Dear Diary It's Me~Donna

Who Has Ever Done A Meme?

2011-07-27T06:30:00.000-05:00

I got hooked on Meme's when I was a part of the AOL journal group yrs ago lol. This Meme came from a great lady name Chrissy. I wish I knew how to find her over here on Blogger.

This was originally posted on 11/30/07

I will share my answers in a few days :-).

Please link this post and let me know if you have participated

in the Meme. I want to come visit and see all of your fun answers :-).

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?

2. Do you trust all of your friends?
3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?
6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?

7. Are you afraid of falling in love?
8. What is your favorite color and why?

9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
10. Whats your most favorite scar?
11. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
12. What did the last text message you sent say?

14. Fill in the blank. I love:

17. How many kids do you want to have?
18. Would you make a good parent?

19. On your Myspace/FB where was your default picture taken?
20. Whats your middle name?
21. Honestly, whats on your mind right now?

22. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
23. Who was or will be the maid of honor/ best man in your wedding?
24. What are you wearing right now?
25. Righty or Lefty?
26. Best place to eat?
27. Favorite jeans?
28. Favorite animal?
29. Favorite juice?
30. Have you had the chicken pox?
31. Have you had a sore throat?

32. Ever had a bar fight?
33. Who knows you the best?
34. Shoe size?
35. Do you wear contact lenses or glasses?
36. Ever been in a fight with your pet?
37. Been to Mexico?
38. Did you buy something today?
39. Did you get sick today?
40. Do you miss someone today?
41. Did you get in a fight with someone today?
42. When is the last time you had a massage?
43. Last person to lay in your bed?
44. Last person to see you cry?
45. Who made you cry?
46. What was the last TV show you watched?
47. What are your plans for the weekend?
48. Who do you think will play along? Not sure. But I hope many.
49. Who was the last person you hung out with?
50. If your "significant other" asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say?

Copy and play along.

HUGS~Donna

John's Musings About Whatever: The Songs of Israel----Choosing God’s Heritage

2011-07-24T00:51:00.000-05:00

John's Musings About Whatever: The Songs of Israel----Choosing God’s Heritage

Covenant Of Salt

2011-07-23T07:39:00.000-05:00

Hexagonal stress tiles on saltpan near Badwater, sunrise. Death Valley National Park, California, USA.

Covenant Of Salt

Since ancient times salt has had an important place in the lives of people. It is not only a preservative, but makes food palatable, and men and animals instinctively seek to supplement or improve their regular diet with it.

Salt was a necessary ingredient in the Levitical sacrifices. It represented the covenant of God which was one of permanent continuance and perpetual obligation: And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. Lev 2:13.

The custom of pledging friendship or confirming a compact by eating food containing salt is still retained among Arabic speaking people. The Arabic word for salt and for a compact or treaty is the same. Once an Arab has received in his tent even his worst enemy and has eaten salt (food) with him, he is bound to protect his guest as long as he remains.

The Lord gave over the kingdom of Israel to King David and his sons by a covenant of salt. 2 Chr 13:5. This was a pledge from God, and an unconditional promise, that the kingdom would remain in the Davidic line.

In Matt 5:13 the Lord calls the believers the salt of the earth. Salt is a preservative. If we have God's salt in us we can preserve a witness to His truth, and see His purposes fulfilled in and through our lives. Salt that has been contaminated loses its strength when subjected to extremes of temperature and climate (especially dampness), because the impurities react chemically with the salt and rob it of its savor, making it good for nothing - useless.

Believers are surrounded continually by evil and impurity. This evil can overwhelm anyone if the proper precautions are not taken. We must be filled with the Word of God. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom... Col 3:16. Then, and only then, can Col 4:6 be fulfilled in our lives: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Christians should be worth their salt and not be laid on the shelf because they have lost their savor. The secret - faithfulness to the Word.

Love & Blessings to all

If this devotional has blessed you or opened your eyes to what the LORD is saying, please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you. And please share this with someone today :-).

By~http://www.believer.com

Thump Thud-Thump-Thud?

2011-07-15T11:40:00.000-05:00

By~Max Lucado

When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its solidity by pulling it out of theoven and thumping it. If it sings, its ready. If it thuds, its placed back in the oven.The character of a person is also checked by thumping. Been thumped lately?
Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher. Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires. You've-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are those irritating inconveniences that trigger the worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat-footed. They aren't the big enough to be crises, but if you get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams. Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the floor. Even as I write this, Im being thumped. Because of interruptions, it has taken me almost two hours to write these two paragraphs. Thump. Thump. Thump.
How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud? Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45).Theres nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character of a person is seen not in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living. If you have a tendency to thud more than you sing, take heart.There is hope for us thudders:
1. Begin by thanking God for thumps. I don't mean a half-hearted thank-you. I mean a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy thank-you from the bottom ofyour heart (James 1:2). Chances are that God is doing the thumping. And he's doing it for your own good. So every thump is a reminder that God is molding you (Hebrews 12:58).
2. Learn from each thump. Face up to the fact that you are not thump-proof. You are going to be tested from now on. You might as well learn from the thumps you can't avoid them. Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump will help you or hurt you, depending on how you use it.
3. Be aware of thump-slump times. Know your pressure periods. For me Mondays are infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be just as bad. For all of us, there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. The best way to handle thump-slump times? Head on. Bolster yourself with extra prayer, and don't give up. Remember, no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying God

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow!

When I read this devotional today it gave me great pause.

I had to stop and think about ALL the daily :Thump-Thuds"

I have every day!

And how I respond to each of them. I thought about all the times

I came out of the oven and sounded like a "thud." Only to be put back

into the oven so that one day I'd sing :-). It made me smile.

God is so good!

He is always showing, opening, giving us opportunities in our lives

to respond and react to the "Thumps" in our lives. I just never

thought of it in this way.

For me I know this analogy will stay with me forever.

Somethings just do. Maybe it will help me to come out

of the trials~"oven" Singing more :-).

I take comfort in knowing, even if I come out with a thud

God won't give up on me. He will just put me right back

into the oven~until I come out singing.

That to me is already something to sing about :-).

Blessings & Love to all

Donna

I Have A Blessing To Share!!!

2010-10-24T14:48:00.000-05:00

The Lamb in Jesus Arms is me :). That's exactly how I feel. I had known for a while that something was wrong with my heart. The sharp chest pains, shortness of breath, pain actually a strong ache down my left arm. But I was scared to see a Cardiologist. More fearful that I would have a heart attack. Both fears were colliding.

Last month I went to my family Dr. to talk about getting the Lap Band surgery. He said in order for that to happen I would need a clean bill of health from a Cardiologist. God was already working out a plan for me.

So I met with the Cardiologist and he suggested that I do an I V Stress test. I can't walk. Then he had the team do 2 kinds of echogardiograms on me. Three days later I went back for the results. The echogardiograms showed a problem. So he set me up for an Angioplasty in the hospital. I had the angioplasty going through my right arms main artery, He wanted better pictures to find the blockages. And he did. I had 2-85% blockages in my veins and there were side by side from one another, I also have close to a 50% blockage in the back of my heart in a vein.

So my wonderful Dr. while doing the angioplasty went ahead and put a longer stent in my heart to open both blockages! The other blockage in the back were going to wait. They put me on a blood thinner called Effient and chlosterol med called Lipitor.

That evening after the surgery I already felt 100% better. I could walk around and not be short of breath or have chest pains! I was in awe :). Even 4 days later I catch myself smiling-because no sharp chest pains or shortness of breath. To me it's my miracle. And God was holding me close to Him the whole time :).

I'd like to show you a quick video of how they go in and do the angioplasty and put the stent in. It's not graphic, It's all animated.

Go to this link

http://heart-disease.emedtv.com/angioplasty/angioplasty.html

go down and click on video for angioplasty.

It's the first video that you'll come to. It's quite amazing :). And it gave me back my life :).

