Lizs' Miracle Baby

Hello My Faithful Readers (all one of you, hahaha)

I just finished watching a very good movie. The Kite Runner. O'mygosh, it was such a good movie. Mostly in sub titles, so literacy is needed to fully enjoy the movie. Two thumbs up, you gotta get out and rent it. I bought the book for Tim and he finished reading it, so I am reading it now, he went out and rented the movie so "I didn't have to read the book". Isn't he the funny one! I am going to read the book anyway, even though I know the ending.

I have a story I want to share with you. A praise report. I am going to paste the story below. Liz is my neighbor two doors down and loves God. This story is an amazing miracle.

Oh yea, before I forget, I know times are rough and it costs a kidney to fill the gas tank up, but I want to remind you, when you go out to eat, don't forget to tip your server, just in case that server might be me. hahaha

Love you!

And now....
My due date was 6-20. Last Monday around 7 or so I started getting contractions that were slightly regular any where from 3-15 minutes apart. I really was in no hurry to go to the hospital—plus, I had no sitter for Gabriella and Charlie, so I just kept doing my thing. I was doing laundry, dishes, and business related stuff. My husband’s cousin got the kids around 12am. I still had lots of work to do. I kept working until about 3am.

I had been hit with a cold earlier that day and really just wanted to got to sleep but figured—well I’ll go to the hospital and see if I can convince Dr. Wolford to break my water, I’ll have the baby then I can go to sleep—no big deal.

Right before 3am I started feeling kinda weak, tired and really shaky and anxious. I did not know why—I wasn’t nervous about having another baby---so what was wrong? Then I threw up a few times and tried to eat thinking maybe my blood sugar was low; I couldn’t even eat my favorite cereal.

Alan said, maybe you should go to sleep for awhile and we will go in the morning. I wanted to do some more work for the business since I knew I’d be gone for 2 days in the hospital.

I decided to just go. We got to the hospital at 3:20am. I went to labor and delivery and casually said, “I’m pretty sure I am in labor.”

The nurses hooked me up to the monitors and started freaking out because the baby’s heart rate was so low. Dr. Wolford happened to be there at the hospital—AT 3AM!!!! He was in my room within 3 minutes! He had me moving in many different positions to get the baby’s heart rate up- NOTHING WOULD WORK. I said to one of the nurses, “are you sure that’s not MY heart rate?”- NO; it was my baby’s.

Dr. Wolford said-“We’ve got to get this baby out, NOW” Now if any of you local people know Dr. Wolford- you know he is always very relaxed and soft spoken with a semi-hidden great sense of humor. Well, he was freaking out—in a professional manner though. He said, “Get the crew called in and the OR room ready STAT.”

He told me that I would be in a lot more pain than a normal c-section patient because they didn’t even have time to anesthetize me, they were just going to put my under general anesthesia. I realized this was serious. Right then, I was already on my knees—I started to pray. My husband saw what I was doing and grabbed my hand to join me. I was crying and he had tears in his eyes-not knowing what to think or do.

They rushed me down the hall- Alan had to stay behind; they didn’t have time to get him sterile. He luckily was able to watch though through a little window from far away.

Before Dr. Wolford came in he told Alan that he did not expect for little Alaina to be in good condition.

Alaina Elizabeth Blank was born at 3:47am. Her apgars were 7 & 8 and she cried right away. The ph level in her umbilical cord very pretty acidic from lack of oxygen.

The Problem was discovered; I was bleeding TO DEATH! PLACENTA ABRUPTIO; The placenta had ripped away from my uterus and Alaina wasn’t getting enough oxygen to keep her alive! Dr. Wolford told Alan right afterwards that IF WE HAD GOTTEN TO THE HOSPITAL 15 MINUTES LATER OUR BABY WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD AND I WOULD’VE BEEN CLOSE TO DEATH AS WELL! I WOULD’VE BEEN DEAD FOR SURE IF I HAD GONE BACK TO SLEEP LIKE MY BODY WA TELLING ME TO. I WOULD’VE NEVER WOKEN UP! In fact, I was already in maternal shock from blood loss- that is why I threw up and felt all shaky and nervous.

