Prayers Needed Once Again...

Back on the 11th, I posted that my friend's friend with the C19 had responded to the plasma treatments and that she had even come to the point of being sent home instead of to rehab. Bad news - she now has fallen and broke her hip.  She snapped off the ball on either the left or right side.  She is back in the hospital and had surgery to fix it.   Plus they say she has Covid again.  I needn't say more - you know she needs prayers, big time.

Sweet Lord Jesus, we all thought this poor woman was out of danger but now she is even worse off than before. Please hear our prayers and heal her easily from her injuries and from this awful disease. We don't know what else to say as we are worried. We trust in you!

Some Prayers Answered on Earlier Prayer Request

Back on 8/24 (link here) and 8/26 (link here), we asked for prayers for multiple folks in a friend's family. I have an update now and some of these prayer requests have been answered.

Heart condition: the person with the heart condition had heart surgery and is doing well with that.

Cancer condition: the person with the cancer has it in the kidney and still needs prayers very strongly.

Covid19: the person with this was fortunate enough to qualify for plasma treatments, is recovering very well and has been sent home to recover further without need of a rehab faciltiy.

Thank you all so much for your prayers! And thank you for continuing to pray for others who you do not even know. That is an amazing act of kindness.

Sweet Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing our prayers for this group of people and for helping in several ways already. Please continue to send your healing and compassion and help where it is still needed. We trust in you!

Wow! Long Time Since an Update on Charity Crafting

<ItemPage> Strange how the pandemic affects our sense of time. You would think we'd be getting a LOT of things done and yet time seems to fill with other things.

Anyhow, for now, one of our girls, one who works from home and I pick up her finished scarves and drop off donated yarn to her, is taking a break until the end of September. Louise and I will finish some baby jackets we're working on and then we will jump onto fingerless gloves for a few weeks. We like to have a good stash of them to go with our hand made items for the local homeless. Our first distribution to our contact is usually between Oct. 15 and end of that month.

I've already got 6 big stuffed 13-gallon bags for the homeless in one end of my back closet. I've also got 2 stuffed bags with lap covers for the VA and we work on those usually in the winter because it's too hot in the summer for all that to be on our laps. And we hope to have a few bags ready end of November or in December when we sort of expect a baby-boom to occur because of folks being "close" at home during this pandemic.

Yep, we've been working all along, I just haven't been updating here. I like to do it regularly because it also helps me keep track of things.

Rolling along...

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Urgent Prayers Needed for Friend's Job Loss

<ItemPage> I can't give all the details publicly but just learned today that a friend lost their job and the family depended on that job to pay the rent. In the pandemic, getting another job is harder than ever, and the first paycheck, even if that person is blessed to get a job quickly, is not likely to come in time for this month's rent this week.  This person will not be eligible for unemployment which makes the matter more worrisome. 

We need a wee miracle on this one... Grateful, on their behalf, for any prayers you can offer up...

Sweet Lord Jesus, you know what life here is like, you knew people who struggled and who fell on hard times. Please look lovingly on this family who has blessed so many others on their path and help them see whatever the Father has planned for them. Along the way, please make their path an easy one and help them to deal with the bumps on life's road. We trust in you.

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My 1st Eye Injection Today...

<MainPage> On 8/13, about 2 weeks ago, at the ophthalmologist's office, I thought I was in for just an annual look-see and renewal of referral to the retina specialist. For about a year, I've been going to the specialist every few months because I had dry AMD in left eye and wet AMD in right eye and specialist anticipated possible bleeding back of the right eye eventually which would need an injection.

However, 2 weeks ago, that dude said my left "dry" AMD had now become "wet" and there IS bleeding back there.

So today I was at the retina specialist and he agreed and did my first eye injection.

Have to admit there was a lot of subdued terror and fear at that thought but I tried to relax and deal with it. In the waiting rooms, I talked to several patients who were going for regular injections for this and were tolerating it in many different ways so it still didn't help me figure how I'd deal with it.

