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Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Michigan Catholic Bishop to Hold Burial of Babies in Abortion Dumpster | LifeNews.com
I am so thankful that these babies are now in the loving arms of their Creator, and now know His love and protection for all eternity...
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Less Than Two Weeks....
...and as soon as I realized that, within seconds of opening my eyes this morning, I developed an instant headache and nausea. Instant. I talked to God about it, it isn't that I don't trust Him (how could I not?)...but putting myself into the hands of people in a profession that has betrayed and even damaged me in the past is overwhelming. I felt a sense of panic. What will happen to me when I am at their mercy? Thankfully I am here as a result of God's mercy, and His trumps theirs...but the headache and nausea remain.
I had my telephone pre-registration appointment this morning. Her name was Linda. She has parrots too. Discussing them set me at ease before the actual interroga...er...interview began. She was very nice, good sense of humor, going through medical issues herself - I liked her. Until the end. I can't wear my wedding rings (yes, I have 2 bands, a story for another time), and they are so adamant about that that if I show up for surgery with my rings on, it will be canceled. She said they are dead serious about that. My heart started racing, I felt panic, and like I needed to run away. She told me that if they won't come off (and they won't, no matter WHAT you try - trust me on this!) they need to be cut off. CUT OFF?!?!?!? I started to freak out; she went from pleasant to insistent and was approaching dictatorial, at least from my perspective. I couldn't wait to get off the phone and try to pretend it didn't happen. Pete assured me that the jeweler will be able to put the rings back together afterward so I can wear them again. He'd better, if he can't then I don't know what I will do...this is perhaps the most awful thing I've heard yet.
Maybe you - whoever you are - don't "get" my feelings about all of this. Of course you don't know my history or my past, or me, well enough to understand it. That's ok. Just accept at face value that there are good reasons for these panics-alternating-with-periods-of-acceptance-even-if-not-CALM-acceptance. I need to get through the next less than 2 weeks, and better than I am doing it today.
Less than 2 weeks. The symbols of my strongest earthly bond taken off. Less than 2 weeks. The unexpected. Less than 2 weeks. At the mercy of people I don't trust. Less than 2 weeks...less than 2 weeks...less than 2 weeks...
I had my telephone pre-registration appointment this morning. Her name was Linda. She has parrots too. Discussing them set me at ease before the actual interroga...er...interview began. She was very nice, good sense of humor, going through medical issues herself - I liked her. Until the end. I can't wear my wedding rings (yes, I have 2 bands, a story for another time), and they are so adamant about that that if I show up for surgery with my rings on, it will be canceled. She said they are dead serious about that. My heart started racing, I felt panic, and like I needed to run away. She told me that if they won't come off (and they won't, no matter WHAT you try - trust me on this!) they need to be cut off. CUT OFF?!?!?!? I started to freak out; she went from pleasant to insistent and was approaching dictatorial, at least from my perspective. I couldn't wait to get off the phone and try to pretend it didn't happen. Pete assured me that the jeweler will be able to put the rings back together afterward so I can wear them again. He'd better, if he can't then I don't know what I will do...this is perhaps the most awful thing I've heard yet.
Maybe you - whoever you are - don't "get" my feelings about all of this. Of course you don't know my history or my past, or me, well enough to understand it. That's ok. Just accept at face value that there are good reasons for these panics-alternating-with-periods-of-acceptance-even-if-not-CALM-acceptance. I need to get through the next less than 2 weeks, and better than I am doing it today.
Less than 2 weeks. The symbols of my strongest earthly bond taken off. Less than 2 weeks. The unexpected. Less than 2 weeks. At the mercy of people I don't trust. Less than 2 weeks...less than 2 weeks...less than 2 weeks...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
THIS Is How God Worked Today!
So today I had a miserable test in preparation for my upcoming surgery. Miserable! I had read quite a bit about it around the 'net, and knew it wouldn't be pleasant. Yesterday in fact, after reading all of the reports from people who have had it, I was dreading it. I had myself worked into quite a dither from dread actually. I knew I had to go through it and didn't want to...
Last night before bed my BFF from high school Shelly - still one of my besties - said that she would be praying and that they would pray in her Bible study group this morning also, and I knew other family and friends were praying too.
Let me just stop here and say that I don't get worked up about stuff like this, not about things I have no choice about. I typically put my head down like a bull and barrel through it, concentrating on the other side, but don't fret much beforehand. For some reason this was different and I had a huge sense of dread.
