Life's Journey

Living For Christ

2013-11-11T07:16:00.005-06:00

Two Directions

We begin teaching 'opposite' to students in kindergarten. It is not difficult. The students learn the concept quickly and enjoy the games we create using opposites. The skill is reviewed in first and second grade. By that time the students have a firm grasp on the concept and it's not necessary to revisit it in the classroom. Somehow adults don't seem to grasp the concept as easily.

It is physically impossible to go in two directions at one time. One cannot go east and west simultaneously.

http://www.storiesforchrist.com/lifes-journey.html

New Blog Begins Today

2013-08-01T07:07:00.000-05:00

Looking down the road.

Today I am beginning a new blog within my website. It is called Down Life's Road and will discuss everyday life including people, places, events, attitudes, and convictions. Please join me as I share my quirky views of life,

Down Life's Road

Controversial For Christians

2013-07-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

I have been conflicted all day about what to write. Then I read a story about a woman who committed suicide after battling MS for forty years. My mind went back to when I had a similar conversation with my sister a couple of months before cancer took her life.

My sister felt that anyone who took their own life committed the unpardonable sin and would not be allowed into heaven. I do not believe that. I asked my sister why she believed the way she did and she replied, "How can you ask God to forgive you if you are already dead?" My reply was that He had already forgiven you. She asked, "When?" I said "when he died on the cross all your sins were in the future. You couldn't ask him for forgiveness then. And when you asked him to save you and forgive your sins, He forgave the past, present, and future sins."

The question has come up "Can a true Christian take his own life?" Let's divide that question in two and examine it. "Can a true Christian..." First I'm not going to judge anyone's relationship with Christ. We could ask a lot of questions about 'true Christians' if we wanted, but that's very dangerous ground. No one knows another person's heart. I can testify to that because I lived as a 'Christian' for years before I actually trusted Christ as my savior. Many people thought I was saved, but I knew my heart.

The next part of the equation is "take his own life." I can't judge anyone for taking their own life. I can't measure their pain. I don't know their pain tolerance or their outlook for the future. How bad is their pain level? How long have they been suffering? What is required to manage their pain? Will their pain end? What are their options?

I'm not saying that I believe in suicide. I am saying that I do not judge anyone who chooses to end their pain. I also do not believe that God is unable to forgive the person. I choose to allow God to do the judging, forgiving, and saving.

Around the World and Back In Seven Days

2013-07-11T20:44:00.004-05:00

Where have I been? Although I never left the states, I feel like I literally went around the world. The trip began Tuesday evening about 8:30 p.m. and ended Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. By 8:00 a.m. I was back in bed and slept most of the day. After a wonderful nap, I felt better, however, my feet still hurt and my legs are still swollen from hours of standing. I am sleep deprived from doing laundry late in the night for six boys and two men. I'm getting used to beginning breakfast by 5:00 a.m. Afternoon and evening meals have been for thirty to fifty people.

I would do it all over again.

What did I do? My home church decided to host the Matsiko World Orphan's Choir for the second year in a row. Our music director is responsible for two vacation bible schools in row, so I decided I would be the coordinator for the week Matskio visited.

Who is Matsiko? International Children’s Network (ICN) exists to augment and support the great work being performed by established "in-country" organizations. ICN teams up with reputable, effective, and established overseas partners to obtain U.S-based financial support to help provide an education for orphaned and at-risk children - an education that continues all the way through the university or trade school levels. This concept is key in ending the cycle of poverty within third-world nations. In addition to educational support, funding is also committed for food, clothing, school supplies, medicine and other needs for these children so schooling effectiveness can be maximized.http://www.icnchildren.net/

The group blessed our hearts as they performed, but getting to know the children individually touched our hearts. Reading their profiles that includes their background plus their hopes for the future made us appreciate our blessings even more. Listening to them tell about the first time they went into a public library or a large grocery store allowed us to see something old in a new way.

The director of the Matsiko introduced us to two young people traveling with the group. Lawrence was sponsored as a child. He is now a second year petroleum engineering student. Merta just graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration. The director shared information about sponsoring a child. Sponsorship is a commitment of $35.00 a month for a specific child through university. After graduation these students give back to their community. The first child ever sponsored is now a heart surgeon in Ghana. Please enjoy the video below and look around their website for information about sponsorship and hearing the choir. http://www.icnchildren.net/

Exciting Week

2013-07-01T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting for this week for months. Thursday is Independence Day and I love the music and celebrations. This year's celebration will be sweetened by some very special visitors in our community. The church I attend is hosting the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, a group of 18 kids from economically depressed countries who tour the United States for one year, singing and entertaining. Their goal is to gain sponsors to pay for their education, which is not free in their countries.

We hosted this group last year and the blessing was all ours. They rode into town and three days later rode out taking our hearts with them. Hosting a group like this for a week can be a logistic nightmare. You need host houses for the children and sponsors, activities during the day, and meals for the visiting time.

Due to a scheduling issue, this was the only week the group could come to our area. We live in an active retirement community on a lake. Most of the residents spend holidays hosting family and friends. Independence Day is no different, yet people have stepped up and volunteered to host children, help with activities, and provide food for the group. Others have loaned boats to entertain the children, fry enough fish for fifty people as well host the event at their house. Other churches have scheduled performances while the group is visiting in our area. One church was debating about having a special event on the 4th. When they heard this group was coming, they decided to have the event and asked the group to perform.

It is such a blessing to see people give when it isn't convenient. These people do it to serve God and the children. When we serve God out of love, making sacrifices, and expecting nothing in return, He opens the doors of heaven and pours out blessings abundantly,

2 Corinthians 9:7-9

2 Corinthians 9:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

Here Am I, Send Me Lord--Unless I'm Busy

2013-06-25T15:43:00.001-05:00

I know that's a weird title, but I heard it just last Saturday night. Oh they didn't use those words, but that's what they said. In fact, we all say it at some point. "If we're in town that week, I'll help with VBS." "If my daughter doesn't come for Christmas, I'll sing in the Cantata." "If I get back from shopping in time, I'll come to bible study."

Here's what happened last week.
We were at a fellowship with mostly members of our church. The conversation turned to the children's choir coming next week. Someone asked if I still needed help. I said I could use more help, but would get by without it if I had to. One of the ladies sitting beside me has been tremendously blessed by the Lord. She and her husband both give of themselves to the church, but that night she turned to me and said, "I didn't sign up to help because I didn't know what we were doing that week." Excuse me? I thought when we served God, we made a commitment and forsook anything that interfered with that commitment.

