Bath Time

BunniesD2C-poster
Originally uploaded by Ellen5e

After feeding it is bath time; messaging clean and then down belly and to the tail to help newborns learn to eliminate after eating and outside of the sleeping area.

Plus by noticing their elimination, I can tell if they are digesting well. That and their energy level tell me they are doing fine so far. : )

This is wild mama rabbit behavior and Sable is learning to clean not only himself but also his sibling.

Time to Eat

BunnieD2B-poster
Originally uploaded by Ellen5e

Though not the softest of nipples, the monoject helps me deliver the formula (condensed milk, goats milk, clover honey and soluble vitamins). I am very careful to not depress the plunger too fast so as to prevent aspiration.

I learned that bunnies of this age, eyes are not opened yet, will eat about 2 times a day and about 2 ml per feeding. Most important feeding time is between midnight and 5 a.m..

Whatever the cc/ml amount, I look to the little one to tell me when it is full and look for signs of a nice rounded tummy when done.

Tiny Tennants

BunnieD2A-poster
Originally uploaded by Ellen5e

This is the second day of caring for the newborn orphan cottontails.
Their 3 older siblings were killed when the nest was destroyed by either our terrier or the neighbor's cat. Mother bunny didn't pick a very good spot for them.

They still have sign of umbilical stub and were quite emaciated when I rescued them. Each of them weighed just over 1 oz. Although the odds are greatly against survival of babies this small, I think that my animal husbandry skills improve the odds.

Gardening: A part of the Miracle

I really do enjoy gardening.

I would rather spend all day out there than do laundry, wash dishes, vacuum or grocery shop. There is just something about digging into the dirt, breaking up the tough crust of the earth and pulling out the weeds that is therapeutic. The feel of the worked soil and the actual smell of the earth and fresh plants adds to the sense of feeling like I'm a part of creation.

Since my shoulder injury at the beginning of July, I am really missing the time that I used to spend gardening. Even mowing the grass was "gardening" to me. Plus, I would be getting fresh air and exercise. Alas, my bum right shoulder is severely painful and limits what I can do.

This past Friday, I received the bad news that I would need to cut physical therapy short and go back to my family doctor for more diagnostic tests (probably an MRI). I simply am NOT getting better even with what PT I can do. In fact I'm getting worse. The therapist thought I should be further in recovery if nothing worse was wrong... so... back to the doctor I will go. UUUGH>- -<

This is bad news for my gardening urges. I have managed to stay on top of critical issues like watering, feeding; dead-heading and harvesting. However... here in Indy we have had quite a bit of rain and the weather is fabulous so vegetation is getting the density of a jungle. And this shoulder makes it extremely difficult to pull weeds. Hoeing/// Forget about it! Running the mower or weed-eater... No Way!

So I must watch in dismay as my garden looks so much more scraggly than it should. I must ask for help from my husband to do things that I would normally do. Humble pie just does not taste as good as the cherry kind.

"Whatever things are true, honest, righteous, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent or worthy of praise let your mind dwell on these things. . ." Phillipians 4:8,9

Click here to view To snap out of these bummed shoulder blues... I decided to finally post the many photos I have taken of my garden and flowers so far this year. I hope you all enjoy them.

Growing Pains

Today I was commenting on another Christian brother's blog post in which he shared his frustration and discouragement of not knowing where he "fit in". I decided my response would be worthy of posting on my own blog. So here you are --

Well my little Brother in Christ... you are Growing UP!!

All of us are born into this world with that big vacancy that only God can fill. We ALL try to fill it with substitutes from time to time... even AFTER we're "saved". That's our sinful human nature. Pride wants us to take the credit for solving all the problems, wielding all the power, and controlling all that there is to control.

What you have been, and are now, experiencing is called growing pains. I am NOT attempting to minimize the pain and frustration that you've been enduring. Rather, I am just trying to congratulate you for your acknowledging it.

As good ol' Dr. Phil says, "you can't change what you don't acknowledge." However, there is a more dependable source than even the smart doctor: the Holy Scriptures state that "fear is the beginning of understanding".

Let's face it, one of our greatest trials can be fear. Fears often cause us to get off-balance, and then before we regain our composure something ELSE comes along. We get HAMMERED by fear.

I believe that Satan feeds on our fears. That little Devil gains great joy when we beat ourselves up. "Why do I keep doing things wrong? Why doesn't anybody want to BE with me? Why am I such a problem? What good am I doing? Maybe they'd be better off without me. Maybe I'll just stay home. I wouldn't have had any fun anyway. . .

Soon, we can find ourselves isolated, lonely, and depressed. That is far from God's plan for us to be: connected and involved with people, and living lives full of blessings and victory over trials and problems. Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... that's what God wants for us. And He provides the means if we just look to Him as the source.

And then there's the concern of those of us who are "people pleasers". "What are THEY going to THINK?" "They're going to be: mad at me, disappointed, hurt... They'll think I'm ugly, nerdy, goofy, stupid, a fool, a burden..."

Do you see it? The way Satan gets us to focus on ME. If he can convince me to focus on myself and how terrible I am; then he will succeed in keeping me from doing the very thing I am here for. I am here to show God's love to others and to allow God's love to come to me through others. When the love of God is allowed to flow through and to me... then and only then do I get to feel the joy of purpose.

