All In One Update
UPDATE ON MARK
We got some great news about my husband, Mark, on Tuesday. When he started treatment (7 weeks ago now) his viral count was at 600,000. Now, I'm not sure what that means, but Mark explains it as how much virus (hepatitis C) is in his blood. This past Tuesday they told him that his 6 week count was....UNDER 10. Not 10,000, but TEN. They said that other than saying it's remarkable, they don't know what else to say! They call him one of the lucky ones. He still has 42 weeks of treatments to go, and the shot he got on Tuesday pretty much knocked him out for a day or so (chills, aches and pains, exhaustion) but he feels better this morning.
Anyway, they call him lucky, we call him blessed. They don't know what to say, we say 'Thank you Jesus'. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.
BORROWED FROM STEVE
A Race of a Different Kind
Some people understand life better, and they call some of these people"retarded"...
Some people understand life better, and they call some of these people"retarded"...
At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story... Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"
SOME CALL IT WORK
I've been subbing for the Speech Department, and I've been having a blast. These kids are so creative. A bit high strung, but they're smart, funny and so creative. Their teacher has them putting together 60 to 90 second commercials comparing soft drinks with one being the preferred, and it's students choice as to which. When I read this assignment, I thought of all the commercials we've seen comparing coke and pepsi...and the likes. I figured (slap my hand) that the kids would have a lot to copy from. But that's not what I saw.
Each class is broken down into groups of 4 - 5 students. One group had a member drink a Mr. Pibb by mistake and call 911 for Dr. Pepper. Another group had Coke and Pepsi as contestants on Jeopardy. One more, there was a parody of Sprite and 7-Up on the Jerry Springer Show.
They'd written their own scripts, gotten their own props and timing it all to make sure it didn't go over or under. I'm sure I'm not doing them justice, but they were exceptional. I'm impressed, not only with the students, but with the teacher for having instilled this kind of creativity in them. Good job.
WHO KNEW?
Okay, men...go away. About 4 years ago I had to have a complete hysterectomy. It didn't bother me so much because I was done (more than done) having children and I had been having severe problems for about...gee, a very long time. So, this was no big deal to me and I've felt so much better since. I found out yesterday that I no longer have to have a yearly pap! I've had them for the past 3 years since, but apparently I didn't have to. Nice to know. But at least I know now. I was told that I can go for 3 - 4 years, have one...go another 4 - 6 years...and so on. Mostly just to check the hormonal levels, which you'd think they could find another way to test for. But, hey, I'm not complaining. Still need a yearly for blood tests, ekg and all that for meds and such. But, ladies...good news, yes??
ON ANOTHER NOTE
I'm so proud of my boys (okay, young men...whatever). They are such decent, thoughtful, considerate, giving and kind young men. I am so very blessed to have them. I'm not kidding here, I'm constantly in awe of the things they do and their outlook on life. If nothing else, I've contributed to this world greatly through the amazing kids I've raised.
posted by kathi | 10:06 AM
30 Comments:
Jesus is good!!! My prayers are with you & your family! Great news about Mark, and I hope it continues. You are very fortunate to have such a close-knit family.
I'm sure your students are just in awe with you- as all your readers are!
:)
You're an amazing woman!
that is great to hear your son is doing better!
heather ~ thank you cutie!
deb ~ He is indeed! thanks deb, for all your kind words and your friendship.
cane ~ thank you, I know you've known someone who has gone through this, and I appreciate your thoughts.
A thankless task--you're the best Kath! :)
Thank YOU!
Wow, what great news!! I'm happy for you all. I love this post, and I truly love the quote "a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."
That is remarkable! Congratualations. I mean I am so happy for you. I truly am. Thank you Jesus.
wendy & georgia peach ~ Y'all are so sweet to care! I'm really blessed by the people that read my blog. Thank you very much.
BIG HUGS!!
wendy ~ that is a cool quote, I enjoyed Steve's entire post, really moved me.
