From Sarah and Caringbridge. . .

at 03/05/10 3:43PM

Just a short update to let you know about Barry's test. He had an MRI done on Tuesday afternoon. This MRI was done on the area of Barry's neck where he had surgery 3 years ago at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Barry has been having recurring symptoms of problems in that area. He has had issues with both arms and one leg, as well as headaches. Obviously, this has been a concern for us. Thankfully, his primary doctor jumped through all of the insurance hoops in order to get this test done now.

We have received 2 reports on this MRI. Yesterday's report was..."Tumors all in the area of the surgical resection...if you have ever had anything removed from this area, please see your neurologist/surgeon ASAP." Barry has had major tumor removal and debulking done in the area, so we knew we had to investigate a bit further. We spoke with another of Barry's doctors at Trinity (that also goes to church with us). He went down to the Radiology department this morning and spoke with them about what they were seeing in comparison to the last MRI. The last MRI they have on file was done after Barry's surgery. That is good....they can compare and give us a clearer picture of what is going on. So, this morning's information is..."Yes, there are lots of tumors...BUT the most significant change is in spinal cord and its position. The spinal cord is now being pulled off to the left side. It is definitely in a different position, but they are not sure why. Suspicions of scar tissue or tumors or.....?????? They just don't know. SO...the tests are going to be sent to Dr. Krauss in Minnesota to look at. He is the high-ranked expert in this area...so we will wait to see if he expresses any concern over these changes and what his recommendations are. We are hopeful that Dr. Krauss will be comfortable with the tests that have been done and will be able to see what is going on...and know what to do or not do. There will be a delay in processing all of the information. The tests are going to be sent regular mail...that takes a week.

As we know...we will let you know. In the meantime, please pray.

Until next time...be a blessing to others...Sarah

Will do!! Keep us updated!

by snickers63 at 03/05/10 10:12PM
XOXOXO

by teelside at 03/06/10 6:06AM
Will be praying.

by split_rock at 03/06/10 6:59AM
I'm praying, Barry.

by lori_in_pa at 03/06/10 9:03AM
I will be praying, too.

by stitchinmom at 03/07/10 3:02PM
many many prayers

by teelduo at 03/10/10 2:02PM
that could be tircky...but he did spend most of the day pruning fruit trees and vines; a relatively play-like job.

by teelside at 03/12/10 3:45PM

Bunco with my Sweetie!

at 03/02/10 10:39AM

Played Bunco for the very first time last night with Sarah at her monthly Bunco group from services. They were having a "Bunco with Your Hunco" party. Had three Buncos in a row in the very first round. Ended up taking home the prize for the most Buncos. Don't tell Sarah, but I may be hooked!

P.S. Sarah had the most wins for the evening!

Grow in your Faith. . .

at 02/03/10 8:59AM

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

In our Jr. High Bible Class, we have been studying 1 Peter through Revelation. In an effort to help the kids understand the above verse, I created the 3-D bulletin board pictured here.

Photobucket

We discussed how our Faith is always growing. . .and like the plant, it puts on new growth (leaves) as we mature in our Faith. Each leaf on a plant is a living, breathing part of it. Just like our Faith is a part of us and as we grow in Faith we become stronger.

I asked the kids what they thought of when they looked at the plant represented here. One young lady replied “a beanstalk with a giant living at the top”. I used her word picture to take the lesson a step further.

I replied, “Yes, this does look like a bean stalk and the giant at the top is named Sin. So, as we grow in our Faith, the giant we are working to kill is Sin.”

It is a blessing to be in the class with this amazing group of young people. . .to be able to have a hand in helping them grow their own Faith.

Love the bulletin board. Very cool. Can I be in your class? Sounds like you're doing a great job!

by cindykay at 02/03/10 9:45PM
You and your wife have wonderful skills in this area. I wish I had your knack for creative bulletin board ideas and making those kind of connections.

by nthnswmn at 02/03/10 11:19PM
p.s. We miss you all!

by nthnswmn at 02/03/10 11:20PM
Way to think on your feet!

by ashulee at 02/04/10 7:44AM
Only an artist would remember dots. :)

by teelside at 02/09/10 4:18PM
I do not think I know you too well ... I think I love you ALMOST well enough. XO

by teelside at 02/18/10 10:47AM
Well, you must have passed muster...she didn't bat an eye when I told her you were one of the family. :)

by teelside at 02/18/10 4:55PM

What did you say?

at 01/18/10 12:37PM

We had a great Bible study with the Jr. High Class at our house last night! Our topic was Godly Speech. We talked about our example to our friends and how everyday our influence is poured out on those around us. This group of kids is terrific! They are interested in doing what's right and they become very much engaged in the conversation around living Godly lives.

