So, I have officially decided to petition the Lord and ask Him if He might not let me sleep through next January. This one, I have decided, is enough to put me off the month *forever*.

No arguing, folks! I've heard from a score of people whose anniversaries and birthdays are in January. I'm not saying that *you* have to miss out on the month. I'm just saying that I'll be hibernating.

Don't worry, I'll send out your cards in late December. Just don't open them until your big day and it'll all work out just fine!

By now you're wondering what on earth has happened *now*. If you've read through this blog at all you know that we lost our baby earlier this month, that my three kids-who-sing-praises-here-and-not-in-heaven have been battling sickness, that one of them was threatened with hospitalization over a nasty bout of strep and that my in-laws made a visit just weeks ago. What else can go wrong in just four weeks?

This particular affliction is my husband's. Last night at ALPHA (church program), my husband collapsed in the bathroom. Luckily he collapsed into the arms of one of our pastors. (This might be an uncomfortable thing for some men, but my husband considers this particular pastor to be one of his best friends, so there was minimal embarrasment involved, thankfully.)

Turns out, he has not one, but *two* kidney stones. We've been told repeatedly in the last fifteen hours how terribly painful these are. I saw a glimpse of it last night. I'm not looking forward to the actual process of passing the stones ... and neither is DH. Right now I'm not sure he can even take another of those awful "It hurt so bad I prayed Jesus would take me right then and there!" stories. Frankly, he's a bit of a baby when it comes to pain, and all this doom and gloom has made him blanche a seemingly permanant and quite unflattering shade of white.

Are we certain that God's hand is in this? Absolutely. We had a powerful display of that last night in the fact that our dear friends (who don't attend ALPHA) had come for the evening somewhat randomly. They also happen to be the only people with whom my children know they are allowed to leave he church grounds in the case of an unannounced emergency. I think groaning, "I'm either going to puke or die!" as you're put in the backseat of a car counts as one of those, yes?

So that was January 29. Today is the 30th. And guess what I'm doing on Wendesday, people? I'm rejoicing, that's what! Because somehow, some way, February 2006 has GOT to be better!!!!

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Comments

Jan. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by munchkinmom9

My head is spinning! As a January birthdayer, I will say that I like my birthday, but the rest of the month can fall by the wayside for all I care. And since it is at the end, I can wait until February for you to emerge. Praying for your poor, hurt husband. OUCH!

Let's hear it for February! :)

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Jan. 31, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by BooksandBairns

Counting down the hours, here!

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Feb. 2, 2006 - God bless you

Posted by momofsix

I have heard how painful kidney stones are, ouch! What is ALPHA?

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Feb. 2, 2006 - ALPHA

Posted by BooksandBairns

ALPHA is a kind of Christianity 101 of people who may or may not have been raised in a church. We go over the basics (Who is Jesus?) as well as slightly deeper topics (Why did Jesus have to die? and How can I resist evil?) The set-up is really cool: It's a small group format, with leaders at each table, as well as the seekers/new believers. We usually have around 100 attendees, some who are new to Christ and some who are still questioning. We have dinner together, worship, and then a speaker. After that, there is time for conversation about the topic around the table. We also have free childcare provided. The last ALPHA gathering of each 12 week session is baptisms, and we always have at least a dozen. It's a wonderful ministry.

ALPHA is an international ministry. It's used at churches of different denominations all over the US.

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