Sabbath, May 25, 2013

It's a Happy Sabbath. John has had a pretty good week.

Yesterday, he outdid himself and actually mowed a section of our yard. Without good core strength, he felt the internal pressure through his middle but he felt good doing it for the first time. Our neighbors, Randy and Susan, have blessed us with the gift of mowing all this time, during the time when grass grows the fastest!

I think our yard is the brightest with color on our street. Love my sweet williams which are so bright and cheerful. The pansies were planted last fall and lasted all winter. They just just gotten brighter and brighter! My corner herb garden is growing nicely, too

All this to enjoy despite a nasty case of pink (well, in my case RED!) eye.  Despite these itchy, irritated eyes, I have much to be glad about.  Remember PollyAnna?  Her dad had taught her the glad game...trying to always figure out what to be glad about. 

This last week I listened to the book.  Winston (Karissa's boyfriend) had bought me the movie and I watched it recently, then decided to listen to the book.  And I loved it!  The whole moral of the story is about being glad/thankful in all things...truly a biblical principle.

I am glad I still have a husband who is ALIVE!  I am glad I have a "ministry" job.  I am so glad for our two beautiful daughters.

 

 

 

Sunday, May 19

Last Monday, I received this wonderful card from Jeremy and Natasha. It buoyed my spirits all week long! Can you see why? The front of the card is Natasha and Karissa and I the afternoon of Karissa's graduation. Inside is a picture of Natasha and I on her wedding day, along with the precious personal message. She gave me permission to post it all. I'm such a proud mamma!

Sabbath, May 11, 2013...still in Branson!

Interesting pair of turkeys

It has been a glorious and restful Sabbath.  I took my Bible and "Passionate Prayer Promises" out to the picnic table and while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine did a study on peace.  My biggest lesson from the 30 verses that I studied is that peace comes from keeping our mind on Christ.  So often I start to worry, trying to find solutions, and zippo--there goes my peace cause my mind isn't focusing on Christ.  Sounds so simple--why is it so hard?

After lunch, we walked twice around the lake at Fox Cove.  John was feeling so good in the fresh air and sunshine.  We also drove around and saw some of the residential areas, seeing

Poppies growing by the lake at Fox Cove

two turkeys in one yard.  Then as we headed back toward our condo, we stopped at a playground by the creek.  It is a beautiful creek with little waterfalls here and there and the sounds are so refreshing and musical.  We found several pretty rocks including one with some fossils in it. 

We made time for some good prayer together.  With John starting back to work this week, we need all the guidance and wisdom and direction that we can get!  Thank you, Holy Spirit! 

Mini blue butterflies flitting around stump

Steel bridge above Roark Creek

Friday May 10, 2013
Branson, MO

John and I left my sister, Heidi's, place in Nashville last Monday and drove straight through, arriving here at our place at Stonebridge about 4:30...no time to spare since the office closes at 5 pm.  We have a spacious, one-bedroom condo here in this huge 10,000 acre resort.

Our first couple days here were very quiet.  John

John on a bench on the pretty pathway leading to Branson Belle

needed lots of rest after Karissa's heavy-duty graduation weekend!  It drove me nearly crazy to have to lay low cause I longed to be outdoors being renewed and refreshed with nature.  Fortunately for me, by Wednesday, John was ready to venture out a bit.  We packed a picnic lunch and drove to Indian Point where we ate and relaxed at the swimming beach.  The water was too cold for swimming but I enjoyed wading.  We watched as storm clouds approached since rain was in the forecaste.  The water of Table Rock Lake was very smooth since there was little wind but the rain never came and eventually it cleared off.

On the nature trail at StoneBridge with Becky

Driving down to the town of Branson, we crossed the dam and then walked around the grounds of the Branson Belle because the azaleas were in full bloom and it is such a pretty area.  I so wanted to take a tour of the lake on a boat but The Belle is a dinner cruise with a show and people pay $50 for a two hour cruise and that was way too much to pay.  We drove back into town and walked around the Titanic and took some pictures along the strip.