I have a question, how do you get the little bar with the number of blog viewers on? Please reply on this post, one at my blog, or E-mail me at sfranchino@gmail.com. Thanks.
kathi: happy to hear ... well, all of it! Lots of good news for you — healthier husband, healthier you (and un-papped!), and good kids.
I don't know you all that well, as I have just recently become a reader here, but I think you definitely deserve all this good fortune. I hope it not only continues, but expands ....
sal ~ I emailed the info to you, hope it helped.
dzer ~ wow, un-papped...I like that. Lol. You're such a sweetheart, wait...have I already told you that today?
I don't know much about Hep C, other than it has something to do with the liver. Seems scary, though. Good luck with you and your hubbie!
Wow! That's great news about Mark.
Race of a Diff.. Why in my older age do these kinds of stories make me wistful? If only we didn't live in such dog eat dog world. Gosh this makes me want to go out and do something really nice for someone. And I really thought I had done my good deed for the week.
Those commercials sounds very interesting.
leesa ~ I didn't (and still don't) know that much either. But since it's contagious, we're very blessed the boys and I haven't gotten it and Mark is responding so well!
shawn ~ thanks, it is good news! I'm right there with you on the story about the race. In fact, I've probably read it 5 or 6 times now and it gets me every single time. What a world this could be, huh?
And the commercials, creativity is such a cool thing to work with. I envy their teacher. I use to teach (long term) the journalism and year book class at the high school, loved it. Actually, I miss it. Hmmmmmmm
mw hick ~ Thank you, thank you. And, you do the same. :)
Yes, most definitely a miracle, thats the only way to explain it. Im glad to hear such good news in one post for your hub, yourself and your kids. I think you have contributed more than children, dont sell yourself short.
I fell into your blog again! *dusting self off*
I need a tutor. Do you travel?
wow- Great news about your hubby!!!! :)
Also, great story about the Special Olympics. Having a brother who is mentally handicapped, I am always sensitive to these stories!
That's great news Kathi! Glad to hear the treatment is working; thoughts are with you guys as you go through this ordeal.
And on another note, just curious, does one study before a pap test to ensure optimal results?
jerry ~ yeah, I'm just out and out blessed (but no rain, lol). Thanks for the kind words, very sweet, thank you.
deb ~ hey hon, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go! Can I bring my friend, Katy??
kelli ~ thanks. I'm glad that you got to read this story, it is one of my all time favorites. Just a hope and a prayer of how we could all behave towards one another. What a world, huh?
mr. g ~ yup, it is good news!! I've never found it necessary, but I'm betting you'd have to put aside some serious time to study!
Wow! I didn't realize you and Mark were dealing with such a serious issue. That's great news. Any liver damage?
S'also great news about the Pap test. (can you get more invasive?)
mg ~ hey guy, lovin the new pic. Yup, there's some damage, but hopefully it's gonna be okay. And the answer would have to be no, there is nothing more invasive.
Is Katy hot? And is she a carnivore? Or vegetarian/vegan-type that would kill me if she smelled a hint of filet mignon on my breath?
ba ha ha !!! I'm being silly! :|~
tracie!!!! ~ You know I've missed you! Thanks for the kind words. Don't tell me your inner child is sad too??? Tell me, tell me!!
Chrissie ~ thanks for the smooches. Mark's liver was at a stage 4 (5 being the worse) when they started this. The hep. c is responding miracleously well, and the hope is to restore the liver also.
The paps, beats me. I had the complete hysterectomy (gave up the ovaries, uterus, the whole shabang) so they said that's main reason for the pap. BUT, I do still have to go every 3 years, then maybe 4, then 5...whatever.
Hmmmm, good question though, yes??
Sweet news about Mark!! Tell him to keep his head up and keep going to the finish line.. Your the one who turned around and picked him up and are helping him to the finish line..
That story brought a tear to my eye!! I loved it and will repeat it often.
Awesome post!!!
