Time is short

I am 4 days away from having my guts cut out. (Sorry to be so graphic, but how often can someone say "Im gettin' my gut cut out"?)
I must say.... at this point....right now..... I am not nervous or anxious. I am sure that will change come Wednesday morning.
I know that there are alot of prayers going out right now for us and our situation. For that.... I thank you. Please don't let up.

To be transparent for a moment!

I struggle with asking for prayer. I always feel like there are many people worse off and in tougher situation than we are. I feel selfish and self centered. (Maybe this is somewhere God needs to stretch me.) So that being said, I humbly ask for prayers as we go into next week.
Here are some specifics you can pray for:

-The kiddos. That they will have some sort of understanding and peace while I am away in the hospital. Especially the little ones. Because they won't understand fully why I am not at home. Please pray for the big kids to not worry about things. They are at an age where they are learning to worry.
-Hubby- As he travels to and from the hospital. (It is an hour away.) And that he will not be anxious. Also pray for him as he is at home, without any break. Pray that he keeps his sanity. (What little he has left.)
-10:00am Wednesday is when my surgery is scheduled. It should take and hour and a half to complete. We will not know how long my hospital stay will be until the surgery happens. Please pray that the Dr. can do it all laproscopically.
-Recovery to be be quick so that I can come home quick.
-I will miss my family in a HUGE way so please pray for comfort in that.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer. It is a huge comfort for me to know that I am being lifted up. I will keep you posted as I can. Love you all.

Good and Evil

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

This is one of those verses people like to use, alot. It is a Velveeta verse. It is one of those verses that anyone could use to try and look "churchy". Velveeta you can throw it on just about anything and use it to cover what is underneath.
I could see part of this verse on a billboard, next to an angel holding a chocolate bar.
Just use Google images and type in all good and perfect gifts and you'll get my point.

As I sat today and read a little more from The Shack, I was confronted with this:

Excerpt from "The Shack"

"Let me begin by asking you a question. When something happens to you, how do you determine whether it is good or evil?" (Being asked by The Holy Spirit)
Mack thought for a moment before answering. "Well, I haven't really thought about that. I guess I would say that something is good when I like it- when it makes me feel good or gives me a sense of security. Conversely, I'd call something evil that causes me pain or costs me something I want."
"So it is pretty subjective then?" (Holy Spirit)
"I guess it is." (Mack)
"And how confident are you in your ability to discern what indeed is good for you, or what is evil?" (Holy Spirit)
____
So now I sit with the thought and question of "How do I define what is good?"
When I figure that out, I guess my "Velveeta" will taste a little different.


Thoughts?

Tired

Wow! It has definitely been a while since I blogged. I will start by saying what a great day we (our fam.) had. We spent the good part of the day at the pool. It was an exhausting day, but fantastically restful. And much needed. It has been an interesting week or so, emotionally I can't even begin to describe where I am. I guess that is why a day at the pool, with the family was so appreciated.

For the sake of not having a pity party and a depressing blog... I am just going to throw out some prayer request:

1- Aug. 6th- is surgery to remove some of my guts.
2- New store manager for me. So, work is very busy. And I am tired.
3- No job leads for hubby.
4- Emotionally exhausted because of 1,2,3

Though life is what it is for our family right now. We can definitely see God doing some amazing things. I am constantly in awwww of His timing. The hardest thing about all of this is being patient.

Frozen Nuggets

Conversations over the past week have gone like this:

#1
Daddy says: "Hey Pey, I am a mommy"
Pey: "No you not. You not have shaky boobies. Mommies have shaky boobies."

#2
Bear: "I not want my nuggets hot"
Mom: "Ok just let them cool off after I cook them."
Bear: "No!"
(Then he grabs the nugget off the baking pan, still frozen, and begins to eat it."
Mom: Duh! That's not cook yet.
Bear: I like it cold.

#3
Pey: I am a princess and I am going out in the rain. This is my rain coat. Bubby, go get your hat, it is raining.
(Picture above is the finished product.)

#4
Pey is running around without a shirt. So I, trying to be the good mommy say,"Pey, go put your shirt on."
Bear interrupts : "I a man, I not have to wear shirt."
Pey: "I take my shirt off like the girls on the talent show do."

(Little did I know that "America's Got Talent" would have such an impact on her.)


So I ask.... what makes a good parent?

-The fact that "shaky boobies" is a part of our vocabulary.
-I let them eat the nuggets frozen.
-This is normal rain wear.
- Or that I didn't know what to say after #4.

HMMMM

As some of you know, I am currently reading The Shack. (Yes I am still reading it.) It normally doesn't take me this long to read any book, but I find that I am wanting to digest each page. I am amazed at how much a fiction book can make me think.

While I was waiting at the hospital to get my CT scan on Wed. I picked up the Shack and pressed forward. I didn't get far before before God reached out and shook me.... (again)
Here is what I read....

"there are millions of reasons to allow pain and hurt and suffering rather than to eradicate them, but most of those reasons can only be understood within each persons story. I (God) am not evil. You (humans) are the ones who embrace fear and pain and power and rights so readily in your relationships. But your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for the ultimate good and the most loving outcome."


What a vision of hope! Your choices are not stronger than my purpose.