As Easter draws near, the Peeps have become part of our lives. You do know what I’m talking about? Peeps! Those lovely little sugar coated marshmallow animal shaped candies that used to only appear at Easter. Used to be they were exclusively bright yellow and shaped liked chicks. Now they have bunny shapes and have added bright pink, blue, and purple sugar coatings. Our family loves Peeps. My daughter Jillian learned a long time ago how marvelous it is to microwave your Peeps. Place one or two in a mug or bowl, and microwave it on high. Watch it while it ‘nukes’ and you will see it swell, expand, and plump up to such great volume that it will ooze over the edge of the cup or bowl with marshmallow goodness dripping everywhere. Grab a spoon and enjoy. My husband Ted prefers his Peeps another way. He will take off the plastic wrapping on the Peeps package and set the opened package out in the open so the marshmallow dries out. We prefer the bunny shapes for this process because they are of equal thickness, unlike the chicks that are thick in the middle. If you wait several days, the soft marshmallow bunny dries up so that when you eat the Peep, it is drier but chewier. Delicious! We have had a challenge around her with being patient enough to wait for our Peeps on the counter to dry and age properly. The solution? Out of sight, out of mind: Ted has been putting the unwrapped Peeps packages in the cupboards behind cupboard doors. The joke around here now is that as he and I take turns at opening the cupboard for a plate or cup, we each check the bunny stock. Some mornings, I have to report to Ted that, “Some bunnies went missing last night!” We have the same problem with our peanut butter jar as it always seems to lose volume by the spoonful.

I had to find a way to talk about Peeps and relate it to our lives and here’s what I see. The talents and gifts we get from God are like sugary treats – Peeps! Once we recognize the gift we have, whether it is singing, teaching, painting, preaching, or building, comforting, listening, or giving, it is up to us how we use it. If we hide our gift away in a cupboard, it may just tend to dry up. It’s in the dark where few will see. It is not shared. It shrivels and loses it freshness. It is not of much use to anyone, save for the person who may sneak a taste of it once in a while. But if we put our gift out where it can be seen, maybe use it and warm it up – then it will expand and grow! If we share that talent or gift we are given then our cup will runneth over with sweet stuff and spread.

I know – it is kind of a long shot trying to relate Peeps to our gifts or talents. But it is Peeps season and I had to share the family ‘recipes.’ Do you like your Peeps dried out? And if you have never microwaved them before, I bet you’re going to try it now!

Peeps.

Sweet.