That is how I can be joyful even during times of trouble. Jesus promised a helper. He NEVER lies. The Holy Spirit ministers to me through other people. And I am allowed to minister to others in the same way. See 2 Cor.1:3-7 :D

"Perfect love casts out fear," so to obtain "the peace that passes understanding" allow yourself to turn to the comfort found in His Holy Word. By examining the truths that God reveals; we are better equipped to recognize the lies that try to present themselves as truths.

I started out with this being an encouragement to a brother. But as much as I have seen Satan's handiwork in action lately.. I think I'm going to actually blog this as well.

In the meantime, Brother, I hope that you will be strengthened as you focus on calling the "stinkin' thinkin'
flat=out lies! God said that you are His adopted child and there is nothing that anyone can do to take you from His hand.

God's Word is TRUTH and it says in Romans 8 -- "(38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor heavenly rulers, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And WHEN (not IF) I get beaten up on the Battlefield of the Mind, I must quit going on the offense and take a defensive stance. All I have to do is get behind that Shield that God has given to me... the battle is the Lord's and He is my Deliverer. So sometimes I just need to acknowledge that I NEED Him. Then I just need to fully rely on Him, having faith that He is control of it all. . . that His way is the Best way.

Psalm 119:114 --"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your Word."

In closing, I would just like to:
Exalt the Savior - He is in control
Equip the Saints - Study His words to fight lies with truth
Edify the Body - remember You are not alone
Examine myself - this advice for you is also reminder for me
Evangelize - let's press on and share what we learn : )

With love, Ellen5e

Storm Leaves Some Disconnected

One of my great passions is communications. Graphic Arts, photography, video, music and song, face to face and (increasingly) net-based, new media. Yes FaceBook, Twitter, G-mail, IMs have greatly enriched my everyday life and ministry opportunities.

Like most conveniences of our modernized lives, the importance of the technology isn't really appreciated until it's lost. And that's where I am at the moment... DISCONNECTED.

Last night at 9:20 p.m. a nasty thunderstorm descended upon our neighborhood and unleashed its fury! Lightning strobed. Thunder shook walls. One particularly close strike sent our terrier straight up into the air in fright. Our electricity flashed, just enough to have to reset the VCR/DVR and cause me to go into possible power failure mode. Lighting up the hurricane oil lamp, shutting down computer and peripherals and double checking power surge protector connections; the inevitable happens... the cable connection is lost immediately following a gigantic howling of wind.

With computer off, TV out of commission, and me not wanting to start more reading... I pulled out my guitar and actually practiced technique! I can't tell you how long it's been since I have played focusing on musical technique as opposed to automatic "plug and play" or "Zone out and sing out"... that kind of thing.

After the worst of the storm seems to have passed, I noticed that there were tree leave clumps scattered all over the yard. I was grateful to learn that our 50 foot ash tree managed to keep a grasp of it's limbs. Though, I took a flashlight outside to inspect the cable connections, I didn't see the problem. But clearly we were without cable service. No internet, no TV, not even phone. I am DISCONNECTED!

Fortunately, we still had electrical power, so I did some non-internet computer work and office organization well into the night... into the next morning hours actually.
So much for my original thought of "stormy weather, stuff shut down, I'll make up for recent sleep loss".

My chronic pain always flairs with severe weather and this proved to be no exception.
One of the ongoing tools my chronic pain group uses is "Don't Isolate". And here I was forced into isolation. EEEK!

So, again, I was up 'til near 4 a.m... only 2.5 hours of sleep this time. God help me. I did get task lists organized and established for Getting Things Done, so though the hours were later than I'd have liked, they were very productive. Just not on the major project that I really WANT/NEED to work on... I need the internet for that....aaah.

Here it is 24 HOURS LATER and it seems like a WEEK!
Thank God, I could just hobble on back to my alma mater Crossroads Bible College, the nest of my New Media outreach, and walk right in to settle in at the very same computer station I used while here last December. Check it out.... this computer still houses bookmarks of my favorites. I'm feeling more CONNECTED already.

So as I am nestled in front of the warm glow of the computer screen actually getting some online work done, God continues to minister: I meet an elderly poet who likes to talk religion and reads and comments on my blogs and picture posts. He does most of the talking, I politely stay engaged, but it is God's words that come from my lips to him over and again. : ) A bit frustrated by not getting more "things done", but realize that this divine appointment may have been an investment in a fellow's day; a possible paradigm shift, hopefully an encouragement in his faith walk.

Later, I talk to staff members... testimony sharing time. God is praised and we are blessed.

Then, Jamel a co-student, younger brother in Christ and FaceBook friend happens into the computer lab. What a great surprise. He graduated but is giving a sermon tomorrow so we share the lab as well as exchange useful Bible quotes and illustrations. You know, the very last time I saw Jamal was over 6 months ago. He was preparing for a sermon to give the next day then as well. Coincidence? I don't think so!! I'm really feeling connected and loved now.

Once again, the thing that strikes me most is that I am NOT getting as much of my Project presentation done as I had hoped. However, by putting the people over the things; God is clearly working!! I wish you could SEE this. It's exciting.


