UPDATE FROM CALIFORNIA...

Gene and I just returned from a pre-Christmas trip to our CA Ostbys...to take gifts, decorate the tree and enjoy hot cider and popcorn, see a beautiful musical at their church and then dash back home to get ready for Christmas here as we welcome our two east coast families for Christmas.

Thanks to you all for praying. We found Sue much the same EXCEPT she has started falling again which is really dangerous to her and so we'd like special prayer for her equilibrium and balance. As usual, she doesn't complain and has thrown herself into the joy of Christmas with her family even though everything takes her lots longer and consumes so much energy.

And while I speak about the prayer needs I don't want to overlook two great praises:

• God is so faithful to minister his Word to us when we are open to Him. The 2nd night we were in CA I woke up in the middle of the night so burdened for the needs I saw that I couldn't 'fix' and as I tossed and turned but couldn't sleep, a familiar verse from Psalms flooded my mind "Be still and know that I am God". Exactly my need, right then, to trust God for the needs, to know that God would burden people to pray for what He knows they need, to remember that He is God, I'm not and leave it there.
• Second praise, their church has set up a fund for those who have wanted to help them financially and weren't sure how (thanks Small Group for praying...it happened the next day)!

We had quite an adventure coming home; got stuck in Los Angeles, then got stuck again in Dallas..with no more flights to Raleigh so we caught a flight to D.C. and got to bed there at 2am...then today our flight to Raleigh couldn't land due to high winds; after two attempts we went to Greensborough, stayed 10 minutes, then back to Raleigh with another aborted attempt at landing and then..ONE MORE TIME...and we did it..so somewhere in my minds eye I see us trying to land 5 times at Raleigh and finally succeeding on the last attempt...a bit of a white knuckle trip but I always figure the pilot wants to get there safely as much as I do so let him do his job. He did get some big time prayer support from both Gene and I, I must admit.

We're reminded the reason for the season often, we just need to remember and do it! He's so worthy of our adoration and praise.

Maxine

PERSPECTIVE OF PRAYER

Last week in CA we were having lunch out on the deck and the sandwich plate was nearing empty with only one half of a sandwich remaining. Alisha said 'I want another half, does anyone else? Sue replied she did so Alisha sail 'I'll go in and make another sandwich for mom and I to split. Karis replied 'wait, you don't have to make another one, all you have to do is cut this one in half.' When we reminded her that this would only give Alisha and Sue a quarter of a sandwich she said 'Oh, when I eat a sandwich it's always just a half, so when I think of a whole sandwich I see it as only a half.

What does a Perspective of Prayer have to do with a tuna sandwich...obviously a good question.
Back in Wake Forest just in time for Sunday morning church, Larry preached an excellent sermon on 'Staying Sane in a Crazy Pace.' I suspect very few reading this cannot identify completely. He took us through specific parts of the gospels showing us that Christ's way, (whether it was renewing himself after great healing miracles, in sorrow as on hearing of John the Baptist's death, or before making vital decisions:choosing the Apostles) was to spend great amounts of time ALONE WITH THE FATHER...one of my favorite verses along those lines is Matthew 5:16 "but He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

So what does a Perspective of Prayer have to do with a tuna sandwich? I'm glad you asked. Websters Dictionary says on perspective 'a specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, especially one that shows them in their true relation to one another.'

Just as Karis' perspective of a half sandwich as really being a whole was from her point of view, I find my perspective, my specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, especially one that shows them in their true relation to one another is affected greatly by spending time with the Father and His Word, especially as much as possible first thing in the day.

An update on Sue: we've started with her 2nd new doctor and look forward to what he'll do for her..I'll let you know.

Maxine

November 2...Isn't this supposed to be Daylight Savings Weekend???

BACK IN CALIFORNIA....where the weather is beautiful, albeit a bit of fog thrown in which caused Dana's flight to be moved from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara and a longer drive for me and definitely a longer flight for him as he missed connections and had to do a "Red Eye" into Raleigh and go directly to his conference.

SUE is beginning a new treatment "Cowden Protocol", all natural regimen, and I'm hopeful to learn more about just what they see it doing in her body when we see her new doctor on Wednesday. I'll let you know.

