Can't Get a Ring off?

I have had my wedding band off for a couple weeks now because my finger broke out. Well, I put my ring back on yesterday, went to bed, and when I woke up, my finger was swollen and red! So, I decided it was time to size the ring. I proceeded to the bathroom where I ran my finger under cold water, put a little soap on my finger, and pulled.

Nothing. Wouldn't budge.

Ok. No biggie. I pulled some lotion out, lathered up my finger really well, and pulled again. Nope. Not working. So, I soaked my hand in freezing cold water to make the swelling go down.

Nada.

After about 15 minutes of twisting, pulling, and tugging, I knew I needed something stronger. Off to the kitchen I go. I poured a hefty amount of vegetable oil on my hand, and started the process all over again. Pull. Yank. Tug. Twist. Pull. Yank. Tug. Twist.

My finger started turning blue. Not good. Then Brandon got home from work and tried. He lathered me up in Crisco. He pulled, yanked, tugged, and twisted.

After a good hour of this process, my finger became extremely swollen (I would have taken a picture, but I was a little preoccupied with trying not to let it fall off) and turning colors. I decided I would go on to work and see if the swelling went down. On my drive in, I BLASTED the air, holding my hand in front of the vent.

Zilch.

By the time I got to work, my finger looked like it was going to fall off! So, I called a local jeweler, and he told me to come by. So I hopped on downtown, and he had it cut off in a matter of seconds. Thank goodness!

So, next time you can't get your ring off...just get it cut. Save yourself the time and pain.

The Church and the Gay Community

I read this post on a fellow blogger's site. I think it is a great post, and one which gives us something to think about. Hop on over and check it out!

Hope

I have recently been overwhelmed with emotions about our baby situation. I am a woman, and human, so I can't help but to think about it. Every time I see a baby, walk through the store and have to just pass by the baby section because I don't have a viable reason to shop there yet, and every time I hear someone else is pregnant, I get a sense of loneliness, sadness, and being left out. It seems like EVERYONE is pregnant!

I have spent a lot of time in deep prayer these last few weeks, and my God is such a good God. He is a God of mercy and grace, and I KNOW He loves me...even when I don't act as though I trust Him. He has filled me with peace. I am peaceful because I KNOW that my God is faithful, and that this WILL come...even if it doesn't come right when I think it should. I have hope and faith. I see God working in our lives, and I have a feeling that this is coming our way! That makes me happy. I remembered this verse today, and it will go with me from now on, when I am getting those sad feelings:

"Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

I am also reminded of the song "While I'm waiting" by John Waller (from the Fireproof soundtrack).

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Takeing every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

And what will I do if we don't get pregnant? I will love him. I will praise His name for knowing what we do not. I will worship Him. I will serve Him.

WHERE is my CHAPSTICK???

Brandon has been asking me for weeks now where his chapstick has disappeared to. It seems as though every time we turn around, we are buying chapstick. Well, this weekend we were doing some early Spring cleaning, and look what we found behind the stove!! Along with ink pens, milk jug rings, and candy canes, were two sticks of chapstick! We found even more behind the fridge, washer, and dryer! All in all I think we found six sticks! Don't worry...we threw them away! I blame this on the cat. :-)

So, next time you can't find something, look behind your appliances...never know what treasures you might find!

My Husband Rocks Friday!

There has been so much going on lately. Several of those things are....not so good. However, in the midst of all the trials we are facing, I have seen God take hold of my husband in a mighty way! God is really working in his life, and it is amazing to see. He is worshipping like I have never seen him worship before. He has the passion and desire to make time for us to pray together, and make God the true center of our marriage. We have both always known that praying together was something that we needed to work on (let's be honest. We just DON'T pray together), but it for some reason has always been a struggle. Of course, Satan doesn't want us to develop a deeper spiritual relationship. Brandon has also never been the "Spiritual Leader" in the home, either. We both agree that the man is supposed to be the "leader," but this has just never been. I have always played that role. However, lately it seems as though he is becoming so much stronger, and walking so much closer to the Lord, and I can see that leader coming out in Him. I praise God for that! One of the best parts of marriage is watching God work in your loved ones life...it is simply amazing. I am so thankful for my husband, and I love him so very much!

Menu Day

These are few and far between these days, but here is our menu for the week:

Friday: Cheddar Chicken and Rice Skillet (kraftfoods.com)
Saturday: Quesadillas and chips and salsa
Sunday: Probably eating out
Monday: Pancakes!
Tuesday: Ultimate grilled cheese on Texas Toast and some sort of soup

Prayers

Lord,

I am sad today. My heart hurts. Why is it so hard to simply trust you? I know that you have it all planned out...but the uncertainty is killing me. Why is it so easy for others...especially those who don't know you and won't even do what they should? Yet Brandon and I, who vow to raise our children in your will, just seem to have such a hard time? I don't have any right to question you, but I can't help but wonder. It just hurts so badly. I'll love you no matter what. But I just don't know how I could handle not having children. Please, Lord, give me peace. If the time is not now, then make the hurt go away. Just...help. I want this more than anything in the world, and Brandon finally wants it, too! I never thought that would happen. Lord, I see you working in our lives...especially his. You are really working on his heart, and I can only hope that it is in preparation for a little tiny blessing. God, I can't help but fear that I will have the same problem as my parents did. Please don't let that happen. Lord, I need you. I love you. And I need you to walk me through this.

Amen.