Several years ago, my husband and I taught the College and Career Sunday School class. One of the very faithful girls suddenly started missing Sunday School. She would be there for church, but not Sunday School. I became concerned and let her know we had missed her. She angrily turned to me and yelled, "I cannot possibly stay out late on Saturday night and get up in time to attend your class on Sunday morning." Then she turned and stomped away.

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons why we cannot serve in a particular aspect. The Lord doesn't expect us to serve in every facet of the ministry. But how many times are we really just making excuses? Or how many times do we have our priorities wrong? Is God the most important person in our lives or do we schedule Him when we have time?

Challenges

2013-06-21T09:29:00.000-05:00

Last year our home church hosted a children's world choir group. Our music director was in charge of making all the arrangements. She had to set up host homes for the children to stay in for several days, make arrangements for meals and activities, and book performances for the time they were here. After beginning the task, she became very ill and had to be hospitalized for over a week. Her recovery continued after release from the hospital. It took several months to regain her strength and fully recover.

This year I volunteered to coordinate the week's activities for the group. After beginning the task, my sister's health declined rapidly and my grandson had to be taken at 27 weeks by emergency c-section. I have spent the last two months caring for my sister, sewing for my grandson (the sewing machine broke during this time), or visiting them in the hospital. In between these activities, I started teaching a new class at the pregnancy center, attended a class on cheese making, held a cheese making demonstration, and attended other special functions.

Yesterday, I met with my pastor to finalize some plans for the group and I told him. "I think this group might be cursed." When he asked why, I reminded him of Rosemary's illness last year and that my life seemed to have fallen apart since assuming the role of coordinator. I told him "Either they are very much doing the work of God and Satan is fighting against them or they are not doing the work of God and He is trying to tell us something." The pastor laughed and said, "It could be either way, couldn't it?"

The truth is that there are times when God sends us messages through events in our lives. There are also times that Satan fights to kill a good ministry. When we are questioning the reason obstacles are dropping onto our pathway, we have to examine many aspects. What is our motive for completing the task? Is it selfish? Is it pleasing to God? Did we pray about it before beginning the project? Did we jump into the project and then expect God to bless our efforts?

Once these questions have been answered, we should be able to determine if the activity has the green light from God or needs to be scraped or postponed for another time. If you feel God has blessed to endeavor, jump in with both feet. The old saying is:

Pray as if everything depends on God.
Work as if everything depends on you.

Reality--It Is What It Is

2013-06-17T04:22:00.001-05:00

Reality--Not always fun. Not always warm and fuzzy. However, we cannot live in a fantasy world and the real world at the same time. No relationship is perfect. Why? Because no person is perfect. It's almost like math. Remember, a positive plus a positive equals a positive. A negative plus a negative equals a negative. One flawed person plus one flawed person equals one flawed relationship.

I am writing this on the tail of Father's Day because I watched the posts on Facebook all weekend. Post after post read "To the best father in the whole world." Everyone wants to believe that their father was the best, so what's the problem? I know from personal experience that many of those who posted had very tumultuous relationships with their dad. Several cried--with good reason-- on my shoulder many times. When the parent passed away those memories seemed to die with them.

One friend had a father who was a good man, great church member, wonderful husband--but very contrary on some issues. He was a very possessive man and his love of material possessions made his children feel less important. When her father passed away, she forgot that pain and readily accepted the blame for any issue they faced as father and daughter.

Let's write a hypothetical case to illustrate my point.

Reality--Daughter: Dad, may I borrow the car tonight?

Dad: Where are you going?

Daughter: To the movies.

Dad: With who?

Daughter: With Molly and Sue.

Dad: What movie are you going to see?

Daughter: Dad, what does that have to do with borrowing the car?

Dad: I don't want someone to see my car outside the movie theater where they are showing something inappropriate.

Daughter: Dad, I promise it is an appropriate movie.

Dad: I don't want the car parked too close to other vehicles.

Daughter: I'll be careful parking.

Dad: Make sure you park straight so the person next to you doesn't scratch my car when they drive off.

Daughter: Yes, Dad.

Dad: And don't be eating or drinking anything in my car. You always make a mess and then I have clean it up.

Daughter: Yes, Dad.

Dad: I don't want you playing the radio. You turn it up so loud, I'm afraid it's going to blow the speakers out.

Daughter: Yes, Dad.

Dad: And by the way, who is paying for this?

Etc., etc, etc.

After the father's death, the daughter remembers it like this:

Fantasy: Daughter: Dad, may I borrow the car?

Dad: Of course you can, Sweetheart. I want you to have everything your little heart desires. You are the most important thing in the world to me. Here are the keys to the car, money for the movies, and spending money for after the show. In fact, why don't you treat your friends. Take this extra money for them. Is there anything else you need?

While struggling to accept the death, daughter says to friend: My dad was the best dad ever. He always made me feel like I was the most important person to him. Any disagreement we had was completely my fault.

I have seen posts from friends who I know were abused. I am not suggesting they post that. Wouldn't that be something? 'Happy Father's Day to the jerk who raised me.' No, no one wants to post that. However, believing the other person was perfect is not healthy for anyone.

It is important that we love others for who they are rather than who we wish they were. Unconditional love is love that accepts the other person just as they are. God loves us just as we are. Before He sent his son to die, He knew our sins and loved us anyway. The bible is full of men and women who did deplorable things, but walked with God. They weren't perfect and neither are we. We are just sinners saved by grace. Reality--it is what it is.

None of us are perfect. We are who we are. We want to be loved for who we are and who we aren't.

Adoption

2013-06-10T07:49:00.000-05:00

It is no secret how I feel about abortion. My definition of abortion is forcing the consequences of your mistake onto an innocent victim. Adoption is giving the joy of living to an innocent victim and a loving couple.

The second season of the new series I'm Having Their Baby, will begin June 12, 2013 on oxygen. It is the story of single mothers-to-be and couples who have decided to placed their unborn baby for adoption. Some are addicts who do not wish to inflict their lifestyle on the baby. Some are couples who simply cannot afford to support another child.

This is the most selfless act I can think of. I'm sure part of my admiration comes from the birth of my first grandson. He was born through an emergency c-section at 27 weeks, weighing 1.4 lbs. and 12" long. When my son told me the details of the baby's birth, fear gripped my heart. Although much progress has been made in neonatal medicine, only 36% of babies with this extreme low birth weight have no complications.

