Missing church

I'll admit I've not been going to church. At first my excuse was my kidney transplant, then it was because of the high anti-rejection meds and not wanting to be in a crowd and get sick, then it was my sinus surgery... well, now that I don't have an excuse, I really don't want one anymore. I want to go back to church. I have missed it. I'm missing being fed like I am when I go, and "fellowshipping" with other believers. My heart is yearning for God's house, and I'm going this weekend.

There are many reasons that I haven't wanted to go to church... most of which are very personal, so I won't get into them. I've been praying about it, and God is really speaking to me recently in so many ways. I'm sure my post-transplant depression has had something to do with making excuses not to go, but there are other things too, that I've been trying to work past.

Yes, I will go this weekend, and I'm really excited about it. Some of my church friends, I haven't seen since before transplant. I have been to church a few times since then, but our church is so big, with 5 services, that you just can't possibly see everyone.

I'm getting ready to read The Shack again. It's a most wonderful book, and really hits home to a lot I'm struggling with right now. If you haven't read it, maybe you should pick up a copy! I don't think you'll regret it. :)



I'll leave you with a goofy pic of Jason and me. He was talking on the phone, getting ready to leave for work about 30 minutes ago, and I said "Honey, let's get a pic in case we never see each other again." He thinks I'm nutz.

Friday update

I am having some pain today that I haven't had. It's more than incision/surgical pain, so if it persists, I'll be calling the nurse this weekend. I did get out some today to run some errands and take Casey where she needed to go. My mother-in-law drove us around. I still have a lot of energy from the prednisone, but am also seeing more side effects. I definitely have the "moon face" now and am manic a lot of the times. It is hard to concentrate on a tv show or anything for a long period of time. I also had a hard time sleeping last night. I know that prednisone is helping me heal, and is helping my body accept this new organ, so I'm thankful for it. You just have to take the good with the bad. :)

We aren't going to Virginia tomorrow. I feel like I should spend the day with Jason and Casey. We three haven't had time together in awhile. Plus, my doctors don't want me in crowds right now, and there are going to be a lot of people at my grandparent's house. I will really miss seeing them, but also know that I need to stay well.

Casey is at her "Twilight" party tonight. She went to see the movie and has an after party. Jason and I will pick her up tomorrow morning. We will then spend the day together, and Casey has a book club meeting tomorrow night. Her social life is quite busy these days. haha.

I had dinner delivered to me last night and tonight. People from my church have been so generous to help out. I think we are set now for the weekend as far as meals go.

I hope all of you have a great weekend!!!


UPDATE: I talked with the nurse coordinator about my pain, and she seems to think that my stent may have moved and is irritating my bladder. She said that's not uncommon. I am supposed to increase my fluid intake, and will have to go to the local ER tomorrow for a urine culture to rule out infection if the pain gets worse. I'm so happy she didn't want me to come to the ER tonight. I would hate to go sit 4 hours in a waiting room and pick up the flu or something worse, and then this turn out to be just my stent moving around and nothing more.

Casey called and said the movie was awesome. She said of course it wasn't as good as the book, but would see it probably 100 times. haha.

$52,000.. wow!

Are you wondering if there is still good left in this world.. if people still care? Our church gave away a total of $52,000 last week to those attending (other churches are doing this too). It's called the Bless Back project. The instructions were to donate whatever money you received wherever God leads you...

Check out these great bless back stories.

Here is one of my favorite stories.. it's from a friend of mine!

Last week, I received $50 for the Bless Back Project and all week I have been praying that God would show me what to do with it. I could totally relate to what Mike said tonight in the service about looking at everyone he meets to see if they are the one. I have been doing this everywhere I go. Tonight after the service, I stopped in Duckworth's to pick up a coffee and a newspaper. I saw a couple at the doughnuts when I walked in, but didn't really pay attention to them. Suddenly I heard a man from behind say, "excuse me, Maam". I turned around to find a young man standing there with his hand out holding a quarter and some other change. He told me he wanted to buy a doughnut for his wife but was a little short. I wasn't sure I heard him right, and I asked him what he had said. He explained that his wife was pregnant and that she really wanted a doughnut, could I spare a dollar or some change. As I looked at him, his wife came up behind him. She was a young lady who was quite pregnant. She looked a little embarrassed and I just knew these were the people. As I reached in my purse, I started explaining that my Church had handed out money last weekend for us to bless someone who needed it and that I had been praying all week. As I handed her the $100 I told her that I felt that God had led me to them. The look on her face was incredible. The husband, started to stammer a bit, and said, "what? You are giving us $100?" I said, "yes. God loves you and wants to bless you. I hope you will use this for your baby and to improve your situation. If you do not have a church, I hope you will come to mine". When I told them I went to the Cove, the wife got very excited saying they had been to the Cove at Easter. She said they would definitely come again and thanked me over and over again. The husband said, "you have no idea how much we need this. We are about to have this baby, we have no insurance. God bless you and thank you". I hugged them both and told them I would look forward to seeing them at the Cove. I want to thank the Cove church for blessing me with this incredible experience, and I ask that all who read this will say a prayer for this couple that they would have a healthy baby and that they would get their lives back on track.

Life Group

Jason and I will be trying out 2 new life groups this week. Our old one broke up about a year ago, and because of Jason's schedule, we haven't stuck with a group since then. I am really excited to get back in one, and get connected again. I have missed not having that small group fellowship. We are going to one Wed. night and another one Thurs. night.  I know how important it is to stay connected during the week, and not just attend church every weekend. With his schedule and my health, it has been easy for us to find an excuse not to commit to a life group, but hopefully that will all change this week. I'll let you know how it goes. Please pray that we will choose the right one for us!