not improve she would have to be relisted while staying on ECMO. (not good)

Things could not get get much worse.

... Life is so fragile and could be gone in a second. We are trying to hold on to the little bits of hope. She is urinating and her body is warm . She has had several blood transfusions and is bleeding from her nose from the blood thinners for ECMO(not good).

I am reminded of Mary and Martha , when they called upon Jesus to come and help Lazarus because he was sick. Jesus did not come right away . Lazarus died.

I believe Jesus did not come right away because He did not want to cure a sick man , He wanted to raise a dead man , a much bigger miracle.

We are holding onto hope that this is what Jesus wants for Teresa. Not to cure a sick child but to perform a HUGE MIRACLE and miraculously have Teresa's heart start beating again in full function. Please pray for this miracle it is huge . She needs her left and right ventricle to start beating. The longer she is on ECMO the more problems her body will face...bleeding,stroke, blood clots, organ failure, brain damage.

Thank you all for continuing to pray and offer loving support. Please ask everyone you know, Pray for Teresa. All things are possible with God

 

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Please pray for this precious little girl!!!  Things are so critical for her right now. 

 

http://ourplacecalledhome.blogspot.com/Teresa's

 

 

How Close do you want to live to God?

How close do you want to live to God?  I heard a song today that really spoke to my heart.  It spoke about walking with God through the sunshine and the rain of our lives.  I can't even remember the words now but it made me think.  One line said "temptation is great, but God's love is greater"   How true! 

You can live your life, go your own way and yet at the end of your life, you can still come to Jesus but WHY?  WHY? would you want to live without God in your life? 

Being raised in church, as teens, we would often have long discussion about "how far can you go" and still not do too much sin ....  we were mostly talking about how far could you go sexually without "being in sin"  Lord, I laugh and shudder now about some of those conversations!   Evidently we didn't really have the concept of not living on the edge....  

You know, I don't want to live on the edge spiritually.  I don't want to see how close I can get to sin and still "be saved".  Oh I've lived there in the past, that is why I don't want to live there now.  I have friends, who want the world and they want God.  The world is "fun" to them and God is a comfort to them but they don't want to let go of the things of this world and hold onto just God.  It's sad to watch. 

There is nothing, NOTHING, that is sweeter than Jesus. There is nothing like having a clean heart before God.  There is nothing like knowing that God is with you, with you in your worst moments of life. 

I'm not sinless, I definitely know my weaknesses....and I stay away from those things.

"Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go, keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay"   I heard that old saying a long time ago and it is so very true.

Being a pastor's wife all these years, I've had the chance to see how SIN (not just an act of sin but living in sin, being away from God) destroys lives and families, marriages and jobs.....  The sad stories we have heard over the years.  I know it true in my life also.

After we lost our twins, many years ago, I thought "I've had enough of God, He didn't work a miracle for us, I'm tired of serving Him"  So I did not play...I was DONE!  Completely utterly done with God.  We were serving in the inner city of NYC at the time.  There were a lot of changes in the ministry we were working in and it was a good time for us to move home.  We left and came home, I went back to work and I was done....  My focus was not on God, my husband, ministry ...it was on me and my anger.  It was NOT a good time in my life.  Our oldest son was young, our marriage was holding on by a thread, our schedule kept us from seeing each other much and that was fine with me.  We worked things so one of us was with our son most of the time and he didn't have to be in day care much.  My old friends didn't know what to think and I basically told them to mind their own business.  I tried going out and drinking but I don't like alcohol LOL .  I'm just not a party animal .....    Every once in a while, I would have to go to church.  At this point in our lives Jon was a chaplain only, not pastoring so it was easier for me to not have to go to church.  It was NOT a good time in my life....  This valley was a valley that went on for a few years....years I wasted! 

But through it all, God would draw my heart back to Him.  I remember going in service late one Sunday night and the pastor was giving a word from God.  He spoke so directly to me, it was almost scary.  God kept wooing my heart.....and when the sin got old and empty, and my anger was gone....  God was still there for me.  I repented and turned back to Him.   There were some struggles inside me for awhile but God helped me through.... 

Then just when things were good....we had Sam!  Oh MY!  At that point, I decided "God I am going to live close to Your side and let You walk with me through this"  I'd done the anger and the bitterness...I wasn't going to do that again!  There was nothing there, nothing and no one to hold on to.  But walking with Jesus gave me the peace and strength I needed. 