Life Sucks Sometimes

2010-05-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

This picture is how I feel. The rain, the storm is where I am right now.

Today I was supposed to see my Dr. My diabetes is not good-and I take 2 different insulin's a day. I wanted to talk to him about the depression and changing my meds. But none of that happened. Why? Because I couldn't fit my fat butt into my jeans! Yep that's it. I was devastated. I knew I had been gaining weight-but I felt like I was starting to lose some of the weight. Nope, they were really tight. I crawled into bed and just stared at the wall. I finally went to sleep. Now I'm sitting here wondering what to do next. I feel lost. Over a pair of jeans that were to tight? No, it was just the straw that broke the camels back.

I have S.A.D.-social anxiety disorder. I have only been out of the house 3 times in the last 3 months. I have missed family birthday parties, holidays with family etc... My husband Mark has been without a job for a year now. As many, many other family's are as well. I am disabled physically and cannot work. I cannot even try for social security because I spent the last 9-10 years home schooling our daughter. So therefore I don't have enough "credits" to apply for SS. So I cannot even help my sweet husband out. It hurts me too see him try and try to get a job. I am so very thankful for the unemployment that he gets-it's just our bills always seem to be more than the checks. I have been disabled for a while now-but my weight had always been the same with-which was still being over weight. But the scale had never moved up ward for many, many years. I am wondering why now? What's going on with my body? Why such a drastic change? I truly wish I knew the whole answer. We have no medical insurance-everything is out of pocket. We have tried to go through channels for financial help-medically. So far we are either over qualified or under qualified-What! Makes no sense to us. We have one more appointment to try and get medical help-our appointment is June 8th. This is the last open door for help medically. Please if you read this entry-pray that the doors would be open for all our medical needs which are numerous. I am so afraid something will go wrong and we won't get help. I truly don't know what will happen to us if this doesn't work. There is so much more I want to journal about-but I just feel so over whelmed right now. I will try again later today.

Blessings and love to all her in blogger land.

Sharing A Precious Letter To All Moms

2010-05-14T00:25:00.002-05:00

Our daughter Brittany aka Boo is our social butterfly. She lives life 100% of every day. She has been this way since the day she was born. When we started going to church she was 4. What I'm about to share is 100% truth. Because Brittany loves everyone. We had to be at church an hour early each Sunday morning. Because that's how long it took Brittany to hug everyone :). She hugged as they came into the Sanctuary & go down every pew to not miss one person.

So I added my memories from a letter that circulated around the web years ago. I know I am not the only Mom who has shared the love of their children. I hope after reading this you will share yours with us. I know I would be proud to read them. Or take mine and add your own thoughts and memories.

To My Daughter Brittany.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park and play.
"You were always so irresistible with your warm smile, holding your arms up for me to pick you up & play. So it was easy to forget the laundry to bundle you up and take you to the park. Your joyous laughter was contagious and made the day much happier. Thank you my sweet daughter-for showing me the important things in life and letting go of things that would always be there."

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together which we'd eventually get to :).

"When I read this it makes me smile Ü. You loved to do dishes. I always had to set up your own soapy water, rinse bowl and towel station to put your dishes on. Although not always the most spotless-just seeing that beaming smile and hands going up saying ta-da! Made me laugh." lol.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off.

I'll sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. Oh Boo how many,many hours did we spend letting everything else go, just so we could play with bubbles! The swirling, the rainbow colours, and to see how big we could make them lol. Then there was the forever chasing of them and laughter filling the air."

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

This I wish I had done more. Stopped myself from being to busy with things that would still be there long after you were grown. I wish I had of grabbed your hand more and ran with you towards the Ice Cream truck seeing you smile as I tell you to pick out what ever you wanted. Promise me you will do more of this with your children, and remember me Ü.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

This was a simple thing for us Ü. because we would lay on a blanket look at the sky and just dream, dream, dream. Never expectations of one thing. You could never pick just ONE thing to be anyways LOL. But guilty am I for fussing and second guessing my decisions-I could have relaxed more lol.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Well, this was never a problem lol. After the first time of you making/baking cookies, you took charge Ü. It was ME helping YOU bake the cookies after that."

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal. Just so you can have both toys.
OK what's there to say about Mickey D's LOL!

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

OMG how many times have we shared that moment together Ü. Even way into your teens. I'd rub your head, play with your hair and retell the story of your precious birth and the love that just spilled out of me and never stopped.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub all you want and not get angry or rush you.

Yes, many full and irritating days spilled over to the end of the day including bath time. I'm sorry Boo. I should have spent more quality time playing and splashing around with you in the tub. Make sure you slow down with your children during bath time and teach them how to make big splashes to soak Mommy Ü.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

One of our favorite things to do. To sit on the porch and talk about everything while just looking at the stars and listening to the cricket and frogs make music. All along the hours just floating by.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Yes, will snuggle on the couch or the bed together. Will have our favorite books out and read together. One of our favorite things to do.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray.

I will simply be grateful that GOD has given me the greatest gift ever given. I am still doing this. And you are my greatest gift.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their

missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves

instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms

watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't

handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little

longer. It is then, that I will thank GOD for you, and ask Him for nothing,

except one more day ....

I love you Brittany with all my heart. Forever and beyond.

Mom

Blessings,

Donna

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?

Unique Up On It.

2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?

Tame Way.

I have a new journal

2010-05-08T02:25:00.000-05:00

I opened up blogger and saw that it has been almost a year since my last journal entry. I wanted to share a new journal called "Confessions Of A Binge Eater." Please come by and say hello.

I will start reading & saying hi too everyone's journals tomorrow.

Here is the link

http://confessionsofabingeeater-ladymagnolia.blogspot.com/

Donna

2009-06-02T06:50:00.006-05:00

I love this picture. It seems so peaceful and beautiful. I'd love to stand on the little bridge and just ponder on what ever comes to mind.

Well, I went and saw my Dr. last Thursday. We talked alot about my many concerns. He checked me for P.A.D. in my legs, and said everything was fine...yay! I was soooo worried. Especially with me having such severe neuropathy in my feet and legs. The neuropathy is in both my hands now-I can't feel things with my finger tips. With neuropathy there's not allot that can be done after it sets in. So I'll just keep doing what I can :). I'm not going to let it ruin my life.

Mark and I talked to Dr. D about getting on disability. Dr. D said there was no problem with that since we know I am unable to work. So now I'm in the process of applying for disability.

My Dr. did write a prescription for meds to help with the neuropathy in my lower parts. He also increased my depression meds and my anxiety meds. So far so good. I feel much calmer and clear headed. But @ times I'm scared it won't last. I like this calmness and not having that doomed or dreaded feeling with me at all times. So right now I am just going to enjoy it :).

I talked with him about my fears of having a heart attack. My dad passed away at age 49 from a massive heart attack. I am 45 and it's been lingering over me and making me fearful for the past 14 yrs. My dad's Mom & Dad died from heart attacks. My Mom's-Mom & Dad died from heart attacks. My Mom had a heart attack 11 yrs ago and survived it :) Thank the LORD. So Dr. D is setting me up an appointment for a chemical stress test. I'm just waiting on them to call me with an appointment.

I did have a full exam by a cardiologist about 8-10 yrs ago. Stress test and echo cardiogram. Everything looked great back then. I am praying I will pass this stress test with flying colors.

Mark and I went to SAMS club yesterday and did our monthly shopping. It was nice to be out and about :). I stuck to our list like a good girl lol....ok 2 cheats-I bought New York style cheese cake & chips for my dip. While there we got all the ingredients so that Mark could make his famous chili :).

Mark makes an amazing pot of home made chili, so we always get the Frito scoops to go along with it. We also add sour cream and Cheddar cheese as a topping to our bowls of chili yum :). Does anyone else eat it this way?

Last night I slow cooked bar B Q pork chops-they just fell off the bone :).