Sue continues to bring joy to those around her as she deals with her life as it is today; in a recent testimony at a Missions Conference she shared that God had revealed to her how very much He loves her...just as she is...just as she was when she had a "fuller ministry in Indonesia", just as she will be in whatever the days ahead bring, it is the knowledge of God's great love for her ...just as she is that is so meaningful. What an important thing for each of us to dwell on...in our hearts and in our minds.

Do you ever stop to think how powerfully our minds dictate to us..our emotions...our choices...no wonder God tells us it's VITAL to renew our minds daily.

As we put His truth into our minds our perspective becomes less self centered and more God centered. Beth Moore takes it a step further asking God to invade her dream life, her thoughts when she sleeps and every closet in her brain putting His truth into the innermost parts of her mind, even those she doesn't know exist. I WANT THAT!

Have a great weekend! I'm off to walk for an hour at the beach...Half Marathon Training...not just fun (smile).

Maxine

PS....LeeinAG ..you commented a while back on my blog about doctors but I don't know how to reach you. I'm assuming you live in AG...my email is OzzBee@aol.com if you want to contact me.

M.

LIMA OHIO

GOOD MORNING FROM LIMA, OHIO where we are visiting dear friends this week, 3 days after leaving Sue, Dana and kids in CA. They are doing well although Sue is now beginning the intial portion of a detox program which means more new things to take ... I did a sorta' spread sheet for her to help her figure out..before meals, after meals, with meals etc.

As usual she continues to walk through her days with great joy and thankfulness for the goodness of others to her family and especially the goodness of God in their lives.

In Ephesians today I was reminded that God has blessed me RIGHT NOW..TODAY.. with every Spiritual blesssing (not the physical blessings of this world, the 4 B's as my pal Dave Jones used to say: Beauty, Brawn, Brains & Bucks )but what really counts...EVERY spiritual blessing. He's not doling it out a little at a time..or waiting for me to earn or desrve it..it's there, given to me..us but we have to live in it, claim it.

Those blessing are what allow us to 'watch over our hearts with all diligence' as Proverbs 4 reminds us. We certainly can't do it without the Holy Spirit's work in us.

We're enjoying not only good friends here in Lima, but their good friends also and, as usual, lots of good food.

Today we're headed for a Flea Market and then who knows what...

Thanks for tuning in...Maxine

Good Morning On This 1st Day of October

I'm off to CA again tomorrow morning as Dana begins 10 days of travel for various meetings on the East Coast and to look in on Grandma who is still in Rehab trying to gain strength so we can bring her home.

PLEASE PRAY for Sue as we continue getting her started on the de-tox from the aggressive antibiotic regimen she's been on (cleaning out those unwelcome toxins from her blood stream) etc plus the new regimen of natural supplements to strengthen her...it's not as simplistic as that but remember, I'm a 'layman'.

There are new doctors and new protocols to get used to and, if you've never been there, it's amazing how complicated it can be until we get a handle on all of the 'new things'. Also her PICCLINE may need to be removed soon and we're hopeful it can stay in a bit longer for use with the new protocol. We'll get that checked out while I'm there.

Please pray too for Millie to respond well to her therapy so she can come home by the end of the week or shortly thereafter.

In the book of Psalms, the first Psalm contrasts the difference between the blessed man and the wicked man. One of the things said about the blessed man is that 'his delight is in the law of the Lord' and in this instance the meaning of the word delight is 'to bend toward' as a plant will bend in whatever direction the light is coming to it for nourishment, so we are to bend toward...delight in God's Word.

Hope your day includes delighting in Him.

Maxine

A FAST WEEK IT'S BEEN IN CA....

And tomorrow we head home, although I'll be coming back in less than a week as Dana has some traveling to do.

This has been a good time though; Sue once again saw Dr.Harris, a Lyme specialist who's beginning treatment with her. First with de-toxing her body after such a long period of aggressive antibiotics, then in conjunction with a Naturopath here in A. G.to do some alternative treatment with supplements etc. So the months ahead we trust will show some positive change for Sue though we don't, of course, know exactly what the progress will be. PLEASE PRAY that God will work mightily here!