So this morning when I got up I found an email from Shelly with how she was praying: that all would go well, that this would lead to complete healing, that those around me would be Christians, that I would have a real sense of God's presence, that the test would go quickly and without incident...
I no sooner read that than my Bible-verse-of-the-day popped up on my cell phone. Today's verse was Isaiah 41:10 - I will strengthen and help you. I will uphold you with my right hand. WOW! Confirmation in NO uncertain terms!
With that confirmation, my fear and trepidation left me. I still wished I didn't have to go through the test but I had my assurance that God was with me. Yes, I knew that, but for Him to use others to confirm it to me there was no denying it. And there was no room for fear.
We got there over an hour early, and they were able to do the test at 2:00 instead of 3:00 - a good thing since I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since midnight! Blessing! Judy and Shirley were the technicians (?) who did the test. They were both glad I had my Bible verse with me (I kept it on the screen of my cell phone, which I kept with me). They were very very encouraging, understanding and gentle. And when it was the most miserable and nasty, Judy spoke my Bible verse back to me! And precious Shirley made me a pot of coffee because I said that was what I missed the most, not food, just coffee...so as soon as the test was done, she brought me a cup just as I like it! And then we discussed faith in Jesus! Indeed, God provided believers to see me through in answer to that specific prayer!
Yes, the experience was terrible. I hated every second of it. Judy and Shirley were wonderful in the midst of it, and I was pleasant as I could manage but I really wanted to just leave. And I still hurt from it, almost 7 hours later, but when I remember back on the experience, even while it is still fresh in my mind how awful it was, I feel BLESSED! God took something like this and gave it to me as a BLESSING!!
Yes, this is how God worked today, and how He works most often in my life. He doesn't remove my burdens of life, He doesn't prevent me from fully experiencing them, but He does assure me of His presence with me, and He blesses me through them! In the midst of everything else in life, He is there, He helps, He loves, He teaches, and He blesses.
He is MY God, I am HIS child, and He is ALWAYS faithful!
Last night before bed my BFF from high school Shelly - still one of my besties - said that she would be praying and that they would pray in her Bible study group this morning also, and I knew other family and friends were praying too.
Let me just stop here and say that I don't get worked up about stuff like this, not about things I have no choice about. I typically put my head down like a bull and barrel through it, concentrating on the other side, but don't fret much beforehand. For some reason this was different and I had a huge sense of dread.
So this morning when I got up I found an email from Shelly with how she was praying: that all would go well, that this would lead to complete healing, that those around me would be Christians, that I would have a real sense of God's presence, that the test would go quickly and without incident...
I no sooner read that than my Bible-verse-of-the-day popped up on my cell phone. Today's verse was Isaiah 41:10 - I will strengthen and help you. I will uphold you with my right hand. WOW! Confirmation in NO uncertain terms!
With that confirmation, my fear and trepidation left me. I still wished I didn't have to go through the test but I had my assurance that God was with me. Yes, I knew that, but for Him to use others to confirm it to me there was no denying it. And there was no room for fear.
We got there over an hour early, and they were able to do the test at 2:00 instead of 3:00 - a good thing since I hadn't had anything to eat or drink since midnight! Blessing! Judy and Shirley were the technicians (?) who did the test. They were both glad I had my Bible verse with me (I kept it on the screen of my cell phone, which I kept with me). They were very very encouraging, understanding and gentle. And when it was the most miserable and nasty, Judy spoke my Bible verse back to me! And precious Shirley made me a pot of coffee because I said that was what I missed the most, not food, just coffee...so as soon as the test was done, she brought me a cup just as I like it! And then we discussed faith in Jesus! Indeed, God provided believers to see me through in answer to that specific prayer!
Yes, the experience was terrible. I hated every second of it. Judy and Shirley were wonderful in the midst of it, and I was pleasant as I could manage but I really wanted to just leave. And I still hurt from it, almost 7 hours later, but when I remember back on the experience, even while it is still fresh in my mind how awful it was, I feel BLESSED! God took something like this and gave it to me as a BLESSING!!
Yes, this is how God worked today, and how He works most often in my life. He doesn't remove my burdens of life, He doesn't prevent me from fully experiencing them, but He does assure me of His presence with me, and He blesses me through them! In the midst of everything else in life, He is there, He helps, He loves, He teaches, and He blesses.
