Day 19-6 Introducing Isaiah!

Whew... had the visit yesterday with my surgeon. Really liked him a lot, thank you, Lord, for good doctors! It's scheduled for next Friday the 19th, late afternoon, "craniotomy for diagnosis and resection of brain tumor". Very scary words, and I couldn't manage to read through the potential risks and complications, I chose the ostrich syndrome instead. It will involve a day or so in intensive care, a few days in the hospital, six weeks recovery time and three months without driving. Ugh, the not driving part is really throwing me for a loop. All you dear people who have asked for some way to help may actually get to do just that! But I did get the good news that I won't lose that much hair so won't have to get a wig after all and he said I really shouldn't worry any more about the biopsy report because they will need to do the lab studies on a far bigger piece than they could ever have gotten with just the biopsy. Will likely need a very targeted radiation therapy afterward but I'm ok with that, too. I love the idea of not losing my hair! My boundless energy and sleepless nights are apparently a side effect of the steroids and I guess it's good to know that, too.

I wanted to introduce you to Isaiah today, our first grandchild, son of Kendra, who is now 11 years old. Isaiah became enamored the last couple of years with the history of the US, its founding fathers, and all things presidential. He recited our presidents in order of service for his talent show last year, has lots of books and posters about them, knows much more about them than most adults would know, and got to see Mt. Rushmore last year. He dressed as Benjamin Franklin two years ago for Halloween and last year was Abraham Lincoln. He had his own "presidential office" in a corner of his classroom at his school in Summit County and has the lofty aspiration to BE the president one day! He loves going camping with us at Creede in July, loves to read, and loves video games - plus he has a beautifully tender heart, a wonderful laugh, and gorgeous eyes!

Chuck Swindoll (CS) talked this morning about perseverence. He used the illustration of Thomas Edison, who had over 700 failures before his breakthrough and he says "If necessity is the mother of invention, persistence is certainly the father." I don't know about you, but I struggle sometimes with whether, when I seem to be up against a brick wall God is trying to develop my character through perseverence or close a door and I think that's sometimes difficult to know. There's no doubt, though, that for most of us it's a struggle to "keep on keeping on" when perseverence requires discipline, commitment, and determination. May I encourage you in something today? Is there something you need to persevere in? It could be exercise, diet choices, relationships, development, most anything that's really hard to do - how about making a commitment to try again?...and again....and again.