Sorry I haven't checked in till now...I've been working my butt off. Great news about your husband...he is sooo blessed. That's just awesome!!
I loved the story about the special olympics...everyone can learn something from that.
your personal news is awesome too!! I had a hysterectomy at 24yrs old....I'm so bad about getting a "yearly" though...I'm still supposed to. It's just so "ick"..lol
Great news Kathi! We would give you a big hug, but there's a problem, we're in China.
Hope you and your family had a great weekend, and a Happy halloween!
bill ~ what a sweet twist to the story, me being the one that turns back. You can be a darlin, who knew?
jan ~ hon, you've been working so hard, I know that! But, you've also fewer days till you're with your guy on vacation!!
dorm boys ~ Wow, all I can say is the two of you are a HUGE hit already. You've brightened my day with your introduction. HUGS!!!
Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed international criticism of his call for Israel's annihilation, saying, "They [Israelis] are cheeky humans and they think that the entire world should obey them. They destroy Palestinian families and expect nobody to object to them," Ahmadinejad said, asserting his comments "are the exact words of the Iranian people".
It was the first time since early in the days of the Islamic Revolution that such a high-ranking Iranian official has openly called for the destruction of Israel.
Ahmadinejad made his comments during Iran's annual hatefest called 'Jerusalem Day.' Iran's 'Jerusalem Day' is a carnival-like event during which one can express his hatred for the Jews, burn a few flags and meet with jihadist recruiters looking for suicide bombing candidates.
Protestors in Tehran and other Iranian cities burned Israeli flags and held banners displaying anti-Israeli slogans including "Death to Israel, Death to America".
Ahmadinejad also said "anyone who signs a treaty which recognizes the entity of Israel means he has signed the surrender of the Muslim world", and warned Muslim leaders who recognize Israel that they "face the wrath of their own people".
Noted David Horovitz in the Jerusalem Post, " The man was standing at a podium bearing a large poster blaring the title of the gathering, in English: 'The world without Zionism'. He was stating, calmly and confidently, that such a world was indeed entirely within reach... This week, in the boldest language imaginable, Ahmadinejad made plain that, where Israel is concerned, a nuclear Iran under his watch would be anything but benign."
Yediot Aharonot said in an editorial; "What is worrying, other than the minor issue that one day we might all turn into dust because of a nervous Iranian missile, is that 60 years after the Holocaust a leader of a state again openly threatens to destroy the Jews."
Haaretz also heard echoes of the Holocaust in Ahmadinejad's speech, writing; "The open call to destroy the state of Israel highlights the comparison with another leader who was elected by his people in 1933 [Adolf Hitler], whose agenda included an open call to destroy the Jewish people."
Israel immediately called for an emergency session of the UN security council.
"We have decided to open a broad diplomatic offensive," said Israeli foreign minister, Silvan Shalom.
Israeli PM Ariel Sharon is also demanding that Iran to be expelled from the UN. "A country that calls for the destruction of another people cannot be a member of the UN," he said.
Kofi Annan, in what, for him, was an unusually harsh public condemnation, expressed his "dismay" yesterday at Mr Ahmadinejad's remarks and warned Tehran that all UN members had agreed to "refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity ... of any state".
One wonders. Even Israel?
The Russian Interfax News Agency reported today that, while the Russians condemned Ahmadinejad's comments as having 'provided added grounds for sending the dispute over Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council,' it plans no change in Moscow's nuclear policy vis a vis the Islamic republic.
"Our position regarding Iran has not changed," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Interfax during a visit to Jordan.
So, in a nutshell, we have the government of Iran promising to wipe Israel from the face of the earth and the government of Russia pledging to continue its efforts to provide Tehran with the nuclear means to do so.
Although it is a mortal sin under the UN Charter for one nation to advocate the destruction of another, particularly for ethnic reasons, the most forceful adjective that Kofi Annan could come up with to describe the UN's official position was 'dismay'.
