Don't Paint That Railing

Proverbs 3:6 reads: "Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." I am not sure I followed that verse on Thursday, December 30th ... or just maybe our Heavenly Father wanted to teach me some new things. Nevertheless that day dawned as a beautiful warm, sunny day in Oklahoma City. Cathy was out of town and Larry and I were sitting with the "Granddogs!"

Cathy has four steep steps to her front door ... with a wrought iron railing on one side. The railing needed painting and it seemed a good day to do it. When Larry and I were about half through, I was standing on the second step and either slipped, lost my balance, or who knows, and took a hard fall ... I landed on my left leg. Larry was just a few feet away but it happened so quickly there was no way he could prevent my fall. When I tried to turn over, I knew I was in trouble. I just said, "Larry, get me a pillow to prop my head and call EMSA." I can personally say that the Warr Acres Fire Department personnel and EMSA EMTs are professional, compassionate and on that day they were very prompt! They also tried to help me think positively ... saying, "Well, maybe you just sprained it!" I am sure they knew that wasn't the case, but thought we will just let the doctors at Mercy ER give her the "good news!"

Fortunately God was with me (even if I hadn't asked Him if Larry and I should paint that railing). I didn't break an arm and I didn't hit my head. I began to count my blessings. First, Larry was right there to call 911. Then it was a warm sunny day - I wasn't in the rain, snow, or extreme weather. Mercy ER had one available place where they could immediately get me into one of their ER rooms. The Mercy ER doctor did a quick exam and said, "Yes, you have broken your leg!" Next came the X-Ray and they also were professional and compassionate. The next question ... "Do you have a preference for an Orthopedic Surgeon?" Well, no ... I had never had a broken bone before in all my 75 years!. God was once again looking out for me ... the surgeon on call was most capable. His news was .. "You have broken your femur in four places and will either need a rod from hip to knee or a metal plate and I won't know which until surgery." This had happened about noon and the surgeon really wanted to do the surgery that day but couldn't pull together a team. The surgery the next morning was successful ... and the surgeon assured me I would walk again, however I couldn't put weight on the left leg for eight weeks (because of osteoporosis) ... and it was a rod from hip to knee instead of a plate.

The EMSA EMTs had made the statement, "No good deed goes unpunished." There may be truth in that statement, but my philosophy is that we can learn from every one of life's situations ... and that is what I have chosen to do. One of the first things I learned is we can count our blessings in any situation. Here are some of the ones I began to enumerate: (1) A great support group of my family and many, many friends. (2) Mercy Hospital, Mercy Rehab, Doctors, Nurses, Physical and Occupational Therapists. (3) I did not break my arm or hit my head and I have good strength in my arms. I would need this for weeks to come. (4) My home was made wheelchair friendly with just a few modifications. (5) God has blessed me with trying to look on the positive side.

It has now been five weeks since my surgery ... the surgeon allowed me to begin 50% weight bearing on my left leg two weeks ago. The physical therapist told me I am ahead of the curve. Since it is a general rule that recovery is 85% therapy, I faithfully do my "at home" exercises every day. I know that I am the one who will determine my progress and I want to live up to the prediction of my Physical Therapist that "you will be walking without a cane by May 1st." And who knows, since he said I am ahead of the curve, it may be sooner than that!

Stormie Omartian once said, "Sometimes what seems like the darkest step we've ever been on comes just before the brightest light we've ever experienced." I have learned to appreciate the little blessings of life that I once took so much for granted. I never want to do that again. There is a quote from "Holiness Today" that reads, "Find joy in the little things today and make an effort to look for them." That's one of my new goals ... that I learned from "attempting to paint the railing!"

Never Comes Down As Expected

Sandi Patty sings "God Is Walking Me Through" .... The words are: "Never comes down as expected, In sometimes mysterious ways, How my heavenly Father surrounds me, Goes before me, He is there in each moment unfolding every treacherous step I must take as He lights my day." ... The chorus reads: "God is walking me through and making me sing. He's turning my whole world around with the joy that He brings. He's breaking my fall, lifting me up, changing my heart's point of view. God is walking me through." Then the second verse reads: "Peace at the height of confusion, Calm in the worst of my fears .. not a victim to life's circumstances, all the wayward chances, there's a reason for each disappointment ... And a rainbow above every cloud. I will say out loud ... It's ever the same, the pleasure and pain in every life, but count mine as gain to walk in His light."

