Social Distancing - what I have been doing!

Most of you know that I am a scrapbooker.  During this time of "forced" staying home, I am thankful to have a hobby that is ready and waiting for my action.  Yesterday I spent a very long time re-learning my Cricut cutting machine.  They had changed to a new platform that I have never used and it took me a long time to figure it out.  I was successful and managed to make these embellishments for the group of pages I am currently working on.  As a disclaimer, I must tell you that I am really, really far behind on my efforts to scrapbook my photos.  Like years behind!  The photos I am working on right now are from June of 2017 - almost 3 years ago.  Here is a sample of what I have completed...

These pictures are actually from a time that I watched Gwen and Tim's kids while they went on a mission trip.  The kids look so young, which of course they were!  Three years younger!  

But I am committed to finishing these books and to finally "catch up" to more current pictures.  It seems like a daunting task, but one that is so valuable that I will press on!

I often tell people that I can talk for hours about why I think the activity of making these scrapbooks is so important.  There is something that is lost by having a bunch of digital pictures that are "somewhere out in the cloud".  While I very much appreciate that my photos ARE preserved out there, I also know that it is not the same as being able to pick up a book and actually see the photos.  I am convinced that one day, my grandchildren and even my great grandchildren will be thankful that I took the time to preserve these memories.  

For one thing, the dates of these pictures will be clearly recorded.  No one will ever have to guess at the date the picture was taken.  Because it is in a clearly marked book there will never be a question.  Also the people in the pictures are identified by the written messages on the pages.  All of the baby pictures will be clearly from each child.  There will be no mystery photos.  And the pictures will not be just jumbled together in a box.  I do have many photos (about 6 boxes worth) but they are all separated by year and in protective boxes that will preserve them.  Most have notations on the back to identify the people or event.  Again, not perfect but far better than what my mom did.  As child number 5, I know that I certainly got the least photos taken of me.  I am thankful for the photos I do have, but really wish there were more.  

When Ken's mother died and his dad moved to Florida, we became the owners of a couple of very old photo scrapbooks.  One of these belonged to Ken's great grandmother Kelly.  Unfortunately, nobody has any idea who the people are in these pictures.  I really hate the idea of these photos being lost, but on the other hand, I have no idea who might cherish them.  There was also an album from Ken's grandma Baker.  We were able to sort out a few of these photos and are very thankful to have them.  But again, so many were not identified.   These things make me more committed to spending the time to keep these memories recorded and preserved.  

Besides this scrap time, I have been really intentional about my Bible time.  This has really helped me to keep focused on the TRUTH - Jesus and off of the so bad, terrible news all over.  I am convinced that we can make a difference in this.  By heading the advice and/or commands of our government.  By staying home and only going out for necessary purposes.  I think that this is easier for Ken and I in some ways, because of his recent serious illness.  Before his hospital stay in January, I would not have thought about all of the different workers in the hospital who are dealing with this very scary virus right now.  In addition to the doctors and nurses there are the respiratory therapists, the transport people, the food service people and the housekeeping people.  Also, there are the patient techs (who do a lot of the basic care for people), the desk clerks, the information helpers, the security people and the valet drivers.   Each one of these jobs has hardworking and dedicated people who are going into potentially the most dangerous confined areas, to continue to serve all of us.  And they need our prayers.  We are so thankful for all of the people, doing these jobs, who helped get us through Ken's illness.  So right now, we can support them through our prayers and by doing our best to stay OUT of the hospital.  And then there are all the others who must continue to work (all of our Government workers from the President, senators, congressmen, governors, local authorities, police, fire, ambulance, garbage pickup, utility workers, grocery store workers, gas station workers and truck drivers).  They need our support and prayers also.  And then there are those who would LIKE to be able to stay home, but for various reasons they must continue to work.  It is shocking to me how many business owners have decided to remain open when this is a real crisis.  And so many people can not afford to sit home and NOT get paid. Yes, so many to pray for!  

I began this week with a phone call from my next door neighbor.  She called to make sure Ken and I were okay, and to ask if she could go grocery shopping for us.  This was such a wonderful and kind offer that really brought me to tears.  We are so blessed with our kids living close by that we know we would always have a way to get the items we need.  But I think that Jesus knew just how much this call would mean for me.  It was evidence that people are looking out for each other.  They are looking for ways to help and support those who might need it most.  Although all the schools are closed, provisions have been made for school buses to deliver lunches to the bus stops so all of the kids can be assured of food.  Gwen's church has handed out food bags - no questions asked - this week and many families came for food.  I am sure that as the weeks go on, more and more people will need to accept help from others.  People are seeming kinder and more willing to look out for each other.  There is less complaining and more people are looking for ways to encourage and help one another.  I have decided that I kind of like this time, much more than I thought I would.  

So I will follow all of the recommendations.

I will keep my distance from others.

We are washing our hands often.

We are checking in with others to make sure they are okay.

I will keep on scrapping.

