Encouraging news about Ben

In April, I began telling you about Ben, a young man, my daughter's age, who was stricken with testicular cancer. Here is the latest update from his wife. I thought you would like to read this and rejoice and pray for continued healing.

Good news!!!! Ben's HCG (cancer count) is down to 24. We also had a very encouraging appointment at a different rehab facility. They seemed very positive and hopeful about possibility for Ben's arm and are recommending him for a day program designed for younger people hoping to get back to work. It is a much more aggressive program and meets 5 days a week for about 6 hours. It even includes transportation which would be a huge stress relief since I've gone back to work now and am not as free to take him to his various appointments. Please pray that our insurance will cover this, and that if it won't, that we will find a way to cover it.

Some disturbing news

My son called this afternoon and told me that the pediatrician called to say that a blood test done on little Ella tested positive for cystic fibrosis. He did say, however, that a large number are false positives. She will go for another blood test tomorrow and they will know by the middle of next week.

Please pray for my son and daughter-in-law, David and Sabrina, and my little granddaughter, Ella marie.

Thank you.

My new granddaughter

Here she is!!! My granddaughter and first grandchild entered the world, Friday, August 4, 2006. I flew up on Sunday to spend a few days with son and daughter-in-law. I arrived on their doorstep just as they were arriving home from the hospital.

It's hard to remember holding one so tiny. I can't imagine what holding a preemie would be like. She looks big in the photo, but when my son, who is 6'8'' holds her to his chest, she looks like a little peanut. I'm amazed at her hair with its two cowlicks. Neither of mine had very much. My daughter-in-law is Asian, and so bets are being placed about her eyes (just kidding) but they would be very happy for that to be evident.

Everyone told me what a wonderful experience it is...and it is. I can hardly wait to go back and spend more time with this new little girl. More to come...

Flying home yesterday seemed like any other day, except for heightened security at the airport. I flew out of Richmond, and when I went through security, of course my knee set off the alarm. I was taken to a private security check area. Often at the airport I'm asked if I prefer that, and I always say that it doesn't matter. Perhaps that is their practice in Richmond. The checker asked me if I was traveling with anyone, and when I told her no, she gathered up my belongings. That is always a concern to me; however, usually they seat me so that I can keep my eye on my belongings. Yesterday as well as checking my body, the checker went through my purse as well, looking for offensive liquids. I always check everything except my purse and may a small tote bag because I don't like the weight on my shoulders.

When I got to the airport and returned my rental car, I tossed the bottle of water that I had after having heard the news that morning. The only glitch in travel was that in Charlotte, the plane that would take me to Sarasota had started at Newark that morning and had been delayed a couple of hours after news of the arrests in London. It had then flown to Kansas City then to Charlotte. It arrived about an hour after the time that I would have taken off for home. I was none the worse for the wear. It was good to be home safe and sound.

Arriving home, a friend met me at the airport. Her first question was "Do you have pictures?" "Of course," I said, "let me get my camera." Well, I scrounged and looked and my camera wasn't there. I called me son, and he said, "Mom, your friends in Florida aren't going to be happy." I had left my camera at his house, so he sent me a couple that he had sent my daughter earlier...so soon I'll have my pictures, and I promise not to bore you to death with them. 

Good News From a Distant Land

Note: I'm off to Virginia until Thursday to see my new granddaughter (and my son and daughter-in-law.)


GOOD NEWS FROM A DISTANT LAND

A man from Holland called simply, Brother Andrew, had just smuggled a load of Bibles in his VW across the Rumanian border. He checked into a motel and began praying that God would lead him to the right Christian groups-- the ones who could best use his load of Bibles.

On Sunday morning Andrew walked up to the hotel clerk and asked where he might find a church. The clerk looked at him a little strangely and answered, "We don't have many of those you know. Besides you couldn't understand the language."

"Didn't you know?" Andrew replied, "Christians speak a kind of universal language."

"Oh what's that?"

"It's called Agape."

"Agape?" the clerk wondered. "I never heard of it."

"Too bad," Andrew replied, "It's the most beautiful language in the world."

Well Andrew was able to locate several church groups in the area and he managed to arrange a meeting with the president and secretary of a certain denomination, we'll call them James and Leon. They sat down together in a small office. Andrew was eager to tell them about the Bibles he had smuggled into the country. He also wanted to find out something about the men and their churches. But soon the three discovered that they couldn't speak each others languages. The men knew several European languages, but none in common.