So, as I had forgotten yet another password... to my FriendFeed account... I went to ask them to reset it. I of course had to verify the request with a Captcha (random words to weed out unauthentic requests and tampering). Mind you these are RANDOM.
Are you ready to see this???


This "random" set of words given me by Captcha didn't seem so random given the trial I was passing through at the time.

"Render" I had been rendered, torn, forced to do things in a manner I would not willingly have chosen. I rendered to Him that which is due. God is in control!

"Believe" Have Faith, Trust in the One who ALWAYS gives me ALL that I need, and gives so in such abundance that it is beyond my comprehension.

Nothing Is Too Small

I have been going through a passage of maturity just lately. A very ominous, daunting, dark and narrow pass threatened me just this last weekend.

I have been taking part in an inter-city mission that I had been called two "accidentally" for over two years. "Ask Anything Saturdays" is conducted at the Unleavened Bread Cafe in the heart of Indianapolis. This mission-field is one in which some of us Christians implant ourselves into an otherwise unfamiliar culture to be used to show the love of Christ in practical ways.

The overall objective is to be available to introduce anyone who comes in off the street to the basics of using computers. So much of our society today involves the World Wide Web for developing job skills, applying for jobs, conducting research and getting to the information in a fraction of the time it used to take. Even more exciting, is the opportunity to make new friendships and network across many physical boundaries.

The internet has allowed us to cross racial, economical, cultural and educational boundaries. There are tutorials that help the newbies start out on this new adventure called the Internet. There are still some accessibility issues, especially for the aged and the economically strained. However, thanks to Public Libraries, schools, and now other social gathering computer cafe's, this boundary too, is being torn down.

Since I consider myself a "Walmart Missionary" (my term for witness and connect WHEREVER you happen to be at the time, to whomever happens to be around, in whatever way the Lord leads) when I was first asked to make myself available for a few hours on Saturday mornings, I accepted the commission.

This is an commitment that I do not take lightly. I often have NO idea of who will be there or what possible way(s) I may help them.

This last Saturday, July 5th, there were BIG plans at the UBCafe. We had been urging some cafe regulars to come to a special Media Training event. I was encouraged by a co-servant to spearhead the workshop. It would take a bit of extra preparation on my part, but I was very happy to accept the challenge. We even invited others from outside the usual crowd to come join us.

Thursday night before the Saturday event, the Great Oppressor started to work on me. I had a terrible fever, too nauseous to eat, extremely weak and a headache that made looking at my computer monitor for prepwork extremely difficult. All day Friday the illness continued. Then the battlefield of the mind was being bombarded with "oh man, wonder if this fever doesn't go away? Suppose I am not prepared enough?"

God, comforted me with a remembrance of the story of the little boy with the tidbits of fishes and loaves that fed thousands. "Just do what you can and I will take care of the rest. Don't listen to the Supreme Liar who is trying to convince you that you can't do it. Remember, in weakness, God's strength is magnified."

This is the same exact lesson that God has been showing me to encourage not only myself, but other Christian workers who are getting bombarded lately.

Saturday morning arrived. My body was still sick, but I was trusting that my fever was NOT contagious and prepared for the workshop. I had gathered all of my things and was heading out to our only car only to discover that we were totally out of gas!

So, my husband quickly took the van down the street to put in some gas, while I phoned to my friends to let them know that I would be tardy, but I AM coming. I felt so apologetic, knowing that they were waiting for me. Again the battlefield of the mind was aglow with new "worthlessness" bombs and a barrage of "you're letting everyone down" grenades.

About that time, Steve returned to tell me that our debit card was declined and we have no credit card. OH NO!! It turned out we'd been double charged and it hadn't been credited back because of the holiday weekend banking hours : (

Earlier in the week we literally emptied our penny bank for gas so that I could make it to another Christian meeting I felt lead to attend. A Christian brother handed me a folded bill and simply said "here, go get some gas". I was blessed to receive the bill. I would go straight to put $5 of gas into the car. When I went to pay, I discovered that the bill was really a $10. So I pocketed the remaining $5 and over the course of the next day bought a gallon of milk (on sale!) and still had $3 left.

That $3 put enough gas into the van for me to get into the workshop. I had earned a fifty dollar check dog sitting earlier, that Steve would go cash at customer's bank which would close at noon.

Now, I was almost an hour late !!! The battlefield was having a turn in the fighting. I was more convinced than ever that Satan really did NOT want me to go this morning. And I KNOW from experience that when things get this bad, there is going to be a tremendous Godthing happen! I even verbalized that fact to my husband who was driving me in. And then again, I spoke out loud as I rushed right in to the community room. "Hold on and pay attention, God is gonna do something!"

I went from dread to anticipation. Leaning not on my own understanding. Not getting hung up with the "oh, there are not as many people here as I thought there'd be, maybe they left because I was so late." I was excited to see what was going to happen. Confident in the fact that whoever was here, whatever we shared, whatever we did... all of it was in God's hands, for His glory and for the blessing of us all.

We DID have a very productive workshop. It was difficult to balance the information between the totally inexperienced and the already understanding individuals so as not to cause sensory overload on the novices nor bore the experienced. God IS good.