I remember this song from several years back. In fact, about 15 years ago ... when youngest granddaughter Lauren was 10, she sang this song in a talent presentation for the Southwest Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene (the presentation was at the Anadarko Campground Assembly Hall).

Since then, Lauren and I have talked many times about how "life doesn't come down as expected ... sometimes it is in mysterious ways." I was reminded of that recently when I felt Larry and I needed a few days R & R so to speak. It didn't come down as expected ... like maybe a little trip, etc. Instead, Cathy and Christine needed someone to stay at their 46th Street home and watch Sadie and Libby (their dogs who think they are human) while they were out of town. Larry and I said we would be glad to do that. It was a refreshing time ... we got to enjoy cooking there, watching TV, and using their laptop to keep in touch electronically. Now that wasn't what I necessarily had in mind, but God had a good plan. We didn't have to drive far, we had a nice place to stay, we enjoyed it ... and it provided someone to be there for Sadie and Libby. And guess what, we get to do it again the week between Christmas and New Year's. God always knows just what we need ... In Isaiah 65:24 we read these words. "Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear."

Many times when life closes in or we are disappointed, I am reminded that God still has the plan for my life ... and the same God who has brought us this far will lead us the rest of the way home.

Down Memory Lane at Blackwell High School

Recently Larry and I had the privilege of going down memory lane with Cathy.

Larry accepted the invitation to be the pastor at the First Church of the Nazarene in Blackwell, Oklahoma and we moved there in July 1971. Cathy began her junior year of high school there in August 1971. It was a good fit for her last two years of high school. She was invited to be the high school choir/ensembles pianist/accompanist. As a new student that helped her integrate into the campus activities.

It seems Cathy's DNA was designed for her to be a teacher. When she was a little girl she would teach her dolls ... and if she and friends would play school, she would volunteer to be the teacher. So it was no surprise that in high school she still felt the pull to be a teacher; she just didn't know what she wanted to teach. In the 1970s Oklahoma English curriculum gave students the option of English for four years and the last semester of their senior year, they had a choice of either Literature, Journalism or Speech.

Cathy chose Speech and Mrs. Denton was the teacher. That class changed her life forever ... it was then she realized she wanted to teach Speech. She graduated from Blackwell High School in 1973, enrolled in Speech Communication at Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977, and her Masters degree in Education in 1981. She was privileged to become involved in SNU's Adult Education Program and now has her Doctorate in Education and is a Professor and Director of the Organizational Leadership Program. It all started in a Blackwell High School classroom in 1971.

We were on our way to Wichita, Kansas on June 11th and had time to drive through Blackwell and down Memory Lane. A former classmate of Cathy's class happened to be at the school, admitted us to the building, and he and Cathy walked down Memory Lane through the halls and past various classrooms. Cathy wanted to see Mrs. Denton's former classroom (at the end of the East Hall). She said they have switched the desks some but basically it looked the same and is pictured above for documentation.

Larry and I also had the privilege to go down Memory Lane. We drove past the parsonage and the church. The church is still an inviting structure and makes a good impression for the Church of the Nazarene.

Backyard - Work In Progress

We enjoy our backyard ... it isn't an elaborate showplace that would make the yard of the month in a gardening magazine. However it represents a lot of things to Larry and me. When we moved to Lakeshore in February 2005 the backyard was a disaster. Let's say we didn't buy the house because of the backyard. There was a broken patio and almost the entire area was barren (no grass). Fortunately the front yard had nice grass and the shrubs there gave good curb appeal.



The encouraging fact was we had plans for that backyard. First we had the patio replaced - that made a great difference. Then Larry began the process of fertilizing and giving lots of tender loving care to the grass. However, in the two back corners we weren't sure there would ever be grass there without major effort. The nice alternative woud be to develop two garden areas. Now, five years later, the photo above is one of those back corners. It's still a work in progress. Every season we add a few more shrubs and/or perennials.



Our backyard reminds me of life ... we had a plan for the yard ... and our Heavenly Father reminds us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a plan for each of us. Now, I have to tell you that some of the things we planted throughout this five-year period haven't survived. Others struggled and had to be transplanted. And that is the way of life many times. Some of our endeavors don't materialize and we have to change plans. Other times God has helped us to change from conforming to our plans to realizing that His leadership gives us better direction. He reminds us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do; everywhere you go; He's the one Who will keep you on track."



