And so it begins....

Well, I got a call from my doc's office two days ago and the insurance has gone through, so yesterday my other doc's office called me to go over risks and procedures regarding what you might ask?..... Total Knee Replacement Surgery.

Yep, it is time. I actually have had a pretty good knee week, except for last night. I have not been up on it quite as much and that helps a lot, but yesterday I was up a lot and by last night, well I'll let my husband describe it for you:

"Dawn, get some ice on that knee...it is only as big as a watermelon!"

Okay, so it wasn't quite that big, but I had him look at it because my toes were hurting, and sure enough, watermelon knee was causing LOTS of issues. Well, it is time to get watermelon knee fixed!!

Surgery is tentatively set for October 21st. I should know for sure today or tomorrow.

I'll be in the hospital 3 or 4 days. Surgery is on a Thursday, so she said that I'll probably leave the hospital either Monday or Tuesday. I'll have home health for two weeks and then after the staples come out, I will start out-patient Physical Therapy. She said recovery takes about 3 months. If that holds true, then that will be way better than the PFA on my right. They say that Total Knee Replacements are actually easier to recover from than PFA's.

I wanted to just give you a visual of what we are talking about when we talk about replacing this knee joint. The kind of joint they will be using is a Depuy Rotating Joint. It looks something like this, although this is not the Depuy, but it is close.

This picture lists the different parts and pieces to give you some idea of just what takes place in the whole replacing of the parts.

Anytime you start drilling and pounding into the bone, there is going to be MUCH pain!!! So we are already talking to them about pain management since my experience at Mayo with this was not good. I have a VERY sensitive stomach, so we are already getting a game plan together.

Okay, so I just wanted to let you know what was in the works on this knee. So many of you are faithful in praying for us, and words can NEVER describe how grateful we are to you!!

Now on another related note, kind of =) I am already planning meals in my mind for my family that I can make and freeze. If you have any good ideas or recipes, please let me know.

Love you so ~~

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Have a Blessed and Beautiful Day ~~

Fall Bible Study .... Jonah: NALI.... Weeks 3 - 4

Good Morning ~~ Hope you have had a good two weeks of study. Jonah is proving to be very thought provoking and convicting. It is a good healthy dose of reflection, one that I've needed.

So let's begin.....

Weeks three and four have been great reminders of the Grace of God.

Priscilla Shirer on page 57 speaking about week 3 states:

"This week promises an important reminder of the redemptive truth of God's grace that mercifully rescues us any time, any place and in any situation."

Jonah was definitely headed in the wrong direction, and in week three, we see Jonah thrown overboard.

Question #1: On the top of page 60, we are asked this question:

"What spiritual signs do you think you can look for that reveal you are headed in the wrong direction?"

And what can you do to change it? (Use Scripture to help you here. List a verse or verses that will help you to head back the right direction.)

________________________________________

Pages 64 - 65 "God allows reproof and correction as a sign of His love for us and His intention to use us... God's goal for us is that we mature into spiritual adults who have tender hearts that mirror His."

Bottom page 65 "Acknowledge your sin and accept the discipline. When you do, you'll find your heart changing within you, softening to the things of God."

Question 2: Pg 72 - "Jonah did not allow the despair of his circumstances to keep him from firmly agreeing to go with God. While some may have thought they were "too late" to get on board with God's plans or that they'd missed their opportunity, Jonah taught us that any time is a good time to set your sights and actions on obedience."

So do you think or have you ever thought you were too late to get on board with God's plan? Have you ever thought you have just failed too much to be used of God? How did you push past that? Or if you are there now, what steps do you believe will help you get past that feeling and move on in Him? (And again it is great to search out Scripture to help you move forward in Him).

___________________________________

Week 4:

So week 4 is all about second chances and moving forward in obedience.

Question 3:

I loved looking at all the 2nd chance stories she listed in Days 1 & 2....

She listed:

Aaron
Sarah
Peter
Joseph's Brothers
The Divine Parables of the Sheep, Coin and Son

Which one of these stories of redemption and second chance, spoke to you the most?

_______________________________________

The heart of the matter: Obedience.

Question 4: Page 100 "Denying the flesh always requires effort.... Obedience necessitates self-denial."

After Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the belly of the fish and repented, he was thrown up back on to dry land, and he still had a job to do....the job of obedience. He still had to go to Ninevah.

So what is your Ninevah -- the area of obedience God is calling you to in this season of your life? Are you being obedient to His call, or is there a fish with a big belly in your future? =)

Bonus Question: Page 89 -- Bottom of the page:

Summarize the details of one or more of your second chance stories into bullet points that will help you to share.

______________________________

Well, there you have it. Our questions for this week. I hope you are enjoying this study as much as I am. It has been very convicting to me but also very hopeful. And that is a beautiful thing!!

Remember, Bible study over at Chatzy tonight at 7:00 pm CST. You can find us here.

Have a Blessed and Beautiful day in Him,

Jonah 2:8 "Those who cling to worthless idols, forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

Love you so.....

Has it been a year already? & Save the date.....

A year ago last week, or there abouts, was the anniversary of my decision to go Vegan. It is hard to believe it has been a year. When it has gotten tough over the last year to maintain this way of eating, which honestly hasn't been very many times, I have thought about this post and getting to the one year mark and beyond.

Several years ago I was a vegetarian for two years, I really liked eating that way, but didn't stick with it. It started out small, but little by little meat and dairy crept it's way back into my eating. Well, last August after my heart scare, and a trip on the ole scale at the hospital, I decided that I had to start taking better care of myself. So last August decided to go back on my vegetarian diet of old =)

Then in September of last year, decided to go vegan. Well at least for the most part. The only thing that I eat on occasion is honey. If you are truly vegan you eat NO animal products at all. But honey is so good for allergies if you can buy local, and I like honey, but I have all but stopped using it except during allergy season, like right now, and I really like graham crackers. The kind I buy I don't know if they have honey or not, but I think so.

So I guess I can't really call myself vegan, and wouldn't if I could, because I am not defined by what I eat, or in this case by what I don't eat. My decision to go vegetarian/vegan came from a desire to be healthier. And a year later I feel SO much better!!! Now I don't do it all right and I certainly have my moments, but on a day-to-day, living it out basis, I try to choose healthy foods.

I have wanted for a long time to post some recipes and tips and healthful hints to eating healthier. I truly believe that making better choices in your life with regards to food will help you have a better quality of life, and I'd love to give you some tips and hints to help you along the way. So I'm hoping to start doing that on my Recipe tab here on the blog. I'm going to try to post a recipe or helpful hint to eating healthier (or both =) on Saturday's and see how that goes. We will see....this is such a busy season.....but this is really on my heart, so I'm gonna give it a go!!!

I'd like to share with you just a few of my favorites that I've made over the last year.
This first one is Mexican Stuffed Peppers from The Happy Herbivore.
These are SO delicious and easy.














This next one is Chili Mac from Fat-Free Vegan.
I love this hearty, delish, one-pot meal. It stays with you and freezes beautifully!!!














And I don't deprive myself of sweets eating this way either!!! Now I don't eat the simple-sugar ladened sweets, but I do indulge in healthy, delicious desserts that go right along with my desire to eat and live healthier.

These are Skinny Figgy Bars and they are the cat's meow I tell ya!!! LOVE them!! They are also from Fat Free Vegan.















And just to show off my own culinary skills -- hahahahahaha, I crack me up!! =)
anyway.....

I wanted to show you a salad I fixed for lunch a couple of weeks ago.
The picture is awful, but maybe you can get the idea.....

This is Romaine Lettuce topped with celery sticks, carrots, mushrooms (I think), garlic stuffed olives, sliced, baked tofu (my fav recipe) and dipping sauce (Nama Shoyu & Orange Marmalade -- Yum, YUm, YUM =0)

This was so delicious and filling. LOVE this salad.

















So there you have a sampling of the way this 40 lbs lighter than last year girl, eats. You may be wondering how I eat out or if I do, well I do. It is about the choices I make. Yesterday I had lunch at Panera Bread and had the You Pick Two deal. 1/2 Mediterranean Sandwich no Feta, and 1/2 Classic Salad with the Fuji Apple Dressing and an apple for my side. I looked it up one time and this meal is only about 350 calories. And so delicious!!!