Turns out my specialist now thinks I'm an elderly wimp (sigh). See, my left eye is the most jittery when you start coming toward it. It will clamp shut. Tight! And it will take 4 quarterbacks to open it again. Just saying. So after he had me put my head back so far I had a momentary vertigo from those loose crystals in my inner ear, every time he came near that eye - yep - it clamped shut. Tight.

He kept telling me to relax, that I wasn't helping, it was only going to be a few seconds. In retrospect, he was correct - it didn't take even a whole minute or two at most to do what he had to do. But my eyelid wasn't having any of that. Somehow, he managed to get it done. And I felt embarrassed.

Ok - so in my case, I felt no real pain, honestly! I've had worse pain the past with probing IV efforts. He said as the numbing meds wore off today it would feel as though I had gravel or sand in my eye. And that's about all that bothered me, except the eye was weeping off and on all day, so I've been dabbing with tissues. Oh, and they told me to use artificial tears and it took me all day but I finally got one drop in that eye tonight. Very uncooperative eye. At the most, I guess I could say it felt a bit "sore" sometimes but no real pain.

Bottom line - I must return EVERY MONTH until the bleeding stops which could be a year, or two months, or never. But I plan to practice an open-eye-vacant-stare for the next 30 days so that eye will behave when I go for the next one.

Rolling along...

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Update on C19 Prayer Request 2 Days Ago - Not Good

<MainPage> My friend's friend, who I mentioned in a post 2 days ago (link here), is not doing well battling the C19. Her hubby who gave it to her is getting out of the hospital tomorrow, but his wife is not. My friend spoke to her this morning and says, "She does not sound well at all.  The pneumonia is getting worse.  She is at max oxygen level.  Next will be induced coma and a ventilator. Prognosis is not good."

Please, please continue your prayers on her behalf and on behalf of her family and friends. I know you all realize how serious this is. Thank you for your blessings.

Sweet Lord Jesus, we have seen too many pass on from this, and not in a nice way, but rather in a brutal way. Please have mercy on this one in particular. You are our biggest, most wonderful hope. Words fail me at the moment, but we trust in You!

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Asking for Some C19 Prayers, ASAP, Please?

 <ItemPage> A dear local friend is frantic, worrying over family members... here's the complicated story...

Her friend's hubby was getting cabin fever.  He talked his wife into to going to NC to the camp ground they go to every year. He managed to get Covid 19 and gave it to his wife.  He called his wife's daughter telling her his wife is very bad.  Since they were in a podunk town, they sent her to Ashville, NC via ambulance.  The stepdaughter is a mess. No one can go see the woman in the hospital.  The stepdaughter is still trying to get through her own husband's problem from his cancer episode.  She needs all the strength and prayers to keep her sane. My friend's friend has a heart condition to top it all off.

When things get this tangled and this involved and this frightening, all we can do most times is pray. So if you have a moment, say a wee prayer for this family for whatever they need to deal with the C19, with the friend's heart condition during it, with her daughter's worries and with the whole mess.

Sweet Lord Jesus, our healer, our savior, you know so well what it feels like to have things pile up on you, just as they did when you were here and spent that night in the garden, followed by the scourging, followed by the crowning of thorns, followed by your cruel death. Please look gently upon this family and help the medical team to untangle all these worrisome issues, to help the family and friends to stay calm during this time, to heal those who need healing. And hear our prayers on their behalf. We trust in you!

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Prayers Needed for Friend's Husband in Nursing Home

<ItemPage> Off and on, I've asked for prayers for this family. I know both the wife of this man and I know his adult daughter, so I've asked several ways. After some severe medical issues a few months back, he had to enter a care center and then the pandemic struck and of course, the family can no longer see him in person. Add to that, the pandemic issue. I've been asked to send up urgent prayers by his wife... these are her words...

"Need prayer for the patients at the care home when my hubby Tom is at. They have been clear of any virus, but now have 1 patient and 2 workers shown positive. I can call and talk to him, but he can't talk to me. Only visit through a window for about 10 to 15 minutes."

We need prayers to keep the rest of the patients and the rest of the staff free of C19. Please take a moment and say a wee prayer for them all?