Meanwhile, Millie is in Rehab in Wake Forest and we're hoping she'll be strong enough to come home soon.

Through it all God has been so faithful to everyone here with both big and little things. It's been fun having Gene here this time; he finished off a few big projects that I couldn't begin to do. ... like hanging some beautiful intricately carved framed mirrors as well as some smaller jobs. This morning he and Sue's dad had breakfast together...they're good buds and have a great time the rare opportunities they have. In fact Roger is 84 today and we are going over to celebrate with Mud Pie...I strongly suspect I won't want to get near a scale for at least 2 weeks...out here everyone wants to get together and often around food.

Had a chance to meet with the Women's Bible Study I am connected with (and attend about once every 6 weeks)...it's sweet to have fellowship wherever I go; they are currently studying Matthew.

I'll see all you N.C. folks soon. Hope it's cooler when we get there!

Maxine

CALIFORNIA....

Here we are in CA (6am here, 9am EST)...Nick and I are just leaving for the beach, he to surf an hour before school, me to walk...it's not light yet.

PLEASE PRAY for Sue's appointment at 3:30 today with Dr. Harris, that I'll ask the right questions and get the right info down to take home...AN ADDED BLESSING WOULD BE IF SUE'S VOICE WAS THERE SO SHE TOO COULD COMMUNICATE.

I remember Eph....God is able to do over and above all that we think or ask.


Flights yesterday were great...school is in session and what a difference it made.

Maxine

Good Morning!

FALL MUST BE HERE BECAUSE...the calendar says September, I'm thinking about my Christmas List plus NFL football has started which will pre-empt many tv shows which I don't watch anyway but Grandma does...SO WHY DOESN'T THE WEATHER KNOW IT? We continue with 90+ degree heat.

Once again, my weekly blog is making its monthly appearance; but I'm keeping that thought...that eventually it will be weekly..whether it's read that often or not, I want the discipline of it and 'I like to share'.

It's been a good week, especially the weekend when Kent was up to join Mark for the Nebraska game in Wake Forest...got to gather family around in bits and pieces with the busy schedules everyone has. However the biggest football highlight was not Nebraska beating Wake Forest but Logan intercepting a pass in his game at home. We're looking forward to spending some time in Marietta next month and catching one of his games.

And next week we're off to CA to catch up on family there; check in on Nick and Karis' adventures in public high school and plan a visit to Sue's new Lyme Dr. We're so enjoying new friendships there as we (especially me) are there more often and get blessed with their church family as well as our own and friends from when we were AG residents. This will be a special visit because we both get to go as Gene's sister will stay with Grandma... PLUS we'll reconnect with a friend who began his career at the same time and with Gene many years ago.

"Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, I can feel His mighty power and His grace, I can hear the brush of angel's wings I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place."

Has anyone heard this old praise chorus before? As I strummed it on my guitar this morning I was so grateful that any 'place' I am, His presence is right there too. I don't have to be in a church setting, or a Christian concert (I think that's the thought of the song) to know God is listening; or as in former days when God's presence was in the ark and traveled with the Israelites but they could not personally approach Him.

Have a great week and stay cool if you're in the southeast with us!

Maxine

August 8, 2007

MEXICO TEAM: 17 college students, 4 families (2 with small kids)

What a great adventure we had. Sue did very well most days; she did have a few harder days when, towards the end of the week the weather got hot. Until then we were blessed with low 80's most days as a high. (Coolest part of the week was when I got a bucket of cold water dumped on me the last day!) Sue's very presence, had she done nothing else but be there, was such a rich blessing to the rest of us, especially the college women.

However, Sue contributed much more than her presence; her deep thinking and great heart for Missions spurred messages for Dana to deliver to the kids who came for Missions Camp (approx 65 kids ranging from 5-15...and they spent the night with us!!!!!!) as well as to the team itself. We had one large room that was decorated to display different religions: Hindu, Muslim, Unreligious, Buddhist, Tribal. Sue's creativity helped us as we draped fabric, hung maps and posters etc for this primary display. One touching moment in this room was when one of our team members found one of the youngest boys standing in front of the Hindu Map with his hand placed on it; with tears in her eyes she said she felt the Holy Spirit might indeed be raising him up as a Missionary for these people.

