Too busy

Well, well well. Time sure goes by fast. It has been six weeks since my surgery and I have officially lost 35 pounds(almost 40). It is a whole new way to live that is for sure. I'm thinking of starting a support group in Everyone's Apostolic. When I compare the level of support and preparation that others have had in comparison to what I have had, it is scary to think what could have happened.

I'm just thankful for friends at church that I turned to for the missing gaps. I was never told to not chew gum. If I had swallowed it, I would have been in emergency surgery to have it removed.

The list is long on what I can't eat, which is actually okay. I'm so glad that I had been making lots of changes in my eating before the surgery. When I compare what complications I have heard that others have gone through, all has gone very well.

Life seems dearer to me.

Life seems so much more precious to me for some reason. I awoke with a deeper gratefulness towards God for his great ability to keep us.

The surgery went well and the Lord made it possible for me to get my bathroom cleaned. It hollered to the fellow with the cleaning cart as he was walking by. He was so nice after I told him what happened at the first room I was in. He told me that it sounded like what the Psych ward looks like a lot of the time. A thankless job for sure, but I made sure I thanked him for being so kind to take the time to help me out.

The view from my new room was incredible. I came in towards the evening hours and was met with a twinkling vineyard like screen that was hemmed in by darkness on each side with the hospital window as its frame. Later I learned that I was over looking where the Golden Gate park ends at the ocean that the other two areas of no lights were tree lined streets that surrounded that part of town. It was beautiful to watch at night and interesting to watch in the day in between nods. The ocean with its methodical approach to land had created a nice beach to walk on and watch the sun as it sets.

The Blue Angels performed both Saturday and Sunday. I could hear them roar by but only got to see two as they flew by in close formation. Apparently, Maria and Sky go to seem a good portion of the show as they crossed the bridge to come get me.

I'm thankful to be home and in my own bed! I was amazed to see that a multi-billion dollar project like the VA Hospital in San Fransisco could be so subjected to neglect so soon after completion. The cleaning staff feels entitled to the job but not responsible for a clean standard. Someone higher up needs to grant more staffing so that patients can have a clean environment. I came home with a very bad cough that I did not have when I went in. Nothing like trying to cough after abdominal surgery. Talk about PAIM!

I witnessed as much as I could. The resident who came in to take out the IV from my neck was a very kind person. While making simple talk, I felt impressed to talk to him about not getting toxic during the course of his career. He was very aware of what I was talking about and whole heatedly concurred. He felt like he would be doing his parents an injustice if he took on the entitled toxic mentality that the highly educated cloak themselves with. I told him about the accomplishments of my girls and yet they are involved in the children's bus ministry at church. That I'm very proud of them for staying humble regardless of their personal accomplishments.

In all the experience has been good. I'm overtaken with a deep sense of making the rest of my life count. I just want to see souls saved and as many people as possible make it to Heaven. That is my desire.

Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery

Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery

The nurse carries around a little lunch pail size caddy with a handle on it and goes from room to room with it. Inside are a variety of medical supplies. For me they use an electronic device to check my blood sugar. They use the same device to scan my id bracelet. I remember on Star Trek they used to use these little machine to tell all. Now they even have an ultrasound machine to find veins for putting IV's. Isn't it amazing.

Well, my room is clean and I most likely won't be coming back to it. I haven't lost faith because God is still on the throne. I'm not complaining in the least. They wanted to put me into a HopTel last night. I would have had to sleep with my luggage in worse conditions than the hospital. If he made it possible for me to stay the night here then he can provide a clean room when I'm out of surgery. He just keeps providing my needs every step of the way. He even made it possible for me to have a clean extra sheet to wrap around me like a skirt so I can preserve my modesty.

There is a Christian nurse here named Denise. I'd like to be able to invite her to a deeper experience with the Lord and the revelation of the truth about the Holy Ghost and the Name of Jesus.

Well the intern group just came and left. It's getting close!!! Got go hurry up and wait for surgery.

State of the Art Hospitals

Oh my word! This place is crazy! The people are very nice, but the system has holes in it. Now I understand about the shortage of staffing in the medical field especially the cleaning staff.

When I came in, they were not ready for me. First they said to come back at six pm. That would mean I'd have to kill three and a half hours. Then I was told to wait a few minutes while they figured out what to do. After the dust settled they kicked out a male patient that was waiting to be discharged by throwing all his stuff onto his bed and taking him to another room down the hall.

In three minutes they grabbed a clean bed from another room and presented me with my room for the stay. I'm very thankful that I do not have to share my room with anyone. I have my own bathroom and have three chairs for visitors.