We consider our baby a miracle baby. He is gaining weight quickly and there are no signs of complications. Every time I look at him I am reminded that there are babies larger than him aborted every day. Every one of those babies could have been a blessing to a family somewhere. I would encourage anyone facing the birth of a baby without the means to support that child, to consider adoption.

The Battle Has Been Won

2013-06-07T18:43:00.001-05:00

Today my sister won her battle with cancer. She went home to be with the Lord and at that moment she was officially and eternally cured of cancer. She is now cancer free, pain free, and stress free. She will never again be poked, prodded, or injected. She is walking the streets of glory. I'm sure by now she has viewed her mansion and visited with friends and relatives that have gone on before us. She assured me that when I get there she will be waiting at the gate for me. I look forward to seeing her again.

Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. Please let me know if ever need prayers. And I would like to remind you God is good--all the time.

From My Heart

2013-06-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

I'm not exactly sure of my subject today, so I titled this post From My Heart. The title of the blog is Life's Journey where we examine the twists and turns of life and the lessons we learn along the way. I used that title because my brain is intrigued by the behavior of people. I am constantly observing encounters between individuals that leave me perplexed about the animal for which Christ gave His life. I often wonder why people make the same few mistakes repeatedly. I wonder if we really do learn.

If we are going to talk about the twists and turns of life, we certainly have to talk about the last three weeks in my life. Most of you know that my sister has been battling cancer for several months. That has been a burden for our family as you would expect.

Almost three weeks ago, our son called at 5:30 a.m. to tell us that his wife's blood pressure had gone to stroke level the night before. He rushed her to the ER. Unsuccessful in their attempt to lower her blood pressure, the doctors performed a C-section and delivered our first grandchild at 27 weeks, weighing 1.4 lbs.

Here is kind of a quick timeline of the way life has gone.

My sister was placed on Hospice care.
My grandson was born weighing 1.4 lbs.
Sister is not happy with hospice, fires one, hires another.
My grandson is doing well, gaining weight, increasing feedings.
Sister is happy with new hospice.
Grandson begins to have some digestive issues. Feedings are decreased.
Sister told by hospice she has one week to live.
My mother and I go to my sister's to help.
Sister taken to ER.
Sister back in ER in four days.
Sister told by ER doctors that she is "losing the battle."
Brother-in-law took ER reports to family doctor and was told that my sister has six to eight weeks to live.
My sister tells me that she believes she will live somewhere between the one week and the eight weeks.
Son and daughter-in-law are allowed to hold the baby for the first time.

There have been many twists and turns in my life. Each one has brought about special thoughts and emotions. With every one we learned more about ourselves and our Savior. Through it all we have been sure that our God has a plan and a purpose. I am reminded of a song that touched my heart during a crisis several years ago. The phrase that touched me was "When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart." Many times in the last three weeks we haven't seen the hand of God, but we have certainly seen His heart. My prayer is that we have learned whatever it is that God is teaching us.

Worst Form of Government

2013-05-27T05:45:00.002-05:00

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day--the day we set aside to remember those who died to protect our country. With the events in my life over the last two weeks, I must say they died for more than our physical country. Winston Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others."

Is our country perfect? Absolutely not.

We have far too many people waiting on the government to take care of them. Apparently they forget what Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg: "that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish." Who do they think the government is?
At the same time we have just as many people who require help and aren't receiving it.
Both food and medical care are way overpriced.
Our morals have never been lower and we don't even have the good graces to apologize for them.
Our education system needs to be revamped but no one seems to know the answer.
We have an abundance of 'deadbeat dads' who refuse to personally or financially take care of their children.
We have an unbelievable number of registered sex offenders, yet we don't know where 20% of them are.

So what is so great about our country? Here are a few things I've experienced in the last two weeks.

I have written this posting criticizing our nation.
I have asked you to pray for my grandson, born prematurely weighing 1.4 lbs. Literally hundreds of you sent me messages that you were praying. Dozens sent messages about similar situations where the child grew to be a strong healthy person.
My son and daughter-in-law were able to choose a hospital with a great Neonatal Care Unit.
I've asked prayer for my sister who is battling cancer. Many responded--some writing their prayer, making them public for all the world to see.
My sister and brother-in-law are able to choose a hospital and treatment plan for her.
My mother and I traveled to help care for my sister without passing a checkpoint or obtaining permission.

Updates: My sister is doing a little better. My brother-in-law took her to the ER Saturday night and they determined she had an infection--UTI--which my sister and brother-in-law had been telling them. Antibiotics are helping. My grandson is breathing on his own and now weighs 1.10 lbs. He is growing, doing well, and definitely leaving his mark in this world.

Please take time to focus on the privileges and freedoms you have and thank God for those willing to sacrifice their lives for those freedoms. Our government is not perfect. If you feel that there are more negatives than positives and you can't standing living here, please remember you have the freedom to leave this country anytime you want.

Today's Journey

2013-05-20T05:51:00.000-05:00

From My Heart: I have six blogs, each with a different objective. I opened my dashboard to post an update of my grandson on this blog. When I looked at my list of blogs, I saw the title of this one and was struck by the irony of this situation. The title and description of this blog is Life's Journey, Discussing life's twists and turns and the lessons we learn along the way.

Our son's hand next to our grandson's body.

A week ago today, our phone rang at 5:30 a.m. My husband answered and our son asked him to push speaker phone. Once on speaker phone, our son explained that he had taken his wife to the emergency room because of high blood pressure. After three hours of trying to decrease her blood pressure, the doctor made the decision to do an emergency c-section on her. Within 45 minutes our grandson was born --13 weeks premature, officially weighing 1.7 lbs.

This is the ultimate life twister. We made the decision to drive to the town where they live. I sat down in my recliner and opened my laptop. My husband asked what I was doing and I answered, "I'm sending out prayer requests." Then I packed and made the two hour drive to the hospital. As soon as I got to the waiting room, I set up my laptop. Why? To be connected to the people who were praying for our grandchild. I was amazed at the messages waiting for me. Messages from friends and friends of friends. Later that day I began receiving messages of success story from people who had faced the same thing.

This situation was certainly not something we had planned. We planned to welcome a bouncing baby boy in August of this year. Instead, we watch a Thumbalina-size baby lie in an incubator with his chest going up and down as if he is simply too tired to breathe. To see him, we must perform a scrubbing and gowning routine. We are not allowed to touch him--at the time we left the hospital..

What did we learn from this? We learned that life is precious. We learned how strong our son and his wife are. Most of all we learned the power of prayer from brothers and sisters in Christ and the comfort of hearing success stories.

Update: The baby has been removed from the ventilator and his navel tube has been removed. He now has a pic so that tests can be administered through that rather than further piercing. The navel line was removed yesterday. His blood gases are good. At this time he weighs 1. 4 1/4 lbs. He has lost 2 3/4 oz., which is not bad. The goal is to introduce him to milk today. We are very grateful for the progress he has made. If you consider that he is not due for another three months and yet he is breathing on his own and will begin eating today.

We praise God for the blessings we have received and the wonderful people who have ministered to us during these stressful times.

Strength For Today

2013-05-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

My Son and His Love Wife

Their Beautiful Baby Boy

I shared something on Facebook the other day that came up on my newsfeed. It was a poster type sign that read

You never know how strong you are...
until being strong is the only choice you have.

I saw the poster the day my grandson was born weighing 1.4 lbs. Immediately I thought of how strong my son and daughter-in-law had been through the most difficult time in their lives. Unless you've sat helplessly by the bed of your sick child, you don't know the fear that can grip your heart. Many were the nights I sat by this son's bedside watching him struggle for air because of asthma. I watched him gasp for breath and then take so long between breaths I'd think "Lord is he dead?" Then without warning, he'd take a gulp of air. Each time I noticed that I also took a breath. I unintentionally held my breath when he did.

Now he sits by the bedside--incubator--of his son. He watches him struggle for breath. He watches as the tubes monitor his son's every breath, pulse and heartbeat. Being medically trained, he knows the pain his son felt when they put those IVs in his delicate little hand.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone how incredibly proud I am of my son and his lovely wife. The bravery they've shown during this traumatic time has been admirable. The faith they've shown in God has been a true testimony and witness for Christ.

Did they do anything I didn't do??? No. Why was their burden heavier than mine? When I sat by my son's bedside, he was 5 years old and weighed about 40 lbs. Their son is 13 weeks premature and weighs 1.4 lbs. They have no idea how long he will remain in the NICU.

My son was once a child with asthma. Today he is a man, husband, father, and believer of Christ Jesus. I am proud he is my son. I admire the man he has become and the choices he has made--especially the choice he made in a wife.

With Love,

From a mother's heart.

Where Love Once Lived

2013-05-14T16:41:00.000-05:00

Where Love Once Lived

Please visit my blog http://theresa-thebookmama.blogspot.com for a review of Where Love Once Lived by Sidney W. Frost.

Please Explain

2013-05-13T19:28:00.000-05:00

There are things that happen in this world I don't understand. I don't understand how a man can capture three young girls, hold them captive for ten years, and abuse them. I don't understand how a doctor can knowingly abort babies in the final trimester and then kill them.

Here is something personal that I do not understand. My son and his wife married for the first time in their late thirties. My daughter-in-law began trying to get pregnant immediately. Partly due to age and partly due to a strong desire to have a baby. After two years of trying, they tried the last thing on the list--invitro fertilization. They didn't tell anyone for several weeks because of the chance of miscarriage. When the doctor felt it was safe, they told family and friends. The baby was due in August. We were ecstatic and began making plans for our first grandchild.

This morning at 5:30 our son called to say that during the night, our daughter-in-law began to feel ill. He took her to the emergency room. Her blood pressure was extremely high and dangerous for herself and the baby. An emergency c-section was performed. Our baby was delivered at 27 weeks, weighing 1.4 lbs. and 12 in. long. He was born crying--a good sign. He also has a temper which he has displayed to the doctor several times.

Our first grandchild at 27 weeks, 1.4 lbs. 12 in. long.

Now here's what I don't understand. Here is a couple who has spent the last 2 1/2 years trying to have a baby. Now they are fighting to keep this one. I know they are not the only couple who is going through this. Yet we have couples literally throwing their baby away. They don't want him. He's an inconvenience. He's expensive. He requires too much time. We have a couple willing to spend their time and every cent they have to hold a baby in their arms. We have couples whose arms don't want to hold a baby.

Where is the logic in this? Why is it some want and can't have while others have and don't want?

More Or Less a Man-Part III

2013-05-10T06:56:00.000-05:00

Relaxation

By Sunday evening Heather felt refreshed and ready to get back to work. She had created a new game for Coach Davis and was looking forward to working with him. Mr. Thomas in room 1436 had the same injuries as Coach Davis, so she planned to work with them together. Unlike Coach Davis, Mr. Thomas had accepted his condition and was determined to gain strength through exercise. She hoped Mr. Thomas would inspire Coach Davis to work harder.

"Good morning." Heather told Ginger, her mentor for the program.

"Oh hi. How was your weekend?"

"Great. I really needed the time to myself."

"I know you had a rough week, but I promise you there will be plenty more of them. You need to learn how to handle them because you will have more rough weeks in your career."

"How do I do that?" Heather genuinely wanted o know.

"Do you have a hobby?"

"No, I'm too busy going to school and do clinicals."

"Well you need to find a good hobby. One that will take your mind off of work and allow you to 'escape' the world while standing in your living room."

"Okay, I'll think about that."

Heather decided to let Coach Davis know that she planned to work with both he and Mr. Thomas. Entering his room, she was surprised to see him sitting up in the bed with a pleasant expression on his face. As soon as he saw her, he broke out in a smile bright enough to light the entire room.

"Well how are you doing?" She asked.

Support Bars

"I'm fine. I've missed you the last few days. Where have you been?"

"I took some time off to relax."

"Oh, did it work?"

"Yes, thank you. I had a great time."

"You missed my boys."

"Your boys?"

"Yes, the team. Almost every one of them came to see me last week. I wish you'd been here."

"I saw them before I left for the weekend. They seemed to have lifted your spirits."

"Oh they did that. They said the things I used to say to them in the locker room. Believe me, I got the message."

"So are you ready to work?"

"Yes I am. And you won't have to fuss at me today."

Heather explained her idea of working with Mr. Thomas, but Coach Davis requested to work alone and promised Heather he would didn't need inspiration.

