Great is thy Faithfulness!

Okay, it's 1:30 am. It may take me a while to pull this post together. I have a feeling it's going to be a long one. First, let me start by telling you why I'm awake this late and on the computer. No, I do not have a problem with secret chatting. I don't think I've even ever been in a chat room. I'm up because I feel great! Finally, I have relief from this headache!!

I have had a constant headache for years (no,not Jesse)!! Over the past year, I actually had a doctor "here me" and work with me on trying to get some relief. Not an easy process. First you keep a headache journal. When, where, and things you try. AND, did you know that there are many types of headache - tension, migraine, cluster, etc. Sometimes, I felt like I was making my head hurt because I was focusing on it too much or taking on the symptoms I was reading about.

So, over the past year I've been trying different preventative medicines. The one I was on the longest just seemed to help me sleep and gain weight. For a short period of time I actually stopped everything, drank more water and didn't seem to have any problems. But that ended and I can't seem to figure out how I did that. So I went back to searching for that right combination of drugs - with my doctor of course!

He gets mad because I wait too long when something hasn't been working. I think that's a mom thing. It has to be really annoying and constant for us to say "Hey, this isn't right, I better make an appointment." Am I right?? I think our tolerance of pain is higher than others. Anyways, he kept making me come back every two weeks this past couple months.

Through journaling and research online I figured out that the month of October and November I had a tension headache. I don't think I'm terribly stressed. A lot of it is probably from carrying around Emma and all our bags. Trying to get in and out in one trip! Not good. Plus I have terrible posture and our bed stinks! (Sorry Kathy Ireland) Oh and I don't think our pillows are too good either.

Now I know what a tension headache is. Through some adjusting done by the doctor on my neck and back and a daily dose of Verapamil, it's been easier to get relief with just plain old Tylenol. I had tried Verapamil before. I read online that this is a common choice to prevent headaches but it was given at a higher dose so that's what I'm trying now.

I still get other headaches. We've been waiting for me to get one of those while on Verapamil. And it came! Last Thursday - the back of my head hurt with a shooting pain to the front on the right side. I had a secret weapon. A sample of Treximet. I took it and I felt awful. I took the second pill and felt even worse. And these headaches don't come when you're just sitting at home with nothing to do! I think that was my busiest day last week. Then that night we were practicing songs for our Christmas Eve service. By morning, it seemed to be gone. So did it work? I don't know whether it was the Treximet or the sleep but I don't want to take that EVER again!!

This Tuesday, I had a doctor's appointment. Monday night, I started to get a headache. Not the tension but this was the top front section. It was still there Tuesday. The doctor did some adjusting because I was out of whack again. He wanted me to stick with the Verapamil. And he said he was going to prescribe Midrin for my secret weapon. This is basically what he said "Midrin's been around since Moses and boy did he need it with those Israelites". Now I found this comment extremely funny because that's what we're studying this year at BSF. Some might think this is a coincidence but I don't. I love God!!

I wasn't sure if I should try this Midrin for this particular headache or not. It's only supposed to work for migraines. But this is not the new super expensive $12 pill so it wouldn't hurt to try. That's another thing I love about my doctor - he always prescribes the cheap prescriptions!!! Anyways, Tuesday night I took it. He said it was one that I would take and then I could retake 2 more times if needed. So, I took one pill. I felt a little relief. I decided to take another in an hour. Better but not quite there so I took one more. Well then I just couldn't stay awake and Derek made me go to bed.

In the morning, I felt a little foggy. Wasn't quite sure if I still had the headache or not. After a few waking hours, I did! So, I thought, maybe this hadn't been a migrane. So I kept a detailed journal. First I tried 3 Tylenol. Then about 5 Motrin. At 5pm I tried 3 Excedrin. No luck. Still had it. So I thought I'd try this Midrin again. I took one and after awhile I felt some relief. Yeah!! So I took another one about an hour later. Feeling more relief each time. It wasn't till I thought "Well, I'll take one more just to make sure I get it" that I read the label. Take TWO pills at the onset of headache and then again if needed bla bla bla. I'd been taking one.

That's okay though. I'm excited to have some relief. Normally this headache could go on for WEEKS. I'm also excited that it was a migraine and that I know for sure. My experience of a migraine (from my younger days) was a headache so bad you almost threw up and had to lay down with a cold wash rag on your forehead, go to sleep and hope it was gone when you woke up. So I didn't think or wasn't sure what this was. It also helps me not to feel so guilty! With these headaches it seems like all I can manage to do to shower, get ready, take care of Emma. Just the absolute necessary. It makes me feel like a bum!! But to know I was able to do that with a migraine - wow! - that is a BIG accomplishment!

Back to why I'm awake! Little Emma just snuck into our room. She's been doing this nightly. She cries a little when she has to go to sleep in her bed but she does go and stays . . for awhile. We usually find her somewhere in our room in the early morning hours - on the chair, on the pillows on the floor or just plain on the floor. Mom said I used to do this. She would find me all over the place! I kind of remember doing it too. Anyways, Derek said it was my turn to put her back and honestly I was feeling great and kind of wanted to rock her and snuggle a bit.