Now in 80% of Placental Abruptions come with bleeding and 80% come with severe ripping pain. I HAD NOTHING! NO SPOTTING, NO PAIN OTHER THAN SEVERAL CONTRACTIONS. I had asked Dr. Wolford if he’d induce me Monday morning but he said we’d talk about it at my next visit. I was kinda looking forward to jokingly saying, “well, Dr. Wolford, I asked you to induce me on Monday morn, if you would’ve agreed I wouldn’t have gotten you out of bed in the middle of the night. J” I also told him that I may see him over the weekend because I would be doing all kinds of things that I wasn’t supposed to be doing in hopes that I would go into labor, well, I actually had did nothing to stress myself out over the weekend, I just chilled.

Dr. Wolford visited me 2 times each day I was in the hospital and during most visits just kept saying, “15 minutes later”, “you didn’t have much time kiddo”, “15-20 minutes later and I would’ve had to give your husband a disastrous talk that I really would’ve hated to have”, and just how amazing he thought this “luck” was. On Friday before I left the hospital, I asked him; “Dr. Wolford, do you believe in miracles?” It caught him off guard. He said, “Well, uh, I think that nature has a way of doing things and that good things happen to good people.” I told him, there are too many “coincidences” here, this is a God thing!---nothing short of a miracle from Him. I really didn’t have any sense of urgency to come in; I just did because I wanted to get the baby out and then go to sleep.

Now, CAN ANYONE TELL ME THAT ALL THESE THINGS ARE JUST ONE BIG SET OF COINCIDENCES????


- WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AT 3AM EVEN THOUGH I REALLY DIDN’T THINK I NEED TO AND REALLY JUST WANTED TO SLEEP

- DR. WOLFORD WAS THERE AT HE HOSPITAL AT 3AM

- 15-20 MINUTES LATER AND MY PRECIOUS BABY WOULD’VE BEEN BORN DEAD! (WHAT IS 15 MINUTES??- ANOTHER LOAD OF LAUNDRY, A FEW MORE DISHES? THE END OF A TV SHOW? A QUICK BATH? REALLY; IT TAKES 15 MINUTES TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL- 15 MINUTES IS NOTHING!!)

- 80% of Placental Abruptions come with bleeding – I HAD NONE!

- 80% come with severe ripping pain- I HAD NONE!

- I WAS IN MATERNAL SHOCK FROM BLOOD LOSS (BUT DIDN’T KNOW IT) AND LETHARGIC BUT STILL JUST WENT IN BECAUSE…

- I HAD NO REASON TO THINK I NEEDED TO OR REALLY SHOULD GO TO THE HOSPITAL….

- OUT OF MY BELLY CAME A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL WHO CRIED RIGHT AWAY WITH GOOD APGARS THAT DR. WOLFORD AND HER PEDIATRICIAN DR. NUBER ARE AMAZED WITH! SHE IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY HEALTHY!! I COULDN’T ASK FOR A BETTER BABY!!- (SHE EVEN SLEEPS WONDERFULLY!!!)

- MY BEST FRIEND JESSICA HAD A DREAM THE WEEK BEFORE (SHE DIDN’T TELL ME THIS BEFORE ALAINA WAS BORN)—SHE HAD A DREAM THAT I HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO A STILL BORN DAUGHTER

- MY DAUGHTER MCKAYLA WAS FREAKING OUT ON MONDAY NIGHT CRYING AND TELLING MY MOTHER, “MY MOMMY IS GOING TO DIE AND THE BABY TOO!!” IT TOOK HOURS TO CALM HER DOWN. I WAS RECEIVING PRAYER SPECIFICALLY AGAINST THE FEAR OF A STILL BORN BABY AND PERSONAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

- THE WEEK BEFORE I HAD A DREAM THAT I GAVE BIRTH TO A DEAD DAUGHTER. THIS WAS A VERY DETAILED DREAM. I REFUSED TO LEAVE HER AT THE HOSPITAL, I BROUGHT HER HOME AND LAYED ON HER NURSERY ROOM FLOOR WITH HER- I SAID, SHE IS COMING HOME.

