Better than worse

Another day trip to Omaha complete. Uneventful, which is good, but not miraculous. Dr Vose is going to try again to wean me off the steroids – if all goes well, I should be off them by mid-summer. Labs look good. Lung tests are better than they were in February, but not better than they were in January. I'm scheduled to go back to Omaha in May but won't repeat any tests until June.
The weather is beautiful and I had a nice weekend – caught up with friends, celebrated another birthday with Dad and NO TORNADOS! Hope you're all doing well!

"Magic" Kingdom

I don't really know how to describe my vacation to Disney World, but one thing I can say is that God was so merciful. I've been praying for 2 months that I would be able to breathe at least enough to go to the park with Connor and Katie, and maybe even be able to play in the pool. I've had some good days recently so was optimistic that with a few breaks I'd be able to get by. Well God had more in mind than “getting by,” he gave me a wonderful Easter gift and the only word I can use to describe it is merciful. While in Florida, I felt as close to good as I have in a long time. I was able to walk up stairs without getting too winded, could carry on a conversation while we walked, kept up with the kids at Disney, played in the pool for the first time in over 2 years, and to finish it off, was able to move very quickly (not quite run) through the airport to get my luggage on the plane (only to find out it was delayed!). There was a lot of standing in lines and riding on buses which I know helped, but I was able to “DO” and didn't need 30 minutes of recovery time afterward.
Today, I've been trying to catch up and have felt fairly typical. Monday I head back to Omaha and they'll repeat the lung funtion tests. Maybe they'll reveal an objective explanation as to why I had a nice vacation (ie my numbers will have improved), or maybe they won't. Either way, I know that God gave me back some lung function, even if only temporarily. Time will tell what happens from here, but the hope that I'll be able to slowly return to an active life style has been refreshed.

Happy Easter!

I've mentioned my desire to “be healthy for Easter” a couple times but never really said why so as to decrease the disappointment if it didn't happen. But Easter is now here and I'm feeling pretty good – so what am I going to do, you might ask. I'm going to Disney World! No, seriously! Tomorrow I'm flying to Florida to spend Spring Break with Lisa and the kids. I doubt that I'll be able to keep up but have been assured that the Magic Kingdom has plenty of benches. It doesn't really matter, I'm just so grateful to be taking a trip somewhere other than Omaha!

What an amazing holiday we celebrate this weekend – remembering the greatest miracle of all time. Not just that Christ died and rose from the dead after fulfilling 100's of years of prophecies (the odds of which are greater than it was to win the Powerball last week), but perhaps the greatest miracle – that he did it out of love for US. Whether we love him or not, believe in him or not, spend time with him or allow our “important” commitments to push him out – he knew that we could never love him the way he loves us, yet still chose to die for each and every one of us. What an amazing expression of love! I know that's probably not novel news for most of you (and if it is, please call me). Anyway, since the best way to sum up Easter in 1 word is “love,” I started thinking of all the things I “love” (obviously a different level of “love”)
I love sunsets, sunny days on the beach, summer thunderstorms, and the peacefulness after a snowfall. I love the smell of barbeque, McDonalds ice cream, being on the water, good competition and a good massage. I love the sound of children's giggles, children's prayers, seeing people smile and having a good laugh. I love being surrounded by a supportive community and the feeling you get from helping others. I love my friends. I love my family. I love the faithfulness of our God and that He blesses us with future and a hope! Happy Easter!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16