Tonight I am making our daughters favorite meal called Cheesy hash brown casserole. Here is the recipe if you would like to try it out.

Brown 3 lbs of hamburger meat
Drain when meat is fully cooked
Rinse off hamburger meat fat while in the colander.
Put back in the pot and add
2-Taco mixes to the meat
add the amount of water on the taco mix package
Cook on medium heat-till all the water is gone

Ingredients you'll need

2-bags of Ore-Ida Potato's O' Brian cubed hash browns
1-Large can of cream of mushroom soup
2-large bags of mild Cheddar cheese

Get a large bowl to put ingredients in.

Add cooked hamburger meat
both packages of hash browns
pour in the can of cream of mushroom soup
1- Cup of Cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients well

Take an oblong pan and spray it with Pam
When all ingredients are folded well-spoon it into your pan

Cook on 350 for 30-40 minutes.
5 minutes before the casserole is done-bring it out of the oven and add a layer of Cheddar cheese and cook for the remaining time left.

I also usually cook my garlic cheese biscuits with this meal.

If you decide to try the recipe let me know how you and your family liked it.

Well, I'm off to shower and hit the Library with my sweetie. I swear you could lock me up and have me live in a Library lol. I am a major book worm, so I love going to the Library :).

I wish all of you a beautiful day!

HUGS~Donna

Need To Learn...

2009-05-27T15:51:00.002-05:00

How to make a pretty journal page. I see so many beautiful journal pages and wonder how it is done. I am not at all talented when it comes to making my journal pretty. I'd really like some advice and tips on how to make my page pretty. So if anyone out in blogger land can help me, I would really appreciate it.

How was every one's Memorial Day? Ours was pretty nice. We had beautiful weather :-) always a plus. I actually got out of the house and went to a cook out with some close friends. It went better than I expected :-). We hung out with them all afternoon watching old movies. And I didn't have 1 panic or anxiety attack!

There's been nothing on TV lately. They have all showed the cliff hangers for next season, so we have been renting movies.

Movies we've picked out.

1. Doubt (Loved the allegories in it)
2. Bedtime Story (so-so)
3. Hotel For Dogs (cute)
4. The Last Templar (loved this movie)
5. Australia (Loved that movie)
6. Taken (Loved that one)

And a few others that had to much language for me to want to watch.

Brittany our daughter brought home the movie "New In Town." So will watch that tonight.

Mark and a friend of his changed out my computer today. I'm not liking it right now, because we could not transfer 10 years of stuff onto this computer. So I don't have any tags, pictures or my favorite sites right now. It's like starting over again. But my PC was dieing so it had to be done. So I am thankful that I have another computer-I just miss my stuff.

Well, that's as exciting as it's been lol. I look forward to hearing about everyone Else's Memorial Day :-).

Oh-If anyone wants to share some pretty tags w/me you can e-mail me @ ladymagnolia1963@aol.com

HUGS To All~Donna

The Real Me

2009-05-24T17:09:00.003-05:00

At this present time I am trying to come up with a title for this post. I hope writing it will give me the right inspiration.

Why a mime mask? Well, for many years now I have suffered from clinical depression, social anxiety disorder, panic & anxiety attacks. I have my ups and down-good days weeks and my bad days and weeks.

This pictured mask is a visual aid for me. I can't tell you how many mask I have but it is numerous.

For me I was afraid to let others know how I was really feeling. At church I wore my mask of happy to see you, glad to be here etc. Inside I was so deeply sad and scared. I was mostly scared that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. I was afraid they would be able to see through my mask, or that I would let it slip how I felt. I became very good after years of practice. Every where I went I had a different mask for different occasions. I did try and show a "few" family members and a close friend years ago what I looked & felt like-it didn't go well. My family was petrified that depression was contagious! Yes, they really believed this. It took them close to 6 months before they would come around. Even when they did, they looked like a slinky cat too afraid to get close or to ask how I was doing. So I learned to put the I'm ok mask on for them, smiling like all was ok. I was laughing on the outside for others and crying on the inside.

My husband is amazing. I have always been able to just be myself around him. He has been by my side every step of the way. Mark truly is my knight in shining armor. Yes, of course there are some chinks in the armor as he is only human. But it's amazing to have that kind of love and support through all of this.

Recently I went through a very bad patch. Mark's has not been a rose garden either. After 7 years with a company he was laid off almost 2 months ago. He loved his job. Since then it seems as if no one is hiring. We get the Sunday paper and look through the classified and I kid you not 98% are for out of state work. Our son Lil Mark has been out of a job for 4 months now. They have 2 babies to worry about! So Lil Mark has gotten very discouraged and depressed. I do try and encourage him but lately it's not enough.

Big Mark is 44 and starting over is scary. We are just 1 family among the millions in the same boat-feeling the same way. Right now we just take it one day at a time-and that's good enough.

I know this is not a happy entry but it's a part of my life and of me. I know there are probably others who feel the same way. I just wanted to post this and let others know that they are not alone.

HUGS to all~Donna

The Story Of The Resurrection As Never Before...

2009-04-10T15:10:00.004-05:00

"JESUS WEPT"

Today, on Good Friday, we think about the Cross and the sacrifice paid for our sins; the amazing love that took our place; and the grace we have been given. That kind of sacrifice is almost impossible to imagine. The suffering that took place there, voluntarily for us, is beyond the comprehension of a culture that says “Live for today and for yourself.” At a time when superficial, selfish and exploitative relationships have become the norm for so many people -- as evidenced by all-time-high rates of divorce, domestic abuse, depression and suicide -- we would do well to reflect more often on God’s grace for us. We see a small glimpse of that type of sacrificial love every day in the service of our courageous men and women in uniform, who sacrifice their today's for our tomorrows. We see it in the firefighters and policemen who are trained to risk their lives to save strangers. Through their deeds we see that life truly is precious and worthy of protection, each person made in the image of our Creator. As Christians we believe that Jesus’ death destroyed the barriers between man and God. We believe that He died so that we may be brought close enough to Him to choose Him. Others, however, follow a god who demands that they seek their own death and the deaths of others so that they may receive salvation. What a contrast!
CBN.com - Christian Broadcasting Network

CBN Media Center - Browse. Search. Watch. Share.

A Physician's View of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ - By Dr. C. Truman Davis - http://www.cbn.com/

About a decade ago, reading Jim Bishop’s The Day Christ Died, I realized that I had for years taken the Crucifixion more or less for granted — that I had grown callous to its horror by a too easy familiarity with the grim details and a too distant friendship with our Lord. It finally occurred to me that, though a physician, I didn’t even know the actual immediate cause of death. The Gospel writers don’t help us much on this point, because crucifixion and scourging were so common during their lifetime that they apparently considered a detailed description unnecessary.

So we have only the concise words of the Evangelists: “Pilate, having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to them to be crucified — and they crucified Him.” I have no competence to discuss the infinite psychic and spiritual suffering of the Incarnate God atoning for the sins of fallen man. But it seemed to me that as a physician I might pursue the physiological and anatomical aspects of our Lord’s passion in some detail.

What did the body of Jesus of Nazareth actually endure during those hours of torture?

This led me first to a study of the practice of crucifixion itself; that is, torture and execution by fixation to a cross. I am indebted to many who have studied this subject in the past, and especially to a contemporary colleague, Dr. Pierre Barbet, a French surgeon who has done exhaustive historical and experimental research and has written extensively on the subject.

Apparently, the first known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians. Alexander and his generals brought it back to the Mediterranean world — to Egypt and to Carthage. The Romans apparently learned the practice from the Carthaginians and (as with almost everything the Romans did) rapidly developed a very high degree of efficiency and skill at it. A number of Roman authors (Livy, Cicer, Tacitus) comment on crucifixion, and several innovations, modifications, and variations are described in the ancient literature. For instance, the upright portion of the cross (or stipes) could have the cross-arm (or patibulum) attached two or three feet below its top in what we commonly think of as the Latin cross. The most common form used in our Lord’s day, however, was the Tau cross, shaped like our T.