I ALSO DREAMT IN THE SAME NIGHT THAT I HAD DIED AND SAW MY OTHER CHILDREN GROWING UP WITHOUT ME—WISHING I WAS STILL THERE AND THAT I HAD AT LEAST WRITTEN TO THEM ALL TO TELL THEM HOW MUCH I LOVED THEM AND HOW SPECIAL THEY ALL ARE TO ME AND MY DREAMS FOR THEM. WISHING I COULD HOLD THEM AND TELL THEM I LOVED THEM AGAIN.----------I REBUKED THESE EVIL DREAMS AND VISIONS AND PRAYED AGAINST THEM KNWOING THEY WERE NOT FROM GOD BUT FROM SATAN. I REBUKED THEM AND ASKED FOR PROTECTION.

- NOW I UNFORTUNATLY HAVE HAD DREAMS & VISIONS IN THE PAST OF BAD THINGS HAPPENING AND THEN THEY HAVE HAPPENED, SOMETIMES EXACTLY HOW I HAD SEEN. I ALSO HAVE HAD PANIC ATTACKS WHEN I “KNEW” SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THERE ENDED UP BEING SOMETHING TERRIBLE THAT HAPPENED. BUT---THERE WAS NO REASON IN THE WORLD WHY I SHOULD’VE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT STILLBIRTH OR MYSELF DYING—I HAVE ALWAYS HAD NORMAL HEALTHY PREGANCIES, YES I WAS MISERABLE BEING PREGNANT WITH HER, BUT MY PREGNANCY WAS NORMAL AND HEALTHY.

ARE THESE JUST A COINCIDENCE? YEAH RIGHT! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS! GOD HAS THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS. HE PUT IT IN MY MIND TO GO TO THE HOPSITAL WHEN I DIDN’T THINK I NEEDED TO, WHEN I REALLY JUST WANTED TO SLEEP—AND JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME---REMEMBER ; I HAD A 15 MINUTE WINDOW BETWEEN THE LIFE AND THE DEATH OF MY BABY GIRL. AND A NOT MUCH WIDER WINDOW FOR MY OWN LIFE…AND I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING WAS WRONG!!!

HOW LONG DOES IT TYPICALLY TAKE TO GET A DOCTOR TO YOUR BEDSIDE? 3 MINUTES? OR 3 HOURS?????—HE WAS THERE WITHIN 3 MINUTES AT MY BEDSIDE!!

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS; THIS WAS NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE FROM GOD! THERE IS NO JUSTIFYING IT ANY OTHER WAY!

SATAN HAD A PLAN TO DESTROY MY ENITRE FAMILY! THAT IS WHAT HE DOES BEST! HE TRIES TO DESTROY PEOPLE AND PLANS, HOPES AND DESIRES, AND IS PRETTY GOOD AT IT! WELL, I REBUKED HIS PLAN IN THE NAME OF JESUS- WHO OVERCAME THE GRAVE AND GOD WOULD NOT ALLOW SATAN’S PLAN TO PREVAIL! SIMILAR TO THE STORY OF JOB, BUT GOD WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BE HARMED NOR MY BABY AND FAMILY!! PRAISE THE LORD GOD!

I WILL TESTIFY TO THIS MIRACLE AND PREACH TO THE POWER OF THE LORD OF US ALL UNTIL THE DAY I DO DIE OR TAKEN TO HEAVEN WITH JESUS!!