True to his word, Coach Davis worked hard and seemed to enjoy Heather's new game. She stood at the end of the hospital bed and blew the bubbles from the dollar store through the wand. Coach Davis would lift one of his nubs, as he called them, and pop the bubbles. They both enjoyed the game. They joked and laughed while they played or rather worked. This was the old Coach Davis that Heather remembered from high school.

On Tuesday Coach Davis' medical chart wasn't on the shelf. Heather walked quickly to his room and found an unfamiliar man measuring Coach Davis' legs.

"Hi Heather." Coach Davis smiled when she walked in the room. "This is Mr. Wynngate. He's measuring for my prosthetic leg. Isn't that exciting?"
"Yes it is, but I didn't realize you were looking forward to it."
"I wasn't. When Dr. Rossman asked me about it, I said not to bother. I didn't plan to wear it. But when my team came and read me the riot act I reconsidered. When they were talking to me, I heard myself talking to them in the locker room at half time. Can you believe that? They used my own words against me. I'm not sure that's fair."
"If it gets you out of this bed, it's fair. You have way too much life in you to spend it in bed." Heather remarked.
Mr. Wynngate looked up at Coach Davis and smiled. "She's right about that."
"I guess so. She was a student and dating one of my football players when I was coaching. Now she's my physical therapist who thinks she's my boss."
" I do not think I'm your boss, but it might not be a bad idea for you to have a boss. You haven't been exactly making rational decisions lately."
"See what I mean, Mr. Wynngate? Instead of strengthening my muscles, she's analyzing my mental competency."
Again Mr. Wynngate smiled at the coach. "Well if your plan was to lie in this bed until you died, she may be right about you not making good decisions. You lost your legs and while that is a really big adjustment, it's not the end of your life. With the prosthesis we have today you can be as active as you were before you lost your legs. There is a man in South Carolina who ordered a custom made prosthesis so he can run races again."
"No way." Coach Davis didn't believe that.
"Yes way. Is that something you are interested in? If so, I need to know before I start building your device. I can build it for running if you want."
"Well I wasn't much of a runner. It just wasn't my thing."
"What did you do before going into the military?"
"I was a football coach at the high school."
"Well I know it's not the same as the Friday night lights and fans screaming, but I volunteer at an organization called I-CAN. It stands for International Child Amputee Network. They help children who are born with under-developed limbs or lose them during childhood. Every summer I volunteer as a counselor at a camp called Adventure Amputee Camp. We have some really neat things for the children including river rafting, high ropes, and water skiing. If we modify the equipment, these kids can do anything. Like I said, it's not the same, but it would be working with children." Mr. Wynngate loved these children and promoted the organizations anytime he got the chance.

"Let me think about it. I'm not sure I'll be in any shape to volunteer by summer."
"You give me the word and I'll have you in shape by summer." Heather told him.
Coach Davis and Mr. Wynngate laughed.
Mr. Wynngate gathered his equipment to leave and said, "I'll be back in a couple of weeks with your prosthesis and I'll bring you some information on I-CAN." He left before Coach Davis could refuse his offer.

"Well do you feel like working out after all that?"
"Not really, but I think I need to. It sounds to me like Mr. Wynngate has me slated to help some children."

Weight Lifting

Over the next two weeks Coach Davis worked on building his strength. He was surprised at how much muscle tone he had lost lying in bed. Then he was embarrassed. A coach should know better, he thought.
At the end of the second week, Heather found him working out in the weight room. "How are you doing today?"
"I'm fine. Mr. Wynngate is coming today with my prosthesis and I'm trying to get my workout done before he gets here."
"Well I think I'm about to stop your workout. When he gets here, we are going to attach your new legs and then get you walking. That will take more strength than you think so I want you to stop the workout and go rest for awhile. I don't want you so tired you don't have the muscle tone to attempt walking." Heather said in her professional voice.

Reluctantly Coach Davis put down the weights and went back to his room. It seemed like an eternity before Mr. Wynngate arrived with the prosthetic. Heather wheeled Coach Davis into the therapy room where there was plenty of room to work.
Mr. Wynngate show the anxious coach how to attach the prosthesis to his leg. Then Coach Davis stood for the first time in several months. Heather had been right. It took all his strength and the help of Mr. Wynngate to stand. Holding on to bars on either side of his waist, he pulled himself down the therapy walkway. Despite his best effort, he collapsed midway. He was embarrassed and angry, but Mr. Wynngate informed him that most amputees trying the walkway for the first time fell.

Over the next couple of weeks, Coach Davis improved enough to be dismissed from the hospital. He still required outpatient physical therapy, but he was making great progress. With regular checkups at the clinic and exercise at the gym he would continue to improve. Heather was surprised at how much she missed him.

One day in early May, she walked to her usual nurse's station and saw Coach Davis in the waiting room. She started to walk over to him, but she saw him walking toward her. By the look on his face, she could tell he wanted to show her how well he was doing. His steps were still a little slow, but he required no assistance from crutches or canes. Heather couldn't help but smile watching him. Then she noticed his smile was even broader than hers.

After the greetings and hugs, Coach Davis said, "I had to come see you. I knew you'd want to hear my good news."
"What good news."
"I have been accepted as a counselor at Adventure Amputee Camp this summer. I leave in two weeks to help set up camp. Isn't that wonderful. I can hardly wait."

"Yes, it is wonderful. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I'm just as sure you will inspire the children."

"Oh, I don't think so. I think it will be the other way around."

They laughed as Heather walked him to the elevator. He promised to call when he returned with a full report. She promised to consider volunteering next summer.

Antique Tractor Show

2013-05-06T03:30:00.000-05:00

Life's Lessons:

My husband and I attended an antique tractor show and I thought I would share some photos.

It took me about ten minutes to see the tractors. It took my husband about three hours. Thank God for my Kindle. My husband and I both enjoyed the day.

We did enjoy the drive over and eating at the Cotton Patch Restaurant.

Even I recognize an old John Deere.

More or Less a Man

2013-05-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

Part II

Heather had been taught that if a patient didn't care he wouldn't heal. A therapist couldn't make a patient care. Her head knew this, but her heart refused to believe that she couldn't help Coach Davis. She had to find a way to motivate him. The damage to his spirit was worse than the damage to his physical body and watching the results was just too difficult for Heather to take.

Heather left the hospital feeling less than happy about her job for the first time since starting her clinicals. She didn't know what to do. Coach Davis wasn't going to die from his injuries, but he certainly wasn't living with them.

