Saturday, July 30, 2016

Is this day Five or Six?

More frantic than yesterday. Nearly packed. Furniture mostly packed in back bedrooms.

John in one of the few places left to sit. Who knew an upside down table would make a handy coat rack?
Still pretty but looking a little tired now--like us (the tired part anyway)




Friday, July 29, 2016

Day Five - Frantic Mode

John wanted me all packed by end of today. So what are we doing? Suitcase shopping. Makes sense, right? Sigh. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to get the blood pumping!

I stole a moment to peek at--and photo--the plumeria when I went outside to hang the shower curtain on the clothes line. Glad I did as it is really outdoing itself today.


I'm thankful:
1. that we got some new suitcases. They're the kind with four wheels. I keep thinking of them as the swirly kind--can't remember the real term. John is at another store getting another one as I write. My feet hurt too much to go. Meanwhile I'm supposed to be going through my toiletries...

2. For God's peace. I was feeling panicked earlier today. But feel much better at the moment.

Well, need to get cracking!

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Day four in my countdown to furlough. 

My devotional verse is very appropriate today:
 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
                                    John 14:27 (NIV)
Current events and furlough prep certainly don't give peace. Quite the opposite in fact. Even beautiful flowers can't really give peace, though it is a blessing to have them. But only Christ Jesus can give real and lasting peace, even in the midst of chaos, strife and uncertainty.

Lord Jesus help me to trust you despite what I read in the news! And despite all the things we still have to do to get ready to leave Monday morning.

I'm thankful:
1. for God's peace.
2. for all the work we did get done yesterday.
3. for yesterday's devotional verse: Isaiah 30:15. "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength"
4. for a few minutes of quietness and rest yesterday before the fur began to fly!
An all too rare morning tea on the patio.

John taking time to smell, and see, the plumeria.

He had his usual glass of water. He hates hot drinks!
 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Day three.

I'm thankful:
1. Got a good report at the dentist (actually a periodontal reconstructive surgeon) yesterday. My extraction/implant looking good. Was relieved, and a little chagrined,  to learn that the pain I was still having was due to a bit of food somehow getting stuck in the gum--yuck. He removed it, and now no more pain.

2. We found a less stressful way to come home from Plano yesterday. For you Dallasites, George Bush Turnpike to Beltline to 1382. I know Beltline has signal lights but they are well timed so it wasn't bad. Our GPS was sure we had made a mistake and kept trying to direct us back onto the turnpike. That got a little annoying so we turned it off. The Geo Bush is a better road than 35 and with less traffic and fewer semis too it was a real relief. It may take a little longer. But it's worth it.

3. I got some important jobs done yesterday--sorting the last few weeks' mail, catching up bills for my Mom and ordering her monthly incontinent supplies.

4. Most of the bills from recent medical tests arrived yesterday. So we can pay them before we leave.

5. For these gorgeous plumeria flowers that are giving me something special to look forward to each morning.


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Day Two in my countdown to furlough. And I'm not ready!! My clothes are almost packed and the house is getting that way. But mentally and emotionally I'm not. I know it's only for 5 months. And yes there are good things about going. Seeing friends and family, for example. But in order to see them there, I have to leave friends and family here. It's never easy either way. I always feel sad to leave them there when we come back here too.

Being transplanted is never easy.
I noticed this morning that the hostas I thinned this weekend are looking distinctly more perky than the ones I dug up and transplanted. I tried both ways to see which one was better for next time. I guess getting dug up, separated, shook off and transplanted is more stressful than just doing a little downsizing and thinning even for plants. I know the feeling.

My devotional this morning was appropriate: Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you." (NIV)
Anne S. White, the devotional writer said, "If our minds are really stayed on Him, we shall know which things He intends for us to do and how they can best be accomplished."



Monday, July 25, 2016

Count Down to take off

  


   

 A week from today we leave for our five month furlough in Australia. Everyone is envious. They think Australia is so exciting. It reminds me of the Aussie lady I met who was surprised to learn that living in Dallas is not as exciting as the TV show. In fact I've never even met J.R. Ewing!   

I was thrilled to see this morning that my plumeria buds are beginning to open. I got this plant a while back at my garden club. This is the first time it's budded. I hope it opens all the way before we go. I'll try to post more photos of it. It can help me count down to take off.



I just read that plumeria flowers are sometimes used for making leis in Hawaii. That seems appropriate since we'll be having a week long stop over in Hawaii on our way to Australia.(yes you can be envious about this part! at least I would be if it was me. I mean if it wasn't me and you were me!) This is a slightly belated 20th wedding anniversary celebration. (Our anniversary was December 31st) We'll be staying with a coworker of John's who lives on Maui. We also hope to have the 2nd half of the celebration on our way back. That time we plan to be on Oahu. We are thankful for the special gifts that have made this possible!

I'm also thankful for all the work my friend Fran and I got done on separating the African hostas this weekend.

Lest you think preparing for furlough is all about sitting around watching flowers open, this next photo is of the beginning stages of packing most of our stuff into the two back bedrooms. John is measuring furniture as I write this to see if we can fit the rest in. I'm lobbying for down sizing a little more. But he would rather wait on that. We'll see who "wins."



Our to-do list keeps growing. This is page one of the third installment. There must be a murphy's law about to-do lists. No matter how long and detailed a to-do list is, it will only ever account for 1/4 of the things that need doing. If Murphy didn't think of that one already, we can call it "Thomson's law."


Monday, July 11, 2016

If my people

So much has happened since my last post. Especially here in Dallas last week. It feels like anything I write will seem trite. But today on my way home from the bank and other errands I remembered again how important thankfulness is--especially when it seems hardest. It can keep us sane and connected to God and keep us from giving in to fear and bitterness.

I'm thankful:

1. For the impromptu prayer time we had with my Mother's caregiver Sunday. She is a strong Christian who happens to be black. It was an important time of healing, reconciliation and crying out to God for our nation and city.

2. For the positive interactions I had today with many black people I came across. Not all, unfortunately, but the vast majority. The, predominately black, staff at the banks and post office where I went were even nicer and more helpful than usual. It was a relief. I was kind of nervous about going out. 

3. For this positive news item from Fox News. (http://video.foxnews.com/v/5029871689001/mom-shot-at-dallas-rally-officer-told-me-to-run-as-he-fell/) I posted it on facebook too. It helped to bring a healing and more balanced perspective on the tragedy. 

4. For this promise from 2 Chronicles 7:14-- "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

5. For Christ's example. The only perfect sinless person who ever lived was murdered unjustly and yet he forgave and prayed, "Father forgive them..." He calls us to do the same.