"The Nurse"....aka Shane's mom

We've had a little drama over at our little apartment in the hood the last two nights.

Last night, we were ready to eat supper when there was a frantic knocking at our door. We don't usually have knocking at the door.

Shane opened the door and the middle boy (grade 7) of our old neighbors who moved to another a building in the same complex was out of breath and asking if the nurse was at home. (He had remembered that I was a nurse). He goes on to tell us that his friend needs me and they found her lying down behind the building, unconscious!

I'm total not panicked but want to check out this story right away. So, I grab a watch in case I need to get some vital signs on this young girl and Shane follows with the cell just in case we have to call 911.

I get outside and the girl is walking around but obviously upset, followed by the usual gang of kids. I guess there was a fight and supposedly the story goes that she had handfuls of sand thrown down her throat. She wasn't too interested in talking to me.

So, I concluded to the kids that the girl was walking, talking and breathing so she would live. And, I suggested that if she felt worse to GO HOME TO HER MOM. (remember that part)

Shane and I go back upstairs to eat supper. Our buddy follows. He doesn't want to leave. He promises to return tomorrow at 6pm.

Then there is another knock at the door. He's back asking that the nurse would come and see the girl. I reiterate that she should go home and see her mom. (This whole time we can watch and hear what is going on out the window....knowing that she is walking and talking, but had recently wrapped herself in a blanket and had laid down on the pavement in the parking lot. He says she's unconscious again. We assure him while watching her get up and walk around that she is not.)

Shane overhears the idea yelled out by one of the kids that perhaps they should kidnap "the nurse"!! (We are laughing and trying to hide under and beside the window so that they can't see us from outside)

We continue eating. Another knock at the door. Now the younger brother is at our door....asking Shane if his mom, the nurse is there. So, now I'm Shane's mom! I tell him that I will come down again but only to escort the girl home to her mom.... He goes to relay the message. We hear him from the window yelling what "the nurse" suggested. Too funny!

Then the drama calmed and today we saw the girl walking around outside from our window. Obviously it wasn't too bad.

6:00pm rolls around tonight. We're preparing to have supper. No buddy yet.

6:20pm - I'm dishing out supper. There is a knock at the door. Our buddy is at the door with a playstation controller and some games, prepared to come and hang out.

So, we spent an hour and a half in the living room with our buddy with Shane beating him on every playstation game they played. Strange....but neat. We'll see what happens from here!

There's always a little drama in the hood of St.Vital!

Appointments, appointments, appointments!

This week is full of medical-related appointments! I have 2 sessions of physio and 3 doctors appointments!

This morning I had one with the ear, nose, throat doctor. She is super nice! I had to see her a few years ago for my ear after a car accident when the air bag went off.

Anyways, I saw her because I've had a really strained voice for the past few months. I thought it was all related to singing....maybe I was using really poor technique. So, that is why I'm taking 6 weeks of voice lessons. I realized while resting my voice from singing a few weeks ago, that it still feels strained even when I'm simply talking.

So, my vocal cords look great! The area that connects my vocal cords to the back of my throat appears inflammed and irritated, likely due to my "angry stomach" and the heartburn that accompanies it. So, I have to keep on the new stomach medication I started in August and see if that helps the situation.

The other thing the doctor recommended was voice/speech therapy! So, I've been referred and I'm going to find out if I use my voice poorly even with simple talking! Boy, oh boy!

That's the latest health-related story!

Keyboard....

Does anybody have a keyboard that they could lend out for a little while? I could use it! I want to be able to practice my voice pieces at home and I don't have a keyboard. It could be small or regular sized...doesn't matter to me as long as there is an octave or two!

Let me know if you have a keyboard you could lend me!

Wrist update

I just got back from physio and have a bit of good news.

But first the no-as-good update. Boy, does that scar massage and stretching hurt!!! Ouch!!! I have to bite my finger at the worst parts! That scar is NOT cooperating with us as it should! It is bigger than the ganglion was!

The good news is the pain is paying off! A week and a half ago when I started physio, the physiotherapist measured how far I could flex/bend my hand and extend it the other way. Well, she measured me again today and I've increased my range of motion by 20 degrees and 15 degrees! Yeah! Something is changing!

There is still a lot of work to be done to make my left wrist/hand the same as my right hand! Lord, I ask for complete healing for everything involved, scars, ligament, whatever and the absence of pain during the process!

Building Faith and Becoming Thankful

I'm contending for a breakthrough in trust and faith in God's faithful provision in this time in our lives. I want to be one that trusts fully in the face of need or in the face of plenty. I don't want the circumstances that we confront to change the way I feel. I want to rest in faith regardless of what is in front of us.

