Oh, Praise be to GOD !

I underwent a 3 hour upper G.I. and swallow study/x-ray yesterday, which showed that there was NO obstruction anywhere, and then my surgeon's assistant removed my feeding tube. 

With her scope, she could see that my remaining good vocal cord is already compensating almost fully for the 'dead' one !  Good reports everywhere. 

The surgeon said that he didn't know what could be causing so much acid reflux, but that maybe now that the tube is out, it would improve.  Well, IT HAS !   I slept so much better last night, WITHOUT the saliva seeping down my esophagus and airway !  

And, right now, I'm enjoying a bowl of chicken and rice soup, filled with crumbled crackers, and it is going down SO EASILY !    I am just flabbergasted !  (Forgive me, Lord, I should not be amazed by your mercy and grace at this point, but I am still humbled by it !)

2014 is going to be a FANTASTIC year !

Christmas passed...........

........in such a peaceful manner.  Praise God, our Saviour lives !

   When the tree is taken down, and the ornaments and home decor is stored away, I hope to set up my cutting table SOMEWHERE.  I just don't start many projects because of the aggravation of getting everything out, and then putting it all away after only a few hours' work.  I have some fun new fabrics, and some ideas floating around for ways to use them.  I MUST get my sewing fix........SOON !

    I guess that means that I am starting to feel more like my old self again !  I have been trying out different foods this past week and I have found that I can eat quite a few things if I take my time, swallow carefully, and sip skim milk or water after pretty much every bite.  In essence, I am washing down my food, but, hey, I'm eating !  Praise God !   I reached 137 lbs, so far, at my lowest weight, but am back up to around 140.  I still drink an occasional bottle of Ensure Plus, just to make sure I get a little more protein and other needed things that my limited diet may not give me. 
 
   The sleeping situation is a little better, too.  My next doctor's appointment is this coming Monday, and I feel confident that they'll be removing this feeding tube !  Hooray, hooray ! 

God is FAITHFUL

I have no long explanation about the trial that I said was coming up.  The amazing thing is that my blog friends have never asked me to explain; they have just supported me blindly, praying for my well-being.  In today's world, that is the rarest of jewels.

Having said that, giving all of the glory to our LORD God Almighty, I humbly tell you tonight that truth willed out, and I was found NOT GUILTY by a jury of my peers. 

I will never forget the support, encouragement, and especially prayers that were expressed to or for me throughout this ordeal, both by people who know the details, and those of you who don't.  I can honestly say that my heart is filled with love for you.  I love you, you are true kinsmen in Christ.

Now.......let's get back to healing and quilting !

December is quickly passing.........

..........and I finally have something quilty to share !

I took a few days to work on a gift for my neighbor, Rose.  She has been such a wonderful friend to me and my hubby, and she admired the ten commandments wallhanging that I have up in my home.  Remember this one?

So, I set out to make one for her.  Unbeknown to me, her son was replacing her living room carpet with hardwood this week, and the finished quilty is just the right color for her new living room decor

 She called me today and told me that she had opened her gift and LOVED it .  I'm so glad.

I didn't think to take measurements, but judging from the photo taken on top of the cutting mat, I would say that it finished at approximately 22 by 32 inches.  I rounded the top to make it look like a stone tablet, but it was a last minute decision after printing the text by hand.  If I had thought ahead, I might have spread the commandments over 2 tablets, more appropriately, but this came out a very good size, so I'm satisfied.  

I machine-quilted it with my walking foot that I bought earlier this year.......it was well worth the extra bucks to wait until I found this one with the wide-open foot so that I can really tell where I'm quilting. 

Photo courtesy of Connecting Threads

My purchases from Connecting Threads arrived and are awaiting inspiration.  I especially loved this photo on site, which prompted me to order the kit.

I don't know if I'll make a quilt like the photo, or just use the yummy color combination for something else delicious (see, Wanda, just gotta start playing against the rules again).  Whatever the case, it's nice to get an infusion of new color into the stash.

On the health side of things, I am still eating only cream soups for lunch, and using the Ensure to fill in the rest of the diet.  I still have to sleep in a semi-upright position to keep from drowning in my own saliva secretions.  But, you know, things could be A LOT worse, and I know the healer, and I am just waiting to see the evidence of things not yet seen......know what I mean?   If not, you can read the 11th chapter of Hebrews for a clue !


Well, tomorrow and the next few days are going to be rather busy, so I'll send my love to you all right now, and thank you for all the prayers and support.

New court dates

December 16th has been set as the date for the judge to hear my lawyer's motion for dismissal.  If the judge denies the motion, the trial is set to begin on December 18th. 

I am praying and trusting in the LORD.

 Psalm 56 feels familiar........

"Be  merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up.  Fighting all day he oppresses me.  My enemies would hound me all day.  For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.  In God (I will praise His word).  In God I have put my trust.  I will not fear.  What can flesh do to me?  All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil."