Liver Transplant

Two words I never expected to hear in my life are now consuming my mind - liver transplant.  At first I couldn't take it in, and I'm still having a little trouble with it.  However, I can feel God's peace comforting me and the prayers of all of my loved ones.  I've said this many times, but I have to say it again.  I have been blessed with friends and family.  They sustain me.

I have decided that there is really no choice in this matter.  I have to go through with the transplant process. The alternative is not an option to me.  I have to trust God to lead Dr. McFadden as he treats me.  I have an appointment on January 17 with Dr. McFadden, and I am planning to start the ball rolling that day.  He seems sure that I will qualify.  I pray that I will.

The transplant process is pretty involved and the sooner we start the better.  I would rather get it over with whatever it entails.

I guess I'm asking that you keep me in your prayers.  I'm not a very brave person, but God is my protector and keeper.  I know that I can make it through with His help.

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2012!  Just after midnight - may this be the start of a  happy, blessed year.  Dear Lord, give me opportunity to serve You.  AND help me to be ready and willing.

A Different Sort of Christmas!

I have been waiting to write about this because I needed time to focus my thoughts and get a little bit past all the emotions!  I'm still emotional about it all, but do have a little more perspective.

This year I have my mortality to think about more than ever.  Believe me, it is not easy to face.  At first when Dr. McFadden mentioned a transplant to me my mind was blown.  It took all of the Christmas spirit out of me in one big whooosh!  The next day at school was pretty hard for me to get through.  I had missed several days of school so all the teachers (a wonderful group of caring people) were asking if I were feeling better.  It was pretty hard to respond without tearing up.  Talking to Mark Van Meter, my principal, was probably the hardest.  He is a wonderful, caring, man and handled this emotional wreck (ME) in a wonderful way.

When class started I had scheduled to practice carols with 2nd grade.  We sing 2 songs every morning at opening during the Christmas season and have an hour of caroling on the last day before school is out for break.  Therefore, we learn lots of Christmas songs!  2nd Grade proceeded to minister to me with their sweet voices.  Before long I was able to act more like myself.

Since that day all of my students have lifted my spirits in a way I couldn't have foreseen.  There is nothing in this world sweeter than children's voices singing!

I am in a more reflective mood this year.  I haven't gone as far out with the decorating, but have decorated.  I have gotten my Christmas spirit back to some extent.

As for Dr. McFadden, I told him that I pretty much DO NOT LIKE him anymore.  Doesn't he know that patients want to hear good news at their appointments?  I definitely need to straighten him out!
Seriously, I am grateful for him.  He is a great doctor.

I am finding that my mind is dwelling on the sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for  us, all starting at Christmas.  I am clinging to the fact that I am God's child and His plans for me are for my good, whatever they are.

All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. -- Lucy Van Pelt

I'm sure you know how much I love the Peanuts Gang.  I have my favorites (Schroeder & Lucy), but really enjoy all of them.  I was just looking through a devotional that uses thoughts from the Peanuts Cartoon Strip and just had to reflect a little on this quote.

Lucy is my kind of girl.  My sisters used to snidely call me "Lucy" when everyone knew I was much more like Mary Poppins, (practically perfect in every way)!  Calling me Lucy wasn't too much of an insult to me, though, because I loved her so much.

I have spent a blue afternoon reflecting on some things that are making me sad.  When I saw this quote I told myself to snap out of it.  Life does change, sometimes against our will, but who knows what joy is ahead - maybe even chocolate!  :D

I will miss those things that are changing, but the future is always exciting.  

Back To School, Part 2

I've been back at school now for three weeks, four if you count the inservice week.  I've had time now to reflect on whether I did the right thing or not.

I'm not going to say it has been all roses.  It has taken me a while to get used to the routine of a very busy morning with virtually no time to rest.  I am happy to report that I have been adjusting.

The students continue to delight me every day.  I do have my discipline to maintain, but their sweetness far exceeds any minor discipline problem I have had to handle.  I am constantly amused by their comments and am trying to store them in my memory.  Last Wednesday a second grade boy told me after opening that he loves to hear the piano "sing".  He stole my heart.

As far as my health goes, I have fared pretty well.  I have only had two of those days where I am so tired I can hardly function.  I haven't worried about those because I had them when I was staying at home, too.  They are just something I have to deal with, and fortunately they don't come very often.  I am suffering right now with allergies.  Being able to stay home hidden in my house would probably help with this, but that is absolutely no fun.

You may remember a post I did about a year ago about trying every year to fill out my grade book without a mistake.  I recently filled my grade book out, and I wasn't successful this time either.  My perfectionism is just going to have to accept this blow to its ego!  :D

Right now I feel I made a good decision to go back, I am enjoying it a lot, especially listening to children sing.  Last Wednesday we sang "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" at opening.  The children did such a great job that I felt like having them sing it again just so I could enjoy hearing it again.  Made me smile all day!

Back To School!

Today the teachers reported for our in-service week.  I was excited to see everyone again.  In-service meetings can be long at times, but I generally enjoy the week of reconnecting and getting everything ready to go.

Mr. Burchfield, our superintendent of schools, gave me my motto for the year.  He probably has no idea how much his comment meant to me. When he was welcoming me back he mentioned my health issues, and that we were going to work things out for me to have a great year.  Then he said "Francy can get  some healing joy from the students."  That hit me right into the core of my being.  I have taken that to heart.  I'm sure you know how much I love to hear children sing.  Healing joy is exactly what I'm expecting.  Those precious children will bring me joy every day.  I will be looking for it and finding it, I'm sure.  Thank you, Mr. Burchfield!

The "Abbott" Hotel

Dennis & I spent the night in OKC at the "Abbott" Hotel  (Hayley and Aaron's house).  I'm not sure how well I can recommend it.  First they turned off all the electricity just as we were going to bed.  They blamed it on the weather, but.......?

Because of the lack of electricity Dennis couldn't use his CPAP machine. Therefore, he snored like a freight train.  AND it was HOT!  Yes, people, I even thought it was hot.  :D

I finally moved to a recliner in another room and slept on the floor for a little while in the early morning!  I think they were trying to insure that we never book another stay there.  However, the HOSTESS is precious and darling.  She is such a drawing card that they are going to have a tough time ever getting rid of us!