I think this is a really important time in the life of Shane and I and in the history that we are building in God. These years of risk and need are critical in the foundation that we are laying for ourselves and our little family. I want these years to build trust and faith that moves mountains for the rest of our lives.

"..for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want...." Philippians 4:11,12

I think I remembered a very important piece in the process of building faith this morning. Thankfulness! If I'm staring at our needs and praying for provision, I can become a little overwhelmed with what is in front of me. I still need to be aware of these needs and bring them to the Lord in prayer but I need to do this with a thankful heart. A thankful heart will do a work on the inner man that focusing on the needs will not.

So, regardless if I have tons or little, I want to be thankful for everything! Thank-You! Thank-You! Thank-You God! Having a thankful heart will change the inner workings of my heart and set me on the path to walking in even more faith!

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" Colossians 4:2

Needs......

We've got some extra upcoming needs. Shane and I went to the dentist this afternoon and both need to get some work done. Fortunately, most of that should be covered by my benefits. Unfortunately, I need a crown!!! Even with benefit coverage that is going to cost us a large amount. I need to lay that at the cross as I'm feeling a little nervous about that cost at the moment.

On route to the dentist, I got my nursing license renewal in the mail. That is another expense that I had forgotten about!

Jesus, You are our Provider. PLEASE, increase my faith in Your provision. You are the One we trust in. You are the One that will take perfect care of us!

onething is coming to Winnipeg! Best of all this conference is absolutely free! This is not a typo and you are reading the statement right. The conference is ABSOLUTELY FREE!! If you are a Winnipegger or living in Manitoba then this will be music to your ear.

If you are a youth Pastor, or youth leader. This conference I highly recommend you bring your youth too. There is no conference that I have ever been to that is like this conference. It will change and challenge you and your youth group.

The conference is being held on October 26-27 at Calvary Temple in Winnipeg. To register click on any of the words that say onething on this page. For more details click on anything that says onething as well.

What is onething exactly?

onething is a part of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri (IHOP–KC). Beginning in 1999, Mike Bickle gathered a few young adults together to start a prayer meeting that has continued night and day since. With every prayer meeting having a full worship team, we total 84 two-hour prayer meetings a week with over 1,000 people involved, continuing over seven years of unceasing night and day prayer, and continue to watch the fire on the altar burn unceasingly.

It is from this seedbed of night and day prayer that we call this generation to a wholehearted pursuit of God, challenging them to seek Him with lives of prayer, fasting and fulfilling the Great Commission. Each year, we have over nine conferences around the nation. Also, we offer two leadership summits and a youth conference, which imparts vision and demonstrates practical ways to living out wholehearted devotion. We desire to see millions of young adults have deep understanding of God’s emotions and profound knowledge of the hour in which they live.

Watch the video below for more information on what onething is.

7 years ago today.....

Funny how times flies when you're having fun! 7 years ago today, September 8, 2000, Shane and I officially started our relationship as a dating couple. 3 years and almost a month later we were engaged on October 3, 2003. Then the big day came on June 12, 2004 and here we are today, over 3 years of marriage under our belts! That last 7 years have been a blast in relationship with my favorite guy! I can't imagine life without him!

On the wrist front, I started physio again yesterday. I am able to see the same physiotherapist as I did February through June of this year. She was shocked that I had surgery so fast (as I was!). Good thing I've gone to see her. The scar is healing nicely on the outside, but definitely needs some work. It is quite raised, actually it looks bigger than the ganglion did! So, I'm on a strict schedule. I have to do 4 minutes of scar massage 4 times a day....and that is painful! It feels like pressing on a bruise over and over intentionally! I have to stretch my wrist every hour and do some of my old putty exercises. My wrist doesn't want to move much because of a big mass of scar tissue! The next 3 weeks of healing are important in my job of working on this scar!

The exciting news is that the doctor and physio told me to play some guitar! I played 10 minutes for 2 mornings without bothering my wrist noticeably! Yeah!

Prayers on My Heart

I've had a prayer on my heart lately. I'm asking that God would strengthen my yes for everything that is of Himself.

I really desire a perspective change. I want to think like Him. I want to process like Him. I want to be willing to do anything for Him.

I want to walk so in-step with Him that I am willing to do or say anything the moment that He leads. Wouldn't that be great?! A partner who walks so closely to Him and knows His heart, that there would be no doubt and no question when He asks things of me. I would do ANYTHING, ANYTIME!!! That's what I want.

