Life is such a wild ride! The last few weeks are all a blur. My knee injury has made it difficult to get through the day. I get through work, drive home, and go straight to bed with some meds and a big knee pillow. Phone calls have gone unreturned, laundry has exponentially multiplied, and my family has eaten a lot of snacks in front of my TV. Last Saturday, I had my 2nd MRI. You know it has been too long since you’ve taken time for yourself when the quiet room, cozy flannel PJs, and warm blanket of the MRI room felt like heaven! Sunday, I was in too much pain to go to church, but Coley and Bree went. At 11, Bree texted me to say that Pastor Gary was praying for healings, and he mentioned he felt like some people were home with severe pain in their knees. He prayed for me and I wasn’t even there! The next morning, my doctor called and said there was tremendous healing in my MRI results from one week to the next, so we would hold off on surgery… it looks like it was taking care of things on its own! Praise God! And each day this week, my pain has been gone, and I really feel like I am headed in the right direction. Why am I surprised when God shows up – when He always has and always will????! Then, my second surprise this week was that, last night, my girlfriends kidnapped me for an amazing night of Olive Garden, photos, prayers, letters, blessings, chocolate, gifts, coffee, and a Matthew McConanaughy movie (Fool’s Gold). We stayed out until 11:15 on a school night!!! I know!!! Girlfriends sure have a special place in my life. I needed my cup filled and they did their thing :*) So, life has, once again, pleasantly surprised me this week. Thanks to God for being my ultimate provider and caretaker of my spirit.  So, Happy 38th Birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle died, slipped and tore my knee tissue, MRI on Tuesday (surgery?), moving in 4 weeks (during parent-teacher conference week), some tough kids in my class causing me to lose sleep, having dreams about my dad, sick kids, gray skies, and life is good. Spend some time at www.godtube.com and relocate the joy that may be sapped. This video brought me to tears as I remember the innocence God values, and how much our “stuff” is meaningless in the big picture.

I don’t know how to embed video yet, so copy and paste this: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey

=e9f01db31b8625a475cc

My uncle just died.  It feels weird.  We were not close.  He actually usually scared me a bit.  He was my dad’s only brother.  He was around a bit when Tam and I were young.  But then, his addictions and bitter lifestyle took him away from relationships.  He would occasionally come down for a holiday.  He was homeless for some time in Vegas.  He was a big help when my dad died.  Last year, he was homeless AND very sick, so my mom and Richard went to Vegas, packed him up, and moved him in with them to nurse him back to health.  I have a great deal of respect for Richard for wanting to take care of his wife’s dead husband’s crazy brother, and he did it well.   They transitioned him into his own housing a few months ago.  John helped him get his own car.  Again, he mostly just stayed to himself.  Now, with no real relationships at all, he died quietly with only my mom in the room, just 5 minutes before his long lost grown son (who drove 4 hours) arrived to say good-bye to a dad who mostly hurt him, and never took care of him.  Life is strange sometimes.   I feel sad that my dad’s brother is gone.  I feel sad that he lived his life in a way that separated him from people who could have loved him so much.  I feel glad that the love of Christ is what brought people near him in the end.  I am not sure of his salvation, but he did let my mom pray for him this morning.  How do you deal with this kind of loss?  Dead in his 50s, alone, and very sick due to emphysema, system failure, and infections- still drinking and smoking as he wheeled his oxygen tank around.  Were there people in his life that he impacted positively?  How did God use him?  What is the lesson?  For me, the lesson seems to be a renewed determination to live my life well, so that I can bless others and be surrounded by people I love in my “old” age.  I want my children to rise up and call me blessed.  But, I know that I must live a life that earns that.  And then, prayerfully, the grace of God will cover all of the areas where I fall short.  I am glad my mom has a heart of gold.  She has gone above and beyond on this one.  Having compassion for someone she did not have to because it is the right thing to do.  She was with him the moment he passed.  And she was glad to do it.  Amazing.  God Speed, J.O.. I pray you are reunited with my dad, and you can tell him we miss and love him still today, 7 years later.

Johnny has had a tough week. He hasn’t been himself in days. A bit whiny (totally out of character for him), and tired. Just when I was questioning his emotional stability , it hit him… 103 fever for the last 30 hours. He fell asleep on my desk after school at 3:30, and didn’t wake up until 9:30am. I woke him up a few times to give him Motrin, and he was delirious with dreams all night. Scary! Finally, about an hour ago, he sat up and asked for a turkey sandwich from Nicole’s work (Valentino’s). Yeah! I drove down and picked up his very favorite thing to eat in the world… made with love by his Coley-Cakes. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Get better little man… I miss this smile!

We are on Snow Day #3. There is so much snow! I am feeling claustrophobic with the narrow streets, 6 foot high “tunnels”, and trees so heavy they can barely stand. Roofs are collapsing, the roads are nearly impassible, power is intermittent… and more is on the way! Please pray for the elderly, the people with special needs, and for everyone’s safety. City Hall is considering declaring a state of emergency to deal with snow removal, road conditions, damage, heating issues, and dangerous conditions. We are hunkered in, warm and cozy for now, with plenty of cocoa. Pray for our home to stay safe, and for our power (heat) to stay on. Yikes! Another day to catch up on some work… I will update again soon if power/connection allows. Trying to keep everyone safe and happy. :*)

http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7780241

http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7254841&nav=menu438_3_3

WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY…

STEADY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH DAWN FRIDAY. EXPECT 6 TO 10
INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE VALLEYS ON AVERAGE AND UP TO TWO FEET OF
NEW SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS BY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

GUSTY WINDS DURING THE STORM WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
ON EXPOSED TERRAIN.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Ready for the next round

Posted: Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 – 09:39:57 pm PST
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By SEAN GARMIRE
Staff writer

Commissioners could declare state of emergency if conditions get any worse

COEUR d’ALENE — As another round of heavy snow moves into the area today, Kootenai County commissioners will decide whether to declare a state of emergency.

That emergency declaration is “pretty darn close,” said Sandy Von Behren, director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management.

An assortment of government and service agencies met Wednesday to discuss progress and problems associated with cleanup efforts so far, and to prepare for more intense weather.

Their responses were almost all the same: Resources are running out.

Snow-covered powerlines continue to fall, roofs collapse under the strain of heavy snow, roadways grow narrower and emergency agencies are running out of personnel to respond.

The agencies’ requests will be brought to Kootenai County commissioners, who will decide if a declaration of emergency is necessary to draw personnel and other resources from the state.

Emergency responders requested help for downed power lines, and the Coeur d’Alene School District reported a shortage in workers to clear snow off their roofs, which has proven to be a Herculean task due to the district’s more than a million square feet of roof space.

Agencies called for collaboration between their staff, and asked Kootenai County officials to examine their resources to find additional help to catch up before storms hit again.

And the storms are coming.

National Weather Service meteorologist Kerry Jones said another storm will move over the area early today, depositing 5 to 7 inches of snow.

Road crews in Coeur d’Alene are working non-stop to clear roads, but lacking sufficient workers, other road agencies said they can’t work 24-hours.

All the road agencies report they are running out of space to put the snow.

This is what I see when I open my front door.  We have had 2 snow days in 7 years… and now 2 in the last 2 weeks!  When the “locals” and “natives” are saying this is the worst winter in 100 years, something has GOT to be up.  We are in the middle of a terrible storm.  100,000 without power (THANK THE LORD NOT US).  Accidents everywhere.  I had to venture out yesterday, and it was nearly impossible to stay safe with the ice, slush, and white out conditions.  We took Nicole’s keys… when experienced men cannot handle the roads, teens have NO business being on the road.  It is beautiful with the trees so heavy they are bending under the weight.  We have about 4 feet, with 12 inches last night, and 15 more expected this week.

Pray for us to keep our power… we will need to get a hotel if we lose heat.  But, today is a GREAT day to catch up grading papers, laundry, and paying bills.  Countin’ my blessings in the middle of a bitter North Idaho winter…

My baby turned 17 on Friday. Every year, she attends the Generation Unleashed Youth Convention in Portland, Oregon. This year, it fell on her birthday! She was not with us for the first time, and it did not help that I am already grieving about her “last” year at home. I did arrange for her youth pastor to get a great cake, and I sent supplies with her friends to decorate her bed. She had a great time worshiping and being with her favorite friends. Nicole is an amazing girl. She is funny, fun, bolder than I ever was, a great friend, a good big sister to the Littles, and full of big dreams. She is a great servant at church, and she has a real heart for those caught up in big sin. She is creative and passionate about the things she loves. She is the only girl I have ever known to crash into her own mom in a parking lot! :*) Her goals right now are to work hard so she can get into Portland Bible College, stay out of any more car accidents (fender benders actually), have as much fun with her friends as possible, continuing the journey with her best guy- God, marrying a boy from the South who says “ya’ll” and “supper”, reflecting the grace and classic beauty of Audrey Hepburn, and showing off her mad dancing skills as often as possible. She also wants to go on another mission trip this summer… big dreams… amazing girl… We love you Nicole! It has been quite a journey. You have taught us so much. We can only pray that we have taught you all you need to know to have a blessed life. We are proud of the young woman you are becoming. Our work is not finished here… but we are getting close :*)

Looks Like… We woke up to the most beautiful, sunny blue sky. When you haven’t seen it for 45 days, it is like being reborn.

Feels Like… too soon to get out the suits just yet! Yikes!

Just goes to show you that you cannot always believe what you see… :*) Enjoy your sunshine! We are going sledding…

Please put Henry in your prayers this week. My precious sister-in-law, Roberta, just got the news that her 78 year old daddy has prostate cancer. He goes for his pre-op on Thursday. We want to pray God’s best for this situation, and comfort to the family who is understandably scared of this unknown. Cancer sucks!