So last night was our Senior Parent meeting at school. This meeting was about college in it's various forms and other Senior year items. It was very informative....very. They gave us the date for graduation....wow we have a date.....wow I think I need to sit down =)



YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND:



2011 Senior Class of Clever High and our own adorably fantastic Dak for Graduation festivities on May 9th, 2011



WOW seeing it on "paper" makes it real now doesn't it? He is excited and I need a paper bag to breathe into......breathe......breathe....... =)



And that means Project Graduation meetings started last night as well. I will be helping as much as I can with this knee situation. We need to raise a lot of money....but thankfully we have veteran's who have been down this road before with their other kiddo's, so that makes it easier.



Well there you have it.....something to chew on, and write on your calendar, all in one post. Your welcome =)



Have a Blessed and Beautiful day,




James 1:17 (New International Version)

"17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. "

Love & Hugs ~~

The Mad Scientist and the Meatballs.....

So Dak's Senior Year so far is cracking me up. Well for the most part....except for Chem II. No it's not so funny. anyway.....

Last Friday he had initiation for SHC -- Science History Club and for that you had to dress and play the part of what ever science or history figure the club decided on, so for Dak it was a Mad Scientist. Go figure =) He is so calm and all; I'd have thought they would have picked someone more docile....hahahahahahahahaha I crack me up!!! =)

So in true Dak fashion, he went ALL out!!! He does nothing small.nothing.

Check him out ~~ oh son.....you make me happy =0)

Look at that hair and those glasses.

Too funny.....

The Scientist: Brandon:

Geologist: Chazlin

Mad Scientist: Dak

Physicist: Leezy

These kids crack.me.up.

Leezy even as a Physicist still has 'tude....

They are SO much fun!!!

Well, Friday evening he had to take a dish that looked like a science experiment gone wrong for the Banquet. Dak found a recipe in our Halloween holiday recipe book. Now I thought it sounded completely disgusting, but his teachers wanted the recipe....huh? And then Dick tried them on Saturday and said they were the best meatballs he has ever had. Double HUH? So I thought I'd go ahead and share the recipe, but I will warn you....WEIRD combo of food comin' your way.....

Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs

1 can (14-oz) whole berry cranberry sauce

1 can (14-oz) sauerkraut, rinsed and well drained

1 bottle (12-oz) chili sauce

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 package (32-oz) frozen fully cooked home style meatballs, thawed

In a 4-qt slow cooker, combine the cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, chili sauce and brown sugar. Stir in meatballs. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through.

I know....WEIRD combo!!! But these are well-loved meatballs around these parts. So although they look like a science experiment gone wrong, the stomach apparently doesn't care =0)

What a fun day it was!!!!! He is so funny.

Knee update:

Thank you all for your sweet comments on my post yesterday. Right now we are checking to see what our insurance will cover, and then we will go from there. I will keep y'all posted as we walk through this journey.


James 1:5 (New International Version)
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.

Love you all ~~

Have a Blessed day ~~

"Let us run with perseverance....."

Well, I went to the doc Friday, and quite frankly was hoping for some much better news.

I knew what he said would be coming eventually, just wasn't expecting it now. Isn't that the way it usually goes? Later seems better than now, but God doesn't work off of the time of man and His later is now, and His now is later, because He lives in one big eternal now. I'm thankful for that. I get WAY to caught up in "time", anyway.....

When I got there and got back to my room they came in to get me for x-rays. Then the wait was on. No problem though, had my trusty book and my thoughts, oh yeah and my nerves apparently. I was fine until I knew the doc would be in soon. Then I got nervous, so I talked to Abba Father and He calmed me right down. All was well.

Then Doc Roeder came in and shook my hand and was so kind. It had been approx 3 years since I had had x-rays on my left knee and since that is the one with the knot on the side and causing the issues with my right knee again (the one I had the PFA on) that is the one he focused his time on. That and the fact that he won't even touch that right knee. That is in the hands of the Mayo docs, since they are the ones that did the PFA back in '08. Another day...another story for that =)

Well, he put my x-rays up on the screen and just kind of shook his head and started pointing out areas of extreme arthritis. He said that I now have bone spurring on the outside part and you could see NO space at all over there. Well that's not good. And then he said that I have significant spurring and arthritis under and around my knee cap, and that is really not good, being how that is what caused me to have to have the PFA in my other knee a year and a half ago.....so I kind of knew what was coming.....kind of.

