Please Keep the Prayers Coming

My sister, Becky, and I just got back from visiting my Uncle Harold in the ICU. His breathing situation is not any better and they asked him if he wanted to be put on a respirator. He has a DNR order which states not to put him on one if it would be long-term. The doctors said if he was put on now, it would be permanent and he'd have to live in a nursing home. Uncle Harold declined and says he is prepared to go. They allowed his granddaughters 11 and under to see him today. The hospital is also allowing my aunt to sleep on a cot in his room. Becky and I went to the hospital tonight knowing it would probably be the last time we see him alive unless God intervenes miraculously.

When we walked in, we could hear him picking at the nurse. I was reminded of when we first met him. My Aunt Thelma is only 14 years older than I am and met Harold in college. I was probably 6 or 7. When she brought him home to meet my grandparents, the grandkids should have scared him off. Instead he pretended to eat worms in front of us, which grossed me out, and picked at us. Later, he would torture us by tickling us to tears. So I wasn't surprised to find him on oxygen, struggling to breathe, and still giving the male nurse a hard time. Then he made sure the nurse knew he had been kidding, then added, "You might have to come in and help my wife tonight." He talked about Heaven while we were with him and how he has loved ones he looks forward to seeing again. It seemed like he was reassuring us, and himself, that he would be alright. I told him I hear a lot of complaining from people, then hear "Well, that's life. It beats the alternative." Well, that depends on what your alternative is. Uncle Harold seems to be looking forward to the alternative, even though it breaks his heart to leave his wife, children, grandchildren, and his parents. Yes, he still has his parents. They were there visiting tonight. It breaks my heart that his mom has to lose her child and my heart breaks for my aunt, my cousins and their children, too. Saying goodbye to your loved one is NEVER easy. Please pray for God's peace and comfort over my uncle, aunt and their family. Thank you.

Praise and Prayer Request

PRAISE REPORT

Debbie sent me a text tonight that I just read a few minutes ago. She said that Rebecca, our almost 9 year old granddaughter got saved tonight!!!!! I don't know any details of where and what transpired and it was too late to call, but I am in tears just from reading the text. Becca's always been tenderhearted and spiritually minded, asking lots of questions about God, Jesus, Heaven, etc. Just look at my sweet girl! Now, who wouldn't want to spend eternity with her?!

Rebecca, this is THE most important decision you will EVER make and the fact that you made it at only 8 shows everyone how smart and special you are! =) I am SO proud of you. I love you, baby!

PRAYER REQUEST

My Dad called today and said my Uncle Harold is in ICU on a ventilator. He was diagnosed several months back with "hardening of the lungs." (I don't remember the technical name for it.) Anyway, he's probably only 60 years old and has a wife (my aunt), 2 daughters and 6 very young grandchildren. Please pray for Harold and Thelma Allgood and their family. Thank you.

Processing, Praying, and Praising....

Thursday evening as I was heading home after a LONG work day, I called my sister and asked if she and her husband needed help at their deer processing business. A church friend had just told me Wednesday night that her husband was laid off and I thought Becky might need some help since deer season started. An hour later, I'm calling her again. This time I tell her to save a spot for Larry, too. Right after I had arrived home, Larry asked me to sit down. I took one look at his face and said, "Did you lose your job?" Yep, that's right. The paper mill he's worked at for the past 6 1/2 years is closing its doors on Dec. 26th. His supervisor had called him that morning and Larry carried the burden alone until that night. He'd even been to my school that day helping set up for the Fall Festival and never let on. He said he didn't want to tell me while I was at work. Here he was--- sick over this news, but more concerned with how I'd handle it. Such a good man! I was sick for him. He's been with this same company for almost 34 years. The local mill closed July 2003 and that's when he transferred to this one. He's been driving back and forth 70 miles each way, each work day.

Everyone I told asked, "What are y'all going to do?" Good question! =) Though it's kind of hard to answer that just an hour after you've been told. lol We're praying, weighing options, and trying to wait patiently for an answer. (I said "trying"--- no promises. We're talking only 2 months warning, people. Not much time for patience.) He can put in for a transfer again, which he might do, but all the mills, like everything else, are struggling so there are NO guarantees that they're hiring or that they'll even be open much longer. If we do move, the school system has to be taken into consideration because I'll have to change jobs again, too. (Which I really hate to think about. I'm just getting settled.) He can get some retirement, but not enough to cover bills and health insurance, which will now have to come out of my pay. He's not old enough to really retire, even if he does qualify for AARP =), so he'll find something to supplement that income.

On the positive side, I did just get a job that doubled my previous pay, remember? And has insurance benefits! I'm so thankful for that! Our vehicles are old, but also paid for. Our house has actually appreciated! That's a biggie nowadays. We do not have a short term savings, but we do have a 401K that we can cash in 5 years from now without a penalty. And we can take it out and pay the penalty, if worse comes to worst. I guess going through it six years ago (when he lacked 2 years getting even a small retirement) made it easier this time. We survived through the closure, the demotion, the decrease in pay, and him driving 3 hours a day. This time we are more confident that "This too shall pass." Today, Larry posted my favorite scripture on Facebook. This scripture got me through a rough situation eight years ago. Almost every Christian can quote it or, at least, is familiar with it. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We usually stop there, but the next two verses, though seldom quoted, are even more important. Jeremiah 29:12-13 "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

"Praising through the storm" has become a popular phrase lately. I'm going to put that into practice. Hold me to that, okay? ;) Oh, and it is perfectly fine with me if you want to pray for us and the others going through this. I'm sure they won't mind. Some of them have a lot more to lose than we do.

Speaking of praise--- if you enjoy Angie's blog Bring the Rain, head on over there. And praise your little heart out!!!!! If you haven't read her blog before, then you're way over due. =)

PS One more praise---- if you can stand it! Tomorrow I get this little guy again for four whole days! YES!!! Now, don't be jealous! ;)

Heartbroken

A dear friend of mine, Lisa, lost her precious mom this morning. She was a sweet, funny lady. Every time I saw her, she made me smile. She recently line danced at her granddaughter's wedding. What a precious memory that left Emily with! She and Emily already shared the same sense of humor. =) Mrs. Nell worked in our public library for many years and will be missed by everyone in our town. I will surely miss her. I was sick this morning when I found out. Please pray for the Arnold and Cater families. Thank you.