I'll make this short because my medicines are making me drowsy and dizzy.
I spent three nights and almost four days at the hospital. Now, my left foot is wrapped in a splint and padding that probably weighs about 10 pounds or more, including the plaster that was used to make the structure of the brace.
Very dramatic improvement, I guess. I won't know for two weeks what my foot looks like. That's when I get my staples and stitches removed. Apparently I've got a couple of pins sticking out of my foot that need to be taken out, too. I didn't know that part. Now I'm scared. I can't even see my toes, and my big toe is numb.
Just like "The Bride" in "Kill Bill," it's going to be a while before I can "wiggle my big toe."
I love our church. We were told tonight that instead of two weeks-worth of food delivered by members of our church, it'll be three weeks-worth because so many people wanted to help out! Isn't that great!? I feel so loved!!
Thanks for the prayers. I still need them.
Okay, pain meds are making me sleepy. I'll talk later.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Thursday, July 22, 2004
A Blurb About Ericaland
Well, I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning to prepare for my 7:30 surgery to basically reconstruct my left foot. Am I nervous? Kind of. Anxious? You'd better believe I've got pent-up anxiety! But at the same time, I know that God will direct the mind and hands of my very-capable surgeon, Dr. Steven Howell of the Kansas Orthopaedic Center. He did a remarkable job on my right foot, and it works like a dream.
I know that a lot of people are praying for me. Thank you. Please also pray for Dr. Howell. He's allotted four hours for my surgery in the morning, after which he's scheduled to play in a golf tournament for which he was recruited by another doctor at KOC.
Thank you, also, in advance to my pastor, Pastor Hoger, who will be visiting me in the hospital at least twice during my stay: once tomorrow after I get out of surgery and again on Sunday so he can give us (Ron and me) a miniature service and Holy Communion.
Now, I know I get a lot of visits to my blog because my hit counter tells me so. But I almost never get comments. You don't have to say much if you don't want to, but it would be nice to know who you are and that you're there. I started my counter at 55. Now, I've got about 300 hits counted. If you don't want to say much, that's fine, but I would like to know that I've got your support or that you have an opinion about what I've blogged on, or both.
For now, I'll end this blog. I'll catch back up to you after I return home from the hospital. Many blessings to you for reading and praying for me.
I know that a lot of people are praying for me. Thank you. Please also pray for Dr. Howell. He's allotted four hours for my surgery in the morning, after which he's scheduled to play in a golf tournament for which he was recruited by another doctor at KOC.
Thank you, also, in advance to my pastor, Pastor Hoger, who will be visiting me in the hospital at least twice during my stay: once tomorrow after I get out of surgery and again on Sunday so he can give us (Ron and me) a miniature service and Holy Communion.
Now, I know I get a lot of visits to my blog because my hit counter tells me so. But I almost never get comments. You don't have to say much if you don't want to, but it would be nice to know who you are and that you're there. I started my counter at 55. Now, I've got about 300 hits counted. If you don't want to say much, that's fine, but I would like to know that I've got your support or that you have an opinion about what I've blogged on, or both.
For now, I'll end this blog. I'll catch back up to you after I return home from the hospital. Many blessings to you for reading and praying for me.
Friday, July 16, 2004
How we plan to change the world...
There have been a lot of people lately talking on television about how horrible this world is and how they can't understand how bad it's gotten. I'll admit that if I don't think very hard about it, I would wonder the same thing. But there is something we can do for the future, and those who have kids young enough to mold can do a lot.
Ron and I have been married for almost two years. We have no kids, but would like to have some someday. When we do, and when they misbehave and are old enough to understand right from wrong, we're going to teach them the consequences of their actions. If that means we have to spank them, we will. That's not child abuse, despite what some may say. It's discipline. I was spanked as a child. Ron said he was, too, until the spankings didn't hurt anymore. Then he and his siblings were fined for their misbehavior. Yes, they were expected to pay out of their allowance that they got for doing chores every time they did something wrong. It taught them money management and that good deeds are rewarded just as bad behavior is punished.
We're going to make sure that we go to church every Sunday and that we're all involved somehow. Right now, even though I have physical handicaps, I can participate in a way that not everyone can: I sing in the choir or perform solos, and I'm also on a special music scholarship committee. Ron mows the lawn and keeps in touch with church politics (sometimes, I think, a little too much).
If children are to grow up knowing right from wrong, and know the spiritual consequences for their actions, have a proper understanding of the Law and Gospel, and know how to manage their money, we need to start them out young. Otherwise, who's to say they won't end up wondering who their babies' daddies are, shooting someone at school because they think it's funny or to get back at someone for saying or doing something against them, or taking their own lives because they've found not hope but despair?