We still have to pull the weeds from our garden areas and make sure there is an ample water supply for them. That's the "work in progress." Just like I do better in life when I continue to seek God's guidance and not always rely on Connie's plans alone. Yes, I, too, am God's work in progress!

Mums In My Backyard Garden

Recently I was reminded there is potential in almost everything. A couple of years ago some exhibitors from OPMCA's trade show left several pots of mums (they had used for booth decorations) to be discarded. Candace McGinnis, Pam McSpadden and I (being the thrifty people we are) just couldn't see those mums tossed in the dumpster. We divided them among ourselves.

The ones I brought home brightened our patio for several weeks. Then when they had lost their luster, we planted them in our backyard garden. The next year we were so pleasantly surprised ... not only did the mums survive they flourished. So much so, that I think I would call them 'bushes' and not just plants. (Photo explains better than my words).

The illustration helped me to realize there is value in so many things and people that others no longer need and are ready to toss aside. Think about people who need love the most, but their disposition may make it difficult to always like their actions. I have asked our Heavenly Father to help me be more like the Master wherein whatever was said or done to Him, he didn't say a word. I have to admit that I don't always succeed at that endeavor when I have been misunderstood ... but I am still asking God to help me.

I want to be like my mums ... flourish and bloom wherever I am planted! Reminds me of what Bill Gothard said in a seminar years ago ... "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet!"

This evening (Thursday, November 12th) Cathy, Christine and Lauren are coming to Lakeshore to celebrate Lauren's 24th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to LAUREN:

L oves family and friends.

A nticipates God's plan for her life.

U nderstands life never comes down as expected.

E njoys seeking the best in life!

N ever gives up .. realizes the miracle is just around the next corner.

Lauren is our second granddaughter who made her way into our lives only sixteen months after her older sister Christine arrived. I personally will never forget the night (or rather early morning) she discovered this world. Cathy lived in Ponca City at the time. Her husband was teaching a night class. Since Lauren's due date was near and Christine was just a toddler, I drove from Oklahoma City after work to stay with Cathy during the evening (had planned to return to OKC early the next morning in time for work)

Cathy's favorite meal that she likes her mother to prepare is fried chicken, mashed potatoes (for us Southerners) and gravy. To finish it a banana pudding is always her favorite dessert. I arrived, prepared her favorite meal and we had a nice evening just visiting ... everyone went to bed by 11:00 p.m. About midnight Cathy called to me, "Mom, I think this may be the time!" And it was!

Even on November 13, 1985, Lauren was considerate ... she chose to be born while I was already there. Since Cathy went to the hospital at 1:00 a.m., it was good that Grandmother PawPaw Connie was already 'in the building' so to speak to take care of Big Sister Christine.

Now, where have the years gone ... Lauren has made our lives richer and happier. We remember the days of piano lessons (and recitals), dance lessons (and recitals), coronet/trumpet lessons (and band concerts), high school choir rehearsals (and special events) and all the wonderful events associated with seeing your granddaughter become a young woman.

Lauren, like her sister Christine, graduated from Bethany High School (my Alma Mater). She graduated from Southern Nazarene University (the Alma Mater of her sister Christine, her mother Cathy, and her grandfather Larry). The summer after college graduation, Lauren went to Sierra Leone to work in an orphanage for a month. (She still cares and prays for the children). Then this summer she had the pleasure of going to Sweden for two weeks ... that with two trips to Hawaii, one wonderful Thanksgiving when she got to see the Macy's Parade in New York, one semester at our Nazarene Point Loma University in San Diego, CA, and a week's tour with "The Invisible Child" awareness campaign earlier this year, has broadened her knowledge and perspective of this wonderful world in which we live.

Now, the good news is "this is the first day of the rest of Lauren's life!" While she has her day job in the IT Department at SNU, she is exploring options of what God has planned for her life. And we believe with her, that the best is yet to come! Jeremiah 29:11 is the promise! Happy Birthday to the "baby girl"! We love you!

I Am Not A Dog Whisperer

Those of you who know me well know that I have never had a great affinity toward animals. In fact I am sure that when I was just a toddler I was frightened in some way by an unfriendly canine creature and it greatly affected me. As an adult, especially in later years, I decided to conquer that adversity and have made a conscious effort to get to know and stroke my family and friends' pets.

