Detour

 Happy Sabbath

I need to go straighten up because we made a mess after getting back home.  Today, we went to one of our former churches for a holiday concert and I was able to attend the adult Sabbath school for the first time in a long time.  It was really nice to be there. However, right before we were going to start the concert (cantata), my son started complaining about feeling ill. He has been sick since really Monday.  On Saturday last week, I woke up to my house feeling colder than usual and discovered that the furnace was not furnacing. I waited until after Sabbath to call a repair guy I last spoke with in 2020 and he told me he would come out on Monday so I agreed to that instead of Sunday, which would have brought a higher price.  I turned on the space heaters, pulled out the blankets and got the house up to a reasonable 63-64 degrees.  Although he was given extra blankets and told to dress appropriately, he chose to defy mommie and not use the blankets or wear proper clothing.  He likes walking around barefoot. He likes walking around with his undershirt.  He even tries to go outside without a coat and it might as be winter right now.  

Sunday we were fine. Monday, the guy came and fixed the system in the early afternoon.  I pushed the thermostat up to 70 degrees for the rest of the night into Tues when I had to turn it back down to 68 (and even that is too high).  Monday, he complained a bit, sneezed and coughed. Tuesday same thing. Wednesday, it got worse so I had to cancel his at home therapy session and moved it to Thursday hoping would do better.  Thursday, he started wheezing in the morning.  I recommended the night before and the afternoon of that he complete a breathing treatment with his nebulizer but he refused and ignored my pleas.  Friday, we went to pick up some other medicines and he tried different things from mid week all the way until Friday.  He picked up a huge bag of Halls cough drops. I recommended he get the store brand but he wanted the one he had in hand so I paid for those expensive cough drops....we could have got store brand.  It's literally the same thing. 

Here we are. Saturday.  I told him several times to put his Halls cough drops in his coat pocket but he chose to ignore me the 4-5 times I told him to. I  wanted to go to the cantata.  I didn't have to prepare anything for the children's class as I would be going to another church today to worship and be a spectator for once.  We got there early and I found a comfortable seat and greeted people as they came in.  He ate some sweets before we arrived. He walked in with no problem. He sat down with no problem.  Sabbath school started and he would cough a little.  Then as more people came in, he complained that his stomach was nauseous and he wanted to go home.  He complained that his throat hurt.  I asked him if he brought the cough drops and he said no. I told him several times to go downstairs to get some water and snacks and he finally went after the umpteenth time.  He came back up with water.  He then started complaining of a headache and after I got chips, mints and a cough drop for him, he started crying.  

We had to go but I was not going to take him home because I know him.  He will miraculously get better as we are driving home. I decided to take him to the hospital since it was literally around the corner.  Guess what?  He was miraculously better within 30 min of being there.  All he did was lay down a bit and they gave him ibuprofen, a steroid to help the cough which he wasn't even really doing since we walked out, and an albuterol treatment with a spacer. The same treatments I told him he needed to do at home and he refused.  If he needed to lay down, there was a room he could have done so and I told him to lay on my shoulder, but he refused.  

So I missed the cantata.  My son returned home to eat more sweets, pizza, and get back to his nonsense.  I'm very disappointed.  Next week I have to go to another church because my church building is having a funeral for another congregation.  I wonder if he is going to get mysteriously sick and pull this again.  

I have to say what I am thankful for, so I'll stop the complaining.  

I am thankful for a hospital being close by and for my son to get treatment.  I am thankful that God helped me to get my heating fixed for the house.  I am thankful for a productive work week and a bonus that I didn't expect to come through.  I am thankful for the delicious meal I had earlier today.  I am thankful to be able to see a few familiar and friendly faces even though it was for a moment.  I am thankful that I don't have to go out in the storm that is coming tonight and shutting things down tomorrow.  I am thankful for God's creation and to enjoy nature at my back door.  I am thankful for God's promises and His help when I need it.  For His choice to reach into my life, turn me around and let me know there is something worth while and for His help to keep going.  He is the reason life is worth while.  He is the reason.  If you need a reason, He is the best reason.  God is good.  I expect to run into troubles and nonsense like I encountered this morning but God triumphs over all of it.  Even if things don't go the way we want, to God be the glory.  God is good and it is a happy Sabbath for me. 

