Life Lessons

I had an unfortunate encounter with a wasp the other day and he won. Started out innocently enough, I was bringing the dog in and on my way back to the house I spotted one of my mandevilla shooting out a tendril that was starting to wrap around a baluster on my deck. I was untangling the plant when, OUCH, it felt like I had been shocked. I quickly realized it was a wasp, he had been hiding under the hand rail. He did his deed then flew away.

Couldn't remember what you were supposed to do, husband checked WebMD, treatment for wasps and hornets. The advice was to dab the area with an acid based solution, like vinegar or lemon juice. Next apply ice or cold compress. I had a little swelling the next day, but not too bad, so I figured I was good. When I woke up yesterday morning my hand was beginning to look a little like the gloved hand of Mickey Mouse. (not good)

Decided to make a quick run to the doctor, this is the arm that had an axillary node removed, were we looking at the start of lymphadema or local reaction to the toxin of wasp sting? Doctor wasn't sure why the delayed swelling but gave me a script for steroids and instructions to ice, elevate and try some benadryl,  if not better in the morning start taking the steroids.

Good news, the hand is better, I can once again see the tendons (and I didn't have to start the steroids)

The thing that I was considering tonight was during all of this, we went to the web for advice, went to the doctor to have it checked out, all good things, but never went to the Lord. Never prayed for wisdom, for care or healing. Do we have to wait for things to be desperate before we start praying? Shouldn't praying be as natural as breathing. Shouldn't that have been my first response.

He continues to be faithful even when I am not, avaliable even when I am distracted. 

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness  Lamentations 3:22-23

Relief

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail  Isaiah 58:11

It's been dry here, plants and garden definitely sun scorched with temperatures staying high. Then we had rain, a wonderful thunderstorm. The next evening we had more rain, then the next, it rained once more. When I went outside this morning, it was green again, the dirt had that black richness of a well watered garden.

The verse above came to mind. When the "heat" of this life makes you feel sun scorched remember the Lord is there to meet your needs, his word water to your soul.

Road Trip

My husband and son are on the road, heading south, a little later than expected, things didn't go exactly as planned, something about a car, a repair shop that couldn't find a part, had to go three hours away to find it, too much money later, car is now on the road..

Husband is driving a big red pickup truck, you can't miss it, there is a mattress and box spring sticking out of the top of the truck bed, like a sail on a boat (actually this is a blessing in disguise, son won't have to buy a used mattress) They are not traveling together, the musician had to drop some stuff off before he left.

Because of the late start they will make the trip in two days, with a goal of stopping here for the night.

I was glad I stayed behind, good for them, (having father son time always good) and it's been good for me (had some time to read) but I am ready for my husband to be home. Don't really like them on the road at night...there goes that control thing again. OK Lord they are yours, keep them alert and bring them back safely. Help me Lord to put my trust in you.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you  Isaiah 26:3

Day Alone

My husband is helping my son move this weekend, so I found myself not only alone but unable to go outside  and work in the garden because the temperature was well over 100 degrees. What to do? My schedule is usually pretty full, I know, kids are grown, so what's up with that? I don't know, I seem to have a knack for filling up my "white space"

I felt like I needed to use the time that my husband is gone to slow down, no running around, a time to "be still"

So today was a day of just hanging out. I got to catch up on some reading, actually a lot of reading. I spent most of my day reading various books.(I always seem to have more than one going) Started a new book by Elyse Fitzpatrick; Because He Loves Me.

My neighbor left some tomatoes on my front porch, I mixed them up with avocado, sprinkled the whole thing with cheese and a side of tortilla chips and and called it dinner.

Then more reading, a little puttering around the house, but basically a very low key day, one without noise(believe it or not no IPod today)

It has been nice to slow down. Tomorrow will be a little different, there will be church in the morning and then I will stop by and see Sweet Lady, maybe we will get some ice cream together. The rest of the day will be much like today. I miss my husband (he made it safely) but I have also enjoyed my time alone, it has been a time to get recharged, rested.. I think we all have a hard time slowing down, don't you?

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you  Psalm 63:3

The Musician

Tomorrow morning before the sun is up my sweet husband will be on the road heading north. When he comes back home his rented pickup truck will be loaded with household goods, and will be followed by my youngest son, the musician  (also driving with a load of household goods) This will be an interim stop, a chance to visit, then he will be off again. (somehow all of these household goods will be making another trip back to his new home)

My husband had hoped that my other son could have joined them, it's rare when the three of them can get together alone, but time constraints didn't allow for that. I considered going with, I thought I might  keep my husband company on the long drive, but it is a long drive, and accommodations are going to be an air mattress on the floor of  the musicians apartment. My thoughts vetoed (I didn't protest, the thought of  sleeping on the floor, and then driving another eleven hours would not have been fun  )

The move should be fairly easy, the musician has sold most all his furniture and says he has been packing. We have been told there are boxes ready to be loaded . There is a bike, golf clubs, a guitar, a french horn, various small kitchen appliances (my son cooks) and who knows what else. Husband is taking boxes and tape...just in case. (I remember many a college pack out)

Still lots of details to work out, like finding a place to live, but that is hard to do remotely. Praying that he will be able to find something that will meet his needs (and pocketbook) Going from a small community in upstate New York to a large metropolitan area, cost of living significantly higher. Why is he moving? Grad school in the fall, he is going to continue with his music.

So prayers needed for safety for the long drive ahead, for wisdom, a sense of humor and lots of grace, for a place to live that my son can afford and meets his needs and a job or gigs. School money is not going to cover all his expenses. Sounds like a laundry list of needs. Perhaps I should have started with what we are thankful for.We are thankful that our son will be closer to home (only about four hours away)We are thankful that he has been given this opportunity, this is such a blessing.We are thankful he is able to do what he loves to do. (he will continue to play the french horn) We are thankful that he will be close by  family (my parents, siblings will be a short drive away) and friends that live even closer that will care for him like he was their son.

Yes there are needs, but there is also much to be thankful for.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future  Jeremiah 29:11