Joe's Home

Yes!

Joe is home from Kentucky. He's been gone a week and it has been so quiet! He had a great time and we had quiet time. But, I must say that Hubs and I enjoyed our time together. Bill stopped by a couple of times and we got to spend time with him. I worked without worrying about what we would eat for dinner or what time I would be at home.

Unfortunately, I had the sinus infection from Sheol last week. I am still suffering--bless my little heart. I actually slept in this morning (7:00) and promptly went back to sleep after a bowl of cereal. Ozzie and I were piled up in the bed until 10:30. So very not me...but hey, it was SNOWING for crying out loud. It was 60 degrees yesterday and 35 today. Lord help us.

That's about all for now. Hubs has been napping off and on today. We've watched basketball, golf and one movie. I thought I would be hanging out with Joe, but he opted to go to his brother's house to hang out. What can I say? I'm just the mom. :0

Have a great Sunday!

Jan

As usual, it's been a while since I posted. Facebook has taken over my computer life. We've had an incredible couple of weeks at our house. Hubs just continues to improve beyond anyone's expectations. He was back at the office last week for half days. I am so thankful to Jesus because I know it is answered prayer.

Bill was home last week for Spring Break. I love waking early in the morning and creeping by the boys' rooms when their doors are shut--it means they're in their own beds. Sleeping. Snuggled up with Ozzie. Safe at home.

Joe's spring break is this week. I have a huge bone to pick with the University about scheduling their spring break on a different week than every other stinkin' school in Northwest Arkansas but I won't go there. No, I WON'T GO THERE. Because, well, this is a happy blog.

Joe went to Kentucky with a friend for the week which means that Hubs and I have the house to ourselves. It's going to be extremely quiet around here. Probably too quiet-- but I have a lot of little things to catch up on around here so I shall use my time wisely, I hope.

Which brings me to a verse that I read this morning. "As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you still share in his divine nature." 2 Peter 1:3-4

I don't know about you but I took great comfort in that verse this morning. Just knowing that Jesus gives us EVERYTHING we need is a huge comfort--especially in this depraved world. I especially honed in on the last part of that verse which reads ...you still share in his divine nature. How many times have I forgotten that? Gotten so bogged down in the everyday worries of my life that I lose sight of who I am? In Christ?

All the promises that Jesus spoke of are mine. Mine. MINE! Oh that I would live like that. Hubs and I have talked alot about scripture since his surgery. We agreed that we take our blessings for granted far too often and that we don't claim the promises that Jesus has given us--free of charge! (that's something this thrifty gal can get her head around)

All of this to say that I hope you have a wonderful week. Bask in God's goodness--his name is Jesus. Grin.

Blessings,
Jan

Update

Hey there!

Hubs is doing so well. He's sitting here beside me and suggested that I ask for donations...sense of humor intact...what can I say?

We've been so blessed by all of you who have called, sent cards and brought food. I have put on 6 pounds--so don't be bringing over any more desserts. The pan of brownies went FAST and guess who consumed most of them? Yes, you are correct. The woman who is up 6 pounds.

Went to the grocery store today and bought out the place. I even bought those spiffy 50 cent reusable Wal-Mart bags. I felt so green. The check out guy smirked at me. Really ticked me off. I asked him if wasn't in favor of the bags. He said he really didn't care one way or another. He was just ready for his break. So I began to think about how many times we assume we know what someone else is thinking or what we think they should be thinking. Man, how prideful is that? It's not about us all the time is it? Imagine that...

So, that's my random thought for the day. I've been memorizing two scriptures a month and my favorite one is this: No matter how deep the stain of your sin I can remove it. I can make you as white as the freshly fallen snow. Even if you're stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool. Isaiah 1:18

I am so thankful to the Lord for his forgiveness. I am so glad that I never have to wonder what I believe or WHO I believe. I KNOW him. I love him and he loves me.

Have a good weekend gals! Keep praying for my sweet husband.

Jan

Healthy Heart

Hey there my sweet friends.

WE ARE HOME! THANK YOU LORD!

Kenneth went in for double bypass surgery on Wednesday morning at 5 am. The surgeons began at 7:30. Bill and I were surrounded by so many sweet people in the waiting area. I told someone that we could have held the Southern Baptist Convention right there and saved everyone the cost of airfare. It was wonderful to look around at all the men who love my big man. Sweet, sweet men six feet tall. Wonderful men who prayed without ceasing. I'm so thankful I could bust.