That was a decade ago that I decided, come what may, I'm going to trust God and live close to Him.  I'd been raised in Church, prayed often as a child, a teen and young adult.  Wanted nothing more than to be in ministry....I loved God but I had a warped expectancy that serving God meant Life was going to be perfect.  The Bible does not promise us that.  In fact the bible and Church history shows us that most followers of Christ suffered much hardship.  So I was like the parable of Jesus of the sower...

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

¹⁴ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Although I had been raised in church, and had prayed, studied the bible, I was like seed falling on rocky ground, I heard the word with joy but had no roots, when trouble came, I fell away.

I'm being pretty open and honest tonight....maybe God wants me to be like this for YOUR sake...

The ONLY thing holding you back from God is yourself...He is willing that ALL should come to repentance.  If you haven't turned to Him and asked for forgiveness for your sin, do so, He is waiting for you.  If you are a Christian, and you are living far from Him, you need to turn back to Him also.  He is waiting for YOU!   I don't believe just praying once and then not living for God will get you into heaven....and even if I'm wrong, I know it sure won't get you peace.   You've got to give it all up to Him. 

There is nothing else in this world that will satisfy your soul like God.   I try and not use "Christian slang" but there if you are looking for PEACE, you will only find that peace at the foot of the Cross. Give it a try, throw yourself on God, give Him your mistakes and failures.    THEN you've got to walk with Him everyday.  It's not a one time prayer, it's walking it our daily. 

WOW...I'm not too preachy on here usually but this was just stirring up inside of me tonight....

But maybe someone needed to hear this.....



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These pictures are from last night.  Jon was watching a church service on DVD and you can see how attentive Sam is.  When the DVD finished, he fussed till Jon put a new one on!  I have never seen anything like him. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sam is the funniest little boy!  He is so drawn to God.  He likes little videos, Sesame Street or whatever but if you put on a preaching video, you have his complete attention.  He sat through TWO hour long DVDs last night, we don't make him LOL!  Unfortunately you won't see my other boys in there watching the preaching DVDs but Sam will be right there.  He won't sit for anything else ....it's really special.  He sits right through church every week, right on the front row....

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Today Selah got her stander.  It is a contraption that stand her upright.  It's supposed to help her not lose muscle mass, keep her bones strong, help her lungs etc....  She did not seem to mind it.  Me?  I bawled...I think I shocked our nurse.  I just hate how it looks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are days when my heart just aches within me....The last couple of days, it's been like that for me.  This stander was just the "straw that broke the camel's back" It's good for her to have the stander, it's not like it changes anything but, it hurts.   Today I'm clinging close......

 

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Please as you pray for Selah, please pray for me.  I've had some medical issues for years that have been unresolved.  They've gotten worse lately along with some new issues.  On top of the whole stiffness/pain throughout my neck, shoulders and back.  I went to the doctor today and have some testing set up.  To be honest, I always expect the worst....so....I'm a bit freaked out! 

 

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Teresa was adopted from China.  She was featured on The Shepherd's Crook's website just like Shad was....  Tonight after 3 years of waiting....she is getting a new heart as I write.  "Oh God be with her, be with the doctors.... be with her family and please be with the family who so unselfishly gave the gift of life to another child today."    I have to say that family who gave their child's heart for transplant after the child's death, is an amazing family.  If I were in their situation, I hope I'd do the same but it must be so very hard.  God be with them.....

 

Read her story on the link below. 

 

http://ourplacecalledhome.blogspot.com/2013/06/teresa-has-heart.html

 

 

 

I do not know this family personally but I have friends who do....I love their blog and their love for their children. 

 

 

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Thank you all for your prayers and kind comments!

Happy Father's Day

I wrote this for a cupcake contest...I didn't win but ....I wanted to share it. 

What is special about my hubby
Jon is the dad of 5 kids, 3 of them, very handicapped. Two are biological and three are adopted from various parts of the world....He works full time as a chaplain and a pastor of a small church. He always has time to give to the kids, nothing comes before them. Right now, he is outside sitting on the swing singing to our son Sam who is blind and non verbal. In a few hours, he is taking the big boys to the movies....this morning he prayed and wept over our daughter Selah who is greatly handicapped because of a near drowning. He gave our other daughter breakfast.... Jon is a giver in every sense of the word! He is amazing and I'm glad he is my husband. I never had a father, but I think having him for a husband and seeing how a father loves has also healed me.......

