Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Millennial Kingdom....fascinating!

Tonight was our third session of Omega. The group of ladies that we have this round is awesome! Fabulous people! The questions and discussions are great!

Tonight we learnt about the Millennial Kingdom. I've heard this exact teaching 4 times over and still am both shocked and excited by the truth of the Word of God.

Knowing what is to come is such motivation to live rightly now! Forgiveness is the door into the Kingdom....not the whole story! There is so much more!

How exciting!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Here we go....Physio!

Today I started physio again for the new year of 2008. Post-op physiotherapy started!

How I love my physiotherapist! She is wonderful! The benefits of continuity of care....she knows my wrist so well and has walked with me since February of last year with my whole wrist issue. I trust her more than anyone in the area of my wrist because she knows it so well!

We didn't do much with this lovely wrist today, as it is still trying to heal up and scar up since surgery. I did some ROM (range of motion) and am feeling a little sore this evening.

Back to the torture in the next few weeks! But it is for a good cause!

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Wind is a Blowin'...

Sometimes I enjoy a good storm. My husband sure does!

I kinda like the creaking and blowing sounds that the wind causes our apartment building to make! It's so nice to be in a warm home when you hear those sounds.
Thankfully, with the new windows we got in October, there is a no more of the rattling noises when the wind picks up! I sure don't miss that noise!

Ah...the joys of Manitoba winters and apartment buildings =)

Friday, January 25, 2008

Date Night!

I sure do love date night! And, I enjoyed watching The Game Plan with my hubbie tonight! It was fun!

Whether it's a walk in summer, a movie rental, a night at the kitchen table working on a puzzle together or a date at the ballet (because after watching the movie I'm in the mood to go to the ballet), I sure do like the guy I married 3 and a half years ago! I hope to have date nights for a very long time with the man I love!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Orientation

It's 8:30pm Thursday night. There are 19 people in my living room. It's Orientation Night for Sanctuary House of Prayer and our living room is the location for it this time around.

A few months ago, we fit in Starbuck's with 5 people. Now there are many more people who are here to hear about who we are as Sanctuary and why we exist. They would have taken over the whole coffee shop and even then not had enough chairs. People are sitting on our chairs, couches, stools and the floor because there is not enough space.

That is the Lord.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Things that make me happy:

- sleeping on my stomach! (I'd like to compare it to eating a big meal when you're really hungry! Ahhhh...)
- eating Vector cereal for breakfast! Mmmmmmm....I love it!
- really nice shadows
- the effect of endorphins after exercise
- random bits of information =)

Monday, January 21, 2008

Question: What speaks love?

Answer: Taking out the recycling in -30 degree weather (without even being asked or it really needing to be done) =)

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Enjoying a relaxing Saturday afternoon and evening....

...while the weekends are still relatively quiet.

I'm preparing myself for getting back into shift work. I am reminded that one day soon, when I get the go ahead to resume work, I will not have all these lovely, relaxing weekends without plans. Suddenly, the few weekends I do have off, could be filled with things to do, if I remember correctly.

Relaxing Saturdays are most often a blessing. Other times, I get a little antsy and want to socialize. When I was working my regular position, I generally didn't mind working on Saturdays. Saturday work isn't a big deal to me, unless I have somewhere that I want to be that particular day!

Sundays are another story! I would like every Sunday without work! With our present Sunday schedule, I find them both relaxing and busy. Sunday wake-up until 2:30pm is extremely relaxing around our place. As soon as 2:30pm hits, we kick into gear and don't stop until 9 or 9:30pm when we arrive home from our marathon day at Sanctuary. I enjoy it!

So, today was fairly relaxing and tomorrow will be relaxing and busy all in one! I'm looking forward to it! Another Sanctuary Sunday that I get to sing with the Song of Solomon team!

Friday, January 18, 2008

"Let the Puzzles Begin!"

Yes, you heard right. Puzzles. Not games.

See, Shane is NOT a fan of games. Sometimes, he humors me. Other times, he just downright refuses.

So, we had a new idea! Puzzles!

I've never been a puzzler ever in my life. But, I'm into giving it a try in the name of "quality time" with my husband! I'm always game for a cheap to free way of spending quality time without having to leave the house!

So, this is our newest experiment. Tonight was the first puzzle night of our marriage. It was fun! Relaxing!

...though, I must admit not being able to complete it immediately is a little frustrating! I like the kind of activity where I can accomplish something faster!

So, here's to many date nights of puzzling! (Don't worry, it's ok to laugh!)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Singing, singing, and singing!

Today I started voice lessons with a new teacher! The first voice lesson of 2008! And I really like her already!

I took a 6 week course in the fall, but didn't continue. With the new year starting, I felt a new desire to take some voice lessons and try a different setting and teacher.

This lovely lady, Cynthia, teaches out of her home. I got her name from my aunt. I wanted a personal contact so that I knew the person would be good! I sure like the setting of a home better, so far! She is super pleasant and I think we're going to get along great!