So there they sat staring at each other across the room. Andrew had come thousands of dangerous miles in his little VW. He longed to bring greetings and encouragement from Christians in the western world to these brothers isolated behind the Iron Curtain. But how? They couldn't understand a word he said.

Then Andrew got an idea. He noticed James had a Bible on his desk. Andrew reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a Dutch Bible. He turned to I Corinthians 16:20 and held the Bible out, pointing to the name of the book, which they could recognize.

Instantly their faces lit up. They quickly found the same chapter and verse in their Rumanian Bibles and read this verse:
"All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss."
(I Cor. 16:20) James and Leon beamed back at Andrew. Then James looked through his Bible and found Proverbs 25:25. Andrew found the verse and read: "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."

By then all three were laughing together. Andrew responded by turning to the
book of Philemon. He pointed his brothers to verses 4 and 5. They read: "I always thank God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints."

The two Rumanians nodded, smiling. Then Leon's eyes wondered down to verse seven. He pushed the Bible over to Andrew, pointing to these beautiful words: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints."

These three men had a wonderful time together. They spent half an hour conversing and sharing---just through the words of Scripture. They were so happy in their fellowship they laughed until tears came to their eyes. Finally Andrew showed his brothers the Bibles he had brought for them. James and Leon were overwhelmed and overjoyed. They embraced him again and again.

That evening when Andrew returned to his hotel, the clerk approached him and remarked, "Say, I looked up agape in the dictionary. There's no language by that name. That's just a Greek word for love."

Andrew replied, "That's it. I was speaking in it all afternoon."

Adapted from "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew in Steven Mosley's book:
"Great Stories and How to Tell Them."


For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.
"In prayer; expect setbacks, but refuse retreat." Richard Eastman
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!


This is from an e-mail that I received from this website.

The story was sent in by a Pastor Michael Jackson.

Happy birthday

I just would like to announce the arrival of my very first grandchild, a little girl, born at 3:26 this morning. Parents and baby are doing fine. I'll be on my way to see her soon.

Waiting

Tuesday was the due date for my first grandchild. So far, she (the baby) has decided to stay right where she is. Maybe she knows that it is nearly 100 degrees in Virginia where they live. I've been reading and enjoying a lot of blogs lately but not posting. The first three days of the week were hectic, and I didn't want to take the time to sit down and try to do a decent post.

Tom wrote on Tuesday about Greg Maddux's leaving the Chicago Cubs for the Dodgers, and then he mentioned today that he had been a Cub before he ever became a Brave. I had only known him as a Brave. SRP has been writing about her experiences in New York City, from riding the subway to visiting the museums, seeing Broadway plays, and in general describing the neighborhood in Brooklyn where she has been nanny for a couple of weeks to Tanya and Tucker, two cats.

I went to see a baseball game on Monday night. In our area we have the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Some folks call them the "Rays." They prefer to leave the devil out of it...which is o.k. with me. Tampa Bay has a strange sports history. Years ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started up and had a losing season for how many years? Well, I haven't looked up the statistics, but probably 20 or so. Then Tony Dungy came and turned the team around with his defense. The team became contenders, but because He didn't get them to the Super Bowl, he was fired. One of the players said of him the other day, "He made us what we are today." I believe he was talking about the character he helped instill in the men as well as the football skills that were taught and caught by the men.

Years ago, the city of St. Petersburg build a dome to house a baseball team. When the leagues expanded, the Arizona Diamondbacks came into being as well as the Devil Rays. What were they named? Tampa Bay...this caused a lot of anger in St. Pete. They sort of lost their identity. Then along came the hockey team...the Tampa Bay Lightning, winners of the Stanley Cup a couple of years ago. They built the "Ice Palace" for them...it is in Tampa. What is it named now? The "St. Pete Times Forum." The newspaper bought rights to the name. So in Tampa they play at the St. Pete Times Forum.

I find myself wandering here...I went to the baseball game, which is now played in the same dome, now known as Tropicana® Field. Tropicana is the orange juice brand which is made right here in Bradenton where I live. As I sat and watched the game, I recognized a few names on the Tigers team. The Rays are a young team. They have traded away their experienced players for younger ones...We're building, they say. The team really does have some talent on it, and management says they have a plan. Hopefully, it won't take as long as the Bucs did to succeed. Unhappily, they find themselves in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox.

