My Sweet Valentines!

As some of you who follow me know that my Dad just got moved into the nursing home a few weeks ago. He lived in his own home and Momma has lived in the nursing home a block away. They had not seen each other for along time, because his emphysema has kept him on oxygen 24/7. Anyway he has been there and been able to see his sweet Valentine. Here is a picture. I love this picture!

Yesterday I had just hung up my sheets on the line, set up the props for the new Prairie Flower Book & Craft Bag had the camera ready and the phone rang. My Dad was in real bad shape. He was not responding. Mr. Phil and I dropped everything and drove to the hospital 30 minutes away. While driving I didn't do very well. I know there will be the day, but not today!!!! 5 years ago on this very day my father in love died. When we got to the hospital he was still is pitiful shape. My heart was broken. I kept trying to keep my mind on the Lord and trusting He would get us through this. I remembered this scripture.

Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the LORD,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

I will hold on to this, when times get hard. Riches stored in secret places. Yesterday when we got to the hospital he was unconscious. He was still breathing, but they said he was in really, really bad shape. He has sepsis which means he has infection in his blood stream. Two of his Pastors were there to give encouragement. The doctor and nurses got him stabilized and into ICU. The "treasure in the darkness" was about to be revealed. His nurse was named Sherry. She was an absolute doll and a gift sent from the Lord! She let us know that she had worked in Kansas City in a hospital with patients who had sepsis for many years. We were so thankful the Lord put her with Poppa. We were able to talk and she was to be leaving for Haiti on Monday. That was really neat for us since we have such a heart for what is going on there. My Dad was not responding to us, so we left for home. We had our girls go home earlier in the evening, because this was already a hard day for them. Their other grandfather who they were very close with had died 5 years ago. When we got home I was just spent. I was so glad to get my girls in my arms. As I was sitting our oldest daughter came and took my shoes and socks off my feet. Then she laid a towel on the floor with a bowl of water with my favorite eucalyptus and mint foot salts. She placed my feet into the water. I about lost it. God has mercy when we need it the most. I don't want to miss what the Lord has for us at this time. Life is hard and sometimes it is real hard. I would appreciate any prayer, as today will be a big day and again if I can pray for you please, please let me know.

This was not quite the Valentine I had planed for my parents, but the last few weeks they were able to enjoy some very precious times. My Dad is in really bad shape, but like my youngest daughter and I had prayed last night was that God would give us a miracle. At 2 in the morning we received a call from Nurse Sherry, my Dad had awakened and was stabilizing. Praise the Lord!!!!! Thank you so much ladies for being a part of my life. I so enjoy your personal emails and comments on my blog. As I have said before, you are precious!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings,

Linda

P.S. I have another treat for you all. I met a lady named Claris who in the nursing home where my parents are. She was coming down the hall walking with her walker with her apron on. I saw her and I said, "are you not just the cutest?!" She smiled, I also told her I loved her apron. She said, "Do you want it?" Of course I wouldn't take it, but I did want to copy the pattern. She had one that was very old, that she gave to me so I could make a pattern. She said that I could interview her for my blog. I didn't tell you, but she is 98 years young. She has a memory like you wouldn't believe. She is so adorable. She wears her hair up all sweet! and said, "You are not dressed, if you don't put your apron on when you get dressed for the day!" You will love the pattern. I will be changing it a bit, but you will like it a lot!!!!!!! You will just love Claris! Claris was ready when I came to her room. She had two quilts that she had made from scratch. She wanted me to look at all her aprons that were hung in order in her closet. She is going to teach us how to do a feather stitch. They are so perfectly done. She loves Jesus and I want to glean from her life. She was married to her sweetheart for almost 60 years. I want to be like here. She said her place was always filled with people eating from her plates. Oh, my heart was so encouraged. The apron was a very sweet valentine, even in the washed out state. I will treasure the apron that Claris wore forever. I almost forgot we are related to each other and like she said, we went for so long not knowing each other and now we are friends. I needed this in my life. I know you enjoy getting to know her.

Here is a picture of the pocket on the apron Claris gave me. If you click on the pic you will see her tiny little stitches. Her quilting is probably 10 stitches per inch. Like I could ever do that? I will ask her to teach me and then I will teach you.

I also had a Valentine dessert I wanted to put up. Not going to happen. I will put it up later though.