Personally, from my point of view it was a great week seeing my kids as well as my grandkids deep in ministry. I got to mix in with it all too...first three days I spent mornings shoveling sand into a dump truck for delivery to the Obstacle Course we constructed...didn't give me great biceps but did keep my tan going...also got to help decorating the above mentioned room and there were always times of opportunity to help out in the kitchen, one day in particular when there were several great needs.

One of the very best parts was hanging with the college youth, especially the women. Gene and I were college sponsors for many years when our kids were in school and this was a reminder of how special these young adults are. Also the other adult team members were mostly new to me and they were so much fun...a great blessing to be there.

Thanks for listening...back to CA in four days...that will be good.

Maxine

California Update

Wow...I'm not sure where to start; because there's so much to pray for I'm going to begin by telling you how God has blessed my heart before I tell you how needy I feel today.

The other morning while walking on the beach at low tide God gave me a beautiful word picture. I'd walked my 3 miles on the glistening, hard packed sand and was then walking the 1/2 block of deep, dry sand (maybe wallowing in it is a better description) to get to my car and thinking what a difference in the two.

And right then, God reminded me how alike the above was to walking in the Spirit..I don't tire, it's joyful, I feel like I could keep going forever, I'm not thinking of what's coming next;...versus walking in the flesh, without faith in Your provision for my day and for those I love...it's like walking in that deep sand...I tire easily, I'm more likely to stumble, I'm not too happy with what I'm doing.

And yes, I wrestle with the next thing...leaving it with Him. It's sorta' like Mesquite, our dog, who walks up to me with her ball to play...she wants to have it thrown so she can chase it, but she loves it so much she holds on to it and has a hard time letting it go long enough for me to toss it..Isn't it cool how God gives us such everyday things to relate to about Him and his watchcare over us.

Here are some things I'd love to have you pray for:

• Sue has been very weak...increased energy
  
• Karis and Nick have to finish off summer school work and begin work for next year at AG High (they're both taking AP classes that start them working a month before school starts)
• Appointment with Dr Harris on Thursday, one of the very best Lyme's docs
• Sue and I need to create a medical history since she got sick for that appt and the thought of it shuts her down because of all the emotional pain it brings to mind
• I think I'm struggling more with the emotional aspects here than the physical ones (mounds of laundry are much more welcome than seeing Sue so weak)
• Sue is feeling the weight of the kids needs for school (have I done enough for them)

I was so glad to be reminded in Psalms 121 and 124 this am that the Lord is on our side and our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth..that He will guard our going out and coming in and will protect us from all evil.

Thanks for listening,
Maxine

Good Morning!

I've been out picking raspberries with only a few scratches to show for when I had to reach deeply into the bush to make sure I got all those red, scrumptious berries. It took more time than I'd planned because when I first looked there didn't seem to be that much of a harvest. Instead of stopping after my first round of picking I decided to get down on my knees and see if there were more there, and, sure enough, there were. But I still didn't quit because as I picked I, of course, sampled and decided the effort was definitely worth it. Finally, as a final thought, I spotted a long , stout stick laying nearby (no doubt a left over from our recent grandkids visit) and picking it up, I started parting the bush using the stick to protect from the thorns and voila!...more berries.My perservering yielded me approximately 4 times the amount of berries that I had found on my first foray.

How like our adventures into God's Word. A quick glance through will surely give us something, however, some continued looking, re-reading, thinking through and looking again will give much deeper insights into what the Holy Spirit wants to teach our hearts. It does TAKE TIME, a commodity that seems in such short supply but the pay-off is so worth it.

Now an update on Sue. After a wonderful month's visit they're home again in CA. It was so good to have them here; Sue has wonderful connections with friends and family here and it encourages her greatly through the suffering she is walking through right now. And because she is walking though it God's way (no poor me or why me) she is a delight to be with, full of joy. She commented that one of the things God has taught her this year is you can live with great joy and great suffering at the same time. She's such a people person and her voice has taken a hit now too which makes communication difficult, yet she hangs in there because, as I told her, "relationship" not "Joan" is her middle name...and she does it so well.