Romans 12:4-8 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

just Laurel

How many of your started reading yesterday’s blog and assumed I was initially writing about Amanda and not my washing machine? My daughter Jillian called me immediately after it was posted and after I cheerfully answered the phone with a “Hello!” she asked, “Are you okay?” I told her I was fine. She asked how Amanda was. I told her she was fine. “But your blog,” she replied. “Did you read my WHOLE blog?” I asked her. “Yes. Well I skimmed through it,” she said. “Read the WHOLE thing,” I repeated. I hadn’t intended for the blog to be a “gotcha” but I got her. And I guess I got her husband Andy as well. Yeah, and I guess I got some of my readers, too. Sorry. But I never mentioned Amanda’s name, did I? Folks, you must never assume.
It’s funny how we act and react to unplanned for and sudden shocking news or situations. Do you panic and fall apart? Are you calm and composed?
I got tested today. Twice. My last patient of the day came through his surgery without a hitch. He drank two juices and was already sitting up in a chair as his wife went to pull the car around. I was taking a final blood pressure on him and preparing to take out his IV when he suddenly became unresponsive and his eyes rolled back. “Oh this isn’t good,” I said to myself. Everyone around me was cleaning up and getting ready to go home. I called for the head nurse but she didn’t hear me. With a calm but firm voice I called out, “I need some help here.” Our anesthesiologist came right over and he and another guy lifted the patient immediately to the gurney/bed he had been on. I explained what I had observed and then everyone went into action. “Where’s his IV?” the anesthesiologist asked. “In his right hand,” I replied while thanking my lucky stars that I had not yet removed it. Oxygen was put on, fluids started through his IV and some medication to bring up his blood pressure was given. I realized that my role was record-keeper and calmly got a paper towel, and started writing. Everything that was done with the time it happened, and every blood pressure that was taken was written on my paper towel. I wrote every vital statistic and procedure that was done while monitoring my patients vital signs. The patient ended up coming around and we transferred him to the hospital for further testing, just to be sure. This was the first time at this job that I had been part of an emergency. I always wondered how I would react. I pleasantly surprised myself at how I kept calm and level-headed as I watched and recorded everything that transpired throughout the little emergency.
After work, we had a scheduled meeting with our staff, and then I had to finish up all the paperwork that is demanded of for such an emergency like we had. I was complimented on the thorough and complete report that I wrote up and submitted. Tired and a little adrenaline-drained, I headed home. As soon as I walked in the door my daughter Jillian is texting me, asking if I could get on the computer right away. “Oh dear now what?” I asked myself. She had sent me a copy of her current test scores (FYI if you don’t know – she is in vet school) and there was a 47% failing test score with her note that said, “I don’t know if I am going to pass this semester.” She’d been getting A’s all along. I was so tired from my crazy morning at work and could not understand this grade. I messaged her something about her checking with other students and the professor. Laughing, she replied “the grades were recorded wrong and they forgot to double some number” – she really got a 68 out of 72. I called her a bad name. She got me. I was just a little too weary to handle her news – which fortunately turned out to be a joke on her part. After my panicking her with last night’s blog, I guess we were even.
Of course, all that had happened made Laurel think.
Would I be prepared to defend my faith, if I ever had to? We prepare for all sorts of situations in our lives: As students, we must study for tests and quizzes if we want a good grade. As craftsmen, years of practice makes us good at our craft. Speeches must be rehearsed. An attorney gets better with the more cases they defend. Medical people train to be prepared for when a patient stops breathing. Teachers prepare lesson plans. If I were suddenly put to the test to defend my faith, would I deny it like Peter did when he was under pressure? Or will all the years of church and bible study prepare me? I hope I can stand strong and faithful. I hope I am prepared.
Colossians 1:10-12 … so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
just Laurel

Who’s in control?

And who is making the decisions? Whose opinion counts? Who will you listen to? How much control will you give up?

The other day at the hospital while visiting my dad, this issue of ‘control’ made itself known to me. In the middle of the whole complex tangled web of influential people was my Pop. Here was an eight-four year old man who had entered the hospital in fairly good physical condition with a pretty good mind as well. A week post-op from heart surgery and now needing some time to recuperate had reduced him to a weak example of his former self. Everyone was telling him what to do: “You can’t cross your legs, Paul.” “Do not get up from the chair without calling for help.” “You must stay in bed.” “When you go home you mustn’t do this … and you must do that …” Blah, blah, blah. I could see that my dad was tired of everyone telling him what he could and could not do. The nurse kept her piece of control over the meds she passed to him, the doctor had control over all orders, the physical therapist added their two cents, my mom kept reminding Pop of what she was told to remind him what to do and not do, and then his daughter chimed in every so often.

It really made me see how significant ‘control’ was in a relationship. In parent-child relationships there is always a control tug-of-war starting with the demands of typical two-year olds who try to rule by tantrum all the way up to a teenager learning to take responsibility and gradually taking control of more and more areas of their life. There are levels of control at work places as well. An employee can only do what they are assigned in their jobs and they know when a problem or decision must be handed up to the boss above them.

In our house, my daughter Amanda struggled to take some control over her life. As a handicapped and dependent person, there is little she can do totally by herself. Every little thing she CAN do counts a lot to her. I felt sorry for my dad as all these people around him were calling the shots and telling him what to do while he sat in his chair and with no control. He was too weak to fire back at all of us so reluctantly played the part of obedient patient.

