As the Deer panteth

MONDAY'S MUSINGS

As I stumbled to my window early this morning and pulled up the blinds, it was difficult to NOT stand in awe as I watched my backyard neighbors! I love when this happens!

Upon hearing the noise at my bedroom window, this deer lifted it's head from grazing to see what was goin' on!

On the first day of this week, there is a lot goin' on!

"Say, what? You've got somethin' goin' on?"

Well, in fact.....I do!

Following Allison Bottke's two-part interview last week with Dr. James Dobson on Focus on the Family, the Setting Boundaries team has been busy, busy, busy. :)

The Setting Boundaries team is thrilled to help so many parents in pain discover the 6 Steps to SANITY that can (and will) change their lives!

In addition to the interview, Focus on the Family hosted a Parent Community online Forum with Allison. Thousands parents in pain have viewed the Question and Answer Forum with Allison as she replied to each question on the online forum.
(Doesn't she look pregnant???)

The two SANITY Support Groups that I have facilitated over the past 12 weeks have decided to "birth" another SANITY Support Group! It has been such a blessing to walk through the six steps to SANITY with 35 parents on each Tuesday and Thursday evening! What joy they will bring as they share the SANITY message with other parents in pain--there IS HOPE and there IS HEALING!

Our online Forum Communities have lit up with comments and questions from parents in pain around the nation. I'd love to have you visit and register to be part of this dynamic online conversation! Please leave a word of encouragement to other parents who are trying to find their way out of the "gerbil wheel" of insanity!

Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals has had great response to our new guest blogging event: "First Friday's With Val." This Friday, April 3rd, please join come back for Val's second post; and if you have a question for Val, please leave it in the comment section and I will forward it to Val.

Don't be shy! You are not alone in your journey. It is my prayer that you will find comfort in knowing there are others on this journey with you.

I am thrilled to share with you the news of an upcoming webcast, featuring Allison Bottke speaking on "Setting Strong Boundaries in a Shaky Economy." Please check this out--you can watch this webcast from the comfort of your own home (couch, maybe ;) ) and learn how to unleash the power of SANITY choices to take back your life.

So as we begin this very busy week, will you join me in taking a moment to focus on Psalm 42: 1

"As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."

Who are you seeking in the busy-ness of your week? May we be faithful to remember that God:
"...alone is our strength, our shield
To God alone may our spirits yield.
God alone is our heart's desire
and we long to worship Him."

To hear this beautiful song, please click here. Have a great Monday!

Friday's Wrap Up....on Saturday! ;)

Allison Bottke, author of Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Children: Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents, recently had the pleasure of holding a heart-to-heart conversation with Dr. James Dobson on his daily Focus on the Family radio show. It was an amazing two-part interview that has generated tons of interest in the SANITY Support Group Network.

I would like to share the links to this interview with anyone facing the day to day crisis of dealing with an adult child. Please pass this on to other hurting parents and grandparents who are struggling with the issues of adult children causing chaos in their lives.

Part 1 of 2 - March 23, 2009
http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001866.cfm

Part 2 of 2 - March 24, 2009
http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001867.cfm

You can also order a CD with both part by visiting http://family.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=5014673&p=1143722&event=ORC

If you are interested in starting a SANITY Support Group in your Church or Community, please let me know! The response to Allison's interview with Dr. Dobson has been significant and we have been busy this week communicating with parents in pain who want to share this message of HOPE and HEALING with other hurting parents. We are not alone in this journey!

SANITY IS making a comeback! There IS hope and healing...let's join together and spread the SANITY message!

I am here to help you...don't be shy! Join the other parents who are discovering the freedom that happens when you begin to Set Boundaries with your adult children!

And, don't forget to leave a question for Val; "First Friday's with Val" will be posted on Friday, April 3rd. If you have a question you would like to submit, please leave a comment and I'll be sure to forward it to our guest blogger! She would love to hear from you!

Have a blessed weekend!

TURN YOUR RADIO ON!

SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH DR. JAMES DOBSON 

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY RADIO SHOW 

U.S. Air Date:  Monday, THAT's MONDAY, March 23, 2009 

Help for Parents of Adult Prodigal Children (Part 1 of 2) 

U.S. Air Date:  Tuesday, March 24, 2009 

Help for Parents of Adult Prodigal Children (Part 2 of 2) 

Allison Bottke and James Dobson have a heart to heart discussion about dealing with your Adult Prodigal Children.  This is a two part interview airing with Part 1 on Monday (TODAY!!!!) and Part 2 on Tuesday. 

Then again, on Tuesday, March 24, 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EST), Allison will be LIVE, online, to answer your parenting questions.  Do you have a question for Allison?  This is a great opportunity for you to post your question and meet Allison online, on Tuesday, for the answer!  

Click here to find your local channels and air times for this very important interview.  Remember, if the Focus on the Family Radio Show is not available in your area, you can listen to the interview online  :)   at Focus on the Family.com, Listen to the Daily Broadcast, right next to Dr. Dobson's photo. 

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!

TACKLE IT TUESDAY

Today is the 2nd day I have been out of bed in nearly a week. Three weeks ago I thought it was bronchitis. Then I thought it was influenza. Then I thought I was near death! On Day 5, I went to my Doctor pleading for antibiotics. She informed me that I need to wait until I was sick for 10 days; that this crud was most likely a viral infection and antibiotics would not work.

Day 5-10 I struggled to fight my way through--to no avail.

Day 10 I visited my Doctor once again and she listened to my lungs--ordered Chest exrays and diagnosed the crud as Pneumonia.

One z-pack later, I feel alive!

That is until, of course, I got out of bed long enough to see that when Momma is sick....nothin' gets done!

Apparently, I am the only highly qualified person in this household who knows how to:

*run the dishwasher
*turn on the washer and dryer
*operate the vacuum cleaner
*replenish the dog food
*.....and the list goes on.

It is good to be needed!

So, today, I will tackle things undone for nearly two weeks. YIKES!

It is good to feel human again and I have marked on my calendar for next winter: Get a flu shot!

Is there a Pneumonia shot! If so....I'm getting it!

Tackling Pneumonia isn't the worst thing in the world, but really? When a momma is sick longer than 24 hours.....the house LOOKS like ground zero of Armageddon???? This is serious folks...no photos today...I don't want to scare those weak of heart or stomach!

Have a great TT!

MONDAY'S MUSING

Spring has sprung in Minnesota and none too soon.

It's been another long winter--and I have just gotten out of bed (yesterday) for the first time in what feels like a long winter's nap.

Pneumonia. Barely four syllables long and yet what a battle it's been.

Last Wednesday, the Dr. finally confirmed the 10 day crud had turned into Pneumonia; z-pack was ordered and taken and on Day 5 I began to feel human once more!

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Minnesota. Gordy and I had a wonderful brunch at one of my favorite restaurants on the Lake: Sunsets. We must be getting old--because we enjoyed a fabulous Sunday afternoon drive before we headed out to the barn to see our daughter enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon with her horse. Remember Raoul? Poor thing, born in Holland, grew up in Southern California and is now living in Minnesota! His second winter here went much better than last year. He tried...how he tried....but he just didn't know what hit him! Blizzards, sub-zero temp's....and walking on ice! Horses are truly fight or flight animals...and he was ready to fly!

We love watching Katie ride; they make such a beautiful team. And better than riding--is the joy they share as he grazes on the Spring grass....for hours! Yes, I said hours--she loves spending time with Raoul!
We had dinner last night with Curt and his fiance, Gina. He is recovering from surgery (hernia) and is in considerable pain yet. Surgery was on Friday, so we thought he should try to get out of bed and get moving a little bit. We went to a Sports Bar nearby their home and had a great meal and great conversation. Please pray for my MIP; he continues to struggle with an eating disorder that is relentless in spite of treatment some time ago. This hernia, in fact, is a lingering affect of what an eating disorder can do to a body. Today, I will be doing some more research on eating disorders in young men. He is 6'5" tall and weighed in the day of surgery at 160 pounds; He is dangerously thin. His mind is betraying him and his body is failing. It is very difficult to watch. We will love him, we will offer advice when asked, but we cannot control his actions. As we watch him, literally, fading away in front of us...we can only lay him at the feet of Jesus and hope for His miracle. We know He cares and IS doing a good work in the life of our MIP because we see the healing work that is being done each and every day. He is a changed man. He IS making progress. He IS working. He IS becoming a man of integrity and good character. And yet, he is now struggling with a relapse of bulimia/anorexia. Please pray with me that this spiritual attack will be won in the heavenly realm!