In this cross, the patibulum was placed in a notch at the top of the stipes. There is archeological evidence that it was on this type of cross that Jesus was crucified. Without any historical or biblical proof, Medieval and Renaissance painters have given us our picture of Christ carrying the entire cross. But the upright post, or stipes, was generally fixed permanently in the ground at the site of execution and the condemned man was forced to carry the patibulum, weighing about 110 pounds, from the prison to the place of execution.

Many of the painters and most of the sculptors of crucifixion, also show the nails through the palms. Historical Roman accounts and experimental work have established that the nails were driven between the small bones of the wrists (radial and ulna) and not through the palms. Nails driven through the palms will strip out between the fingers when made to support the weight of the human body. The misconception may have come about through a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Observe my hands.” Anatomists, both modern and ancient, have always considered the wrist as part of the hand.

A titulus, or small sign, stating the victim’s crime was usually placed on a staff, carried at the front of the procession from the prison, and later nailed to the cross so that it extended above the head. This sign with its staff nailed to the top of the cross would have given it somewhat the characteristic form of the Latin cross.

But, of course, the physical passion of the Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of this initial suffering, the one of greatest physiological interest is the bloody sweat. It is interesting that St. Luke, the physician, is the only one to mention this. He says, “And being in agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.” Every ruse (trick) imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away this description, apparently under the mistaken impression that this just doesn’t happen. A great deal of effort could have been saved had the doubters consulted the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of Hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress of the kind our Lord suffered, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process might well have produced marked weakness and possible shock.

After the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was next brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiphus, the High Priest; it is here that the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiphus. The palace guards then blind-folded Him and mockingly taunted Him to identify them as they each passed by, spat upon Him, and struck Him in the face.

In the early morning, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and exhausted from a sleepless night, Jesus is taken across the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia, the seat of government of the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. You are, of course, familiar with Pilate’s action in attempting to pass responsibility to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Judea. Jesus apparently suffered no physical mistreatment at the hands of Herod and was returned to Pilate.

It was then, in response to the cries of the mob, that Pilate ordered Bar-Abbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion. There is much disagreement among authorities about the unusual scourging as a prelude to crucifixion. Most Roman writers from this period do not associate the two. Many scholars believe that Pilate originally ordered Jesus scourged as his full punishment and that the death sentence by crucifixion came only in response to the taunt by the mob that the Procurator was not properly defending Caesar against this pretender who allegedly claimed to be the King of the Jews. Preparations for the scourging were carried out when the Prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. It is doubtful the Romans would have made any attempt to follow the Jewish law in this matter, but the Jews had an ancient law prohibiting more than forty lashes. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (or flagellum) in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back, and legs.

At first the thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped. The half-fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood.

The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still need a crown to make their travesty complete. Flexible branches covered with long thorns (commonly used in bundles for firewood) are plaited into the shape of a crown and this is pressed into His scalp. Again there is copious bleeding, the scalp being one of the most vascular areas of the body.

After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from His back. Already having adhered to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, its removal causes excruciating pain just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, and almost as though He were again being whipped the wounds once more begin to bleed. In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans return His garments. The heavy patibulum of the cross is tied across His shoulders, and the procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion begins its slow journey along the Via Dolorosa.

In spite of His efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious blood loss, is too much. He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to get on with the crucifixion, selects a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus follows, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock, until the 650 yard journey from the fortress Antonia to Golgotha is finally completed. Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic mixture. He refuses to drink. Simon is ordered to place the patibulum on the ground and Jesus quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms to tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum is then lifted in place at the top of the stipes and the titulus reading, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” is nailed in place.

The left foot is now pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain — the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves.

As He pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of the feet. At this point, as the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by his arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen.

It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences recorded:

The first, looking down at the Roman soldiers throwing dice for His seamless garment, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

The second, to the penitent thief, “Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise.”

The third, looking down at the terrified, grief-stricken adolescent John — the beloved Apostle — he said, “Behold thy mother.” Then, looking to His mother Mary, “Woman behold thy son.”

The fourth cry is from the beginning of the 22nd Psalm, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?”

Jesus experienced hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain where tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins -- a terrible crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart. One remembers again the 22nd Psalm, the 14th verse: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.”

It is now almost over. The loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level; the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissue; the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasps His fifth cry, “I thirst.” One remembers another verse from the prophetic 22nd Psalm: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death.” A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine which is the staple drink of the Roman legionaries, is lifted to His lips. He apparently doesn’t take any of the liquid.

The body of Jesus is now in extremes, and He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brings out His sixth words, possibly little more than a tortured whisper, “It is finished.” His mission of atonement has completed. Finally He can allow his body to die.

With one last surge of strength, he once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His seventh and last cry, “Father! Into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

The rest you know. In order that the Sabbath not be profaned, the Jews asked that the condemned men be dispatched and removed from the crosses. The common method of ending a crucifixion was by crurifracture, the breaking of the bones of the legs. This prevented the victim from pushing himself upward; thus the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest and rapid suffocation occurred. The legs of the two thieves were broken, but when the soldiers came to Jesus they saw that this was unnecessary.

Apparently, to make doubly sure of death, the legionnaire drove his lance through the fifth interspace between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. The 34th verse of the 19th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John reports: “And immediately there came out blood and water.” That is, there was an escape of water fluid from the sac surrounding the heart, giving postmortem evidence that Our Lord died not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure (a broken heart) due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.

Thus we have had our glimpse — including the medical evidence — of that epitome of evil which man has exhibited toward Man and toward God. It has been a terrible sight, and more than enough to leave us despondent and depressed. How grateful we can be that we have the great sequel in the infinite mercy of God toward man — at once the miracle of the atonement (at one ment) and the expectation of the triumphant Easter morning.

Are you moved by what Jesus did for you on the cross? Do you want to receive the salvation Jesus purchased for you at Calvary with His own blood? Pray this prayer with me:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave to give me life. I know You are the only way to God so now I want to quit disobeying You and start living for You. Please forgive me, change my life and show me how to know You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I am sharing this with you as it was shared by me through Susie's Corner GSusieQ@aol.com

I pray as we all slow down a bit and truly see with clear eyes, all that Jesus did for us.

I wish all of you & your families a wonderful Easter.

Love & HUGS~Donna

Watch Out For Zombies

2009-03-31T11:42:00.002-05:00

Watch Out for the Zombies!

We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as at twilight; we are as dead men in desolate places. - Isaiah 59:9b-10. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-5.But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." - Ephesians 5:13-14.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11.

Did you know that it is very likely that there are zombies you will encounter and that you will see walking around you every day? According to Dictionary dot com, one definition of a zombie is "the body of a dead person given the semblance of life, but mute and will-less, by a supernatural force, usually for some evil purpose."

Now that would be somewhat frightening to think that there may be dead people who look like they are alive residing perhaps in the home next to yours. Just how are you to determine when you go to the grocery store which checkout clerk is alive and which one is dead - it is hard to determine just by looking at someone.

In December of 1979 it was published in the Journal of the Tennessee Medical Association that there is a "Walking Zombie Syndrome." The condition was defined as those in which depression and withdrawal lead these individuals to unconsciously believe that they are dead. It is not really all that surprising that when these zombies are told that they unconsciously believe themselves to be dead, they persist in denying it even when their symptoms and behavior affirm the diagnosis. It is strange, but there are apparently thousands, maybe even millions of zombies walking around on the streets every day.

Even more strange than the Tennessee Medical Association’s zombie syndrome is the spiritual fact of the walking dead who are spiritually blinded by the god of this age (i.e. the devil - 2 Corinthians 4:3). Their condition is described very well by the prophet Isaiah "We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as at twilight; we are as dead men in desolate places."