Jon is a great dad.  Today after church he and a friend took the boys back to the river to kayak.  It was a wonderful way to spend Father's Day with his boys and I know they will never forget it.  I'm blessed to have an unselfish husband who puts his kids needs before his, that is how it has always been.  I'm glad my kids have what I didn't have in a father.....

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We didn't take any pictures as they were all in a rush to go after church.  I was going to post some from last year but I just feel too sad to do that.  We take so many pictures and looking through them,  I'd forgotten some and they are so sweet they make my heart ache.   Today is not a good day for that for me. 

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Selah seems to be doing ok, she just keeps have a few low oxygen numbers.  We are hoping it is just the machine or how she is sitting.   Otherwise she has done great.

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Hope everyone has a great day!

Prayer Cloth

Last night, got up with Selah, took care of her.  It wasn't hard but got my sleep out of whack...  Got up this morning, dozens of little things going wrong, house a mess, mower not working right, had to stop and find the warranty and call and set up for them to come and work on it.... went ahead and cleaned the filing cabinet at the church since I had to pull everything out looking for the warrenty....mess everywhere....just feeling annoyed.....


THEN....got the mail.... and in it...was a letter from my friend Inger in Finland...

 

She had felt to go to a meeting and have prayer for Selah.  She sent us a prayer cloth that had been prayed over ....we put it on Selah's head and prayed for her.  All the little annoyances of the morning, just faded as we cried out to God, putting our prayers with the prayers of others,, far away, who cared enough about Selah to bring her name to the throne of God. 



Selah was very calm when we prayed for her, then I wanted to take a picture with it on her, and she wasn't so sure about that:)

This just really touched Jon & me so very much.  If you don't understand what a prayer cloth is, it is based on Acts 19 where people sent pieces of  Paul's clothes to sick people and they were healed.  My friend felt prompted by God to go to a service at her church.  She wanted to take Selah with her, but of course we are far away.  So she had this done and had many people lay hands on this cloth, and prayed for Selah.    This was just precious, it will be something we keep.  Thank you my friend!  I tried to send you an email but couldn't find your exact email address.  Thank you so much~you have have idea how touched we were by your obedience to the prompting of the spirit of God. 

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1,000,000 Hits!

 

Thank you Leslie for taking a screen shot of the 1,000,000 hit on my blog!!!  I had hoped to see it happen but missed it:)  But thanks to you I have a shot of it!

 

I am still stunned by all who read and comment on my blog.  I started it years ago, more for myself than anything.  Some months I might get 300 hits and that amazed me LOL  When the accident happened and my blog was "put out there" by the media, it was like being naked in public!  That sounds stupid since I was writing on the internet but I didn't really think about anyone reading it.  Since then, it's really been a blessing and an encouragement to have you all walking this journey with us.  Your prayers and thoughts have been uplifting.  Thank you!

 

Some of my friends (and now I get spam emails too) have suggested I write a book.  I used to kid around and say I would once my blog had a million hits......LOL  I really didn't think it would happen, I thought after the initial interest, people would never come back to read...but that's not been the case:)   The way my blog is set up, it counts when you log in, then you can read as much as you'd like but once you log out, it will count you again the next time you log in.  So it's not been a million new  people logging in  but rather  a million hits....but it's still a lot LOL

 

Honestly, I would like to write a book, also I'd like to start speaking at churches, women's groups, civic groups .....  There are times when there is just so much inside of me that I want to share with others.  Not that I think I'm the one who has all the answers but because of all that God has done for me!  Because He has done it for me, I KNOW He can do it for others too!   At this point, I'm not pursuing anything, if God wants something to happen, He will make it happen.  My number one ministry is my family.  But hey, if you want me to come speak, let me know:)

 

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Selah did ok overnight, but her heart rate climbed some early this morning.  The nurses feel she has had an upset tummy.  She hasn't thrown up or anything like that but....  She had to have her Valium dosages today.  She isn't red and doesn't have any other symptoms other than just a little bit more secretions.   Thank you for praying for her!!!

 

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After a three hour try and changing vans, Jon and the boys are off to go kayaking!  This is their first time with their new kayaks:)   We will probably have to get a trailer, they managed to get them in my van with most of the seats out.  The top of Jon's van didn't work and neither did the top of mine for another reason....GEEZ they were all sweating.  I bet they will get nice and cool down on the Hillsborough River!  The little people stayed here with me. 

