I Want to Be a Sheep

How's that for a strange title?  I bet you've never heard anyone express a desire to BE a sheep.  But last night as I was reading some scripture and doing a devotion, I felt like it became oh so clear to me that I need to be a sheep.  If you know me, then you know that my family has raised sheep my entire life.  I have always been around them, showed them for 10 years in 4-H, and now my kids are doing the same (one already for 10 years, one in his 8th year and one in her 2nd year).  We have been working with the sheep every day preparing them for the fair and as I was reading last night, my two worlds of Christ follower and sheep mom connected with me like it hasn't before.  I promise I haven't lost it...trust me as you read.

Let me take you through my thought process a little:  . I have always been fascinated by the references to God as our shepherd in scripture...over and over again. Here is the scripture that started it all last night:
"The shepherd walks right up to the gate.  The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice." John 10:2-4 MSG

The first thing that struck me was our sheep DO know my voice.  Every day when I walk into the barn I greet them with either "Hi babies!" or "How are my babies today?".  They come to the sides of their pen and look at me.  As we go about catching them, putting them in halters, walking them and working with them in general, I am often caught talking to them.  My kids think I'm crazy. But yesterday I noticed that as I took one from my daughter that was being a little unruly, I put my hands on each side of his face and just talked softly to it...it calmed right down and just stood there.  Other times when they are on the stand to be sheared or to get their hooves trimmed, they get very nervous...so what do I do? I walk over, scratch their noses, get in close and just talk to them. I tell them it's going to be okay and that they are all right. (I promise I haven't completely lost it...I told you I love these sheep!) The sheep have learned that my voice means safety, my hands don't mean harm, and when I am close they will be taken care of (it's probably the food we give them!)

You might be getting my connection by now...The Bible tells us that God is our SHEPHERD.  He takes care of us. He doesn't leave us. When danger is near, He protects us and reassures us that it will be all right.  He doesn't lead us INTO danger and when faced with scary or new tasks, if we look to Him, He will lead us in the right direction. BUT...there's a catch.  Maybe even two catches.
1. We have to know His voice so that we can follow Him.
2. We have to actually trust and follow Him.
So, on number 1--Just like the sheep, we have our own free will...the first time I go in the barn each year with the baby lambs...they don't know my voice or trust me.  But as I spend more and more time with them, they have learned it and trust me.  Do I spend time with God? Do I know God's voice so well?  Do I take the time to listen? Do I hear it in the midst of the noise of life? Am I diving into HIS word, the scriptures so that His voice becomes clearer to me?  Am I learning to know when He is speaking to me, like the sheep do with me?

On number 2--The sheep have learned that I am safe and when I speak to them soothingly, they know it will be all right. Do they sometimes still choose to be crazy and difficult? Of course. Just like we do in our flawed humanness.  Do I trust Him COMPLETELY and follow Him and the path he puts before me?  Or am I constantly fighting to get away from Him and the path He has chosen because it isn't MY idea?
I WANT TO BE A SHEEP...but more importantly I want to listen to my Shepherd and be led by Him.  I fail at it so often. I'm more stubborn than a sheep...and let me tell you that sheep are STUBBORN! So often I am battling my own way, which causes dangers in the fields of my life...choices that aren't good for me.  If I could just be like a sheep...let the Great Shepherd feed me, take care of me, direct my steps, show me what is best for me, trust Him, and follow Him wherever He goes.
Anyone else want to be a sheep now?

My prayer last night that I wrote in my journal--
Lord, help me to hear you. To undoubtedly know Your voice. To trust You in Your guidance and the unknown. Help me "mindlessly" (of my own mind) follow where YOU lead me.  Amen.

A Word That's Thrown Around

This is the time of year when the word THANKFUL is thrown around a lot.  We are reminding ourselves and others to be grateful for what we have in the spirit of Thanksgiving.  I have been pondering some things the past week or so and figure it's time to write it out...

I promise there's  a point to all of this...bear with me.

I have found myself in the past couple of weeks feeling like things go unnoticed and simply taken for granted.  I have found myself in a few pity parties for myself because others didn't recognize me or show any appreciation.  I'm not going to go into specifics because 1. I don't want to point fingers at people or make them feel like they need to say something to me and 2. I have a greater purpose in this.  I've noticed it's really easy to say thank you for little things...things that are small but out of the ordinary.  For example,
  *Someone holds the door for you. "Thank you"
  *Someone brings you flowers or a treat. "Thank you so much. This made my day."
  *A colleague stands with your class a minute so you can go to the bathroom. "Thanks, I wasn't going to make it one more class!"
  *Someone says "Your hair looks great today!"  "Awwww, thanks I tried something different!"