He is MY God, I am HIS child, and He is ALWAYS faithful!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Managing My #Parrots, Managing my Life
I am a home-loving woman. I love my cozy spaces, surrounded by the people and pets and things that make me happy and add something to my life. When my home is in a state of flux, my world just doesn't seem right.
Right now things are in flux. It is the time of year when my parrots move from their summer spot at the north-facing end of our living room to their winter spot at the south-facing end, where there are huge windows that bring in every bit of sunlight that God provides. (This also involves rearranging everything in our living space, during which time I also do a thorough cleaning.) And typically I do this at about the same time as we put up our storm windows.
This year, however, due to health issues (both my husband's and my own) it has been several weeks since we put the storm windows up, and the parrots still haven't been moved. In addition, one of my 2 beloved cockatiels died this fall. These teenaged pointy-heads have been together their whole lives, sharing a large flight cage since I acquired them about 8 years ago. Now the remaining bird is using only a tiny area of the cage, and is much less active than when he had his buddy around. I think he needs a bit of a shaking up, and one of the ways I plan to do that is to move him to a different cage, one that is more fitting to a single bird. Meanwhile I have 2 lovebirds - a brother and a sister - who aren't tame, are also in their teen years, but have been living in 2 smaller cages for several years. They love to be together, don't get out for regular flight time like the others do (I have to net them to get them back in, and I hate doing that!), so they will take over the large flight cage.
My parrots have had the same cages for quite a few years, and I know that they don't like change. But I am hoping that a different cage for the cockatiel, with stimulating toys and activities just for him, will bring him out of his lethargy. He still has his friend the greencheek conure with which to share out-of-cage flight time, and they will be next to each other instead of stacked as they are now. I am hoping that these changes will help him to recover from his loss. And I know that the lovebirds will get more exercise in the flight cage, they will love being together (they stay as close as they can with bars between them right now, and love their rare times out together); I plan to divide toys and sleeping spots and feeding areas into 2 separate areas, so they can either claim their own territories or can share and fly back and forth between the 2.
I plan to do this within the next few days so that all of them can adapt to their changes in their current places in the living room. Once all is well, I can do the room rearranging that will need to be done so that they can enjoy our northern Michigan winter sunshine.
And once all is done, all 9 of my parrots and I can enjoy our cozy home again and not deal with another state of flux until spring!
Right now things are in flux. It is the time of year when my parrots move from their summer spot at the north-facing end of our living room to their winter spot at the south-facing end, where there are huge windows that bring in every bit of sunlight that God provides. (This also involves rearranging everything in our living space, during which time I also do a thorough cleaning.) And typically I do this at about the same time as we put up our storm windows.
This year, however, due to health issues (both my husband's and my own) it has been several weeks since we put the storm windows up, and the parrots still haven't been moved. In addition, one of my 2 beloved cockatiels died this fall. These teenaged pointy-heads have been together their whole lives, sharing a large flight cage since I acquired them about 8 years ago. Now the remaining bird is using only a tiny area of the cage, and is much less active than when he had his buddy around. I think he needs a bit of a shaking up, and one of the ways I plan to do that is to move him to a different cage, one that is more fitting to a single bird. Meanwhile I have 2 lovebirds - a brother and a sister - who aren't tame, are also in their teen years, but have been living in 2 smaller cages for several years. They love to be together, don't get out for regular flight time like the others do (I have to net them to get them back in, and I hate doing that!), so they will take over the large flight cage.
My parrots have had the same cages for quite a few years, and I know that they don't like change. But I am hoping that a different cage for the cockatiel, with stimulating toys and activities just for him, will bring him out of his lethargy. He still has his friend the greencheek conure with which to share out-of-cage flight time, and they will be next to each other instead of stacked as they are now. I am hoping that these changes will help him to recover from his loss. And I know that the lovebirds will get more exercise in the flight cage, they will love being together (they stay as close as they can with bars between them right now, and love their rare times out together); I plan to divide toys and sleeping spots and feeding areas into 2 separate areas, so they can either claim their own territories or can share and fly back and forth between the 2.
I plan to do this within the next few days so that all of them can adapt to their changes in their current places in the living room. Once all is well, I can do the room rearranging that will need to be done so that they can enjoy our northern Michigan winter sunshine.
And once all is done, all 9 of my parrots and I can enjoy our cozy home again and not deal with another state of flux until spring!
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All Eyes On December 1st
Everything in my life, it seems, is focused on Dec. 1st. When I think about the future, it is divided into "before my surgery" and "after my surgery".
