Crazy Day

Mondays can be that way.

While I was pumping this morning, I had turned on the radio so keep Esther calm, and they were asking people to call into the radio station and tell them what you were looking forward to in 2009.  Man, I really thought about calling in!  I'm looking forward to a year that will not be 2008 - it was a tought year right from the beginning - but I'll get into that in a separate post later....

Today was indeed crazy! It took until 10 am before I had everything ready for taking Esther out for the day and had her fed, and catch up on 13 phone messages and making dental, orthodontist/oral surgery appts for some kids, and paying some overdue bills.

I got everything in the car, and headed out.  But I only got 20 feet out of the garage before the station wagon got high centered in the deep snow.  We were saved by Kenda, my dear friend and our shipping gal/office manager. She gave us a ride to our doctors appt (she was smart enough to park at the end of our 400 ft long driveway, ensuring that she'd get out again.

Esther's Dr appt went well - she still weighs 11 pound 15 oz - the same she weighed on the 2nd of Dec.  She also got her stitches out from the hole left when the drainage tube was removed (she doesn't have any stitches from her incision as they closed that with some kind of surgical super glue).  She didn't like that part.  Then Daryl and I drove him back to work so I'd have a car for my errands.

Then we did some shopping and banking, and the went to JoAnns to get some fabric to make larger blankets for Esther (like receiving blankets, only bigger as she is so hot to hold, and having a thin blanket between her and you makes it so much more comfortable for both of us, but she's starting to get too big for some of her blankets.).  Then we picked up Daryl  and went to Costco for a few odds and ends - small shopping trip for us as we spent under $150!

Then we had dinner at Billy McHales ( we split an order of potato skins, and split a dinner and a dessert!), then stopped by Grandpa and Grandma Einfeld's so they could see Esther, and then made for home.

The kids unloaded the car and carried everything down our long driveway while I got Esther ready for bed (medications and feeding as well as pumping and preparing her over night milk).

Tomorrow's a stay at home/make blankets/catch up on emails day, and Wednesday we have follow up appointments at Children's.And please pray for my sister, Lisa, as it is looking like she does have a tumor/cancer or something and her doctor has referred her to an oncologist.  She has an appointment for a consultation on Thursday, and they will probably schedule surgery at that time.  She is in good spirits, and is relying on God and His sovereign loving care through this time of waiting, and I'm so proud of her.  Pray that she will continue to rest in the knowledge that God loves her and is in control of even this.

I was reminded of a song by Rich Mullens today, it was playing on the radio, it's called Hold Me Jesus, and it's so where I am, and I'd love to share it with you, especially you, Lisa (she reads my blog everyday, so post here if you have any encouraging words for her!)

Hold Me Jesus

"Well sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart

So hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees

And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

I'm singing hold me Jesus 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace

(Interestingly enough, Rich Mullens recorded this song in 1993,  and he was killed in a freak car accident on 1997.  He was one of the best Christian recording artists ever - I love all his music.  He even gave away all his profits - lived on an average American salary, and the rest was donated to non profit agencies - mostly those working with Native Americans - do a Google search and learch about his life and death and the beautiful songs her wrote and recorded!)

The other song, Praise You in this Storm, kept running through my mind today at odd time, especially after talking with Lisa this evening.  I've linked to before, but just in case you are new to my blog, here it is again:

Praise You in this Storm

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Now it's off to bed as, for some strange reason I'm completely exhausted (Jennifer - I got your advise too late! LOL)