This week ... praising the Lord ...

The Lord is good - all the time!!! Thanking Him this morning for seeing us safely to Houston and back to the house. 

We left the house early Wednesday morning - stopping in Tyler for yet another EMG nerve test on Rick's right shoulder. At the end of the test, we were told that it was obvious on the test that a nerve is severely damaged. It was not damaged before surgery - so ... it was either the shot they gave Rick before surgery went wrong, or something during surgery went wrong. Now, we wait to hear from Dr. Devinney -- which will be this next Thursday morning. 

From Tyler we continued on to Houston. Enjoying the drive together. Listening to praise and worship music on XM radio. We made a stop in Madisonville, TX - got a snack and a glass of tea. Back on the road - a couple of hours from Mike and Nina's. About 20 miles after getting back on I-45, the car began to issue warnings -- that the battery was not charging, that the ac compressor was turning off, and then the car began to shut down. In the middle of going 75 mph on I-45, close enough to Houston to be in traffic!!! Rick steered the car to the shoulder, under a massive oak tree. He got out and looked under the hood. Idler pulley gone ... belt thrown ... So there we are ... what in the world are we to do??? 
Only thing we could do was to call the Texas DPS road side assistance number (listed on the back of the driver's license). They directed us to a wrecker service, who also had a service shop. We waited about an hour - tow truck showed up, got us and the car loaded. We are driven back into Madisonville and dropped at the shop. Drakes Towing and Tires. It was 4 p.m. - shop closes at 5 p.m. We were told that if they had the part, it should be out in time (before overtime). While we waited, the service manager allowed us to do Rick's exchange in his office. Not the most "ideal" place, but it was clean and comfortable. Just a few minutes before 5 p.m. - car was fixed and ready! 
We were trying to trust the Lord in this - because we had just enough money to get to Houston and back to SS, pay a couple of bills, then have gas to get to Paris next week for Rick's dialysis appointments. 
The service manager gave us a break on the towing cost - and the total bill was $250. Praise God. Not that we actually had that extra amount (bills will just have to wait, and we will pray for God's provision for gas next week). But at least we did have the money in the bank to cover the cost! Praise God. 

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Back on the road (again) and made it to Mike and Nina's. Once again, thanking God for such friends. Nina has the gift of hospitality and I am humbled each time in her home to be on the receiving end of her gift. 
We laughed, we talked, we shared. And we ate! LOL ... Full breakfast each morning - yesterday's breakfast was eggs & bacon, homemade biscuits, homemade pancakes - plain and blueberry, oatmeal, juice, milk and COFFEE! =) 
Supper the night before was the best Shepherd's Pie I have ever tasted!!! Got the recipe from Nina and can't wait to try it myself =). 
Thank you Mike for allowing us to come into your home and be in your way =) ... 
Thank you Nina for taking such good care of us while we are there ... for taking off work to spend time with us in fellowship. You are Jesus with skin on! Thank you!!! I love you!!! 

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Got to see Dr. Frumovitz ... I LOVE my oncologist! =) 
Jackie (his nurse) had to take my vitals - and she started to change the scales from kg to lbs ... I told her "NO!" She asked why? "Because I like the kg numbers! They are smaller!!!" LOL 
Dr. Frumovitz said that everything looks good - well, except for my left leg and foot. They are swollen to the point of being tender and sore. Before I had surgery they would swell during the afternoon/evening but go down at night when I went to bed. Since surgery? They just don't go all the way down. Plus, I have 3 knots on my left leg that are concerning to him. So, he ordered another sonogram. Got that done at 3 p.m. on Thursday. I won't know the full results until the report is given to Dr. Frumovitz. The technician did tell me that there was no blood clot showing - which is good news. But the way she was acting? Left me feeling a bit insecure - she was insistent on getting the results read while I was there ... but then wouldn't tell me more than that there was "no blood clot". ??? So, I wait and I wonder and I pray ... 
Dr. Frumovitz was also concerned about the chest pains I have been having. I am to see a doctor in SS this coming Friday - but Dr. Frumovitz said that if the pains get worse, or even just as strong, don't wait! Go to the ER. Better safe than sorry. Jackie said it sounded to her like I have either had a light heart attack, or it is setting up for one. DON'T PLAY WITH THE PAIN!!! 

The trip home was basically uneventful. Made it back to the house yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m. Rick's dad helped us to get the car unloaded ... we did another exchange on Rick ... and pretty much just vegged out for the evening ... tired and worn out ... sigh.

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A call from our son, Joshua this morning gave me more gray hair! 
He said that when they got home from the sale barn last night and unloaded the horses, that Cody bucked a little when they walked between the house and the well house. They thought one of the roosters had gotten under Cody's feet. Got the horses put up for the night, and they called it a night, too. 
This morning, they were getting ready to move the horses to another pasture. Was walking the horses back to the trailer, and Mack (Shell's horse) just fell down to the ground! In a moment more, so did Cody (Joshua's horse)! Joshua finally got Mack up and off of Cody ... but Cody was on the ground - thrashing around and beating his head on the ground. ??? Dessie stretched her hand out to help Cody up - and something knocked her back, twice. Finally realization - a stray voltage of electricity coming from under the ground. Joshua got a rope and they finally got Cody out of there, and on his feet. Cody trembling, walked around, and at last eating and drinking. 
Electrician was called out - and there was a bare wire at the electrical box. That wire went to the well house for the pump. It was shorting out. 
Thank God for Cody!!!!! He saved the life of our children, Joshua and Dessie, and the lives of our grandchildren, Shell and Kyla. If that stray voltage hurt Cody that much - OMW! I tremble with fear and thanksgiving at what it could have done to the kids or grandkids!!! O God! Thank you for your protection. 
Please, calm Cody and let him be better than "ok". Let him be strong and well. Give him rest and give him peace. 
Wrap our kids and grandkids in your love and grace. Build your hedge of protection solid around them - under them, over them. O Father! Take care of them - please. Thank you. 

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