It really is this simple...

 Is it Tuesday yet? I am still shocked at how fast last week went, but then, I was high on pain meds most of the week. This week is simply crawling. Monday was awful due to me forgetting to take my meds on time but I'm beginning to feel a little better each day, and happily no longer taking the strong pain meds but relying on my usual meds plus some Tylenol. I am still quite uncomfortable, mainly with the cast. It is driving me crazy and oh joy, on Tuesday I get another one. I hope to try and convince them to just put me straight into the boot instead. I am so claustrophobic, and I realize it may seem silly to say a cast triggers me, but it does! It's like the panic of having your limb caught in something you cannot escape from. *sigh* I didn't realize it would affect me this way. I've had a cast on both my arm and my leg when I was a teenager and although it was uncomfortable, it didn't make me want to scream and rip it off, LOL! I have had to do some deep breathing on more than one occasion. But in the end, at least I am hopeful, it will be worth it. 

This morning, in my haste to get to the bathroom, I jumped out of bed and for one awful moment, put my weight down on my foot. Needless to say, it wasn't for long! Boy did that hurt! And...later in the day, trying to make my way via crutches to the kitchen, I got caught up in the rug and did it again. Ahhh, the art of walking on crutches has left me, even after so many times of using them. I am avoiding them now and giving them an evil eye when I pass by them. My lovely knee scooter has only dumped me once and thankfully I landed on a much more padded part of my anatomy. I have never claimed to be graceful. 

I've sent in my paperwork to the Dr. to ask to be allowed to return to work next week. Hopefully, if they get it faxed in time, to return for a half-day both Monday and Tuesday, and then after my appointment to get the new "walking" cast on Tuesday afternoon, return to full time. Of course, we all know how often Dr.'s offices get paperwork done in time! I have a desk job and my own office with plenty of room for me to prop up my foot all day or scoot about on my knee scooter if needed. Since it is my right foot, I cannot drive, so poor Scott will have to shuttle me around. I really don't know when I will be released to drive, to be honest. Pray for him! He loves me and is being very patient but this is going to irk him to no end, LOL! I can't really blame him. 

This surgery has forced me to slow down and once again depend on my family & friends to get me through it. I am thankful I did get some days donated so that I will get paid for most of the days I had to take off. I am still a bit salty that I wasn't allowed to work from home because it wasn't covid related. It is ludicrous really. But I'll not step up on that soapbox right now and save that for a letter to the administration, LOL. What I really want to say is that I am always humbled by the willingness of my church family to lend a hand. We have had some delicious meals from members of my Sunday School class and many, many prayers lifted. I couldn't do this life without you all. You are all so very dear to me. I'll not lie and say that I didn't often wonder, in the early days, why on earth God brought us to Wilmington.  But now, after so many years and so many blessings, I don't know why I ever doubted. It may not have been easy for sure, but it has been worth it. 

If you're wondering why God has brought you to where you are right now, know this...He is still right there with you. You may find yourself in a terrible place, you may be scared, angry, depressed, anxious, broken, hurting but there is no place you can go that God is not there with you. If you go to the depths of the ocean, He is there. If you go to the other end of the universe, He is there...as far as the east is from the west...He is there...and He loves you. He never promised bad things wouldn't happen. In a broken world that has refused His love, what can we expect? What He promised was that He would love us unconditionally, forever, and He would never, ever leave us. We need only reach out to Him and accept the gift of His life, laid down for us, given freely in our stead, so that we wouldn't have to pay the price for our own sins. And who among us has never sinned? Who among us doesn't deserve whatever our sins would bring upon us? And yes, He loved us so much, like a father loves His child, that He was willing to do whatever it took to save us. I still can hardly fathom it. I hope you know His love, but if you don't, please consider it. He won't force you. You can try to be too cool, too cynical, too whatever...but there is no one who will not eventually know the truth. I pray you know it before it is too late. People look for salvation in so many places. Don't turn Him down until you have actually used your own good brain to really study His words for yourself. Don't look for Him in the actions of others. They will disappoint you. There has only ever been one perfect man...it really is as simple as Jesus.

Today's Prayer Requests:

• Please continue to pray for my ankle to heal well & for me to be able to return to work next week if possible.
• Praise that I am feeling better and for all the lovely friends who have taken care of our dinners the past week. We all appreciate it so much!
• Pray for the upcoming conference on Mental Health. As someone who has suffered from depression & anxiety, I understand the importance of this subject and the importance of doing away with the stigma of mental illness.

Today's Verse: