Okay! I Give Up!

As bad as I hate to write this post, Karla reminded me that I left you all with the thoughts that my post surgery days were a piece of cake.  When actually....not so much.

It's true the day after surgery, I felt surprisingly good.  I maneuvered around on one crutch like it was my extra leg.  Up and down the steps from one end of the house to the other. 

But then 5:00 am Thursday came.  I woke up hurting sooooooo bad.  I got up and took a Hydrocodone, made my way to the sofa and there I stayed and slept, until I had to go potty.  Man, oh man, where's the other crutch.  I had to lift my leg to move it and then inch my way down the hallway to the bathroom and back.  That's how my day went.  Took another pill at 5 pm and then another one at 10:00 pm.

I slept so good Thursday night.  Then Friday, I was allowed to take off my dressing and take a shower.  Boy, did that ever feel good.  Put band-aids back over the stitches and back to the sofa to rest.  Gary came home at noon and it was nice to have him there to fix my ice bag.  He brought me a Steak n Shake cheeseburger and fries.  Yummmmm.  I needed that.

So, altogether I took 6 1/2 Hydrocodone and they really are not my enemy anymore.  They came to my rescue when I needed them.  I view them in a different light now, not the evil villain, I thought they were.

Felt even better Saturday, back to one crutch and then just a cane.  The kids came over for lunch on Sunday.  I fixed KFC.

Monday, I was back to babysitting the three little ones.  Was a little tiring, but no ill effects.  Went to the doctor on Tuesday for an ultrasound to make sure there was no blod clot and got my stitches out. 

Can't walk for exercise for 3 more weeks, but I can do the stationary bike for 10 minutes at a time.  We go to Wendy's in a couple of weeks and I will get to exercise in her pool.  That will feel really good.

Thanks to all my friends and family for your prayers, cards, flowers, cupcakes, visits and love.  Just what I needed to get back on my feet....literally.

Donna

No Drugs, Please!

I have mentioned previously that I had an MRI on my knee in March.  Well, the results showed a tear of the medial meniscus and some osteoarthritis.  So, I made an appointment with an Ortheopedic Surgeon and he scheduled surgery for April 17th.....yesterday. 

I went to the Surgery Center in Bolivar and was really impresed with the friendlness of the staff.  It was a small but very nice facility.  Surgery went well and the doctor prescribed Valium and Hydrocodene for me to take when I got home.  I told him I didn't want the valium, but he prescribed it anyway to help me sleep.   They gave me Perkoset before I left the Center, and man oh man, did it put me out.  I started calling family and friends on the way home, but very quickly started slurring my speech and feeling really weird.  I just started texting....home..okay.

Then when we got home, Gary was going in to fill my prescriptions, but I told him I didn't want the Valium, so he just filled the Hydrocodone.  After the Perkoset got out of my system, I felt pretty good and my knee hurt so much less than it had for the past 5 months.  But when he got home, I took one of the Hydrocodone and it did the same thing as the Perkoset......couldn't lift my arms..slurred speech....totally not in control of myself.  Didn't like it....not one little bit!  I have never been drunk or high and if that is what it feels like, I don't want to ever be.

So far, my one Motrin every 8-10 hours is doing just fine.  I can use my crutch and make it to the bathroom, to the couch, to the kitchen, to the couch.  Yep, doin' just fine.

Here's my nest for the next couple of days:

Got my ice pack on.....watching Chopped and Cupcake Wars....

Got my water, Motrin, home phone, cell phone, remote, laptop, puzzle books, Bible, IPod, glasses.  All at my fingertips.....aaahhhh!

 I know this will be nice for a couple of days, but I'm sure it's going to get old and I will be more than ready to be back to normal....normal as I was back before I got the big idea to train for a 5K.  That won't happen again, but I do want to start walking regularly and swimming when Doling gets their pool finished.

Just call me "crip",

Donna

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I just listened to George Younce sing "I Don't Know Who Holds Tomorrow" by Ira Stanphill.  I don't know that there has been a time in my life of more uncertainty than now.  The 60's were pretty bad with the Vietnam war and the climate in our country.  Then the 70's were so "out there" with so much experimentation in things that were detrimental to lives.  I was pretty young then and was busy with small children.  But I don't even now how to describe our world today ... unleashed..narcissistic..materialistic...immoral..

Mr. Stanphill wrote this song in the 1950's when he was going through some stuff.  I found this little bit of history of the song.

"The legend behind the hymn according to a religious blog is that Stanphill wrote I Know Who Holds Tomorrow during the dissolution of his marriage. According to acquaintances, Stanphill's wife grew tired of his ministry during its zenith and left him to pursue a career of her own in entertainment. Sadly, she was killed in a car crash sometime thereafter. The lyrics aptly convey the emotions of listlessness and doubt Ira Stanphill encountered while going through such a difficult period in life."