Fortunately for me, Becky Vermilyea arrived that evening.  We stayed up and watched a

movie instead of going to bed at 8 with John.  He still goes to bed early, gets up late, and then sleeps during the day, too.  That's way too much rest for me!  Thursday, Becki and I set out early to walk the nature trail from the Club House.  It turned out to be a muddy and rough road so we took to the paved roads through residential areas, getting ourselves lost but enjoying the golf course and creek views along the way.  We explored further in the car, finding Fox Cove with a walking path all around the lake which suited us perfectly.

On the train to the "Diamond Mine" course of mini-golf

For lunch, we went to John's favorite...Golden Coral where we could all eat anything we wanted!  I always eat TOO much...but we worked it all off (well, maybe not!) as we played Miniature Golf at Lost Treasure.  The sun was out and it was wonderfully warm and we leisurely enjoyed the game.  Becky really had us beat the first half then I came up from behind and beat them both...!

We dropped John off at his favorite hang-out, Anytime Fitness.  Becky and I found the Secret Garden with romantic clothing.  Such fun it was to look around that beautiful store with fashions of yesteryear and some even of yesterday.  Becky found a lovely yellow crocheted top which suits her to a "t".  We picked John up and headed back to our condo to prepare for our outing to Shepherd of the Hills pageant. 

Years ago, I read, then purchased, the book by the same title.  It tells the story of some of the original homesteaders to the Ozarks and the pageant is one of the oldest Bransons "shows".  Because I so loved the book, I have always wanted to see the show, too.  In the morning, we paid for our tickets and looked forward to it all day.  Alas, when we arrived, the show had been cancelled due to approaching storms.  We were so disappointed.

To the right of the sign here, in the background, you can see Inspiration Tower.  Deciding to walk

Sons of the Pioneers sang beautifully

up that direction, we headed down the path to "Matt's Cabin", the original building on the homestead.  Such a lovely ol' cabin, too!  On our way back, we heard music coming from a pavilion.  Becky recognized it as the good ol' cowboy music of the "Sons of the Pioneers" with their very distinct sound.  The group listening had just finished their chuck-wagon BBQ and were enjoying the show.  We did, too, for about 30 minutes, all the time watching the storm blowing in from the west.  We listened too long and got nearly soaked as we ran all the way up the hill to our car while the wind whipped.

We'd decided to go listen to the SIX show instead and drove the few miles to the Mickey Gilley theatre.  SIX are brothers who sing without instruments but making the sounds of percussion and horns and other instruments all with their voices.  It was a great show with wonderful inspiration at the end with three spiritual numbers, so moving and harmonious.  Of course, no pictures or recordings were allowed.

It was still raining hard when we got back about 10.  Took us a while to calm down so we could go to sleep.

Friday morning, we had a wonderful morning and another good prayer session together.  Becky just recently lost Bayard, her husband of nearly 15 years.  We've done lots of reminiscing and each appreciate the other's support through these rough months. John and I both loved Bayard, too.  So prayer has been such a comfort that we can share in person and apart.

Becky and I set out on our next adventure by mid-morning and easily found our destination.  We set out along the woodland path and were surprised to come upon blooming irises.  Soon we discovered the Owen Homestead, a recently acquired property with famous old stone walls, a stone house, shown here, and a marvelous rock pathway, below, in addition to the long rock stairway down to Lake Taneycomo.

What was most amazing to us was all the flowers and shrubbery, signs of someone's hard work and perseverence.  It seemed impossible that anything but a big crew could have built it all.

Down the stone steps, we did eventually find a sign telling us that seven men worked on them over the period of a year, and a saying to the effect that it was not just stone and mortar that went into their building but blood, sweat, and tears, as well.  The stairs were often curved with railings, followed by horizontal pathways to make the climbing up or down less strenuous. 

