A Step At A Time

Faith is taking the first step 

even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

While we'd love to have rain, the unseasonably warm December weather has been good for something. It's been the perfect  weather for Randy's road toward recovery after back surgery on November 26.

He came home with a page and a half of instructions and a nearly 6-inch scar on his lower back after the decompressive lumbar laminectomy. (Sounds impressive, doesn't it?) One of the bullet points on the list is, "Take short, frequent walks."

That's been easier now that last week's nausea is a thing of the past. Each day this week, we've increased the distance just a little further down the road.

It's a long journey. Earlier this week, Randy said, "I think this is going to take awhile."

I responded, "Yes, that's probably why they said it's a 3-month recovery. It's just been a little over a week."

But, we'll make it. Together. And with the help of a lot of friends who've been praying right along with us. Thanks to all of you!

I've Got Your Back: I Hope You'll Have Ours Today

You know how friends say, "I've got your back," or, at least they do in the movies. Well, today, friends, I'd be so thankful and humbled if you'd have Randy's back.

My guy is having major surgery this morning at the Kansas Spine Hospital in Wichita. He has spinal stenosis, a narrowing within the spine, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine. In his case, it's genetic and it's exacerbated by aging.  He's been putting up with pain and numbness in his legs for years. He's tried the less invasive treatments. But after consulting with several doctors, he decided that now is the time to try surgery and try to improve his quality of life.

If you know Randy, you know he's not a complainer. He didn't moan and groan about his pain. He just found a bench to sit on or something to lean against. But he wants to be able to play with Kinley and golf and yes, even work, with less pain.

Back surgery is scary. At least, it is to us.  So, could you please join me in saying a prayer for Randy and for his medical team today?

Matthew 18:20 - New International Version
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

You may not be with us physically in Wichita. But I believe you can gather with us through prayer. And I would be so grateful.

Matthew 7: 7-8 (NIV)
⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

He'll be in the hospital for a day or two. (That is scary enough to me. You have major back surgery and then they send you home to a non-medically trained wife. Yikes! I'll do my best!) Then, for three months, he won't be able to lift more than 10 pounds. We have good help, and we are blessed by that.

Thanks, my friends, for having our back today.