I realized a moment ago that I hadn't been blogging the last couple days. I try to keep up, but sometimes, my life gets in the way..
Yesterday we went to see the Endocrinologist. He was very pleased with Wendell's progress with his diabetes. He said he has done remarkably.
He also gave us the name of a bariatric surgeon from Pittsburgh who he highly recommends for Wendell's surgery.
Tuesday was office day and today also. I did 10 patient infusions today. I'm a tired cookie, and when I got home, took a nap for 2 hours skipping supper totally. I just would have fallen asleep in my food at that point.
I'm better this evening and have actually had time to read some neglected emails. Happy day!
So, I'm off to find some pants for Wendell at Wal-Mart online. I like to shop that way.. it is less of a toll on my aching body. {{smile}}
Keep praying!

Do not be afraid
The Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you."
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT

Two Margarets
Margaret MacLachlan and Margaret Wilson, Covenanters in Wigtown, Scotland, were tried for their faith on April 13, 1865, for refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration, which stated that the Church of God is a department of the State.
Found guilty of rebellion, attending field meetings, and worshiping in places other than a church, they were ordered to receive their sentences on their knees.
When they refused to bow before anyone but God, they were forced down to their knees and then were sentenced to death by drowning.
On May 11, 1685, the two faithful Margarets were tied to posts and staked in the sea as the tide was rising.
The older Margaret (MacLachlan) was farther out.
They were given many chances to recant their beliefs, but they stood firm and resolute.
Margaret MacLachlan remained silent, her eyes closed throughout the ordeal, communing with Christ until death.
As the tide rose eighteen-year-old Margaret Wilson began to sing a Covenanter rendition of Psalm 25:7.
Then, she recited from Romans 8: "We are more than conquerors through him that loves us.…"
After the waves washed over her head, the soldiers pulled her out, pleading with her one last time to "pray for the king!"
She prayed, but her pray was, "Lord, give him repentance, forgiveness, and salvation, if it be Thy holy will."
The angry soldiers threw her back into the water, and she joined Margaret MacLachlan before the throne.

We may never face the rising tide of the sea, but the deep waters of trouble and loss can be just as overwhelming.
How do you react when you feel you are about to drown in the rising tide of your own troubles?

Adapted from The One Year Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003), entry for May 11.

It is a most gorgeous day today.. it's 81* and should get up to 85 with sunny skies.. at least for now.
Tomorrow they are calling for rain.. that's okay. That's a good thing.. makes everything grow.

Check out the DOWNSIZING blog on the right hand column for Wendell's weigh in with the cardiologist today. There was GOOD news to share.

Boy,.. I really must have been tired when I put on my last posts.. everything is in reverse order.. so start at the bottom and scroll up to the beginning of the post and read.. then go up to the next one....sorry about that. Even I got mixed up reading it.. for evermore!
Addendum: I talked to Paul tonite... he said the older 2 boys went out on the zipline 4 times each..and then P3 made it half way up the rock wall in the 'rubber room'..while Daniel aka Spidey made it all the way to the rafters! He's a climber.
One other exciting item of news from today... on our way to Seneca Hills, Esther called to tell me she got straight A's on her report card ! Atta girl Essie!!! I'm so proud of you all.

The line is really high, and when the jump is over, they have a huge ladder for the jumper to get down. It's really much like those used by airlines.. very very high.. that's little Paul getting on the ladder

Joyce got ready.. she wants to try. Last year she got clear up to the top and couldn't step off..

Joyce gets her harness checked by the officials..

Awwwww.... she says 'maybe next year'..

She was in good company.. her friend Natalie made it all the way to the top too.. and then .. well.. 'maybe next year ' for her too.

P3 Zipline

He struggled for a few moments and finally got his harness on .. and then took to the stairs

There goes little Paul.. fearless!!

He actually made 2 jumps from the top of the building

Daniel and the Zipline

Here is Daniel.. the girl is checking his harness to make sure it's on safely..

I was amazed at how easy it was for him to just step off the building and go sailing down along the wire..

We went out the back door and here are David and Annabelle.. they were watching the kids take a ride on the zipline! Wow!!! I sure wanted to try.. and even went inside and up to the top to see if I could, but there were no helmets to fit me and no harnesses either.. sigh....

