Thankful Thursday

For years and years I have been made to feel if I were crazy because illness after illness would sweep through me. Odd things that ER doctors could never figure out. Even family at times questioned if those illnesses were simply attention seeking behaviors. I have doubted and even questioned myself over the years. "is this really happening again? Why do I keep getting sick.

I have sought God and prayed for help in this and recently through a set of God consequences I found myself getting allergy shots with my Son. Now it was my sons needs that found me into the help and expertise that was necessary to  find a very rair genetic disorder. 

It was GOD!

Now after years of this I am full of hope, dignity and humility to be told I will no longer have to live with illness after illness hitting me knocking me down off my wheel.

Today the supplies came for tomorros infusion.

Am I nervous absolutely!

 This is what will be sent to me every 4 weeks.

The pump has to be mailed back every infusion.

The refrigerated item is the gamaglobulin that will transform my physical health.

This is $3600!

100% covered! This every 4 weeks!

Possibly I may get to extend the treatments out. That is my hope.

That is my prayer.

I told the driver of the transport that I was happy.

he asked me why?

I told him it was because what ever the road I may be on it will be more about those who walk it with it.

It will be the character exercised over all these years that will make or break me in this.

Though my body be tried a bit over this my heart sees my mind knows that this is God's intervention to the health of my body. 

I will live a healthy normal life now.

I will play with abandon with the children and all those who surround me will once again know me by my new name.

Tenacious, vivacious White Raven.

Humor

They sent the instructions to the pump...

IN SPANISH!

The English manual was sent via fax.

I am taking it easy today and drinking a lot of fluids. The process starts 8 am my time and will be a 6 hour project.

A neighbor has offered to watch the kids the 

WHOLE DAY!

All I have need of. Helps me to feel comforted that it will all be good.

Signs and wonders give me that peace even if my soul does waver a bit with some nerves a shakin'~~

Support Group for Teen and Young addults with CVID or PIDD

Common Ground This is a wonderful support group site

IVIG Demonstration Project Bill Introduced WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!

Action Alert
Please contact your congressman here this is an easy fill in the blanks form to help those of us with CVID to get the home nursing care associated with the infusions that protect our lives. As of now the nursing is not covered and IVID need to be giving in an in home setting to protect PIDD and CVID patients from infectious illness if we were to go to a public facility at the very moments we are most vulnerable to catching them.
Thank you for supporting those children and adults who lack immunity from these genetic disorders.

Inherited Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) first infution

The first infution is scheduled for Friday.

The home care nurse will meet us at the doc office. She will monitor me for the 6 hour treatment.

The staff there if I have an anifilactic ?sp, reaction.

Rejoice with me the insurance will cover it at 100% no co-pay!!!

The cost of the treatment will only be $3600 a month! Well better than the $10000 we thought we were facing. The infusion is a lower dose and so costs less. this will help with my life time max on insurance. The meds and the equipment will be delivered via cold packs.

Here I go...

We are still trying to arrange the childcare Steve will either take of and get to be with me or tending the kids, or a little of both. The nurse Stays with me the whole time. Please pray that I do not get sick or vomit. Oh that would really be a drag. The migraine possibility yuck. Well as we see over and over this unmerited favor over me will guard me.

A wonderful 4th filled with adventure.

With the heat searing the soles off your shoes. 

The reflections beating off black asphalt.

Oh yes the 4th offered us a exceptional adventure. Surprises around every corner.
It was quite a wonderful opportunity for the children to grow and yes even us. Now in 29 years of marriage we have had flats in the driveway, two flats on the way home from Colorado years and years ago. Sunday well what an opportunity to see answers to the prayers moment by moment.

After Morning services (that were awesome) I always tear up at song of patriotism. We went to the movies and had a mini stay-cation together. The fellow at concessions was so generous and amazing. He suggested ways to economize the order, going far beyond good service. It was really refreshing. Dove had won a cup and so we made purchase of two other cups $1 to fill each visit. This little tid bit matters to story. For the cups of ice were not tossed as would be a paper cup but kept.

Leaving the parking lot onto the road choosing homemade lunch over fast food we were homeward bound.

So we thought

The road was so washboard, really it was a noisy road. Then we realized it was not the road that was noisy...yep a flat, in the big truck no less...just then an entry into a parking lot looking up and seeing a tree shaded spot at the very edge of the lot. We limped up into the resting place we would be spending most of our 4th of July in.

