A bit less purple....

Dr. says no MRI yet.  Knee is still too swollen.  So I continue on elevating my leg with ice on the knee.  Wrap it up in a tensor bandage and get the crutches swinging.  It's a lot of weight to have to put on the other leg of course, so the other knee is beginning to feel it!

Oh my.  Life is so interesting. 

And it's so cold out.  I did manage to get to the doctor in the crispness of a -35C morning and it was invigorating!  Just being outside was so good, cold or not.

Here is how I'm progressing...

Still a great deal of bruising and swelling.  A bit less purple in color but the knee is squishy.  Doctor thinks there may be something going on under all that liquid on the knee.  Time will tell.  Amazing what a simple fall can do!

Now to take a prescribed Tylenol 3 and head to bed to attempt to sleep.  Ever try and get your knee comfortable enough for sleeping?

'Nite all.....

Being blessed......

My good friend, Linea, gave the sermon this morning.  It was a very difficult passage to speak on....from the book of Matthew 5:1-12....the Beatitudes (or part of the Sermon on the Mount).  She said some scholars believe it may have been a compilation of some of the truths Jesus attempted to offer the crowds that followed him, not to mention his 12 disciples as opposed to him saying all of these things at one sitting, nevertheless, here's what Jesus said:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."


These are truths that, in today's society, look almost ridiculous, they are so counter-cultural in nature....well, counter-everything actually, of the way we look at things in the world today.

It just showed me again, how God desires us to do things differently from what most people would tell us.  In today's corporate landscape, we are told that production is everything.   Just get ahead as much as possible even if it's at the risk of either being dishonest or losing a friendship.  It kind of all boils down to money and power vs. necessities of life and gentleness.  Seems like they're at opposite ends of the spectrum.

I constantly fail in doing what Jesus said!  I try, mind you....sometimes...but when I see someone acting like a jackass, I want to whack them over the head....when I'm really supposed to be a peacemaker and not go on the offensive....that's what a child of God is supposed to be like.

I've a very long way to go, I'm confessin'....

Sometimes taking photos is much easier than being pure, merciful, peaceful, righteous, meek, etc.  Besides, cameras really don't care how I act....

I'll have to be more purposeful in doing those things that God taught.  Those are the things that last, after all....not photos! 

But this one is nice....:)

And I must remember that living a life after God's heart is not as black and white as some may think!
 
'Nite....

I like repetition....

Especially when it comes to pictures of flowers.  My "get well soon" flowers are looking ever-so-lovely.  I keep walking by them and getting varying degrees of sunlight in which to capture each rose.  Here goes...

I just can't tell you how pleased I am with these beauties.  The Forest Service folks surely know how to treat their sick (incapacitated) staff!!!

It eases the pain considerably!!!

I am humbled.....

I just received a visit from a co-worker.  She came bearing healing love gifts from my work place.  Look.....

Roses....

Good wishes hand written on a card....

AND $25. gift for theatre passes...

Behold, what manner of love my co-workers have given to me, that I should be called their friend!

It's enough love to make all the pain in my knee disappear.

Thanks gals, for getting this all organized just for me....you know who you are!!!

"The Lord bless  you (all of you at work...)
and keep you,
The Lord make his face to shine on you
and be gracious to you,
The Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace." 
Numbers 6:24-28

Thank you Forest Service gang....I am in awe......
with all my love....Sharon

Refocusing....

I was emailed by a friend at work who encouraged me during this time of my "immobility", shall we say.  He encouraged me to allow this time of not being able to move around much, as a time to get myself closer to Jesus.  That was good advice.  Funny how when we have pain, our main focus seems to be on that particular pain and not much else.  Not sure how I'd fare in an "end of life" kind of sickness.  I don't want to concentrate on myself but I end up doing that.

Anyway, the last few days have been better in that regard.  I have taken some time for Bible reading and talking with God on various things in my life, in my co-workers lives and in the life of our church family of friends.  I'm wanting my Spirit to be rejuvenated and so, if God will give me grace for this task, I will receive it with open hands and an open mind and heart.

I have some important tasks that need accomplishing in the next few weeks.  I trust that as I immerse myself in the Spirit, I will be given sufficient strength for these things to happen.

I also had a good chat with son on Skype this afternoon, catching up on his life and his experiences as of late.

I try hard to get up on those dashed crutches at least once every hour and tear around the apartment to get some exercise so I don't seize up...and whilst doing that, I looked outside to see a whole whack of snow falling beautifully.  That was a real treat.  Small things please me:)

I should have used a different shutter speed too, but with crutches, it was a bit awkward to get it set.  And by the time I saw the snow falling, having to go back to the bedroom to retrieve the camera and back to the sliding door, the snow had subsided somewhat.  Drats!