Goals for before my surgery: lay up a supply of food for my parrots (formerly known as Itty Bitty Birdie Bites, when I was still running my business); get my shop reorganized and cleaned; move our keyboards/bookcase/music books from the dining room to the half of my former shop that will now be the music room; clean the dining room, including the carpet; move my table/chairs from the sunroom to the dining room; clean the sunroom, including the carpet; move the futon into the sunroom for added living space or a place for guests; rearrange the bird cages to the other side of the living room so they'll have southern exposure and sunshine from the biggest windows through the winter, and move our living space to the other side where the birds were - of course cleaning thoroughly (including carpets!) as I go.
And I am putting up a website for our church. This is really important to me. Right now we are living without an income, and therefore without a tithe. This is our offering that God can use for the advancement of His kingdom and is very important for me to provide. It was grieving my heart that I had nothing to offer until we get some sort of income, then God put in my heart that I can still work toward growing His church and supporting my local congregation. Creating a website is how I am doing that. I want to get it up Before Surgery, and can fine-tune it and add to it After Surgery, especially in the first days (or weeks? I hope not!) when I probably won't be doing a whole lot else. But it energizes and excites me to know that I can still contribute resources to God's kingdom in this way.
These are the main things I want to accomplish. Each day I try to do at least SOMETHING toward my goals, depending on the state of my arthritis and gut pain I do more on some days than others. But these are things that I feel MUST be done.
I am writing an ebook also, and have picked it up and worked on it on and off for several months. Not sure what I will do with it once it is finished, but that is something I want to do After Surgery. I also want to do some more recording of music on my keyboard, and I have a lot of Christian materials here - music books, CDs, fiction and nonfiction books - that I need to organize and decide what I want to do with them...and I probably will be listing a bunch of stuff to sell that I will have weeded out during my rearranging and organizing Before Surgery.
I have much in my mind that needs to become reality, and I am making it happen. So I do what I can, when I can, and it will all get done...Before Surgery or After Surgery.
Goals for before my surgery: lay up a supply of food for my parrots (formerly known as Itty Bitty Birdie Bites, when I was still running my business); get my shop reorganized and cleaned; move our keyboards/bookcase/music books from the dining room to the half of my former shop that will now be the music room; clean the dining room, including the carpet; move my table/chairs from the sunroom to the dining room; clean the sunroom, including the carpet; move the futon into the sunroom for added living space or a place for guests; rearrange the bird cages to the other side of the living room so they'll have southern exposure and sunshine from the biggest windows through the winter, and move our living space to the other side where the birds were - of course cleaning thoroughly (including carpets!) as I go.
And I am putting up a website for our church. This is really important to me. Right now we are living without an income, and therefore without a tithe. This is our offering that God can use for the advancement of His kingdom and is very important for me to provide. It was grieving my heart that I had nothing to offer until we get some sort of income, then God put in my heart that I can still work toward growing His church and supporting my local congregation. Creating a website is how I am doing that. I want to get it up Before Surgery, and can fine-tune it and add to it After Surgery, especially in the first days (or weeks? I hope not!) when I probably won't be doing a whole lot else. But it energizes and excites me to know that I can still contribute resources to God's kingdom in this way.
These are the main things I want to accomplish. Each day I try to do at least SOMETHING toward my goals, depending on the state of my arthritis and gut pain I do more on some days than others. But these are things that I feel MUST be done.
I am writing an ebook also, and have picked it up and worked on it on and off for several months. Not sure what I will do with it once it is finished, but that is something I want to do After Surgery. I also want to do some more recording of music on my keyboard, and I have a lot of Christian materials here - music books, CDs, fiction and nonfiction books - that I need to organize and decide what I want to do with them...and I probably will be listing a bunch of stuff to sell that I will have weeded out during my rearranging and organizing Before Surgery.
I have much in my mind that needs to become reality, and I am making it happen. So I do what I can, when I can, and it will all get done...Before Surgery or After Surgery.
Some Michigan schools even ban cupcakes... [Michigan - Land of diminishing rights & increasing restrictions.]
If I were raising a child in my low-carb lifestyle and they were being brainwashed into eating whole grains and other carby foods I'd be TICKED. It is a parent's right to determine their child's dietary standards. Of course, it's a parent's right to determine many things that government-run schools have taken over now. Private school or homeschool - it's the only way I'd educate a child, if I had one now...
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