A nice place for there were landscaped places for the kids to wonder and jell.

The changing of the tire commenced. We found the supplies (Thank God) under the back seat this being the first time to get them out since buying the truck last year. I grabbed the shade screen and got the little mat from the back seat. Steve commenced the tire lugs stubborn to the point of concern. Prayer...yep they busted loose. Not an easy task.

While searching the rig for anything of good use the cups of ice were put into one and found I an old unopened water and filled it over the ice so at least it would not be hot for him to drink. Using the sun screen I stood over him while try as he might the spare tire would not lower, Unable to stay with the sun to my back (holding the shade over Steve) I went to spell myself a moment in the shade of the rig. I then prayed aloud as the children watched asking God to help lower the tire, Steve was getting very tired. JUST AT THE INSTANT OF AMEN he got it!  When the moment came to remove the tire off of the rig (these are BIG tires) I was able to flag down an officer who came to help lift the tires with Steve who had suffered a mild back injury just the day before. 

The officer left and we were on our way or
so we thought...
the keys had been locked in the truck!

A comedy of errors.

So Steve and Dan began a hike to find help.

I prayed for them, no hats. Then looking up was a hawk...I knew it would all be alright. No one would stop. They simply looked on. We were near a bank drive through ATM.

I gave it effort again hand signing for a phone call...they responded pulling up little by little.

When I approached them there was a dream catcher hanging from the mirror ( a native symbol of warding off evil).

A man and three women. The first thing out my silly mouth..."oh, it figures there would be a dream catcher". Quickly I explained that I was Inuit Cherokee and had just seen a hawk before they offered the help of a call. The fellow removed his own antenna and without a word spent over 30 minutes of dedication worked through a crack in the door to hit the lock button. The mall security pulled up with daddy and son. Another later came with a little water we drank.

Then an officer came to see all was well just then the door opened when a stick Steve found gave this native fellow a better tool. We all rejoiced!

Everything we had need of was there. Each step of the way at the very moments of need another came as they were needed. The gentleman who opened the door was so determined patient and calm, he was dignified and respectful. The women also speaking nary a word only a calm kind effort of exceptional generosity of time.

It was so wonderful. 

That evening the events of the day led to a real change in our daughter. 

God does answer prayer.

Her heart is so softened.

It was a wonderful day.
(100*+ in the shade)
Coming home we all rested and took showers. We all sucked on water and ice cubes well into the evening. We were all grateful and content in an amazing adventure on the 4th of July
The evening at home and fire works on the TV

An evening in the light

An honor and a privilege came my way this evening as my daughter who has had a real turn around came to me with an amplified Bible in hand and asked me to read to her. Now Dash was longing for his time too with me and I invited him and his pillow/ blanket to come and lay on the floor to hear as I read.

It was the book of John chapters 1-3. Amplified and expressed with the ease of a child's understanding.

It was Holy!

Now the wisdom came to me to explain that it is the Holy Spirit living by invitation, through belief in Christ Jesus and all that He had done to wake mankind up into who He was/is on that cross, that the light is welcomed. Once light comes in the darkness is then illuminated and can not stay dark any longer. because All the dark deeds done are a prison that is our own torment and separation. When we live in darkness we fear the light. Than that in itself is the separation...the torment.

To welcome the light to shine within is to repent of it and let the light chase away every shadow. We no longer have to live in the loneliness for the absence from fear.

Dove asked me to pray with her, Dash thanked me and wandered off to bed. It was a good night in the light. Darkness got the illumination it needed around here. We spoke of our adoption into the light as also many other things too. This one was so amazingly made clear to them though.

I think I am glowing tonight with gratitude, conviction of a darkness of an amends to tend too. In a way this offense seems so justified it serves a purpose of seeming separation to protect my child. To protect my kid through anything other than light shined into the darkness is error. I must face the darkness head on or I am simply withholding the light from it. The darkness may reject that light but if I withhold the light from opportunity then I error.

A lesson in Social Geography

Good Morning!
Recently our kids have been learning more about Cultures around the world.
They watched (or should I say Dash watched) a documentary on the toilet and water problems around the globe. For example in India...well lets just say the major river has become the "sewage system" of the "modern" construction. In Malaysia the fields and waterways are local toilets and hopes are to remove some of the obstinacy by teaching about malaria for it is rampant. They are even celebrating when a home gets a toilet. These are squat toilets but non the less not in the creek they drink form.