THANK YOU JESUS, NOW THIS IS MERCY AND GRACE!!!!...AND ONCE AGAIN, UNDESERVED MERCY AND GRACE! HALLELUIYAH!

NEVER TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED, TELL YOUR FAMILY AND BABIES YOU LOVE THEM AT LEAST ONCE A DAY- TOMORROW IS PROMISED TO NO ONE!!

Curves

In my quest to get back in shape, I have joined Curves today. I want to lose 40+ pounds by my next birthday. So, 3 days at Curves and 3 working out at home and 1 day off. I am siked! Anyone care to join me?

The weather today looks beautiful. Of course, I have to go to work this afternoon.

Last evening, Tim and I had a spontaneous date. Left girls at my moms and went out for some appetizers. It is good to break away from routine. It helps break monotony and it refreshes you.

Ok, my 10 seconds of alone time is over, gotta go help Savanna get her paint set up.

Hallelujah

I found this video on youtube, I like U2, and for those of you who also like U2 know that many of their lyrics are biblical and have real spiritual undertones and sometimes just outright. Of course, I know some religious people get offended at some music. Music, like politics, has a knack for offending people. tsk, tsk

Anyhoot, Tim, I thought you would like this one.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our view of how things should be, how God should move and how people should express their love for God. Often times, the church forgets that they are only saved because Jesus saved them. There is alot of lip service, but sometimes no action.

Bono references in this song (written by Leonard Cohen) about the broken hallelujah, and to me, that means, a broken hallelujah from someone who is hurting, who desperately cries out to God from his inner part and God hears. The Spirit groans within us, and we do not understand, but He does. And then there is that hallelujah that comes from the unsaved, from His creation, because even though their intellect wants to deny Christ, He has given each of us an inner knowing, a conscience, and we can not deny we were all created.

Listen to this and interpret for yourself. I am curious to hear some feedback.



or for the faint at heart. hahahaha Funny, this one goes with a wedding. Do you recognize it now?

My 40 Seconds Rant

Ok, I am still on my bandwagon and I hope to knock some people off their soap box.
Racism is alive and well in America folks. Ignorance is not bliss, it is dangerous. I am sure many of you have received, and maybe participated in forward smear emails on Obama.

Profiling is a dangerous thing. It is false logic. Profiling is what Hitler did. It is like saying...

* all blondes are stupid
* all Christians are fat hypocrites
* all Germans hate Jews
* all Christian Bosnians are Muslim baby killers
* all Americans are fat rich white people
* all blacks are gangbangers

the list goes on and on and on....

If you are on your highhorse of religion, look how God sees things. God judges individually, He would leave 99 to save 1. He does not lump us all together.

Fear and lies are tactics of the enemy.

It is one thing to base your choice upon facts, but it is foolishness and dangerous to base your choice on fear and predjudice. fear and mistrust can only divide. Our Lord did not give us a spirit of fear.

I am saddened and angry when my Christian brothers and sisters join in smear campaigns and help spread lies, knowing or unknowing. There is a great responsibilty that comes with our freedom. Many people died for our freedom. One died for our salvation.

This is not my soapbox to tell you who to vote for, that is a choice for you to decide, I just hope you educate yourself and rise above the hypocracy that is flowing so freely.

Ok, that is my 40 seconds of ranting. I am going to go take my little girl swimming before I go to work.

Hope you still love me.

The Anti- Christ?

Good gravy! Guys come on, is it really necessary to forward me emails that imply Obama is the anti-christ? For Pete's sake, I do not think most of you even know what you are talking about. At least be informed and then make a decision. I have copied a clip from Obamas website and I am going to paste it here so you can read it. I encourage you to go his web site and see where he stands on issues. Since when does a certain party represent only Gods people? If God wants to use a donkey, He can.