But you know when it gets to be harder?  When it's the bigger things.  Or the things that we work hard for.  Or the things we have put our hearts into and they go unnoticed (seemingly) and it hurts. Or the things that are simply EXPECTED of us. Examples:
  *You work long hours to complete a project and make it just right...crickets...
  *You get all the laundry done and put away on the same day (WHAT???)...nothing
  *The special meal is made, the table set, and no one wants what you made....whining
  *You go above and beyond in your job...crickets...or worse, credit/thanks goes to someone else.
  *Fill in the blank....
I bet you can come up with your own.  Times that a simple thank you and I appreciate you would have gone a long way...would have made it worth it...would have made it seem like you mattered.
I've been there and I'm pretty sure every one of us has.  Why do we find it so hard to simply notice things and say a kind word?  And why is it so important to me (us) that we are acknowledged...why can't what we do be enough?  This statement may seem odd but I think I'm normal in saying it...I don't do my work, or my duties, or my kindnesses IN ORDER to be thanked...I really don't.  I do them because of who I am and I want to do those things and do them well...and I wish that was truly enough, but darn it...sometimes it's sure nice to know someone cares or notices.  I'm as bad at it as anyone else, so I am not pointing fingers....(well, I'd like to, but this next part that hit me kind of keeps me from doing it!)
So, as I'm driving tonight and trying to let some things go through prayer...I felt a gentle whisper and boy did it smack me in the face...I felt God saying...."you want to be appreciated, yet you are human and so flawed.....how often do you stop to thank ME for the little or the big things that I'm doing in your life?"  OUCH.  I started thinking and it brought tears to my eyes.  I pray and thank Jesus daily, but do I REALLY thank Him for the things He deserves to be thanked for?  Sometimes maybe...but how much do I MISS and I "forget" to thank Him for, or I take it for granted...or I assume He should be doing something, so why do I need to thank Him...it's His JOB to take care of me after all...Wow...are you still with me?  Here I am belly-aching because I'm feeling unappreciated for things that I do...and Jesus is still lovingly holding me near to Him when I brush right past all He does for me every day....besides the fact that He DIED for me...for you...for each of us so that we could have life and we don't deserve it!  And I'm whining????? 

Do I think that means that my feelings are invalid? No. Do I think it is important to say thank you and make people feel good?  Absolutely.  Do I still crave that approval of others and need to know I matter? Yes, if I'm honest.  BUT...I also am reminded that I need to be thankful, grateful and appreciate the blessings that God sends my way EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.  Everything from a sunrise, to gorgeous snowflakes falling, to a warm bed to sleep in, to a friend to text, to safety in traveling, protection from the enemy, for walking beside me daily, for loving me through my selfishness and unlovable-ness, and most of all for the GRACE and MERCY He has bestowed on me, by loving me, sending His Son to die for me, and knowing He watches over me every step of the way. 

So...this is my round about way of encouraging you to be thankful...not just during the month of November...not just for little things...not just for big things...spread your thankfulness around to others.  But start...with Jesus.

Swirling Hot Mess

I'm a hot mess tonight...some might argue I'm a hot mess EVERY day...BUT, tonight and probably tomorrow, I'm truly a hot mess.  Tomorrow is a big day and a BIG day in multiple ways...So here are a few reasons for my hot mess-ness.

1.  My BABY girl, my last-born will be 10. Double digits you guys.  Seriously?  How did that even happen.  I blinked and she hit double digits.  Tonight we cuddled up and watched some tv together tonight and just chatted.  She is so grown up, yet she is still my baby girl and loves spending time with me (mostly).  I remember the boys hitting 10 and it made my breath catch, but the last child seems to be such a milestone and I can't believe how quickly it has gone.  She came out making lots of noise and that hasn't stopped.  She talks (non-stop), sings, plays, talks to herself, pretends to vlog and is the spunkiest girl I know.  I love her with my whole heart and I've seen her grow in leaps and bounds this year. I take comfort knowing that she accepts she will always be my baby and seems to enjoy that.