Along with that prayer, comes the prayer that God would loosen and release my grip on the things of this world. I don't want to be hanging on to anything else. I only want to be hanging on to the arm of my Bridegroom. I tend to feel busy on the inside. My mind or heart can be so distracted by things of this world that really don't matter in light of eternity. They aren't bad things but the way they effect me isn't right. They don't deserve so much thought, emotion or attention.

In the midst of so many natural, human needs and processes, I don't want any of them to be the main thing on my mind or heart. I want God. I want Him to consume me. Then I can do all the normal, human things that need to be done from that place.

I want to be a wife, sister, daughter, friend, mother (one day), nurse, intercessory missionary, secondary to my first pursuit of being a lover of Jesus.

Provision....

I'm feeling encouraged today.

I've been feeling on the down side lately, really feeling our financial needs somewhat consume my thoughts. I had a really good time in prayer yesterday, with some tears, and feel so much better both yesterday for the rest of the day and today. The encouragement hasn't come from miraculous provision between yesterday and today, but instead from the encouragement and breakthrough that can only come from the Holy Spirit on my inner man.

I don't want to be secure and relieved when the needs are met alone. I want to feel the same way when I'm in need without seeing the provision, as when I have plenty. I don't want the things of this world to consume my heart, soul, mind or strength and rob me from peace on the inside. Whether we have a struggle or a miracle, I want to have the same joy, peace and confidence in His provision in my life.

I sure wish that I could snap my fingers that I would have all the confidence, trust and faith in the world. I do have such small faith and often find myself doubting. How I long to be more mature!

The provision praise report for today is related to physiotherapy. I wanted to see the same girl that I saw for so many months earlier this year. I like knowing that she already knows my wrist so well. The problem, I found out this morning, was that she has moved to private practice and with my limited benefit plan, I'd have to pay her myself. Not going to happen.

So, I made a call to WCB to ask if they would be willing to cover the cost and I could see the same physiotherapist. They had no problem with that at all and told me I didn't even need a doctor's referral, which is usually like gold! I am encouraged that even the physiotherapist I wanted to see has been covered! Thank-you God!

Omega Course

Tonight we finished our second round of the Omega Course. Omega is an 8 week course on the End Times. We have had a blast with just a small group of 4 in our living room each Wednesday night (minus tonight and the Global Bridegroom Fast weeks!). The same principles and truths in the Word come alive in new ways when you hear them multiple times!

It was a great few weeks enjoying good food (a few suppers together and a few cheesecakes!), good fellowship and great teaching! That is a great way to spend time!

And Shane and I are preparing to do it all over again in September! We want this deep in our grid!

Sleep....

I'm sleeping like crazy this week! I actually let myself sleep in the last 3 days, pretending that my recovery with my wrist is holidays. And I'm sleeping a lot! It has felt quite refreshing! Though sleeping in like this every day would be such a waste of life longterm!

I'm taking the next few weeks to do a few things while I still have the time. I'm hoping to go and see my mom one of these days and I'm doing a coffee time with a friend here or there. I've started a grocery project on a spreadsheet (I'm turning into Jason!), where I'm going to visit each grocery store around our place to find out where I should be buying what. I'm really enjoying a DVD teaching series on Song of Solomon by a woman named Diane Hallam. We're finishing up the second round of Omega on Monday.

I'm really cherishing these last few weeks with the amount of time I have with Shane. These last 6 months have been so special for our marriage and I'm clinging to the rest of the time we have left before I'm at work more often. I love the occasional walk or Starbuck's in the middle of the day when we both need a break from studying. It is so great to be around each other so much! I'm not nearly sick of him! And that's a good thing because if the Lord blesses us with what I desire for the future, we'll be doing family and house of prayer stuff together full-time in the years to come!

So, I'm cherishing today and asking the Lord to prepare my heart for what is to come!

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVELY HUSBAND!!!!!

Despite some pain in my left hand, we've managed to spend a very enjoyable weekend celebrating Shane's 27th Birthday! I like the sound of that number....27!

Friday night was our date night. I took Shane to The Keg for supper and boy was he happy about that meal! He did have to cut my steak though as I was a gimp and by supper time the freezing was starting to wear off!

Then we went for a nice walk through St.Vital Park and met up with our friends, the geese and ducks for a time! My favorite thing is when they put their faces under the water to look for food and they are vertical in the air and almost fall over! Their butts are way in the air!

We then headed home to watch one of the Bourne movies!






Yesterday, we celebrated with friends at St.Vital Park in the evening. We had a blast! We had a potluck BBQ and didn't know how long we'd stay but we stayed until the park closed! Shane had so much fun that he was wired up and didn't sleep great last night. That's what happens when you have a great time! Thanks for all who came!