Our youngest son is spending a long weekend with his girlfriend's extended family in West Palm Beach as they celebrate her Grandpa's 90th birthday. Sam returns home tonight, goes to school for three days and will spend ten days at his girlfriend's home in Dallas for Spring Break. I don't know why he hates this long distance relationship so much...what a life! :)

I remember the joyful anticipation I felt when Gordy and I were dating...and I can tell you after nearly 35 years of marriage--the blessings have been far greater than anything I could have imagined so long ago. Yes, young love is amazing, but lasting love is glorious!

As Gordy and I left Curt and Gina last night, I realized that I wouldn't want to have traveled through the highs and lows of this life....with anyone else. He was my young love, my enduring love. He is the father of my children and the strength of my heart. His faithfulness has long ago healed my broken heart. And as our hearts ached last night knowing that there is a very real threat for Curt's life, the tears that were shed included one more blessing in the long list of gratitude: we are united before Curt's Creator, ready to battle where all battle's are won--on our knees.

"Prayer does not merely prepare us for the battle; Prayer IS the battle!"

CAPTION, ANYONE?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY












CAPTION, ANYONE?

First Friday Debut

Breaking News!

Today is the debut of the long awaited and much anticipated "First Friday's With Val."

Each first Friday of each month, Guest Blogger, Valerie Wolff will appear on Partners In Prayer for Our Prodigals sharing her insight and wisdom!

Sound the horns! Tell one, tell all!

"First Friday's with Val" is here!


Good morning and let me introduce myself. My name is Valerie, and I have been blogging for several years, and that is how I met Diane. She has been a faithful blogging buddy and a gentle encourager and a wonderful prayer warrior since the very beginning of our relationship. Recently, she joined with Allison Bottke to set up a business named “Setting Boundaries” based on Allison’s popular book “Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children:Six Steps to Hope and Healing For Struggling Parents.” When I found out that they were setting up support groups around the country, I asked them how I could help spread the SANITY message. Obviously, one of the ways was to set up my own support group at my church, which I am presently in the process of trying to do. But, Diane also asked me to be a guest blogger on her blog on a monthly basis to help promote the SANITY message in my own words. I was touched and honored by her request.

I believe the reasons why Diane asked me to be a guest blogger are two-fold. One is because I have very personal experience with a prodigal daughter, and this book’s message has helped me tremendously through my darkest of hours. Secondly, I am also a Christian counselor who provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples and families, and Diane thought that blending my personal experience along with my professional background might be helpful to readers out there and give the SANITY message a unique perspective.

I will share my story as time goes on, and I will encourage you to ask questions of me, provided it is with the understanding that my answers are NOT to be construed as psychotherapy or counseling services. My answers will be based on my compassion of where you are right now in your journey, and on my personal understanding of how to achieve SANITY in the chaotic and painful experiences you are living through right now.

I’d like to thank Diane for this opportunity, and I look forward to getting to know you. May God bless you and guide you and comfort you as you face your pain and hand it all back to Him.

*************************************

Thank you, Val, for your willingness to share your heart with us each "First Friday's With Val!"

Just because it's Thursday

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I look forward to Thursdays....for the sole reason it IS THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Early in my blogging adventure, I discovered Grace Alone. Stumbling upon Iris's blog was, simply, a God-thing. For a little more than three years now, Thursday's have been a very special day of focusing on our blessings! Iris has recently announced that she will be taking a leave of absence from personal blogging...she will be missed...and I pray her time away will be refreshing and rewarding as she follows God's leading. THANK YOU Iris for faithfully leading us to God's Grace!

