december 21, 2007 - “O favored one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28 AMP)

top of the evening, friends....

well, here it is less than a week before Christmas, and i haven't sent a single card out! forgive me. with all that's been going on, i have been very remiss. thank you all for the Christmas cards and continued thoughts and prayers, particularly during this holiday season. They mean more than you know.

i visited my plastic surgeon on tuesday. he was extremely pleased with the progress on my hand and even cleared me for strength exercises. until now, we simply worked on range of motion. he looked at my leg and once again described how unoptimistic he was when we started this journey and how pleased he is now that i have kept my leg and will soon (hopefully) be walking again. that really encouraged me!

i had therapy twice this week and my physical therapist is also pleased with my progress. she says that most of my hand function is normal - which was also very encouraging.

on thursday, i traveled to jackson, ohio to check on two of my elderly friends: ernestine abrams and joyce channel. ernestine was one of my neighbors when i lived down south. she is now in a nursing home in jackson. she is 90 years old and can certainly use your prayers. joyce is a member of my old church family. i got to visit her at home and catch up on everything. she recently had back surgery and could too, use some prayers for healing.

jane hawthorn - it was wonderful talking with you. gosh, it's been 25 years since we've seen each other or talked! i hope you have an opportunity to visit so we can catch up as well. may God bless you and your family!

kim campbell - i am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. as you know, my own mom passed 2 years ago and there's not a day that goes by that i don't think of her. you spent a lot of quality time with your mom over the last year. you can cherish those memories forever. please call if i can do anything.

ernie & jane howard - thank you so much for the lovely centerpiece! you guys are too much! i hope you and your family have a great holiday. please say "hi" to dexter and francie for me too. who knows....maybe i'll see you in middletown soon.

my OFLS staff - thank you guys and gals for the "trader joes" card. you have no idea how much that will come in handy with my eating problem! i appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for the jobs you do all year long. i'm so blessed to work with such quality people!

nora fish - i traveled through your neighborhood the other day in a quest to walk my dogs. i didn't know which house you lived in, or i'd have stopped. you have been so faithful to pray for my recovery. even though we've never met, i feel a special bond with you. thanks so much for your cards and prayers. please send my regards to cheryl and jed.

elzie - dianna said she really didn't care about your "feel good factor"...she just wants cold, hard cash....lol furthermore...."fred astaire????" we don't freakin' think so!

kelley & glenna williams - i hope you continue to get nourished in my absence!

dan richhart - merry Christmas to you as well, my friend! i really miss your "joke of the day."

nurse julie - thanks for the blog entry. i hope you knee continues to heal. please keep me posted.

colonel butch & brenda collins - thank you so much for the book! i appreciate you thinking of me and the rest of the senior staff during this holiday season. i will read and cherish it! while i haven't yet read the book, i have heard of tony dungy and his inspirational faith. what's the latest on officer cory winfield? we've all had him in our thoughts and prayers.

quote for the day:

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires...courage."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

until we talk again.....expect to be blessed,

lisa - 1095