You see, I had fully intended to get at least a Cortisone shot in there again to help things a long for a little while, but he said that there was really nothing he could do. Well now, we have been down that road too with my right knee, and that is when he sent me to Mayo. But this time, he said that the only thing that can really be done is a total knee replacement. Good news? He will do that here without me having to travel to Mayo. Bad news? The kind that he wants me to have because I am so young (relatively speaking to having a knee replacement =) they won't let him do at the hospital where my insurance covers. So we have to see if my insurance will cover it at another local hospital.

I'm just not sure what to do at this point. I know what my options are: total knee replacement vs. big ole ginormous knot on the side of my knee and pain and blech.....

Yesterday was a really bad knee day. Today I woke up and at least for the first few minutes it was better. I can already tell the swelling has started. Double blech.....

So instead of asking your advice on what you would do, I will say this:

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!

Whatever He decides, I will do. If that is a great big surgery, then let's get this ball going. If it is waiting, then I will wait, packed in ice bags =) If it is miraculous healing.....yay!!!!! Whatever it is, I will do it, I will go....I will call on the Father and leave it there. He knows.....He has ALL the answers......I am merely His vessel........and right now am so understanding the seeing through the glass dimly verse........on so many levels. But none-the-less:

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!

Have a Beautiful day ~~

Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Love you ~~

Random Friday ~~ Can you even stand the Cuteness?.... and other random happenings.....

WOW this week has been FULL of fun and love and random happenings!!!

The Cuteness in this post is almost unbearable, so be prepared =)

Sir Cuteness has taken up cooking. Now I know, you must be thinking that 2 is a little young to be taking up Chef duties, but I couldn't disagree more!!! =)

As long as you supervise and don't include the oven, stove or any other hot objects, your good. So now you may be wondering how we cooked without them......imagination peeps ~~ IMAGINATION!!! And Sir Cuteness has imagination running out of his cute little ears I tell ya. It is just to much stinkin' fun!!!

So he came in a couple of days ago and says,

SC: Cook
ME: Okay
ME: What are we cooking?
SC: Corn (yep the boy loves him some corn. Even named one of his action figures O-Corn ~~ I know, you can't even stand the cuteness right now ~~ I KNOW!!! =)

So here he is headed to the freezer for what else, corn. I mean, look at that face!!!!! I told ya, Cuteness totally oozing =0)

So, here he is, ever so busy with the corn. I mean seriously, have you ever cooked corn with such intensity? Me either =)

And of course you must have salt in your corn.....

And cuteness.... oh.my.stars.

Okay, so we will come back to Sir Cuteness and the corn in just a minute, but first let's take a look at other Randomly Cute happenings this week.

Dak's Choir teacher is pregnant and the kid's are just thrilled. She is due in May.......they are so pumped.

So Dak and Leezy (Sir Cuteness' name for Alyssa) decided to make Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins for Mrs. N. They have taken it upon themselves to make sure she gets enough junk food in the next 8 or so months....ummm....yeah.....nice of them......they totally just want to eat in Choir =)

Okay, so the above picture cracks.me.up. Look at Dak, he is POURING the muffin mix in the muffin pan, and he is not looking to confident in this venture....

Now, check out Leezy....she is totally using a spoon and looking quite confident in her endeavors. Cracks.me.up.

I'm not sure which one of them thought of this pic, but this TOTALLY shows my boy. I mean seriously, yep this is him. AHHHH Life with a teenager, a Senior teenager at that....yep never a dull moment....never. hahahahaha!!!!!

So Cute....too stinkin' cute!!!.. He looks so young here.....oh I remember young.

So I have about 45 or so more pics I could show you just of that one day. Yep Dak & Leezy totally on a roll..... love these two so!!!

Now, back to Sir Cuteness and the corn.

Here he is cooking said corn.....but let me warn you, the Cuteness level in this video is OFF ~~ THE ~~~ CHARTS ~~~~~ !!!!!

