When Ligthing Strikes!!

Can you believe it? Yes, lightning struck my home the other night, I think it was Tuesday pm. I was reading in bed and suddenly a big crack sounded like it was in my bedroom. I heard something like plastic knock. It turned out that this splicer or whatever thing coming out of my phone line in my bedroom had popped open and was all burnt inside. No phone.

Today the phone guy came out and fixed everthing. I lost one phone and my printer/fax machine though. It could have been way worse. The lightning hit my box outside I guess and just traveled down the house. When the guy was here, all was fixed and I had a dial tone in all my phone outlets.

He left. Obviously my bedroom phone line is working because I'm on here. But the lines in my kitchen and kitchenette no longer give me a dial tone. I hope I'm not mistakeningly plugging things in, but I think I'm doing it the same way I did when he was here. So, luckily, Embarq is getting someone back here today even, between 3:15pm and 5:15pm. I am really impressed with their service, I must say. They may have fixed this yesterday even if I'd been more clear when the guy called to tell me that there was flooding down the road where their lines were. I failed to tell him about my 'blow out' in the house which would indicate my problem was more than flooded lines.

Anyway, I'm sure it'll be fixed soon. My calls go directly to my Sprint messaging but my phone doesn't ring in the house. I have to call this 800# every so often to see if anyone's left me a message. It's a pain with the doctor calls and appointments I'm getting. BUT...I do have internet. I am ashamed how hooked I am to internet and phone access.

Yesterday Dennis, the Home Health Physical Therapist came by. He gave me some exercises to do and said something about he could strengthen me from where I am now. He said that I (we) should be constantly moving 10-15 minutes of every waking hour. Not that stop-and-go stuff, but a constant movement for the 10-15 minutes. That's a good goal I think and will be worth the effort.

Yesterday I was more tired and yucky sort of feeling, but I also think some was the irritation with my phone and oh ya, a new leak. I'm sure the leak will be an easy fix, just something new to take care of...well...for poor Adam. I just hate that.

Anyway, today I felt better. Like on Day #4 when I was excited, it is good to have these good days as they are encouraging and give me lots of hope. The poopy days can get discouraging, but thank goodness poopy days are only for a day.

I don't know what my future or near future will hold. I'm begging off some of my volunteer things at church. I've enjoyed them so much, but right now it's all I can do to function at home every day and then there's doctor appointments I must prepare myself for. I can do it, it just takes my focus, energy, and preparation. I don't think I can add my volunteer stuff to my needs right now. I will have to see what the next few weeks bring, but so far I've covered things. I may feel stronger in a few weeks, but I know my limits. New chapter maybe.

I don't want to miss the phone guy, but I'm toying with trying to walk to the barn. It will be a first in 4 weeks. It just depends. I know I can do it. It's just hot and windy. I don't want to miss out on the phone guy. That kind of of stuff making me stay in. I probably should just sit on the porch and enjoy the fresh outdoors.

In prayer yesterday something came to me. It's been coming to me often in prayer in the past few weeks. It's focusing totally on God versus these helpless physical feelings. It's like He's telling me to take my focus off of myself and to put it elsewhere. It sounds so easy maybe, but it's not. How do you focus on what God wants you to do when you are struggling with the every day functions of showering, eating, feeding pets, taking care of home, etc? I mean, I'm doing OK, but it's another little journey here adjusting to this 'new me'. So, how is God going to use me? Maybe this is just between Him and me right now. While I'm reading Scripture and all, honestly, I noticed I'm not 'talking' to him...personally. I need to do that. Maybe that is what He's trying to teach me. To get more personal with him. I've done it before, but it's not a one-time thing. Distractions happen. I've become distracted. I know you have to work on it, like any worthwhile relationship. I need to humble myself and open myself up to him...again. He always, always touches me when I do that.

I think I will set outside in the fresh air. I will bring a book and maybe even a sketch pad. I don't draw, but I like to try sometimes. I think I'll do something different. Enjoyable. And I hope to stop, get quiet, hear, listen, and have a good conversation with my sweet Lord.