The kids heard about some of the causes we care about. Then they gave their input as to where they would like to help.

Dove threw a curve in the mix. Gotta love this kids heart "Mom, Mexico..I have a friend and her grandma lives there and they really need help". So many Americans hate the people who if they had their needs they might stay across the boarder and stop drains our countries resources. Understanding. So after looking into it Habitat for humanity looks like a great group of souls trying to do some good.
Children are often good eyes into the needs of folks unbiased by the controversies.

Now as for Dash he thought about Kenya. Cornerstone Church is partnering up with a dear heart known as "Mamma". She has an orphanage 2200 square feet with 140 kids. Three bunks high. Dash wants to help build a dormitory so she can take more children off the street... or out of the wondering. These are the throw a ways. Lord Lord how sad. In Russia Dash was housed there with the kids that would never be adopted because of abnormalities

My heart goes there. Doctors without boarders operation smile. Sitting on the orphanage floor waiting for Dash to be changed and handed to me to hold my heart was pierced. Before me sat on the floor a child who had clef lip/palate. I knelt on the floor and loved on him, to the horror of the workers. A child without a future because of a simple reconstructive surgery. A son of my heart that would forever remain a driving force of good. Instead of repulsion from parasites, drawn to the inner soul of this dear one. Later taking medications for the bugs but always thinking what a little cost to give that baby 5 minutes of love.

Daddy man has a heart for "Father Roderic" a pod cast, talk show on line.  Although we are not Catholic this man is a blessing to him everyday.
Oh far too often do we loose out on things due to limits self imposed into rejection if we differ. This man BLESSES him. We are of the heart and content.

Now bring it closer to home...
Dash has a friend who has a single mom. When he stays the day here to play all he wore was flip flop shoes. I would have him ware an extra pair of Dash's shoes to play in outside in the yard. Boys just can not run and play with abandon in flip flops. He only has shoes when school starts.
Dash gave him his shoes. Now dash has three pair two old and one nice. Dash gave him his nicest shoes...When I realized this I was humbled and told Daddy Man. Oh we both just teared up with affection toward the heart of our son.

All around this globe are cultures, peoples are of varying need.
The greatest thing my children ever need is the understanding that who they are is not what they have but what they are willing to give. We are poor only through what we refuse. Rich through what we are willing to receive. My FILove has a needle point of such on a wall. The richness we have is from what we have been given. Yes we worked hard to gain it but it is that even the poor work hard. To whom much is given much is required. It is a gift from God.  It is not for us to store it all up to our own demise. As I age more and more I am exposed to the folks who pass leaving masses of stuff for the others to disassemble at their passing. Passing also on a burden for them to deal with. Several of my friends have lost parents and are in the process of doing so. My mom had nothing and so at her passing I was spared this. My sister dealt with our dads stuff and oh it was a nightmare for her to do so. There were even fines he accrued that she had to pay. Loosing the lands. A heritage and an inheritence is to be a gift to or dependents yet not become a burden. It is good to do so, yet it is far more than just monies and stuff.

Early on in our union there was an old spinster woman who lived with her other two sisters until one by one they passed. This was where many things came into our use. This a huge honor to have fine linens and fun jewelry.  Then after we were done with the estate sale the home was emptied of all that was left.
Now we the extended family were blessed. I remember the energy my MILove and others had extended on the task. I was a very young bride then. It was a good lesson that was forgotten for a while. It is these experiences in life that produce understanding when knowledge is saught in hopes to remember wisdom.

Ask and you will recieve

Steve won a $25 gift card to Home Depot today.
He had an office meeting.
It was a team building exercise to build a paper airplane.
They won.

We needed to go there!Ha!

Got to love it!

Spay/Neuter Assistance Program

Today is my Labs 5th birthday and I was 4th in line and able to get the voucher. I drove there and was forth in line 15 minutes before the door was to open. The officer came out 10 minutes early...I got the voucher! There were easily 15 folks 5 minutes later. With a limited number of vouches we are thrilled!

Upon coming home (gone only 10 minutes at most) the forms to fill out...then I saw it.

Today is my big dogs birthday!

Happy birthday boy...snip,snip,snip.

Loud laughter as I was on the phone with Steve when I looked down and saw the DOB on the license.