In other news: I have a doc's appt today at 2:15 with my local Orthopod. I'll let y'all know where he thinks we go from here.

Thank you for your prayers and sweet comments and e-mails concerning this very concerning knee situation.

I hope y'all have a Blessed and beautiful weekend ~~

James 5:16

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

What does it really look like?

To be a follower of the One True God? What does it really look like to follow Jesus Christ all the way?

These are questions I am asking myself. Given our current situation and things right now, what does it look like? In light of eternity, what does it look like? Does it look like it should look?

Last night in Bible Study, which by-the-way, rocks my world......I posed this question:

Has a storm ever shaken you from your Spiritual slumber like it did Jonah? How did you respond and have you found Blessing in the storm? Have you been able to be thankful for the storm?

I think we all at one time or another find ourselves in a storm, but does it rock us? Does it shake us and cause us to live and do life differently, or after the waves have calmed down a bit and a little time goes by, do we just go back to life as normal? It is sad, but that happens. But God has so been dealing with my heart about not letting that happen. We don't go through things in this life just so we can be the same afterwards. No way!!! God is molding us. He is the Potter, we are the clay. And the molding hurts sometimes, but it is so necessary for us to be used by Him. It is a beautiful thing really.

But do you find Blessing in the storm? That is a whole other issue isn't it? How often do we just go through the storm, happy to be on the other side, try to learn a couple things from it and still just move right along? But is their Blessing to be had? I would say there is. I am currently, actively, consciously seeking out the Blessings amongst this particular Storm of Pain and God is moving in me in so many ways. Oh yes there are MANY Blessings to be had here in this place of pain.

So what does all this really have to do with being a True follower of Christ? I believe that He wants us to see the Blessings amidst the pain so others can see Christ in us. If we can do that, we look more like Him. Instead of arguing and being upset and throwing a big ole pity party, let's pick ourselves up and be the men and women of God He has called us to be amongst the lost and dying of this world, all the while going through our own stuff. We look so much more like our Jesus when our circumstances do not guide our hearts, but rather we allow God to guide them into all Truth and Light.

I referenced a song in Bible Study last night that I have loved for a very long time. I told the ladies I would try to find it on Youtube and plug it in here.

It talks about this very thing and is one of my all time fav's.
It's Phillip, Craig and Dean's, "Blessing in the Thorn".



I love you all so ~~

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Have a Blessed day ~~

Fall Bible Study .... Jonah: NALI.... Weeks 1 & 2

WOW!!! What a two weeks of study ladies!! God has really been stirring in my heart and changing me from the inside out. I have definitely needed this study at this particular juncture in my life. How about you?

I am really looking forward to "seeing" you all in Bible Study tonight over at Chatzy right here.

So let's dive in shall we?

Priscilla started our study off with a beautiful, convicting poem on page 9. This is my summary:

Are you willing to serve God until it gets inconvenient?
Do you desire to do His will until it gets uncomfortable?
Do you long to hear His Word until it steps on your toes?
Are you willing to have your life interrupted by our all-powerful, all-consuming, ever-present, always loving us God?
Then welcome to Jonah!!

There is so much in these first two weeks we can talk about. My book is all marked-up, with lots of notes off to the side. But I've decided to stay with the approach Beth Moore used in our summer study and do 2 questions from each week. That's what I'll try to stick to.

Week 1:

"The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 'Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it...' " Jonah 1:1-2a

Question 1: From Day 3, page 18 & 20:

"The bulk of what Scripture teaches about this prophet and certainly the most eternally significant part of this man's life comes after God interrupted...Jonah's true significance began with a divine intervention."

"Our significance, at least the kind that will leave an eternal mark, can only be found in how fully we yield to God's purposes for our lives."

Has God's divine intervention in your life caused you to find true significance? And has that significance been hindered by how you have yielded or not yielded to God's purpose for you?

Question 2 - Day 4 - Page 24:

"Jonah had done what we often do - take ownership of that which we've only been asked to manage."

Ouch!! Did that cut right to the heart of the matter or what?

How can taking ownership in a management position in life be detremental to all involved?

Just a thought: God has called us to manage, but how often do we want to own what we are merely were meant to manage?

