Damsel in Distress

I am one who tries to be self sufficient as much as possible, but there are times when I find myself in trouble that only can be saved by someone else. Today I started my errands by dropping off some papers to a primary teacher. As soon as I pulled up next to her house I knew that I was in trouble. The front right tire did not feel as if it was in a good position. I had tried to move over far enough on the road so I would not be in the way but instead I had moved over too far and now my car was certainly going to be stuck in the ditch, in the snow. After taking the papers, I thought that I needed to try and get out but nothing I tried worked. What in the world was I to do? Martin had only been asleep for 3 hours and with the washing machine running he was not going to hear his phone. I tried it anyway...no answer. I ran across the street to a members house to see if her husband was home... he was at work. I am trying to think of what to do when a truck pulls up in front of my car. An older gentleman gets out and offers to try and tow the jeep out. While we are hooking up another older gentleman stops to offer his help. I am feeling really stupid at this time and don't even know how to offer my help. We try a couple of times to pull my car out but instead it slides further down into ditch and the snow is now so deep it is at the bottom of my car. (I have a jeep mind you) As I was meeting Katie to do some shopping, she finally arrives. I give her my house key and ask that she go wake up my husband. The older gentlemen went in search of wood to put under my tires as to give some...whatever, I don't know. Everyone comes back. The wood is placed, Martin takes the driver seat, and out the car comes. So what did I learn from all of this besides not to get stuck in a ditch that is filled with snow? I learned that all I could do was verbally thank those men for their help although they deserved so much more. They were strangers who stopped to help another stranger in need. Since I don't even know their names they are still strangers. Since all I could was say thank you I have decided that it is now my turn. The next time I see someone in need and I can do something to help, I need to slow down and just do as the Savior would and help. And in return all I will get will be a thanks but then hopefully the cycle will continue.

Update

Martin went back to the hospital today just for blood work. He won't know any results until Tuesday when he meets with his doctor. For now he is just taking it easy.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas. After a couple of snow storms, the ground is covered with snow and there is a chill in the air. The girls ask million times a day how many days until Christmas. To me it is so hard to give an exact number. Do you include that day, especially if it is first thing in the morning. Do you include Christmas day to the count? I never know which is exactly right, maybe that is why they continue to ask all day long, my answer might be changing.

My most favorite thing about Christmas time is the music. I love to hear it and sing it. I absolutely love to go to church the Sunday before Christmas and sing all the Christmas carols. My biggest disappointment is when I have a cold on Sunday and can not sing. I tried so hard today but a lot of the notes just came out breaking all over the place, how embarrassing. One upside was that someone sang my favorite song, O Holy Night. I think it is almost the most beautiful Christmas song ever written. The song filled me with a peace that I was searching and yearning for ever since I sat down for Sacrament today. It was at that moment that I remembered why I was in church for such a special day. I remembered that Christ came to this earth to teach us the gospel not only by his words but by his example. I remembered that we do not celebrate this time of year for the presents or decorations but because we celebrate Him. I know my Savior lives, that he loves me and that he is and always will be a part of my life. Merry Christmas everyone!

Lucy, I'm Home!

Well guess who came home today! It is so good to have Martin back home. He is not 100% better but he is on the mend. With things looking up they decided to release him as long as he goes back on Sunday and Tuesday for some more blood tests. His final diagnosis was called rhabdomyolsis. As far as I understand it means he worked out so hard that the muscles deteriorated flooding his kidneys with enzymes making it so the kidney's could not function properly. Thank you again to all who help me or even wanted to help me but were too far away. All the prayers worked and he is now home for Christmas!

The Hospital

I just wanted to quickly thank all who have helped our family out the past couple of days. We have recieved a ton of support from family, friends, coworkers and ward members. Martin is still in the hospital but at least today he seemed to be looking happier. They now have a name for what ever is wrong with him but I can't remember...I will have to ask later. We are all hoping for an early Christmas present...it would be so nice if he were home before Christmas. I will let everyone know when he is out of the hospital. Anyway, thank you all again.

Tis the Season to be Jolly?

Do I have the spirit of Christmas? I sure do...unfortunately it is more along the lines of Scrooge than Tiny Tim. I am a naturally stressed out person, huge fault but I am owning up to it. When I received by new calling Martin was concerned how it would affect that level of stress but so far I have been able to keep it in check. The month of December has promptly destroyed my balance. Getting ready for the new year is a big thing but add it on top of Christmas and I am almost at my wits end. I feel very sad by this because Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. There are so many things I want to do with my family for Christmas but they are quickly being replaced by the I "have to's". Does this cheat my family of things that could be but don't necessarily need to be done? It is now the second week of December and neither do we have a tree nor one piece of Christmas decor decks our hall. I feel pushed down and overloaded and I am afraid those I will fail in the end will be my family and they deserve so much more. Okay, talk about depressing, I am done whining... now I can get back to trying to get as much done as possible.

Giving Thanks

Well Thanksgiving has now come and gone. I was so happy to have Mom and Dad here for Thanksgiving this year. It always makes it seem more like the holidays when they are here to celebrate with. I truly enjoyed not having to cook all of the food and what not. I usually get stressed which drives Martin up the wall. I enjoyed sleeping in and having the kids around for a little while. I loved it that Martin's work schedule fell just so, where he had all of Thanksgiving off. It has been a great break but like all good things, it had to come to an end. Now it is over, Mom and Dad are back in Texas, the girls are back in school and I am that much further behind in my Christmas shopping. There are just so many things I have to do and do not want to even begin to think about them. Well better get to it!