The Results of our Prayers

Thank you all so very much for your prayers. Heath, I almost cried when I read your comment and saw your site. Thank you. That means a lot. More than you know. Chad, God healed her, but not in the way we were hoping. She'll never hurt again, and she's in a better place. Her life never would have been normal again after all of the trials her body suffered. Tammy passed away officially on Thursday, the 28th. They decided it was for the best. The boys took it differently: her oldest punched the wall; her youngest broke down. Her visitation was today and the funeral is tomorrow. Chad and Casey, her two sons are doing as well as can be expected. They weren't crying when I went and saw them, but you can tell they're really hurting. I'll go to the services tomorrow, but what can you say to them? We had a Sunday School class sleepover Friday night and that was the burden I shared with the group. They're still on my heart. That sleepover was an awesome experience. But keep praying for the boys. I'm still concerned that they'll let this ruin everything, change their dreams, and that they'll give up on life. I know it can't be easy to move on with life when it feels like there's nothing left to live for. But with God, all things are possible. So thank you all again for your prayers. I want to share a blessing that I only recently realized. I've been really busy this summer, more so than ever before, almost to the point of exhaustion. But I've had this little nagging thought for some time telling me it's time to find "the one" for me. I'm programmed to love with everything I have, and not having someone to call my own is beginning to bother me more than ever before. But my busyness, my super-active summer, and all of the babies I take care of are God's gifts. I'm too busy to be lonely! I cried when I realized what He's done for me. Now I'm not worried. I'm still learning, but I think I'm ready to let go. Just wanted to let y'all know that He's still working! I'm off, so toodles for now. Love to all. More than you could possibly know. Thank you all again for your love and support!

PRAYERS NEEDED

Ok, seriously urgent prayer request. A lady we know had a massive stroke due to the rupture of an aneurism. Some guys found her and woke her oldest son (20) up and he called 911. The men left and thought nothing more about it. Until they life-flighted her to the nearest intensive care unit. In Beaumont. She flat-lined twice on the way there and is currently on a respirator. She has been deemed brain-dead. Her youngest son is my age – we graduated together. He was in Missouri when it happened. Her husband was in California. He is on his way home. Her son caught a ride with one of the richest men in our area on his private helicopter, sent especially to get him and bring him home to his mom and brother. Their father will be the decision-maker when he arrives. So pray for a miracle. Or for some relief for the boys from this devastating blow. But pray that they don't become bitter from this, no matter what happens. Tammy, the lady to whom this happened is a local, raised in the area and a good friend of many of the school staff and students. Her sons both had lots of friends. So this will be a hard blow to take. Please, pray. Pray hard.

Just a Thought

What if the reason can't set my mind on anything slid or definite for my future is that something monumental is going to happen to change all of my plans? Like a tragic accident or finding a husband with whom I wouldn't have to work and help maintain the household. Or getting "discovered" before I finish college. Or the Rapture. Or dying. I've always found myself disturbingly morbid, so it's not a new thought. I'm not suicidal. I like myself too much for that. But wouldn't that be a great reason behind my shallow, indecisive thoughts? God doesn't want me to bother with thinking about the future because something amazingly unexpected is going to happen and leave me on a whole new world (Aladdinish, I know). Or not.

Oompa Loompas are cool. So are Sunday afternoon naps, new CDs, family and get-togethers, shrimp gumbo, and late graduation gifts. But missing people isn't. I'm gonna count and see how many times I miss various people throughout my daily life and report back. Aight, toodles y'all.

Baby News

Hey all. Quick update. The baby is better as far as his hives go, but he has a possible secondary infection from the lack of "good" bacteria after the first round of antibiotics. He had a little bit of fever today, and his hives popped up a tiny bit, but he recovered from both very quickly. Thank you all for your prayers! Love and hugs.

Prayers and Jokes

'Nother prayer request, y'all. The baby of the two boys I babysit during the week had a severe allergic reaction to something Wednesday night. They don't know if it's eggs, peanut butter, tomatoes, or the antibiotic he's been taking, but he's breaking out in hives and isn't very comfortable right now. He's taking a steroid and benadryl to control the reaction. And today, he fell off of my lap (I was sitting in a chair) while reaching for a crayon that was too far away and hit his head on the linoleum floor. Nice goose egg and a pretty bruise. Poor baby. He cried for a while after that one. He's fine now, but it scared me a little. Just pray that they find what he's reacting to and that it's not something that will change the whole household's lifestyle.

On to other things. Astroworld was a blast! Had so much fun playing in the rain! And we get to go back because we got rain checks. Yay! Saw this at Mark's website and thought you might enjoy.

At a small terminal in the Texas Panhandle, three strangers are awaiting their shuttle flight. One is a Native American passing through from Oklahoma.

Another, a local ranch hand on his way to Ft. Worth for a stock show. The third passenger is an Arab student, newly arrived at the Texas oil patch from the Middle East.