Again, I was comforted as I AGAIN encouraged us all with the sufficiency of our Great God. That whatever little thing we have to bring God WILL use. We do NOT have to do it all. And what we may think is NOT enough, with God's power becomes MORE than enough.

As I was outside teaching basic video filming with some of the trainees, two of my brothers in Christ were talking about me. When I came back, I was offered a JOB! Those who know me and my physical limitations and lack of income, know what a tremendous blessing this was. My new employer has offered to pay me for doing communications work for the Ministry that he spearheads. Communications is my passion and now I'm actually going to get a little money for that. He was reminding me that he couldn't pay me much (apologizing about not being able to pay MUCH), but that it should help offset gas money. "It's not very much"??? What is the lesson we are learning boys and girls?

God is sufficient... just do what I can.... He'll handle the rest.
It's called walking by faith, NOT by sight.

Then, another miracle happened. My husband called my cell phone. Was I ready to be picked up? Oh yes, it was now after 2pm and I hadn't eaten yet, could he please bring me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with him?

To which he replied, "it just so happens that we got $100 refund in the mail just now". That was enough to buy some much needed groceries! Immediately after ending the call, I began to tear up. "God, you've done it AGAIN!"

I was so filled with praise for what He had done for us, that I gathered about 6 brothers and sisters who were about to leave the Cafe and said... "please just give me 5 seconds to tell you something and pray with me."

We gathered in a circle holding hands and I reported all that God had been doing just that very day. Then I offered up praise that just spewed out of me, with my dear friends joining in the Thanksgiving to our Saviour. Tears of joy and undeserved blessing streamed down my face. I thanked my friends and thought they'd leave. But once again God was not DONE blessing yet. A brother who I do not really know well at all, asked to pray. He affirmed that something that I had said testified to something he was learning through God!! Blessing upon Blessings... now this was a worship service. 7 people and gathered angels praising our Awesome God!

So, though this blog post is one of my longest yet. I think of it as a pile of stones of remembrance; set to remind us of how God cares for even the little things, even me.

It is fitting that this Independence Day weekend was one in which I was set free in a new way. That by simply pressing on against the seemingly narrow passage; I not only was escorted through the narrow chasm, but my SAVIOR used the Holy Scripture to BLAST a passageway, the Holy Spirit to energize me forward and the Awesome Grace of God to show me that on the other side of the passageway was beautiful meadow full of all the blessings that are yet to come!!

Thanks for taking this trip with me : )
Because I believe like it says in the book of Corinthians that when we share such things together, our sorrows are halved and our joys doubled!!

PS I've also embedded a great song on this page called "Just How Big Small Can Be" by 1000 Generations. This is my theme song for this portion of the journey of my life.

Thanx 4 the prayers. The party was great! I messed up one of my mandolin leads, but only a couple of us in the band even noticed anything wrong. Just kept playing & it was okay : )

Another Milestone!

2008-05-28:Today marks another milestone in the life of our family. Our only child Michelle is graduating from High School.

Tuesday was her first day not to ride the bus to school for the school year. I was so tempted to have some fun and run into her room (after knocking of course) and say, "hurry up the bus is coming!" Just to watch her sit up straight in bed, 'cause I knew she'd be asleep. Fun thought... but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I did share the thought with her later tho' and received a chuckle.

As it was we had a moment last Friday when I was about to drive her father to work. He said, "now, don't miss the bus." As soon as he finished saying that, I said, "do you realize that that is the last time you'll have to say that to her?" I continued, "I remember when Campy (our old dog) and I waited with you to catch your first school bus to kindergarten; and now, now it's time for the last one." It was a neat look on Michelle's face as I could see all of her school years flash across her memory.

We were very proud to watch her receive honors last Monday night. Outstanding Orchestra medal, and Outstanding Japanese foreign language medal. She was also awarded the "President's Award" with a letter from President George W. Bush. She didn't quite make it to the required 10.0 of 12.0 for top scholars of the senior class, but she was close. I'd rather stress integrity and honor than strictly grades, and we did see her making the effort.

Yes, the high school chapter is coming to a successful end! I am thankful to God that He has allowed her to not only learn educationally, but remain healthy, develop great character and a growing relationship with Him. She is truly admired by classmates and staff alike. As parents, we are so very proud!

Transformation of Information

This morning after doing my Bible Studies and listening to Christian radio while partaking in a nice contemplative soak in a hot bath, I had a thought. Surprise.

Do I do a good job of using information that I am bombarded with everyday, or is it just so much clutter? Am I contributing to my own confusion, effectively spinning my tires, gunning the accelerator while the engine is in neutral, rather than applying what I learn? If so, my personal lack of discipline can work toward Satan's goal of keeping me from being effective for Christ.

It occurred to me that I MUST apply the information I receive or there is no chance at making any change. It is tragic to waste time and energy, because it is valuable in relation to reaching others with the love of God and bringing glory to Him which is my whole purpose!

So, being visually-minded as I am, I devised a VISUAL ANALOGY sticker to remind me of applying what is valuable and discarding the rest.