On the other hand, as I looked around I saw a urinal bottle hanging on the IV thing. Trash on the floor. Feces in the shower, pubic hairs on the toilet and on the floor in the bathroom. The bedside table had coffee and food stains on it as well.

So . . . I stole a bottle of disinfectant and started cleaning. I cleaned as many surfaces as I could. Thank the Lord for good gloves!!!

Then when it was time to take a shower I freaked. Well the Lord had all things timed just right. The cleaning guy came through and let me use the supplies to clean the shower area and mop the bathroom floor! I am not complaining because the guy was not going to clean my shower and bathroom anyway. God is so good! He made provision for me to have a room to myself and made it possible for me to have a clean environment. I will have to live with an unswept floor, but thank goodness that I can wear those footsie things to protect me!!! I wish I had my camera to take pictures.

The other thing I am thankful for is spiratic access to the Internet. If I place my computer on the window sill, and don't move to much I can hook up to an unsecured access point to check e-mail.

God is good!!!

Cartoon Lampooning Pentecostals

I just had to post this cartoon and the response from my Pastor and Bishop. I love the way he ends it his letter asking "who are you?" If you knew the spiritual authority that Bishop Wilson walks in, you'd chuckle too!





Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to your recent cartoon lampooning Pentecostals.

First, I am somewhat shocked at the paucity of judgment in running such a
Demeaning piece (not to mention the awful artwork). The crassness and lack
Of discretion shown in your cartoon reveals a surprising narrowness and
Ignorance of world realities by both the cartoonist and those who approved
It. When I compare such with the intellectual perspicacity, the enduring
Utilitarian beauty, and the unparalleled literary skill of the writers of
The New Testament (all of which were Pentecostal, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4) your
Newspaper comes out a sad and very distant second. (An example of such
Beauty is I Corinthians 13. Yes, it is written by a Pentecostal preacher
and author).

Further, it is evident that someone at the Post may not know that 16% of
The world’s population is Pentecostal (not just “Christian” but
“Pentecostal Christians”). This is approximately 500 million people
Worldwide. Further, this number is expected to continue its exponential
Growth for decades to come. So impacting is this phenomenon that, several
Years ago, Time magazine estimated it may be one of the most impacting
Events in the last one thousand years.

The liberating power of Pentecostalism also has a direct impact on the
Political climate of the world. For example, China is being revolutionized
From within by conversions to Christianity, much of which is Pentecostal.
This emphasis on the value of the individual versus the state is literally
Readjusting the philosophical underpinnings of the world’s largest nation.

In the intellectual and spiritual Hall of Greats, Jesus I know. Paul I
Know, but I gently ask, who are you?

Respectfully,

Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D

Someone else wrote the Washington Post and here is their canned response.

Dear Reader,

Pat Oliphant is a syndicated editorial cartoonist carried on news sites across the country. It is the nature of an editorial cartoonist to be provocative and offer up unique -- and often controversial -- viewpoints on the issues of the day. I have always opted for the approach that we should not limit the cartoonist's freedom of speech. We prefer to present the cartoon and allow you, the reader, to make the choice on whether to read it or not, and to express your own freedom of speech if you're bothered or offended by it.

Thanks,
Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com


I'd like to see this same artist contrive something about the Muslim faith! The Washington Post would be in danger of an airplane directed at their building as a response. "freedom of speech?"

I went to the washingtonpost.com site and searched for the cartoon. I couldn't find it.

Bees

I've been interested in following the decline of honeybees in America. I know that with out them the globe will be in a state of famine within one year.

They have been declining at an alarming rate for the last 20 years.

Click either picture to learn more about why the decline. Or visit this really nice website called helpthehoneybees.com It says that it will help the honeybees to plant Lavender, Glory Bushes, Jasmine, Rosemary, Coreopsis, Violets, Thyme, Wisteria, Bluebells, Trumpet Vine, Sunflowers, Cosmos, and Cone Flowers.

Pencils

With the new semester upon me and school beginning for Skyler I'm thinking about pencils and pens, notebooks and books. Finding the rythm of the new semester and how to juggle the new responsibilities. Even packing up the junk I didn't get a chance to finish getting rid of, so that it can be gone through at the end of next semester.

A friend sent me this interesting picture of a pencil sculpture.

Jennifer Maestre is an amazing artist. She uses real pencils for her beautiful art sculptures. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and has had her works on display in galleries across the US. Her sculptures were inspired by the sea urchin spines - so dangerous yet beautiful.To make these art pencil sculptures, she takes hundreds of pencils, cuts them into 1-inch sections, drills a hole in each - turning them into beads, sharpens them, and sews them all together. She also does wonderful sculptures using nails!

Click on her name to see more photo's of her incredible work.