2. My oldest 'baby' goes to his very last day of high school.  The last time we will stand on the front porch and take last day or first day pics as a whole group.  A tradition we've had for 15 years (starting in preschool). The last time I send my boys off to school together in the morning. The last "Good Luck on finals today" (at least in person...I'm sure I'll call/text him that in college).  I'm so incredibly proud of this oldest child of mine.  I look at him and my heart swells.  I don't think he has any idea how proud I am or how much I love him.  And I'm so incredibly excited for his future and all it holds...I really am. I also know that this is God's design...to raise our children up in the Lord and guide them to follow Christ and follow the path God has for them. But listen to me when I say that it is H.A.R.D.  My heart is bursting in love and pride for him and at the same time breaking in two that we have come to this season of life.  As much as I want to hold tightly to him...I know that my grip loosens every day, as I TRY to hand him over to God. 

*Side note--I had to stop, dry my tears and breathe before finishing this blog...*

3. Each year I say goodbye to a group of students...all of my 4th graders.  I am so blessed that I have kids all the way through elementary school and I love building those relationships with kids and teaching them more and more. But man, I get attached to the kids and hate to see them go.  Again...I know it's time. They are ready. They will move on and forget about me...but I never forget them.  Since this is only the 2nd year in my current buildings, I've only been with this group for 2 years...but we also have a special bond that we share.  A bond of grief over losing their former teacher and my colleague/friend. These kids have made me laugh, made me cry and want to pull my hair out...but I love them.  They will always be my kids.  Always.

4. This isn't really a cause tonight, but while I'm being sappy and a mess...my middle child turned 16 and will get his driver's license this summer?  WHAT the WHAT??? 

5. I've been sorting pictures for graduation open house and seeing my kids grow up in pictures...it goes so fast.  Don't blink.  Moms of littles...DON'T BLINK.  Enjoy every moment.

So...I'll dry my tears. Put on my big girl panties. And I will embrace tomorrow with all of the emotions that come with it.  I will celebrate my daughter, my sons, my students. And I will know deep in my heart that my kids will always be my babies and my students will always be "my kids".

Letter to our Burglar...a Year Later

You may know of my affinity to dates.  March 6, 2017 was a date that I won’t soon forget.  I didn’t publicize it on social media, but I didn’t hide it from people at all either.  It R.O.C.K.E.D. my world, my family’s world.  Hubby called at lunch to tell me that our house had been broken into and the police were on their way.  I won’t go into all of the details here, as it’s not the purpose of this blog for me.  Perhaps, I’ll tell the story soon in a different blog.  Some of our belongings were recovered a short 24 hours later.  Some have never been returned.  Within 48 hours there was an ID of the burglar, but it was a couple of months later before an arrest was made and we believe he was back in our house at one point, and was going to come back a 3rd time but our neighbor’s landscaper scared him off as he came up our driveway.  But again…none of that is the point of this blog.

Two weeks ago we finally heard from the Prosecutor’s office that our “guy” had been sentenced.  He has remained in jail since his arrest last May and he was sentenced to 6 years in prison (no credit for time served).  The judge gave him a bit longer of a sentence instead of ordering restitution for our belongings, as he didn’t feel that we would ever get the money back from him.  I got the call standing in Walmart. I smiled. I was thankful.  I was relieved.  I cried.  It is over, right?  But it’s not in some ways.  We’ll never get our belongings back, but the emotional “theft” he took from our family has been the hardest.  I chose not to go to court to be there for the sentencing. But part of me wanted him to look me in the eye and tell him what he really stole from us that day.  So, finally, the point of my blog…the following is my letter to our “guy”.  I won’t use his name, however trust me…I will never forget it…But here is some of what I would say to him if I had the chance….

Dear Mr. Burglar,

A year ago you kicked in our door, walked through my house, stole things from my CHILDREN and myself. Rifled through my jewelry box and who knows what else you touched or went through.  You were only in my house a few minutes most likely, but you changed our lives FOREVER.  You rocked my family to it’s core.  As I arrived home after school and had to meet my children at the door and make them wait outside while I walked through the house with a baseball bat to make sure no one was there, you continued stealing from us.  It didn’t stop with the “things” that you took. You took so much more than “things”.  