Today we brought Pop home from the hospital. My brother came into town to help. As we drove away from the hospital and home, I was the driver and my brother rode shotgun. Mom and Pop sat in the back seat. I got to drive because I was familiar with the area (my brother is from Ohio) and Pop could not have the front seat because if an airbag went off it would hurt his chest. It made me think of all the years growing up where my Pop was the driver with my mom seated next to him and my brother and me in the back seat. How strange it felt to see control shift full circle.

I suppose the balance of control will always be a fluctuating force in anyone’s life. Control will be given or taken as needs are fulfilled or a new change in circumstances causes all things to shift and finally reach a point of homeostasis.

So, of course I was just thinking.

Do we play this control tug-of-war with God? Do we give up to God all areas of our lives, except those we still want to control? Have we handed it all over to Him like we should? Do we give Him control when we don’t want control but grab it back when we do? Like: My life is Yours Lord, but I cannot sing in the church choir because Thursdays are my night to go to the bar with my work friends so I couldn’t possibly make rehearsal – and don’t forget that I have to miss church once in a while so I can sleep in on Sundays – and I simply cannot witness to my work friends, but I will be glad to talk about you at my church bowling league.

Yeah, it made really think about who is in control. You too?

just Laurel

There are some things that get better with age.  The obvious ones you are probably thinking of are red wines, scotch, and lovely aged bleu cheese.  Tuck them away for a while, and they only get better!

Well, what about leather?  After it is worn for a while it becomes supple and soft.  And then there are blue jeans.  My husband Ted recalls new pairs of Levi’s, back in the old days, when they came stiff and dark, dark blue.  You had to wear and wash them a gazillion times before they got broken in.

Obviously, there is great wisdom in setting things aside to ‘age’ or ‘mature’ in order to make them better.

I am leaving today to attend a retreat with fifty women from my church.  Many months ago, I really didn’t want to go.  Even a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t want to go.  Today, I’m glad I am going.  I believe that sometimes we need to get away from our norm to mature a little.  Even if the getaway is for rest only, it still can make you better if it results in a renewed vigor and clearer thinking head.  My retreat includes a speaker and I know the fellowship alone will be refreshing.  There are many instances in the bible when Jesus slipped away from the crowds to spend time with his best friends.  He rested and was renewed after talking to His Father.

We are a little like fruit trees, you know.  (Yeah Laurel – your thinking IS weird sometimes – so what do you mean THIS time?)  Well, we are all growing a little bit each day and have put down roots.  We may even bear some decent fruit.  But as fruit trees are pruned and grow older while properly being cared for, they are the trees that can produce the best fruit.  So, I figure that anything we as individuals can do to improve ourselves, then we can ‘produce better fruit’ and be more helpful and resourceful to others.

In the book of Romans, Apostle Paul speaks to fellow believers he plans to visit in Rome.  He gives them instructions and asks for prayers.  He concludes in Chapter 15 with these words:  “…by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be REFRESHED.”

So take time to rest, and eat right.  Exercise helps.  And maybe even getting away now and then, even if it’s for just one night and a day, to be informed or taught something new.  Can’t hurt.   So off I go to my little mini retreat.  I’m all packed (including one little token bottle of wine for tonight).

Here’s to aging gracefully.

Cheers.

just Laurel

btw – Pop is doing well although still in the hospital.  Ted has been put in charge while I’m gone with taking my mom to visit him.  You’re in charge Teddy!  Love you.

We ALL know those familiar and sometimes irritating lyrics:  “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow.  You’re only a day away.”  Don’t get me wrong, I love the musical, “Annie.”  But when you get too many little girls screaming out the lyrics to the song “Tomorrow” it can get a little annoying.  But all opinions aside, the lyrics give a very hopeful message.  So you’ve had a bad day?  (Yeah – yeah – some of you will recognize the words in that question as lyrics to another song)  But, seriously, if you’ve had a bad day you can pretty much always count on another day to have a better day.  I can recall many days where I got nothing done, or a migraine made the day painful and challenging, or perhaps it was just one of those days when nothing went right.  Amazing what a good night’s sleep can do to wake you refreshed and newly charged to face a brighter day.