We laughed so hard!

God Gave the dog a gift

:)

In addition the vet that told me about it was going to charge me the $80 with it

without voucher $260.

The officer said all the cost of the neuter is paid!

Pain pills is all I should pay for.

Boy oh boy that saved us big!

Maricopa County’s Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) provides free spay/neuter surgeries for your dog(s) and cat(s) at participating veterinarians throughout the valley. Here are a few basic points about the process:

• Simply fill out an application and return with payment (if applicable)
• Approximate 2-6 week turn-around time
• You choose from a list of participating veterinarians
• You will have 90 days to use the voucher

Unfortunately, we have had to remove the application from the web site. You can still get one by coming by one of our Animal Care Centers We receive a

limited amount of vouchers 

and run out quickly. 

You must come down on the 1st of every month, as we usually run out by the end of that day..

2500 S. 27th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85009

2630 W. 8th Street Mesa, Az 85201

Gail force winds!

Ok who prayed?
I got a second wind this evening out of the cloudless blue. Once this morning for a good two hours or so energy came upon me and inspiration to organize. The kids also had a time of tasks. They really feel good about doing them too.
Now they have taken over the dung duty, or better said "duty duty". They have set there own schedule and have chosen how to do there days. Dash on Monday and Friday, Dove on Tuesday and Thursday. Dove got the better deal as in most everything my son takes on his generosity mirrors his father. Some woman is going to get a real nice spouse some day. Yes he does want to marry and have kids one day. A nine year old thinking that far ahead!

Tonight mid evening while the kids played at a neighbors I rested at the computer. While they showered I got a second wind, or should it be called Gale force wind?

Yes I have really been that lethargic!

Looking at this all day yesterday and today has left me feeling really overwhelmed.

Tonight we had a nice stir-fry with shrimp over ramin noodles wow every plate clean.

Invited into the big beg for a time of tickle bug.

Oh it was so fun.

Dove instigated it and then had Dash join in.

We laughed so hard! 

Then Daddy Man came in via invitation.

Now to try to explain it.

We all laid on the big bed Daddy next to mom next to Dove next with Dash standing above us.

We all puffed out our cheeks and Dash on by one squished our cheeks to the sound of a well...fart

Oh we all laughed and laughed and over and over we tried to hold our cheeks puffed up while one by Dash popped them oh it was so funny!

Tackle it Tuesday

join us over here

Dear friends today it is I who feel tackled by this fine Tuesday morn. If my body could even begin to keep up with all of the many many tackles that address my attention. Well It is a great motivator to try to focus and accomplish at least one today. That is what I have always loved about TIT. Today I really want to give it good effort and simply accept it if an outcome occurs.

It is Tuesday time to IRON out this mess.

At the first of the year after all the tax was accomplished and mailed an idea came to me to make a file of each years tax information in separate envelopes. That was it would all be in one place in a nice file box accessible if there were ever need. Starting the project was as far as it got and it has (like many other little piles) longed to be finished and put away off of my studio floor. With the summer and school out few things are really getting done in the house.

It is the time of souls, minds and spirits of the young ones I tend to everyday. Here goes though perhaps by days end I will have this done.

The other thing is to have the kids tend to a tackle just in order to keep them from the "FAT" of too much ease. Not the fat of body but of abundance and idol body with piles of their own.

With the challenges of terrible fatigue life is different for me these days. Like the wind has been pulled out of me. So very very tired almost all the time. This ol' hamster is all but seized upon my wheel. This has lasted a long while now. I am told that after the infusions I will feel much better. There is a pleasant peace here at our uncommon home. All is well with our souls. As of now it is more the body that gives challenge.

Meal Plan Monday Mother Sauces

I have missed this community but I have been consumed a bit over here with life.

One thing about cooking is education. I love to learn and recently I began my education into learning more about the Mother Sauces. From these sauces the recipies are litterally ENDLESS.

Each week I will share the knowledge with you on a sauce.

This week I will use a white sauce on egg noodles with a cubed beef in sauce...sound familar?