These walking dead are those who are dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). In other words; they do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they have not been born again (John 3:3), and Jesus has not made them alive (Ephesians 2:1). The good news is that there is an effective treatment for the spiritually dead. All that a spiritually dead person needs to do to be made alive and have eternal life is simply to believe upon Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 3:16).

So, if you have a zombie residing next door to you or even in the same home with you, why not tell them the good news?

Copyright © 2009. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited. The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998 the email version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.

This was an eye opener for me! I had never looked at it from this perspective. But it makes complete sense. I hope this devotional has been a blessing to all that read it.

HUGS~Donna

What were your favorite places to go~that are not there any more?

2009-03-06T12:58:00.007-06:00

I was reading the 25 things that people miss and are no longer around. here is the AOL link below. It brought back a lot of good memories for me. One of my most favorite places as a child to visit, was Sambo's. It was a wonderful restaurant. My sister and I always looked forward to our Saturday family breakfast there at Sambo's. What was your favorite memory or 2 of places no longer around.

If you could please pass this around to your friends as well. I'd like to get a great response to this question. With so much going on with our economy, I thought it would be fun to walk down memory lane for a bit :).

BTW the picture above caught my eye. I love old buildings. This was called.....

Living on the coast in Virginia, we could stop at (Kresges) and get four submarine sandwiches for a dollar. They would last all day!! Buckroe Beach loved Kresges! The chocolate stars at the candy counter!"

Wow I'd love that store too lol. This was a comment left by an AOL user.

Okay here is the AOL link to look at some 25 missed things. Please add yours to the list. This includes everyone. Not just from the U.S. but from all over. Send pictures if you have them. I hope this will be a fun post for everyone. I look forward to reading all of yours as well.

Places We Miss Most - WalletPop

HUGS~Donna

The Visit To The Dentist!

2009-02-24T18:29:00.006-06:00

First I'd like to thank you ladies for welcoming me back to blogger. HUGS~to all of you.

Well, lets talk about the dentist. First I have not been to a dentist in Nineteen years. Okay I know y'all sucked all the air out of the room after reading that lol.

For many reasons I didn't go...fear, no insurance, fear..oh I said that twice lol, It's expensive and we never seemed to have the money honestly. My teeth were always very healthy, white no cavities or anything. When I was about 4 years into my diabetes I noticed my teeth were starting to trouble me. I started seeing my teeth break off little pieces at a time. From then on it was little by little, and honestly as long as I had good front teeth I didn't worry.

This past year my teeth rapidly started breaking off and plain just falling out of my mouth! it's a disease your teeth get when you have diabetes, but I cannot remember the name. That's what was happening to me.

So today they did a through oral exam, lots of X-rays, and castings for my upper and lower teeth. I have severe tooth decay in my mouth and gums, most of my bottom teeth we will be able to save and just have a parcel for that. My upper mouth will also have a mini denture or percale as I have 4 that will be taken out, plus the two I'm already missing. They are also going to have to do gum surgery, since the decay is below my teeth line.

Today he put me on heavy antibiotics~as he found that I had a rampant bacterial infection to go along with every thing else. He put me on heavy pain meds till the antibiotic start to work. I had to get a very special kind of tooth paste from them and mouth wash as this along with antibiotics will kill the bacteria infection. The tube of toothpaste which is called "GC MI Paste Plus was $35.00 for a 4 oz tube! I use it twice a day and have to leave the tooth paste on my teeth for 30 minutes each time. The PerioRX mouthwash was $15.00.

The visit today was $420.00. Thanks to our dental plan I only had to pay $86.00!!! LORD was I thankful.

I go back late next week for a re-check to make sure the infection is gone. He will also discuss how many teeth exactly he will be pulling out. They are already making the dentures and partial, so that when he pulls out most of my top teeth in the one visit, he will be able to have my new dentures to put in the same day.

He is an excellent dentist and I will never go any where again. The facility is so clean and sterile. Everyone is wonderful, helpful and polite. The dentist wants as much input as I'm willing to ask when it comes to questions. He told me everything he was going to do before he did it. Wow. Why can't there be more dentist like that? Heck I would have gone long ago. But as I said before raising a family, no insurance and only one of use working we just could never make it work.

So I am so very thankful that with the dental insurance I can actually get help. I tell you truthfully my confidence has been shattered since my teeth just started falling out. I am afraid to smile or talk to someone just in case they may see my teeth or lack of them.

I cannot wait till all the work is done and with confidence I can smile and feel good about it once again.

HUGS~To all,

Donna

Good Morning Everyone

2009-02-24T05:24:00.008-06:00

I pray all is well with everyone. I have missed all of you and your journals. I can't believe that I am 4 days shy of not posting for two-months now!

Mark is doing so well with the management of his diabetes. He went back to the Drs. last week and they are going to start him on just oral meds now! No more insulin pens for Mark! I am really praying that the oral diabetic meds will be all that he will ever need. Mark has made great strides to become more educated with diabetes and how to manage it. I'm so proud of him.

I too am off of the insulin! I am very happy about that. We are both eating better and both of us are losing weight.

I am still missing my precious Laci. I seem to think about her allot still. I still have all of her things and the blankie she use to sleep in. Bella our English springer spaniel was Laci's best friend. Bella took it hard after Laci passed on. Now Bella just seems to cling to me strongly. She never wants to leave my side & follows me from room to room. Which I don't mind at all. I just ache that her best furbaby friend is gone.

Abigail~Bella's daughter is more attached to our cats than she was to Laci. But thank goodness Bella has Abigail.

Here in Florida we have had a very unusually cold Winter. Which is rare for us! Normally in January we are walking around in shorts and regular Spring~Summer out fits. Not this year! Everyone has been wearing long johns, coats and double clothing lol. Were such wimps when we actually get really cold weather lol. Bless all of you who have really had it hard this Winter! We have seen a lot of freezing temperatures and very cold days here. I was thrilled with it. I Love Winter time :). But alas by this coming Thursday we will be climbing into the high 70's *sigh.* Before we know it everyone will be hitting the beaches...including me lol.

I am dreadfully going to the dentist today. I have a bad tooth that started acting up last week. I figured if I baby-ed it-it might subside. NOT, over the weekend *of course* it got worse. It started hurting really bad when I tried eating anything hot or cold and even tepid. I started using the liquid anbesol to try and numb it. It worked a little but wore off quickly. Even the Sensodyne tooth paste wasn't helping. By Sunday night it was hurting me to eat even cream of chicken soup. Yesterday I remembered our daughter had brought home one of those miniature bottles of Bacardi Rum! Yep I started using that to take away the pain. Not drinking it lol, but rubbing it on my gums and tooth. It definitely took the edge off and lasted a lot longer than the Anbesol. I was actually able to eat soft foods without the sensitivity pain yay. So as glad as I will be to get out of pain today, I am a scardy cat when it comes to dentist :).

I'll try and post later today about my adventure at the dentist :).

HUGS~to all,

Donna

Amazing Video By Billy Joel~We didn't start the fire

2008-12-28T13:18:00.003-06:00

A guy decided to put images of our history to Billy Joel's song & make it into a historical video.
I hope you guys enjoy it.

Click on the above link and it will start the video.

HUGS~Donna

Merry Christmas Too All Ü

2008-12-24T23:45:00.007-06:00

The real reason for this precious season. Merry Christmas! I pray for each and everyone of you and your families to have a wonderful 2009!

Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:8-14
CommentaryMerry Christmas! This famous passage of Scripture is the most beloved in our day recounting the birth of the Christ. The contrast is striking. Shepherds were regarded as one of the lowest castes of the culture in their day. They lived outside the cities and were not allowed to participate in many events. Yet to whom do the angels proclaim their good news? Who hears the greatest choir in the universe? The shepherds. The picture of the outcasts with the magnificent gives us a glimpse into the heart of God. He takes the parts of our lives that we regard as unclean and proclaims good news. He opens our hearts to tell us what He is about to do in our generation. May we be in a position to hear the angels and join in the purposes of God for our time.Today's commentary by:Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

HUGS~Donna

Mark is home from the hospital

2008-12-23T14:57:00.003-06:00

I am behind in posting an up date, but this all happened last Tuesday night 12/16/08

Mark was able to get out of the hospital late Sunday night. We both have been exhausted, worried, scared and trying to figure out a schedule for all his shots. Here's the post I wrote the other day.