She'll have a consultation with another Lymes doc July 19 in Redwood City so please pray for that and also, she would like to go with Dana and the kids to lead a Missions Team to Mexico. That will be difficult but she (and the entire family) have not let difficult change their lives.

Have a great week.

Maxine

TOPSAIL N.C.
Good Morning...as they say, it's a tough life but somebody's gotta' do it and so God is blessing our wonderful family, all 16 of us, with a wonderful week at the beach. The weather is great, a few showers here and there and even those accompanied by some gorgeous rainbows.

Yesterday's highlight was a Nertz Tournament organized by 8 year old Logan plus the annual Cousins's Birthday Party.

Also yesterday, Sue had an unusually hard day; it's good to have them here so everyone can be more tuned in than ever to her needs as we pray.

This morning I was reading in Ezra about the unity of the believers when they were ready to rebuild the temple and I was reminded of the unity of believers who have been praying for Sue and Dana and what a tremendous blessing that is.

Have a great week!

Maxine

Memorial Day Weekend

This first weekend home from CA has been a hazy, lazy weekend..hazy from East Coast humidity, lazy because I was and so glad to be back with my honey poking around the yard, looking at what's blooming in the garden (yum..berries are getting ripe), poppies are through blooming and we need rain for the dry grass and a good book to finish.

Best of all, remembering the sacrifices of our men and women over the years on behalf of their country; when you travel abroad another element of the blessings of this country is added.

We're looking forward to our annual week at the beach, this year ALL OF THE COUSINS will be there...yahoo!

While in CA I had one morning to walk on the beach; besides the great view and exercise there's always something to observe people, their pets, sea critters (sand crabs, sea gulls, pelicans, sand pipers.) This particular morning I watched as a black lab spotted an injured sea gull floating on the waves, unable to fly. The dog didn't actually go in for the final blow and kill it BUT he harassed it by continually barking at it, nipping close to it and overhwhelmingly intimidating the poor gull.

How like Satan's wiles on the Believer; he finds our vulnerability, and then works on us, snapping, chasing, intimidating, to cause fear and immobilize us.

Saw a great movie last night "Facing Giants"; done by a church in GA, with no paid actors; the GA Buldogs coach even has a bit part. It was challenging and amidst lots of high school football presented a great spiritual message/challenge.

Keep praying for energy for Sue for Thursday when they fly. Please pray too for Mark as he bikes 140 miles to the beach while we drive...and that our Ostby week at the beach will be the blessing it usually is.

Maxine

Happy Mothers Day

Belated, Yes! but it's gotta' be this way because I've committed to writing weekly and, had I really done so, I'd have written the day after instead of 2 weeks later. Speaking of Mothers Day I got a great card from one of my kids ... began with "Mom, I know I wasn't always the easiest kid to raise" and on opening the card there sat a 3 year old boy in a highchair with a glass of beer in one hand and a half smoked cigar in the other. I have another son who occasionally calls and wishes me a Happy Mothers Day on his birthday...sound thinking!

My Mothers Days are always great because I can reflect on the goodness of God to me through my kids. I'm here in CA with our kids now helping Dana and Sue get ready to come spend a month on the East Coast.

Sue's health hasn't changed a great deal, lots of challenges with energy, speech, mobility but still much joy in the Lord for all five. Some days are tougher than others, yesterday was one.

Pray for her energy level for the month of June especially as they travel. Also pray for an appt with a Lymes doc, Dr. Harris, who is tops in his field; Sue's current Lymes doc wants her to see him for a one time consultation and I'm having a hard time getting through for an appt. It's one of those places where you never get to talk to a real person. I'm willing to continue being persistent (you know that) but it would free more time for me if they'd just respond!

You moms (and dads) will relate here, one of the toughest things I face is seeing my kids suffer; yet as I was reading in 1st Samuel last week, Hannah made her petetion at the temple for a child and when she left she dried her tears and her face was no longer sad. A good reminder, I can weep with my kids but then if I truly leave them to the Lord, my countenance needs to reflect it.

Meanwhile, I was reminded of a song that a dear missionary, Hubert Mitchell, used to sing at our church:

"He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater,
To every affliction, He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, He multiplies peace."

That's one among many prayers I pray for these guys here; as our world is today, they are incredibly busy and I know you can all relate to that.