My rebuttal to some (Christian)people is this, I am sure you love the Lord and I know He loves you, but if you want change to happen in our country, might I suggest you get off the pew and make it happen. Forwarding e mails and spewing second and third hand information does no one any good and it certainly is not a good representation of Christ.

Since this information is public information, I am sure I am not infringing on any copywrite laws.

Key values in Barack Obama’s public statements on faith and politics
•
God is constantly present in our lives, and this presence is a source of hope.
“Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty, the audacity of hope: In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation, a belief in things not seen, a belief that there are better days ahead.” – Democratic National Convention Keynote Address.
•
Progressives should boldly approach matters of faith and values.
“[I]f we truly hope to speak to people where they're at - to communicate our hopes and values in a way that's relevant to their own - then as progressives, we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse…Because when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew; when we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced, rather than in the positive sense of what it tells us about our obligations towards one another…others will fill the vacuum, those with the most insular views of faith, or those who cynically use religion to justify partisan ends.” – Call to Renewal Keynote Address
“Our failure as progressives to tap into the moral underpinnings of the nation is not just rhetorical, though. Our fear of getting “preachy” may also lead us to discount the role that values and culture play in addressing some of our most urgent social problems.” - The Audacity of Hope.
•
As Joshua built on the work of Moses, leaders of today – the ‘Joshua Generation’ – must build of the foundation of previous generations to move our nation forward.
“The final thing that I think the Moses generation teaches us is to remind ourselves that we do what we do because God is with us. You know, when Moses was first called to lead people out of the Promised Land…the Lord said I will be with you. Throw down that rod. Pick it back up. I'll show you what to do. The same thing happened with the Joshua generation.
Joshua said, you know, I'm scared. I'm not sure that I am up to the challenge. The Lord said to him, every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given you. Be strong and have courage, for I am with you wherever you go. Be strong and have courage. It's a prayer for a journey. A prayer that kept a woman in her seat when the bus driver told her to get up, a prayer that led nine children through the doors of that Little Rock school, a prayer that carried our brothers and sisters over a bridge right here in Selma, Alabama. Be strong and have courage.” -Address to Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, Selma, Alabama, on the Anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
•
Faith should not be used as a wedge to divide.
“We think of faith as a source of comfort and understanding but find our expressions of faith sowing division; we believe ourselves to be a tolerant people even as racial, religious, and cultural tensions roil the landscape. And instead of resolving these tensions or mediating these conflicts, our politics fans them, exploits them, and drives us further apart.” – The Audacity of Hope.
“Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America – there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America – there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red
Paid for by Obama for America
Paid for by Obama for America
States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.” – Democratic National Convention Keynote Address.
•
The separation of church and state is critical and has caused our democracy and religious practices to thrive.
“[Conservative leaders] need to understand the critical role that the separation of church and state has played in preserving not only our democracy, but the robustness of our religious practice. Folks tend to forget that during our founding, it wasn't the atheists or the civil libertarians who were the most effective champions of the First Amendment. It was the persecuted minorities, it was Baptists like John Leland…It was the forbearers of the evangelicals who were the most adamant about not mingling government with religion, because they did not want state-sponsored religion hindering their ability to practice their faith…” – Call to Renewal Keynote Address
•
We are a nation of many faiths and of those with no faith at all. The religious practices of all must be respected.
“Given the increasing diversity of America's population, the dangers of sectarianism have never been greater. Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.” - Call to Renewal Keynote Address
•
Faith is a source of action for justice.
“Imagine Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address without reference to "the judgments of the Lord." Or King's I Have a Dream speech without references to "all of God's children." Their summoning of a higher truth helped inspire what had seemed impossible, and move the nation to embrace a common destiny.” – Call to Renewal Keynote Address
“We should never forget that God granted us the power to reason so that we would do His work here on Earth - so that we would use science to cure disease, and heal the sick, and save lives.” – World AIDS Day Speech: Race Against Time
“Pastors, friends of mine like Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes, are wielding their enormous influences to confront AIDS, Third World debt relief, and the genocide in Darfur. Religious thinkers and activists like our good friend Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo are lifting up the Biblical injunction to help the poor as a means of mobilizing Christians against budget cuts to social programs and growing inequality…Across the country, individual churches like my own and your own are sponsoring day care programs, building senior centers, helping ex-offenders reclaim their lives, and rebuilding our gulf coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.” – Call to Renewal Keynote Address
•
Government alone cannot solve all of our problems – we have an individual responsibility to be our brother’s keeper and our sister’s keeper.
“And although government will play a crucial role in bringing about the changes we need, more money and programs alone will not get us where we need to go. Each of us, in our own lives, will have to accept responsibility - for instilling an ethic of achievement in our children, for adapting to a more competitive economy, for strengthening our communities, and sharing some measure of sacrifice. So let us begin. Let us begin this hard work together. Let us transform this nation.” - Presidential Announcement Speech