• You stole our sense of security. We no longer felt safe in our own home…every noise was cause for  panic…we didn’t want to be there…worrying that you would come back while we were there…wondering when you might come again.  I remember being sick and not wanting to stay home because I was worried you would come back. We would lie awake at night just in case… We were fearful in OUR own home.  Our home…not yours.  You had no right to take that.
• You stole our feeling of safety. My kids did not ever want to stay alone or arrive home if their dad or I wasn’t there…Having my husband and my son sleeping with a bat just to be able to sleep…having to search the house every day looking for signs that you might have been there again…checking and re-checking locks over and over (almost compulsively)…hearing the doorbell and jumping…wanting to be all in the same room so we knew where everyone was and that they were safe. Leaving a light on 24/7 so it was never dark in the house.
• You stole our ability to simply walk in and sit down. Every time we arrived home we would search the house with a bat before all entering and settling into our routine for the night. Opening and closing closet doors, looking behind doors, looking around the garage…Coming home became a dreaded time as we were flooded with a new routine.  A routine of being fearful and insecure.  
• You stole our ability to sleep through the night. Every sound, every creak, honking horn, loud car driving by, lights of cars shining through the window, made us sit up and strain to listen.  Made us get up to check on the kids.  
• You stole my ability to put on my jewelry every morning because I didn’t even want to touch my jewelry box, because I knew that your hands had touched it all.  I would have to wash my hands after touching any of it because I felt you there when I would even look at it.   
• You stole our money…not actual money…but money that we hadn’t planned on spending that we were saving for other things and had to use on replacing two doors that you broke through and putting in a security system so that we could actually feel comfortable sleeping at night, as well as leaving during the day. 
• You stole our belongings. You took jewelry that had not just monetary value, but so much more than that, it had emotional value.  My mom’s class ring that she gave me to wear, my own class ring that I would’ve given to my daughter some day, rings that were given to me at special times of my life.  They are irreplaceable.  

You say that you “don’t remember” doing it and probably think that your time in jail is unjust.  But I remember it.  My husband remembers.  My children remember.  We have not forgotten, nor will we ever.  The fear has faded because we serve a God that casts out fear…but we will never forget how this made us feel or the stress we went through. You can’t take away our faith (thank you Jesus).  We are stronger in our faith and stronger as a family because of you.  So for that I thank you.  I also pray for you…that you would find Jesus. That you would seek HIS forgiveness. That you would turn your life around and do something good. Something to build others up instead of tearing them down. You have time…use it wisely.  You stole a lot that day…and most of it wasn’t material things.  I pray that you never feel the need to steal these things from others ever again.  Because you can’t give them back…ever…no matter how long you serve in jail.  I leave you with this…

Numbers 6:24-26 New International Version (NIV)

24 

“‘“The Lord bless you

    and keep you;

25 

the Lord make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

26 

the Lord turn his face toward you

    and give you peace.”’

The Doctor said "Hallelujah!"

It's been a few weeks since Phil had to go to the doctor.  It's nice to not have to go so often, but it makes us nervous when it is time to go...hoping that that all is still going well.  We had a crazy morning before leaving which is a whole different post, but got to the appointment on time.  We underwent the normal wait time of getting drops, waiting awhile, getting vision checked, waiting some more and then finally back to the room to see the doctor.  We were nervous and anxious to hear what the doctor would see during the exam.  He doesn't always comment while looking at his eyes, and often just says "Uh-huh", "yes", "Okay".  But yesterday we were shocked and ecstatic to hear "Hallelujah! It looks fantastic!" when first examining the "bad" eye!  We've never heard those words or heard the doctor so excited! Immediately tears filled my eyes.  I didn't relax yet, as he still had to look at the "good" eye but Phil and I made eye contact and you could feel our relief!  When he switched to the "good" eye, we were nervous because there was still a possibility that he would say that Phil would still need to have the major surgery in that eye (followed by the face down again).  As he looked at that eye, he said "This looks great!".  As he rolled away from Phil on his chair, he then said "We're done with both eyes."  WHAT????  Does that mean what we think it does???

He told us that they both look fantastic and he is so pleased. The gas bubble in his eye is down to about 30% so hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will completely dissolve and his vision will come back fully.  He acknowledged it has been a very long road but we finally made it!  There is NOT a need for additional surgery on the "good" eye, as the 3 laser surgeries were able to fully attach it.  The original plan with it was that it would just buy us some time while the "bad" eye healed up completely...but the laser surgeries have worked and no additional surgery is needed!  PRAISE GOD!!!!!  He is sending us back to the eye doctor for a prescription update in his glasses so that Phil will be able to drive again.  We also will then be referred to a surgeon to do cataract surgery, at least on the one "bad" eye in early to mid March probably. This is a minor procedure that he will likely have on a Friday and be back to work on Monday.