Because of the recent rains, water was dripping everywhere and it was muddy in places.

Before the stairs started downward, this rock pathway and wall adorned the top of the bluff.  Here were numerous flowering shrubs and the blooming iris.  We saw evidence of many daffodils, late blooming lilacs, and other lovely landscaping features. 

Becky and I noticed right away the beauty of the place and all the love and attention that someone had worked hard on to create a lovely homestead. 

 As we followed the stairs down, we saw a few interesting caves which made me think of my cave-loving friend, Paula!  But the majesty of the trail came as we found bluffs along which the trail skirted.  These bluffs got ever larger till we reached the "Grotto" with a lovely waterfall.  I took several videos at that spot but no still pictures...that was a booboo!  We walked and walked, seeing two box turtles on the trail, columbines growing out of the bluff and along the trail, and catching glimpses of the river.  But the trail never sloped downward to the river, to our disappointment.  Due to lack of time, we did not get to got the very end, either, however. 

It so interesting that when the trees are leafed out, these bluffs are hidden from the view of those on the river and yet they are so beautiful.  They are one of my favorite features of Missouri. 

At the SIX show the evening before, we had talked to people around us.  Most people come to Branson for the shows and to eat.  Very few come to enjoy the lake or the dramatic topography of the area.  It's what I LOVE about Branson and almost no one else pays any attention to the natural beauty of this gem of the Ozarks.

While we were in the Lakeside Forest Park, we saw only four other people.  I was so thankful for this walk...it was without a doubt the highlight of this visit to Branson.

Lakeside Forest is at the corner of Fall Creek Drive and Route 76 in Branson.  It is a city-owned park with trails that wind around the ridge top, an old homestead just recently acquired, which includes 350 stone steps down the side of the bluff and almost to the Lake Taneycomo.  I'd been on the trail, seen them, but didn't get to go down and had always wanted to return and go all the way down.  Becky is such a great adventurer and is always willing to find a lovely new spot. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013/Thursday/Friday
Branson, MO

John and I are here for a week of vacation rest.  Not that we LOVE Branson but it was pretty close to home and it was available for $269 for a spacious one-bedroom condo.  We got here on Monday after four wonderful days in Chattanooga with all our kids.

We left early last Wednesday for medical appointments in St. Louis.  We had rescheduled our plastic surgeon's appointment in order to do it on the way to Tennessee.  I had tried to reschedule our appointment with infectious diseases, too, but Dr. Vasquez was not in the clinic on Wednesdays.  But on Tuesday, they call US to see if we could be there to see her.  Though she was not in clinic that day, she came over from the hospital, especially to see John.  Next time, we've decided to charge THEM when they want to see us and call and INVITE us for an appointment!

Dr. Vasquez is a Fellow in Infectious Diseases which means she is doing specialty training.  Her rotation ends in June, so she told us she will probably not see us again since she is going to New Mexico where her husband is.  This is her second specialty, the first being Intensive Care.  She has been our favorite doctor because she is so caring and compassionate.  She assured us that John needs to stay on antibiotics and begged us not to listen to other physicians who might say it was not necessary.  The doctor in charge of her, the Attending Physician, also came in to talk to us and told us the same bad news!  We can be thankful that John has tolerated the antibiotics well so far.

Last time we were there for medical appointments was in March and John was in a wheel chair.  This time, we navigated the whole distance without one...marvelous progress!  Dr. Kels is a woman doctor also and the plastic surgeon.  John had a list of 14 questions for her.  She's a very matter-of-fact sort of person.  She always takes pictures of John to compare.  Her examination led her to believe that John may have some herniation or pouching out of the intestines through the fascia under the skin.  After six months or so she might consider some surgical repair or even the insertion of some mesh support.  She wasn't too delighted with some of John's questions and he didn't even get through them all.  Basically, she just reiterated that the flaps were a life-saving procedure and that these negative outcomes have to be accepted until such time as repair might be possible.