A Can of Worms? Hardly.

Well, first I will start off on a funny encouraging note, encouraging to me anyway...
So, as you know I have been working hard on losing weight and getting in shape. I am seeing results and feeling great and motivated to do even more.

So anyway, Sara's (guy) friend came to the house today. As they were leaving, Sara says, "Mom, Jessie said you are "hot"" hahaha So I sang to Tim, "Sara's mom's got it going on!" I think her friend wanted to run, perhaps he did not think Sara would blurt it out right in front of him. I think he will be my favorite friend for her. He can visit anytime. hahaha

We are getting ready for our Unite for Change meeting next Saturday. A few Christian friends have asked me why I support him. Some were surprised, after all, he is a democrat, pro choice, gasp! There is another blog that sums up quite well what my answer to the questions of those who want to know why I am supporting Obama, actually two, the first is A Christian Democrat and the next is Obamas website www.Barackobama.com Check those sites out and then if you have any questions or want to know more come to our Unite for Change meeting Sat. June 28th 8 p.m.

Find a Cause & Get Involved

I signed up as a volunteer for Obamas campaign. I am a registered republican and I am supporting a democrat, now that is a statement. No, I am not supporting a party, I am voting for the man.

I know people who will go and vote all republican because they are republican, or all democrat because they are democrat. That is silly. As a responsible citizen we must be informed where our candidates stand on issues and vote accordingly.

So, I am hosting an event, if you would like an invite, e mail me and I will get one out to you.

Yes, We Can

Yesssssssss!

Our fantastic realtor, Melissa Watson of Long and Foster (not a paid advertising, haha)e mailed with some good news. The couple from outa town, that saw the house twice, have requested the disclosures and are coming back Thursday with their parents for a third, and hopefully final, look. Come on baby, make an offer!

Ok, I am not putting all my eggs in one basket, but this looks good. Woohoo!

Did everyone have a good fathers day? We did. We packed a picnic and went to Rocky Gap, the camp side, it is so much nicer, and had a good day in the sun. Took girls for a canoe ride. You know, I think I might add that into my workout, canoe twice a week. It was fun.

I have been practicing my bartending flair at home in the back yard. Wonder what the neighbors think? No broken glass in the yard yet, however, there is alot of grass in the cork. The fact that I am not a coordinated person does make it a little difficult.

Time to go do some turbo. Have a great day!

Vote for Pedro.

TTFN

A Little Flair

Bryan...practice this, ok! haha You missed when I was spinning a bottle at work and the lid was open and it went full circle. Or should I say "Rich missed it" oops.

Just For You Tracy

Ok Trace, this one is for you!