In the continuing saga of my Pop’s recovery from his surgery on Monday, today was a much better day.  Yesterday, it was very disheartening to see him so confused and restless as his body tried to come out of his anesthesia and drug fog.  My mom and I could do nothing to help him and we finally went home, feeling helpless and sad.  Today, Pop was sitting up in a chair and eating lunch.  He had taken a short walk in the hall and conversation with him was normal and appropriate, although a little delayed and slow.  The poor man had open heart surgery just three days ago.  I think he’s allowed to be a bit slow.  It will take a little time to get up to speed.

What a difference a day makes!

There’s a song from the 1930’s sung by Dinah Washington titled “What a Difference a Day Made.”  The lyrics include these:  “What a diff’rence a day made.  Twenty-four little hours; brought the sun and the flowers.  Where there used to be rain.”  Perhaps the 30’s version of “Tomorrow?”  ha-ha  But the message is the same.  Perhaps today is stormy – figuratively or literally.  Tomorrow may just bring some sunshine.

My favorite ‘tomorrow’ story?  I think of Jesus’ followers who were so anguished to see Him die on that cross.  They saw his broken and dead body placed in a tomb.  I can’t imagine the grief, anguish, and mourning they suffered the day after Jesus’ crucifixion.  And then I think of the never-dreamed-of Sunday morning when they discovered an empty tomb!  My how their hearts must have beaten with restrained joy as they waited to be sure that He had risen.

Life can change overnight, so they say.  How true.  They also say that time heals all wounds.  I guess for as long as you are alive, time keeps moving and there is always a tomorrow for things to change – for better or for worse.  But if you don’t like the way things are today, you can be sure of change and you can be sure of a tomorrow.

It’s only a day away.

Lamentations 3:22-23  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

just Laurel

If you’ve been reading my blog than you know that my dad had open heart surgery yesterday.  He was totally asleep when we saw him post-op yesterday.  We heard via phone call to the nurse last night that he woke up very confused and combative.  For the nurses taking care of him, I was very sad that the impression they initially got from my dad was one of a confused old man who could really throw a punch.  I hope not.  I would think that confusion and aggression like this was often seen by the nurses in anesthetized patients post-op.  My dad is really a gentle, funny, and very sociable man.  His post-surgical crazy behavior was only temporary and I hoped it would not give a false first impression of what kind of patient my dad was going to be.

Several years ago I worked as a nurse in our local hospital.  Every morning I would get report from the night nurse about the patients I would take over for the day.  It always made me angry when the report on the physical state of the patient included comments on how “demanding the patient was” or how I should “watch out for that patient’s family, they are really nasty” or how the patient in room 405 “was always bugging me for his pain medication.”  I didn’t want this other nurse’s negative impression to taint my relationship with my new patient.  For the targeted bad patient, I would make a point of going into their room with a smile and would take the time to listen to their needs.  I usually ended up doing just fine with the so-called trouble-maker patient.  If they were in pain, all they simply wanted was their regularly scheduled dose of pain medication.  That didn’t seem like a huge request.  And most families just wanted a listening, sympathetic ear from me.  I promised them that I would be around to help as best I could and I usually had no problems for the rest of the day with my needy patient or their family.

