Monday, March 2, 2009

On All Sides

Saturday morning Donnie woke up late. He didn't wake me until he was getting ready to leave for work, so the morning started off a little off. Within an hour he called me from work saying that his grandmother (Mimi) had passed away. This was very hard news - she had not been sick and it took us (at least Donnie and I) by surprise.

Saturday afternoon Donnie and I arrived early at a Father/Daughter banquet. We were the entertainment (a skit) for the night. My sister had convinced my father (surprisingly!) to come and be our "dates" for the night. Halfway through my father began shaking and feeling poorly so Stephanie took him home. After our skit, Donnie and I rushed to their house. His temperature had reached 104. My mother was very worried, the doctor was called, and he was taken to the emergency room. That night he was admitted into the hospital. The prognosis was a UTI and a kidney infection. Again.

Sunday morning his temperature reached 104 again. The tylenol and drugs were not bringing it down any. The doctors immediately set in motion a cystogram. His breathing was very shallow and rapid. This caused worry since the aenesthesia normally caused the same effect. In went a breathing tube and a feeding tube. They removed the stint that was put in at the end of January and put in two more. After the surgery he was heavily sedated and placed in ICU.

This morning the breathing and feeding tube were removed. He is very groggy and doesn't remember the last 24 hours. However, he was allowed to sit up in a chair for a few minutes.

They still don't know what is wrong - why the infection won't go away. Why he seems to be a kidney stone manufacturer extrodinaire. However, if things continue to improve they will put him in a regular room.

Mimi's funeral will be Wednesday at 10am. Ginger has requested that Leah, Donnie and I to sing 'Blessed Assurance'.

Please say a prayer. This has been and still is a very trying time for the Gandee's and the Gooch's.

Psalm 118:1-8
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Picture to brighten your week!

It's been so busy around here!! I'm such a bad blogger - but I just haven't had the time to keep up with my HAVE-To-Do List that my would-LIKE-To-Do List has really suffered. To give you something to look at and so you won't forsake my little neglected blog entirely - I thought I would give you a few pics!


L to R: Mandy, Krista, Kerri and I at the TMV Party 2008


Lady crawled into our suitcase when we were getting ready for the cruise and stayed just long enough for me to snap a picture. She wanted to come with!


Donley and I on the boat in Galveston - and YES! I was COLD!


Have a fantabulous week!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Senseless

Life is too short and uncertain to not live right.

Kristen Martinez

This is the son of my previos pastor in Grand Prairie. We went to high school together and were three months apart. His funeral is tomorrow afternoon.

I haven't spoken to him in many years. But his death is hitting a little too close to home. It is making me realize just how uncertain life is. You don't know when God is going to call you home, or when the trumpet is going to sound. I don't want to be unsure of where I am going when it happens. I don't want to have let circumstances steal my chance at heaven. There are too many other things that are so much more important.

Lots of rambling... but it's what is on my heart and mind today...

Monday, January 19, 2009

Cruisin'

We are HOME! The cruise was oh so much fun, but I am thankful to be home. Here are a few pictures from the trip...

Thursday, December 25, 2008

The reason...

Luke 2:1-19

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


Lord, please let me never forget.. let me not get so wrapped up in commercialism and the gifts and forget that it's about You, Jesus, not me. Today, above all else, I want to glorify You. Thank You for giving me the greatest gift I could ever receive... You. Happy birthday Jesus.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Green with Green Grass Envy

Isn’t it funny how we are never satisfied? When we are young, we want to be older. When we are single, we want to be married. When we are in school, we want to have a job. The grass always looks just a little bit greener on the other side. If I could just… reach… I’d be SO much happier! Yet, when we get there? Behold! Problems! Who would have GUESSED?

Paul states, “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

I love the line “I have learned the secret to being content in ANY and EVERY situation.” Webster’s defines contented as “feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.” Imagine that. Being satisfied with what we have (not what our neighbor has), with where we are (not where we think we should be)...

Listening to the iPod at work and the song “The Other Side of the Fence” by Jonny Lang played. I guess you could say that it got me to thinking. :)

“The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence
But the dog over there might be meaner on the other side of the fence
The car in the driveway looks longer on the other side of the street,
Does anything ever go wrong there on the other side of the fence?

Stay in your own yard
Play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard
Cause everything that glitters really ain't gold

The future always looks brighter on the other side of the tracks
Everybody wants to go over but they don't want to come back
They live like Kings and Queens on their side of the town
They're gonna have to make room for me there on their side of the town

Jealousy's a cold thing, it's ice water in your veins
All it brings is bitterness and pain
Everything that glitters really ain't gold

Instead of worrying about what you are not, gotta make the most with what you got
Instead of keeping up with Mr. Jones, better look out for your own

Stay in your own yard
Play in your own yard
Be happy in your own yard
Cause everything that glitters really aint gold”

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Silly Questions

Because I'm tired and fighting sleep... Enjoy...

What is your favorite quotable line from a movie?
"but I love the cookie"

Who is the most famous person you have spoken to?
Umm - Sis Bobbie Shoemake? :)

How many bags/boxes of potato chips are consumed at your place in a month?
less than a bag.. depends on if Donnie is in a sammy and chips kind of a mood.

Who is your all time favorite cartoon character?
HAMMY!!!

What foreign food dish do you prepare from scratch and serve?
I make some pretty good salsa verde chicken enchiladas. Is that foreign enough?

What is your favorite section of the supermarket?
I love to the cheese aisle at Central Market. I could spend hours in that one little section!

What was your high school teams mascot and what were the school's colors?
In Chickasha our colors were purple and gold, and we were the fighting chicks! Scary, no? At South Grand Prairie our colors were red and gold, and we were the WARRIORS! Much scarier. :)