BEEF TIPS AND NOODLES

2 lbs. of beef tips, cut into 1" cubes 1 pkg. onion soup mix (or dried onion and a bit of Kitchen Bouquet, a seasoning and browning sauce) 1 cup of white sauce 1 pt. fresh mushrooms, rinsed 1/2 c. red wine 1 pkg. egg noodles, cooked & drained 1 tbsp. vegetable oil Brown beef tips in vegetable oil, until cooked through. Add white sauce,onion soup mix, fresh mushrooms and wine. Simmer on low heat for several hours. Serve over egg noodles.Note: The longer the beef tips simmer, the more tender they will be. Mother Sauces There are five Mother Sauces This is a culinary lesson. *Béchamel * Espagnole * Hollandaise * Mayonnaise * Tomato sauce * Velouté Sauce Bechamel Is a French Sauce Base: Milk (Usually Whole Milk) Thickening Agent:"How To Make and Use a Roux" White Roux Classical Flavorings: White Onion, Clove, Bay Leaf, Salt, White Pepper, Nutmeg Common Secondary Sauces: Cream Sauce, Mornay, Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Mustard Sauce, Nantua  Classically Served With: Eggs, Fish, Steamed Poultry, Steamed Vegetables, Pastas, Veal  Technique and Recipe: Guidelines for Roux Don’t use margarine or shortening. Yes they’re cheap, but margarine tastes horrible and shortening adds no flavor; not to mention it can give you a bit of a fuzzy mouth feel. "How To Make Clarified Butter" Melt over double boiler and once melted skim off all of the whey off of the top of it. Store for use. Use only clarified butter oil or animal fat Don’t use whole butter. Whole butter is about 15% water and will give you a less consistent product than a roux made with pure fat.  skim off whey and discard  Keep this in the refrigerator for use in sauces A good roux is paste like and is not runny or pourable. A roux that has too much fat and is too runny is called a slack roux. Excessive fat in your roux will be released into your sauce, making it greasy and forcing you to spend extra time skimming and de-fating your sauce. Cake flour has about 20% more thickening power than bread or AP (All Purpose) flour. However, since bread and AP flower are more common than cake flour, most recipes that call for a roux assume that you will be using AP flour. Making Roux The process for making roux is extremely simple. Just place equal parts of flour and fat, together and cook over low heat until thickened.  How long do you cook it for? Well that depends on what kind of roux you wish to make. There are basically three types of roux which are differentiated by the degree to which the roux is cooked. White Roux White roux is really more of a yellow roux that you basically cook for just a few minutes until the fat and flour are evenly mixed together and start to froth. You want to cook out the raw taste of the flour, but stop cooking the roux before it starts to turn color. White rouxs are used for white sauces that are cream and milk based such as bechamel and Alfredo. Blond Roux Blond roux is cooked a little longer than your white roux, just until it starts to slightly turn color. Blond roux is used for white sauces that are stock based, such as veloutes. Brown Roux Brown roux is traditionally used for brown sauces, which are sauces based upon brown roasted stocks such as the mother sauce Espagnole. The key to a good brown roux is to cook it over low heat so that it browns evenly without scorching. Some chefs will even dry roast their flower in the oven first before making it into roux. A good brown roux will have a rich and nutty aroma, and is great for thickening brown sauces and gravies. Just remember that a dark brown roux will have about a third of the thickening power of a blond or white roux. Incorporating Roux Into a Sauce or Soup Roux can be added to a sauce either warm or cold, but never hot. A sizzling hot roux will separate and break when it hits a cold sauce, causing lumps and the loss of the roux’s thickening power. Once the roux is added into the liquid you wish to thicken, whisk vigorously to incorporate and bring sauce to a simmer. Most roux thickened sauces are simmered for at least 20 minutes to cook out any starchy taste created by the flour. During this simmering, it is a perfect time to skim off any scum or fat that rises to the top. Now what kind of ratio and proportions should you use when thickening with a roux? It’s as the rhyme of 3,4,5,6. 3 ounces of roux per quart of liquid will thicken a sauce to a thin or light consistency. 4 ounces of roux per quart = medium body sauce. 5 ounces of roux per quart = thick sauce. 6 ounces of roux per quart = heavy gravy. Sauce Béchamel  This recipe is for about one cup. Multiply by the number of cups of sauce you need. 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper Melt the butter in a saucepan over low to medium heat. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour and mix well. Continuing stirring over low heat for two minutes. Using a whisk, and continually whisking, add the milk in small quantities - about two tablespoons at a time. Make sure that you fully incorporate the liquid before adding more - this way you will get a smooth sauce. After you've added about half the milk, pour in the rest and give the mixture a good whisking. Continue to heat the sauce on low to medium heat, whisking often. Cook just to below boiling until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in nutmeg, salt and pepper. This can be made a day ahead or kept made in the refrigerator for the menu

A Fresh Sewing Center

Good morning all. This is a quiet day for me so far. Dash at a sleep over. Dove has one here and the girls are yet asleep. Yesterday I set to getting my little corner cleaned and the sewing center followed next. Of course an image of the cutting table...well lets just say a few more hours to get this all clear and clean.

