The Golden Years?

Today was supposed to have been Dennis' day off, but he was called in this morning.  At least he got to sleep a little later than usual and will only have to work an 8 hour day.  This heat is really zapping his energy!

I got my blood test results back Monday.  I was really looking forward to them, since I've been dieting and exercising for the past 3 months.  Lo and behold, my LDL (bad cholesterol) was UP...30 points higher than it should be!!!  There has got to be some bad genetics involved there.  They told me to try to lower it by diet (which I've BEEN doing) and come back in 2 months to be rechecked.  So I've determined to eat a big bowl of oatmeal and an apple for breakfast every morning and see if that makes a difference.  Otherwise I'll be started on cholesterol lowering medication when I go back to the doctor.

I also have an appointment set up next month to see a cardiologist.  During my checkup, as the PA was listening to my heart, she was also asking me about my family history of heart disease.  Then, with stethoscope in action, she told me she wanted me to see a cardiologist.  "Do I NEED to see one?!"  She assured me that she didn't hear anything wrong, but with my age (over 50) and family history of heart problems that I really did need a checkup.  I will go Aug. 30 for a checkup and echocardiogram.  I'm assuming they will also want to do a stress test.  Isn't getting old fun???!!!!

I had lunch with Anita yesterday and then went to see her dad at the nursing home.  He is not doing well at all.  They put him on hospice after his last hospital stay (when he developed sepsis).  His Alzheimers has also rapidly progressed, aggravated by several TIAs.  He no longer can do anything for himself and is totally bedfast.  He is not very responsive...just mumbles incoherently most of the time or hollers out in pain.  It is so sad!  He has been begging to die for weeks now.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Ice cream supper Saturday night!  Dennis has been talking about wanting one for weeks now, so he and the guys talked about it Sunday night in their little business meeting and James volunteered their house.  (We would love to host it, but our house and parking aren't adequate for hosting the whole congregation.)  I'm taking a gallon of tuitty-fruitty and one of Dr. Pepper flavor.  Friday is my baking day (I've been doing friendship bread lately), so I plan to make up some lemon poppyseed bread to take, too.  Nothing is better than homemade ice cream in this heat!  (Except for ice cold watermelon!)

Just two more days till the kids get back from their trip.  I've really been enjoying keeping up with them through the blog and Stephen's pictures on facebook.  I can't wait to hear all the stories they have to tell!  I'm supposed to pick them up at the airport around 9:00 Saturday morning.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay safe and well!

Ec 12:1  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Well, the kids will be leaving the country this afternoon.  Stephen and Mandy met us at Daddy's house on Thursday, so I could drive the three of them to the airport.  (They left their truck there to avoid those airport parking fees!)  I enjoyed getting to spend a little time with them before their departure.  I'm so thankful that Stephen and Mandy decided to go.  It made me feel a lot better dropping Sheila off at the airport...having her big brother there to be with her.  I believe they have been enjoying their time in Florida!  I know they are looking forward to the real purpose of their trip, tho.  They will spend three days distributing shoes to kids in a large neighborhood of 40,000 residents, half of whom are immigrants from Nicaragua and other Central American countries.  Over half of the population lives below the poverty line and have no formal employment.  They will be washing the children's feet, fitting them with new shoes, distributing toys, painting the girls' fingernails, and generally demonstrating love to the children who come.  When they are not distributing shoes, they will be taking tours of the countryside, both on foot and by zipline.  Please keep all of them in your prayers as they journey to Costa Rica over the next three days!

We had a WONDERFUL Lord's Day yesterday!  Mark and Karen came over yesterday morning and Mark spoke for us.  He did an outstanding job, as usual!  I really love hearing him speak.  He gives such meaningful and inspiring lessons, and has such a great speaking style.  We really enjoyed our visit with both of them.

After evening services, most of us went out to Rosa's for supper.  Even tho Heather really wasn't feeling well, she managed to make it to both assemblies AND went out with us.  I don't often get to enjoy a lengthy visit with her and Layne, so I enjoyed our time at Rosa's together.  Please continue to keep Heather in your prayers.  She is in constant pain and is nauseated most of the time now.  The lupus is attacking her liver.  It breaks my heart to see her suffer so much, but she handles it with so much strength and grace.  She struggles to take care of her own family, but she also plans to volunteer at a local shelter to help others.  She truly is an inspirational young woman!

Take care and try to stay cool!!!

Joh 13:13-15 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.