Mark is doing fine now praise the LORD. This past Tuesday night 12/16/08 I got very concerned about Mark. He had been sleeping allot, losing weight rapidly, drinking so much fluid that Mark was to full to eat @ times. I made him a gallon of tea before I made his dinner Tuesday night. Within 3 hours he had the gallon of tea just about gone!

So I asked Mark to let me check his sugar. he said no as he felt fine. I asked Mark again to just appease me & let me check his sugar. So I did. His sugar was over 500 on my machine! I re-checked his sugar and and got the same exact numbers. Our daughter Brittany & I took him straight to the hospital.

He gave a urine sample so that the Drs. could get a better number. They did...they come back with the numbers at 649!!! They slapped him right into the hospital ASAP. He was considered "newly diagnosed." Diabetic type 2. So we got him set up in the hospital room and the Dr's. all started working on him and starting insulin. Mark was very sick. Our Dr. has been practicing medicine for 50 years now-and he told Mark that he has never seen anyone with that high of a sugar reading without going into a coma. I really got scared then.

But the Dr's. & nurses were amazing and so patient and helpful. Well, over the next 5 days they worked on getting Mark to a safe level for his sugar.

In 4 days they were able to drop the sugar by 400 points. Slowly of course.
We had the diabetes coordinator come talk with Mark and she helped him with a lot of his worries and questions. Well, late last "Sunday" night they 12/21/08 discharged Mark out of the hospital.

I took Mark to to walmart & I got Mark his own machine and all his supplies to check his sugar. that go with it.

Then we got His Lantus SolorStar insulin pen, and his Novalong insulin pen that he will take before each meal. Plus he's on Actos 15 mg once a day to also help control his sugar. His Lantus Mark he gets once a day right before bedtime-35 units. The Novalog is on a sliding scale. The amount of units I give Mark is decided by me checking Mark's sugar right before he eats his 3 meals a day.

We are happy to be home yet scared at the same time.
I too am type 2 diabetic and I also take the Lantus Solostar insulin pen, plus meds. But as high as Mark's sugar got I really need to get serious about how I take care of myself and my diabetes! So that I can help Mark become better with his. While Mark was in the hospital, they did a lot of blood work. His Dr. said Mark's A1C is 12.6! A good A1C for a diabetic is 6.2 So we are going to work hard to get him to a safe level.

I am just trying to stay one step ahead of it all, and to make sure I feed mark & myself the right foods and portions. Our families have all been so supportive and helpful. Thank you LORD for families!

Okay-this is going to start looking like a letter lol. So I'll close for now.
BTW I have not been home since Tuesday night, so I know I have missed allot of every ones posting. If something critical happened or someone needed prayer please send them to me via e-mail: ladymagnolia1963@...

Love, HUGS & Blessings to all of you and your families Ü.

Donna

Mark's 36 ft fall 3 years ago today

2008-12-09T12:51:00.008-06:00

Mark's 36 ft fall 3 years ago today

The writing of this is 12/9/05

From the beginning 12/5/05 to 12/9/05 (The accident)

But right now I am really going through a bad anxiety attack and thought it would feel better if I just journal ed...so here goes. I believe the panic and anxiety attacks lately come from "mostly" the fact that Mark returned to work a few weeks ago. Mark was out from work for 19 months because of his catastrophic injuries. If you'd like to read more on that it is my first Journal entry.Mark and I have been together since we were 15 and we are both in our 40's now. The reason I'm sharing that is to say we are very close and have done just about everything together. So when Mark was out for 19 months I loved having him around all the time. I will say this....when something catastrophic happens in your life everything forever changes. Good and bad.

Walk with me.....December 5th 2005: Our daughter Brittany has her 19th Birthday. We celebrate it with our unofficial adopted son RJ and his beautiful wife Lexi and their precious babies. I have my Mark and Brittany has her beau Kenton with her. We are all at a beautiful restaurant celebrating life and happiness, not to mention that RJ and Lexi are leaving the following afternoon for their home in Germany (their both Army). The night ends blissful and we say our good byes to RJ and Lexi and wish them a safe trip back to Germany.

Our baby girl in the mean time is now 19 and is growing up Ü.Life goes by, we stay busy, walking around life in a bubble *that's what it felt like later in the story.* Mark and I since we have been together have always talked on the phone 2-3 x a day from age of 15 to present age. But the day of Mark's accident the strangest thing is...I didn't call him. Friday December 9th 2005 I have Drs appointments all day long back to back almost. We don't have a car right now so our son Mark is coming by to take Brittany and I too the Drs. appointments. So here we are all hanging out together and goofing off in between Dr appointments. On the way home we stop at a Wendy's and order food to go. When we get into the house I realize I had not called Mark today? I get this strange feeling. Brittany aka Boo says she has a message on the phone from Kenton can she call him before I call daddy. So I let her. As soon as Boo starts speaking on the phone to Kenton and I saw her face I knew it was bad and that it was Mark. The fear Instantly hit me. What happened is 1. I had been so busy all day I didn't call Mark. 2. We didn't have a cell phone at the time and so I didn't know that Mark had been in a life threating accident. He was hurt at 11:00 A.M. that morning *the time I normally call him*I have to pause for a moment here. As it makes me cry and shake to know how bad Mark was hurt and I was so unaware. We did not get home from Drs and Wendy's till 2:00 that afternoon. So Mark had been hurt several hours prior to this, no one could find or contact me in anyway. Mark's Mom was the second call and she was there when I got too the ER around 3:00. Kenton Boo's beau was one of the people they contacted to try and find us. That's why Boo's face went pale while talking to Kenton. And some how God let me know instantly that it was about my Mark. I want to write this all down...the anxiety is so strong and my hands are just shaking terribly! So I run into the ER as soon as we get there and I get to the ER and see all the family, Church friends and Pastors, Mark's boss all in this one small room. I run towards my MIL and ask her if Mark has died? She said no Donna, but it's bad. I was hysterical at this point. To know that my strong Mark could be hurt so terribly bad was unfathomable to me. To me he was the 'rock" in the family.

When I got to Mark after calming down some-because they wouldn't let me see him till I did. The first time I saw him he didn't see me. But all I could see was both Mark's hands cast-ed above his elbow. I turned away quickly and started crying again. I pulled myself together, because that's what Mark would have done and I wanted to be like him now. He has always been my example. Mark was already in shock when I saw him in the ER. He looked ok from the outside so to speak. He had mud every where and blood caked in his eyes and nose. I tried not to cry but you can't look at someone you love so much and in that kind of pain without crying. I know I tried!

How the accident happened 12/9/08

Mark is a commercial plumber. That means he works on buildings and high rises that are going up before the walls and insides are put together. The Friday he got hurt Mark was up 36 feet. Mark leaned over a thick cable that worked like a balcony line would so that you wouldn't fall from where you are. Well, The cable was supposed to be secured and taut so that you could reach/lean over it and bring up your materials in the bucket. Mark went to reach over and the cable that was not secured snapped and Mark fell 36 feet to the ground. They *the crew* said Mark on the way down somehow tried to grab the cable line and not fall all 36ft, but all that happened was it slammed Mark up against the building hurting him even more before he hit the ground. Praise God that the 2 days before Mark fell we had-had a rain storm-because Mark fell into the only mud puddle on that construction site! They the *Drs.* after Mark started recovering said that mud puddle might have saved his life so to speak. If it had been hard and dry....They don't believe he would have survived.