Sweet Lord Jesus, you must be hearing prayer after prayer these days just like this one. Please take a moment and glance our way and send your compassion and healing and protection to this man and those around him. You know our fears. And you know our trust in you. Please bless those along the way who take a moment to send a prayer on his behalf. We trust in you!

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That Baby We've Prayed For Facing Surgery Tuesday!

<ItemPage> My friend's little great grandson, Adam, is undergoing surgery on Tuesday. I have no idea what the reason is but frankly, no 10 month old undergoes surgery at that tender age unless it is urgent and of concern.

We last asked for prayers on July 25 (see this post). So sad to see a child so young having issues.

Sweet Lord Jesus, we have been praying since sometime in June about little Adam. The fact that he is going through surgery hopefully means they know what is wrong by now, and, we pray, that they can fix it. Please, Lord Jesus, you loved the little children. Bless this baby with a great medical team, bless his family with all the comfort they need to get through this worry and fear, and bless everyone who takes a moment to pray for him. We trust in you.

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My DIY Computer Glare Reading Glasses!

My eyes are fried lots of times from the glare of the computer screen. I realize many of you have fancy monitors that you can adjust but a lot of us do not have that option. I will eventually buy a pair of "real" reading glasses that are properly tinted to alleviate the dry eyes and tired feeling of the computer screens, but I need something now. It also aggravates that gray blur in the middle of the one wonky eye with the dry macular degeneration.

SO, I first tried just putting a pair of sunglasses right over my readers at the computer. Very clumsy. Did NOT work. BUT it made me quickly realize I liked the way my eyes felt right away. Sunglasses are also darker than what the "real" special glasses are tinted with.

Next, I tried putting those wraparound humongous sunglasses over my readers, the kind you get after cataract surgery. Way too dark, way too dark...

THEN, I spotted a curled up piece of brown plastic that I kept meaning to throw away. There is a reason, my friends, a reason why we do not toss some things - just sayin' -  It was the throw-away roll-up plastic sunglasses a lot of opticians and specialists offer folks when they are leaving the office after eye dilation, until eyes are normal again. Hmmm, says I.

I took my hole punch and punched a hole on each side. I found 3 green twist ties (I always get a few extra when I'm at the produce area getting them for the plastic produce bags), and tied one in the center, then on the two sides. Voila! It worked just fine for the computer. They're not as dark as real sunglasses. My eyes love the rest.

You should really put the center twist tie on first to hold the silly frisky rolling thingie in place, then do the sides. I had to poke a second hole on one side, further in from the edge, to make it fit nicely over the readers.

These work just fine for now. I am ever so happy... once in a while I do something smart and really surprise myself!

Rolling along...

My Adventures with Frozen Whole Egg Product!

A few weeks ago, I ended up with 2 quart cartons of liquid whole eggs, frozen. I stashed them in the freezer until I could deal with them. Then last week, I was blessed with 2 more cartons. This time I asked the gal I got them from how she used them, and she has a "household" and used it for scrambled eggs.

That sounded like a great start, plus you all know I love making my 6-day-veggie-omelet. With that veggie-omelet, I use my big non-stick skillet, all kinds of veggies, and just pour beaten eggs on top, let it "set" and then cut into 6 wedges and I have easy-to-heat omelets all week.

So, I decided to let one carton defrost, and I read the container. Turns out each container has the equivalent of about 18 to 20 whole eggs. I allowed it to defrost, per instructions, for 2 days in the fridge. Then I poured it into 3 peanut butter jars because the carton got wimpy and I wanted it to keep in the fridge for a few days as I used it along the way. Instructions claims it lasts 10 days in fridge safely, but I allowed myself 5 - I do NOT like tummy or other nether-region issues because of spoiled food - nope - nada - nope.

First thing I did as soon as I got it into the jars was to take one cup of it and poured it into my smaller non-stick skillet and made the equivalent to 6 scrambled eggs. I stashed them and used those, 3 days in a row, in thirds - this stuff is tasty - happily surprised, light and airy, too.

Then yesterday, I did my 6-day omelet but used the equivalent of about 8 or 9 eggs, so instead of my usual 1-egg serving, these are maybe 1-1/2 egg servings. I try to keep to 1 egg a day, but offset in other ways if I eat 2.

