August, 2005

  1. Tuesday Mishmash

    August 30, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    It’s cool this morning so it feels good to be up and around doing things. Lately it’s been extremely hot here in San Diego, actually I’m in Santee. I should note that I’m still Karen of Scottsdale but for the next month or two I’m a six-hour drive away.

    An hour ago I watched President Bush give a speech to Navy and Marine personnel at Coronado Naval base. I wish I could say I was there but I watched it on TV which was probably better since nobody was in my way. You could see from the camera angles that downtown San Diego was shrouded in fog. When I got up this morning it was foggy here in Santee which is about 15 miles from the coast. The sun is out now and I hope it stays cool for a while. Did I mention it’s been hot here? Oh yes, I did. And I think I mentioned last week that my parent’s air conditioner is dead. It was 91° in the house yesterday. Mom and I had to go to the neighborhood clubhouse for a while to cool off in the air conditioning.

    I spoke with my wonderful husband a little while ago. He is still in the hospital but he’s doing good. It’s nice to hear his voice and to hear him say how much he misses me and loves me. Of course he also tells me that it’s nice to hear my voice and hear me say those things to him too. I’ll be glad when he gets home so he can e-mail me. A month ago we rediscovered instant messaging and had fun playing around with it from one end of the house to the other end of the house. If you have read my blog for very long then you know that Norm and I can be rather silly sometimes.

    I started writing this entry at 10 a.m. and now it’s nearly 1:30 p.m. It seems I have been interrupted about two dozen times. Mom wanted me to explain to her how to do something on the computer but I ended up getting so involved in the project that I forgot all about what I had started doing earlier. Then we decided it was time to eat lunch so I had an avocado, tomato, Romain lettuce, and cheddar cheese burrito. Yummy!

    Okay, onto other things. Sunday we had a guest speaker at my father’s church. Joe Dallas, noted author, speaker and program director of Genesis Counseling, gave an inspiring talk on improving the Church’s response to sexual sin. The Sunday before that we had a group of men from San Diego Teen Challenge sharing their testimonies of how God has changed their lives through the program and help them overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. I would encourage you to check out both web sites linked to in this paragraph so you can learn more about these groups helping people overcome addictions.

    Having watched TV for the last couple of days I am struck by the devastation of lives and property caused by hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. I lived for 10 years in Morgan City Louisiana and spent many happy times visiting New Orleans. My prayers go out to all of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida who are dealing with the aftermath.


  2. Life Equals Change

    August 26, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    This statement was something I learned in graduate school while studying business management but in reality it is something I probably learned from the very beginning but never really thought about it. To live is to change because each day things are different than they were the day before. We are constantly aging and the world around us is constantly changing as it moves from one stage of life to another. Even the things that appear to be constant are in a continual state of change but we just cannot see it.

    Big changes have occurred in my life recently and even though I know that life is about change I still am caught by surprise. My husband is recovering from surgery and it may be six to eight weeks before we can be together again. I’m staying with my parents now until he recovers so my home is not my own. My life is not what it was a few weeks ago. Even though my life is in a constant state of change there is one thing I know that never changes and that is my God.
    God’s presence is with me daily and he is also with Norm. I spoke with Norm on the phone this morning and was pleased to hear a strong and positive voice on the other end of the line. We had a bit of a scare last night as Norm had chest pains and a sudden drop in blood pressure. The physician’s assistant I spoke with last night told me this was a minor heart attack (I can’t remember the medical term he used) and it is not unusual for someone to have this occur after recent surgery. Norm told me he is feeling better and I can tell from his voice it was true. He believes he is right where God wants him to be and he is receiving the best medical care available because he is at Mayo clinic Hospital. He said the medical staff are very caring and are doing everything they need to do to help him recover. Knowing this is a great relief. When you are so far away from the situation as I am, you imagine all sorts of things and that is not good.

    For the past week, actually for the past three weeks, my emotions have been all over the map and so have my thoughts. My feelings really aren’t the best gauge of what is happening. I remind myself that as often as I can. The way I feel about the situation does not change it nor does it really tell me what is actually happening. God is the one who is in control of this situation and I know from his word and from my own experience that I have nothing to worry about. What ever may occur I know that God will be with me and his grace will be sufficient to meet my present needs. As I learned from Bible studies in the past, I know that God’s grace is just enough for what I need today just like the manna he fed the Israelites. They received just enough for each day’s meal requirements.