A few things that management did this year to try to boost attendance at games was to offer free parking (a savings of ten dollars,) lower the price of food (you can buy a hot dog for a dollar, also a small drink for a dollar,) permit food to be brought into the dome. Attendance is up 30% over last year, and gradually a fan base seems to be building up.

Unfortunately, Northerners who move to Florida bring their team loyalties with them. When the yankees or Red Sox come to town, there are more of their fans their than Rays' fans, but a gradual change is being seen. One day...one day, perhaps the Rays will rule

I have many more thoughts on baseball, but I'll save them for another day. If I contine, those of you who visit here and are not particularly baseball fans will long ago have stopped reading...z-z-z-z.

A Hymn for Sunday

I believe that this is one of my favorite hymns.

And Can It Be?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

The words and music of this hymn can be found here.

Why We Love Our Cats

I started to name this blog "More About my Grandkittens", but then it took a different turn, thus the reference to Color's not being a grandkitten.

No, this is not one of my grandkittens. This is Color, the kitten who at eight weeks of age worked her way into our hearts and stayed there for eighteen years, before she left us. I remember the first night that she was with us, she ran and played and then just lay down in the middle of the family room floor for a little nap before resuming her activity. My husband, who had not been particulary fond of cats (he had never had one,) fell in love with her and she with him. Every evening when she heard him in the garage taking off his work shoes, she would sit at the door, waiting for him to come in so that he would pet her before he did anything else.
Now, these are the grandkittens, Tucker and Samson. They fill my daughter's life with joy (except for the early hours of the morning when they want something to eat.) That seems to be a common occurrence among cats.

The other evening I went with her to PetSmart to get some cat food. Before she got the food, we went to the room that had cats available for adoption from the Humane Society. One particular Tuxedo kitten reached out to me. She's just a little over a year old, and did she ever play. Then there were a couple of others, who looked wistfully with their big eyes, saying, "Pick me."

When my granddaughter (no, she isn't here yet, but SOON) is about three months old, I'll be going to Virginia for about a month to take care of her. When I come back home, I plan to adopt a couple of cats. I know there will still be plenty available. I do love reading about all the cats in the blogs. Some of the cats even "speak" for themselves.

On the back page of this month's Good Housekeeping magazine, there is a page that is titled, "Why We Love Cats and Dogs." Some of the descriptions of cats are: Supersoft pink paws, their love affair with open boxes and rubber bands, rhythmic purrs and full body stretches, their haughty independence combined with their constant need to be near you, and many more...These are by Alice Oglethorpe.

I know that many of you who read this blog could add many, many more reasons why you love your cats (or dogs.)

Me-ow for now.

Isn't that just like us?

Fred was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up drinking."

Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Fred looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one!"

Courtesy of Pastor Tim.

Happy birthday, Snooty

Last week, our resident manatee, Snooty, celebrated his 58th birthday. Snooty is a west Indian manatee who resides at the Parker Aquarium in the South Florida museum in Bradenton. Nearly 4,000 people came out to help thefamous manatee celebrate the occasion.

Snooty was born in captivity at the Miami Aquarium as "Baby Snoots" on July 21, 1948. He came to Bradenton with his mother as part of a manatee exhibit during the 1949 DeSoto Celebration. When his mother was released back into the wild, Snooty was forced to remain in an aquarium because he had always been hand-fed and did not know how to survive on his own.

When the Miami Aquarium closed, Snooty came to Bradenton permanently. His first home was a small pool and then a larger tank was built in the museum. Even then he became crowded for space. Whenever we took our first graders on a field trip to the museum, seeing Snooty was the highlight of the trip. We wanted to touch him so badly, but that was forbidden because of the spread of germs.
In 1993 a 60,000 gallon pool with upper and lower viewing areas, a medication pool and deep and shallow water for feeding opened at the museum and became Snooty's most recent and most elaborate place of residence.
I wrote about "Cows on Parade" in Chicago. When I flew home to Tampa, before going to get my bags and getting my car, I went up to get a bite to eat. On display in the airport were these manatees. They are similar to what the cows were like in Chicago. AC wrote that her town had bears all over the place.
The manatee is the gentle giant of the waters in Florida. Wild manatees are docile creatures whose survival has been threatened by boats and red tide. Last year, the Florida Fish and Wild Life Commission reported 225 manatees died in Florida. Watercraft accounted for 50 of those deaths and another 80 deaths were from red tide.

