Our best refuge

Last night was one of those weird nights. With no warning, and after a lovely day and evening, I dreamed cancer dreams all night. At 4:00 this morning, I got up briefly and then cried myself to sleep. It just felt good to cry. And my sweet husband, who was sound asleep at the time, rolled over and put his arms around me and mumbled, "It's alright". I was so thankful for that sleepy assurance! I thanked God for my best friend that very minute.

And then my mind wandered to my friend Marie, whose best friend lost his fight with cancer not many days ago. I bet she has tears in the middle of the night, but now no arms for comfort. I asked God to be her comfort, and mine. I asked that the Lord would graciously keep me from using my husband as a substitute for my Lord. Whatever the circumstances, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46). He is where I should always go first for comfort.

And once again, Spurgeon spoke to the heart of the matter today:

My best security is within the munitions of an immutable Jehovah, where His unalterable promises stand like giant walls of rock. It will be well with thee, my heart, if thou canst always hide thyself in the bulwarks of His glorious attributes, all of which are guarantees of safety for those who put their trust in Him...My heart, run to Him anew to-night, whatever thy present grief may be; Jesus feels for thee; Jesus consoles thee; Jesus will help thee. No monarch in his impregnable fortress is more secure than the cony in his rocky burrow...Faith gives to men on earth the protection of the God of heaven. More they cannot need, and need not wish. The conies cannot build a castle, but they avail themselves of what is there already: I cannot make myself a refuge, but Jesus has provided it, His Father has given it, His Spirit has revealed it, and lo, again to-night I enter it, and am safe from every foe.
~ C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, November 20

May you be safe upon that rock today, Gentle Reader.

A toad for Tim and Nikki

Here is one of my latest quilting projects: a table-runner for Tim and Nikki's new house, complete with a horney toad.

Here it is finished:



And here is a close-up of the applique work in the center:



And finally, here it is in its new home:

Lots to be thankful for

Today I had a visit with my new PCP. (She happens to be the wife of my former PCP, who left the practice to work for the in-patients at the hospital, leaving a trail of sad patients behind him...But his wife is just as smart and nice and wonderful as he is, and her husband transferred us to her, so I can't really complain!) Everything seems to be on the up-and-up. She is thinking about reasons other than tamoxifen for my fatigue and muscle pains, but is OK with my desire to avoid all specialists possible, which makes me happy. One of the things we'll think about is oxygen issues at night. And she actually told me, after doing some back-muscle exploration, that I need to have a back massage. What a great thing to be told by a doctor! And how unselfish it sounds: "I have to get a back massage for health reasons..." And next week I head back to Tuscon, where I can get a great one for free from my ddil, the physiology major!

I left my appointment very grateful. She is a great doc, and I have lots to be thankful for!

Tucson Zoo

Last Saturday, we took some time off unpacking to spend a few hours at the Tucson zoo. The zoo is one of Nikki's favorite spots, and she loves watching and photographing the animals. I tend to photograph the flowers, but Nikki made me promise to put up pictures of animals. So, here you go, Nikki: pictures of animals just for you!

Tucson: settling in

We have just returned from our short jaunt to Tucson, and were blessed by being with Tim and Nikki as they began settling in to their new home.
There is, of course, computer equipment galore since this is Tim's house (note the four, yes 4! monitors, all working...) We trimmed up the trees, front and back. Below is a view of the back patio from the back-yard's back wall.

Nikki is already making it feel like home. The formerly black kitchen walls are now a cheery green, and she is a wonderful cook there. She is such a blessing to our family!

Tim and Dave did some repair work on the drip-sprinkler system, balanced fans, made shelves for the garage, and we all ran several errands hunting for needed items. It was productive time, and fun as well.

I know their new home will be a blessing to many!

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, to Tuscon we do go...

Tomorrow my best friend and I are flying to Tucson to visit our baby boy and his best girl. I can't wait for our little adventure, and to see Tim and Nikki's new home. We'll be helping them settle in, and also enjoying each other. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share when we get home. I may check in from there, Gentle Reader, but if not, I will be back next week, and beg your patience as I give full attention to family for a few days. What a blessing!

Sundays with Jean

Yet what Augustine writes is nonetheless true: that all whoa re estranged from the religion of the one God, however admirable they may be regarded on account of their reputation for virtue, not only deserve no reward, but rather punishment, because by the pollution of their hearts they defile God's works...
~J. Calvin, Institutes, III.14.3

In agreement with this idea is the statement of Augustine's: "Our religion distinguishes the just from the unjust not by the law of works but by that of faith, without which what seemed good works are turned into sins." He also beautifully expresses the same thought in another passage when he compares the zeal of such men to a runner off his course. For the more strenuously one runs who is off the path, the farther he gets from his goal, and the more pitiful he therefore becomes. Consequently, Augustine contends that it is better to limp on the path than to run outside it."
~J. Calvin, Institutes, III.14.4