I really was shocked at how much room there is in this place. Wayyyyy across the gym floor is another room with hockey games,what looked like an exercise room,.. oh, it was so big! There is a basketball court and a volleyball court inside here.. side by side

I noticed outside they have volleyball courts, sand filled lots, and then a miniature golf course.. This place also has a pool.. outdoors
This is the climbing wall room. It's right off the main part of the rec hall and it's under lock and key.. There is a stairway to the top of the building just before you enter this 'rubber room'


David and Annabelle watched Joyce climb part way up the wall. There are several safety ropes with harnesses for campers who want to go all the way to the top.. like my grandsons

On to the rec hall

This is one big building.. wait till you see what's inside and outside too.. the next pictures will be a jumble.. but all in the rec hall...

Me, Daddy.... me, daddy.....me daddy.....me , daddy.. NOT YOU! ME!

They rang a bell at noon and all the happy campers and their families headed down to the dining hall where we were treated to hot dogs, burgers, chips, watermelon, and I even saw a loaf of bread with peanut butter and jelly! These people mean to please.

In the dining hall, David wanted me to take his picture with his new Seneca Hills tee shirt.. Papa and I bought one for each of the children.. except Annabelle.. couldn't find her size.

Papa has my hat

Papa has my hat!

I'll just wear Papa's hat.. but it doesn't MATCH!!!

Inside the chapel on the hill.. quite a place. It's now all enclosed. When I attended here, it was all open

View from the girls cabins

The grand tour

This is the inside of one of the girl cabins.. They sleep 10 happy campers

I believe our guide told us there were 7 girl cabins and 5 boy cabins.. I remember sleeping in one of these.. not sure which

This is how Wendell took the tour- Paul drove

Annabelle got herself some popcorn and shared it with everyone..

Joyce

We rested at the gazebo..

David and Annabelle and a cup of popcorn!

The two older boys found the creek to be a cool spot on a hot day.

Today was a very special day for us. We went with our 5 local grandchildren and their parents to the camp where 3 of the 5 children will spend a week this summer. It's the same camp where I spent a week for several years running.. only about 50 years ago! WOW! Time flies, but what is more exciting is that things have changed... It's Seneca Hills Bible Camp and it's located about an hour and a half from here.. due north.
It's location is just breathtaking by times.. We took the grand tour..
The kids were registered for their week today.

While we waited for the tour guide, we walked around the entrance.

Oh yes.. at the very beginning the kids played checkers.. on this HUGE board.

Today was the most awesome day this year so far.. almost 80* !!! Sunny, bright, windy.. just a perfectly gorgeous day.
I really didn't get a lot accomplished, but I wasn't totally idle either. Still fussing with allergies and weepy stinging eyes.. no pool today. Next week we HAVE to go.
Later, gator..

How important is the Bible?

Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage. I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord, and I obey your law because of this.
Psalm 119:54-55 NLT

The testimony of presidents
The Bible was clearly important to many American presidents.
A few examples:

It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.
George Washington

The whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.
Herbert Hoover

In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it.
Abraham Lincoln

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.
Ulysses S. Grant

From Great Thoughts & Funny Sayings by Bob Phillips (Tyndale House), pp 39-40

I didn't have much time to blog yesterday.. though it was raining, I was so tired and needed a rest.
I didn't miss welcoming spring on the 21st.. just didn't get it down in the blog on time.. so
Happy Spring to everyone!!!!

Uncle Charlie got into the act today. No swing set any more, so the kids decided to use the Jeep for some riding. The battery wasn't charged, but they had Uncle Charlie to push.. Annabelle steered, and giggled...

David said "whoa! I need to check the gas.. good to go"

"Wait! I need to check under the hood.. yep.. it's all good"

Our family is a musical one.. here's P3 singing along karaoke style.. to a country western song.. He really does well.

I love going shopping for Annabelle in particular. It seems the older the kids get, the less cutsie the clothes get..hmmmmm I got carried away last week and bought her 4 new outfits.. Here are 2 of them that she modeled, and then she decided she didn't want to try any more on..

gifts

This is a yarn tote from the Z's.. I do love it. I just got the first skein of yarn inside and pulled the yarn up through the eyelet and it works! No more chasing the skeins around the room ..
That's also the present afghan I'm working on for P2's birthday.. it's not quite done yet..a few more sections need to go on.


These are the kinds of gifts I love.. functional things that I really will use. One is a leather bound journal, and then the gorgeous mugs with tea inside.. mmmmmm... and the lovely handtowel that matches mine.. with 3 teddy bear hand soaps. Thanks Joyce! Thanks Paul, Amy and all of you..
I'm wearing my other gift as I write. It's a lavender shirt from the V's.
I have a wonderful family and I've had a splendid day!