Lately clutter has been getting to me and so it was in me to remove things and take stuff of the walls around me. Feels so nice. The wall yet needs a attention. Inch by inch I will try to post the finished room. Then we can get some things sewn.

I know "the sign of a sick mind is a clean desk" HA!

Now I can begin to sew with the pleasure of a clean desk.

Several project s tend to.

Full days Summer with Children

We have had a wonderful time with my Great Niece and nephew.

They are not much younger than my two, how is that for perspective?

Wii play they had a wonderful Loud time :)
Goodness sakes they look like siblings!

The garden gave up some of the last of the spring crops.

Hot days here and the garden is at rest.

With these little onions and the parsnip (member of the carrot family a must in chicken soup) a batch of Beef barley stew.

Made up three main meals for the week ahead. The utilities are less in my morning so that is when the cooking is done. I try to turn everything off at 1 p.m.

Rice with chicken stock, tomato sauce and turmeric

Re-fry frijoles, Pintos with cumin, salsa, butter and water in the blender

Chili with pinto beans,tri-colored bell peppers,cumin,curry ect.

Beef Barley with root veggies, potato (three types), carrot, parsnip those onions garlic

The blinder grind up lg can of diced organic tomato use part in chili, stew and rice then add the pinto (no need to wash it) use for the frijoli add butter (melted in micro) jarred salsa and the washed canned pinto bean. (now the beans in the store bought are all white beans, read the labels)

Garlic press for stew and chili wash once

1: p.m. came around and we all left to go to a library and then a free swim.

Lego play was supposed to be 1-3p.m. but an error in the article it was not until 3:30-4:30!

As I told them that Dashes heart mattered and we would wait the two hours for it.

LOOK at the size of that novel Dove is devouring. She is half way through!

Dash is reading an encyclopedia.

I enjoyed a reference manual on cultures/societies of the world.

They had a typewriter and so I showed the kids the "way it was" :)

Although it was a fancy machine for my youth.

When I graduated high school My mom gave it to me as a graduation gift.

Don't see them too often now, Dash mentioned how when you made a mistake you had to start over, 

"no white out"

I said. We had to learn how to fix our mistakes...Sorta rings poetic don't ya think. Now a day kids don't LEARN HOW TO FIX mistakes but how to cover them up or to depend on other to cover it just like spell check does for us now.

Finally the time came and the play was had.

After some confusion and the burning off of the stress of sitting with a 12 year old banging her head against the table in frustration...

We left to go get the cash for the pool. The free swim dead line had come and gone.

We found a pack of day old buns, a pkg of lunch meat and a drink each. Supper under $6.

Steve met us at the pool. While we were changing he had walked in. When we came out of the changing room we were all happy to see each other and amazed once we realized that we each arrived within a minute of each other. Given the confusion a fore mentioned it was really something. 

Each day efforts are made to have some fun, home days relaxed and playing games and watching HULU on computer, sorta like TV you can pause.

They have a buddy over now playing the Wii.

I had my CAT scan with contrast this morning. so it is a low slow day for me. 

No big deal just a baseline on my lungs.

It will now be a yearly cancer screening all of you should remember the ones that you need to do.

Keep centered and enjoy life...

It's the only one we get.

Kids are young only a few short years.

Watch them thrive, show them the way by that example

:)

A comment from a local reporter

Over at the other blog "A Place to create" I received a request to be interviewed.
Returned a call this morning and the whole thing is legitimate. Incidentally I am now in her contact lists. Wow that is one way to set your soul to getting things done. Ideas in place. Kindled a light that had dimmed a bit. Sorta clipped the wick. Peaked my interest in continuing on my creative expressions.

Dear Donetta,

My name is Laura, and I am a reporter for the Arizona Republic.

I am working on an article about DIY home decorating projects.
I happened upon your blog, and I was very impressed by your decorating skills.