Today, I used the rest. I have 2 of those single-microwave-egg-cookers that I bought as a pair in the 99cents-only store a few years ago. I love those. So easy for a single egg. I often add a chopped tomato or some spinach leaves or cheese when I make one. 

Anyhow, they come out about the size of the egg in a McMuffin. I rarely make sandwiches these days, but I often have 12-grain-bread, or whole grain English muffins, or whole grain sandwich thins, or whole grain tortillas in the fridge. I figured this would be a great way to finish off that first quart. I took the two cookers and put 1/4 cup into each one, nuked them and then plopped them into a 1-1/2 lb. deli container, separating them with lids that just fit nicely inside. Ended up with 6 McEvie-muffin egg thingies! I love it - I will freeze that container and any time I want to grab a sandwich thin and a slice of cheese to melt on the egg patty while it's heating, it's ready in a heartbeat.

This was a great adventure, egg-sactly right for this gal (forgive the pun - I couldn't help myself).

I know now egg-sactly how to use up the other 3 quarts in the freezer.

Oh, another reason I transferred the liquid from the wimpy (once defrosted) carton was that it did say it needed to be shaken before each use and in the clear jars, I could quickly see why. The jars make it very easy to shake and pour.

Rolling along...

More Prayers Needed for that Baby!

Sadly, that baby boy we prayed for a while back (June 28 and then good new on July 11) has had a setback.

My friend's words:

"Here I go again, please pray for my great grandson, he is not doing well. He's been getting seizures, the last lasted ten minutes and now his temperature went up to 102. He's being transferred to UNM children's unit in Albuquerque."

I was so sorry to hear this a few minutes ago and instead of waiting for tonight when I usually do these, had to start some prayers ASAP... bless you all who join in and say a wee prayer for those you do not even know -

Sweet Lord Jesus, you loved the little children so much. Please look kindly and compassionately upon this little one and bless him and the family as quickly as possible with the best medical team, with accurate diagnosis, and with safe and easy treatment and healing. We trust in you!

Another Prayer Answered

Back on June 28 (see post here), we asked for prayers for a friend's great grandson who was airlifted from Santa Fe to another city with better pediatric facilities with the fear that he was having seizures.

I heard from my friend with these encouraging words:

"He's doing better. They said he has what's called Brue. His mom has to keep an eye on him, making sure that he's breathing is stable. If you see him, you couldn't tell anything is wrong with him. Thank you and everybody that prayed for him. I still have a couple of candles burning. About a week ago my son-in-law got a heart attack, he is also doing better. Again thank you and everybody else that prayed for the baby."

We are all always encouraged by knowing favorable outcomes from bad situations. When it's a child, especially one so young, it's even more uplifting.

Sweet Lord Jesus, you have always made it plain how much you care for the little ones. Thank you for helping this baby and his family with this concern. And please bless all those who prayed on the baby's behalf!

Urgent Prayer Request for Covid Patient

I just had an urgent prayer request. A dear long-time friend's brother has Covid and pneumonia. We all know how frightening this is for both patient and family, and because I know her age, I'm assuming he is likely a senior, with those risks as well.

Please take a moment to whisper a quick one for both her brother's total recovery and for the family who we know must be stressing every minute over this.

Sweet Lord Jesus, our healer, please look kindly upon this man and help him, heal him, provide the best team for his care. Please bless his family as well with comfort and help them to deal with the worry that goes with this in these days of the pandemic. Jesus, we trust in you!

More Prayers Needed for Friend's Aunt

At the end of May we asked for prayers for a friend's aunt, and on June 11 (link here), we had an update.

Sorry to say the aunt had a little setback. They had to remove fluid from lungs today but hopefully it will help.

Sweet Lord Jesus, hear our prayers once again to keep this woman on a healing path. Her family is worried about her. We know you loved family and friends while on earth so you understand. Please send your compassion and mercy for whatever is needed. We trust in you.