We were able to discuss some common euphemisms and how these are words that just soft-soap or sugar-coat our language. We demonstrated this with a hard bar of soap and a dish of soft-soap (either way...soft or hard it is still soap). I also used a sliced lemon....bitter at the start, but when you put sugar on it, it goes down a little easier (sugar-coated, but still bitter underneath). We discussed how even the world realizes these are softer ways of using blunt expressions or exclamations, and to take God's name in vain. Like most people, they had no idea that many of the things they might be saying and that their friends are saying were not appropriate.

On a lighter side, we did share with them some euphemisms that are common, but really don't have a negative impact on their speech. For example, I asked them what they thought each of the following meant:

Abundant = Fat
Between jobs = Unemployed
Unmotivated = Lazy
Downsized = Fired
Cozy (when discussing a house) = Small
Golden years = Senior Citizen (Old)
Vertically challenged = Short

I am blessed to also be their regular Bible Class teacher (along with my good friend Grant). Together we are currently going through 1 Peter -- Revelation with them. We are enjoying frank discussions with them in class and are amazed at their input when fully involved in the conversation. These kids are the future leaders of God's church. What a blessing to be a part of their education.

Please pray for Grant and I to have wisdom to show these kids God's love and to light a fire in their hearts for Him.

Great bible class! We are about to start something similiar here for that age group.

By the way...at least you were able to provide them with a visual example of vertically challenged!

by adam_m at 01/19/10 7:27AM
^ Only three of them are taller than me!

by shrtwscrybrows at 01/19/10 8:17AM
Sounds like a very good class and that's coming from someone vertically challenged and very abundant. That does sound so much better. LOL

by teelduo at 01/20/10 2:57PM

This is actually funny...

at 01/04/10 4:31PM

During the holidays, my sweet Sarah, entertained several of the elderly and/or widowed ladies for lunch. She did this twice with much appreciation from those attending. After the second group was in, I came home from work, went out to the front porch to fix some of the outdoor decorations displayed there.

That evening, I am squinting to see the television and began to look for my glasses. For two days, I can’t find them! I’m thinking that I don’t have $700 to replace them. I began to wonder if I had left them on my desk at the office and that Davis would have to drive me out there (24+ miles) to see if that was the case.

Anyway, on this past Saturday afternoon, Davis goes out to the porch and comes back in stating that, “Mom, one of those old ladies dropped their glasses on the porch.” THOSE ARE MY GLASSES!!
Apparently, I had put them in my shirt pocket and when I leaned over to fix whatever was wrong they fell out. I am just glad no one had stepped on them.

Old Lady Glasses, indeed…what was that boy thinking?

But, hey, I can see again, so I forgive him! Life is never dull at our house!

this little old lady is glad you found your glasses....can't have you stumbling around in a blur :)

by teelside at 01/04/10 4:58PM
ouch! that hurts!!

by snickers63 at 01/04/10 5:42PM
I know that I am suppose to rejoice with those that rejoice. And I am very happy that you have found your glasses. But alas, it only reminds me of losing my glasses today at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta TODAY! And they are not like Disneyland, where you can leave your name and address and have them mail the lost item once it is found. I even packed my backup pair of glasses, in case something happened such as this. But I am still kicking myself and very frustrated that this has happened... So, yay, I am glad you found them and can totally relate. I misplace my glasses ALL THE TIME!!!

by turner120995 at 01/04/10 7:07PM
Glad you found the glasses but I had to laugh at the old lady glasses comment!

by teelduo at 01/05/10 10:31AM
old lady glasses --- old man glasses--apparently not much different!

by gallatinrealtor at 01/05/10 9:12PM
Charlie doesn't call your Ol' man Fultz for nothing ;)

by mamanem at 01/06/10 8:31AM
LOL...oh, well, it could be worse!

by meg at 01/14/10 5:25PM

From Sarah and Caringbridge. . .

Bunco with my Sweetie!

Grow in your Faith. . .

What did you say?

This is actually funny...

shrtwscrybrows

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