We ate a good lunch in the Children's Hospital cafeteria, then headed east, arriving in Nashville at Heidi's house (my sister) quite late.  She was not yet back from San Diego and we had a hard time getting in her gate, had to wait for someone to come out, then we scurried in.  We went straight to bed and slept well.  Heidi had gotten in near 2 am but we had time to have a nice breakfast with her.  We got to Collegedale around 1.  Everyone was ready to eat lunch and so we ate Mexican food, John's current favorite.

Sandra (Winston's Mom) had arrived and we went on a nice walk, leaving John to take a rest.  We walked a trail behind the tennis courts, along the stream, and it was such a pretty and scenic walk.  It goes past the "vespers bowl" which is a lovely meadow with bluffs, then follows around to a pretty picnic shelter.  We then crossed the campus to the new nursing building then back along the Promenade to Southern Village where Karissa's apartment is.  She had rented an apartment for us and we moved our stuff in.  It was just across the way from hers.

That was the day we had the best time talking with our kids because it was mostly just us.  From there, things got really hectic with lots more people around.  Wish we'd had more time for in-depth conversations.  After John went to bed, Natasha wanted to eat at Yellow Deli.  Winston had gone to bed cause he had to work Friday, so just Jeremy and Natasha and Karissa and I went.   It's a wonderful and unique place run by a sect of people who follow some Jewish ways.  I had been to one in Vermont last summer and the decor and menu were similar.  It was rainy and cool by this time and so we enjoyed our potato soup and sandwiches.  Wish I had taken some pictures.

The best part of the afternoon was meeting Jan Sauder.  Her daughter is Janna, an apartment-mate and classmate of Karissa's.  Janna's grandmother was best friends with my mother through nursing school and all our lives.  So getting to meet Jan was like seeing a dear long-lost cousin.  They live in Hawaii.  We were able to reminisce about so many times our families got together through the years.  I also got to meet Nancy Farhbach, another daughter of my mother's best friend, as well as Sue Knudson, the daughter of Jean Hildebrand, the other best friend of my mother.  Her son was graduating from Southern, too.

Early Friday, I walked down to the Wellness Center and was able to talk to Dr. Phil Garver.  Karissa had told me he was retiring. He's hired three people and will be phasing out by August 1.  We kept busy all day with graduation preparations, making food, and shopping.  Kaitlin is Karissa's roommate and her folks stopped by later in the morning and told us about their home nearby and asked us to stop by and see it.  We went there later in the afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed their hide-a-way and renovation project.  Later, we dropped by Savannah's grandparents.  She is one of Karissa's apartment-mates.  Savannah's grandparents have always loved Karissa and they are delighted that she will be staying with them for a while.  Savannah's mother, Dephena, came also and we so enjoyed meeting her.

Natasha and Karissa horsing around while we all cook

John and Karissa and I went over to Winston's place to see it later in the afternoon.  He has a one bedroom apartment in the basement and cares for the place while the owner is away so it is a great deal for him.  Back at Karissa's, Natasha and I prepared some supper for Winston's family who were starting to arrive.  We made split-pea soup and pasta and salad and oven toasted bread. 

Molly and Bob Weaver are Sandra's folks who live in Gentry, Arkansas and in Palm Springs, California.  We were delighted to meet them because Karissa has always loved them.  Jeff and Lisa Tonack arrived about the same time. 

Supper with Winston's family and ours

Jeff is Winston's dad and Lisa is Jeff's wife.  Warren, Winston's brother, arrived later in the evening.

It was a wonderful get-acquainted time and we enjoyed being all together.  It was raining something fierce and we all just appreciated being warm and cozy inside.

