Decoration Additions

I love the lattern that Mom and I both got at Pottery Barn while I was in NC. We both have them on our tables!

We have had this neat shelf in the empty corner of our living room for awhile now. However, I did not have the "right stuff" to decorate it with. Finally it is beginning to come together. I will be filling it in with more "old looking books," but at least you can see how it is shaping up. I was really excited to find the cylinder lamp on the third shelf. I was trying to describe it to my parents. Now they can see what I am talking about! I wanted a lamp, but all the ones I found were to bulky and tall. This one is unique and perfect! It gives an "aura" to the corner without over powering it!

Pussy willows and a small latern adorn the bar in between the living room and kitchen! Fills up space and adds texture! I've learned alot watching all of the home improvement shows on HGTV!:)

Finally, on the hearth we have added some sea grass, sand and sea shells to a glass vase that I got at Christmas. I had it on the mantle with bright color balls. I was so excited to find a fun summer option for the vase. Plus it reminds me of the beach at the Outer Banks where we were last year at this time with my family.

Summer Reading

While recuperating, I've indulged in a love of mine and many other of my family members--reading. In the 10 days I've been laid up I have read two Christian fiction novels. While I was visiting with my parents, my dad made me aware of these two authors and their writings.

Although the style and genre were very different, I've enjoyed both novels immensely. They both were well-written and contained a strong Biblical world view which seems so illusive in many genres of literature.

We have a school-wide, summer reading program. Each student is required to read an assigned book during the summer. This summer I decided to give my students a choice of two novels. Since we will be studying American literature, the works written by two American contemporary Christian authors work well. Hopefully this assignment will ignite more of an interest in reading edifying literature.

Anyway, here are the two books:

Fatal Illusions
by Adam Blumer

This book was just released in March. It is very suspenseful--a serial killer story without the usual discomfort of immoral scenes and language. I read it in two days and just couldn't put it down. I finished it last night at about 11:00 p.m. Not a very smart thing to do since the killer continues to emerge at the end and I was on pins and needles.


Some Wildflower in my Heart
by Jamie Langston Turner

A story about a hard heart and the power Christ's love and forgiveness demonstrated by a surrendered saint. Mrs. Turner does an excellent job in character and relationship development. I especially appreciate this strength since character development is so inherent and necessary in acting. This work has left me thinking about how my life and communication demonstrates Christ's work in my walk.

I am finally recuperating!!!

Whew! What a whirlwind the last month has been. When I returned from NC, I had to finish two weeks of school. During exam week my parents arrived in town on Memorial Day and stayed until Thursday. Although I had to go to school during the day, we had much fun in the afternoons and evenings.

The day I was done with school I drove to Nashville and stayed with my parents in their trailer until Sunday and Brian played chauffeur for his parents on a three-day trip to Dallas, Texas.

Then on Wednesday, June 3 I had an exploratory "procedure" scheduled with a doctor that specializes in women's surgery. I told him that I had some endometriosis removed 6 years ago, but thought it may be back. He said the only way to be certain was to do this procedure using laparoscopy. I didn't tell too many people about it, because I really didn't think it would be a big deal.

That morning Brian took me to the hospital and they prepared me for the procedure. The doctor came to see me and asked if I still had my appendix. When I said that I did he said he may have to remove it. That was the last conversation I remember and then I was waking up. I soon found out I had been in surgery for 3 1/2 hours. Very soon after the procedure began he realized I had extensive endometriosis which he removed along with my appendix. Thankfully the doctor sent updates to Brian and he called my parents during their long wait.

After about 10 days I am just beginning to feel better. My family (Walkers and Carlsons) have been wonderful. My parents and brothers call just about every day. My mom-in-law has cooked, cleaned, ironed and run errands for me. What a blessing she is. So that is the tale of my mysterious "surgery."

Once again I give God the glory for giving me the courage to inquire. I love the verse on the top of my "Life's a Stage" page, Psalm 31:3 "for Thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy name's sake lead me and guide me." The doctor that did my operation specializes in the exact problem that I had, and I just "happened" to find him--I don't think so. Thank you, Lord.