 

We'd always been an adventurous family and very outdoorsy.  After the accident, there was a big fear of water...any type of water scared us.  Well we live in Florida......and we like to be outside.....  There comes a time, when you realize an accident is an accident and that does not "jinx"  you or your family.  So we have decided not to let fear rule us.  Obviously we follow safety rules and everyone wears a life vest. 

 

This is how I compare it in my mind.  My dear mother in law was killed in a car accident.  Of all the ironies of life, one of my best friends bought a house right near the spot and every time I go to their home, I see the spot where my MIL had her accident.   At first it hurt to see the spot but seeing it doesn't jinx me .  It does remind me of her and also to wear a seat belt.  

 

Do I have a little fear?  Yes, but life can't be lived in a bubble....after the accident, I kept the kids very close.  Even now, I just let Shad go to a friend's house.  I've preferred other kids to come over here!  Am I still very cautious?  YES....but....I'm also trying to be balanced.  It's hard.  I was a worry wart mom anyhow.  Oh I'd let the boys go and do things, but inside I'd worry worry worry.....  Now I worry more....but I'm starting to let them go and do things again.  

 

Being at home with the little one napping has enable me to get some meals together and to have supper ready for tonight!  I also made oatmeal cookies.  I like to have everything mixed, arranged and done ahead of time.  I used to make double of everything, like meatloaf or a casserole and freeze one, that way I had a supper ready in the freezer.  Really need to get back to that type of organizing again, it worked really good and made me feel good about having supper ready in a matter of a few minutes.  That made life easier for me and ensures we eat healthier and it is cheaper!  If you are wondering tonight we are having meatloaf, green beans, garlic & parsley potatoes (all from my garden) mac & cheese, and baked beans. Oatmeal cookies for dessert!  Yum!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busy Thursday....

Busy day....LOL do I say that all the time or what???

Started out at cardiology....We went to a new office and was told it was on St Road 54...when in fact it was on St Road 56......Big difference between 54 and 56.....  FUN times....   Selah is fine, just a routine check up.  Lots of "discussion" about who is to manage some of her meds....  Basically our pediatrician thinks a specialist should manage them, the cardiologist thinks the neurologist  should manage the meds since Selah gets them ONLY because of neurological issues.  The neurologist thinks the cardiologist should manage them since they are heart meds..... Mom is frustrated with everyone mentioned.....LOL  I gave cardiology everyone's number and told her to fight it out.......

Btw I HATE when I am called MOM by anyone but my 5 kids!!!!!!!!  WHY WHY WHY do health professionals do that????  Is it too hard to open your mouth and say Mrs Clanton?????  

Selah is wearing a 24 hour monitor as a new patient to record her heart rates, we don't expect any problem from it but it's a pain to have on her till tomorrow. 

We got home and had two evaluators for the school system come to evaluate Sarah and Selah for services.  One had evaluated Sam before and it was good to see him again.  We do not plan on sending Sarah or Selah to school but they can get some home bound services through the school board at home.  Sam got services weekly and will start back when school starts in the fall

So Sarah got evaluated between 4 months and 16 months....she is 6 years old.  I was not surprised by her scores nor did they hurt to hear.  She had a good time with the guy who was evaluating her.  He commented on how joyful she was:)  She is such a happy little girl.  She will love all the services she gets.  This afternoon when PT came in, she hopped to her and lifted her arms up!  I LOVED to see that:) 

Selah is being recommended for services but ....she probably won't get any services without me going MADEA on them....and I'm not sure if I'm up to the fight. 

Our public school system is awful here.  I had to fight like a crazy rabid dog to get the services Sam had...and then we even had trouble then with people not coming, some odd things happening etc....  It's a shame that the school system is so dysfunctional and doesn't help the kids who need the help!

So after all that, then PT came...my house is like a revolving door....people in and out all day long.she worked with Sarah and Selah.

Late this afternoon Selah stormed.  Her heart rate went up during therapy, which is unusual for her .  Then it kept going off and she had to get her PRN meds and she came out of it in 5 minutes so I'm thankful for that!  It was a storm, her heart rate went over 140 and she began shaking and being stiff.  But it didn't go like it usually does so I'm thankful for that.  She came right out and calmed down.  We don't know what is going on.  Praying that she is not sick or starting to get sick.  She has no other symptoms. 