Sabbath the deluge continued.  John felt unable to navigate a day full of people so we opted to stay at home while Karissa and Winston and his family all went to The Well.  Our picnic lunch was served in the apartment and not at

the picnic area as we had hoped.  Natasha and I made a big pot of lentil soup that really hit the spot

Natasha, RN, pinning Karissa

on a cool and rainy day.  Dephena Savannah's mom) and Savannah (another of Karissa's apartment-mate) joined us for lunch and brought some wonderful desserts:  lemon four layer dessert and chocolate four layer dessert.  We spent the afternoon visiting indoors.  Mike, the pastor of "The Well", stopped by later in the afternoon.

Karissa had to be at the church by about 6.  She looked darling in her old-fashioned nursing uniform dress.  Winston's family saved us seats and we enjoyed the vespers and pinning ceremony.  Natasha pinned Karissa and that was special.

After the pinning, we all went out for Pizza and there was a big table for us.  And as usual, way too much food.  Jordan Vallieres showed up and John enjoyed talking to him about the whole experience.  John embarrassed us all by showing them his scars right there in the Pizza Parlor!  Then it was back to our apartment and finally to bed after a long day.

Sunday was AWFUL!  The rain continued and we packed up and got away late, totally missing the processional of our daughter's graduation.  I felt soooo bad.  Winston's family had again saved seats for us and people around them were mad that we didn't show up on time.  We were way in the back and could hardly see and were thankful for the monitors up front that showed us what was going on.  There were 453 graduates...!  Afterwards, I got separated from the family because I was waiting for Heidi.  She arrived about half way through and wanted to visit with Dr. Don Fahrbach.  I left her to visit and with those thousands of people milling around how was I EVER to find my family?  I finally texted Winston and he was kind enough and attentive enough to get my text and respond.  By the time I finally found them all, I was in tears.  It just shows how emotionally raw I am with all that has been happening in my life!

To the right here you can see the graduation program with our Karissa's name and her Cum Laude honors....so proud of her!  She always took a full load of classes and always worked for Mark and Marla, being a nanny to their kids AND STILL she graduates with honors!

Praise God for such smart and motivated girls!

After graduation, we had to maneuver with two cars and find out way over to the restaurant and nearly lost John in the process!  As usual, he didn't even know he was lost!  That stressed me out, too.  What poor shape I've been in!

Aunt Heidi and Karissa

The meal and the fellowship at Toneys was wonderful.  Delicious crusty and chewy bread was served with olive oil and parmesan cheese which we all loved.  John got lasagna and I got angel hair pasta with fresh tomato and basil in olive oil.  But all too soon people started to leave, beginning with Winston's dad and Lisa who had a 12 hour drive back to Gentry, Arkansas.  They didn't leave, though, till there was time for pictures of everyone.   Warren to Atlanta to catch his plane back to Texas.  That left Sandra and us...so sad to see things winding down!

All six of us after eating together at Toneys

Natasha and Jeremy were the next to leave.  They had to get back to Dayton, Ohio, for Jeremy to resume his Physician Assistant classes and for Natasha to begin her clinicals. 

Heidi had never seen downtown Chattanooga before.  The rain had finally cleared and the sun came out bright and clear.  One of our favorite places is the pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River.  Heidi and I walked briskly all the way across and then around Coolidge Park.  John walked s-l-o-w-l-y and we found him sunning himself on a bench not even half-way across!  We walked back to the beginning, left John again, and walked across the clear bridge where you can see down to the traffic below then up to the beautiful art museum, then down the long pathway to the history iron works, down to the river's edge, which was very high due to so much rain, and back up to where John was waiting for us.

Heidi, John and I on the Pedestrian Bridge in Chattanooga

We stopped very briefly at Wildwood.  Heidi carefully maneuvered her car up the muddy hill to the hilltop cemetary.  It is a lovely and quiet and very natural resting place.  So appropriate for our simple, nature-loving parents.

From there we drove the 2 hours back to Heidi's home in Nashville, had a simple supper, and went straight to bed.  John and I were up early and on the road to Branson by 8 am.

Heidi and I at our folks' tombstone at the Wildwood hilltop cemetary