Heather spent time in prayer about the situation. The next day she walked into the hospital prepared to talk to Coach Davis--more importantly she planned to listen. She pulled a chair beside his bed and sat down with determination.

Coach Davis looked at her curiously and said, "What in the world are you doing?"

"I'm working."
"Working? Doesn't look like work to me. Your job is to make me feel better."
"You are right and that's what we're going to do today."
"By sitting in that chair?"
"By working on your biggest problem."
"Now that's funny. My biggest problem is that I lost me legs."
"Well I will agree that is a problem. But you have a bigger problem."
"What is that?"

"I have diagnosed it as DTJE."
"What is that?"
"It stands for Determined To Just Exist."
"Well how would you feel if you went to serve your country and you came back in pieces?"
"Thankfully I cannot answer that question because I have no experience to draw from."
"That's right, you don't know." Coach Davis spat the words out of his mouth and the tone of voice showed his level of frustration.
Be patient, Heather told herself. She knew he was hurting and lashing out at her because she was convenient. "Why don't you tell me about it?"
"I'm damaged goods. No one is going to want me now."
"I don't believe that."
"Well I do. No school is going to hire me without legs. No woman is going to want to spend the rest of her life with me."
"Oh I think any woman would be proud to spend her life with you."
"Not the one I was engaged to." He said so softly that Heather hardly heard the words.
She hadn't know he was engaged. "I'm sorry you lost your love."
"When she came to see me in the hospital, she promised that nothing had changed. But as soon as the nurses removed the sheets to change my bandages, out that door she went. She couldn't have gotten out of here faster if she worn roller blades. For a week or so she called with excuses why she couldn't visit me. Then she sent me a letter telling me that it was too painful to see me this way."
"She sent you a letter?"
"Yes."
"She didn't tell you in person?"
"No, just a letter."
"Excuse me for saying, but I'm not sure you lost much."
Coach Davis laughed for the first time since the attack. "You might be right. She was kind of high maintenance. Did you know I bought her two engagement rings because she said the first diamond wasn't large enough? We always ate at the best restaurants. The only time I ate hamburgers was when I was with the team."
"Oh I think it's hard to beat a good hamburger."
"I agree."
"Did you know that a hamburger can actually be very healthy? If you use lean meat and mustard on wheat buns, it is healthy. You have your protein, whole wheat, and vegetables."
"Sounds like a complete meal."
"It is and a soft drink makes it a balanced meal."
Again Coach Davis laughed. Heather liked his laugh. She wished she could have heard more, but it was time for her next patient.
"Please excuse me. I need to go see my next patient."
"Okay, thanks for talking to me."
"I enjoyed it. Don't you feel better."
"I don't think we solved any of my problems, but I'm okay."

Over the next week Heather watched Coach Davis as his emotions ran the gamut from 'everything is fine' to 'my life is over'. There were days she thought she had made a difference and days she thought she'd wasted her time. The end of the week was one of those days when she wondered why she tried. Coach Davis was angry and snappy. Heather continued to be her sweet, friendly self although there were times she momentarily considered choking him.
On Saturday morning, after a restless and prayerful night, she made a decision. She walked quickly to the phone and dialed the number before she changed her mind.

"Hello?"
"Chip? This is Heather."
"Hello Heather. I still recognize your voice. You don't have to tell me who you are." He said with just a bit of teasing in his voice. "What's up?"
As quickly and succinctly as possible she told him the story of Coach Davis' tragedy. Chip was very saddened to hear about it.
"How can I help?"
"Well, he is so down, I thought that if some of the football players came to see him it'd lift his spirits."
"That's a good idea. I probably won't come because I'm so far away, but I will call some of the team and see if they can come."
"Thanks Chip. I really appreciate it."

On Monday morning Coach Davis was in a relatively good mood, which always made Heather's job easier. Although he didn't argue and complain, he didn't work very hard either. He still did as little as possible. Tuesday dawned a beautiful day outside, but a stormy day in Coach Davis' room. He almost bit Heather's head off as soon as she walked in the door. He did what she asked, but complained more than he exercised. His foul mood didn't improve Wednesday. Then came Thursday--a day Heather will never forget. This was more than a bad mood. He was argumentative, insolent, combative, sarcastic and arrogant.

Heather spent as little time as possible with him. His gloomy attitude had affected Heather so badly that she had scheduled a day off on Friday. She needed the long weekend and recover from the barbs she'd been thrown this week.

She was finishing paperwork and getting ready to go home when she heard a raucous down the hall. The noise was coming from Coach Davis' room. As she suspected, the team that went to state finals was standing in the hospital room of the coach they so willingly followed. There were more high fives being passed around than lollipops at a birthday party. Coach Davis was grinning from ear to ear. Not a fake smile. A genuine I-am-happy smile. Heather hadn't seen that smile since she graduated.
Just as quietly as she entered, Heather exited the room. This was a team moment and she didn't want to intrude.

Heather appreciated the long weekend as much as she needed it. She slept late, went shopping with a friend, and then saw a funny movie. It felt good to laugh after such a draining week. She had worked hard to keep her spirits up in front of Coach Davis and it was getting more difficult each day. She was pretty close to letting him sink in his own despair. That went against everything she believed, but the fact was, he was bringing her down with him.

Look for Part III next week.

Elected Offical???

2013-04-29T02:58:00.002-05:00

I heard the audio to this last week. I was so amused and amazed that I planned to write about it today. When I googled it, I found the video on youtube. There's not much I can say. You have to watch this.

And then there's our leader:

New Facebook Fanpage

2013-04-26T15:08:00.000-05:00

This is a great day. I am pleased to announce that my new facebook fanpage is up and running. I am very pleased with the response so far. This page has some fun puzzles and games as well as several videos. I have worked hard to make this page fun for you. Please stop by and give me a like. Please leave me a comment on the puzzles and games. https://www.facebook.com/storiesforchrist

Pornography Comes In Many Shapes

2013-04-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

You can rest easy now. Your teenager can't look at inappropriate magazines or intimate parts of a woman's body. All the magazines with women's parts showing are behind the counter, covered with a piece of black paper. He won't see anything you don't want him to see. Unless he in into sports and buys the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition of 2013.