However, I must say that even in spite of all my self-control, I still have qualms when a large dog jumps on me to give a "friendly kiss". And would you believe animals, especially dogs, probably sense my hesitancy ... and they will always give me friendly gestures!!

I am great-grandmother to two wonderful cats that have been Christine and Lauren's pets for almost twenty years. Sarah was chosen by the girls when they were Pre-K ages. Then Blackie is a "rags to riches" story. He showed up on their front step one morning . He had evidently been an exploring male cat and wore the battle wounds. Cathy carefully cleaned his wounds and faithfully nursed him back to health (all on the outside of the house). She resisted Christine and Lauren's pleas to bring him inside.

Sarah was approaching her first year birthday ... The girls convinced their Mom that Blackie should come inside for Sarah's birthday party (think they had warm milk or something similar). Once inside, Blackie convinced everyone he would be a good house cat and let Sarah rule! The rest is history, so to speak, and Blackie and Sarah have a great brother-sister relationship.

Many times through the years Christine and Lauren have tried to convince their Mom that the cats needed a dog to share their lives. The answer was "no" ... two cats are enough. That all changed a couple of years ago. Christine's friend Bethany found this beautiful Boxer ... Sadie, as she was named, had a story similar to Blackie's. She was wounded when Bethany rescued her, took her to a merciful vet for wound management, necessary shots, etc. Bethany already had a dog and her family was not sympathetic to her pleas to keep Sadie.

Along comes Christine ... one look at Sadie and she was determined to help solve her friend's dilemma. Christine took Sadie home "just until we find a good home for her". Well, guess what, the "good home" is still with Christine. Remember Sadie is part boxer, part pit bull, and who knows what else! So she is a good-sized dog. Now there are two cats and a dog as house pets. Just one problem exists -- Sadie and Blackie do not get along at all. So Sadie has to always be kept in Christine's wing of the house ... period, that's just the way it is.

Early this summer (June 2009) Christine and friends went to Lake Eufaula for the weekend. On the return trip, they stopped at a convenience store on I-40. It seems someone had abandoned this "cute little Heinz 57 dog" ... and now you already know Christine doesn't share her grandmother's indifference to animals. She put this cute little dog (a puppy now named Libby by Christine) in the car and brought her home with her (until we find a good home for her). Libby really is a lovable dog with an abundance of energy. The good thing is she is small and won't get much larger even when she is an adult dog. However, there are now two dogs that must be kept separate from the cats.

Now, here is the main reason for my story. Cathy called this morning from St. Louis and asked if I could run by her house and let the dogs out for their "morning exercise". Naturally I said, "I'll be glad to do that!" When I unlocked and opened the front door, Sadie and Libby enthusiastically greeted me. My task was to take the dogs from the front door, down the side of the house to the back yard. Now, don't even ask why we didn't go out the side door by the carport. Remember the dogs and cats have to be kept in separate wings of the house ... and to go the easy way would disturb the cats.

Libby let me hold her collar and even though she is usually the more active one, she obeyed and let me lead her to the back gate. Sadie (the big boxer dog) wasn't that cooperative. First, she slipped out of her collar. So I decided to leave her inside while I escorted Libby to the yard. When I came back Sadie did let me put on her collar.

Now comes the fun part. I am trying to get Sadie to walk with me out the front door and toward the side of the house. Being the good watch dog she is, she noticed my car parked at the front curb and broke loose from me to go check out the car. One has to be aware that Sadie has not always obeyed and has explored the neighborhood before. Here I was ... yelling, "Sadie, Sadie, stop, stop!" Do you think Sadie listened????

I did catch her ... and in all the excitement, she knocked me to the ground ... and proceeded to make sure I was okay by jumping on me. Now, if someone had been present with a video camera, I am sure the film could have been selected for "America's Funniest Home Videos". It was quite a sight! I finally had the wisdom to say, "Stay!" instead of just calling "Sadie!". Sadie did stay! Fortunately for me, she did let me guide her to the back gate!

The only injury was to my pride! I wasn't hurt in the fall and I fell on the grass so my clothes didn't even show any damage. That's the good news! What did I learn from this experience? I am not a dog whisperer! Let me just say that I will endeavor to find an easier way to take Sadie and Libby for their "morning exercise" next time!

In the meantime, I might even do some research on how to handle "grand-dogs!"