I had a traumatic time getting blood drawn for my annual physical this morning. The nurse wasn't happy that I requested the butterfly needle. Always ask for the butterfly needle!!! It's a lot smaller than the alternative. Then, she had a hard time finding a good vein. Apparently, I have small veins. The tube connected to the needle was in a knot and she had a hard time untying it. Then she couldn't connect the little plastic thingy on. I had a bad feeling as I watched her re-swab me for the 4th time with alcohol. I think she was buying time. Then, the unthinkable happened. As she removed the safety cap off the needle, she managed to poke herself with it! I calmly suggested she should just find someone else to do my blood work. She was quite happy to pass the buck to the doctor.
After three times of pure torture getting pricked in several different places, the doctor finally jabbed me in my hand and painfully, extracted my blood. OWWWWWWWWWW!!!! I'm thankful there are other doctors I can go to after this experience. The only thing that kept me from going over the edge was having Michael sitting on the chair beside me. Having small children close by will motivate you to practice self-control instead of crying like a big fat baby when things hurt!
Homeschooling with Michael has been really fun and tiring! Today, I set the timer so he could do some independent reading (I really don't remember learning to read in Kindergarten!). After seven minutes passed by, he asked if he was finished yet. Umm... no. Then he wanted to have a snack so I gave him a little bowl of mandarin oranges. When he finished, he went back to the couch to continue reading and asked me how many more minutes he had to read. I told him he had 20 more minutes and he goes, "20 more minutes?!? This independent reading is exhausting me! I wish I didn't have to read so many books!" Ahhh... wishes! If wishes were gold bars, we'd be rich!!!
In the car today, Michael and I had this entertaining conversation. It went like this...:
Michael: I want a baby elephant for a pet when I'm older.
Me: Okaaaaaay. Why do you want a baby elephant for a pet?
Michael: Because they will never forget where to go and where things are kept.
Me: Well, what will you name your baby elephant and where are you going to keep it?
Michael: I will name it Splasher because elephants like to splash water and I'm going to keep it in the backyard.
Me: Do you know what baby elephants eat? What are you going to feed it?
Michael: I'm going to feed it... [Long pause] peanuts because elephants like peanuts.
Me: Okay, now you just told me you want a pet elephant because they never forget where to go and where things are kept. But elephants can't talk. How will you know what your elephant is saying?
Michael: Oh, that's easy. The baby elephant will just point with his trunk and that's how we'll know where to go and where things are.
Of course. Now why didn't I think of that?!? I love how simple everything is for children, don't you?!? Michael doesn't think of the logistical issues of having such an enormous "pet." He's already thought it through in his head and that's that! His little boy faith is unwavering in conviction that all is well when it comes to housing a baby elephant in the backyard. Can you imagine how our HOA would react?!?
His faith makes me think of the verses in Psalm 91:1-2. I like how The Amplified Bible puts it...
1HE WHO dwells
in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed
under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
Our family has been experiencing this kind of faith in God through Jacob's job loss situation. Even though the future is uncertain, we can lean and rely on God. And, we can dwell in the shelter of the Most High with confidence because rest is found in His shadow.