So here we are at the ER and Mark is needing to go into ICU. By Saturday Morning he's in ICU and hooked up to pain meds. They tell me that Mark was in bad shape. Mark crushed his lungs, Lacerated his Liver and Spleen, tried going into kidney failure, Mark had crushed both wrist bones to pieces, both his cheek bones-what they call under your eyes *orbital* bones both of them were broke, His right eye was popping out, he had a tramatic brain injury bleed at the frontal lobe on his left side.

Saturday was a fearful bleak day. I was so scared and my family, Mark's family, our children were crying trying to find out if Mark was going to make it, what they were doing for him etc...

Sunday was worse. When I got to the ICU that early morning some time during the night they had to put my baby into an induced coma. I walk in not knowing this and all I see is a life support system!!! I fall to pieces and hit the floor. I cannot tell you the fear, worry, hurt, un sureness that you feel in a moment like that. I have never had so many emotions take over me at one time and try so hard to express themselves separately! The nurses ran for me and someone got the Dr.

The Dr. said Mark was unable to breathe on his own because of the severity of the crushed lungs. They said that he had swallowed allot of the gunk from the construction site mud puddle and his lungs were filled with it. Plus the internal injuries Mark had sustained. They could not get Mark's blood pressure or heart rate under control. One minute his heart rate was beating like a marathon runner. The other his heart would drop down to 30 beats per minute. I would just start crying and tell Mark to breath and get that heart rate up. If it went past a minute and his heart rate did not come up on it's own, they would have to give Mark something to help it out. So they had to put him under. I shiver thinking of this.

A life support system is a wonderful thing for technology. Yet when it's hooked up to your loved one it's a love hate relationship with that machine. You are thankful that it's there but you hate the noises and hisses it makes constantly. Constantly reminding you that someone's life is hanging by a thread and that thread happens to be my husband!

It's funny how your mind plays like a reel on a movie screen. Because I went over that day in my mind a million times. I remember Mark getting ready for work that morning. He was drinking coffee, I was still snuggled in bed, He gave me a kiss and I said my prayers over him. The last thing I remember of good that morning was him opening the front door, smiling and saying I'll see ya this afternoon. But he didn't......

Because that day our world was forever changed and Mark didn't walk through that door that afternoon.

Mark was in ICU and on life support for almost 8 weeks. Mark got phnemoia (sp?) then he got 2 staf infections. One in his lungs and one in his kidneys. He got a total of 10 blood transfusions in between this time. He was not bleeding internal but they needed the blood for extra oxygen for Mark's body not to shut down. Then he had a superbug for 10 days. he ran a fever of 103 for those 10 days. The Drs were working frantically to find a mixture of antibiotics that would kill the superbug. Finally after 10 straight days Mark's fever broke! Everyone is cheering. The Drs. start bringing Mark out of the coma. it took them 3 days and many tries before Mark woke up :). I could feel the angels singing :). Each day Mark was improving :)! Finally he was let go from ICU to what's called step down care. So he was in the hospital for another 10 days. Then he was transported to a rehab place-where they had like little apartments, so I moved in and stayed 24/7. Mark just had his treach out so he was trying to talk-he sounded beautiful :). Mark had to re-learn how to eat, walk, talk, dress himself, etc. He went through 4-6 hours a day of cognative and physical therapy. This lasted a little over a month. We even celebrated our 23 rd anniversary in rehab :). Best gift I could ever have was the one right in front of me :).

Miracles...Mark was scheduled for surgery to repair both hands and arms. They explained to me that both of mark's wrist and arms would have rods, screws and some other kind of titanium in there as well. But Mark was so sick he couldn't go through surgery. The orto Dr. came into ICU a few times a week and would set Mark's bones as well as he could. So Mark never had to have surgery and get all that stuff into his body. Then when Mark went to have trecha surgery they were going to put mesh inside his cheecks as they could not fix the bones. As his Mom and I waited for the surgery to end-Mark's Dr. come's into the family room an hour earlier than he told us he would be. My heart dropped. But his Dr. was smiling. he said I don't know how to say this but Mark's bones are not crushed any more. He knew it was the hand of God. We all did.

So where lies my anxieties and panic attacks I was first writing about. From the first moment of this accident I have always felt guilty about not calling Mark that day. For one of us not to call the other that is so unlike us. I blamed myself for the accident. I know it's crazy but I feel it and have always. You know the *what if* game. What "if" I did this or what "if" I had of said this etc....

That's what I was doing to myself. What If I had of called Mark. Of course the accident still would have happened, because the cable was faulty and not secured. But in my mind I see Mark going to lean over and his phone rings and he backs away from the cable and he doesn't fall. That's the kind of what *Ifs* I have.

Now that he's back to work I can't eat or sleep. I have been working on these entries for hours now because I can only write so much without getting upset still.

I'm scared if I fall asleep I won't here the phone ring if something happens. Not only to Mark but anyone in my family. I worry all day long about Mark. Even if not externally-internally like a low rumbling in a volcano that goes un-noticed but you feel it.

Then there's the "last happy moment" reel before Mark was hurt. I keep seeing him at the door that morning Smiling at me, saying he loves me and that he will see me that afternoon. But he doesn't.

I can't eat because I'm to tired and to anxious. My nerves are shot @ the moment. I am going on my 3rd day of not sleeping. I want to sleep I just can't seem to calm down enough to do it.

Mark's only been back to work 2 weeks and I'm a basket case! Where do I go from here? How do I move forward with so much worry, fear, anxiety and trembling? These are questions I am really asking myself. It has taken me this long just to write the first entry down about Mark working. I figured if I write it down I can see it and it exist and it's real. I want to be strong for Mark, I want to be strong for God and for all the wonderful miracles and love he's given us. But I feel I keep letting God, Mark and myself down right now.

The first journal I ever read when I got back onto AOL journals was (don't take life for granted ) That sums it up. Love, Love. Love and don't let petty things get in the way. Those petty things may last you a life time of remorse if you never see that person again.

So today and every day remember the ones we love may never walk in our front door again. Don't put off saying I'm sorry or that I love you. Don't let one of you leave that day with harsh words or pride-for if they do not return to you-it will be that last thing you will always remember.

I want to share a song Mark dedicated to me many years ago to express how much he loved me.

How Important that song would become only God knows. My answer would be an absolute YES!

Here it is on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yob9uObCaUc

By Garth Brooks

If Tomorrow Never Comes

Too all my friends here at blogger

2008-11-29T21:28:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you, that have been here for me. Laci's passing really devastated me.
But all of you kept me glued together. By your prayers, warmness, love, understanding, compassion, advice or just a hug and saying you knew what I was feeling. Plus sharing about your lost loved fur-babies to help me understand why I hurt so much for Laci.

You guys have been so supportive and caring through this hard time for me. I can't begin to tell you all just how Important each and every post was.

But I can thank you from the deepest part of my heart-Thank you! I pray I continue to be just as good of a friend to all of you. You guys are amazingly wonderful friends!

Love & HUGS to all of you~Donna

Trampled To Death

2008-11-28T20:58:00.007-06:00

Click on above link to go straight to the story.

This article truly made me sick to my stomach. I am so angry! How can people be & act out with such greed! OMG it's just friggin worldly material things-that some think they cannot do without OR that they'll be their childs, Aunt, Best friends etc..hero. And boast at how and what they had to do to get that most perfect gift! And for that a man lost his life? Is this what most of our society is made up of now. It's very discouraging.

I wonder how many of these people-will, have remorse over this mans death. Did they continue their greedy shopping sprees? The blood that was spilled (alagory there) for those insignificant trinkets that will be passed down to their friends and family members? (I'm speaking of the ones that helped trample the man to death).

And just as disturbing is the fact that people were "again" waiting to "get back into the same store" while they look on past the crime scene tape!

I feel so sad for the family members who lost a loved one today because of other peoples lust for greed. We really do live in a microwave world.

UP-DATE 11 PM

I forgot to mention that there were also four others that had minor injuries & were sent to the hospital to be checked out. One of the injured was a lady who was 8 months pregnant. They just announced that she lost the baby.