We were going to go back to the camp meeting but it's too far in case something is going on with Selah.  So I guess we will stay home and watch O'Reilly.  I'm really enjoying the news right now....LOL   We also bought some videos when we were at camp meeting so we might watch one of those.  Sam loves preaching, funny little guy will come in if anyone is on tv preaching...and he will sit right down and watch it.  It's almost unbelievable how he responds to preaching.  Surely he doesn't or can't understand things but you'd never know it by how he acts! 
Jon feels like Sam understands it in his spirit. 

If you haven't noticed my blog is very close to having ONE MILLION HITS!     It's unbelievable and humbling....that so many folks care about our family.   In all those hits and all the comments and emails, I can count on one hand, the few negative ones!  You guys are such an encouragement to me and I thank each of you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers!!!!  

Camp meeting

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday.  All was well, I was just running:)  I got home after midnight from.....CHURCH!

Shad went to spend the day with a buddy, the three little ones had PT, had to go grocery shopping, then back to pick up Shad and my dear friend Jackie so we could all go to Camp meeting together.  

Now I don't know if some of you even know what Camp Meeting is.... 

I grew up going to Camp Meetings.  Back then it was a church service held in an "tabernacle" usually open aired, that meant NO air conditioning...and remember I'm from Florida.  The ceiling fans would be running, the people would have the little hand fans, for some reason they'd often have an advertisement for a funeral home, do NOT ask me why!  Some folks would sit outside the tabernacle in their lawn chairs. 

Camp meeting was FUN!   It would last for hours and hours....maybe start at 7 pm and end up at 1 am...  people would sing and shout and run the aisles....  the kids would watch, or go to the concession stand (when it opened).  There would be singing and more singing...preaching, praying....

We would go to the Church of God Camp meeting down in Wimauma Florida in June  and over to Mayo Florida for the North Florida camp meeting in August.    It was hot....the ladies all were dressed up and back then the men wore suits.  One time our family even went up to South Caroline for their camp meeting. 

I've got some good memories of those time.  When we went to South Carolina our good friends were the "over seers" or the head of the Church of God for that state so we got the VIP treatment:)  We stayed at the camp ground in a trailer and that was just so  much fun to me.  I was about 5 years old and I remember being in the service, and the congregation was singing "Wonderful Peace"  and the wind was blowing through the open air tabernacle.  It was a little after sunset, cool (compared to Florida LOL)  At only 5 years old, that memory is still vivid and precious, it sounded like heaven's angels singing  to me.  It's one of those memories that is like a short video in my mind, looking out to the hills, feeling the breeze, hearing that song...how lovely!

(1) Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight


Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;


In celestial strains it unceasingly falls


O'er my soul like an infinite calm.

 

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,


Coming down from the Father above!


Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray


In fathomless billows of love!

(2) What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,


Buried deep in the heart of my soul,


So secure that no power can mine it away,


While the years of eternity roll!

 

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,


Coming down from the Father above!


Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray


In fathomless billows of love!

(3) I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,


Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;


For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,


And His glory is flooding my soul!

 

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,


Coming down from the Father above!


Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray


In fathomless billows of love!

(4) And I think when I rise to that city of peace,


Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,


That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing


In that heavenly kingdom will be:

 

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,


Coming down from the Father above!


Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray


In fathomless billows of love!

(5) Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?


Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;


O accept of this peace so sublime!

 

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,


Coming down from the Father above!


Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray


In fathomless billows of love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZtuYAgHIvU

 

 

There is nothing in this world like the peace that comes from God.  That is something I can testify to, not just in the last few months but over my entire lifetime.  The peace of God, is so sweet and precious.  I know I let other things come in and steal that peace away at times, but thank God, He still gives it. 

 

As a teen, I was touched by God around the altars of the tabernacle in Florida.  My heart was stirred and encouraged to be more for God.