And So It Starts

 Whenever you decide you are going to do what God calls you to do, trials and tribulations are always close by.  Happy Sabbath!  I have a prayer list and it continues to grow with new items every day it seems.

I am thankful for a safe week.  I was able to see all except for two of my clients. There was a slight ice storm in my area which I suppose was the reason why I was not able to see my client on Tuesday.  I had good meetings for the other two and I was able to pick up my check from the office so that was a plus.  

Thursday, I had planned to see one of my. clients that day because it was her birthday and she begged me to schedule for that date. I scheduled. I confirmed with the team the month before. Then the morning of, they pulled the rug out from under me.  I was scheduled for 12:15pm but they told me my client had a doctor's appointment at 10am. I said that wouldn't be a problem as she should be back in time but then they said she would be going out for lunch immediately after. I told them I would stop by after her birthday lunch as I had a gift for her and would be in the area.  I called well after lunch time (2pm) for them to tell me they just got back and she was going out for lunch (really dinner). I was 20 minutes away and asked if they could wait for me to give her the gift and see her at the appropriate location but they wouldn't for more than 15 min.  I spoke with her and she said she would wait and extra five, but turns out they never planned on doing that. I raced over there for nothing and then they texted and said that they thought I told her I would meet her at the restaurant.  I didn't even know where she was going. I was supposed to see her at her home, not a restaurant and this was scheduled a month ago.  And on top of all this, the doctor's appointment didn't even work out this morning.  I was upset about that but continued on to see my other clients without much issue.  She will get her birthday gift and essentially Christmas gift at the end of January, which is the next time I'm scheduled to go out.  

I was frustrated about all of that. I was informed by family that there were some things I needed to know and someone wanted to share that info with me about a close family member.  I am open to hearing what it is but at the same time I'm on the fence because what is the goal of telling me this history?  Is it to encourage me to cut off contact? Is it going to help me be safer and protect my son?  Is this really the time for me to hear all of this?  I have had my problems with the person they are referring to and as of this time, we are on good terms. We have been on good terms for several years. Should I stop talking to someone because others don't like this person? I don't agree.  God.  God is the answer for all of this.  People make bad choices and hurt people.  Everyone has skeletons in their closet and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  I will allow the Lord to lead in this area and I would hope that they would allow the Lord to direct them as well.  God can fix and do the impossible, especially when it comes to relationships.  I was supposed to meet with them tomorrow but they sent me a message today cancelling for tomorrow and I told them I was open to rescheduling when they were ready.

God is able to fix heating systems.  This morning, my heating system broke.  I woke up and was wondering why my house was so cold. I have space heaters running in the living room and my den.  My electric bill is going to be astronomical but God is good.  God helped me get my car heating system fixed this week. I got my car back on Wednesday and the heat is great. They even fixed the visor.  That was about $400.  Now I'm likely going to have to fork out more than that to fix the heating system for my house.  I will call the people I had come out with a group on several years ago and see if they can come out on Sun or Monday.  Things are tight, but I'm prepared to pay what ever they charge because I cannot deal with cold. I have no central air working and that has been this way ever since I moved into my house.  I can handle 100 degree heat and more. I cannot handle winter so someone needs to come out in the next 48 hours because no.  

I am thankful that I have a little money set aside that can address these issues. I am thankful that I had a good dental appointment and didn't have to shell out $500 or more (dentist was Monday).  I am thankful for my family, my church, my sabbath school class, my son creating a game today for that class, and so much more.  I am thankful that I was able to help my cousin.  I am thankful that the Lord has me in a position to help others and I am thankful that He is in my life.  Even without a working heating system.  God is good and His name is worthy to be praised.  The trouble is starting, but triumph is coming.  God has the victory and the final say.