Growing and Helping Grow

Ever since I was a little girl, I've always enjoyed the garden. I like the idea of helping to make the magic of a garden happen. My brother and I would have some really awesome dirt clod fights as we prepared the seed beds. We did have to put a size limit on what an acceptable dirt clod looked like, or else welts would appear after being pummeled by a hunk of Indiana clay that acted more like granite than dirt. OUCH!

Oh, and the fun times I had as a teenager, driving the tractor as my dad screamed "quit driving so crooked... straighten it up... what are you doing?'' Have YOU ever tried to steer a hopping tractor in a straight line when it's bouncing across ruts and valleys?? Well, it's not easy. The stripping of the gears and popping of the clutch, the smell of the diesel spewing out of the exhaust that mixed with the smell of the nearby hay, these are but a few of my farmin' memories.

But after we got through the hard part of removing any boulders or rocks or stumps, turning over the soil, plowing and then discing so that the soil became workable, then we would use the harrow and even out the topsoil. We three older kids got to ride on the top of the harrow on a platform to help weigh it down as Dad pulled it along. It no longer looked like the same landscape. The soil was prepared. It looked receptive. Ready to bear whatever we planted.

That's when the real fun began. We'd take out the kid's wagon full of supplies. Seed packets and a few seedlings we'd started inside to be transplanted in our new garden. Dad would lay out some twine between a couple of twigs and hoe a beautiful little furrow. He always knew just how far apart in children's hand-breadths and how deep in kids finger depth to place the seeds. So we kids were entrusted with the responsibility of following those directions exactly for the crop he had us working on, while he went on to hoe another row. Seed down in the furrow, next seed, cover with dirt, press down firmly and a cup of water to drink... and so the pattern continued for most of the day.

Yes, my father did a wonderful thing in that family garden. He taught his children to appreciate good, hard work. The joy that comes from being a caretaker and a partaker of the fruits of personal labor and God's gracious miracle of provision.

The Good Book talks about how a seed must die, before it can live. But once it dies in the ground, it sends out a brand new sprout which seeks out the light and pushes it's way up through the soil. Then it stretches toward the sun and sends out branches and leaves, pods and beans, fruits, etc. All of these in turn, produce even more seeds!! Not to mention some delicious eating for some growing children.

I used to hate it, when Dad would make us go and pull weeds. Especially cutting down thistles that were as tall as I was. But I learned the importance of keeping the weeds down so that the soil's nutrients would not be robbed from the crop that we desired.

To this day, I so enjoy the feel of the dirt when it is just right. The soil is warm and moist to where I can pull even the deepest dandelion before it sends up colonies of weeds. I love the feel of the dirt on my hands (I only use gloves for the hardcore stuff). Even dirt under my fingernails is not as annoying as it once was. I can smell the minerals in the soil, especially after a nice springtime shower.

As I relive all these pleasant memories, I can't help but recall all of the similes that are found in a garden. God chose to start His creation of man in a garden. Provision and beauty abounded. There was purpose and fellowship, joy and love in that garden. Yes, the garden is a wonderful illustration of the Marvelous Master Gardener and His loving, nurturing care for me and those I love.

No wonder I love to garden so.

Leg Work: a bit of bone surgery

The 21st of February, the very day after I turned 46, I had my 31st surgery. God has been good to me in that I made it through another one.

This was the easiest surgery I've ever had on my leg. Dr. Karl Raynor went in and removed 2" from my left distal fibula (smaller lower leg bone) and the internal bone stimulator that was placed in there when my ankle was totally fused in May of 2006.

You can see the wires sticking out of where the devise had been. See that sharp bone sticking out of the back of the leg? That is the place to which my fibula was cut this time (where some tendon attach). It was about 2" longer but had grown toward the tibia to try to make a pseudo-joint which was causing unbearable bone pain for me.

The wires from the bone stim were wrapped around the ankle area along with some bone removed from my fibula to help attain a solid fusion. Though the bone stim is supposed to stimulate bone growth in the area where the wires are located, apparently some EMFs encouraged some bone growth at the end of my fibula that we didn't want.

You can see that I have a metal rod and a couple of long screws that bind things together. It looks rather robotic on xray, but kind of nasty in real life. I have a crookedy lower left leg with no outer ankle protrusion at all. It's flat and majorly scarred.

Still . . . I have my own leg and foot. I even have most of my sensory nerve functions so that I feel thing with that foot which is amazing given all that it's been through.

I joke with people who can't believe how many surgeries I've survived by saying, " When God does finally take me home, it will probably be from an infection from a paper cut or something small like that."

Seriously, the prayers of my friends have helped sustain me through everything. It is especially important since I am allergic to all the main pain medications.

I went into surgery at about 11 a.m.. My nurse's name was also Ellen (43 y.o.) and she also likes to long distance run. Therefore she understood when I said I take the pain and push it aside like when you are waiting for your "second wind". Still the different people including the anesthesiologist found it hard to believe that I was not taking anything for the intense pain.

I came out of surgery in record time and was very talkative even before I could open my eyes. I heard Dr. Summers (the anesthesiologist) check on me before he left. I asked him to please give us some "Summer" weather. It was a bad joke, but he laughed anyway.