Thanks for hanging out with me for awhile; my flights were smooth coming and I return Saturday to get ready for our week at the beach.

Maxine

SPRING IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Yesterday I did a quick trip up to D.C. to meet my sister-in-law for lunch and with a few extra hours I re-visited a favorite spot. I'd worked behind the Senate office buildings where there are some beautiful little parks planted with dogwood and azaleas as only D.C. does...over and above.

Just as they were in previous springs it was a picture perfect stroll; a shower the night before had blown most of the petals from the dogwoods in two particular areas so the sidewalk was completely pink...lots of big puffy white clouds overhead and the azaleas in full bloom made it well worth the brisk hike up Capitol Hill. There's a carillon there too and walking around it reading the tributes to men of integrity, wisdom, compassion who had served in the two houses of congress I was convicted to spend my time returning through the Capitol grounds in prayer for those already serving and those who would be elected to serve in the coming elections.

As I continued my walk down Pennsylvania Avenue I was approached by a demonstrator who asked if she could hand me her literature proclaiming we "GET OUT OF GITMO". I told her absolutely not to which she replied "Oh, you're pro-torture"; "no," I said, "I'm pro-American"which earned me a snort of derision as she stomped away.

Well, it didn't ruin my walk but made me grateful for Who walks with me as I saw only anger and bitterness in her countenance and made me very thankful for the hope I have and the fact that Christ not only sees the big picture but, as Colossians says 'holds it all together'.

Sue is still tolerating the antibiotics well but there has been some concern with a possible infection at the source of the PICCLINE so please pray for that to clear up.

Thanks for tuning in.

M.

"Now to Him Who, by the power that is at work within us, is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams"... Ephesians 3:20 Amplified Bible

I was so glad someone shared this verse, in this version at Dana and Sue's Small Group Bible Study the night before our appointment with Sue's Lymes physician. The fact that she isn't yet experiencing relief in her symptoms has been discouraging and Dr. G. affirmed what he'd originally told us, 'it can take a long time of treatment to see change'. He also began a second antibiotic to more aggressively treat the Lymes (this one goes after the cyst form of Lymes) and recommended she have a one-time consultation with another Lymes doctor who is tops in his field, and fortunately, in CA.

Sue is tolerating the heavy doses of antibiotics, the weekly blood tests that monitor her liver prove that and we're grateful that is true and pray that will be the case with the new drug added.

So, back to my opening verse, the gal who shared it with us had an absolutely amazing story to tell of how God had worked 'superabundantly, far over and above all that she had dared ask or think, infinitely beyond her highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams". And that is what we are believing and praying for Sue, regardless of what we see now, we know that God's part of her story isn't finished by far.

It's such a joy to see Sue interact with people; her arms are outstretched in greeting to show how glad she is to see them, her smile is radiant, and her words (even though they are harder for her to speak) are full of love and encouragement. She truly is a blessing to people, even when it's tough going.

So now, I'm back in NC until next month, grateful for the opportunities He gives to go out and be a part of their lives.

Thanks for praying and staying in touch. I actually have decided I need to blog weekly or not at all so I'm going to giveweekly a try til the end of summer. Feel free to hold me accountable if you read this and don't see one in a week.

Maxine

PS The other big news from CA was Alisha assisting as their mama goat, Lilly, gave birth to 2 baby goats; unfortunately a bobcat or coyote got one the next night but the other is fine and thriving.

They're looking forward to being here for a few weeks in June so plan on coming by to see them.

It's Great To Be In Atlanta

It's Great To Be In Atlanta...

because my favorite Saucer Magnolia trees are blooming fully, forsythia too is in full bloom, but BEST OF ALL, I'm here with our kids and grandkids...they're all such an encouragement to me and just plain fun to be with. We've done the typical fun stuff you do with 8 and 11 year olds, baseball practice, quiz bowls, movies, a stop at Chick-Fil-A for milkshakes. Last night was pizza with their small group and Kent leading...it's good to be in the Word with them and see how God leads their lives. SUPER BONUS was getting to read Kent's new book; he's done a great job, I had about 120 pages left to read yesterday and had planned to do it in installments during the day but I was so hooked I stayed in my PJs after everyone was gone to school and work til I finished ...way past lunch time.