The surgeon finished in under three hours. They had to do three bypasses instead of two. But they were able to harvest veins from one leg instead of two. This was a real blessing because his recovery time will be less. The incision on his leg is from his ankle to his knee. (it makes my leg hurt just describing it) And, just like with my surgery this summer, they used SUPER GLUE to put him back together. Humpty Dumpty should come to our hospital. Really.

Later that evening they were able to take him off the ventilator. By the next morning he was sitting in a recliner. That afternoon he was walking. I am still in shock.

Anyone who thinks prayer isn't effective should talk to me. God was so good to us! My man is way ahead of schedule. He HASN'T HAD A PAIN PILL IN 24 HOURS. And the guy has a scar from his throat to his bellybutton and down one half of his leg. THEY SAWED THROUGH HIS STERNUM AND SPREAD HIS RIBS. Don't be telling me the Shephard doesn't take care of His Sheep. No sir. Don't even think about it.

So, we are home. Watching the snow. Sittin' in front of the fire. Ozzie is snuggled up next to me on the couch trying to decipher the hospital smell his Man Master is emitting. Dadgum betadine. You just can't get rid of it.

Hey--maybe I bathe my bod in betadine for that mid winter tan...

Thanks for your prayers, girlfriends. Love you all.

Jan

Heart Surgery

Hi Friends,

Please pray for my precious husband as he undergoes bypass surgery tomorrow at 5 a.m. I will write about it tomorrow night when he is out of the woods and in ICU.

Believing in our Lord for miracles,

Jan

Happy Birthday Bill-O

Yes, I'm one month late in posting my eldest son's 20th birthday pics. So, sooooo me. Get it? Sue me? Sooooieeee? Okay, I had to throw that in since you can see the darling cake I ordered for Bill. He had a wonderful day. We went to Shogun's for dinner then we lavished ( chick word ) him with gifts. I had more fun shopping for him. I LOVE to buy men's clothes! They are so easy to buy...pants and shirts. What could be easier than that? Okay, I'm rambling now. I guess it's the talk of shopping.

My precious 20 year old--hard to believe!

Skip forward to the ice storm that hit us about three weeks ago. We were without power for 6 days. SIX STINKING DAYS. We piled the mattresses in the den and hung out together for 24 hours a day. Yes, you read that right. The first three days we couldn't leave because the roads were so bad. Trees were down everywhere. Our neighborhood has 80, 90, 100 year old trees. You can see from the pics the amount of damage. We cheered and threw kisses at the SWEPCO linemen as they drove into our neighborhood. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life!

Now, fast forward again to Valentine's Day yesterday.I made my man a strawberry pie. His favorite treat in the world. Now, I have to admit that I purchased the gel, the Pillsbury pie crust, but I DID wash and slice the berries and put it all together. And because I went to so much trouble, Hubs bought me my favorite thing in the whole world--A RUSSELL STOVER sampler. And to top if off, he found one with none other than Snoopy on it--it sure is nice to be loved, is it not?

I hope you have a great week and Jesus blesses you immensely.

Jan

A New Chapter

After being a stay at home mom for 21 years I have re-entered the workplace. I haven't been this excited since Maybelline started making washable mascara in the seventies.

I am now the Site Director for Loving Choices. You can see our website at lovingchoices.org

I volunteered there as a peer counselor last year and fell in love with this incredible organization. We are a non profit crisis center founded by pro life Christians twenty years ago. What's so awesome is that I had been praying for specific things over the last year and God answered many of my prayers with this new position.

• I prayed for something to do where I could make an eternal difference
• I prayed for a small part time job where I could make some moolah
• I asked God to use me in a way where I could share the gospel (this is my passion...I love evangelism)
• I asked for a new adventure where my family could still be first

You should see our facilities. They are beautiful. One is right by the University and the other is north. (up yonder as my grandmother would have said) I will be working at the one north of my home. It's only a 30 minute drive and with my Travis cds, hey, it's a great time of praise!

So, if you would lift me up in prayer I will be your new BFF. Put me on a prayer list and I'll send you a Razorback memento. Which reminds me...gotta run. The Hogs are on tv.

Hogs and Kisses!

Jan

PSS Go to the website! I'd do a link, but don't know how. Yes, I'm pathetic but I have all my teeth :)