At 1 p.m. I was home in my own bed! The nerve block that they gave me in surgery worked so well that I felt no bone pain, just sharp cut of the incision. The On-Q Pain med ball was in place to drip Marcaine right into the surgical site, and was a godsend for the three days it worked!

With my leg elevated in the wheelchair, I am finally able to get back to my computer to catch up (if that's EVEN possible) with all the things I need to attend to. [Yes, I ended that sentence with a preposition because that's how I would speak naturally].

Currently, I am using lydocaine pain patches next to the incision for 12 hours a day to help with the pain. I am to be non-weightbearing until at least Monday when I get the stitches out.

The most frustrating thing is that I can't do housework that I want, cook supper, or be much help around here. AND I am lonely, since I am unable to go out just yet. Thank God for phone calls and book reading, cause there's hardly anything worth watching on TV.

Well, I'm gonna call it quits for this post. I'll just be "kickin' back" and recovering for a bit.

Weathering the Storm

Right now the wind is really howling outside my office window. It makes me think about the storms of life and about the sermon at church today.

The sermon was about Jonah and how he hired a boat to take him in the opposite direction of where God had told him to go. Jonah understood that God was telling him to go to Ninevah to give them the message to repent from their great wickedness and that God would then show mercy on them. Jonah understood, but that is not what he wanted. He wanted God to punish their evil, not show mercy. So when faced with doing something other than what he knew he should do, Noah ran away.

How many times does that happen to you? You have already set your course and God throws a Ninevah assignment at you.

What did happen to Jonah? Well, the poor sailors that were transporting him were threatened by the very same tremendous storm that God brought up to stop Jonah's defiance. Once it was revealed that it was Jonah's fault that they were in danger, the sailors asked Jonah what they must do to appease God's wrath. Jonah instructed them to throw him into the turbulent sea.

You see, Jonah would rather die than just tell the sailors to turn the boat around and sail to Ninevah. But God kept pursuing Jonah and helped him complete His assignment by providing alternate transportation in the form of a giant fish that swallowed Jonah whole.

Swallow a man whole you say? There isn't a fish that big. Well, my God is the God of all creation and I believe that His Word is true, so I believe that He did send that giant fish on a mission of its own. I would imagine that the fish wasn't real keen on swallowing this guy, but at least he obeyed.

So three days of pondering in the belly of that great fish probably had some impact on Jonah's acceptance of the mission. And the fact that when he was spit out by the fish, it was onto the shore of the land God had told him to travel in the first place... well, that should have been a major clue. No matter what YOU want, it's what God says that needs to get done.

So here are some questions to ponder:
What assignment have you been sent on with which you have refused to comply?
Why not just do it? Fear.... stuborness... inconvenience... pride?
Do you see sudden storms or alternate routes arise due to your defiance or denial of who is really in charge?
What is it going to take for you to accept the mission?

As I am about to go through another surgery, I am viewing it as an assignment. I am laying aside what I was striving to do: "I NEED to get a paying job, do more for my family, pay endless bills, clean up my office, update my computer, clean up the clutter and prepare our taxes."

Yep, it's time to turn this ship around . . . it's going to be God's way. I've never been very keen on the smell of fish.

Fishing For Men Using the Net:

The Role Of New Media In Changing Lives For Christ

By Ellen Spencer

Final course paper for
CU490 – New Media for Urban Change
Crossroads Bible College
Instructors: Bryan Hudson, Hosea Baxter & Neil Cox
Decembe 21, 2007


The role of the internet as a form of communication is continuing to grow as our workplaces, our schools and homes, and even our cell phones are introduced to the new technology. The implementation of "new media" as utilized in these developing ways of communication has allowed us to connect almost anywhere and at anytime. Impacting the world for Christ as He said, "come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men"(1) requires that we at least have a primary understanding of the modes of communication and connecting that are available.

From the beginning of history, people of various tribes and tongues have used communication to make their needs known, to dialog with one another and to use their own personal stories to help teach and grow each other. Then the natives would decide to record a history and graphics were introduced by scratching out some visual symbols into rock for the benefit of all who could interpret their meanings. From such scribblings came a standardized group of symbols that became an alphabet and uniform graphic symbols. Now, people were able to communicate not just with one other person but with other groups of people.

I believe that as followers of Jesus Christ we are actually commissioned by Him to "... go therefore and make disciples of all the nations"(2) and to be "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you ... "(3). Jesus Himself reached out to bring aid to the lost and hurting. He is THE Example of how to draw people of all races, creeds, and needs to God. How does this apply to the use of the internet in evangelism today?

"Come, follow Me, " Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

First, we need to address the fact that individual Christ-followers have the ability to use the spiritual gifts that they've been given to advance the Gospel and grow the Kingdom of God! Every believer has been given the necessary tools to pass on the love of God. For the "fruit of the Spirit" is given to us at the point of our salvation(4). As a favorite mug of mine proclaims, "Today is God's gift to me. How I live it is my gift to Him".

