Mama

It is 8:30 pm, and I am SOooo ready for bed! Daddy got me up at 4:30 am this morning...when most folks are still enjoying their deep sleep! An hour later, my parents and I were on our way to the hospital for Mama's mastectomy.

I made the 2 hour trip home after church yesterday. It was strange being at "home" without my hubby and boys. Just Mama, Daddy and myself. As we chatted at supper, the laughter grew, stories were shared, and we talked about her upcoming surgery. We discussed all that we knew, and I pondered questions that I wanted answered--that neither of my parents had asked the surgeon.

I gave Mama a beautiful yellow prayer shawl that our church's prayer ministry had made just for her! Her eyes lit up, and she just glowed! Just lovely! We finished packing and then started the joking and had more stories. Then...the boobie jokes began! Y'all, we were all laughing so hard! It reminded me of the scene from "Steel Magnolias" where the family is playing cards the night before Julia Roberts' and Sally Fields' surgery--the kidney transplant. That, my friends, is how we were! No sadness or regret...just peace and joy!

This morning, as we waited to be admitted, another couple came in the waiting room. The man smiled and waved at Daddy. The lady looked familiar, but I couldn't place her face. When Daddy called the man's name, I realized who the lady was. Y'all, she was my art teacher from high school!!!!!! She remembered me, and we hugged and squealed at 5:45 am! It's been a LONG time since I took art from her! A very long time!

After Mama was finally taken into surgery, my sister who had arrived began to lighten things up even more. When we all get together...watch out! Some poor man who was in the waiting room with us....in close proximity...kept falling asleep and snoring! After the third time, sweet sister whipped out her cell phone and took his picture! We started laughing again! My parent's preacher was also there by this time, and I know she thought we had lost our looney minds! But you know how it is once you get going?? You can't stop the laughter!

The call came that Mama was out of surgery, and everything was good. The doctor removed all that needed to be and then some. By the time that we got to her room, she was waking up and feeling good. The anesthesia did not make her sick--praise! She was just thirsty and hungry! Bless her heart....she had not eaten or had anything to drink in almost 12 hours! Talk about dehydration!

When I finally left the hospital for home, she and Daddy were talking and laughing. He was holding her hand and smiling at her with all of the love that they've shared for over 56 years. Beautiful. God is still in the business of miracles. I witnessed one today. This is an 81 year old woman who has been on insulin for diabetes for over 60 years. That in itself is amazing according to the doctors. She suffered a stroke 10 years ago and had to relearn to walk and write and count money. God is SOoo good. He still has plans for her.(Jeremiah 33:11) She still has work to do for Him. As do I.

My friends who rode to Texas last Sunday are back home in Greenville. I chatted with Robin for a minute tonight. She is simply exhausted...physically and emotionally after a 1200 mile bike ride. We're going to have lunch this week to talk about her trip and how God was right there beside them. I can't wait!

It's time to wash my face and go to bed, people! I am falling asleep as I type! Hope it makes sense! Thank you for your prayers! Please don't stop....we are not quite finished yet!

Sweet Blessings!

Sew On, Lisa!

Happy Monday, y'all! I want to introduce you to my darlin' friend, Lisa! Lisa and I have known each other forever! We go to church together, and our kids do swim team together. I know I drive her crazy! Several years ago (maybe 7??), Lisa decided to give a home based business a try. Her husband encouraged her, she researched, and she prayed! I think of this verse from Jeremiah 29 when folks step out in faith to give something like this a try! "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." If we truly seek His face to give us His wisdom and not ours, He tells us that He will prosper us. He is there to listen to us. Even with these tough economic times, Lisa's business is doing well...He is prospering her!! He is faithful and keeps His promises...yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Let's hold fast to that one, friends!

Take a look at this humongous machine that she uses to create some of the coolest stuff! It's amazing!

Here are just a couple of her precious little goodies that she makes!

If you get a chance today, I would love for y'all to pop over to her website and take a look around! If you can, leave her a happy note!!! Tell her Susan sent you!! You can simply go to http://www.sewonlisa.com/

Do you see what she has on her work table?? Yes, sirree Bob! It's my funky little stool! I promised y'all that it will be finished soon! I will show you the final project on my Decorating Dilemma blog this Wednesday!! (If there were more hours in the day, you'd see it sooner!)

Many Blessings!

81+6=FUN!

My sweet Daddy, Mama, Child #1, and Child #2

Hey, y'all! Greetings from busy "Mama Central!" Whew! I subbed three days last week--as well as today, and ran all over the place the other days. I've got a few minutes before I pick up the boys from track, so I thought that I would share some family fun with you all!

My sweet Mama (age 81)and darling nephew(age 6) share the same b'day month. Their b'days are only 4 days apart, so darling sister entertains all of us at her home in Lexington. She is a fabulous decorator and cook--I got none of those genes!! Oh, well!

Darling nephew enjoys some of his Sponge Bob cake!

After church, the boys and I took off to celebrate. We left hubby here doing church work--I'll post about it later this week! By the time we all were together, we had a group of 9. We simply enjoyed our day together. It made me think of how God told us to keep the Sabbath Holy. How often do we find ourselves running errands--that could PROBABLY wait until Monday? Or cleaning house and finishing the laundry because we ran out of time during the latter part of the week? I'm guilty as charged. But...I'm aware of this, and I intend on praying about it and trying to make some changes. Changes that will glorify Him and settle my heart as I prepare for a new week ahead. I read something by Louis Giglio recently where he talks about how God wants us to simply enjoy His creation--and He gave us Sunday on which to do it.

So, we enjoyed our sweet time together. My parents are a little older, and I want to make sure that we take advantage of each opportunity to visit with each other. They live several hours away near Lancaster--outside of Charlotte. So, it's a drive that we don't make nearly as often as we should. Nine years ago, my Mama suffered a stroke. To this day, the doctors can't explain why it didn't end her life. She has been a diabetic all of her life, and this was just a double whammy. I believe that I know. God still had plans in store for her. (Jeremiah 29:11) My nephew was just only in God's plans-not even here for several more years, and Mama was still needed! It wasn't her time. She is still amazed that she's her age and going strong! The stroke slowed her down--no more driving or cooking! Bless Daddy's heart! He's become a great cook! I shared in an earlier post that he waits on her hand and foot...and loves it! He has such a servant's heart. At the age of 85, he just gave up teaching Sunday School after leading it for over fifty years. They were so excited about my Chronological Bible that I got for Christmas, that they had to have one too! They are beginning a Bible study this Wednesday at my former church. And...they can't wait! I pray that I continue to have their enthusiasm and zeal for life when I'm their age. I hope I'm still running marathons too!!! God does continue to bless us with miracles!

Many blessings,