In her room we have music playing for her. Today, I put in the BSF CD. We're on break now from class so I thought it'd be good in her room and help her to learn the hymns so she might sing in class. As we rocked I sang a bit in my head - it was on the part of the CD that played the music only - no words. I started thinking about my headache's, journaling, trial and error, the funny comment - just smiling as I was feeling this great relief. The next song to start was "Great is thy Faithfulness". Only, there were words. Not sure I had noticed that before. I noticed tonight because I know what song is first on the CD so I wasn't expecting any words yet. Such a simple hymn and God had my full attention! Great is thy faithfulness. He is faithful. He was even faithful to those Israelites - who didn't deserve a thing. But as I continue to study them, I'm just as bad yet He is faithful!!

What an awesome Sunday! I love it when Sunday School and the sermon go together!!

I can't say I was as excited about my lesson this week. We went over Israel's civil laws known as the Book of the Covenant. For example . . ."If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his." Exodus 21:33-34 . . . . . . and . . . ."If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed." Exodus 22:2-3

Maybe this interests you but I struggled!! BUT God's word is living an relevant for today. We were able to pull out contemporary examples. And one question was "Why did God give so many specific laws to the Israelites and not to the nations around them?" I thought because Israel was His chosen people. And it would be impossible for them to keep these laws which leads to Christ, His death and freedom from the sins committed under the 1st Covenant.

One good point made about God's character through all this was that He knew the Israelites and the issues that would come up amongst them. He knew someone would fall into a pit or steal. I can't wait to read the notes on this lesson!

Even though my eyes didn't see the lesson fitting with my Sunday, the song we sang this morning definitely does:

May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow'r controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only thru His pow'r.

May the peace of God my Father Rule my life in ev'rything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing - this is victory.

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.

Thank you God for giving us just the right words we need to hear. Your timing is perfect!

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance - now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15

It's over! Yeah!! No more adds! I miss some of those funny commercials!

Remember, your pick may not have won - it's okay! God still has ultimate control!!

Now it's time to continue to pray for those in office and those who will soon be leading our GREAT nation.

Looks like we're sticking w/ Governor Daniels and will journey over to the Democratic Party for our next President. Since we go to snopes to check out many facts, I did a search on President-Elect Obama.

For me, I initially check out where a candidate stands on the issues I believe are most important. (I loved the candidate calculator!) It's actually pretty easy for me. Where do they stand on abortion and marriage? Who do they go to for guidance and wisdom?

Unfortunately, my top choice doesn't always win. (Go Huckabee 2012!!) But it's okay, God is in control and I will continue to put my trust in Him.

There are many verses on trust, how about this one?

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. JEREMIAH 17:7-8

Who will it be???

Wow! It's been so long since I posted. I think our family is done spreading the germs for now. Maybe now I can get back to blogging!!

I have so many things to write about - especially the tornado. Next will be a list of "thank you's!" But for now, I think the election is on everyone's mind so I'll put in my two cents.

We have a hopeful here at the Odiorne home. We pray, and do research to see how candidates vote on issues we feel are most important. Sometimes the candidate we would like doesn't make it to the final election but it is our duty to vote so we figure out between the two. (Yes, I know there's more than that - what was his name? Carr or something? What happened to Nader?)

Anyways, we also teach Jesse a little bit about the process - who we are voting for and why because it's also one of our duties as parents. We teach him that we don't talk "politics" at family gatherings, etc. because people may not always agree. Not that it's not good to talk but there's a time and place and he shouldn't be the one bringing it up. We Also teach him that we should pray and be respectful of whom ever is chosen as the next president, governor, etc. (Which is hard to do sometimes!! I myself have made comments and laughed at the SNL skits!)

So I hope all of you too will be respectful and help teach our children these values that are being lost in today's world. I can't tell you how frustrating and upsetting, (I can't even think of the right word) it is to go to the store, doctor's office, family gathering and even church and hear "grown ups" bashing our leaders for all to hear. Sometimes the language is very inappropriate!

The bible says in Romans 13:1-3: Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. . . . .

We need to be respectful. We need to be responsible. We may not always agree but unless we are asked to sin against God, we are to submit. What a hard lesson! (For myself included!!) So please, think about what you say and how you act today, tomorrow and each day after. (I know I will after today's lecture on complaining!) Remember, God has the ultimate control! I got this in an email:

No Matter who wins . . .

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Praise God!!

Another Bonus to Blogging

Hey, I'm so excited! Now I can keep up with a dear relative & her family in Morocco !
I know I could through email but this is way cooler!!

After . . . .

Derek's off the phone and the following happen but I may have some sequencing wrong. What do you expect? A tornado just hit our house!

Derek immediately thinks of my mom who lives in town. I'm still stunned and not thinking anything but - Wow! (Sorry Mom!!) So he's trying to call my mom - no answer. He calls my dad and leaves a message. He calls his mom. He calls his dad. Basically to let them know that we were hit but okay and that we couldn't get a hold of my mom. He thinks to call our Pastor and friend, Terry Tyler, who is going to go check on Mom.