All finished!

It is hard to type with only one hand!

Surgery is done and went really well! I got in a little early, as the lady before me had to go to the bathroom when they called her. So I got in an appointment ahead! We were home by 10:20 instead of starting the surgery at 10:15.

The local anesthetic burned like crazy when the surgeon injected it into my wrist! That was the worst part. Otherwise, I chatted with the doc and nurse throughout the whole procedure. And I could kind of watch! I got to see the stuff he took out after it was over! Just like the scope, it felt weird that I could feel tools inside me!

So far I'm feeling pretty great! Hopefully that stays when the freezing wears off! No dishes for the next few days, as I have to keep the gauze dressing on!




My sister rocks and brought by a surgery present last night! Yeah for gummy candies! Let's celebrate!

12 hours....

It will all be over in 12 hours. Wow!

I'm amazed at the supernatural favor of God. Something I anticipated would take 6 months, took less than 25 hours. That's God for you.

I'm sad to see the beautiful schedule that Shane and I have been blessed with in the past 6 months leave our lives. But it's time to move on. I knew the nice schedule would come to an end sometime.(I've been working days, no evenings, nights or weekends.)

The other part of me is excited. I know that God is in control of all my healing. This is the day that He said "That's enough. This is finished". I felt that. He has given us rich things throughout this last year dealing with my wrist. It was an opportunity for us to develop hearts that would not be offended when healing didn't come right away or in the form that we wanted. Instead, God really did use this time for good!

And now a new season awaits us! When one door is shut, another opens, right?!

I'M IN SHOCK!!!!

I went to see the surgeon this morning. Beautiful, new office! It made me feel more at ease.

He wants to operate on the ganglion and remove it, hoping that all the pain will end with that operation. He doesn't want to do anything with the ligament. The only thing he does for torn ligaments is fuse them! I DO NOT want a fused wrist! That could limit my wrist's mobility by 50%!!! No thank-you!

So, they were booking surgery into 2008, which I had prepared myself for. They had a cancellation in November of 2007. And......a cancellation TOMORROW MORNING!!!!

So, I'm totally in shock. I'm having surgery tomorrow morning at 10:15am and will be off work, recovering, for the next 4-6 weeks. I was not prepared for that!

I was supposed to go in to work for the rest of the day after my appointment but after that news I need to prepare for tomorrow. I had phone calls to make, schedules to readjust, etc. I think I'm going to clean my house a little more today so that it's good for a while. I don't have to worry about that kind of thing because I have a fabulous husband that will take care of it all!

It's kind of sad that surgery is happening right over Shane's birthday weekend. I had plans for the weekend that may not work out, depending on how tomorrow goes and how the pain is after the operation. We'll see!

So, here's how you can help! Pray for me! Pray that tomorrow goes smoothly, that I have minimal or no pain and that this surgery takes away all the pain and limitation. Pray that my ligament heals on its own and no action is needed for that!

Whew! What a morning!

Off to the surgeon's office!!!!

So the day I've waited months for is finally here! I am headed to the surgeon for 9am. I'm praying for favor, answers and a nice, listening surgeon. I'll keep you posted with answers and info!

Pray for me this morning!

Something I really like about my mom....

You know there is something I really like about my mom. I'm a schedule kind of girl and so is my mom. This we have in common and it works well!

I just got a call from her. 10 minutes later we have Shane and Shaun's Birthday Family Dinner, Thanksgiving, a Girls Birthday Night Out and Christmas planned with times and dates and menus! That is my idea of the way to plan things! We've planned everything until February!

Whew! That is speaking my language! Now I'm excited for all these events!

Still a little under the weather....

So I did end up heading to the walk-in on Monday morning. No strep throat! Yeah! Just a mild laryngitis.

The next morning it seemed to progress into cold symptoms and I've been sneezing, coughing, stuffy and occasionally having that aching feeling.

Needless to say, I did not want to give the sweet new babies or their moms my germs and I'm recuperating at home on the couch today. Tomorrow is my long-awaited appointment with the surgeon for my wrist! I'm praying about it and really anticipating it since I've been waiting for further direction!

Tea and a Grandma Grace quilt to snuggle in is what today calls for!

Ouch!

The digital alarm clock shone 5:30am. The sore throat roused the girl from her sleep. With each swallow, she thought she may be swallowing her tonsils. She arose, inquired of walk-in clinic hours and tried then again to return to the land of sleep. To no prevail. The clock shone 6:10. Alas, it is done. The night is over. She arose to greet the day with a warm bath and a warm cup of tea.