Following Instructions

If you left a comment on Tuesday's YES to GOD post, author Micca Campbell left a comment for all of you and I know you will find it encouraging so make sure to take the time to go read it when you have a minute.

Today Gene and I spent all day in Omaha hopping, well I was hopping, he was limping as we went to three different pre-op appointments. Loooooong day, but it was a good day too.

When we were at the last appointment with his surgeon we had to have a little fun with him since it's April Fools Day. After 45 minutes of his Doc telling us what he was going to do, showing us on x-rays and even pulling out a portable spine display so we could see exactly what would be operated on, Gene just had to have a little fun. He said..."Thank you Doctor. I know you just went through all of this with us, but my wife and I have decided to get a 2nd opinion."

When Gene decided he looked shocked enough, he pointed at him and said "Gotcha!"

I wish you all could've seen his face, it was too funny as Gene has been a patient of his for a year and a half now and this doctor is our 2nd opinion after dealing with a doctor we had in Lincoln with no success.

Anyway...we are set to go on Monday for a 5-6 hour surgery! Micca's book we are discussing on Tuesday's, An Untroubled Heart couldn't have come at a better time for me to read and share with my husband since it deals with fear.

OH and I'll let you in on a surprise...

I have decided to have something done while Gene is on the operating table.

While Gene is in La-La land, I'm going to get my lips done just like this...

Angelina Jolie will have nothing on me!

OH my goodness, can you even imagine what Gene would think if he woke up to these!

He'd probably be asked to be put back under. I think I'll just leave my smackers alone.

As we went through all the appointments today we saw many familiar faces from last year's surgery experience. From Sally the lab tech to the doctor and his nurse who gave him his physical. All of them repeating the exact same stuff from last year. What to do and what not to do before surgery and what to expect after the surgery.

The pre-op instructions were very specific, like:

No eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before surgery.

Shower the night before and the morning of with a cleansing soap and brush they gave us.

No Ibuprofen at all for his pain.

He was given an arm band he has to wear and if he forgets it they draw his blood all over again.

It was stressed to us both that he follow these instructions to the tee.

So what happens if he does his own thing?

What if he showers with Dial soap instead of the "Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution" called Scrub Care they gave him?

When they cut him open he risks getting an infection from it not being thoroughly cleansed.

What if he eats a pizza and drinks orange juice at 2 in the morning the day of surgery?

He was told they would cancel surgery to avoid getting sick from anesthesia.

What if he can't take the pain and swallows some Ibuprofen?

Again, the surgery would be canceled and the plans the surgeon had for Gene would have to be delayed.

Don't you ever wonder how many plans God has to cancel or re-schedule with you because of instead of following the instructions He has given you through the Bible or another means, you just do your own thing?

I really got to thinking about this today and I'm at the point in my walk with Him that I truly desire to completely surrender to Him. Whatever He tells me to do, I just want to do it.

I don't want to have to delay His work that He wants to perform on my heart any longer.

Well, the kids are hungry again so I better get some supper on the table. I wish they could just eat enough in the mornings to tide them over until the next morning. I'm all about the self service meals of cereal and waffles.

Thanks for all of your love and prayers. I will close with a quote from Micca's book as we are both not looking forward to next Monday.

God didn't intend for you and me to live defeated. We were created to live by faith, not fear.

~Micca Campbell~

~Love~