Eeeeehhhh, oooohhhhhh, eeeeeehhhhh, emergency one, emergency one....
Errr uhhhh, clean up in aisle 1....
pass me that pencil would ya, uh, and a match...
why do you always get to sleep by the fan!?
I am coming up there and you better be asleep!
We are running away, signed fatty and tapeworm...
How do you like my towel, I mean, uh, my hair, how do you like my hair?
And no, she does not work at McDonalds, she just likes her new green outfit!
Uh oh, here comes Lisa's parents, quick, out the window! Wait, open the window first.
Close your eyes and pretend you are asleep, do not move, he will eventually go away. (One hour later) Close your eyes, don't move, he will eventually go away.
I can't believe we worked all summer for this stupid movie!
And the number one....drum roll please, lights off, the sound of feet running, and suddenly, crash... "who moved the bed?"

Love ya Cuzz!

Breaking a Sweat

Did you ever have one of those days where you just feel great! Well, this is my day. No, I am not medicated. Could have something to do with working out not once, but twice today to some new music I got. Feels good to break a sweat! I think I am close to the weight that I can start running again.

I work tonight. Last night the bar started out real slow. I mean, real ssssslllllooooowwwwww. But toward the end of the evening it picked up considerably, so I did walk out with some green. It was a good crowd. One of my barguest, also a friend, told me I am not just a bartender, I am an entertainer. I sometimes feel like a circus monkey. haha I don't mind, I love to laugh and meet new people, and really, how many grumpy people do you know after a drink?

I once wanted to be a stand up comic, didn't make the cut. I found the secret. Give them a drink and then tell them a joke. Works like a charm I tell ya.

I am off tomorrow, so I have reservations to go check out another restaurant. They offered me a bartending job, so I thought I should go see what kind of business they have. RT's is plucking my nerves and I feel like I work for the gestapo sometimes.

The house has been showing. A couple professors are coming in this evening from out of town. Maybe I should open some books and spread the Wall Street Journal out on the coffee table. Perhaps they will say, "hmmm, this is the house of smart people, we must buy it!"

It is almost time for work, hope it is busy, or there is one really really generous tipper.

Peace!

Unsealing The Scroll

I watched while the Lamb ripped off the first of the seven seals. I heard one of the Animals roar, "Come out!" I looked- I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a victory garland. He rode off victorious, conquering right and left.

When the Lamb ripped off the second seal, I heard the second Animal cry, "Come out!" Another horse appeared, this one red. Its rider was off to take peace from the earth, setting people at each others throats, killing one another. He was given a huge sword.

When He ripped off the third seal, I heard the third Animal cry, "Come out!" I looked. A black horse. Its rider carried a set of scales in his hand. I heard a message (it seemed to issue from the four Animals): "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, or three quarts of barley, but all the oil and wine you want."

When He ripped off the fourth seal, I heard the fourth Animal cry, "Come out!" I looked. A colorless horse, sickly pale. Its rider was Death, and Hell was close on its heels. They were given power to destroy a fourth of the earth by war, famine, disease, and wild beast.

When He ripped off the fifth seal, I saw the souls of those killed because they held firm in their witness to the Word of God. They were gathered under the Altar, and cried out in loud prayers, "How long, Strong God, Holy and True? How long before You step in and avenge our murders?" Then each martyr was given a white robe and told to sit back and wait until the full number of martyrs was filled among their servant companions and friends in the faith.

I watched while He ripped off the sixth seal: a bone jarring earth quake, sun turned black as ink, moon all bloody, stars falling out of the sky like figs shaken from a tree in a high wind, sky snapped shut like a book, islands and mountains sliding this way and that. And then pandemonium, everyone and his dog running for cover-kings, princes, generals, rich and strong, along with every commoner, slave or free. They hid in the mountain caves and rocky dens, calling out to mountain and rocks, "Refuge! Hide us from the One Seated on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb! The great day of their wrath has come- who can stand it?"
Revelation 6 The Message

No, that was not a clip from the newspaper that you just read, it was from the Bible. But, wow, it could have been from the newspaper. Do you see that this is happening now? Let's not forget, this is not our home. We will all live forever, it is only a question of where.

Guys, get serious. Do an inventory, speaking to myself too, hold on, He is coming.

Love you!