In a few days I'll meet my honey in Dallas as we head to CA for a week to see those kids in a drama presentation they've been working on for months. As far as we know, Sue's not had any adverse reaction to the PICC line and meds it contains. We're praying for the meds to really kick in even sooner than is expected and that she will benefit greatly.

Reading today in Joshua I was really set to thinking as I saw Joshua commanded to be strong and very courageous...carefully follow all of the Lord's Word, so that he WOULD BE successful and the Lord WOULD BE with Him. It's repeated to him multiple times in the 1st chapter of Joshua. I then thought of what Joshua's task was and taking that grumbling bunch of Israelites into the Promised Land seemed somehow a much bigger task than my 'to do lists' that send me into such a frenzy so many days of my life. THEN I realized God's instructions are the same for me as they were for Joshua...'look at Me and what I've shown you in my Word and trust Me' , not your list, not yourself but look to Me. A good reminder that I need often.

It's good to be with you all as you read our news,

M.

How great is our God, sing with me how great is our God, all creation sings how great, how great is our God...

those praises and more resounded in our house Tuesday about 11am when we had finally confirmed that Sue's PICC line would go in even though we expected no medication going in for a day or two. BUT GOD gave us a wonderful RN at the hospital and she, along with the person responsible for the gift of Rocephin, worked it out so Sue could have her first dose at the same time....administered by me.

But one of the coolest things was after we got the 11am phone call we all sat us down and talked..and God really ministered to all our hearts about what was going to happen, how it might or might not change life for Sue in the months and maybe years to come and how, much as we love Sue, the bottom line still is HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD. The kids response was wonderful. Why, I thought, when they're such great kids anyway, do they have to be a part of this purifying suffering yet as Dana and Sue both reminded me, we don't want to turn down a chance for God to work in each of our lives.

It has been a hectic time beyond belief. Because of the way the drug is coming to Sue there were a lot of 'puzzle pieces' we had to put together and Sue and I especially felt great spiritual warfare the 24 hrs before the PICC Line went in but each time I just couldn't find another ounce of energy (or sometimes one more tear...one of the rare times I was weepy), God was there. It was a real demonstration of I John 4:4 'greater is He that is in us, than he who is in the world.'

Thank you all so much for your prayers; I was at the point that I didn't even have time to call people for extra prayer and instead was begging God to have people pray for us.

I'm heading home in two days and so looking forward to home..especially seeing my honey.

maxine

Update from California

• Keep Singing
• Be a joyful daughter
• What am I pouring my spiritual energy into...doing or being!
• What defines my day..who I am in Christ..or a problem..a habit..a list
• She smiles at tomorrow (Proverbs 31)
  

I have been seriously delinquent in keeping this blog up and God reminded me the first day I opened my journal here with those little reminders above that Martha had overtaken Mary (painting kitchen cabinets, cleaning cupboards etc etc etc) and was defining my day.

Even more so, on getting here and seeing the needs I was really ready to roll up my sleeves figuratively and forget everything but 'let's work'.

I'm so grateful to my precious Jesus that He had these words jump out and convict my heart so I've really chosen to hang on tight to the Lord during this time here.

WONDERFUL NEWS
A local hospital here is donating six months of the medicine Sue needs to get started with her treatment and 'between the lines' the insurance company will pay for the PICC line to be put in. This happens, hopefully, next Monday and the drug will start probably by Wednesday.

• Prayer Needs: Nurses within the church body here to help out by administering the drug (a 2 gram portion called a 'popsicle' because it is stored and frozen in these units) as needed. This way we won't have to hire a home nurse to do this.
• That she not only can handle the massive dose of antibiotic but that it will WORK EVEN MORE QUICKLY than it has in some past cases. Her speech is so difficult and it would be wonderful to see help, but we know that it usually takes a long time.
  
• Energy and encouragement for Sue; it's hard to see her suffer but she's joyful.

I had an interesting conversation with the R N who installs the PICC line; when I mentioned how it needed to be done and billed she wanted to know Sue's diagnosis and her response was "oh yes, I work with Lymes patients often whose insurance will not pay for their meds."