I live in Manatee County. I graduated from Manatee High School. At one time I had a "Save the Manatee" license plate. I had it for about 10 years, in fact; then I changed it to "Choose Life", the plate that promotes adoption.

During the winter when the water is cold, groups of manatees can be seen at the power plants that are near the water, enjoying the warmth given off.

I took some of this information from a newspaper article in our local paper. To see some photographs of actual manatees, go to this website. 

Holy Cow!

Several years ago when we went to Chicago for Pampered Chef® conference, the city was celebrating "Cows on Parade." Perhaps you saw them or read about them. Everywhere you looked there were life-sized cows that had been creatively adorned. I believe that after the session was over, the cows were auctioned off, for charity, I assume.

One year when my consultant friend and I went to Chicago, we had tickets for a Cubsu-White Sox game at Wrigley Field. I know that to some of you, you might say, "so?" but we were elated. The reason we were able to get tickets at all was that our seats were behind a post...but we were on the third base line. Seated among about six young men (all Cubbies fans except for one,) we had the time of our lives. Such fun! The Cubs won, but it was a game where you didn't know until the end who was going to win. Sammy Sosa hit a home run; Frank Thomas hit a home run that I am sure is still traveling out in space...and just to be at Wrigley Field was an experience.
As I recall, the Donald was there to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Pretty bad.

Anyway, this year on our stay in Chicago we decided to have dinner at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. Another fun experience. Lots and lots of baseball memorabilia to enjoy, and yes, this cow with his signature glasses. Holy cow! If you don't know who Harry Caray is, never mind. I know AC knows, as does Tom.


Srp mentioned in a comment that her brother had stayed in one of the round buildings on the river when he was in Chicago singing opera. This must be the one. There are two of them, and if you look closely, you can see the cars parked in the bottom of the building. These are affectionately (or not) called the "corn cob buildings."

More about Chicago

On Wednesday evening before our conference started, a large group of us went on a boat tour. The weather could not have been worse. It didn't rain, but as you can tell from the photos, the clouds had rolled in by late afternoon. A couple of years ago when I was in Chicago, my friend and I took one of the architectural boat tours up the river. It is a must if you ever visit the city.
As the boat left the dock, we entered a lock and waited for the height of the water to equalize before going out into the lake. This particular ride went along the shore for quite a way. The docent told us that Montgomery Ward was responsible for keeping the shore free of high-rise buildings. There is a beautiful park along the water. As we rode past we could see Soldier Field, the Shedd Aquarium, and one of the several museums of Chicago.
.
Before I wrote this post, I searched for quotes about Chicago. Most all of them spoke of the corruption of the city and how unpleasant it can be. But Dear Void, a blogger from the DC area, has an entry about Carl Sandburg and his thoughts of Chicago. Read it here.

Michael Jordan at the United Center

On Friday, July 7, we made our way to the United Center where Women of Faith was being held. Having seen this statue of Michael Jordan on an episode of ER once, I was eager to see it for real.

As we were standing there, we heard a young woman so, "Oh, did Michael Jordan play here?" Duh. I realize not everyone in the world knows or cares, but I found it really neat. Inside the arena were the retired jerseys of Michael, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan, and another player that I did not know. There were also retired jerseys of some of the Chicago Blackhawks (hockey). Those I was not as familiar with since hockey has just begun to be a big sport in Florida.

Hanging from the rafters also were all the banners from all the winning seasons. It was neat to be there. I would have loved to have been there for a Bulls game back in the days of MIchael and all the other great players who played during those years.

At the top of the Sears Tower

 
I flew into Midway Airport on July 6. My friend met me there, and we proceeded into the city for our two days at Women of Faith. After we got to the hotel, we walked over to the Sears Tower and took the elevator to the top. As the elevator was ascending, our ears were popping. The view that day was visible for approximately 30 miles. A museum of sorts is at the top giving some of the highlights of Chicago's history. Many visitors were there, each taking his turn looking through the windows, taking photos, and then moving aside so that others could see as well.
 Looking out and down, the vehicles on the street looked like insects; in fact, when I looked at this photo, I thought I had pressed the shutter with nothing in view, but then when I looked again, there they were. 

Thought for the Day

I had a post all ready to publish the other day from Picasa when my computer decided to do ugly things and wouldn't let me publish. Idon't know how to save my posts in Picasa. There isn't a button for saving it a a draft...I'll post later today, but I read this from Pastor Tim's website:

Thought for the Day

A South American scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with "IBA" or insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.

Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late…

The Senility Prayer

Someone sent me an e-mail with jokes about old folks. I was going to include them all here, but then I realized they were probably better just left where they were. I do like this one about these two elderly ladies though. Sometimes I find myself in their predicament.

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.
One day they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me....I know we've been friends for a long time.....but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is." Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"

THE SENILITY PRAYER
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

A new blog

I found a new blog yesterday. Fire and Ice is a blog of an artist commissioned by the Marine Corps to paint images of the war in Iraq. He is now back in the States, and he has introduced a new artist, Sketchpad Warrior. Kris is a landscape artist, who has now been commissioned by the marines to do a similar job.

When I went to his site, I found out that he had lived and worked as an artist and missionary in Haiti. In 1965, I went to Haiti and stayed with the same people that he worked with many years later. I'm constantly amazed at how the internet brings people together.

Stop by and encourage him in the work on which he is about to embark.

"The Literary Cat" or "So you thought you'd read the paper?"

 

One of the reasons for my going to Chicago was to attend the Women of Faith conference at the United Center with my good friend, Peg. Since it was July 7,8, and then I had the Pampered Chef conference the 13-15, I stayed a few days with Peg out in Huntley.

Peg and her husband (my former pastor here in Bradenton) moved to the Chicago area to work in the office of the Baptist General Conference. It was a hard move for Peg. She had spent her adult life here in Bradenton and had made many lasting friendships. Their cat, Sandy, had died of old age here in Bradenton about a year ago.

After being in Huntley for a few months, Peg once again had the longing for a cat. She and her husband searched the shelters, and then one day, as she was leaving one of them, the lady in charge told her that there was a cat who was isolated from all the others because she tested positive for feline aids. When Peg saw her, her heart melted. Jacinda, her original name, came home to live with Don and Peg. She's about 2 years old and is one of the friendliest cats I've ever met. She was up in my lap the minute I sat down. She loves to be loved, and loved she is.

With Jacinda, there is no need for a television. She entertains with her romps and playfulness. She appears quite well, not displaying any symptoms of her illness.

And as you can see, she has found her place on the newspaper...perhaps checking out the weekly cat food specials, or reading some mouse tale. 

It's good to be home

I left Bradenton July 6 and attended the Women of Faith conference at the United Center in Chicago with my good friend Peg. If you've never been, that is quite an event...usually 16,000 women all in one place, most of them needing to go to the bathroom at the same time. I've attended every year except for the very first one. I was listening to the radio one day and heard about this women's meeting that had taken place, and I determined that if it came anywhere near where I was, I'd be there. It was, and I did.

After that I spent a few days with my friend in Huntley, and then back into the city for the Pampered Chef conference. I didn't see and do all that I had hoped. My spirit is willing, but sometimes the flesh is weak. I'll post about some of my activities when I get the pictures downloaded and all that stuff.

A note from Becki

I received a letter from a young woman the other day who is completing four years of work with the same campus ministry organization that my son worked with. She wrote something in her letter which really struck me.

At a training we did with CCO staff in May we were taught the difference between "roles" and "identity." This was a valuable lesson for me to hear as I prepare for this transition. I need to remember that though my role for the past four years has been OLT manager, it is not my identity. My identity lies in Christ and in who God created me to be--and that will remain constant no matter what my role my be.

I wish that someone had taught me that many years ago. When I retired from teaching. I was no longer Mrs. Whitcomb, first grade teacher. When I went to a doctor's office and had to fill out a form and state my occupation, it struck me that I didn't have an occupation any longer...well I did, but not the 7:30 - 4:00 kind of occupation.

When my husband died, and again I had to fill out a form and mark "widowed", that was almost more than I could bear. When you live and work with someone for almost 30 years, your identity is entwined. After his death, I flitted here and there, sort of like a butterfly from flower to flower, trying to figure out who I was and where I fit in.

So I thank you, Becki, for writing that paragraph in your letter, helping me to distinguish between "role" and "identity." May you soon find your new role that God is leading you into.