:( . My heart just breaks for those precious families, who are left to cry, mourn and ache with so much pain.

You Have Our Attention, LordA prayer by Max Lucado - October 2008

Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing

This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous -
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What's Next?”

What is next?

We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, You warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.

You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it.
And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?

Of course You can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.

Through Christ, Amen

God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)

Know Jesus/Know PeaceNo Jesus/No Peace

Love & HUGS to all~Donna

My precious Chihuahua Laci passed in the middle of the night

2008-11-19T15:04:00.009-06:00

Does anyone here know how to post a tribute for a furbaby? I have heard of Rainbow bridge before-I hope that's the right name. Pictures of our Laci below.

In Loving memory

Our Laci Ann passed away between 1:45 AM till I found her near my computer chair-where she always sits to be next to me. I found her at 2:30 AM. Laci was 13 yrs old as of last month. Laci had a bad heart. She was on heart medicine and lasix. Lasix was for the fluid she had around her heart. Bless her heart-I guess it wasen't enough. She had been having more frequent coughing and wheezing spells in the last month. When this happened only my husband Mark could calm her down. Mark had a lazyboy chair that she would sit in and on her favorite blankie. We'd all love on her and fuss over her till she got through the worst part. Then she was her ole laci again.

Last night Laci seemed to be in a particularly bad coughing and wheezing spell. Laci always sleeps with us. We tried for about 30 minutes to help her calm down. But she didn't want to sit still, be held or anything. So I asked Mark if he would take Laci and go sleep in the lazyboy chair & see if that would calm her down.

I guess I fell asleep after I knew she would feel better with Mark. But around 2:30 AM I jumped out of bed to make sure Laci was all right. As I entered the livingroom I didn't see Laci in the lazyboy with Mark. I panicked and woke Mark up. I asked him where Laci was at? he thought she was still with him. He asked me to go see if maybe she went and crawled into bed with Brittany (our daughter). So just as I was about to run to Brittany's room...I saw my precious Laci. Right next to my computer chair. I don't think I'll ever get the memory out of my head of seeing my Laci dead.

By this time I was crying, falling next to my Laci. I knew she was gone from us. Mark tried to pick her up and I wouldn't let anyone move her. I wasen't ready yet. But all I could do was sit there and cry. Brittany was crying, Mark was trying to be strong for us girls but even he couldn't hold the tears back.

I asked Mark to get the large shoe box in my closet for me. I got up and got 2 of my newest extra long and softest Holiday kitchen towels to cover her up in. Some how I wanted her to have something new, soft and never used.

I laid the first one in the box like a blanket. Then I asked Mark to please pick her up with the other soft towel and lay her gently in the box. She looked like an angel, just asleep.

We live in a mobile home park-so I was worried that some animal might get to her, which made me cry even harder. So I asked Mark to get the duct tape and make sure it was completely secured. Then I remember just holding the box with her in it and not wanting to let go!! Mark finally took the box from me-with sadness in his eyes. He knew I didn't want to let go of her.

Then Brittany wrote her feelings about what Laci meant to her on top of the box. Then I did the same. Lastly we wrote her date of birth 10-28-1995 to 11/19-2008.

I asked Mark to please make her grave really, really deep, so that she wouldn't be disturbed. He did.

So in the middle of the night we all said our good-bye's and laid our precious Laci in her resting place.

Laci was mine and Brittany's first furbaby that we'd had from birth till death. Laci was a gift to Brittany from her dad and I when Brittany was 10. Laci's Mom was our first Chihuahua. So we watched Laci come into this world. We called her Laci, because when she was born-she looked the color of a beautiful old timey cream colored lace.

Laci was not just a dog as some will say. In fact we don't call any of our furbabies *dogs* to me that word seems inadequate. Laci was a member of our family-one who gave all of her heart and unconditional love to us all, till the very end.

Sleep well my precious Laci. You will never be forgotten.

Love you~Mom
[http://www.dogster.com/dogs/446276] Laci's page & pictures

Join the Dogster community

To all the furbaby lovers out there-A beautiful video

2008-11-12T11:49:00.001-06:00

Nightline Inside Account of U.S. Eavesdropping on Americans

2008-10-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

ABC News: Exclusive: Inside Account of U.S. Eavesdropping on Americans

I have been following politics for a while now. Each day seemes to become bigger and bigger news and fall outs. I am in no way savvy of how all this comes together @ times. But I believe I am trying to be and stay an informed American who dose not want to close her eyes while the government continues to lie to us.

You are very welcomed to comment on "this subject" and speak your mind on how you feel about our economy, and where you see it going in the future.

Just click on the link above.

Luv & HUGS~Donna

The Parable Of The Spoons~Beautiful Story

2008-10-04T18:33:00.000-05:00

This is from a very old entry of mine. I posted it like 4 years ago.

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. "The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand." It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves.

After reading this, it made me sit back and say wow!

Just Watched Iron Man Tonight

2008-10-03T23:45:00.000-05:00

I thought I would put up some pixs of Iron Man :-). I did not like Robert Downey Jr in his young and younger years. He was such a jerk. But this movie impressed me. And he looks pretty handsome also :-). I don't think anyone else could have pulled this movie off.

The movie was really good & clean. That's a rare thing in these day and times. So if you have not seen it yet-it's worth watching. If you have watched it what did you think of it? Remember don't give away any of the movie. We don't want to spoil it for the one's that have not seen it yet.

I was so excited when I went to post this-and saw so many of you from J-Land!!! Big HUGS and happiness that you are here! I will be reading journals either tonight or tomorrow. But for the first time in days I do not feel so panicky over thinking I was going too lose so many wonderful friends!

On another note-Has anyone figured out how to get our journal entries moved over here. I am clueless in this department. Any help would be so appreciated.

Luv & HUGS to all of you~Donna

Another beautiful Day!

2008-10-03T11:23:00.002-05:00

I just love Fall and Winter months. Today is so pretty here in Florida. A cool breeze and a little nip in the air. Even our furbabies wanted to stay out longer. They love just sitting and sniffing the different smells :-).

Other than that not much of anything has been going on today. Isn't that terrible lol. Today is just really quiet and calm.

Brittany our daughter rented a DVD last night. It's the "new' little mermaid "Ariel's Beginning." It seems like a cute movie, even for a daughter who is 22 *grinning.* She grew up with the little mermaid, The Land Before Time and movies like that.

Our son Mark brought over the entire series of the "X Files" for me to watch. Yay no dang commercials :-). So this weekend would be a good time to put a dent in them.

I'm also reading a book that I got off of Paper back swap-called Jane and His Lordship's Legacy-By Jane Austin.

I'm waiting on 2 more books to come in the mail. The one I am really waiting on is called "Pillar Of The Earth. It's about (As a new age dawns in England's twelfth century, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral sets the stage for a story of intrigue and power, revenge and betrayal.) It will be the longest book I have read, it has 983 pages! Can you tell I'm a bookworm :-).

Okay closing up shop. I'm just bored to tears today. Maybe Mark and I can go out to dinner tonight :-). Olive Garden sounds good right now.

Until later...
Luv & HUGS~Donna

Hello...Migrating from AOL Journal

2008-10-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

I am sure that many of you have heard the buzz about AOL journal's closing down very soon. A lot of people are pretty upset about it. Myself, I just feel sad. Sad that I will miss allot of my old friends-that were like family to me over there. But I also realize that somethings are not meant to last forever. AOL journal being one of them.

I have heard rave reviews about Blogger. So since it was so highly recommended, I decided this would be a great place to start over:-).

I look forward to seeing a lot of my old friends over here & making new ones @ Blogger. I am still learning how to do things over here at Blogger. But I at least wanted to say hello to all here. I will put up my Introduction sometime today.

I look forward to reading your comments and visiting your blogs.

HUGS~Donna