Week 2:

"But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD..." Jonah 1:3a

We see a theme running all the way through this weeks study: The Internal Runner

Day 1 - Page 36: "It's far more simple and discreet to run away internally, isn't it? We head to Tarshish in our hearts so we can still pretend we are obeying God."

Share an eample of running internally and what this internal running does to you externally as well.

Day 4 - Page 47: "So thank God for the storm not just for Jonah but anytime we're on our way out of God's will too. You can be asleep and not realize it until a storm shakes you awake from your spiritual slumber."

Has a storm ever shaken you from your Spiritual slumber like it did Jonah? How did you respond and have you found Blessing in the storm? Have you been able to be thankful for the storm?

Bonus Question: =) Day 4 - Page 49: I found the Group Discussion very stirring to my heart.

So, how does a pagan man waking a believing man to pray correlate to the world and the church today? Referencing Jonah 1:5-6

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. We may not get to this question tonight. If we don't I'd love it if you would e-mail me your thoughts on this. I'd love to hear them.

Well, there you have it ladies. That gives you some meat to chew on today.....

I'm looking so forward to "seeing" you all in Bible Study this evening at 7:00 CST. Dak has a CC Meet about 45 mins from here, so I'll be boogeying home, but should slide in, in plenty of time =)

Love you all so ~~

"The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds." Psalm 145:17

Have a Blessed day ~~

All that I was created to be....

The more time I spend in God's Word and prayer, the more I realize that I am not my own. That is a beautiful thing.

You see, it is easy sometimes to think I am making my own decisions and doing what I feel is best, but in realty, I am living out the life that God has given me, and as such, the more time I spend in His Presence then the more I know His will and can live so much closer to what He created me to be.

Now we know this as Christians. We hear it all the time, but have you experienced it? Do you set time aside daily to be in His Word and in Him in prayer, and beyond that are you talking to Him throughout your day? Now let me just state, that I struggle with this too. It seems that some days I do splendidly and others I fail miserably, yes I, and you, are works in progress.

I mention this because of the situation I am currently in with my knee. On Friday, I asked your advice. Now this is just not something I am accustomed to doing, in fact, if you know me well then you know that generally I only ask advice from others if I am at the end of my rope with something. And that is how I've felt about my knees in the last week or so. I have felt like they are crippling me, and I don't like that feeling much. I want to run. I want to soar. I want to bike and hike and workout with my husband. I want.....I want. But what does God want?

That is where study and prayer really comes into focus for me. Yesterday in church I went up for prayer, and yet again was prayed over by a couple who prayed exactly what I needed, straight from the heart of God. I was reminded again that it just isn't about me, it is about Him. He has the plan, I merely am living it out, and I want to live it out to the best of my ability.

As I iced both knees last night in my recliner (freezing =) I told my husband that I knew that if I wasn't healed yet, that God had His reasons. I don't know what those are, but it is not my time table we are working with, but His. I know this: if I am never healed of these knee problems in this life, I serve a mighty God who will take and use it for His good. And I can simply ask for nothing else.

So my friends, I press on. God prompted me to get my memory verses out from 2009 and start looking at them and start memorizing Scripture again. I came to the verses that seemed to be my theme verses for that period and still are today.

Romans 12:9-13

"9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need practice hospitality."

Dear ones, love simply must be sincere. He has spoke to me so much through this one sentence over the last few days. When I start saying this verse, just starting there makes my heart sing!!! I love that love doesn't work unless it is sincere. He is teaching me more and more about what sincere love looks like. And that is changing my whole perspective on a lot of levels, including the physical issues that I'm dealing with right now.

When I am sincerely loving those around me, it doesn't matter if I am walking perfectly, walking with a limp, have to use my crutches or if I was not able to walk at all. If I am loving with a sincere heart then that is what others see; Christ in me, the hope of Glory, and not the falleness of my nature.

So yes, I press on. Thanks to everyone who commented on Friday. I needed a lift. And that is just what I got. By-the-way I will be calling my doctor here today. I don't feel in any way that it is not having faith. God gave me doc's wisdom well beyond what I have, so it will serve me well to see what they think might be going on and maybe get some relief from the pain.

Love you all so ~~ thank you again for your comments and prayers ~~

Isaiah 61:10
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Have a Beautiful day,

So what would you do....if you were me? ....