I will keep on Bible reading and praying.

And I will keep on blogging.

;Jesus, you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  You are not surprised by this virus.  You have promised us peace and love.  Holy Spirit, help us to stay out of fear and worry.  Give us reminders of all of your promises so that we can walk through this time with boldness and courage.  Thank you for the kindness of strangers, for the help of loved ones and for the care and concern of our government.  Cover our families with your blood that guards us and protects us.  Draw the hurting and scared into your loving embrace.  Thank you for being with us all.  Amen  

Sad family news... and response to Corona Virus

This week we learned that Ken's brother-in-law, Wayne Purvis, died on March 8, 2020.  I had conversations with Ken's sister Sue while Ken was in the hospital.  Sadly, Wayne had been dealing with brain cancer for the last two years and had not been doing well.  It is one of those situations that you really don't want to think about.  What will we do if Wayne passes away while Ken is in the hospital.  While that did not happen, we are now looking at the recent travel issues with the Corona Virus.  Florida suddenly seems a very long way off and air travel does not seem like a good idea considering Ken is still recovering from a major infection.  While we want to be with family during this time, it just may not be possible.

Ken has so many memories of Wayne since he was a part of the family since Ken was a teenager.  By the time I met Sue and Wayne, their daughter Tracie was already born.  Wayne's job had them moving around often, but for one short season when their kids were both little, they lived in our area.   One of my favorite memories of Wayne is just how much he hated the winters in Chicago!  During that time we had one of our coldest winters and their house seemed to have frozen pipes all the time.  Ken and I both remember Wayne wearing multiple sweaters and long underwear in that house!  And many hours were spent trying to fix those pipes.  We were not surprised that shortly after that winter, they moved to warmer locations.  They did end up moving back to our area when their kids were in high school.  It was nice for Gwen and Doug to be able to get to know their cousins a bit better and we often spent Christmas at their house. When Wayne's dad could no longer live alone, he moved in with them and they had a three generation household.  They cared for him until his death. After their kids were married, Sue and Wayne moved to Florida.  That warm weather and golfing year around suited Wayne. He had a motorcycle that he loved to ride, and often took trips with his friends.  Ken and I enjoyed many visits with Wayne and Sue after Ken's dad moved to Florida in 2009 to live with them.

They took care of Ken's dad for many years, watching over him until his death.  Our last visits with Wayne were in 2019.  He was making a valiant fight against the cancer, but it was sure taking its toll.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan, Tracie, Michael, Wayne's sister Gina and all their families.  Although we can't be with you physically, we are remembering and celebrating Wayne's life.  

This has certainly been a time of reflection for Ken and I.  We are getting older and when a health crisis hits, all you can think about is a return to health.  Losing a loved one - a family member or friend - makes you so aware that everyone's length of life is unknown.  It sure makes you think!  And it makes it clear that you should make sure that you tell people how much they mean to you.  The world is experiencing an unknown epidemic, just declared a pandemic.  There is fear and dread and anxiety all around us.  But in the midst of this, is the overwhelming peace that passes understanding.  Gwen recently shared this with me....

When Martin Luther was dealing with the Black Death plague, he wrote these wise words that can help inform the way we approach things happening in our world right now..

"I shall ask God mercifully to protect us.  Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it.  I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.  If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others.  If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above.  See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash or foolhardy and does not tempt God."

                                                              Martin Luther

When I heard these words, they just felt right to me.  We can answer worry and anxiety with prayers and worship that brings peace.  We can go and do as we are called to.  We can make wise choices with our movements and also with our own persons.  But, in it all, we have to know that God is in control.  When our government issues policies and procedures, we need to honor them as long as they do not go against God's word.  Yet we can not take our eyes off of God's commands to us to love our neighbors and to go and make disciples.  Now more than ever, we need to look out for others around us.  For the widows, for the orphans, for the homeless for the distressed. 

I am so thankful that I know a loving, caring God that takes care of me and my family.  In life, in sickness and even in death.  So I will be careful to keep that distance from others.  I will wash my hands and (try) to keep my hands away from my face.  But I will not enter the ciaos of hoarding toilet paper and water bottles.  Lent is a good time for this.  A time for seeking the Lord and drawing closer to Him, even if it is not our choice.  God works all things for His good and this is no different.  Take a moment and re-read that Martin Luther quote.  There is much wisdom in those words.  Breathe in and be at peace.  Jesus has got this!  

Thank you Jesus, Wayne and his life well lived.  Be with Sue, Tracie and Mike, Gina and their entire family.  Keep them close to you during this difficult time.  Holy Spirit remind us that Jesus is bigger than the Corona Virus.  Give us all the reassurance that we need when fear and anxiety threaten to overwhelm us.  Keep all who are reading this blog safe from harm.  Draw us all close to you during this time of crisis in our world.  Thank you Jesus that nothing takes you by surprise.  You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Amen  

Can't believe it is already March...

