Catching up

My girl is 22 years old now. This picture was taken by my oldest son David, while they were at a street festival in Asheville this summer. She's a pistol, in case you couldn't tell from this photo ;-)
Happy Birthday Jewel!!

I have a  few things to catch up on because I haven't been able to blog much lately.

Family
Well, what can I say? Isn't everyone's family a little crazy?
It's Nov. 16, and I don't think anyone has a plan for Thanksgiving. I think no plan means we don't really want to have a plan. So I PLAN to have some turkey and stuffing and some damn sweet potatoes, and if anyone wants to come to the table they can.


Julia
Thank you to everyone who is continuing to pray for Julia. I spoke with her Friday night. The surgery was successful, and the internal bleeding was repaired. She is going in for another minor surgery soon, to insert a port that will make it easier for her to get infusions.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
She will likely begin chemo again after the holidays.

Friends
I have some really good friends. Scott is someone I met in the summer, and he has been such a generous and kind friend. Whenever I need some help with ANYTHING, I just call.
I was so bent and broken a couple of months ago. I was in pain and my shoulder and back were completely messed up. I put up with it for about a week or so, then the pain was so much that I was in tears. I was going on no sleep because I couldn't get comfortable, and I was in constant pain. I called Scott, and said, "I need help. I don't know what to do, but I can't go on like this."
I don't have health insurance, and at the time I had just started my job and had no money. Scott hooked me up with the most incredible massage therapist. If you're ever in Gig Harbor and need a massage, I know THE guy.
Scott has bailed me out when my computer failed me, and he has been there to listen to me go on and on when I've whined about all my work troubles. He understands. He's an editor too. He gave us an electric keyboard when I signed Sean up for piano lessons, and he has been my personal bank when I've needed a loan. I could go on and on. He's a great friend. I'm blessed to have so many.
Bill is a new friend. We've made a very deep connection, and it feels like we've known each other for a really long time.
Both of these guys are just friends to me. Both are married. I thank God for bringing them into my life.

Church
Our choir sang the most inspiring and uplifting rendition of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" today. I was almost moved to tears, and the entire congregation responded by giving them a standing ovation. I was a Presbyterian for about 20 years, and we don't typically applaud or anything after a song, or performance during a church service. It's a big deal for me to start clapping, but today I felt completely moved to stand and applaud them.
The Iraqi refugee family will be coming soon. Our church decided to allow them to live in our parsonage until they get on their feet, and an entire estate of furniture and kitchen supplies have been donated to fill the home. We will be moving it all in next weekend. I'm not sure when the family will arrive.
For those of you who don't know, the husband of this family was working with our military in Iraq when he was murdered. Our church wanted to sponsor an Iraqi refugee family, and the Lord has sent them to us.

Work
I'm working non-stop, and it is a challenging job. I learn new things each day, and I can feel the direction of the paper shifting. Change is always a bit scary, but I really think I can make a difference. It will take time, and I hope everyone will be patient enough to wait. I'm in the middle of deadline right now, waiting for everyone to turn in stories for me to edit and get to the paginator.

And with that, I'm on to the next story...