Blessings to you all. Karis and I were just watching the sun come up and again those beautiful words came to mind:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning,
And who told the ocean, you can only come this far,
And who told the moon where to hide until morning,
And who alone can catch a falling star

How grateful I am that it is HE who is overseeing all of us..how can we lose?

Maxine

• 
  

THE JOY OF CHOOSING

I have a (reasonably) new cell phone and each name programmed in has the option of holding three numbers: cell, home and business, in that order. When I make a call it automaticall defaults to the cell number unless I make the choice to change it, which I usually do because I am most often calling someone at home.

How like life that is. I can wake up some/many mornings with a heaviness of what the day holds..or might hold..for me or for someone I treasure and default to gloom or anxiety or both.

Then, as with my cell phone, I have a choice. My glass can be half full or half empty. I can choose to trust God for the day or trust circumstances and live in a state of anxiety for the day.

Do you realize what a blessing it is to just be able to choose; we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made as scripture tells us.

Now, an update on Sue.

As I mentioned previously, insurance has denied paying for the drug to treat Lymes prescribed by Sue's physician. We're still working on an appeal to the drug company that produces the drug needed to defray the cost of it for her treatment and to the insurance company to reconsider their denial of payment for the drug treatment.

Please pray with us for God's intervention.

Maxine

HERE'S A PICTURE OF MY LAST NIGHT IN CA

Three excited teens and one reasonably excited parent, 6 queen sized bedsheets, flashlights, one ten foot bamboo pool 4 in. in diameter, several large blankets and table cloths, squeals and groans, forty icy fingers and toes because of an outside temperature of 34 degrees, and a smudge pot ready to be lit for the dewpoint (coldest) hours of 4am-7am the next day..

So, what were those wild Ostbys up to..I should mention there were 2 saner ones..Sue and I who remained inside watching through the windows.

They were trying to protect two 25 foot tall orange trees loaded with fruit from the coldest weather Arroyo Grande had seen in 30 years.

It took awhile but they got the job done. The last look I had at 5am Saturday morning enroute to the airport, the trees looked good.

It's been a good week here in CA being with everyone and planting a few more roots of my own with the town and its people, some friends from many years ago, some newly discovered friends, all valued.

Unfortunately, Sue's insurance is digging in its heels about paying for the pic line with the antibiotic that her Lymes physician has prescribed. So at this point she's back on another medication while we appeal the process and investigate some other options we've heard of.

I'll leave you with a verse from Psalm 17 that I love; "keep me as the apple of Your eye, Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings." What a precious and absolutely safe place to be in 2007.

M.

NEW YEAR THOUGHTS

NEW YEAR THOUGHTS

The new year does bring us to a time of new commitments for one reason or another; we want to grow in an area, improve a skill, leave behind a bad habit

I have enjoyed so much being challenged these early day of January by godly men and women to think deep thoughts about what really is important to choose for my life for the coming year(s) and what is well worth leaving behind.

Later this morning I'll be doing my Meals on Wheels route in rural Wake County and as I wrote the above words I thought of one of my sweet ladies on my last M/W visit. She is 91, has severe macular degeneration, is very bent over from osteoporosis, walks with the aid of a walker, BUT her best walking has been with her Lord these many years.

So was the visit spent hearing about her struggles with her health and other issues like fixed income, not at all. We talked about what was going on around us and, as I left, she walked me to the door (in her walker), raised both hands and prayed a blessing over me.

I want to make the kinds of choices in my life that will direct me in the path of being that kind of woman regardless of how many years the Lord gives.

PRAYER REQUEST...BIG TIME!

I leave for CA tomorrow, for only a week this time. This will likely be the time Sue has the picline put in for the antibiotic for the Lymes Disease treatment. The insurance company at this point is saying they may not pay for this treatment at all, or if they do it might only be for a month.

Sue's Lyme's doctor has indicated the treatment will be needed for months, possibly years so WE ARE PRAYING THAT during the first month of treatment Sue's response/improvement will be so dramatic that the insurance company will have no problem in seeing this is needed treatment and will cover it.

Of course, He may choose to solve the insurance dilemma another way; it's so good to know that He does know and will act accordingly.

M.