I'm really excited to see what will come of this! I hope she can give me training and tools to refine the not-as-pleasant parts of my instrument!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Omega

Tonight we're starting another round of the course called Omega. It is an 8-week course about the End Times. Shane and I are hosting and leading it with my sister, Steph. There are 6 others who are attending that have never taken the course before. I'm excited about that! I remember hearing some of these truths for the first time. It was a little crazy and mind-blowing!

Shane and I have taken the course once in 2005 and this is our third time leading it together since July of 2007. We always learn new revelation each time! Hearing yourself say the truths out loud and discuss it also makes it go a little deeper each time.

I'm excited to see what will happen in the next number of weeks. Because of events and the Global Bridegroom Fast one week each month, we will only finish the course at the end of March.

Here we go!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Studies in Joel

I'm going through the book of Joel with help from Mike Bickle's teaching CDs and study guide. Boy, it's an awesome book of the Bible!

Some thoughts on my mind today from the book of Joel are:

- Fasting and prayer intensify wholeheartedness. It's wholeheartedness that God is after, but the fasting and prayer aid in the process. Fasting and prayer as isolated actions aren't what move His heart. Many religions of the world incorporate fasting and prayer directed at many false gods.

- We need our hearts gripped, not just our minds stirred!

- Leaders must "give ear" and give themselves to the message of Joel. When leaders enter into fasting and prayer and lead by example, "the inhabitants of the land" tune in. The blessing of God arises when leaders lead in God's way.

- The primary problem is God's zeal (not the sin of man or Satan) and the primary solution is God's smile and favor.

As isolated sentences, some of these concepts may not make a ton of sense, but there is some awesome stuff to learn from the book of Joel! I'd suggest studying it to any of you!

We have such an incredibly kind God who gives us so much warning in the Word that trouble is coming and ways to prepare our hearts for this time of history. It truly will be like no other time ever before or ever again. Trouble is coming. And He's so kind to prepare us and warn us ahead of time...

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Wrist...

Is slowly getting better! I can lift a little more and grip a little more than last week for sure!

This morning I got to take off the steristrips and see "my holes", as I like to call them! 4 little scab marks which reveal the entrances to the "underworld" of the inside of my wrist. No stitches or anything! I've got artwork abounding on my left wrist with the scar from August still present, along with 4 hole marks!

Still praying for healing...

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Family Night with the Siblings!

Yesterday we had family night, thanks to Shaun's idea and request! We enjoyed each other's presence as siblings and it was nice! Just Shane, Shaun, Steph and myself!

We had a nice coffee to start off the evening and a little walk to Walmart. Then out for a bite to eat and back to our place to watch a movie together. It was nice to be together so intentionally! I have incredibly special siblings! My favorite in the world!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Yes, I forgot to post yesterday before bed. Oh well!

I know you're out there readers and lurkers..... I sure would appreciate some comments!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

The Revealing.....

Today was "Remove the Dressing" Day, here at our place. I removed layer after layer of the dressing until it was just my own arm and the steristrips that have to stay on until Sunday. My arm has been sore and really stiff today since it is on its own now without many padded layers =)







After many attempts with photobucket, these pictures just won't load the right side up to blogger! Oh well!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

World Wide Prayer

Tonight we had our last prayer meeting for our 3-day Global Bridegroom Fast, which we do at the beginning of every month. Each Wednesday of the GBF we focus our prayer meeting on the globe! I love expanding our intercession beyond Winnipeg and Canada sometimes!

Tonight we covered off places like Pakistan, North Korea, Nepal, the USA, Israel, and the Middle East. It's like you get to travel in the spirit when you pray for so many places around the globe in a corporate setting. My prayers for these places are just as effective sitting in a living room in Canada than if they were my country of residence.

Jesus, pour out Your Spirit on the whole wide world!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Water.

We were without it when we woke up this morning.

Went to the in-laws' to shower.

You simply need running water when you're hosting a prayer meeting....especially when one of the 15 is pregnant=)

It's amazing the little things we love and don't realize that we need so much until they are gone for a time. Like hands and water.

Monday, January 07, 2008

My husband awoke me from a deep sleep. I was dreaming away. In reality we had the surprise visit of two lovely visitors. In my foggy, sleep-affected brain, I gave them parting words of encouragement....

"Sometimes there's hope!"

I didn't realize that it wasn't perfect advice until all three responded in a funny way and blamed it on my sleepy mind!
In reality there is always hope!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Made it out of the house today....

Other than a meeting on Friday, I haven't left the house since returning from the hospital on Thursday. It's Sunday today, and I got out! And I'm feeling quite a lot better than I felt the last two days!

Nothing much to say today.....

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Yucky...