Kind Words from Friend About Prayers Answered

Back on June 12, in this post link, we asked for prayers for a friend's cousin Tommy. Today I received this in an email, thanking us for the prayers, but even more kind is the way she thinks of those who sent up prayers for him...

"My cousin Diane thanked us for the prayers for her brother, Tom.  He is doing much better and is now eating more.  She said she thinks we have a direct line to God.  Our little prayer group is really helping."

Sweet Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing the prayers of those for Tommy. Many of those who prayed have worries of their own but took a moment to care about someone they didn't even know. Please bless those who pray for others in whatever ways they need most. We realize not all our prayers can be answered but we thank you for those which were. We trust in you.

URGENT Prayer Request for Child

A dear friend just asked for urgent prayers for her grandchild... She asks for her 8 month old great grandson. He was flown to a city near them in a helicopter. They don't have any baby doctors where they live. The ER doctor thinks he is getting seizures.

We all know how much Jesus loved the little children so we hope and pray he will hear our prayers for this little one...

Sweet Lord Jesus, we offer this little one to you care. Please shower your blessings, compassion, healing and the correct diagnosis to enable them to treat whatever is wrong. Please comfort the family and loved ones along the way as they wait in fear but also in hope for your help. We trust in you.

Prayer Request for Friend's Cousin Tommy

A friend's cousin is having multiple medical issues, all piling up on him one after another. Here is what family has said:

"Heart surgery was finally scheduled for May 15. It was a complete bypass and they actually removed his heart and put him on a bypass machine. They had to remove an entire valve and use a vein from his leg.  That valve also had an aneurysm so it was a good thing it was removed.  The heart surgery was a success BUT, he was having bladder issues.  He is now diagnosed with bladder and kidney cancer.  Kidney surgery will be sometime in late August or September.  Now they also found a tumor on his lung...that is scheduled for July 24.  He is trying so hard but he has no appetite and although his heart is doing so much better, other areas aren't.  He weighs 122 lbs.  He has little energy and says he can't eat, so he drinks water and eats very little. Please ask your prayer group to please pray for him.  I have him on prayer chains all over.  He just turned 74 on June 3."

I'll be praying not only for healing and a great medical team but comfort for the family as they all suffer watching him suffer. It's always so sad when things pile up, one after another... please say a wee prayer for this man and his family and loved ones.

Sweet Lord Jesus, this is a tough one. Looks like we need a miracle here and we know you are our healer. We ask for not only good medical advice and surgeries, but also peace and patience and anything that is needed by this family and this man to help them through this troubling time. Jesus, we trust in you!

Update on Prayer Request for Friend's Aunt

Back on 5/31 (at this link), I asked for prayers for a friend whose aunt was in ICU because her COPD and related issues were even causing weeping from openings on her leg. 

I'm so happy to share with you that her aunt is not only out of ICU, but back at her home with some family folks who flew in to help with her recuperation.

We don't always get feedback about our prayers so it's always heartwarming when we do hear of good outcomes. My friend is very grateful for the prayers.

Sweet Lord Jesus, once again, we come to thank you for hearing our prayers for someone in need. Thank you for your healing and for help for this woman while she is recuperating. And please bless all those who sent prayers her way and bless them abundantly. We trust in you.

Next Up, Louise's C19-Lockdown Projects

Yesterday I posted the projects I finished during our Charity Crafters' Covid19 lockdown (link for that here). Today, here's a photo of what our long-time member, Louise, finished along the way. It includes 9 pairs of our fingerless gloves for the homeless, 1 scarf for them, 1 lapghan for the VA, 2 baby blankets and 4 baby jackets for local needy moms/babies.

We stick to simpler patterns for the most part because a lot of people in need do not have access to hand-washing fancy/delicate things, and some, like the VA, wash the lap covers in industrial washers which are tough on items, and some young needy mothers need things that are easy to put on and take off.

Tomorrow I'll do the scarves that came in during the C19 lockdown. After that, I will take all this stuff in the 3 days of pix and pack and document and shove big white 13-gallon bags into my double wide closet in the back bedroom until we distribute to one of the 3 places we give things (VA facility, two priests who hand out directly to homeless, and a group that distributes to mothers in need).

Rolling along...