A Special Day

Happy Birthday to my niece, Annelise!  She's turning FIVE-years-old today!  Where has the time gone?? (Click on the collage to enlarge the pictures)

Tree House

Poems For My Mother

A MOTHER

A mother's hands are gentle,

as she wipes away our tears; 

a mother's arms bring comfort

as she helps us face our fears. 

a mother's heart is loving -

a true reflection of the
peace found in our Savior

and His everlasting love.

A MOTHER'S LOVE

Mother of mine, light of my soul, 

ever inspiring me to higher goal -

You who are so dear to me, 

when I look at you, what do I see?

I see a woman, yes, but more, by far, 

sunshine and moonlight and a star.

I see human feelings: joy, pain and fear, 

a gentle smile and a hidden tear.

I see strength, too and the courage to be meek; 

a helping hand to those who are weak;

a kindly word a spring shower, 

the song of a bird and a dewy flower.

I see a soul shining there

that can only be true and fair;

The soft music of a dear old hymn, 

a heart full of love blessed by Him.

I see sacrifices made for me,
and dreams imprisoned that mine might be free;

A mother whose motto o'er life's stormy sea is 

"Jesus, Savior, pilot me."
-Robert Church

Pulmonary Appointment Update

There were good answers to prayer at Monday's pulmonary appointment, which went very well.  Thank you so much for praying!  I'm quite relieved with what my pulmonologist determined after reviewing the ct scans taken two weeks ago. The pulmonologist believes that most of my breathing troubles are related more to bronchial and asthma issues rather than a serious lung disease.  The ct scan also showed that I did not have advanced pulmonary fibrosis as we first thought.  Instead, I have "non-progressive pulmonary fibrosis".  Again, the low pulmonary function test result I had in January was most likely due to asthma.  The two focal lesions (spots) I had on my lungs three years ago are still there, but have not grown in size. Since the Qvar inhaler wasn't effective, I'm now trying Symbicort.  I have a follow-up appointment in two weeks.

Psalm 8

I like trying to read through the Psalms in a month.  It's actually pretty easy to do.  There are thirty days in each month. If you read five psalms a day beginning with the the current date, you would read through the Psalms in a month.  Begin with the current date and read the corresponding psalm. Then add 30 to that date and read that psalm. Keep adding 30 until you have read five psalms.  Since Psalm 119 (which falls on the 29th day of the month) is long, I suggest that you read only this Psalm on the months that have 31 days (January, March, May, July, August, October and December).  Similarly, you can read the entire book of Proverbs in a month by reading the proverb that corresponds with the date.  

So today, I read Psalm 8, 38, 68, 98,128 and Proverbs 8.  I was especially excited this morning, because Psalm 8 is one of my favorite psalms.  And after enduring a cloudy and dismal Monday, I awoke to blue skies and bright sunshine.  

 O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.


When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?


Yet you have made him a little lower than the [angles],
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.


O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!


-Psalm 8:1-9 ESV