My friend showed me this cover yesterday. I had already seen it at the bookstore. My friend said, "That looks like two cantaloupes. It is not attractive at all." She opened the magazine and to our dismay, we found that this was actually one of the more modest photos in the book. There was one photo of a model wearing only a thong--no top. True she had her back to the camera, but was turned one quarter toward the camera so that her breasts showed, but the nipples were covered with her arm.

Look at the Playboy Magazine on the right. The model is more modestly dressed than the Sports Illustrated model. Both of these covers are of 2013. Now I am not advocating that your teenager be allowed to buy Playboy Magazines. What I am saying is that it doesn't matter what title is on the magazine, pornography is pornography. Putting a suggestive photo on a magazine that does not come under the traditionally considered pornographic magazine genre changes nothing. I don't care if Good Housekeeping puts it on their cover. Suggestive is suggestive. The name of the magazine doesn't make it appropriate.

The opinion in this blog is mine and I am blessed to live in a country where I am allowed to express it. I welcome your opinion, whether for or against the photo. Please leave me a comment telling me how you feel.

More Or Less A Man

2013-04-19T07:54:00.001-05:00

Preston Davis had just returned home from the war. He wasn't the man he was four years ago. He had been a well built, healthy young man. Life couldn't have been better for him if he had designed it himself. Athletics had always been a part of his life. From youth football through college bowl games. He had played them all. After graduation he had accepted a position as football coach from his high school Alma mater. The team had gone to state his first year of coaching, making him a very popular coach. They didn't win, but he had been so proud of his team for making it to the finals. His bright smile, positive attitude, and ability to make others feel comfortable made him easily accepted by the townspeople.

Now he was a double amputee lying in a hospital bed with no future plans, thanks to the IED hit the humvee he was driving. On top of the physical pain was the emotional agony. He had been the only survivor in the humvee, although there were days he questioned the term survivor. As far as he was concerned, his life was over. Who would hire a coach that couldn't even walk, let alone demonstrate the plays to the team?

Heather Allen had been a senior the year Preston was hired. She had been dating the quarterback and had gone to every game. If it was an away game, Coach Davis allowed her follow the bus home for safety. Sometimes she stopped at a restaurant with the team on the way home. There she witnessed first-hand why the team respected and loved the new coach so much.

At the end of the school year, Heather had graduated and gone on to college. She and the high school quarterback had dated through their first year in college and then gone their separate ways.

Now Heather was completing her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy. She was enjoying the clinicals at the VA hospital. The courage of the men she worked with was inspiring. Some were bitter, but most were determined to not let their injuries keep them from living a full life. Heather felt blessed to be learning from the doctors, nurses, and physical therapists in this hospital. She was amazed at how much she learned from the patients.

Heather opened the new patient folder to learn the needs of the patient. Pain gripped her heart when she recognized the name. She remembered how vibrant he had been before he left. Now she held in her hand a folder labeled DOUBLE AMPUTEE.

"Excuse me while I go study this folder." Heather said to her mentor. Then she went in search of a quiet place. Just as she found the solitude her tears started flowing. "Lord, I can't do this without you. I can't remain professional or keep my emotions in check without your help. Please give me the strength to do what you have called me to do. Amen"

In short order, the tears stopped and Heather made her way down the hall to Preston's room. Just before entering she sent up one more silent prayer. Then she put on her best professional look and opened the door. At the sight of Preston she weakened and immediately felt the strength of the Lord come over her. Preston was at least 30lbs. lighter than when he was coaching, the color of ashes, and looked as weak as a small child.

Heather intentionally threw her shoulders back and walked with determination toward his bed. "Hi Coach Davis. Do you remember me? I dated Chip Reynolds in high school."

"Yes, I remember you. What are you doing here?"

"I am completing my degree in physical therapy and this is where I do my clinicals. I'm going to be your PT for a few days."

"I really don't feel like doing any work today."

"Oh but you will when I am finished. You will feel like a new man."

"I don't feel like a man at all." She heard him say under his breath.

Heather chose to ignore the remark. "Let's start with the arms."

"My arms? There's nothing wrong with my arms."

"I know, but you are not exercising like you once were. So let's work them a while." Heather instructed him on how to stretch his arms. It didn't take long for him to begin to tire. "Now let's work your legs for just a minute. Then you can stretch while I'm not here."

"I really don't want to stretch right now."

"Now you are a coach. What would you tell one of your players who told you he didn't feel like running plays today?"

"I don't believe that I can say that in front of you."

"I'm not surprised. You were tough on your guys, weren't you?"

"Yes and it got us to the playoffs."

"It sure did. I've never seen Chip so happy."

"He was a good quarterback. What's he doing now? Are you two still dating?"

"No we dated for a while after high school, but then we went our separate ways. He went east to a college and I stayed here so it was hard to communicate. We're still friends, but no dating. He is still in college majoring in chemistry."

"Oh wow, that's good."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You've distracted me long enough. Now start stretching those legs."

"You mean these nubs?"

"They are not nubs."

"Yes they are."

"Okay, temporary nubs."

Preston stretched each of his nubs out twice and then informed Heather that he could not do it again. Frustrated, Heather left his room.

She kept picturing Chip on that football field in 99 degree weather, sweating, bruised, and dirty. He wanted to quit but Coach Davis kept pushing him. Sometimes Heather thought Chip was going to pass out, but he kept going because of Coach Davis. Now Coach Davis needed a coach.

Heather went home and considered how to motivate Coach Davis. She knew that every patient needed a goal to work toward. What would Coach Davis set his sights on? She thought. Lord, please give me some inspiration on how I can motivate Coach Davis. Amen.

The next morning Heather made a point of focusing on each patient. She wanted to complete her work quickly and efficiently. She planned to spend quality time with Coach Davis in the afternoon.

Heather walked into Coach Davis’ hospital room with much more confidence than she felt. “Well Coach, how are you feeling today?”

“Like I got hit by an IED.”

“Oh, cracking jokes, huh? You must be feeling better.”

Coach Davis didn’t smile and Heather recoiled at the change in what was once a sunny disposition. She kept smiling and pretending that she was in complete control of her emotions. “Aren’t you an athlete?”

“Yes, why?”

“What is the difference in a great athlete and a mediocre athlete?”

“A great athlete never gives up.” He answered with a snide voice.”

“I thought you’d say something like that. Today we are going to play ball.” Heather said as she pulled a small ball from her bag.

“You don’t have to play catch with me like I’m a little kid, you know?”

“Oh we aren’t playing catch.”

“Then what are we going to play?”

“Kickball.”

“Hey Einstein, I’m lying in a hospital bed while both of my legs are in another country. It might be a while before I can kick anything.”

“Then you’ll just have to use what you have in this country.”

“Well maybe we should change the name of the game to nub ball.” The sarcasm in his voice was far different than the lilt that used to lift the spirits of his students.

Heather pulled back the sheets, exposing his bandaged legs. She was careful to not let her feelings show in her face. Then she adjusted the bed so that Preston was in a half sitting position.

“Ready? Let’s play.” She said as she held the ball about twelve inches above his wounded legs and gently dropped it. Preston made no effort to raise his legs to kick. Frustrated but determined, Heather picked up the ball and tried again. And again she received the same response—or lack of.

End of Part I

Part 2 coming next week.

Shopping For My Mind

2013-04-15T07:39:00.000-05:00

I realize we live in a different world than when I was raising my kids, but things couldn't have changed that much. Could they?

Saturday, my husband attended an all day class in another town. He asked me to ride with him and suggested I do some shopping while I was there.

First, I went to Wal-mart to pick up a few items. I wanted to get there early before the crowds came. It wasn't too busy so the store was quiet and peaceful, making my task quick and enjoyable. Then I took care of some business and went to McDonald's to work on the computer. (It is so nice to be able to access the Internet in a fast food restaurant.) The restaurant was full of kids. Why not? It was getting close to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. After ordering their meal, they all went happily outside to the playground.

Close to lunchtime I went back to the classroom, picked up my husband, and took him to lunch. Afterward I decided to do some fun shopping. To me there is a difference in shopping and buy things. Shopping is wandering around and looking for things I don't need. I rarely buy anything when I'm shopping. I shop for fun, stress relief, recreation, and enjoyment. I set out at about 1:30 p.m.

I went to Old Navy because I had a gift card. As I entered the door, I immediately noticed loads of clothes created for bodies other than mine. Before I had passed the first section of the store I heard a crying baby. Then I heard another one. They cried the entire time I was in the store. I finally left and headed for Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I was barely in the front door when I heard a crying child. The crying continued for the duration of my shopping. Then I headed across the street to Ross, Dress For Less, one of my favorite stores. Ross carries unique items, making every visit an adventure. As usual, I headed to the back for the section with dishes. I didn't make it all the way back before I heard a baby crying. None of these parents made any attempt to even determine the problem, much less comfort the child. By the time I left, I thought I'd lost my mind.

That's three different stores in the afternoon with crying babies. Now let's examine this to find the problem. Four different parents--not a parenting issue. Three different stores--not a location issue. Four different babies--not a personality issue. Afternoon--humm, could be the problem.

Newsflash! Small children need to nap in the afternoon. Taking a child shopping when his or her tired little body requires rest is not fair to the child, parent, or other shoppers. This child is only trying to communicate his or her needs. Parenting means putting your child's needs before yours. I am a parent. If it was necessary to take my babies shopping, we went in the morning, arriving home in time for lunch and a nap--usually for all of us. (Shopping with small children is exhausting.)

Children are more enjoyable when they are pleasant. Children are more pleasant when their needs have been met. My advice for young parents. Enjoy your child. Meet their needs. Enjoy your child. Do what is best for them. Enjoy your child.

Fiction Friday--Topsy Turvy Ministry

2013-04-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

Fiction Friday--Topsy Turvy Ministry

Ann and her husband, Ralph were faithful in their home church. They both served on several committees and were a reliable resource for the pastor and congregation. In turn, Ralph and Ann enjoyed serving their Lord and congregation.

Ann was mopping the kitchen floor when the telephone rang. She was not surprised to hear her pastor's voice on the other end.

"Good morning, Ann." Pastor Peachy said,

"Good morning, Pastor. What can I do for you today?"

"Mr. Paulson passed away last night. He had been ill for several months. I need you to take some food over to the family. The address is 675 N. Point St."

"Alright, I'll call some of the ladies in the church to bring food. They will bring it to the church and I'll pick it up and deliver it to the house."

"That's great. I'll leave the door to the kitchen open and they can put the food in there. Thanks for helping, Ann. I really appreciate you."

"I enjoy it, Pastor. I'll be at the church in a couple of hours to gather the food."

Immediately Ann began calling the food committee members. In a very short period of time, she had contacted enough ladies to present the family with an adequate meal. Then she began cooking the dish she planned to take. Two hours later she arrived at the church kitchen and was pleased to see the variety of dishes brought by the committee.

As usual her friend, Brenda was waiting in the kitchen to help her. They quickly loaded the food in the back of Ann's SUV. As Ann drove off, she handed the address to Brenda who was in the passenger seat. Although, neither had ever been there, it took very few minutes to arrive at the family's home.

There was no answer when Ann knocked on the front door. Brenda tried the door knob and discovered it not locked. Quietly she opened the door and called out. "Hello? Is anybody home?" They heard no answer.

"What do we do?" Ann asked.

"Well, they knew we were coming, so let's go in and set up the food."

They entered the home and quickly found the kitchen. They weren't surprised to see the kitchen in disarray and decided to clean it before bringing the food in from the car. It didn't take long for the two ladies to make the kitchen spic and span. They began unloading the SUV. Cold food was stored in the refrigerator and hot food was placed on the stove.

"That should help them a lot." Brenda stated.

"I think so." Ann replied. "Let's go home."

Ann had just settled down in her recliner when the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Ann, that was the wrong address. The family lives at 675 S. Point." Brenda said excitedly.

"Oh, no. I'll be at your house in five minutes."

Brenda and Ann drove as quickly as allowable--or semi-allowable back to the house on N. Point. As Ann backed into the driveway, Brenda observed that nothing had changed since they left. "No one is here."

"Oh, good. I didn't know how I was going to take all this food away from them. Let's hurry and get out of here before they return." Ann said as she literally threw food into the back of the SUV. In short order, the food was loaded and they drove across the highway to the same address on S. Point.

As with the wrong house, no one was home. This time Ann and Brenda placed the food on the counter-top so the family could served themselves quickly.

Just as they finished, Brenda said, "I don't remember that angel food cake at the church."

"Oh NO! I am not going back to that house. I've already been there twice today. It's a wonder someone didn't call the police on me. I am not taking that cake back."

An embarrassed Ann and an amused Brenda drove home debating whether they should ever admit their mistake.