Catching up:
Drama I
Two days after I typed my last blog entry I misjudged an edge of a sidewalk and fell!! I kept getting closer to the ground as I took a few steps and tried to regain my balance while dodging the cement tire stop just off the side of the sidewalk. I landed in a parking space beside my car and knew immediately I had injured my arm. Three teenagers came over and asked if I needed help and called 911 for me. They were so sweet and stayed with me. A young army guy came and supported my back after I was able to sit up. I felt cared for as I did not have to wait alone for my first ambulance ride while experiencing a great deal of pain and wooziness. An interesting coincidence; one of the teenagers who waited with me turned out to be the niece of the ambulance driver. They hadn't seen each other for a couple of months. A friend came to ER and stayed with me and we tried to reach Chuck. Chuck was at a men's barbecue and someone reached him with the news just before they put me under to relocate my dislocated elbow. Chuck and I are both glad he was not there at the beginning. I argued with the medical personal about cutting off my favorite summer blouse and I won! (It has really wide arm holes and I knew it could come off without my arm having to move). Then later after they put me out they discovered I was chewing gum. They were unable to remove it because I clenched my teeth and had a discussion about whether they should proceed or not. (I can hardly believe my friend got to witness the discussion). Both times (blouse and gum) Chuck would have been vocal. He would have encouraged me to let them cut off my blouse and he would not let them have proceeded till my gum was out. He arrived on time to see the x-rays and be impressed with how far the bone was out of the socket ( three inches or so) and how good it looked after it was put back in. We mistakenly thought a dislocation would heal easier then a break but it turns out with a dislocation ligaments and tendons have to heal, as well as nerves. It looks like physical therapy is part of my future again. We have been quite the pair for the last three weeks.
Drama II
Baby birds began hatching last week. There were three eggs laid over three days and the birds also hatched over three days. After only a couple of days we became aware of hawks! We saw 4 baby hawks and also adult hawks. The baby hawks cry for food; we have seen them dance on the ground for food and waiting on tree limbs. And many times we watch both babies and adults or just the adults totally focused on the nest by the patio door. Mama hawk wants to feed our baby birds to her babies and has come quite close to the house. I believe our babies will be ready to leave their nest next week and we are wanting what the next chapter will be like. We have so enjoyed having this experience. We have been amazed at how diligent and alert the parents are. Lots of scriptures have come to mind as we watch this story unfold. Lots of prayers have gone up for protection from the hawks. Even visitors end up praying after they watch the drama.
And speaking of prayer we would love you to continue praying with us. Please pray for wisdom; the plans for the bathroom remodels need to be finished this month. We are thankful for the input from friends and family. It is a very big project and we want to make wise decisions and make sure nothing important is overlooked. Also, we would like wisdom as many people suggest certain vitamins, or treatments to Chuck. We want to be open to God's leading but know we cannot and should not follow all the suggestions we are given. Heal pain disturbs Chuck's sleep as well as his ability to position himself comfortably and we are still asking God for better sleep for both of us. (His difficulties can wake me and of course I have been disturbing him while trying to find a comfortable position for my arm). We continue to pray that as we walk through this that we will grow closer to the Lord. We know He can either still the storm we are in or He can give us peace in the midst of the storm. We will continue to ask for healing until He tells us not to and as we walk through this we ask for strength, peace and joy. We are so thankful for all the prayers that lift us up. ~ pauline
