Loud sleepers and "bag ladies"

When I added to the journal on Thursday, I wanted to provide you all with as many details as possible. I’ll admit that I was pretty tired after our long day, so I just cut straight to the chase. I feel like I left out a few details that I need to share with you.

Loud sleepers and overpackers
When mom and Jess came to pick me up on Wednesday night we joked how we’ve been needing a “girls night away”, and agreed that we were all looking forward to some quality time together. The circumstances of our “girls night away” were not the cheeriest, but we try to look on the bright side of things! As the 2 hour drive began, I realized that I had forgotten my earplugs! The three of us were going to be sharing a room with two queen sized beds. Mom has sleep-apnea and narcolepsy, and therefore needs to use a CPAP (breathing machine) while she sleeps. My boys call it her Darth Vador breathing mask, it makes her sounds like Darth Vador. Jessie snores like a drunken sailor (sorry Jess), but being the considerate sister that she is, she brought an extra pair of earplugs for me! She’s the best. She’s always thinking about others J. Even with the ear plugs, I wasn’t sure how much sleep any of us were going to get (ha ha). We all slept very well, and managed to drag ourselves out of bed at 5:00 A.M. Those of you who know us know that we are part of “over packers anonymous”; we like to make sure that we have everything but the kitchen sink when we travel. We just hate getting somewhere to find out that we forgot something. Why not just bring it all! Being that it’s winter in Minnesota, we all had big, long, warm coats on as we headed over to Mayo from our hotel. We all felt like individual state puff marshmallow men. Each of us was carrying 1 purse and 1 bag though the hospital. Minnesotans are very practical people, I noticed that most of them only had their purses with them. There were no bags filled with 5 magazines, books, granola bars, cameras, wipes etc. Who knows what one will need or want while spending the day at a hospital? I think the people at the hospital secretly dubbed us “the bag ladies” during our day there. To add to it, we bought 2 boxes of popcorn to take home to the boys! They sold this amazing popcorn blend by the entrance to the Kahler Hotel, YUM! The doctors looked at us kind of funny when we walked into the doctor’s office, in need of a wagon to haul all of our baggage. They then informed us of the coat check downstairs in the lobby (I think that all of our “stuff” was crowding their space). From that point on, our load was lightened!

Our little “soldier”
Jess was such a brave trooper throughout the day. There were some tears when we first arrived at the clinic on Thursday morning, which is completely understandable. I think that the reality of everything set in. There was a lady in line, in front of us who saw her crying who gave her a very loving “shoulder hug” of support. I love it when God uses strangers to encourage us and help us along the way. After we checked in, we headed down to the cafeteria for some breakfast. There weren’t many people around, except for the “chefs”, who were setting out the various breakfast foods. Again, the tears started to flow, and we just hugged her and held her. A very sweet lady from behind the counter came out and hugged Jess too and told her that everything was going to be alright. Again, the gift of encouragement from a sweet stranger. God is good. Jess wiped her tears away, and handled the rest of the day in the bright and cheery way that she handles most everything. God’s encouraging word’s for the dayBefore we climbed into bed on Wednesday night, mom pulled out her “God Calling” daily devotional book by A.J. Russell, and read the words of encouragement for February 27. We are so in awe of God’s hand upon this entire situation. We can all feel His strength in such an uplifting way right now. I have to share this with you, so that you too can be encouraged by these words and God’s perfect provision:"Take time for prayer. Take more time to be alone with Me. So only will you prosper. Realize that the hearing of Spirit Sounds is more than the hearing of all Earth’s noises. I am with you. Let that content you, nay, more, let that fill you with rapture. Seek sometimes not even to hear Me. Seek a silence of spirit-understanding with Me. Be not afraid. All is well. Dwell much on what I did, as well as what I said. Remember, I “touched her hand, and the fever left her.” Not many words, just a moment’s contact, and all fever left her. She was well, whole, calm, able to arise and “minister unto them.” My touch is still a potent healer. Just feel that touch. Sense My Presence, and the fever of work and care and fear just melts into nothingness-and Health, Joy, Peace, take its place."

Prayer Request for tomorrow
We leave tomorrow morning at 5:30 A.M. for Mayo, for an 8:00 lab appointment. Jess will be having more blood drawn. Please pray that she is able to hold still as much as possible, and that the lab techs will be good at finding the good veins! She has very small veins, so it usually takes quite a few pokes until they find their "flow". Thank you all for praying!!! By Tuesday we will hopefully know when the surgery will take place.

Before signing off, I would like to share two links with you. They are videos of a father-son “Team Hoyt” (Ironman team). Dick Hoyt pushes, pulls and runs with his son, Rick Hoyt, through The Ironman competition. Rick was born with Cerebral Palsy. Pull out the Kleenex!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTUSB6eBoFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM&feature=related

Jess is sitting here next to me right now and wants to send you all a little message: Thank you all so much for writing to me in my guestbook, that means a lot to me. God Bless you guys. Jesus loves you, and I do too. Big hugs from Jessica.

We love you guys!

Liz, Nancy & Jess