He has been released to continue all normal daily activity and get rid of the patch completely!!!! He is still not allowed to do heavy duty lifting, but can do normal lifting...like laundry baskets, sweeper, etc..HAHAHAHA! He asked about running, as he used to run 4+ miles a day, and he is not able to do that yet, but they did release him to WALK on the treadmill...so you can bet he was on the treadmill last night walking slowly, but happy to be on it! He has just a couple of eye drops left per day.

When we left we set up an appointment for 2 months out!  This is the longest we've gone in between appointments and it felt so good.  The nurse told Phil she thought he'd been there more than her the last few months (smile).   They told us before long it would be a year between visits and we said we couldn't wait for that.  As we left, I was in happy tears and smiling and Phil was very wound up and excited.  He talked non-stop on the way home and it was sooooooooo good to hear him so happy and upbeat.  We would be driving and one of us would just say "Thank you Jesus".  He has been so faithful to us during this time.  It's been a long 4 months for us.  A very long 4 months.  But it sounds like we are on the full upswing of this and God provided every single step of the way.   

We are rejoicing!  We are praising God!  We have happy hearts!  Even as I sit here typing, I'm smiling and have tears running down my cheeks at my happiness and thoughts of what we've gone through.  What a great gift for Christmas!  Definitely our favorite one by far.  We are so blessed by all of you...by your prayers, your thoughts, your meals, your gifts...this has been a humbling experience for us and we are so very thankful for each of you. We are ready to bid good riddance to 2017 and have a fresh start in 2018!!! 
"Hallelujah! It looks fantastic!"  Praying that is our motto for the new year!!!!

Happy to work!

It's been two weeks since I've updated.  There hasn't been a ton to update, so I didn't make the time to do it.  Sorry if you've been waiting.  Phil went back to work 1/2 days this past Monday, December 4 with some limitations.  No lifting or too much physical exertion.  That was a challenge for him but he did well. He came home tired each day. His first week back they had their annual Holiday Hog Roast for all of the customers at work, so it was a bit of a crazy week to go back...along with  HIS BIRTHDAY!!!!  He got what he wanted...to go back to work for his present.  He was worried about having to talk to everyone who came in...and although it was exhausting, I think it also reassured him of his value to his work family and how much they missed him.  After 9 weeks off, his body will take a bit to adjust to being up and around and his eyes will especially need some time to regain their strength. He was so incredibly happy to be back at work and spent a lot of his time talking to customers welcoming him back.   He is still wearing the eye patch.  This last surgery, they put in a larger gas bubble in the eye so it is taking longer to dissolve.  He is noticing a little bit of vision in that eye when he takes off the patch, so it IS slowly dissolving but will take some time.  The prescription in his "good" eye has changed after 3 laser surgeries, so he is not seeing100% clearly out of that eye either with his glasses, which makes his eye tired as well as it works harder to see and is also causing some headaches. 

Phil went back to the doctor on Thursday morning and both eyes are looking good and healing nicely.  There is still a little bit of fluid behind the retina in the "bad" eye, but he says it is okay as long as it remains sealed and attached.   He changed up his eye drops and told him that if he feels ready, he can go back to work full time, with the continued restrictions with the physical activity and lifting.  So, Monday he goes back full time.  I'm a bit apprehensive.  I know he will be fine...I just worry that he will over do it and something will go "wrong".  I'm sure he tires of me checking in on him and questioning if he is following the rules, but I can't help it.  He doesn't go back to the doctor for 3 whole weeks!  The longest stretch so far and that feels good!  Oh...I almost forgot. I've had several people ask me about driving...He is NOT driving.  So we are taking turns running him and making sure he is where he needs to be and when.  I am thankful for my Dad, my oldest who helps drive and Phil's work family that is helping out.  It takes a village, right???  We are so very blessed.

Along with Phil going back to work, I had two concerts this week. I am used to having Phil help with set up and tear down each night and that was hard for BOTH of us when he wasn't able to do anything.  He was the official supervisor and videographer at the 2nd one (smile).  So thankful that Grant helped me with the set up, both the boys were able to help at my first concert, and that Brock surprised me and showed up to help tear down the 2nd one. It was a long week all the way around for all of us and we spent the weekend recovering. Selfie before concert #1 that was also Kiara's concert.

