Update

Just a quick update to all who are praying. We are in San Francisco, at UCSF. Candice is doing much better. She was moved out of the ICU today, into a regular room. Her liver function labs are going down, which is the right direction. Her kidneys have kicked in and are producing adequate amounts of urine now, but the lab values are not going down, as they should. (I won't go into detail for those of you who are not in the medical field...:) ) The doctors are more than hopeful, they are pretty sure that her kidneys will eventually heal, although she may have to go on dialysis for a little while. They do not need to do that quite yet, but they are keeping a close eye on her labs. If she does need to go on dialysis, it should only be short term.

Neither the liver doctors, nor the kidney doctors can say what has caused this. They say only an extreme infection, a blot clot, or something congenital will usually cause the liver enzymes to go as high as hers did. They have run all kinds of tests, but cannot find a cause....

We all want to thank everyone for praying, and ask that you please continue praying. She is better, but not "out of the woods".

Our God is AWESOME, and we know that He is in control!!

Special Prayer Request

To all in blogosphere who believe in prayer, please help us pray for my son Aaron's fiancee, Candice. Candice is 31 years old, and was hospitalized yesterday with liver and kidney failure. She is very, very sick and in extreme and urgent need of prayer. If God doesn't intervene soon, her condition could easily become fatal.

While you are praying, please also pray for their souls. God knows just how to get someones attention, and He is always in control. Please pray that she have another chance to serve Him.

Thank you all so much.

Happy to be, and look, Pentecostal

Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved.

Is it just me, or does it seem that there are a great number of people losing out with God these days? I'm not talking about only in my home town, but all over the nation. Some are just giving up completely, but others have lost the standards and convictions of old, that has kept us "separate" from the world. They say they have not changed in the doctrine, but they feel that the standards were "man made" and not necessary.

2 Cor, 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world...

Matt 7 22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It takes more than just the doctrine. We need to maintain the standards of old. We have to "come out from among them, and be separate".

I was taking care of a patient the other day, and her husband asked me if I knew who Saint Agnes was. (He asked me this because that is the name of the hospital where I work.) The patient said, "honey, she's not Catholic. Can't you tell she's Pentecostal "? I was so glad that she could tell I was Pentecostal!! I am happy to be counted among the Pentecostals!! I think that the rest of the world should be able to tell just by looking at us, that we are not "of this world".

(Note: By the way, I knew that St. Agnes was the Patron Saint of Healing. I think I learned that last year while visiting the Vatican in Rome. )

Of course, not all are going astray. There is also a mighty revival in the land, and many, many souls are being saved. I'm talking about the people who have lived this life and message for many years. Even the Bible speaks of a great falling away.

2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first...

Mat. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

This subject has been on my heart lately. I am burdened for the people that are losing out when they have been true to God for so long. Be not weary in well doing, folks. I am reminded of that old song we used to sing.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ!! One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. So, bravely run this race, 'til we see Christ!

I am looking forward to that day!!

Common Sense....Gone?

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by.

Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense has served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Stress Relief Tips

Make lists . TAKE A DEEP BREATH . Exercise . Sing a Song . Eat Right . Call a Friend . Laugh at Yourself . Ask Others to Help . Smile . Set Realistic Goals . Take Breaks . Prioritize Tasks . Delegate Work . Avoid Clutter . Use Proper Lighting . Have a Hobby . Keep Noise Down . Talk Things Out . Visualize a Peaceful Scene . Learn to Relax . Budget Time and Money . TAKE A DEEP BREATH . Plant a Garden . Meditate . Set Limits . Think Positively . Count to 10 . Enjoy Small Pleasures . Avoid Junk food . Practice Teamwork . Believe in Others . Believe in Yourself . Confront Your Feelings . Be Kind . Cry if Necessary . TAKE A DEEP BREATH . Remember: Time Heals . Get Regular Checkups . Take a Walk . Get Organized . Do Neck Rolls . Avoid Dangerous Drugs . Be Flexible . Stretch Often . Control Your Weight . Avoid Distractions . Set Reasonable Deadlines . Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . Learn to Say "No" . Forgive and Forget . Use the Right Tools . Don't Procrastinate . Reflect on Your Joys . Encourage Others . Get Up Earlier . Break Up Monotony . TAKE A DEEP BREATH . See Problems as Challenges . Stop and Smell the Roses . Love Others . Love Yourself . Avoid Unnecessary Meetings . Screen Your Calls . Give Hugs . Seek Out Positive People . Be Faithful . Read Good Books . Remember Your Triumphs . Laugh Often . TAKE A DEEP BREATH.......Most of all PRAY

Stress Survival Kit

Eraser: To consider mistakes as opportunities to learn
Mint: To make a commit-"mint" to relax
Penny: To help you adapt to "change"
Rubber Band: A reminder to stay flexible
Tea Bag: To help you simmer down
Lemon Drop: If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade
Paper Clips: To help you keep it together
Bubble Gum: To remember not to blow it
Life Savers: A reminder that managing stress can make your "life" a "hole" lot better!!

Happy Fourth Birthday, Caleb!!

On January 20, 2004 the world became a brighter place. A HUGE baby boy entered the world, and he was my grandson.

When Caleb Joshua Doherty was born, he weighed a whopping 12 pounds, 4 ounces, and was already 2 feet tall (24 inches)!!! No, he wasn't late, no, she didn't have gestational diabetes, and no, to any other questions. He was just a BIG baby, born as healthy as can be. He looked like he was 3 months old. (I tried to download a picture of him at birth, but it won't let me for some reason.)

He is still a big boy, and taller than most 4 year olds, but he has grown into his age a bit, and isn't resoundingly huge for his age. (Thank God...) Caleb is a very sweet little boy. He is all boy, and has his moments, but if he isn't in need of a nap, he is the sweetest little thing, and has a soft heart.

My blog on Nov. 4, 2007, (his sister Katelynn's birthday), I posted a poem I had written for her soon after she was born. Here is the poem I wrote for Caleb after he was born.

To Caleb

A grandmother knelt one night in prayer,

and said to her dear Father,

"Remember when I asked for a girl,

and you sent me a sweet granddaughter?"

"Well, Lord, she's dear, and I love her so,

and we're having so much fun,

but now, I think, would be a good time,

to send me a sweet grandson."

The Father looked down on her and said,

"You're asking for another?

Because you ask, you shall receive.

I'll send the girl a brother."

And then the perfect day arrived

just like God said it would.

A beautiful, precious, baby boy,

and life was sweet and good.

"Thank you, dear Father", the grandmother said,

as she wept and cried with joy.

"I want you to know, I'll love and cherish

this wonderful little boy."

Grandma's so happy Caleb, dear,

and as you grow and grow,

I hope that you will always see

that Grandma loves you so!!!

I love you soooooo much, Caleb!!! I miss you and wish I could see you on your birthday, but you have a good time anyway, OK?

Grandma Gayla

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today, my Mother turns 81 years old. She doesn't look her age, and loves it when people tell her so. You can hear her sometimes, telling people how old she is because she loves to hear them say, "Really? You sure don't look 81!!" LOL I guess no matter how old you get, there is still a little bit of vanity left. But hey, she's earned it!! And.... she really doesn't look 81 years old. Happy Birthday, Mom!!!