We need to make sure that our children understand the times in which we live and that they are raised to know how to correct the mistakes of our generations. We need to make sure that tomorrow's leaders are prepared today, because when the time comes for the end of the world, we want to make sure that we go out with no regrets, knowing that we did what we could to make this world a better place in which to live.
Ron and I have been married for almost two years. We have no kids, but would like to have some someday. When we do, and when they misbehave and are old enough to understand right from wrong, we're going to teach them the consequences of their actions. If that means we have to spank them, we will. That's not child abuse, despite what some may say. It's discipline. I was spanked as a child. Ron said he was, too, until the spankings didn't hurt anymore. Then he and his siblings were fined for their misbehavior. Yes, they were expected to pay out of their allowance that they got for doing chores every time they did something wrong. It taught them money management and that good deeds are rewarded just as bad behavior is punished.
We're going to make sure that we go to church every Sunday and that we're all involved somehow. Right now, even though I have physical handicaps, I can participate in a way that not everyone can: I sing in the choir or perform solos, and I'm also on a special music scholarship committee. Ron mows the lawn and keeps in touch with church politics (sometimes, I think, a little too much).
If children are to grow up knowing right from wrong, and know the spiritual consequences for their actions, have a proper understanding of the Law and Gospel, and know how to manage their money, we need to start them out young. Otherwise, who's to say they won't end up wondering who their babies' daddies are, shooting someone at school because they think it's funny or to get back at someone for saying or doing something against them, or taking their own lives because they've found not hope but despair?
We need to make sure that our children understand the times in which we live and that they are raised to know how to correct the mistakes of our generations. We need to make sure that tomorrow's leaders are prepared today, because when the time comes for the end of the world, we want to make sure that we go out with no regrets, knowing that we did what we could to make this world a better place in which to live.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Why I'm not posting as often...
I was recently asked by one of my dedicated readers why I'm not posting as often as I did on my Edited Copy blog. Allow me to explain:
When I was posting on Edited Copy, I just posted for the joy of posting. Anything went. But this is a "whole new blog," as I explained in my first post on this site. I'm not posting just to be posting anymore. I've decided to look for the not-so-obvious news items that catch my eye and blog about them. In my opinion, this makes for a more interesting blog and gives you a better read. I mean, do you really want to know about everything that goes on in Ericaland? Didn't think so.
In the meantime, just keep checking back to see if I've found anything else postworthy. But don't look for too much very soon after the 23rd. That's when the ol' left foot gets the knife. And I'll be needing more prayers. ...And just when I'm starting to wear matching shoes again!
Don't give up on me. I'm still here, still posting, and still reading everyone else's blogs.
When I was posting on Edited Copy, I just posted for the joy of posting. Anything went. But this is a "whole new blog," as I explained in my first post on this site. I'm not posting just to be posting anymore. I've decided to look for the not-so-obvious news items that catch my eye and blog about them. In my opinion, this makes for a more interesting blog and gives you a better read. I mean, do you really want to know about everything that goes on in Ericaland? Didn't think so.
In the meantime, just keep checking back to see if I've found anything else postworthy. But don't look for too much very soon after the 23rd. That's when the ol' left foot gets the knife. And I'll be needing more prayers. ...And just when I'm starting to wear matching shoes again!
Don't give up on me. I'm still here, still posting, and still reading everyone else's blogs.
Monday, July 05, 2004
WWIII Since 1979?
I usually try to take e-mails with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to politics and when I don't know the origins, only the sender. But I didn't see this one on the fact or fiction site that I use to check the validity of e-mails, so take it as you will. According to the message, it contains the text of a speech given by U.S. Navy Captain Ouimette, the Executive Officer at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.
In it, he lists "terrorist attacks" that have been executed against American citizens since 1979, and asserts that these attacks are interrelated... a continuous attack that he describes as World War III ... and America has been hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock every time.
Here is the speech, in its entirety. Draw your own conclusions.
AMERICA NEEDS TO WAKE UP!
That's what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 (When more than 3,000 Americans were killed ) and maybe it was, but I think it should have been "Get Out of Bed!" In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.
It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran. This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world's most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency. The attack on this sovereign U. S. embassy set the stage for events to follow for the next 23 years.
America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Vietnam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then-President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America's inability to deal with terrorism.
America's military had been decimated and down-sized/right-sized since the end of the Vietnam War. A poorly trained, poorly equipped, and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.
Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to
protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued.
In April of 1983, a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut. When it exploded, it killed 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more.
Then just six short months later, a large truck, heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT, smashes through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut and 241US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hits the Snooze Button once more.
Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait, and America continues her slumber.
The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gates of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.
Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe. In April 1985, a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid.
Then in August, a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main; 22 are killed and the
snooze alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US interests are continually attacked.