If you are located near the Phoenix area and if you have two simple home projects that you could easily explain,

I would be happy to feature you and your design ideas.

My article is slotted for next Friday, so we would need to find a time within the next week that I could interview you quickly and have some photographs taken.

I hope you are well,

Laura Gottesdiener

When life gets tough...

Well it is an amazing thing when the tough get going. We had a wonderful service last Sunday despite the ear cracking volume of the service, no joke. There was an Epiphany for my darlin' and I. The Pastures story went like this...

He was in his car with a growing teenage boy who could eat his house his appetite was so intense. Not uncommon for the age spurt that gives them inches a day on their height. So every hour practically the child was STARVING! So Dad (the Pasture) pulls into a McD. to get the boy some (2) burger meals.

The father (pasture) reaches over for a french fry and the boy clutches the lunch and declares MINE!

Now the father could still of gotten the boy more if needed not a big deal understanding the calorie demand of the boy, yet the boy clutched to it as if it were HIS!

Like we do with our pile. Everyone has a pile called MINE> We do all we can to hold onto it. We figure it is up to us to maintain and micro manage it. MINE! my house,car, life.

Ya, but whose is it really? Who has the power over the elements really? Who is it that holds all of our PILES together and is responsible for it? This is where the choice comes in.

I can KEEP my pile and have all the burden of it or I can entrust God with it. This the epiphany that it is GOD who we will give charge over our pile. Everything we own is his. Every breadth. Not out of fear but out of release. Who really wants the stress and anxiety of clutching onto all with white knuckle desperation. Wondering where every dime and every need is going to come from.

Lately every time I turn around a dime and a penny appear. A whimsical game God and I have played for a good 20+ years. We have given our lives to Christ but have we ever given him our pile. A long time ago I lived in fear that the pile would be taken away. We had a differing belief between us in our finance over the tithe. The DREADED TITHE...so finally trusting I let go and kept an attitude of generosity for years. I came about after years of this fear that the pile would be taken for the lack of the practice of the tithe that I became fearful so much so that white knuckled I changed. ME! the girl with the trunk full of clothes and things we no longer needed and every visit to a friend to the trunk they were taken and we saw the amazing provisions shared and there was never a lack. There is still never a lack.

8 years ago we went down 2/3's in income at the same time adopting our second international adoption. A very scary time for we had began the adoption as the plant that Steve worked at shut down and he was not absorbed a 27 year career gone.  Low man on the pole he began again. It was then that the trunk dried up. " better hold onto the things for never know I may just need them." The pile grew. Stagnant oppressively grew. We began a budget a year or so ago. We became out of debt. WE DID IT  har har...Who? OH WE>>> Who? who? made us able when bills hit unexpectedly? Who?

Our intentions blessed and efforts made yes. For the first time this message has changed hearts so...hands open we are now budgeted for the tithe just as the house payment or utility a priority.
Somehow all the slack in the budget will be covered I know this from a life time of seeing the measure met. The jar of oil never dry or flour pot never empty.

OH THE Peace! of this being out of recognizing that we no longer control but have given control over our pile to God. We will continue to do due diligence. From there?   It will be so fun to see how it will all come around and the pile will balance out to a blessing and not a big old oppressive mess to deal with. I am so happy, so proud of the unity that is now provided on this topic in our marriage and it being out of release and not fear.The leader leading. Put a fire under me that warms me to get a few things sold on Creigs list and clear out some of this accumulation. A warmth to bake bread and set menu, to cut out the fat of the excess.

Inherited Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) first visit

What an afternoon! Being an American is the most prized gifts in life.
I have health care and the best technology to help me.
Steve met us there and Dash and I had allergy shots and Dash had his asthma check up. He is doing great!
God is so Good to see my boy so wonderfully healthy.
Dash went to lobby with Dove and Steve stayed with me.

Indeed I have CVID the moderate in degree. At my age I will need a 4 week interval of Infusions.
Each infusion is a 6 hour process for the administration must be given very slowly as to avoid side effects as much as possible. The first to be done at the clinic then I will be given a homehealth care nurse. She is there to moniter the anifalatic concerns and the reactions I might have. My IgG is half of a normal person. There are a couple worse than me in the practice. This is a rare disorder Genetic in nature. In the large practice there are 5 of us. My case is not severe however I will have to have the infusions the rest of my life every four weeks. Because of my age it is very unlikely to ever rebuild my own immunity so I will be dependent upon infusion to guard me from infections for the rest of my days here. This to protect me from life threatening respitory things as well.