To pass the time they strike up a conversation on recent events, and the discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon the Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout Muslim. The conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowpoke leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table, tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind outside blows tumbleweeds and the old windsock flaps, but no plane comes.

Finally, the Native American clears his throat and softly, he speaks: 'Once my people were many, Now we are few.'The Muslim raises an eyebrow and leans forward, 'Once my people were few,' he sneers, 'and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?'
.......

The Texan shifts the toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says, 'That's 'cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet.'

Yay for Texas!!!

Blast from the Past

Hey all. Thought I'd share a few interesting tidbits from my past. I was digging through my keepsakes the other day and came upon this piece of paper with the following words (as actually written, spelling and all): "Pam I am sheriff pam. I kech robbers. I get off at noon. I go back at done. Remember I am sheriff pam and I will areste you." Cute, huh? It was very humbling to realize that I was such a terrible speller when I was little. But I was about 4 when I typed that on a typewriter at Granny's. I looked at it and knew that y'all would love to read it, so there it is. My job description for some random play-time imaginary setting.

I also found a few quotes and poems. I'll post the poems later, but the quotes are really good, so they're going up now.

'Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your own nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God did what we wouldn't dare dream. He did what we couldn't imagine. He became a man so we could trust Him. He became a sacrifice so we could know Him. And He defeated death so we could follow Him." ~ Max Lucado

Other than that, not much is going on in my life. I had a craft spurt last night. Mom gave me some new, clean, small paint cans and I covered them with cloth and paint and buttons. Very cute. I might post some pictures if anybody's interested. They took me all of about 5 minutes each after I manipulated the cloth to do what I wanted. The first one is covered with a red bandana print and then various colored buttons – mostly red, white and blue. The second one is covered in denim from an old pair of jeans. I was going to put a back pocket on it, but the can was too short for the pocket, so I put a front pocket on it. The back side is covered with plain denim (from the leg) and then painted on. I wrote PAM and drew a cute little flower. The lids are covered the same, respectively, and I wrote PAM on the denim lid as well. I'm thinking about giving the red can to my roommate when school starts.

We're going to Astroworld Thursday! I have a dentist appointment tomorrow and I have to drop stuff off at the auction barn this morning, and then go boot shopping. I desperately need some cowboy boots. I haven't had a pair in over a year and I really need some to complete the western look for cow sales and such. Well, I'm off to take a shower and go do my chores for today. Love to all! Hugs and kisses to everybody that needs 'em! Oh, btw, Jared is doing better, but he still needs our prayers. And everyone be sure to comfort Heathykins on the loss of his four toofs. And Coleman brothers – all of y'all are awesome! I'm really glad y'all are part of my daily blogging experience! Of course all of my other visitors are awesome, too, especially Porkchop, who got me set up in the first place, but I had this crazy dream about the Coleman brothers flying down to Texas last night, and I thought at least props were in order for people who stay in my subconcious long enough to produce a dream. Lol. Aight, later!

Prayers needed

Our big buddy Jared is injured. Keep him in your prayers. I know God will heal him, and we're already thankful that the damage wasn't worse. It could've been. It doesn't seem like it, but His time, His will, His way.

Injuries:
3 busted ribs
deflated lung
concussion
fractured pelvis
possible back injury
temporary memory loss

Serious prayers needed here. Special love and hugs of support to Chad and Heath, younger brothers of Jared. Guys, we're praying hard!

Dream Big

Rather appropriate, I thought. By Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband.

Dream Big

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

Chorus:
And when you dream, dream big, as big as the ocean blue.
‘Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
‘Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
All around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
To help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
‘Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
Don’t let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
It will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty al
lAround and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
Help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus 2x

The weekend!

Ok, this will be a little short and full of little things. Orientation was really cool. The sessions were boring, but I made 4 friends who have since emailed me. Awesomeness. Went to the lake on Friday. Had a blast! After I resigned myself to being hopelessly without a "designated companion". Everyone else my age or older had a significant other and I felt my lack of one on several occasions. But it was fun after I got over that particular struggle. We went wakeboarding, wakeskating, swimming, fishing, and just riding. We cooked out on the pit every day, played late-nite poker and dominoes, and slept all over. Anywhere we could, actually. I had this awesome blow-up mattress under a futon pad that was amazingly comfy. Along with rhythmic snores, thunder and lightening, and rain, we had some pretty good nights of sleep. Lightning struck the biggest pine tree in the back yard at about 5:15 Sunday morning. And the boat sank. That was interesting. We had a really huge storm blow up on us in about 5 minutes, and that was really cool. White capping everywhere, and we were in a cove! But over all, a very successfully fun weekend. And I'm currently content with being single. Each day changes things a little, but I'm still working toward the ultimate goal of trusting in the Lord and His time in everything, including guys and college and life in general. My time's up, so I'm off. Love to everybody!