I am thankful for the conveniences of life; I continue to struggle with some sort of (horrendous) virus this week...and let me tell you...I so appreciate my washer, dryer, dishwasher--and take out! ;)

I am so thankful for my nephew. He and his three daughters have been living with us since before Thanksgiving. He and his wife are going through a very difficult challenge. My heart has been blessed on more than one occasion as I have been able to witness Joe's faith grow in the face of a terrible loss. Three daughters, under the age of 5, loss of financial stability, and pressures that no 27 year old man should ever face--he is amazing! He is not just surviving...he is thriving. God is doing a mighty work in his life...and I am so thankful to have a front row seat!

I am thankful for the opportunity to introduce to you....a very talented young girl. Shelby (in the video at the top of this post) is my cousin, Joy's daughter. Her talent is bigger than the years on this earth...she is only 14! Please take just a few moments and listen to her sing...she does not disappoint! Shelby....you rock!

I am so thankful for family. And for new family that God brings into our lives. Tomorrow, at Partner in Prayer for Our Prodigals, I am so pleased to introduce you to someone who has blessed my life since I first met her while blog surfing! Just couldn't resist getting to know a woman who titled her blog, "I Am My Kids Mom!" I love a women who knows who she is! I discovered we had so many things in common: both moms, both Christian Counselors, both understand the pain of loving a prodigal, both....both....both....! Once again, I learned that God has a way of bringing just the right people into our lives at just the right time. Valerie Wolff has agreed to be a Guest Blogger on the first Friday of each month. Because I am SO creative, her posts will be entitled....."First Friday's With Val!" Stop by tomorrow and meet Valerie!

See you then! In the meantime, enjoy the blessings of this day...and every day!

CAPTION, ANYONE?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY


















CAPTION, anyone?

Things I learned while tackling a Sinus Headache

TACKLE IT TUESDAY

After spending a magical weekend in Disney World with my adult daughter, my sister and her two little granddaughters, I boarded the airplane yesterday morning wondering if flying with a Sinus Headache was a good idea.

As the plane took off and with plenty of Kleenex in hand, I learned a simple lesson: Never, NEVER, NEVER fly with a Sinus Headache!

The pressure change engaged every nerve ending in every syntax of my brain. I felt as though I was about to implode. A 3 1/2 hour flight turned into 12,600 seconds of raw pain.

Where does a person go when they just want to die. Please, somebody, do me a huge favor and shoot me!

If I thought the pain was unmanageable when we took off, it was confirmed as we began to land. The descent brought me to a new level of despair. The wait to get to the gate was unbearable. With quiet determination, I made a deal with my Maker--if He would just get me off the plane...I would never, Never, NEVER fly again with a Sinus Headache!

Who knew!?!?

There oughta be a warning: there are warnings all over Disney: Do not enter this ride if you have a bad back, are pregnant or a nursing mother! Ya think a little heads up about flying with a Sinus Headache would be in order!

WARNING: If you decide to fly with a Sinus Headache, you will likely experience the sensation of someone sticking a thousand needles in your face while shoving an ice pick in your ear!

A Facebook friend who is a former flight attendant has advised: "hopefully you won't have to go through that again. But if you do, take along several wash cloths and ask for the flight attendant for hot water. Apply a hot wash cloth to your face as often as possible, especially during take off and landing. And don't worry about what other people will think. You're not going to see them again anyway... Put them in your ears if you can. A popular method used to be to put a hot papertowel inside of a styrofoam cup and hold it over your ear during take off and landing. And chew gum and swallow. If with a baby, have them drink from a bottle, or nurse, during take off and landing, regardless of if they are sick or not as babies have a hard time regulating air pressure in their ears and it can cause an earache."

Thanks Deb!

I barely remember picking up our luggage, the ride home, or taking 100 mg. of imitrex and 800 mg. ibuprofen. I barely remember laying down on my oh-so-comfortable bed. I will ALWAYS remember to avoid flying (or scuba diving--thanks to another Facebook friend) with a Sinus Headache.

And should I need to: I will remember to ask for some help! For crying out loud! Why DIDN"T that occur to me! Of course, flight attendants would know what to do!!!!! Tough it out, smough it out! Ask for help!

Today, the pain is gone, but my body feels as though it's been through a war. My head is heavy and it is hard to think through the fog! I guess it's gonna take a day or two for the synapse's to refire.

Have a great TT!