Well, now how's that for a loaded question? hahahaha

Those who know me well, or who have followed my blog for a while know of my continuing knee problems. For those of you who are new to this blog, you can read about my knee problems here .

So my knees (both) have been giving me fits for some time, but most of the time I just move right on. That is just what you do when you face chronic pain. You are either pro-active and move through it as best you can, or it takes over, and I'm just not willing to let that happen!!

Let me give you a little insight to what I am dealing with.....
This is a knee with arthritis. This is the kind of arthritis that I have, although they have always called it a degenerative arthritis. I have apparently had it practically my whole life. My first surgery was when I was 7. My doc says this is extremely rare, for a youngster to have knee surgery. So the thought is that I was born with a pre-disposition for this. My dad also has this and is undergoing another knee surgery (his 3rd or 4th) on the 14th of this month.

The white that you see is the pad, and the cut away places is the arthritis. Your knee is suppose to glide easily in the groove, but when you have arthritis it eats away at your healthy pad and groove and leaves these raw places, and then when your knee moves and "glides" in the groove, it isn't smooth anymore and you have pain.

My particular knees have a lot of this type of wearing, but in my right knee that the knee cap has been partially replaced, the wearing was so significant that they removed practically all of my groove, it was so diseased, and replaced it with a cobalt plate.
So my right knee now looks somthing like this......

And this.....with my groove also having been replaced.

Now to the "what would you do?" part..... My knees are really in a bad place right now. My left knee is VERY swollen and has a knot on the side of it and it is not good at all. I'm contemplating having another steroid shot in it. I have only had 1, but can only have 3 total.ever. So I have been waiting until it gets REALLY bad to get the shot. I feel like I'm almost there sometimes. But then I think, well maybe I should just keep pressing on and not do anything else right now. I just don't know.

You see, I believe in healing. I believe that God can completely heal me of these knee issues, and I can walk and run again with no pain and swelling and have knees like I have never had, and one day that will happen, because one day I will be with my Abba Father in Heaven where there are no more tears or pain or hurt....where we will be with Jesus, the One who died for us, and be in His light for ALL eternity. Think about that for a minute..........what a beautiful thought huh? Heaven is just so AWESOME!!! And it is the place that God has prepared for us. How great is that?!!

I completely believe that God can heal here, in this life. I don't understand all the ways of healing but I totally believe that God does it, in this dispensation of Grace that we live in. I have seen and experienced it in my own life, just not yet in my knees. God laid on my heart a while back to be going up front in our church when they pray for the sick and have my knee (right) prayed for, and now I will start having the left one prayed for too. I have gotten a different couple every week, and every week it never ceases to amaze me how they pray. These people don't know me, they don't know the struggles that I face in this and other things, and yet they pray over me just what I am needing for that particular moment in time. It is truly amazing and so like our God.

So you see, I'm pressing on. But I'd so LOVE to hear your heart on this. What would you do if you were me? Would you keep pushing through the pain? Would you have the steroid shot? Would you seek other treatment, which you know would involve more surgery and probably at the Mayo Clinic (10 hours from your home)? I know it is a lot to think about. Just kind of on my heart to ask others.........I generally don't do this unless your in my direct sphere of influence, like my husband or sisters, because it is hard to know if you are not walking with me day-to-day through it, but today I woke up with it on my heart to ask you. So I am asking......

What would you do?

Love you.......

Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

What to do when your two and under the weather...

So, our sweet little g-babe, Sir Cuteness, had a touch of the blahs yesterday.

He was just feeling a bit under-the-weather.

You see, he has been battling a bit of anemia, (and we would so appreciate your prayers for our little guy), so somedays he just feels a little, eh...

So yesterday, as he watched Melmo (translation Elmo: more specifically Sesame Street =)

I hooked a baby up!!!

Yep, we moved his baby recliner over in front of the tv.....

got him a bowl of good 'ol salty chips (after he'd had healthy oatmeal =0)

He needed Buddy and Sheepy of course, and he was ALL set.....

Oh the cuteness.....
Have you ever?
Me either....


See my sheepy......he makes me smile.....
especially when PaPa makes him talk.....
It's one of my FAVORITE things in all the world.....

