Month: March 2019

res·pite
[ˈrespət, rēˈspīt]
NOUN: 1. a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

Life. Need I say more?

Himself and I have been married for over 32 years now. We take good care of each other. When one of us sees the other having a more difficult time coping with one of life’s arrows shot at us, we call for a mini sabbatical. This time, we BOTH needed a respite from everyday life to regroup.

With the passing of our nephew, we were both just sitting one evening like the life had been drained from us – no wind in our sails at all. Himself said, “This is not good. It’s Spring Break and I will block any refereeing for a few days.” So, on Friday we loaded up the truck and headed south to Texas. We love to visit our neighbor to the south. This time we selected Richardson to stay in and explore.

Allen outlet mall first! And on a Friday! Weeeeee! It was not crowded at all, and we knew it would be on Saturday and Sunday with it being spring break. We have the most unique way of shopping outlet malls that have storefronts outside. We do a loopty-loo around the entire place, locating the shops that we want to go to. Then we drive to them!!! Sometimes there are 4 or 5 near to each other, so that makes it easy. I’ve been going through that Marie Kondo organizing lately, so I didn’t want to get too much. Himself did need a few new work shirts. In my mind I was counting how many we would be joyfully thanking and parting with at home. The one place I love there is Sketcher’s! Their shoes make my back feel like a normal back again. They have that great ‘buy a pair, get a pair half price’, so we both were blessed. One question… Does anyone else just walk inside of Wilson’s Leather… just to smell the amazingly wonderful aroma?? Himself just chuckles at me. But he did see a coat for next fall that we might have to come back for.

Next on to our hotel, Courtyard Suites. We usually really like this chain. The room was great, and how many times do you get the room 101 where you don’t have to trudge down a long hallway!!! God knew we needed a break. We took a nap. On a Friday afternoon. We napped. The Holy Spirit ministered to us both during that nap. It wasn’t long, but it was refreshing, like a cool breeze. When we awoke, it was dinner time and we were hungry. Normally I don’t care where we go. Himself asked me where I wanted to go, probably expecting my normal answer. I piped up rather loudly – – “I want BBQ Ribs!!! And soon!” He looked online and found a great place called Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke. It was awesome. We both wore some of the sauce. Being the Italian one, I was also licking my fingers. Yes, yes, I threw etiquette to the wind!

On Saturday, Himself took me to a fun breakfast place and got me some coffee. I must have looked like I needed it. Our hotel only had a breakfast sammie or pastry – not both mind you, but then we found out that seeing that I secured our room through Booking.com, we didn’t qualify for their lame breakfast anyway. I guess booking through them you pay $14.00+ more for the privilege of one pastry or one sammie. Then we took off for IKEA. I needed the walking. I don’t usually buy much there, but I love to look and walk and dream.

After our retail therapy we headed back to the hotel. We knew we had a mission to complete and we were dragging our heels. We asked for guidance to write out what we will be saying at the celebration of life gathering next week. We wanted to make sure that we took both families into consideration and honor our godson too. Himself will be Officiating/Emceeing, and I had the privilege in writing the obituary and creating the program handout. Why a handout at an informal gathering? Some people need something tangible. Others intrinsically need a keepsake. We also want to reach all of the young adults that will be coming and let them know that there are safe places like Destiny when ‘Life’ kicks your legs out from beneath you. That we both are there if they ever need to talk things out, scream things out, stomp things out. That Jesus is real. He’s there for them. He walked this life and knows its pitfalls. That He is there to dust them off and set them back on their feet again.

Yes, we prayed, we cried, we wrote, we napped, we wrote and cried some more. We even took a break and ate some fabulous Korean food.

God is a good God. He is a fair God. He is a just God. He is a forever God. I am sure we will write and rewrite more this week as well. But now we have the breath of the Holy Spirit refreshing us, helping us and encouraging us on. Then this coming Saturday, we will be ready to minister to those who come. God will heal the brokenhearted. His Word is Truth.

Psalm 34:18  New Living Translation (NLT)
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

I also like the Message Translation:
¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath

Dear Lord, these past few weeks had taken a toll on us. Thank you for the time of refreshing this past weekend. We feel whole again, maybe still a bit brokenhearted, but grief does that. I know where Daniel is without a question of doubt. Thank you for your free gift of salvation. I am forever grateful.

Signed, Christine
A Muse of the Remnant

Yesterday, 03/12/2019 @ 8:17pm, my godson, Daniel Werner Osberghaus, stepped into Heaven.

I’m not going to cover it up or sugar coat the truth. Daniel made some bad choices. He chose to drink, but he did not choose to become an alcoholic. It literally trapped him. Drinking was the one thing that, to him, masked the sting of grief from his father’s cruel death from cancer a few years back. Did family try to reach out and help? Yes. In so many ways. Were tough love tactics also tried? Yes, again.