Thursday we went to Gwen's house to celebrate Ellie's 11th birthday!  I really can't believe this sweet girl is 11 years old.  As you can probably see from this picture, Ken is doing extremely well.  We are, for the most part, back to our usual routines.  I haven't resumed watching Gracie yet since Ken still has multiple doctor appointments that I don't want to miss.  But hopefully within the next few weeks, we will be totally back to normal.  It was a special time today to just be with the kids and also - we got to pick up our Girl Scout Cookies!

We brought Ellie her Birthday presents and I was very happy to see her take the time to look through one of the books I had chosen for her....

I found these on the internet and they are extremely cool.  One is a book that has 26 famous and very successful people who had or have dyslexia.  The second book was 26 famous fashion designers.  Both important issues for Ellie.  Dyslexia has made it so difficult for Ellie to read, but with her hard work and hours of practice she is now a capable reader.  It is great that she can see reminders that this disability will not determine her success in life.  Ellie has certainly already shown that to our family.  I am pretty sure that she sold the most boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in her troop.  If she sets her mind to something, she is unstoppable!  She has the biggest heart and is always looking out for that person in need.  She has come up with a plan to make bags (she has already learned how to sew and owns her own sewing machine) that will be filled and given to families that are helped by Firm Base

(her dad's not for profit). Her recent birthday party included friends from church, dance, co-op, and family friends.  I have seen Ellie as a warrior, praying and caring for people since the day she was born.  It is amazing to watch those exact characteristics blossom and grow.  I can't wait to see exactly how far this young lady goes in the years ahead.  

Friday is also Doug's birthday.  Just as I wonder how it is already March, I am wondering where the last 38 years have gone since Doug was born!  This photo was taken shortly after Doug got home from the hospital at around 3 weeks old.    

I love this picture of Gwen, Ken and Doug.  Grace was at our house yesterday since Doug came over to help fix our washer and help us "cut the cable"!  Yes, we finally made the move away from cable TV after almost 40 years.  The kids have been telling us we should do this, but it was always on the bottom of the have to do list.  While Doug and Ken were busy with washer repair duty, Grace and I were looking through my files of photos of Gwen and Doug when they were little.  Every picture of Gwen that came out of the box, Grace declared that it was Anna!  Guess that is pretty good evidence that Anna looks a lot like Gwen.  

It is good to accomplish tasks that have been hanging around for a long time.  When Ken was recovering from his hospitalization, we talked about all the things that we wanted to get done once he was feeling better.  And we have managed to keep shortening the list.  One of the many follow up medical tests that Ken needed to have, was a CT scan of his liver.   That test was to determine if there was a liver abscess or if there was a potential cancerous tumor on his liver.  We are so thankful that the CT scan showed that the spot on his liver had shrunk considerably which proves it is a liver abscess.  While there are still further tests that need to be done and weeks more of antibiotics, both Ken and I could breathe a little easier after that good news.  We still need continued prayers for Ken's immune system to recover after the septic shock.  His blood counts are low which is concerning but expected.  So prayers for all blood numbers to increase would be appreciated.

I feel like I have had sort of an extended "lent" this year.  Most years during Lent, I make very intentional decisions to do a specific devotional, or fast from something specific.  Generally I have used the 40 days of lent as a personal time of reflection and prayer.  Because of Ken's illness, it feels like that set aside time started in January for me.  I have found it hard to focus and pray and very difficult to do my Bible studies. Yet for me, it as been a time of such dependence on Jesus every minute of the day and night.  On Ash Wednesday, I was lamenting that I didn't have any "program" planned for lent this year.  I realized that the entire 2020 was a drawing closer to Jesus.  When you are going through a difficult time, you have to rely on the ever presence of Jesus.  As I sat in the waiting room, walked the halls of the hospital, sat in the ICU, talked to doctors and nurses, argued with insurance people, tended to Ken's needs, relayed information to the kids, signed tons of paperwork, made so many decisions, - every day - every hour - every minute, I knew that Jesus was there with me.  And Jesus has been with Ken every second of this "adventure".  More than once I found the words of Psalm 23 going through my head....

"Even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

This time has sure enough been in the valley of the shadow of death.  Being in ICU, death was all around us.  And Ken's condition was that serious.  But I loved that I had the reminder that I was walking THROUGH the valley, and not camped out or living in that valley.  And mostly that Jesus was there with me.  I don't think there is anything more comforting than that.  I am so thankful for the Bible and these verses hidden in my memory for the Holy Spirit to bring to life when I most need them.  I strongly encourage you to choose some scriptures that speak to you, and set them to memory.  You just never know when you will most need them.  Lent is a good time to begin to memorize scripture.  Why not start today?

Jesus, thank you for your promises which are always true.  You are always with us, in good times and in the challenges.  Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing into my thoughts you Scriptures when I most needed them.  Remind us all of your steadfast love and care, even when we seem to have forgotten you.  Thank you Jesus for doctors, hospitals, medicines but also thank you that YOU are the healer.  Amen