As it stands...
The coverage is being confirmed, the infusions will be ordered as too my specific need.

There are two cells types as I understand it. The  "T" cell protects against virus, mine is intack. Thank God! Then there is the "B" cell this is where my big problem is. The "B" cells (that I do not have or have a very little of) are to attack the bacterial infection.

I need to use great care as to not get exposed as much as possible until after the first infusion. Each infusion will provide a varied type of immune cells. This will give a broader range of protection.
The risks very minamal as for the new techniques used = hep C, AIDS. VERY RARE

I will have to set up a CAT scan with contrast (injected die) for a base line on my lungs. To be repeated every two years. I will need to keep up on collonoscopy, mammo and other rutien cancer screening. That should be done by all of us anyway. With this there is a bit higher chance of "C" then in the common of society.

Watch there might even just be some kind of mirical some day that somehow my immun system will show us all! There will always be hope. Even so 6 hours and possible yucky every 4 weeks and I have a healthy normal life that is good news!

test results apointment

In an hour I will be with my husband learning more about what CVID is all about for me and the degree of what we will be facing. I have no lack of confidence in the battle I am facing . My courage will not halt or falter. I have utter confidence in the love that God has for us.
These words are processing within my result to bone me up to walk I hope with grace.

I must somehow follow an example of result not to focus on dieing but on living determined to fight a good fight. All I am and have is only but by the grace and is a gift form God. I deserve nothing yet have been given everything I have NEED of and a lot of icing on that cake too.

Thank you for your support. I must keep composed for the sake of the children. Pray for us about that please.
I heard HIM say today to practice the ministry to the medical folks that it is God not them who is in the authority of my health. It is HIS ultimate hand in the outcome. NOT THEM< THEY ARE NOT THE HEALERS God is! I am impressed that that is what this is all about.

Being a Parent

This is hard stuff being a parent. Asking over and over to confirm my dear birds had water was not enough I must now check every day that the tasks are done. I normally do, being sick lately the fatigue has cause me to have to let go more. I do feel so terrible that I thought Dove would handle her task. Diligence diligence diligence this parenting stuff is hard.

5 A.M. saw be awake and in the yard and garden. Watering in my pajamas for the house was still. Breathing was not to fun so instead of sitting reclined I just got up and went outside. The ball thrown for the dogs and the coop top cleaned with new shavings...
Hearts meeting with my dogs just loving on them. Finally the sweet Lab (no name for safety) is calmed. We are trying to be the first at the door of the humane society for a voucher to snip him. The cost will go down from $250 to $85 for it. I am not going to breed him and his libido is out of the park. This is  to mellow him and perhaps stop the leg lifting on the wall. Then the dogs can be house dogs again.
I just got to be the first on at the door at 7 a.m. with kids in tow or Daddy man to cover me.

 I am left thinking your feeling may be of me doing the pet thing wrong. This parenting thing is hard. Dash did so well and tended to task sometimes it is hard to remember that Dove is a different child and has some special considerations. She is 12 on one day and 6 on another oh I am so to blame yes...Even though I asked twice my instincts should have been listened too.
This parenting stuff is hard.

Prissy Passed

Today we returned home from an outing to pick up our car from service only to have Dash running in to cry out loud that prissy was dead. As we all ran to the coop to see...well it was an awful thing. Dove has recently been placed in charge of the animals replacing Dash for this duty by mutual consent.

"Dove did you give the girls water?"
"yes Mom"

A dog bowl was there with water...
Later at bed. Ashureing her that birds can be blind to water if not placed within their container she opend up to truth...

"mom they did not have water, I never gave it them. I don't want to care for the animals anymore"
"I forgive you if truth becomes your way then Prissy would not have given up her life without purpose."

Dash calls to me...
In his covers I tell him of what had happend...
"Mom, I knew she didn't water them"
"That must be a hard thing to know"
"I want my job back"

Dear Prissy My best laying hen rest her soul. To think of all of those birds in a prison of a coop thirsting without water...so much that my sweet girl (Miss Prissy) passed. Oh Lord the pain of my children pale it so. Yet my Prissy has died and all the girls suffered. So Sad.