    I’m trying to settle into a routine in my temporary home away from home. I’ve got my computer set up and I want to get back into regular blogging and my other computer projects. Instead of going to my own church I attend my parents church and that is a comfort because I am known there and not a stranger. My father is the pastor and my younger brother is the worship and youth pastor. I am in a very safe place to be in the arms of my family! Norm is glad that I am well cared for here and so am I.

    We’re having a heat wave in San Diego right now and my parent’s air conditioner has completely died with no hope of resurrection. At least we have tabletop fans. I am trying to think cool thoughts. Mom and I have discussed going to Barnes & Noble to enjoy the air conditioning and check out some new books. Unfortunately right now she is doing errands so I am at home with their dog Mitzi.

    One of the nice things about being here is that I can see my nieces and my grandmother who is 84 years old. Although my brother and his family are away for the weekend I will be able to spend time with my nieces before they start school in September. My grandmother lives very close to my parents home and she has an air conditioner that works! We were at her house last night and it was nice and cool. I am blessed that my family and I get along so well. My parents are my friends as well as Mom and Dad. My mom and I will be busy working on projects together while I am here.

    Enough for now — my blogging muscles are tired. LOL


  3. Good news!

    August 24, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    Norm is out of surgery and the report is good. What they thought was a tumor turned out to be infected tissue around the spinal column in his neck. They removed a small part of the back of the vertebrae near the infection so they could treat the tissue. They’ve put him on antibiotics and I should be able to talk to him later this evening. I am so thankful and praise God for his hand of protection and grace upon Norm and myself. He may be going home in a couple of days. I will keep you posted. Thank you for your prayers and your kind notes of encouragement. I will remain in San Diego until he is fully recovered.


  4. Norm Update II

    August 23, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    Norm has a mass on his spine in his neck. They operate Wed at 1 p.m. AZ time. I have been relocated to San Diego to stay with my parents. My heart and mind are with Norm in Scottsdale. God is our hope and strength.


  5. Update on Norm

    August 18, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    My husband is not getting better. He has been in constant pain for 8 days. We can’t even attempt chiropractor treatment. He saw a pain specialist today. The doctor doesn’t think this is just a muscle problem. They changed his pain meds and ordered 2 MRI’s of cervical & thoracic spine and blood tests for tomorrow. Tried to do an MRI today but it was too painful so tomorrow they want to give him a double dose of vailum first. Pray he can tolerate the tests and for the doctors to figure out what is causing his pain and that Norm can get relief from the pain. Because Norm does not have insurance we have to pay up front for these tests so we also need prayer for immediate financial provision.

    Thank you for praying. It’s hard to see it sometimes but I know God is with us. In the hard times we still say blessed be His name and in everything we give thanks. My father reminded me today of what the Bible says about Abraham in Romans – “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” So I put my hope in Him who is able. (I write this to encourage myself and you also.)

    PS: I miss blogging but my mind is focused elsewhere.


  6. Out of the Hospital

    August 15, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    Norm is out of the hospital. No heart problems found but he is having severe muscle spasm in neck and shoulder on right side with no relief from pain meds. Took him to chiropractor but he could not give much treatment because of inflamed muscle. Treating with ice and herbal muscle relaxer but no relief yet from extreme pain. Will try chiro again on Wed. Thanks so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Blogging on hold until he improves.


  7. My Husband

    August 12, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    I spent Thursday night at the hospital with my husband Norm. He is in intensive care cardiac unit because of chest pains and difficulty breathing. Their running tests and he’s doing OK. I got home around five o’clock this morning and was able to get a few hours of sleep. My parents are here from California to help me. I’d appreciate your prayers.


  8. Here’s a True Nightmare

    August 10, 2005 by Karen of Scottsdale

    Michael Schiavo has been awarded Guardian of the Year by the Florida State Guardianship Association. (Hat tipping goes to Ambra at Nykola.com)

    How anyone could consider a man who used every trick in the book to kill his wife by denying her food and water as a guardian of the year goes beyond my imagination. For more outrage over this “public miscarriage of justice” see pro-life blogs for more of the specifics and fight4Terri where you can find a whole host of well-written letters expressing justified outrage over this award.

    Wake me up when it’s over.


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