So, that's the latest.  We continue to feel so blessed. One day this week I text a friend, "God is so good. So, so good and I'm sitting in the quiet of my room overwhelmed at his goodness."  It has been a long road, but those words describe how we have felt over and over through all of this.  God is so incredibly good and has provided for us over and over in so many ways.  We have been blessed and we want others to know that.  We are not completely through this tunnel of craziness, but we know that God will not leave us or forsake us and He will remain oh so very good through it all. 
Ways to pray:
1. Continued healing for both of Phil's eyes.  That vision will return fully to both.
2. Continued strength and stamina as he adjusts back to work.
3. That our story can bring the light of Christ to others...especially during this Christmas season. It seems a bit sweeter this year to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Blessings to you...

Happy Tears...

This morning was our 2 week post-operative check up after Phil's eye surgery.  He has been face down for 2 weeks now (7 total weeks). We were hopeful that at this appointment we would get news that he could be upright, but other than that didn't know what else we would learn.  Well...let me tell you it was an eventful appointment and went much longer than we had anticipated.  

Before the doctor even looked at Phil's eye, he talked with us about how he wanted to get Phil back to work soon, as he was worried about Phil's job and knows that he needs to work. We were shocked at this announcement, but knew he hadn't looked at the eye yet, so didn't get too hopeful.  He looked at the eye then several times and was very happy with what he saw.  He says that although he can't guarantee anything until the gas bubble in his eye is gone, that is indeed 100% attached and looks fantastic!  That news was a looooooonnnnnggggg time coming!  He also gave us the FANTASTIC news that Phil does NOT have to be face down any longer.  He can resume being upright and sleeping on his sides, but still needs to wear his eye patch for the next 2 weeks or so.  I can't tell you how good it was to hear that news!

THEN...he asked us if we were in a rush because he'd like to go ahead and dilate the "good" eye and take a look at it yet today.  So, Phil was given drops and back to the waiting room we went.  We sat there for awhile before they gave him more drops in the eye and took him back in for the doctor to look at it.  Upon examining it, he stated that he wanted to do more laser surgery on it, as he thought he could possibly fix it to the point that no surgery was needed.  So, we headed to the laser surgery room while he finished up with other patients in the office.  They were only to be open 1/2 day today and I think we might've interrupted some Black Friday shopping for some of his staff...

He did the laser surgery and upon finishing said that he believes that he has prevented the need for the major eye surgery that he had in the other eye.  It may need to be revisited in the future, but he said it took really well and that he is very hopeful that this will take care of it! Thank you Jesus!

That's not even the end of it!!!  Phil will be allowed to try to go back to work on Monday, December 4 for 1/2 days as he is able.  He will have restrictions and is not allowed to lift anything, but will be able to go back and do at least some of his job!  Phil is ecstatic and thinks it will be a long week waiting.  I'm just hoping he can build up some stamina and energy by then.  It has been so long since he has slept well...over 3 months since his symptoms first started.  He couldn't wait to go to bed tonight as he gets to sleep on his side and hopefully will finally sleep soundly.

I've been breaking out into the chorus "Praise God, Praise God. Praise God who saves my soul. Praise God. Praise God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow." all night long.    We know everything isn't perfect yet and that we still have a ways to go, but this is the first really good news we've had in such a long time.  We are headed to get our Christmas tree tomorrow and Phil will actually be able to go with us!!!!  He won't be able to help with any of it, but he will be WITH us!  

Yesterday, as we were preparing to eat lunch at my parent's house...I had to go in the other room and cry for a minute as I was just so sad that Phil couldn't be there with us.  I was sad for him that he was at home face down while we were celebrating and eating a feast.  My heart hurt.  TODAY, my heart rejoices in our great news and the tears were of a different sort...HAPPY TEARS and I'm so thankful for them.

Thank you, thank you, thank you...for your prayers and thoughts, texts, emails, messages, posts...you name it.  They have meant the world to us so far in this journey and it is wonderful to know that as we continue on that you are there pulling for us.  We. Are. Blessed.

Prayer Requests for this week:

1. That Phil remembers to be cautious and not over-do things.

2. That his sleep patterns would return to normal and he would get rested up.

3. That both eyes continue to heal and that his vision would continue to come back fully.