Hello everyone,
How are you? I must say, I have not been a very consistent blog writer. I have been reading my past blogs so I can bring everyone up to speed on where we are now. I am sorry for my lapse.
In 2017 we welcomed little miss Naomi Lin. She has been a blessing and she is the cutest little thing. She had it a little rough for a while but she doesn't let that stop her, she's tough. In her short 3 years she has had surgery on both ears and on both eyes. She is wearing bifocals now that she picked out! She has a great memory for songs and musical movies/shows and I think I get more enjoyment watching her sing through them, word for word, intonation for intonation and action for action. She would be great for drama club or the theater. She is so fun.
Also in 2017 my mom was diagnosed with her third battle of cancer. This time she has Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and will have to take chemotherapy for the rest of her life. David's mom also continues her battle with metastatic breast cancer. They are strong warriors as they are fueled by their faith and our prayers.
In 2018 we welcomed another grand-daughter into the world, Miss Evangeline Katherine was born to Rochelle and Steven. Rochelle, Steven, Declan and Evangeline all live in Glasgow, Scotland now. Declan is a very proud big brother and I think his little sister could do anything she wanted and he would not say a word. Her little ginger-haired self has him wrapped around her little finger. Declan goes to school now and he is doing quite well. I get to see them grow up and talk to them via Facebook and Facebook messenger.
Also in 2018 they finally determined that the medicines I was on for my epilepsy were too strong for me and they switched to another type. It took about 6 months for the other one to get out of my system and the new one to settle in but I am once again functional. I am praising God because that was rough to experience but He helped me through.
In 2019 Jamie had back surgery for a spine slippage. She was one of the youngest patients this surgeon has seen with this degree of slippage. I don't remember the technical term for it or the degree of which it was before surgery but it was very serious. She attends a private e-school in which she is doing very well. She is very smart. She takes piano and art as extracurricular subjects.
Also in 2019 mom had surgery to replace a heart valve. They didn't know what type of valve she would receive, whether a cow or a pig but in the end, as she says, she moos she doesn't oink.
This year has been tough on everyone, our personal lives, our country, our world. It has seen the arrival of a virus from China that has taken over the world and so much of everyone's lives have changed. Everything we took for granted was taken from us. The freedom to go to our family's homes, shopping, and worst of all, the inability to give care to our ill parents (doctor appointments did not allow anyone but the patient) and the shutdown of our churches. It has been difficult for everyone. Schools were shut down and I have been helping my niece CC do her schoolwork online at my house. After fall break they will once again be attending school 5 days a week.
Just within the past few months we have been able to start going to church again and the first time back on the grounds made me cry. I can even remember the first song we sang, "Here I Am To Worship" It was like a balm to my aching soul...to be able to sing the words of praise: Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God, You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me....How beautiful the words and the ability to praise again!
In the past month David has had a spell that sent him for several tests. They have determined that the left side of his heart is enlarged and he now has a cardiologist. For about a week he wore a heart monitor and he has an upcoming appointment in mid-October. He still works as a corrections officer. It has been a blessing because in these times of uncertainty God has given him a place to work that did not cause loss of income. With this new health diagnosis though we are not sure if he will be able to continue in his line of work. Only God knows and we put our trust in Him as always.
Mom has been in a lot of pain for the past few months and they have just determined that she has to have her gall bladder removed because it is not functioning. During the testing they also found that she has some sort of thickening of her right lung. The next few days will hopefully give us answers on what that is. She is in the process of getting scheduled for a scan of her chest and lungs before her gall bladder surgery. We will know where to go from there.
As for me, I am still kicking. Over the past few years I have put on a lot of weight due to a sedentary lifestyle and I am struggling with the consequences of that. Instead of Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes, I have a new song: finger, shoulder, knee and heel in honor of the places of most pain, but I am once again trying to get my life back together by getting my body back in shape. I have about 110 pounds to lose so please be in prayer for me that I can do this. I have a feeling my health needs to be in order so I can be ready to take care of my loved ones. I hate that I sound gloom and doom but if things don't change I have to face facts and be ready for whatever the Lord has for me.
One last thing and then I will let you go, please, please, please pray for our country. We stand on the threshold of an election that could bring about a devastating new reality. Our world is no longer a place of those seeking unity, it is in utter chaos. People no longer think for themselves they are cast about on the waves of uncertainty fueled by the media. Horrific things are being done to the youngest of our country, both unborn and children alike and there is no longer a sanctity of human life. So many have killed our little ones and/or taken their innocence and I wish with all my heart that I could stop it all. Nobody should take the choice of those who cannot choose for themselves. As voters we need to wise up because it won't stop there. The fires of lies coming from the media fuel racial hate and have turned back the clock of a nation that wasn't perfect but was trying to sort through all the hardships of the past and they want to silence the voice of the people who are saying what the media is saying is just not right. God help us all. I believe the majority of us have an unlimited amount of goodness in our hearts. If we will stop, think and listen, we can overcome this craziness through following Him but we have to want to be still instead of reactionary. We just need to slow down and pray. If we want to truly have clear vision then we need to open our eyes and trust in Him.
That's all I have for this time. Please remember Naomi, Jamie, David, our moms in prayer. Thank you. I hope this finds you all happy, healthy and safe. Take care and God bless. ~Vickie
Posts
