The week that was

 Last week was not one of my better weeks.  I posted just a little about it on FB, and have had several of you reach out to ask if I'm ok.  And I am ok, but I so appreciate your concern and prayers.  Here's a little of what's been going on in my life.

I have a dear friend named Becky who I first met when she came to work as the business office manager at my facility.  A sweeter, more loving person, you would not find.  She was the most welcoming person as people came in and often came out to spend time with our residents.  I remember sitting with her and singing to a man who was dying.  That was just Becky.  We became even closer when she started to come to the ladies Bible studies at our church, and joined.  She was also a member of our small group at church. She was found to have thyroid cancer about 6 years ago, and they couldn't get it all.  It was very slow growing and was monitored regularly. She did well until early this summer when it began to grow aggresively in her esophagus.  She ended up with a feeding tube as she couldn't swallow, but was going through chemo and appeared to be improving.  Through all this she was just a joy and a blessing to all around her, and always testified to God's faithfulness.  Monday night I talked to her and she was having increased throat pain.  They had checked a few things, were going to draw labs and she was to see the Dr again.  However, God took her home early Tuesday morning.  I was saddened and shocked to get that call before I was even out of bed, since I had talked to her a few hours earlier.  I am sad for myself, her family and many friends, but am thankful she went quickly and I know she is rejoicing in the precense of the Lord!

Here's Becky - love that smile!

Here she is a few years ago with Alaina.  Alaina had made something for her and brought it to the facility.  The girls loved her too and called her Miss Becky.

As for me - on that same day, I had an appointment with the Dr.  I have been having a lot of joint pain; knees, hips, shoulders. Knee pain is not unsual for me, hip and shoulder pain is not something I've had, and it's been bad enough that I haven't been able to sleep in bed and it's hard to dress sometimes.

The Dr's initial thought was that it was an auto immune disease that flares up occasionally.  I had to go for blood work to confirm this.  But, when the labs came back, they point to rheumatoid arthritis.  I will be going to a specialist on the 30th.  In the meantime, they started me on Prednisone Friday and I am feeling some relief.

When I came home from that appointment, these beautiful flowers were waiting from our daughter Laura and family.  So pretty, so sweet!

To end the week, my Dad is having some covid sx.  We're praying he just has a bad cold, but a telephone visit is set up with possible testing.  He's 89 and has a lot of risks, so prayers for him are also appreicated.

So, it's been rough.  But, through it all, there is the knowledge that God is in control!  He has a plan, His plan is best, although it may not seem that way to me.  Isn't that a great comfort?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9