Maybe part of my uncertain feelings are that so many people around me are going through or have gone through tragedies in their lives.  Just a reminder that this life is unpredictable and uncertain.

If you don't know who George Younce is (before he moved on to his Home in Heaven, he was the bass singer for the Cathedral Quartet), or don't know the tune, just read the words and let the message of the song reassure and comfort you. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bjr-3HTIeyA

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

 Ira F. Stanphill

Happy Birthday, Gary!

Today is Gary's 63rd birthday.  April 9, 1949, Gary LeRoy Wallace was born to Cecil and Gertie Wallace in Ottawa, Kansas.  He is the second of six children in their family.

It didn't seem possible that 45 years ago, when we met, that we would be ever be this old.  When you are 18, you think that "60" is ancient.  You also think that you are so in love that you could never love him more than you do at that time.  But time, and children, and experiences of life have a way of either growing you together or growing you apart.  I thank the Lord that He has grown us together and I truly love him more every day.

Is this not the best looking 63 year old man you have ever seen?  He has aged well.

You are my hero, my love,

Donna

Blessed Resurrection Sunday

My Bible readings this past week were in Leviticus and Hebrews.  Perfect time to read about the sacrifices required to atone for the sins of the Israelites.  The sacrifices and priests were the only way they could come to the Holy God.   There are also instructions for daily living and responsibilities involving our daily walk with God.

But then after I have read all the detailed instructions for offering the sacrifices, I go to Hebrews where the old covenant is compared with the new.  "but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent Priesthood.  Therefore He is able to save completey those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.  Such a high priest meets our need --one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people.  He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever."  Hebrews 7:24-28 NIV  Thank you Jesus, for taking the punishment which should have been mine!!

So it is a joy for me today to celebrate the resurrection of my Savior and Redeemer.  "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know He holds the future, my life is worth the living, just because He lives!"

Todd wrote and posted some thoughts about Easter on Friday through Sunday.  This simple description of these days really spoke to me.

Friday
           Beautiful violence
          Transcendent grace
          Humble submission
          Glory displayed
Saturday
         On Sabbath morn
         Despair looms
         Hope destroyed
         Messiah's tomb
Sunday
         Morning dawns
         Herald proclaims
         Death defeated
         Jesus reigns!

We had a glorious service at church this morning!  Many new faces and several familiar ones from the past.  Our praise band was incredible!  Mickie Roy sang one of my favorites, "I Know My Redeemer Lives" and two of our ladies signed along with it.  Pastor Kevin brought a message of redemption and at the end of the service baptized a family of 6 who all had recently surrendered their lives to the Lord!  So exciting to see God at work!

Eternally grateful to Jesus,

Donna

The Big Hunt

Saturday, April 7th was Springhill Baptist Church's annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Rain was in the forecast and the clouds were looming, but it held off long enough for us to complete this event.  Thank you Jesus!

I got to help at one of the registration tables and was so blessed to get to see many people I haven't seen for a while and meet many new ones.  Volunteers served free hot dogs and nachos and soda to everyone  The kids played on the fun inflatibles and were excited when the egg hunt started.

Here's some pictures of Gavin, Cael and Ava enjoying the festivities:

Ava is not too sure about the Easter Bunny.

What about it Cael?  A hug for  the bunny?

Sure!

A huge thank you to Jami Bryant, our Children's Minister, who coordinated this event and all the volunteers who helped to make it such a success, including all those who helped stuff 8,000 eggs!  I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all!

Thankful for my church family!

Donna

Bischoff Family Cupcake Wars

Easter Picture of Lucas, Bailey, Micah and Ruthie:

I got several texts yesterday from Wendy showing me the cupcakes they were making.  She, Doug and the kids decided to have a "Bischoff Family Cupcake Wars: Easter Edition". 

They divided into teams.  Wendy, Bailey and Micah made Easter Baskets and Cherry Pie Cupcakes:

 Doug, Lucas and Ruthie made chocolate cupcakes with cherry pie filling and cherry frosting.  They have not completed their decorations yet.  They will finish their cherry and fondant egg topping tomorrow.

Lucas working on the fondant eggs.

Here's a poster from one of the teams.  They had to name their bakery and make a poster about it.

I am excited to see the finished cupcakes from Doug, Lucas and Ruthie.

I wanted to add this picture of the cake Wendy made for the Houston's First Baptist "Spring Loaded" cake sale.  This is the first cake that anyone bought. The base is a yellow cake, meatballs are brownies and the spaghetti is piped frosting with strawberry jam. 





What a fun family activity!!  Save me a cupcake, please!!!

Love,

Mema

My Little Assistant

Ava sometimes sits with me at my computer and is very excited to help me type. 

Love my little "Ministry Assistant" in training.

Mema