Yep, Sir Cuteness is the cat's meow.....
the bee's knees....
and this Grandma's heart!!!

Thank you Jesus for the gift of our Sir Cuteness!!!
Amen.

The First Meet of His Senior Year.....WOW...

Okay, So LOTS of pics in this one....

But I want to remember this .....

It was a BEAUTIFUL Day!!!

Here is the whole team....

My pics are in mixed-up order (yes as usual =)

but that's okay....I'm over it....

anyway....

Dak: This is the first of the last.....

Me: Huh?

Dak: The first race of my last year of high school....

Me: Really Dak(ota) really?

Really son?

Why do you do this to your mama?

Oh yeah, Oh yeah....
You think your gonna grow up on me?....
Dak: Whatever mom.....
heehee.....cracks me up!!!
I love this pic....me with hands on hip....
Now what exactly do I think I'm gonna do?
hahahahahaha

I love the look on Dak's face here....
He is so NOT afraid of me =)

Here we are walking back dicussing things....

ya know, how he did.....how to improve....
Sweet moments for this mama.....

Here I am in my natural habitat at these meets.....

Camera in hand.....standing next to fellow mom (in blue) friend,

this is Regina and she.....

cracks.me.up.

This little girl here finished last in her girls high school race...

in fact, the girls lapped her, but....

she kept going....

she clearly had something wrong with her legs,

but she didn't give up....

it was SO inspiring...

As she ran down the last curve in the stadium,

the whole place cheered....

it was a sight to be hold.....

What a beautiful young lady...

Run....dear one....Run.....your race.....

This is the start of the boys race....

always makes me want to jump up and down.....

heart pounding......so exciting!!!

Run, my baby, RUN......

Like the........

Wind.....

I love you my boy.....

You Rock My World!!!!!

So there you have it....

Strafford Meet in a nut shell.....

A really BIG nut shell.....

but, you know.....

Love ya,

Random Friday ~~ The Beginning of Fall Edition ~~

Fall ~~ Ahhh let it set it a minute.....

Yes I know it's not official, but it is coming ~~ YAY!!!

What I like about Fall.....

Beautiful Fall Arrangements.....

Lovely Country Porches.....

And Cross-Country.....YAY....
Tomorrow we will be here.....
Our first Cross-Country Meet!!!


And Dak will be doing this.....

And this....

Go son, Go.....

And hopefully some of this too =)

Dak has not felt well this week. He has had some serious eye issues. We are not sure what is going on. They sent him home from school on Wednesday, and we went to Urgent Care, but they are not sure what is going on0. He has to use Steriod drops and Anti-biotic drops 4 and 5 times a day, but his eyes are much better, still red, but much better. He missed practice yesterday morning, but he is back at it this morning.

We are looking forward to the season kick off and that will happen tomorrow~~~ YAY!!

__________________________________

Lately, I have been wanting chili......a yummy, delicious, rich, thick bowl of lovely chili.....

And this weekend it will feel more like Fall here, so I may have to break out my chili skills =)

Oh and be-still-my-heart.....

It is College Football Season ~~ YAY!!!

And that means, my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers will be back on the field.

I am ready ~~ GO TEAM GO!!!

They are 8th in the rankings ya know.

I can't think of the last time we started the year ranked 8th.

Ready for a GREAT year!!

This is Husker Stadium.....WOW....it sells out EVERY home game.....and has so

for like ever.....well, not ever, but a REALLY long time...

Impressive ~~Husker fans are just GREAT!!

And in true Random Friday style, let me give you a glimpse of our evening last night.

It was raining, I mean like seriously raining. In the past two days we have gotten like upwards of 10 " in our little town. I'm not sure how much exactly, but A LOT!!

And yesterday afternoon it started raining, like downpour raining!!!

So what does a husband and his little lady do?

Go running....okay walking last night, but oh how great!!

It was SO fun!!!

I mean it was raning HARD ~~ We waded in ankle deep water and through mud and loved every.single.minute. We were soaked to the bone and smiling.

Now, this was BEFORE the storms. After this downpour it started storming, we decided to stay in =)

I hope you all have a beautiful and lovely weekend.

Love and hugs,