Long Day

Hi everyone!

I'm going to keep this brief. . .I know. I have said that before. We'll see what happens!

This morning started out as a normal morning. Kids off to school. In-laws resting in the living room. I was contemplating whether I would go to the office in the morning or afternoon (light workload). When the phone rang.

It was my Mom. . . she and my dad were on the way to the hospital. He had been experiencing chest "pains" which he (and she) was attributing to indigestion. You see where this is going, don't you...? I thought so.

Mark and I joined them at the ER within the hour. And the waiting commenced. After a heart cath, they determined that a posterior artery on the lower backside of his heart was completely blocked. They also found a number of arteries around his heart with 30 - 40% blockages. Two stents were inserted -- large ones, according to the doctor.

He will be allright. He will be on medicine (Plavix) indefinitely. He will have to start eating healthier, exercise more, and watching his sugar & cholesterol. So. . . we're walking a new road with him.

He came through the heart cath & angioplasty just fine. He doesn't like (or rather his body doesn't) anesthesia. The nausea he was experiencing eventually subsided. Mark and I headed home around 5 p.m., where we joined the kids for dinner with my in-laws.

He should be headed home tomorrow morning. Our plans for Caroline's birthday party on Saturday has been moved to Sunday. Flexibility is the key, baby.

It's been an emotional day. I've cried a few tears -- not as many as I would have thought, actually. God's provided grace and mercy at those times when I've needed it most. He's held us all in His hands. . . and there was no place I would rather have spent my Friday. (His hands. . .not the hospital)

Many of you already know about this--and have been praying throughout the day. Thank you -- those words seem so inadequate. But, we are truly grateful for prayers being offered up all over the place today. And for those of you whoa re just finding out about this by reading. . . please take a moment and thank God for healing. We'd also appreciate prayers for Dad as he heals, adjusts, and recuperates.

I have a story to tell that involves my dad. I meant to type it earlier this week, and for some reason, I didn't get a chance to do so until now. I'm thinking it was a "God thing" that I didn't know about until now.

Here goes. We'll see if I can do this without crying:

Last Sunday, Dad preached at church. It had been a few months since he preached -- but this time was one of the best I have *ever* heard him preach. Seriously. It was based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land." One of my favorite scriptures.

He seriously knocked this one out of the park. But it wasn't the sermon that stuck with me. . . it was an illustration he used that did me in.

He talked about a sermon he heard a few years back -- where the speaker said that he thought there would be nothing worse than standing before God on Judgment Day, and having God say: "So, what did you do with the book I wrote?"

As I thought about that illustration, I realized that (over two months ago) I received a copy of my friend Stephanie's recently-published book. She has been a really fun addition to my "virtual" friends. We've been together on no less than TWO occasions, and getting a copy of her book was very, very exciting for me.

But, I haven't read it yet. And I feel bad.

She knows I'm busy. In fact, she often tells me that I'm too busy. And, she's probably right. But still. I haven't read her book.

(Yes, she does read my blog -- and yes, she already knows)

By the way (shameless plug here) you really ought to get a copy and read it. Do what I say. . .not what I do.

Annnnnnnyway.....when Dad shared this story on Sunday, I couldn't help but think of Stephanie, and how bad I felt when she wrote on her blog about people not reading her book. I felt so bad, actually, I wrote her an email profusely apologizing for not having read it. Yes, I was vain enough to think that post was about me. . . (go ahead -- start humming the song!)

I realized that I should feel the same remorse for not reading the Bible as I felt for not reading Stephanie's book. And, although I cannot say I'm totally there. . . I have been very convicted this week.

So, there you go -- it's my little story about something my dad did that really encouraged me. He's pretty cool like that.

. . . and no, I'm not crying after writing this. It might be because "Scrubs" is on TV in the background. Call it a whim.

Stephanie -- for the love of God, I will read your book. I promise. I may have to read a few chapters of Deuteronomy before I can read yours without some guilt (hee hee). But, it's on the top of the "to read" pile.

Thanks, everyone -- your prayers for Dad and Mom are greatly appreciated.