Now that I am empowered by the Spirit, I am able (and commissioned) to take action and go take the Gospel to people. In Jesus' era, this was done in person and by word of mouth. Scribes also recorded the stories, letters and Words of God from the prophets so that we might have them today. The process of the transcription was so detailed that every letter and every line was counted and scrutinized to be sure that it was an exact copy of the Scripture. For as proclaimers of the Gospel we want to be certain that we speak the truth in love (5).

How do we speak to people? Our person to person contact is limited in our modernized world by our ignorance of the myriads of ways that are available to communicate with others. We are not longer limited to connecting only with people who are in our immediate societal circles. The "world has become flat"(6) , that is to say, the development of the world wide web and new media has leveled the playing field. You don't have to be a member of the upper crust of society to have access to the internet and all it has to offer. Nor do you need to be especially gifted in computer programming to be able to utilize it's many benefits. As Thomas Friedman points out, the societal changes (that have been rendered as a result of the creation of the internet) have helped globalize our communications . This has a unifying effect on peoples from different countries, cultures and life experiences.

"It took radio 38 years to attract an audience of 50 million Americans. It took television 13 years It took the Web less than four years from the moment when the Netscape browser became widely available in October 1994 to hit the 40 million mark"(7). Also, stated in these statistics, "a fifth of the 65 million people who do not use the internet live in a household with internet connection and there are other members of the family who do use the internet."(7) There are such "digital gaps" as age, employment status, income level, disability, language, community type, parental status, and race and ethnicity. However, these gaps are being bridged by the constant improvements in regard to easy access and usability.

You see, just as in the days of Jesus, we can reach out to the lost by using those tools that are available to us. We now have powerful tools like FaceBook for social networking and developing a sense of community and connectedness. Similarly, blogging allows a person to share their faith, encourage one another, and offer hope to a hurting or spiritually defeated person. Discussion boards and live chats allow instantaneous and live dialog and interaction. The internet browsers make a wide range of information available as a person searches for such things as the weather forcast, medical advice, calendar of events and community happenings, as well as much more that is accessible through the "Net".

The interactive aspect of the the media is what makes this "Web 2.0" a mode of communication that is highly attractive to a variety of people. We know from experience that people are not going to use that which they believe they neither want or need. So it falls on us to show people how the internet can be used to assist them in connecting to the world around them. In so doing, we enhance their lives by drawing them out of isolation and into a community.

We can draw them out of living solely for themselves, in sin or misery, by connecting them initially with ourselves and then others. Of course, the ultimate is to introduce them to Jesus and His saving grace. But first, we must remember that people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care. This too, is what Jesus taught when He invited sinners, saying, "Come now, and let us reason together."(8) He also said "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching, and build each other up by the power of the Word."(9)

One example of how the Net is being used to save the lost and comfort the hurting and build people up is found at TruthMedia.com. The latest monthly statistics from that website state that they've had 528,536 visitors view 1,157,379 pages; 3,225 people indicated spiritual decision. That's quite an impact for the benefit of those who would have been eternally lost. (10) And their ten websites are not just for people who are lost, but also for Christians who are not living in the power and grace of God. Those people who may be living defeated lives can find hope, help and prayer at AN"Y time ... and at almost any place through the dedication of volunteers and this remarkable tool of connection . . . the internet.

I've learned through my studies of New Media for Urban Change, that the new media allows for not only two-way communication with people that I may never meet physically on this earth, but also allows me to cross the ocean via my use of the Net to reach out to people in a way which encourages them to respond.

With such teaching tools as : ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation)(11); ARCS (attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction)(12) : and learning styles of 'multiple intelligences' (visual-spacial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, logical-mathematic, natural)(13) , I am better equipped to send out an invitation for a successful connection. These strategies point out the importance of communicating with people in the manner in which they most readily accept and learn. For example, transformation is more likely to take place if we utilize multimedia video/audio players as the mode of delivery for a younger individual who learns through the visual domain. Whereas, he may totally "tune out" to the prospect of reading a text document or a lecture.

Jesus demonstrated how very dear knowing people is to Him. It's people, not things, that interest Him. He used parables to illustrate His truths. By presenting the main points in such a way that people truly identified with what He was saying. Likewise, we can use our newly learned techniques to "cast the net" as He tells us. By meeting the people where they are we will be able to bless them with that which the Lord has given us through His Holy Spirit. Yes, the net will be bulging, on the verge of overflow. . . Lord may it be so . . . as we follow the Lord's instructions.

People can connect without being limited by such things as physical disability, transportation, or weather. They don't have to take a shower or dress nice to connect on the Net. The problem of the addict, suicidal thinker or otherwise troubled insomniac who is afraid to pick up a telephone and wake someone up or "bother" them is greatly relieved by their ability to connect through the Net to be heard and helped. Comfort can arrive from the people of God using the internet as a method of coming alongside to lift a person up or to just listen to someone who feels misunderstood, lonely or desperate.

My own personal motto is to use what I call my five "E's". These are my purposes in life, to : EXALT the Savior, EQUIP the saints, EDIFY the Body of Christ (His Church), EXAMINE my own life, and EVANGELIZE the world. I believe that all of these mission goals are given greater impact by using the Net.