Alcoholism is not a dirty word. We have a tendency to wash away what we consider the unclean things, whether intense feelings or subway microbes. Alcoholism runs rampant in our society. And for us, there are genetics that we must overcome. I have always told my brood: If you are not in control of ‘it’, ‘it’ will be in control of you. Then we have a problem. (‘It’ signifying just about anything) Renewing your mind in Christ Jesus is the answer. Period.

It is surreal inside my head. All jumbled up. How could this happen to a young 30 year old man? He had his family and loved ones and so many friends come to the hospital the last 2.5 weeks to tell him how much he was loved, how much he meant to them, how much he will be missed.

For me, it was better to hug him tight each time I saw him and whisper that I love him in his ear. I do that for all of my nieces and nephews. I wonder if they will recall that now. Daniel would roll his eyes at me when I would ask him how he and Jesus were. ‘Oh, Aunt Christine… ‘ and then he would chuckle in that deep bass voice and change the subject. I loved the last minute ‘my car is broken down can you take me to work’ calls. I was off during the day, and loved the opportunity to help him. Then he moved farther away and didn’t call except now and then to find out how I was doing. He also looked so dapper standing up for Caleb as a groomsman.

Fast track almost a year later, we get a call 2.5 weeks ago that Daniel was in the hospital, and what was all happening. My heart grieved. His mom and sister and the doctors and nurses were all very clear with what was happening to him everyday. We went up to the Pink Palace and hugged on whomever was there. Then we turned to Daniel. He was on the ventilator but alert. I asked him if he wanted Jesus in his heart and if we could pray the Prayer of Repentance with him. He squeezed both of our hands and closed his eyes and furrowed his brow as he was nodding. His uncle Roy got down close and when asked questions about receiving Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior, Daniel not only squeezed our fingers, he tried to rotate one of his ankles too! He opened his eyes and his tears were flowing. We stayed awhile and just loved on him, talking to him and smiling. I’m sure if you were listening, you could hear the throngs of angels whooping it up in Heaven!

Yesterday was a rough day though. The dying process is confusing and heart wrenching all at the same time. At the very end though, we were right at his side with his cousins, Mom and Sister and her husband. His breathing was not labored, it was peaceful. He breathed in and then softly out one last time at 8:17pm, and he was immediately with Jesus. And Jesus was telling Daniel, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ His Chains of alcoholism were finally broken. He was set free. His God and Saviour rescued him.

So, when I say that Daniel stepped into Heaven, I mean it. Normally people do not have the opportunity for deathbed confessions. God was gracious to Daniel. God loved Daniel so much that He sent His own son to earth to be crucified, raise from the dead and take the keys of Death and Hell and even alcohol with Him. My godson is up there sliding on the streets of Gold! We can help you with that if you have questions. Leave me a comment :o)

Signed with Love to My godson, see you soon….. Love you always, Aunt Christine
A Muse of the Remnant

I had some people ask me what I was referring to in my last post about my Great Fall. I cannot go into detail due to ongoing litigation, but I will explain as best as I can.

On Saturday Sept 8 of last year, I tripped over uneven concrete that had lifted from tree roots. Eldest daughter tripped first, but was able to catch herself. I was not. I was catapulted and landed face down and on my right side and then slid to a stop. I knew right away that something was really wrong when my right side would not obey any of my brain commands. So needless to say, I took an ambulance ride to the Pink Palace and it wasn’t pretty.

I broke my elbow in two places, one being the radial head. On my upper arm, the humerus bone (not funny either) I did two things. First it snapped in half right in the middle, and thankfully did not protrude out of my skin. Secondly, the head of the humerus was crushed and flattened. It no longer dwelled in the socket like it is supposed to. My knees were tore up and I had a bone bruise on my right hand too. God supplies us graciously with a thing called ‘shock.’ Had it not been for that, I do not know how I would have managed the pain. They tried to give me something in the ambulance, but could not locate my veins, so I had to wait until my arrival at the Pink Palace.

To my added distress, the nurses had to cut my brand new top off of me. I don’t know why that was a huge ‘thing,’ but it was. They did replace it with a fine floral all cotton number that tied in the back though! As soon as they were able to get an IV in me, they gave me pain meds. I calmed right down, or at least I thought I had. My hubby and daughter might give you a different story. Ha. After many x-rays (they now bring the machine to you in the ER, how cool is that!!) they placed a plaster splint and a blue sling on me and off to home we went!

On Monday I was in an orthopedic office being examined and they decided I needed a CT scan and that showed that I needed a specialist, so another week transpired. I believe it was on Sept 20(ish) that I had surgery. One large 500ml hematoma, a 7 inch plate and 11 screws later along with other hardware and a 2 day hospital stay I headed home again. I will be having another surgery in late Fall of this year. They are going to do a total reverse shoulder replacement and want my mid-humerus as healed as it can be. I had no idea what that procedure was so I googled it. I need to learn not to always click on Images. Oy vey!

