What do you get when you mix hormones, 2 million spills in one day beginning as one rises from a dead sleep, 3 wild boys, 1 whiney 2 year old and the one who gave birth to all 4 kids?
I have just three little tiny letters for you
p m s
This morning
This morning I sat and checked email as my 2 year old daughter sat behind me in the office chair. I listened to the gentle sucking of her thumb as she lifted my shirt to place her cheek on my back. She just sat like that for several minutes. Ahh….heaven. Is there anything better?
Enjoy your kids today,
Julie
They grow up so fast….
My babies (at least the two oldest) got their football gear to begin playing football with the rec. league this year. When did I blink and them grow up???
A big thanks
A big thanks to all who have prayed for me. Although not completely better I continue to heal from surgery and look forward to the day I have no incision pain.
This time has been a great testimony to God's redemptive work in my life. I've seen this through the countless number of friends who have brought dinner, taken my kids, came to visit, helped me dress when that was hard, etc. I know God has grown me because one does not have such good friends without also being one. I see my growth reflected in the actions of my friends.
Lord, may I always be “Jesus with feet” to those around me.
Thank you publicly to my sweet and precious (and very good looking) hunk, oh, I mean hubbie.
And thanks to my MIL, SIL, Adonnya, Melinda, Jennifer, Laura, Amy, (the best friends a girl could have in a time of need) and many others who have ministered to me. You are the best!! And I thank my God for you!
In the next few days I hope to post about mothering techniques learned from my cat. I'm actually learning alot!!! I just gotta share it with you.
Until then,
Be blessed with friends and by being one.
IN HIM
julie
Day 6…..yuck.
okay, no one told me i'd feel like a mack truck ran over me just when i thought this surgery thing was a snap. the last two days have been like getting over the flu. Please…..pray for me.
i took a couple pics of the baby kittens today. they are one week old and beginning to open their little eyes. they are so cute.
here they are all cuddled up together, still in my tub on a blanket
and here's one of them sleeping so soundly. i wonder, do they worry about things? no, of course not. why don't we sleep so soundly trusting Jesus?
nothing's better than a foot to cover the mouth while snoozing…
check out the one on the right ajust laying on top of his brother or sister. they are like little snuggle bugs.
and another close up of one of them sleeping so soundly.
“Lord, help me to trust like them”
Goodnight,
Julie
Who is it About?
Who is it about?
by John Fischer
by John Fischer
It finally dawned on me. “It's not about you” is about me.
Ever since I first picked up The Purpose Driven Life and read its first sentence, “It's not about you,” I have been impressed with the impact of that simple statement. First, I saw it from a cultural standpoint, equating much of the book's relevance to the way that first sentence skewered what the “me” generation has needed to hear for about 20 years. After a constant mantra in psychology, education, social therapy, advertising, and in church about self-awareness, self-image, and self-esteem, to have someone say it right out loud – “It's not about you” – was a cold splash in the face of a generation lulled into a self-absorbed catatonic state. The truth was so evident – in a subconscious, if not conscious way – no one could disagree.
So after I applied it generally, I applied it to everyone I knew, personally, and found out again how true it is. To my friends and members of my family, I would say, “Remember, it's not about you,” if not out loud, then quietly in my head. (I give people a lot of suggestions like this in my head that they never heed because, for some reason, they never hear me.) I even applied it to Rick Warren, as I watched him rise to prominence in the public eye. “Don't forget, Rick,” I said in my mind, “It's not about you!” I'm sure he benefited greatly from my silent admonishment.
Finally, I realized that maybe that first sentence was designed to be about me. “It's not about you” just might mean it's not about me. It all hinges on which side of “you” you are on. For some time now, I have been on the wrong side of “you.” “You” was always someone else. As a writer, I have a tendency to identify with writers instead of readers. But I didn't write the book. The book was written to me. “It's not about you,” means it's not about me. And you know what? I don't know very much about this, because as far back as I can remember, it's always been about me.
Now I realize it has nothing to do with society. It has nothing to do with Rick Warren. This statement has nothing to do with anyone but me, because from my perspective, I am the only selfish and self-centered person it has any business being applied to. It's shocking when I start to think how much of my life is all about me. What I want to do, what I don't want to do, what you think of me, what someone else thinks of me, what I have to say, what you have to listen to, whose fault it is, what a victim I am … ad nauseam. (You may be familiar with some of this thinking.)
So there you have it. “It's not about you” has only one application. It’s not about anyone but me.
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John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker. |
Day Four After Surgery
Today I had my checkup. It went well. All drains have been removed and I'm to wear my ace bandage for 24 more hours. I'm pleased. It was a little strange though. I'm looking forward to a full recovery. Please pray for wisdom in resting and also for “pretty scars”.
IN HIM,
julie
Day Three after Surgery
Today's been a much better day. I haven't been as tired as I was yesterday. A precious dear friend called today wondering what in the world was wrong with me. So for all you out there who are wondering I'll say it without saying it, okay? I had something reduced. There, you figure the rest out. And I'm okay. I go back to the doctor on Monday where I guess I'll get a view for the first time. I'm probably at least half the size I used to be….yippee.
My mother in law and sister in law leave tomorrow (boo hoo hoo). They've been a big help. My mother in law is a very good cook and so we have eaten well and my sister in law is the queen of laundry so all my clothes are nice and clean. They've been a big help and my children have enjoyed seeing their cousins, Brock and Ellie.
Tomorrow will be our first day alone. I'm hoping all the kids are worn out enough to watch a little TV and take a nap after church. No, I won't be going. Just going on the back porch in this heat kills me.
Have a great Sunday.
It's that time.
julie
The End of Day Two after Surgery
Today has been like everyone told me it would be. I've been tired and slept most of the day. My sweet hubbie is tired too. Please pray for him. One of my drains came out today. It was a little scary but the doctor said it was okay. So I got a small peek at the results but was really too nervous to look to far. I think I'm still amazed I don't have what I've always had. Wow.
So we'll see what tomorrow will be like. Today was a sleep day and I'm still tired. I slept, ate, wandered around the house and then slept some more. Now I think I'll fall asleep beside my husband while he watches a movie.
Keep praying for us.
IN HIM,
julie
Day Two after Surgery
I'm amazed at the prayers I have felt from each one of you praying for me. My pain level is low, I've had none this morning. I got up for my blessed cup of coffee (which I didn't get the morning of surgery) and a banana so I could take some pain medicine and I'm not sure if I even need any.
The house is quiet and dark. One of my cats sits on the chair behind my neck purring. Quiet. Mmmmm. Don't you love it?
My mother in law and sister in law are here to help through Sunday. It so nice to know I don't have to do anything. No laundry, no cooking, no dishes etc. Celeste washed my hair yesterday for me which was so wonderful. I can only have sponge baths until I go back to the doctor on Monday.
Do you ever have that true sense of contentment like you are right in the center of God's will? I have it now. It's probably the time of rest that I've been given before life heats back up but I love it. Rest….do any of us get enough of it?
Well I started this post to tell you all how effective your prayers have been. Thanks for praying for me. Please keep us in your prayers specifically for my husband's travel over the next three weeks, “pretty” scars for me, and a fast recovery time. I have lots of wonderful friends to help that love me very much. I am blessed.
IN HIM who loves us so
Julie
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