 

Recently I had been talking to a close friend who had never experienced a "old timey Pentecostal" service so I told her I'd find out when camp meeting was going to be and we'd go.  Well she ended up not being able to go, but by then, I'd decided I wanted to go anyhow.  Another friend said she'd go and my husband loves to be in church anytime, anywhere, so it wasn't hard to get him to work his schedule so he could go.  We took the kids, because I wanted them to experience it too.  See, my husband pastors a Pentecostal church, but ....our denomination is little bit "calmer" than what I saw growing up..... I knew the minister who was going to be preaching last night and knew he'd be like what I grew up around.  And he was!  LOL

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69c6DbsUOZk 

 

this was just a clip of a service with him leading the kind of music I grew up singing:)

 

 

I'm not one to go around calling different meetings and services "awesome" but it really was great.  Tommy Bates was the speaker and he actually spoke on remembering our past and how God has been faithful to us over the years.  There were even a couple of folks who "ran the aisles"  so I was happy:)   Please know I am not making fun!!   Even tho I've never been a very expressive person in my worship, it does not bother me when others are!  The sermon, was just what Jon & I both needed to hear.  God is faithful and we have nothing to fear....the sermon spoke to me and helped me to remember how Faithful God has been time & time again in my life.  I don't ever want to be ashamed of Him and what He has done in my life.  If it were not for God, I have no idea where I'd be...it certainly would not be where I am today!  Of course, you may not think I'm in a good place today LOL but let me tell you....I am in a good place....I've got God's peace in my life and I'm content, even in heartache....

 

A good time was had by all....my kids were quite "wide eyed" especially during the time of special prayer.  In Pentecostal churches sometimes when people get prayed for they get 'slain in the spirit" and fall down.  When that happens in our church or denomination , we usually use "catchers" who gently catch and lay them on the floor, well the Church of God in which I grew up is a little different....  they just let them fall LOL!  It's a good test to see if folks are "in the spirit" or "in the flesh"   So last night people were falling out...and my kids were freaking a little bit.  The boys were cracking me up!

 

So I bet you are wondering if that has ever happened to me?  It did ONE time...  Now I've had some preachers over the years try to make it happen to me.  In their excitement, they'd be praying with their hand on my head and push back a bit... I didn't really think anyone was really trying to push me down, they'd just get excited BUT I don't do "courtesy falls" for anyone!  Hey, with my luck, there would not be a "catcher" LOL   BUT ONE time....I was in a service and the presence of God was so real and tangible...I was way back (of course) in a very large church.  The minister asked all who wanted a fresh touch from God to stand.  I did and as he prayed, hundreds of feet away from me, it was like a heavy warm blanket just settled down on me and I didn't have the strength to stand.  I fell, between the pews, with no one catching me at all.  I did not get hurt so I guess I was "in the Spirit"  Then I began to laugh, it just poured out of me along with tears...and I really felt a refreshing in my heart.  Now let me tell you, my husband was so freaked out and shocked by this.  he just kept saying "it must be  God...."   For whatever reason, I am very UN- demonstrative  in church.  I admire friends who can just worship freely and loudly...but I just do not do that.   My husband is like that...he is totally comfortable.  That night he was in amazement LOL and he still talks about it 20 years later! 

 

Some folks think that emotions have no place in church and Lord knows I try not to be very emotional in front of people but when you really think about it.....God made our emotions, He is the One who gave us life and gave us eternal life...it's pretty clear in the Bible, if you read the Psalms and Revelation that God expects our worship to have emotion in it.  We are human and we have emotions...  Think about when you sing "America the Beautiful"  (for my US Friends) or whatever your country's song is and you get choked up....how much more should we have emotion about God...and our heavenly home?  (says the one who fights emotion just about every Sunday....)

 

So that is where we were last night....it was good, good for our spirits! 

 

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Today has been a busy day.  Had our care coordinator visit today, our nurses' supervisor visited, a new friend, our OT, then we (the nurse and I) took Selah to the hospital for speech just to find out the schedule had been changed....it's been a busy day and tomorrow will be too!  Our nurse Aaron who is also a Catholic monk, has such a sense of humor.  He says DAILY we need our own sitcom..."cuz you can't make up this stuff"  If it's not one thing, it's another.  We certainly keep him entertained:) 

 

Here is Sarah on the princess car.

 

 

She will go down the hall and into the kitchen.  She is so brave!

 

 

These next two pictures have quite a story to them.  I had the tomatoes from my garden out after washing them to dry.  Evidently Sam has watched the old movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"  He took a tomato and ate on it and destroyed it!  Sam has to giggle when he is doing something he thinks he will get in trouble for, so I heard him laughing, coming down the hall.  At first I thought he had thrown up!!!  Then I put 2 and 2 together:)  he was laughing so hard, he could hardly stand up! 

 

Sam with tomatoes all over him

the Killer Tomato is dead!

 

That was a classic Sam:)