I trust your night will be good and restful.....

Introductions....

Perhaps you have already met Ms. "0C" but in case you haven't, here she is. 

I think she was here last November.  I've met her many times but every time she shows up, she looks a bit different.  She's usually here during winter break but for sure she makes her special appearance in March.  It's good nevertheless that she should show up in the last days of January.  We won't turn her away, if we're in our right minds!  She's not so subtle either when she does make her appearance.  Sometimes it just gets messy when she visits!

In case you didn't recognize her...that's Ms. 0C as in Ms. Zero Degrees Centigrade.;)

but...but...but....

I DON'T WANT TO STAY HOME!!!!!!!

I WANT to go to work!  I like work!  I like the people I work WITH!  Work = good times.

Since falling on some ice with my knee cap on Thursday last, I have been in total pain...and that's a pain, ya know?  And the knee is swollen up like some kind of little balloon.

So now doctor says I have to wear this humungous brace and walk with crutches and not go to work for who knows how long...doctor figured 2-3 weeks OR if the major tendon is torn, that will include some surgery and we're looking at being off for a few months. 

That is just not acceptable.

NOTE:  Leg nudity and coarse bruising will be shown.  Viewer discretion is advised.







 

The entire middle part of my leg is in lovely shades of black and purple and mauve with a few tinges of green and yellow on the edges.  Thought I'd give you a peek.......Gross, eh?????.......

I think I will ask God to heal it.  Yes.  That is what I shall do.

There is no way I want to sit around with my leg up for that long!  I just won't do it!!!  I don't WANT to do it!!!  I have WAAAAAAAYYYYYY too much to do!!!!!

So, if you feel up to asking God to do some miraculous thing for this knee of mine, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks.....

Resplendant with color....

Some flowers from my friend Florence's funeral...(give each one a click)

Beautiful....just like Florence!

Annual Meeting and onward....

It was a very good Annual Meeting.  God showed up....this time I recognized him!

We are a small church but one who wants to go forward to become more healthy and more missional, I believe.

I'm beginning to get it.......that any change to move the church forward will have to start with me.  If we all said that, and we must, then we shall go forward with hope into the changes that must be made. 

One church member today said that there is far too much baggage that seems to come along with us when we attempt to move forward...and that must stop.

I agreed.

No baggage.

Nothing but our naked selves to be refined and molded and remade into a vessel that is useful in God's hands.  It's going to hurt....being refined in the Refiner's fire will always hurt but it will make us into something better than what we've been....if we allow it.

Another thing....our church just paid off it's mortgage.  We were told that the most difficult point in the life of a church is immediately after the mortgage debt has been paid off.  We can remain comfortable in our debt-less state or we can go forward into what God wants us to do...perhaps WITH more debt....who knows.  All I know is, that we must now move forward...no options.

Ready for the fire?

The all-inclusive...

I've heard about those kinds of trips.  They include everything you can imagine...and more!

My friend's funeral was an all-inclusive.  It gathered people from all walks of life - from doctors and stay-at-home moms to cashiers and lawyers.....from those that have much, to those who have little....from the very young to the elderly....just like Florence lived her life...she included everyone.

Jesus was an all-inclusive too.  He partied it up with rich folk and ate with con artists.  He trusted tax collectors and loved prostitutes.  He offered another way of life to politicians and beggars.  Everyone. No one was left out, to wonder if they were accepted simply the way they were.

The funeral today was a tribute to a woman who put God first. Everything else in her life fell into place following that commitment.  She made living a Christian life look easy and for her, it was.  Easy because her spirit was so connected and in tune to her Maker that how she lived was just like Jesus lived.

I think I too need to have an all-inclusive life...a life where I don't get in the way of God's intentions...a life where I don't make judgements and wrong assumptions about folks.

Yep.  That's what I want.  I'll start working on that first thing in the morning.

Here are some pictures of the gathering today....

Dr. Linea Lanoie (niece) and Pastor Stacia Michael

Memorial table...complete with caramels

(Florence handed out candy to the children after church, as did her mother!)

A tribute by Hugh Campbell

Pink

The luncheon by Gateway women.

Folks came from different cities and different churches.

Friends

We all had "Auntie Florence" in common.

Our girls remember Florence fondly...

Old friends.

Yep, I managed to hobble to the funeral with my cane!!!

That's another story....

Nieces - Linea and Faith (sisters)...and 'nephew-in-law' Hugh.