Not all I Once Was

Today marks the one week anniversary of the death of my appendix. Somehow I thought the removal of a body part would be no big deal. I was feeling like a whimp and wondering why it was I am still in so much pain. I only wondered that until I watched an appendectomy on YouTube. Not for the faint at heart. Basically the make a 2 inch cut, stretch it back with special tong-like things, then reach in and grab whatever part of your large intestines is closest. They then pull pull pull until they come to the place where the appendix is located, thus leaving a nice little pile of your insides lying on your outsides. After tying the appendix off, it's cut off, sewn and cauterized. They then pull more intestine out for inspection. Now the really lovely part. With a pair of blunt tongs, they rather unceremoniously, stuff everything back. Nice.
Don't get me wrong. You'll hear no complaints from me. I prefer sore and lightheaded to having three motherless children living in my house.
This is my shout out to all of the incredible people in my life who have cooked and cleaned and called/emailed over the past week. Quite frankly YOU ROCK! I thank God for you every day. He has been so kind to me throughtout this and has put it on the hearts of so many to make sure that my family's needs are being met. Thank you all for following His promptings.

Heaven is for Real

I just finished reading "Heaven is for Real A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back" by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. READ THIS BOOK!! It's a true story about a 4 year old boy who suffers a ruptured appendix and while in surgery goes to Heaven. It can't tell you how profoundly moved I was by his story. I read the whole thing in 3 hours. The little boy - named Colton - spoke of God shooting power down to people, of Jesus' love of children, of meeting his long ago deceased Grandfather and his miscarried sister who he knew nothing about. The way he depicted Heaven lined up with what I have always thought Heaven would be like and yet to have someone so guileless tell you straight faced that it is so and yet so much more really spoke to my heart. I know Jesus loves me and that He wants me thrive in this life but I am also quick to forget this dear truth in times of trial. To hear a four year old boy speak of "power being shot down" to those who need it was something I apparently really needed to hear because it made me cry. If God asks me to do something extrordinary He WILL equip me to see it through to completion for the sake of His glory. Why do I think my ineptitude is greater then God's grace and power? READ THIS BOOK!!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”