july 16, 2008 - What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27)

top of the afternoon friends....

well....sunday, july 13, 2008 marked a year since our motorcycle crash. what a difference a year has made! who would have guessed we'd be hit off duty by an impaired driver? who would have thought i'd have to retire? but....things are how they should be. God continues to work in my life in ways i never thought possible. this event has stretched me more than i could have ever imagined and i've found determination that i never knew i had. soon, i hope to finish formal physical therapy and walk without assistance. today, i walked a mile, then went to therapy. it continues to be difficult, but i can definitely tell i'm getting stronger with each day.

thanks to everyone for all the prayers for my dad. they definitely worked! he has been deemed cancer free, however, he does go into the hospital late this month to have an ulcer repaired. the drs. will take out a small portion of his small intestine to remove the irritated area. he will be in the hospital for 5-7 days, and will have a tube from his nose to his stomach for at least 4 days to ensure there is no leakage in the repaired area. the surgeon said it is a serious surgery, but much better than what i could have been. he's nervous, but optimistic.

school is continuing....dianna and i only have 10 weeks to go! my sister terry said that this endeavor has been alot like being pregnant....the closer it gets, the farther it seems! it think i agree!

congratulations on the upcoming retirement of dispatcher carolyn mcmanis! good luck in whatever's next in your life.

quote for the day......

"Nothing limits achievement like small thinking;
nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination"
-William Arthur Ward-

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MY FRIDAY STORY
Just Five More Minutes
Author Unknown

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground."That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide."He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my daughter on the bike in the white dress."Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. "What do you say we go, Melissa?"Melissa pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes." The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. "Time to go now?"Again Melissa pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes."The man smiled and said, "OK.""My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.The man smiled and then said, "Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more inutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play."Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today!

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers, as they are all continuing to fight some type of battle:

len gray

glenda woodgeard

gina herbert

ty grimwoods daughter, lauren

thanks to colonel & brenda collins, terri west, bob booker, mark atkeson, wendy forbes, & mike hunter for continuing to keep me lifted up.

elzie - i know that my dad would NEVER tell you that i ate him out of house and home. he assured me that you made that up! and yes....i can still fit in that dress!

chris errington - you promised you'd never tell anyone about the baby's breath ordeal! what happens near youngstown....stays in youngstown!

until next time...be blessed!

lisa - 1095