Handfuls of Blessings

 That was a long week! As I mentioned in the last post, I checked into the hospital Thursday, October 6. On Friday, the surgeon's mother-in-law (Christian lady who also works at the hospital as an anesthesiologist) came and sat with me as I was prepped for surgery. Several people told me, "You must be a very special lady for Mary to come in on her day off!" I know I'm no one special, but I serve a God Who enjoys sending special blessings.  When Keith buys me roses, he always requests 1 yellow (Yellow Rose of Texas). I feel doubly loved as this one was a double bloom! The surgery went well, and the surgeon even shared pictures with me. The reason I kept having repeated bouts of swelling in Uganda is that the bacteria made pockets inside of my knee, so when I would get it aspirated to relieve the fluid, not everything was being drained because of the many pockets, so the bacteria would just regrow.  However, the doctor said getting it aspirated 9 times probably saved my

 Results are back, and there is an acute infection. I will check into the hospital in about 2 hours,  and tomorrow the doctor will perform open knee surgery to totally clean out the infection. I get a weekend stay at the hospital and then will be released with a pic line to wear for 6 weeks to administer strong antibiotics. THEN . . . I will be able to have the knee surgery I came for. The other day I was reading Exodus 2, and the Bible said that Moses' mother laid the ark of bulrushes in the flags by the river's brink. I feel as if that is where God has placed me right now. My ark seems to have one purpose right now - to keep me alive. Not to sail. Not to race. Not to carry cargo. God has pulled me out of the fleet of ships serving . . . to float.  God's ways are not our ways - I want to be with my family . . . I want to be serving.  Yet, I will trust Him!           He is my Heavenly Father.           I know He loves me. 

 It is hard to believe I have been here five days already, but life has been eventful! When I left Uganda, the airport in Orlando was still closed because of Hurricane Ian.  I wasn't sure if I would have a flight there or not, so I packed several changes of clothes in my carry-on luggage. Because Chicago was my point of entry, I had to claim my checked luggage and then re-check it in.  As I did so, the lady reassured me that the airport was open and my flight was good, "But you had better hurry!" I looked at my watch and discovered there was just 20 minutes until the doors were supposed to close. The wheelchair attendant suggested I just go to the United desk and schedule a later flight, but I declined and said that I had to try to reach there and then started praying. Despite the long line in security, we arrived at the gate to find that the airplane door was still open! Praise the Lord! Unfortunately, my checked luggage didn't make my same flight but opted for the l

  As I was preparing to teach the pastor’s wives in Kaliro last week, in my file I found an old booklet I taught to our Ladies Bible Study in Masaka probably 22 years ago.     It is entitled   A Woman of the Word   based upon Psalm 119. Although my intention was to use this study for teaching the ladies the importance of making the Bible a priority in their lives, I believe God was also giving me something to cling to during this time in my life.     One of the lessons is “God’s Word – My Comfort in Affliction.” I printed up the acrostic it had of finding comfort in the Word of God, and I plan to keep it handy and review frequently. I hope it will be a source of strength to you, too, in whatever you are facing today. C  - “ C asting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  (1 Peter 5:7) O  - “ O ut of the depths have I cried unto thee O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”  (Psalm 130:1-2) M  - “ M any are the afflictions of

  There is a lot going on in my life right now, and frankly, I am having trouble remembering who I have told what to.     So…I figure it is time to resurrect my blog. Here we go!   The plane ticket is bought. I’m flying to FLORIDA!   On April 12, 2022, I had surgery to repair both the lateral and medial menisci of my knee.  Many of the things I went through right after surgery, I am discovering were not normal for this day and age of modern medicine.  However, we trusted this doctor and felt as if he was capable of this surgery as he is listed as the best in the country and has been practicing here in Uganda for over 20 years.   However, as my knee kept painfully swelling up, we realized that something was not right.  When the doctor ignored my orders of no more steroid injections (he gave me 3 in 3 months without my knowledge) and by the eighth aspiration (draining of the fluid on the knee), we found an alternative doctor who ordered lab work of the fluid at the ninth draining and als

The night before one of my children prepare to take flight out of the family nest, I don't sleep well.  Last night was no exception.   During the moments of prayer and contemplation, the thought came to me that children are a lot like violins. God is the master Craftsman lovingly creating each unique instrument, but then He places each unpolished gift into a parent's hands.  The violin spends time aging and maturing, sometimes being exposed to sunlight to darken its beautiful grain and expose its hidden beauty.   Layers of varnish are added through years in training and teaching.  Sadly, some parents don't take the time to brush the varnish on evenly with smooth strokes, and their work is evident in the appearance and behavior of their children.  Some parents push the children out into the world without adding a protectant coat, and the instrument is quickly damaged.  But those parents who realize the value of the gift God has entrusted to them, lovingly spend years with th