Yesterday when I was waiting around with my Mom and Pop for Pop to get registered before surgery, we casually chatted with another patient sitting close-by.  A woman, one of the registration clerks, walked past us and the patient I was chatting with said to me, “Oh boy, there goes miss personality.”  Well, the woman was scowling and looked like she was all business.  I was determined to get through her hard façade!  Wouldn’t you know it; we got called to her little cubicle.  She quickly and efficiently asked my folks questions and pounded the answers into her keyboard.  There was a question for me (that I can’t even remember) but what I do remember is that she asked me and I started to answer then paused.  This forced her to take a break from her all-business keyboard hammering and look at me.  Once eye contact was made I smiled really big and gave an answer to her query.  Guess what?  She smiled back!   It was like she melted a little and that tough façade broke down just a bit so I could see a sliver of a happy registrar.

My point is simply this.  We often don’t know what is going on in another person’s life.  Is physical pain making them short tempered and cranky?  Are they simply not feeling well; perhaps tired or sick?  Maybe they are short-handed at work and have twice the number of patients to register.  There may be a sadness or challenge they are facing that they are trying to cover up with a hard and mean façade.  But to fight the angry negativity with more of the same will only make things worse.  A little compassion, a warm smile, or an ounce of patient understanding is like a salve to someone else’s pain.  We’ve all had our turns at a bad day.  We don’t mean to act nasty or short-tempered.  If we are fed more negative responses and behavior it only makes things worse.  Remember the days when someone gave you a smile or a kind word that was like psychological triple-antibiotic lotion on your bad mood?

I’m just saying.

John 7:24  Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.

just Laurel

It was an “I didn’t realize” kind of day.

My Pop had his surgery today.  The aortic valve in his heart had to be replaced and there was one bypass that needed to be done.  I had to pick my parents up at their house at 4:45am.

I didn’t realize until last night that meant setting my alarm for 3:45 in the morning.  I had to shower, get ready, and drive to Rockwood in an hour!  It was an easy drive because …

I didn’t realize how few people were on the roads at that hour of the morning.  We got to the hospital in plenty of time, only to join a lobby full of people who were also having surgery.  I guess …

I didn’t realize that Mondays are a popular day to have surgery.  They say that it isn’t good to have surgery late in the week and risk having your surgeon leave for the weekend and be stuck in the hospital.  We had to wait.  And wait.  And wait for Pop’s turn to be registered.  My mom,

She didn’t realize that when you are at the hospital you have to wait for everything.  Wait your turn, wait for your x-ray, wait for your doctor, wait for your lunch, wait to be discharged, and wait for your surgery.  Pop finally got registered then taken back while we waited for them to prep him.

Pop didn’t realize that they were going to put a multi-lumen, massive I.V. in his neck as well as 2 in his arm.  By the time they let us see him the anesthesiologist had already given him some happy juice in his I.V.  Pop didn’t care about all his I.V.’s.  Then off he went to surgery and off we went to … wait.  The waiting room was fairly pleasant with nice seating.

I didn’t realize how uncomfortable those pretty chairs could get after several hours.  At 11 o’clock we finally got an update on my dad’s surgery and were told that he was doing great and they were half done with his valve replacement.  Off to lunch my mom and I went.  We were ready for a break from our waiting.

I didn’t realize how familiar the cafeteria was going to be.  I had spent quite a bit of time during nursing school at this hospital and this was my first time back in years.  I kept looking for my nursing school classmates.  After lunch we got to sit and wait some more.  About five hours after starting the surgery, it was finally over and the doctor came to give us his report.  Valve replacement went well, bypass done, but what

he didn’t realize was that my Pop had a hole in his heart between the right and left atrium.  It never showed up on previous scans.  Pop is a lucky man that they found it and closed it right up.  Another hour went by and we were finally able to go see Pop in his room.  All the doctor and nurses,

they didn’t realize how easily my dad gives in to anesthetic.  Pop was fast, fast asleep.  He didn’t blink an eye or move a finger while we were there.  Mom and I were weary and decided he was in good hands and that we’d go home.  My mom called later to check on my dad.  He had started to wake up.  The poor nurse

she didn’t realize how strong my dad was.  He woke up confused and combative.  He was probably uncomfortable, disorientated, in pain, and maybe even a little scared and would not lay still.  I wish I would have been there.  Maybe I could have helped calm him down.

But despite all the things I didn’t realize, or weren’t realized by others, I can say that there is much to be realized.

I realize that modern medicine where they can repair holes, change the plumbing in people and replace valves is amazing.  But even better,

I realize that the caring friends and family I have are a precious gift.  My pop’s niece and nephew sent special thoughts and prayer, and friends and family from all over sent precious messages on Facebook and prayed for Pop.  The thoughtful messages were like little bursts of encouragement.  And I know that all of you have friends and family that need prayers as well.  So we all post our needs and ask for help and how fantastic is it that we can all help each other?

Matthew 25:34-36  Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

BTW:  Keep praying for Dawn and her family.

BTW I didn’t realize how awfully tired I am and what a tough time I had finishing this blog!

just Laurel

At work today one of my co-workers happened to glance out the window and glimpsed a car pull into our parking lot with an official seal on the car door.  Her face suddenly went white as she said, “Oh no is that car from the state?”  I responded with a quizzical look.  “We got inspected a couple weeks ago and they must be back,” she explained.

My whole work place went into a mode of hushed panic as everyone scrambled to make sure things were put right.  It must be like the feeling a restaurant owner gets with a surprise visit from the health inspector.

I can’t imagine that my place of work has any violations against them.  Ever since becoming an employee of this surgical center I have been nothing short of impressed with the attention to cleanliness and sterility that happens daily.  The floors are mopped daily, the privacy curtains are washed regularly, the walls are washed weekly, and all surfaces are wiped down as soon as they are touched.

Apparently, the state inspector had returned to go over issues from the latest inspection and was taking a look around again today.  Everyone scrambled to tidy up.  There is a room outside the operating rooms where the doctor who was working today had a travel mug with hot tea in it.  I guess that’s a no-no and someone quickly took the mug away.  Later, when the doctor was finished, he came out and announced with some irritation that “Someone took my mug of tea.”  The head nurse told him in a hushed tone that “The state is here and we had to remove your mug of tea.  We poured out the tea and put the mug in your locker.”  “Ohhh,” the doctor replied with understanding.  In the recovery area where I work, cupboards and drawers were quickly checked and someone suggested I remove the bag of throat lozenges I had placed in one drawer a few weeks back when I needed them for a cough.  “Why?” I asked.  “Because we aren’t supposed to have food in this area,” was the response I got.  “Cough drops aren’t food,” I replied with a giggle.  I was told to put them away just in case.  The funniest part though, was this.  Our building has a flat roof and, despite roof repairs a year ago, occasionally water gets through and we have areas with some dripping.  With all the snow and rain we’ve had lately, well, we had a dripping spot in the recovery area that we had a bucket sitting under to catch the drips.  Better to have a bucket in the middle of the floor than to have people slipping on a wet spot.  Thanks to the state inspector being in the building, the bucket got quickly put away.  Every minute or so, a drop of water would form and hang from the ceiling, then finally fall.  I took upon the task of watching the ceiling and with a rolled paper towel in hand  I would stand on tip toe and reach up to grab that drop of water before it left the ceiling.  Honestly.

The bible tells us that when Jesus comes again we “Must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”  (Luke 12:40)  Well I certainly hope I will be ready for that surprise visit – and without all the panic!  The way everyone scrambled today in fearful intimidation was almost comical.  But seriously, it was good to know that my place of work is so concerned with protocol and policy.  Now for Jesus’ return?  Ha!  I’m not going to be worrying about the roof leaking.

But I’m going to be ready 🙂

Just Laurel

btw – Meijer had Xanthan Gum (in case you read yesterday’s blog).  They had a large bag by Bob’s Red Mill for $11.99 (ouch) and the one I bought was a small bag by Hodgson Mill for 99 cents.  Yeah!  Tomorrow I bake the Potato Bread!  Stay tuned.