Triple layer Fever Blister

I could not believe it when I looked in the mirror this morning. No matter how calm I say I am about this surgery - my lip revealed the truth. There before me, a beautifully formed, triple layered stress indicator, also known in my life as a Fever Blister. They have betrayed me so many times, errupting in perfect sync with all the hard times. Yikes! Oh well - there's no pretending now.
Actually it is quite funny. I have a friend from South Africa who I grew up with and she works at the University church of Christ in Abilene. Not only have we shared years of life together, we have a common bond in the old fever blister department. So, of course I called her first thing this morning and we both bust out laughing and then recounted our worst ones. Like all respected fever blister sufferers would do.
All that said, I am feeling anxious. However I am being so covered in prayer that I know this will be okay. My church and physical family have been so good to keep reminding me that they are praying and what they are praying for. My blog friends have done the same. I ask you to keep praying for me to be calm, have a peaceful attitude and that all would go well.
I won't be blogging again till I'm back home and feeling good.

Lament

The Central church family woke up Sunday morning to find out that two families are experiencing horrific pain. One family lost there son to an accidental shooting in a game of Russian Roulette and the other families son was arrested for involuntary manslaughter because he owned the gun.
How do you even begin to understand. You don't.

I keep hearing the words,

"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will sayBlessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to sayLord, blessed be Your name"

Spring Break

Thanks to so many of you who have emailed about my surgery. It is set for 3/30 - so keep praying!

My body is still on California time and my heart is there too. We had a fabulous Spring Break in San Diego. We were there 2 years ago and I fell in love with Southern California because it is so much like South Africa. Magical, truly magical. I have a theory that if you were born by the ocean, it will always call you back. Actually it is screaming at me. We did so many fun things. We did the Rodeo Drive, Hollywood thing for Michaela. Her and I took a tour of the Kodak theatre where the Oscars are held, and it was fascinating! Then in San Diego we went back to Legoland for Spencer. The kids had a ball and we did too really. We spent 2 days just hanging out at the resort by the pool, going down the waterslide, playing in the game room. It was so relaxing. One day we drove to LaJolla and the kids played in the water. We have officially turned into those people that roll up there pants and frolick in the ocean - so dull to the locals! LaJolla was magnificent. We got to view the pregnant seals and those who had just birthed babies - so precious!
All in all we had a great trip - it was long. Everywhere is long from Amarillo!!!!