In summary, I believe it is a God-given mandate that we cast our net upon the troubled waters of the world around us. The globalization of our world through technology requires that we jump in and get our feet wet in order to save others that may be drowning in sorrow, loneliness, injustice, neglect or other manifestations of a world without the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That may mean utilizing these new media assets on the internet in order to gain their interest while helping meet their needs with the love of God and share with them the Way to find eternal salvation. END -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)

(2) Excerpted from Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)

(3) Excerpted from Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)

(4) Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

(5) Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV)

(6) How the World Became Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, Thomas L. Firedman, Pub: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 304pgs., April 2005.

(7) "Who Uses the Internet, What They Do, and What It Means", Lee Rainie, Freedom to Connect Conference, March 30,2005.

(8) Isaiah 1:18-20 (NKJV)

(9) Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)

(10) "Latest Monthly Statistics", TruthMedia.com internet group, http://truthmedia.com, cited on Dec. 21, 2007.

(11) Instructional System Design (ISD): Using the ADDIE Model, Steven J. McGriff, Instructional Systems, College of Education, Penn State University, Sept. 2000.

(12) ARCS Model of Motivation, John M. Kellers (1983) excerpted from http://learn.gwumc.edu/hscidist/FRED/BuildingCommunity/index.htm (2007)

(13) Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardner of Harvard, http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html, Sept. 20, 2007.

The Real Christmas Story

I was reminded by one of my Bible studies that even we Christians sentimentalize the Christmas story. The promised Messiah, Savior, and Lord didn't arrive in some stately fashion heralded through the halls of some pristine palace. Rather his mother Mary and earthly father Joseph traveled many miles over rough terrain to find that there was no room available to them.

So it was that the King of Kings was delivered in a dirty, smelly barnyard stable, more like a cave than all these clean wooden creches that we see displayed in the yards of Christmas Nativity Scenes of today. In some ways it is appropriate that the Spotless Lamb of God would be born like other sacrificial animals in a stable. Likewise, that this tiny babe that one day would proclaim Himself to be the Bread of Life would be laid in a feeding trough.

Truly, His humble beginnings as Immanuel (God with us) demonstrated how approachable He is. The first to hear of His birth were the lower class servants who were the shepherds whose very job it was to take care of the lambs. Can you imagine how startled they must have been when the darkness of the night was pierced by the heavenly host's great light and proclamation that they could go and see the long awaited Savior. These often forgotten about people were now the First to know; to see; to be there in person. What an honor.

Jesus Himself was from a family that was relatively poor.... born in a borrowed manger, in a foreign land, growing up in Nazareth which was known for it's less wealthy population (Jesus was from the "other side of the train tracks" or "in the Hood" ), He traveled all over talking to any-and-everyone, helping where He was needed and always teaching by example and through Scripture and life application stories. Healing all sorts of maladies, He truly Touched the leper as noone else even dared. After all of this Jesus was falsely accused, betrayed and killed as a criminal. Even in death He was buried in a borrowed grave..... which He didn't need but the 3 days... Glory!!!

When I was reminded of this it made it easier not to get so down about not having anything special to give to family and friends for Christmas. It's too bad that I can't wrap appreciation and love and willingness to do something special for people so that they'd have something to open.

Today, friend, I thank God that it is not what I can give ... rather it is what God has given. Therefore, my Christmas gift to you is this:
Do you have the Greatest Gift of All? If not, can I help you recieve it?
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

What A Day I Had!

This was just one of those days. . . I had a HUGE school project that I had planned on getting done ... but my home computer has operating system problems. Then there were the financial concerns that keep the gears grinding in my problem-solving brain. After finding the hole in the fence through which the dog snuck out for a brief excursion, I finally got out of the house, although later than I wanted. I was somewhat surprised that the computer lab at the college was empty when I arrived. Then I found out why. Apparently, about half an hour before I arrived there was a big power surge that took out the internet network, the boiler wasn't working and I think the air circulation was also temporarily down. WOW! At least those lights didn't all go down as I logged onto the computer or else I just might have taken it personally. So I had to go back home to endure the ever-spinning circle thing as I impatiently waited for dial up page turns. There were numerous interruptions, phone calls and unexpected events that seemed to swallow up the time in chunks. It was one of those days where I felt like I'd been working forever and not getting much done. You know, the hours seemed to drag with the amount of effort I put in, yet the time flew when it came to evaluating how much more I had NOT gotten finished. I DID make good progress on my school project, but not as much as I'd planned. That was oh, so disappointing. Yet, as I write this blog before retiring for the night... er... morning, I have the verse from Jeremiah reverberating in my head . "I know the plans I have for you," God had control all the while. It was my focusing on my own timeline that was the source of the frustration.
Now, I am going to trust that same God to protect me from beating myself up for not getting that project into my teacher before I get to sleep. Hopefully, He will reward me with a sound couple hours of sleep that will prepare me for a better tomorrow. One in which I have wisely already surrendered to His Lordship. Peace to you.

Life's Journey - Ellen's Blog

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (New International Version)

Okay, today I am going to embark on a new journey into the world of blogging. It's not that I am any more of a deep thinker than most people, but I do have some thoughts that are worthwhile. Besides, I believe it will help cement what I am learning. At the same time, it may actually be of some benefit to someone else who might be reading.

So If you would like... please join me on the journey!