So I am on the mend. I am learning slowly to do things with either one arm or how to incorporate the right side as much as possible. I have been getting lots of questions. Below are the most frequent.

• Does it hurt? Yes. I have a high pain tolerance too. That sometimes jars my hubby because when I say that I hurt, he knows it must be some kind of pain!
• Everyday? Yes, but I have learned pain management techniques from the Holy Spirit. Some days are good, some are better.
• Do you take meds? Ibu 800 when needed
• Can you travel? Limited and well planned travel is my life for awhile.

For the first few weeks, hubby and daughter played tag team with time off and taking care of me. Some dear friends and family came by to stay during the day with me too. Then my sister S~ came and moved in for a solid week and pampered me like a princess. Little by little I was able to get off of pain meds and then did not need people here all the time.

One fun thing did get uncovered. Hubby can wrap Christmas presents better than me, so he now has a new job come Holiday time. Busted!!!!!

So people, you are stronger than you think. I have to stir up my sense of humor or my days would get very long. But now that I can drive again, I can get out of the house when the walls close in. Give me a call and come on over for cuppa tea or coffee sometime!

Isaiah 40:31   but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Dear Lord,
I know better than to pray for patience. I want to thank you for all that you have saved me from. This was a biggie, and I know that it could have been much worse. Thank you for the opportunity to be home and rest and rejuvenate, because I know this too will change and I will be back out there again one day.

Love, Christine
A Muse of the Remnant

Today was a great day for me. I learned to iron again!

What did you say????? Iron???? Why????

First, I have always loved ironing. It is a mindless thing to do that has always calmed me down. (and no, I don’t want to do yours) I have not been able to iron one piece of clothing since the great fall last September. My arm will now reach far enough for me to do so, with a little help from the other arm at times, but hey… we all need a lil help now and then.

To me it was one of those victorious things! As my hubby and mom will concur, never tell me what I cannot do. My mind works like this: “Oh really… Challenge accepted!”  So to date, since the first surgery 6 months ago, I have relearned the following:

• How to dress myself: I must look hysterical with the gyrations to get fully clothed. Women think about it next time you dress yourself fully with each individual article. Keep your elbow at your side and do not use your dominant arm at all. Let me know how you do in the Comments section.
• How to cook: God Bless my hubby. He has taken such excellent care of me, but he cannot cook at all. Thankfully Rachel did. So that was my second thing to conquer… cooking! Cutting/chopping was a trip with my left hand. Only one nick though. That was the grace of God. The most difficult thing was cutting a sandwich or draining a pan. I figured it out though and we have had some wonderful dinners now. I do know how to summon up GrubHub when needed too! One night when first starting to cook, I burned dinner miserably. I’m not too proud to have food delivered!!!!
• Laundry: I generally only do mine and the towels now. It is very difficult to get the items out of the washer even with my grabber thingy. I have learned that folding perfectly just no longer exists in my world. It’s clean, it’s semi folded, it’s put away. Check, on to the next thing.
• Cleaning: Ok they all knew that when I started noticing things out of place that their world was about to change back again. Hahahaha. Rachel must unload the bottom of the dishwasher because my shoulder literally pops out of socket when I bend down. Yes, it hurts. Life goes on. Check!
• Driving: Image having to sit home and rely on people to take you anywhere and everywhere for over 4 months. Rachel sweetly took me to an empty parking lot one weekend, and she let me see if I was ready. It still hurts to shift even an automatic, but it is doable. Most difficult things are putting the seatbelt on and taking it off along with placing the key into the ignition on the steering wheel. I don’t go many places, but I know I CAN if I want to. Check!
• Crocheting: This one still gives me stingers, but I can do it at short intervals. I love crocheting too. I’ve started a blanket. Let’s see how long it takes me to finish it. Ha!
• Sewing: I did not do well with the sewing machine but am doing wonderful at hand sewing. I am working on ornate Christmas stockings for next year, well… but definitely by 2025. Check!
• Ironing: I did a full-length dress! I was so proud of myself. It was tough too. Check!
• Blogging: Hubby gave me his extra keyboard and I have it at a much lower height at my desk. This has allowed me to start typing again!

I am so excited that I’ve been able to do all of these things. But I did not relearn them on my own. I am learning to listen to and lean on my Jesus, Father God and the Holy Spirit more and more. He has been showing me insights to myself that I either have forgotten or never listened closely enough to hear them. I’m only 60 now… I can still learn!

Prayer Time

Proverbs 3:5-6  The Message (MSG)

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Lord, first of all, thank you for being so patient with me. I know I can be whiney at times, and I’m working that. Thank you for the gentle nudges. I like them much more than the sledgehammer awakenings. Help me to listen closely to that still small voice. It is my heart’s desire.

Love, Christine

A Muse of the Remnant