As Derek is making these phone calls, he steps out from under the stairs but makes us stay because we're not sure if it's secure enough yet. I pray for us and for Mom. God was so awesome - he kept me calm and I was with the kids.

After the calls are made, we do find out that Mom is okay. And apparently everyone gathered at her house. Terry went there, then, Derek's parents ended up going there because they couldn't get through to us.

The police officer in the neighborhood and some others started going door to door to make sure everyone was OK. After they yelled in and checked on us, Derek let us come out from under the stairs.

Oh and in between phone calls, he asked me where the emergency kit was and if there were flashlights and batteries in it. And I have to say that I have been MADE FUN OF MANY times because of this kit and other safety ideas.

So where was I? Phone calls are made, we're out from under the stairs and ready for the next step. Derek goes upstairs with the flashlights to see the damage or at least what he can. He continues to narrate . . . "Oh yeah, there's damage, roof gone, etc."

He finds shoes and jackets for us and brings them down. Of course I am not happy with what he brought me so I ask him if the closet is still there and tell him exactly what pants & shoes I want and where they were. I also ask him to get my purse too!!

So now that were set, we shove our puppy, Sally, in the cat carrier. And we head upstairs. Derek directs us and says "We're going up and finding a place that's safe to go to. Go STRAIGHT out!" We do. As I walk up the stairs I see things - pillows, basket, DVDs, etc. blown down the stairs that were in other rooms of the house.

It was VERY dark out. Debris everywhere and insulation EVERYWHERE!! It looked like mud on everything.

We head to our neighbors. Their house looks the best, there's others there, and he's already got his generator going! We gather in the basement because there is another storm heading our way.
While we're there, Derek's mom, step-dad and brother make it into our neighborhood. But the other storm is still possible so we wait there till it's safe to go back to his mom's.

We finally get the OK to go and it takes quite awhile to get to Wakarusa. There was traffic, detours, etc. But we made it!! I set up Emma's stuff, we made a bed for Sally in a container, and Jesse went to bed. Derek and I ended up on the floor in the living room with Emma. Emma fell asleep. Bob and DeeAnn went to bed. Derek and I finally "talked."

We were both still in shock. WOW! A tornado had hit our house! We didn't know quite what to expect the next day when we saw our home. We thought about stuff we had out . . . Derek's laptop for work, bills, etc. And we remembered the Yoda Halloween costume we had got for Emma. It was hanging in the laundry room above the sink. It was so cute. Jesse wanted to be Darth Vader (Surprise) and so we were searching for the perfect costume for his side kick and there it was. YODA!! So funny! I'll have to add a picture.

Anyways, that's the last thing I remember talking about. We just layed there arm in arm completely amazed at the nights events. Then we fell asleep. When we woke the next morning . . . . . .

During . . .

So as I was saying, We're all asleep but Derek. He's is getting ready to come to bed when BOOM a tornado hit our house!! No just kidding. It wasn't quite that quick. Here goes . . .

CRACK!!! There was a lightening strike and it was LOUD. Loud enough to wake me up. The window by my bed was cracked open and we immediately heard sirens. Now I'm half asleep still and telling Derek "Oh it's just a fire". He's telling me, "No, that's the tornado siren!"

As he is putting everything back on he tells me to turn on the satellite. "It's out," I tell him. "Go to the 3 season room and see what it says."

In there we had a small TV with an antenna. So Derek's listening to Mike, (Yes, he was telling the truth. WNDU Channel 16 is our severe weather station!) and he hears "6 minutes to Nappanee."

So Derek tells me to get Emma and go downstairs!! And I'm like, "Are you serious? Seriously? Seriously???" "YES" he says!!

I get my phone, (WHY??) and see Buttercup, our cat, just lounging at the top of the stairs. (This is one of those rare animals that must not sense a storm!!) Anyways, I almost bend down to pick her up but looked in Emma's room and she was awake. So, I went in to grab her. I also grabbed her small diaper bag. I didn't want to look like an unfit mother!! And we head downstairs.

At the same time I'm getting her, Derek goes in to Jesse's room: "Jesse, wake up! Get your dog! Jesse, get up!!

Jesse is half-crying, "What, why are you yelling at me?"

Derek: "Jesse get up now and get your dog - TORNADO!!"

Now as soon as Emma and I got downstairs, my ears popped. I watched enough of Discovery Channel and the Weather Channel to know that something was happening!! So I'm kind of pacing and yell, "My ears are popping are your ears popping???"

Derek is yelling "Yes!" as they come down the stairs. So we all huddle under the stairs. We prayed, the wind picked up and "BOOM!!!" a tornado hit our house!! No freight train sound. It was just an explosion and then we could hear the cinder blocks falling in from the fire wall that separated us from our neighbors.

Derek kind of narrated as it happened. I was still in shock. I knew it was for real when Derek called 911 and said, "My name is Derek Odiorne, gave our address and said I think a tornado just hit our house . . . . "