Fifty-nine days later, a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the
passenger list and executed.
The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the
most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 259.
Clinton treated these terrorist acts as crimes; in fact, we are still trying to bring these people to trial. These are acts of war. The wake-up alarm is getting louder and louder.
The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America. In January 1993, two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
The following month, February 1993, a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still, this is a crime
and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.
Then in November 1995, a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing seven service men and women.
A few months later in June of 1996, another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers, a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500.
The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively. They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These attacks were planned with precision. They kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks
and goes back to sleep.
The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen, for refueling on 12 October 2000, when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded, killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.
And, of course, you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America. How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep.
In the news lately, we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high official in government over what they knew and what they didn't know. But if you've read the papers and paid a little attention, I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don't have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979.
Our President is right on when he says we are engaged in a war. I think we have been in a war for the past 23 years and it will continue until we as, a people, decide enough is enough.
America needs to "Get out of Bed" and act decisively now. America has been changed forever. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the
sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to keep hitting the snooze button again and again and rolling over and going back to
sleep.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Yamamoto said "...it seems all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant." This is the message we need to disseminate to terrorists around the world.
Support Our Troops and support President Bush for having the courage, political or militarily, to address what so many who preceded him didn't have the backbone to do, both Democrat and Republican. This is not a political thing to be hashed over in an election year; this is an AMERICAN thing. This is about our Freedom and the Freedom of our children and grandchildren in years to come.
Please forward this, especially to the young people and all those who dozed off in history class and who seem so quick to protest such a
necessary military action.
If God is your Co-Pilot---Change seats!
Now, I'm a little fuzzy on my history and I admit that I haven't acutally taken the time to verify the events in the timeline that he describes. That I'll say upfront. But it does make for intriguing thought. Is it at all possible that he could be right?
In it, he lists "terrorist attacks" that have been executed against American citizens since 1979, and asserts that these attacks are interrelated... a continuous attack that he describes as World War III ... and America has been hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock every time.
Here is the speech, in its entirety. Draw your own conclusions.
AMERICA NEEDS TO WAKE UP!
That's what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 (When more than 3,000 Americans were killed ) and maybe it was, but I think it should have been "Get Out of Bed!" In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.
It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran. This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world's most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency. The attack on this sovereign U. S. embassy set the stage for events to follow for the next 23 years.
America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Vietnam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then-President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America's inability to deal with terrorism.
America's military had been decimated and down-sized/right-sized since the end of the Vietnam War. A poorly trained, poorly equipped, and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.
Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to
protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued.
In April of 1983, a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut. When it exploded, it killed 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more.
Then just six short months later, a large truck, heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT, smashes through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut and 241US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hits the Snooze Button once more.
Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait, and America continues her slumber.
The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gates of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.
Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe. In April 1985, a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid.
Then in August, a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main; 22 are killed and the
snooze alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US interests are continually attacked.
Fifty-nine days later, a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the
passenger list and executed.
The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the
most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, killing 259.
Clinton treated these terrorist acts as crimes; in fact, we are still trying to bring these people to trial. These are acts of war. The wake-up alarm is getting louder and louder.
The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America. In January 1993, two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
The following month, February 1993, a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still, this is a crime
and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.
Then in November 1995, a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, killing seven service men and women.
A few months later in June of 1996, another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers, a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500.
The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively. They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. These attacks were planned with precision. They kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks
and goes back to sleep.
The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen, for refueling on 12 October 2000, when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded, killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.
And, of course, you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America. How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep.
In the news lately, we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high official in government over what they knew and what they didn't know. But if you've read the papers and paid a little attention, I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don't have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979.
Our President is right on when he says we are engaged in a war. I think we have been in a war for the past 23 years and it will continue until we as, a people, decide enough is enough.
America needs to "Get out of Bed" and act decisively now. America has been changed forever. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the
sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to keep hitting the snooze button again and again and rolling over and going back to
sleep.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Yamamoto said "...it seems all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant." This is the message we need to disseminate to terrorists around the world.
Support Our Troops and support President Bush for having the courage, political or militarily, to address what so many who preceded him didn't have the backbone to do, both Democrat and Republican. This is not a political thing to be hashed over in an election year; this is an AMERICAN thing. This is about our Freedom and the Freedom of our children and grandchildren in years to come.
Please forward this, especially to the young people and all those who dozed off in history class and who seem so quick to protest such a
necessary military action.
If God is your Co-Pilot---Change seats!
Now, I'm a little fuzzy on my history and I admit that I haven't acutally taken the time to verify the events in the timeline that he describes. That I'll say upfront. But it does make for intriguing thought. Is it at all possible that he could be right?
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