Funkyjimmer's Blog

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

TOMORROW IS DOCTOR DAY--ONE OF THEM

When you have an on-going physical condition (or conditions) you become well acquainted with medical personnel of all disciplines. Tomorrow Karon and I go to her Oncologist. We know she won't get a chemotherapy treatment because they still have to wait on that to see what is going to happen regarding the hip replacement surgery.

But we'll find out the cancer (tumor) count. Two visits ago it was somewhere around 25.2. The last visit it was 30.7. Both of these numbers are within the "normal" or "remission" range. We wonder what the count will be tomorrow. Karon hasn't had a chemo treatment since November 28th, due to her hip surgery.

Tomorrow we'll also get the results of the body CAT scan and Body survey she had done last Thursday.These scans will show if the bones are staying the same or if there are new lesions caused by the cancer being active again. It only determines when she has to start back on chemo. We see the hip surgeon on March 9th and so no chemo at least until after that date.

We continue to be blessed and are thankful for God's faithful care through all the medical personnel and through so many Christian brothers and sisters. It is great to be a part of a big family--the Family of God!

We continue with life as we know it these days. Karon's spirits are okay but she now has those moments--usually in the night--when she's not so "up". But I tell her that's allowed! I have such a hard time knowing what to say when she asks, "Will I ever feel better?" I think she's getting pretty discouraged with it all but she won't let on. I notice that she more willingly takes more pain medication. She sleeps hardly at all any night, but does get some rest toward morning and usually a nap during the day. Thus a "good night's sleep" isn't something in our experience very often.

Work is getting very busy and will only increase until about June. I work with the banks and Savings and Loans that are a part of the Indiana Bankers
Association group health insurance Trust, regarding their group health insurance. Their annual renewal is May 1st. There will be a lot of activity regarding that for the next several months.

And there are a lot of exciting things taking place or getting ready to take place at our little church--all of which require time-consuming attention. But it is good that the church is so "alive" and "on fire" to be what God wants for His church in our community. We're seeking to build an addition to our building, which means raising funds both by commitments and financing. Then there are the plans to be decided and all the "hoops' that you have to go through to do any type of construction in today's world. We begin a church-wide revamped Sunday school progam this Sunday. It sounds like a great format. I'll try to Journal about it soon. And our financial stewardship and worship attendance has been steadily increasing. We averaged 95 in worship attendance for February.

March 25th we have an all-church leadership conference led by a very capable Christian from Cincinnati Christian University. Dr. Roadcup will lead the Conference that day and we're provided a Continental Breakfast and a great lunch to the attendees. And there's no cost to attend! Our goal is to help us learn the steps to take to grow to the level God wants for our church.

I guess all this keeps me going! But I am physically, mentally and emotionally tired. But I think Scripture says something about when we are the weakest, He is the strongest. So we continue in His strength.

Jim

posted by jim 8:23 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 27, 2006

WEIRD

I know I'm weird. Statistics prove it. Here's what I mean: I love my "day job". I look forward to going to work each day. I look forward more to Mondays than I do Fridays. I enjoy the weeks more than I do the weekends. I hear people at work grumbling because it is only Monday and they're longing for it to be Friday. When Friday comes they can't wait to get out of there and many often leave early on Fridays.

I greatly enjoy where I work; I enjoy the people I work with; I enjoy the work I do. And I am treated very well by my company and by the people with whom and for whom I work.

But I know that's weird. Statistically every survey shows that only about 20% of the working force -- at the most -- enjoy what they do. The other 80% hate their jobs and everything about it.

I am thankful to my God for my situation. I know that it is only by His Grace that I have been allowed to be where I am. Believe me, I don't take it for granted. And I realize that it could end at any time for a variety of reasons. But I'm thankful and I will enjoy it as long as God allows me to be there.

Hope at least some of you are also in that 20%!

Jim

posted by jim 10:10 PM 2 comments

Sunday, February 26, 2006

GREAT DAY!

A great day today. Very bright sun although quite chille out without a coat. We had a great crowd at church. They were very responsive to the worship team (which did an excellent job with the music and the entire service). We even had a choir sing--which is unusual for us. But they sang a great song well. You could tell they enjoyed singing. The song was a break from the usual type of choir number and very well received.

The folks were receptive to the message. We talked about the Bible under the heading, "The Word for the World." They enjoyed the introductory things we did. First was an excercise with a calculator. We even had enough calculators so most everyone could either use or see one. Then we did a Top Ten List of how the Bible would be different if written by college students. Too bad none of our many college students were home for the weekend. :(

There were requests for the message which is not flattering me or puffing me up but shows they want to study and share with others. Next week we're going to continue the study about the Bible, talking about the Authority, the Activity and the Application of the Word of God.

All this is leading up to a whole new structure of Bible study during our Sunday schoool, beginning next Sunday. A new adult class will be a survey of the Bible in a year, team taught be several excellent teachers. There will be another adult class on prayer and a young adult class on Joshua and Judges. There are classes for all age kids. We've recruited several new teachers for these classes, too.

We have asked people to register themselves and their children for these classes. It is exciting that many people who have never been a part of our Sunday school have signed for the new Bible survey class.

Our whole goal is to get more people into the Word of God and more of the Word into people. We're praying it all goes well. A lot of prayer, planning and preparation has been expended.

Now I'm ready for a nap. Sundays totally exhaust me.

Jim

posted by jim 3:04 PM 0 comments

Saturday, February 25, 2006

It's late--and Something Has To Go

That refers to the hour of the night and my Posting on this Blog. It's not that I've "run dry", rather I have "run out of time". So much has happened, so much is happening, so much is going to happen. I'm not at all sure how I am going to keep up with all of it. Something has to go. I'm not sure yet what. Some things--some responsibilities, some activities--cannot go. Others I don't want to let go. Somthings I'd like to let go but don't know how or if I can.

Lately I have toyed with the idea of letting this Journal go. Most of you may think I have already let it go, it has been so long since I've Posted. At this point I'm not willing to let it go. But then if I am not doing it (or those who may still read it) justice, why keep it? If there is no good reason then I suppose it should go. But just now I don't want to let it go. I have no clue what I will do or what I should do about some things.

I was slowed down this week. Maybe later I can post a bit more detail but I spend an evening and the next afternoon in the emergency room of one of our local hospitals. Some of the greatest abdominal pain I have ever experienced hit me in the evening after I had traveled for my work all day. Thankfullly I was home when it hit although I had not felt well all day.

After blood tests, X-rays, a CAT scan--no diagnosis. That is the most frustrating part. The doctor said maybe a virus or as likely--stress. So I stayed home from work the next two days. I seem better now but watching what I eat somewhat carefully.

Tomorrow is church. I think I'm ready. But I need to get some rest before tomorrow.

Hopefully I'll have more to say sooner than I have recently Posted.

Jim

posted by jim 10:54 PM 0 comments