I had a super rough night, which meant Shane did too. I hardly slept at all, or so it felt. I hacked all night, resulting in giving myself a headache, sore muscles, a sore throat and a disappearing voice. I tossed and turned, had a 2am dose of cough syrup, then a 6am dose of Tylenol and finally rest a little until 11:30am.

At 1pm it was back to bed where I slept the best yet, even though still disturbed at times with my cough and my wrist. I stayed sleeping until I dragged myself out of bed at 4:30pm. I could have stayed in bed a while longer.

I'm still in my pjs, my hair is gross but why worry about it when I'm headed back to bed in a little while?

Shane's been super helpful and kind. It's amazing how many small tasks require two hands. We definitely can take the blessing of two working hands for granted when we don't have to function any other way. It's kind hard to button up your jeans (though I'm getting better at it!), put toothpaste on your toothbrush, open a jar or letter and it's impossible to attempt a ponytail without two hands!

On the outside I'm in rough shape, but on the inside I'm feeling encouraged and feel the nearness and comfort of the One whose love is better than wine!

Friday, January 04, 2008

A Few Thoughts....

My sister is wonderful. She came over with slurpees and a good movie and made us a yummy supper! So sweet!

T3s seem to wake me up instead of make me sleepy. The arm is a little sore but really doing very good! The fever has not returned but the cough is nasty and it's playing a toll on my voice.

The familiar smell of fish is wafting under our door again. Who cooks fish at 10pm?

Thursday, January 03, 2008

The wrist still feels good but.......

The rest of me doesn't feel so hot. Well, that's not true. I am hot. 38.3 degrees hot. I think I'm a little sick other than my wrist.

Nothing tylenol, fluids and a cool cloth can't fix!

Surgery is complete!

I'm back home and so far feel great! The combo of the peace that passes understanding, prayer and fentanyl worked like a dream for me! I feel really good! I felt really peaceful throughout the surgery and in recovery.

I was awake and alert throughout the procedure, asking the surgeon questions. I got to watch the whole thing on the camera screen! I think the inside of my wrist resembles an aquarium! I also got in to surgery 45 minutes early, so that was really nice!

I DON'T NEED ANY OTHER SURGERY OR A FUSION!!!!! YIPPEE! THANK-YOU LORD!

A neat note is that there isn't a tear in the ligament after all! So, there was a possibility all along that the MRI picture wasn't totally correct because at that time the ganglion was in the way. But, there is also the possibility that it was there and isn't now because of the healing hand of the Lord! I like that option!

My ligament is a little stretched so there was something not quite right, but hopefully a look around and a flush of the area will be the last thing I needed and hopefully the pain will go away for good!

Thanks for all your prayers! They totally work! Continue to pray that I'm pain-free as the freezing starts to wear off and as I recover in the next few weeks.


It's almost the size of my head!


My beautiful bandage


"What happened to you?" "I had a run-in with a bear. He's looking worse."


Does one side look a little bigger to you, or is it just me?

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

....the countdown in on!

I have 35 minutes left to eat or drink! Nothing to eat tomorrow isn't that big a deal. But, nothing to drink for 15-16 hours is a big deal to me! I'm going to be parched! And I'm sure the breathe won't be pleasant! Lovely thought to leave you with!

To the fridge I go!
I'm having surgery tomorrow....

Shane and I went to see the surgeon this morning. Everything is arranged for a scope tomorrow afternoon at 1:30pm. Dr. Turner is going in with a little camera. There are going to be 4 very small incisions, around my old scar. Supposedly this is going to be more painful, recovery-wise, than my ganglion removal in August. Yuck! He never gave me a prescription last time and this time he told me to fill the T3 prescription beforehand. So we did and they are in the cupboard. Hopefully I won't have to use them!

I have a few options for how much I want to be aware of what is going on. Some are super anxious and get put to sleep. Others just get a little sedated and sleepy. Others stay awake because their arm is frozen and supposedly they don't feel anything anyways.

I was prepared for the sedation. But, now I find out that if I stay awake and alert, I get to watch the scope on the screen and can see what he's doing inside my wrist! That sounds like something I might enjoy! So, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

I still am hoping and praying for a supernatural healing before 1:30 tomorrow afternoon. Shane and I prayed for my wrist in the office while we were waiting this morning. Unfortunately the scar did not disappear, but I'm trusting that God knows exactly what is going on. This issue will not last one extra day than what He allows.

So, I ask for your prayers in the next few days, and especially tomorrow. We are to arrive at the hospital at 11:30am and my OR is slated for 1:30pm for an hour. Continue to pray for supernatural healing. Pray for wisdom and skill for Dr. Turner. Pray for peace, comfort and protection for myself. Pray for the removal of all pain. Pray that the cause of the pain is easily found and solved, without any more surgeries necessary!

We'll keep you informed! Thanks for your prayers! They really matter!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

HELLO 2008!!!

I love the beginning of a new year! 2008, here we come!