The stage is not only set, but the current situation reads like a dress rehearsal for the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophesied 'Gog-Magog' invasion of Ezekiel 38-39.
To summarize the prophecy, the prophet Ezekiel, writing during the Babylonian Captivity (606-536 BC) foretold the formation of an alliance in the 'latter years' that would launch a sneak attack/invasion of Israel.
Ezekiel identified the leader of this alliance as "Gog and Magog" whom many scholars more credentialed than I have identified as comprising modern Russia and some of the various 'Stans'.
Gog's chief lieutenant is identified as 'Persia', the traditional historical name for modern Iran. Persia is joined by Ethiopia and Libya, (modern North Africa) together with much of the Middle Eastern Muslim world.
"After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them." (Ezekiel 38:8)
The identity of the invasion target could not be more clear. 'Brought back from the sword, gathered out of many people against the mountains of Israel, which have always been waste' -- this can only refer to modern Israel. No previous historical incarnation of Israel meets Ezekiel's specifications.
Although Russia is the titular head of the invasion force, Persia is the catalyst. Ezekiel says Russia's participation is reluctant at best; Ezekiel says God will "put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth," (38:4) when " at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought." (Ezekiel 38:10)
And what is the United Nations doing during all this time?
Incredibly, Ezekiel not only identifies them as being dominated by the Western nations; "the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof" but he says their response amounts to little more than a weak diplomatic protest.
"Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" (38:13)
Russia and Persia are currently joined at the hip by their joint nuclear project, the schizophrenic nature of which puts Moscow at odds with the rest of the world.
There is little doubt that a nuclear Iran would make good on Ahmadinejad's threat with only minimal provocation. Moscow simultaneously condemns Iran for making it while supply it with the means to make the threat good.
And, while the Western world might express 'dismay' at a Moscow-led sneak invasion, it is unlikely that it will risk nuclear war with the Russians over Israel.
Washington might, but the Europeans certainly wouldn't, leaving only Israel's never-confirmed nuclear arsenal between Jerusalem and the barrier mountains separating it from the West Bank.
Ezekiel, writing from his historical vantage point two thousand years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, gave this description of the battlefield:
"And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone." (38:22)
Now, let's leave Ezekiel aside for a moment and pretend we are prophets writing from our vantage point in history, trying to predict three years hence.
Israeli intelligence determines Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Ahmadinejad's call for wiping Israel from the map is now a practical possibility.
Since the US is currently involved in operations with Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, it is up to Israel to take out Iran's nuclear facilities or live under the threat of instant annihilation at the whims of guys like Ahmadinejad.
With no other choice, Israel launches its strike, taking out much of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, together with the thousands of Russian contractors, scientists, security personnel and administrators stationed there.
Iran, furious at being deprived of its nuclear ambitions, turns to the wounded Russians and together, they launch a surprise retaliatory invasion of the Jewish state.
Neither Europe nor the UN are prepared to stand against nuclear Moscow, particularly in light of Russian casualties inflicted by Israel in an attack that meets the definition of an act of war under international law.
Such an attack would provide all the excuse necessary for the rest of the Arab world to declare war on Israel and join in on the invasion.
That scenario puts the invading army on the mountains of Israel. It leaves Israel with the choice between its own annihilation and use of nuclear weapons to destroy the invaders.
Sound about right?
The above scenario is not only possible, it is probable, given that Iran will not give up its nuclear ambitions and Israel can not allow Iran to achieve them.
And it is an exact match to Ezekiel's prophecy, right down to the various members of the various alliances and their various positions relative to Israel as they exist in this fifth year of the 21st century.
The only differences are that my scenario is an educated guess based on conditions as they exist today, and I could be wrong about the exact order and detail.
Ezekiel wrote from Babylon, one hundred and fifty years after the Kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Sargon the Assyrian and two thousand five hundred years before a sovereign nation called 'Israel' would again be numbered among the nations of the world.
"Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure." (Isaiah 46-8:10)
anon ~ wow
Post a Comment
<< Home