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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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~

13 comments:

Liz said...

Lelia...you crack me up! Those lips are hilarious!
Okay, I wonder how many times God's plans for me have been canceled or rescheduled because I didn't follow directions? A few that I can think of in just the 3 or 4 minutes that it took me to read this blog and type this response! And those are just the ones I think I KNOW about.
Great reminder!
Love you!

Paula said...

Hey there Lelia! Another great post with a simple yet important lesson. Thank you! Now to the lips...luber lips are OK for some - Angelina mainly - so just stick with your God-given lips please lovely lady, hehe. Now to the serious stuff...you have got me thinking about all the instructions from God that I do not follow and have pondered what would be if I did. You are right in saying how Micca's book is such a blessing at this time because we don't follow His instructions because we fear instead of showing faith. Really, when we think about it, what He asks of us is pretty straight forward and simple; we just confuse the issue by thinking, as all humans do, that we know better. Wrong! Anyway, a great post with a wonderful message. Will be saying prayers for Gene. xo

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

oh, my goodness!! Those lips!!! Horrible!!

I pray all goes well with Gene's surgery!

Blessings!

~Beth

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

will be thinking of you as you walk through another "change" in your life with this surgery. And no, your lips look fine as is. I've never understood the plumping thing. I'm entirely too plump as it is.

peace~elaine

Cindy said...

I'll be praying for you and Gene too.

{darlene} said...

Just wanted you to know I will be praying for Gene!

...those lips are out of control!

LisaShaw said...

I pray in Jesus Name for a safe and successful surgery for Gene. I pray for peace and strength for you both.

I have to get Micca's book. I first heard about it at my dear friend Tammy's blog.

Bless you.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Those are scarier than any monster face because they tweak what's natural just enough to make it perverse .... hmmmm. I feel a life application based on scripture coming on! How's the 30 x 5 going?

Carol said...

Lelia

Oh My those are some serious lips. But I agree with the others leave your beautiful face as God created it.

I love the truth of what you say here, how many things has God rescheduled for me because I went and did my own thing. Too many to count.

I will be praying for you, Gene, and God's hand on you both this weekend, and Monday during the surgery.

Love you girl.

Carol

Heather said...

Hi Lelia!

hey, if you need a place to stay in Omaha during Gene's surgery, our house is open to you! Nothing fancy - pretty much a pull-out couch and/or blow-up mattress in our basement (furnished) ... but it's yours if you want it! Or if you need a place to shower or blog ....

my email is hunnypot1975@aol.com, let me know if you need anything!

Heather

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

ok...now I know why you referenced "hot" on my site if you think those lips are attractive-NOT!!

JK friend. Poor Gene-I will keep him in my prayers.

In His Graces~Pamela

Stacy said...

Love those lips!! I SO needed a laugh today. Praying for you and Gene.

Have a blessed weekend!

Love, Stacy

Leaon Mary said...

I'll be praying for you and Gene, Lelia! FEAR NOT.

This study is a BLESSING. I haven't blogged it but I'm there with ya.
I've really been under attack with worries too.
Livin by FAITH,
Not fear
I'm off to visit Micca
L