God is good. And Reed is a genius.

I could complete this post with:  I am blessed.  God is good.  That is all.  But that's no fun for all our adoring fans, right?  It's hard to know where to start, all the good stuff, even good stuff that brings so many tears at times.  I've been so intentional about being quiet the last several weeks. I refuse to let work, friends, my health, even my family distract me from pursuing this stillness.  I feel like I'm hearing Him, more clearly than I ever have before.  And as a result of this intentional quietness, I feel that my work, my friends, my health and my family are receiving His blessings!

Although I currently have a sinus infection, I'm thankful for the drugs we have available to us today!  3 hours after a steroid and antibiotic shot, I feel a little like that time in middle school I took mini-thins - but a WHOLE LOT better.  I returned to the office a couple weeks ago and everything has been great.  Believe it or not, I've only had 2 people ask to see my finger.  So I stick it in my ear to give the impression my non-existent entire finger is poking my big ole brain and then I sing, this little finger went to market, this little finger stayed home.  I usually don't get much further before the poor unsuspecting fool slowly backs away, assuming I lost a bit more than a finger.

So speaking of fingers (or lack thereof), I'm doing well physically.  I am healing, but it's such a slow process.  I have some hand function deficiencies that do hinder my ability to perform basic tasks, like removing heavy pans from the oven and spinning a basketball on my ring finger.  I am working hard in therapy 3x per week to gain as much function back as I can.  I have a tendon stuck in scar tissue that has eliminated my ability to make a fist (or even close) and surgery is likely the only option to free it (although my therapist tries his best with his latest torture stretching techniques).  But I'm electing to not have surgery for now.  I'm determined to get my prosthetic as soon as possible because #1. I've met my out of pocket max for the year and #2. I can't wait to ask Thade's friends to "pull my finger". 

Last week, I discovered that Reed has believed all this time that God would grow my finger back.  I know it sounds silly, and I have to laugh a little especially since I joked about it needing periodic water and indirect sunlight, but it was more sad than anything.  I've told him all summer how mommy will be fine, and that God is healing me.  I obviously didn't realize what "healing" meant to my sweet Reed.  I've had several talks with him since and he gets angry, and then sad.  He really wants mommy's finger to grow back and it's so hard to explain to a 4 year old why it won't; and more importantly why it's OK that it doesn't.  I just pray that God will give me the words to comfort my children and that they will know that I'm OK, that I'm better than OK, and that God is good.  And I pray that all of this will soften their hearts when they encounter someone that is different.  That they will will take a stand for those that are different and feel honored and proud to be their friend.

I learned last night that my sweet, precious niece Tatum, was charged this summer to pray for something, and to pray A LOT for it.  That can be a tall order for a 5th grader who has lots of competing priorities like braiding hair and making bracelets (her bracelets are awesome!!).  A short time after I had a huge forward step in my healing (new skin!), Barbara found out that I was the "thing" that Tatum had prayed for (Tatum didn't mention it before).  And that Tatum had accepted this charge full on and prayed A LOT for me and specifically, for skin.  I mean, come on God, how can you say no to Tatum?  I know I can't, and am thankful He didn't either!

Sharon continues to inspire me daily.  I love my visits with her and I think she likes me around sometimes. I find myself especially emotional after a visit with her (aforementioned tears).  I know she is on her way home, and home is not her lovely house in Ft. Worth, but that doesn't make it anymore sad that we all have to finish our days here without her.  Ok, so a little embarrassing to admit, but I feel like a Labrador around her.  I want to lay at her feet, crawl in her lap (except I have more sense than a dog to know that my big ole butt would crush her!).  Come on ya'll, I know I'm not the only one with this overwhelming urge and need to be in her presence so I expect some comments admitting your canine tendencies with Sharon Washburn!  I've been praying for Sharon and why He has forged this strong connection between us just as her life here on earth is coming to an end.  It's plainly obvious for me as Sharon has been such a source of strength for me, a mentor and example of what it is like to truly give it all to God and to be joyful and praise Him no matter what.  And I definitely needed some of that this summer.  But Sharon has no shortage of people that love her - and that she makes room for me is such a blessing.  His plans are bigger than this, though.  My sister-n-law Barbara had a word from God last night in my bathroom (you all know your best ideas are born in the 30 seconds of peace you have in the bathroom).  Well she had 5 words - Sharon Washburn Center for Hope.  So, I don't know what I'll do with the Center for Hope, but you better believe I'm getting involved.  Unfortunately, I know too well where some of these ladies are coming from, and I also know what laying it all at the cross will do for them!

Sidebar - because my blog needs some proud mommy content:
Not only do I make gorgeous kids, I make gorgeous kids with big ole brains (just like my big ole brain as noted earlier).  Not only can Reed say the pledge of alligience, he knows why we say it.  In Reed's words, "We say the pledge of allegiance in honor of all the policeman who have died because it brings them back to life."  Isn't that so true?  He might be thinking about mummified policeman pulling mommy over for a speeding ticket, but I choose to believe he is genius and there is so much wisdom in his words.  We say the pledge so that we remember what we stand for as a country and to remember those that have sacrificed for our freedom.

Check out Reed's reading skillz as he reads to RyRy.  I'm not sure why there is so much background noise, we only had 6 kids in the house. (if you can summon enought patience to get through the first 20 seconds, background noise subsides) Mommy is so proud that he can memorize read a book!

FAQs (in case you are having difficulty putting a finger on your questions)

I've decided to go back to the office next week if my Dr. says it's OK at my Tuesday appointment. You see, I work in an office with 250 people and somehow know ALL OF THEM. Needless to day, I have not been looking forward to the onslaught of concern and questions when I return. Sooooo, I put together some FAQs to hang on my wall in hopes I can answer your questions (without answering your questions of course).

Q:
How did it happen? (choose one):

A:

a) A barracuda bit it off when I was deep sea diving in the Amazon.
b) A rabid anorexic bit it off as I was offering her a doughnut.

c) You see, there was this baby on a train track (or was it a squirrel?) and the train was coming awfully fast…… oh look, a chicken!

Q:

Do you still HAVE the finger?

A:
If using answer a: Yes – I actually was eating barracuda at a Chinese restaurant 3 weeks later and nearly choked on it.
If using answer b: Yes- luckily I have been fully schooled on the Heimlich Maneuver and was able to dislodge it from her bony gullet.
If using answer c: Yes and No – so here come da train and there was the squirrel and……… is that YOUR chicken?

Q:
Which finger is it?

A:
Don’t worry, “that finger” is still intact.

Q:
Is there anything I can get for you?

A:
Sure, I’ll have a finger Butterfinger please.

Q:
Gee, did that hurt?

A:
No not at all, I was on a local anesthetic as a precaution.

Q:
Will it grow back?

A:
Sure, it just needs periodic water and indirect sunlight.

Q:
So, do you miss that finger?

A:
You know, I thought I would but then I have discovered it isn’t very useful – not like the middle one or the pointer or the pinky when you are sipping tea with the classy Kardashians and that THUMB!!! Thinking about getting rid of the one on my other hand to get more streamlined.