I started out last Friday with this–a Hannah Montana dry erase board. Yes, I was reduced to Hannah Montana. Took the kids to Target to get my muteself a dry erase board and they had these for only $1. The normal plain white boards were $5. So, this is what I got. Ashlyn seemed to think it was cool. And, Evan has enjoyed coloring in Hannah’s face (does anyone really call her Hannah or is it always Hannah Montana?)

Earlier today, I got this notepad in the mail from someone who had the same surgery I did. Check out how cool this paper is…it says “Just had vocal cord surgery – all healthy. can’t talk for a few weeks…” I enjoyed scribbing notes like crazy on this today as my mom helped me and we took a trip out to Sight & Sound theater to take the kids to the Easter show called Behold the Lamb. 

Here’s a picture of the family outside the theater (Drew fell asleep during the last 5 minutes of the show…hard to believe since there were legions of angels at the throne of Christ singing Crown Him at the time). And, here’s a picture from our seats before the show started. 

And, here is what I came home to. My talking machine arrived. I can type away on this baby and then Mr. Roboto reads what I typed. Unfortunately, the better model that has a female voice had a long waiting list. This was the best one that was readily available for loan (only borrowing–this thing costs about $4000!!!). So, it’s pretty funny hearing a man speak for me. I typed away at dinner to the family. Ashlyn stopped everyone at one point and said, “wait, mama’s talking!” as I continued to quickly type away. It’s nice to have some sort of outlet besides writing on Hannah boards and notepaper. I was away from Mr. Roboto for a few minutes and was motioning like crazy at Mark trying to ask him something. He didn’t understand me and my face and motions must have shown my frustration (no, I didn’t give him the finger). Mark actually said, “I wish you’d stop yelling at me” at which point we both just started laughing….but, of course, mine was silent. 

Got this devotion in my inbox today. It was written by Van Walton. The Scripture used is “…we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV):

My amazing husband can do anything. He’s a fix-it man. There isn’t anything he can’t repair or create. He rebuilds damaged computers for family and friends, repairs weed eaters and garage door openers for neighbors, and rescues broken furniture from trash heaps. Recently he brought a chair home from a dinner party. It wasn’t a gift and we didn’t steal it. Someone sat in it and broke it!

After two days of taking the chair apart – performing what looked like orthopedic surgery to me, you know when pins and screws are inserted to keep bones and joints from further damage — followed by a little gluing, sanding, and staining, the chair looked brand new.

“Wow!” I said, impressed.

“Sit in it and rock back,” he encouraged.

“Rock back? I don’t think so! What if I break it?”

“Oh, believe me. You won’t.”

“How do you know?” I asked, not convinced.

“I know how I designed it. I know the pressure points and how much stress it can take” he responded with a smile of confidence. “Go on. Sit in it and rock back.”

I sat down and rocked back.

The chair was solid. I don’t care who sits in it, or how they land in it now, it will not break.

I think about the times we don’t believe we can handle any more stress. The pressure seems overwhelming and we cry, “Time out! I can’t take any more!”

God responds, “Trust me. You will not be destroyed. I know your pressure points. I know how much stress you can take. I know how I designed you.”

I cannot describe the peace I felt when I related the work of my husband’s hands to the work of God’s hand.

Of course He knows how much I can take. After all He is my Creator, the one who bent down by the river and fashioned me with His hands. He’s the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother’s womb, the one who is called the Potter.

He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel. He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold. He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant. He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl.

My Father knows exactly how much I can take. He knows because He designed me. With that realization I am able to trust Him and smile at the future, no matter how hard life is today.

I had an emergency visit today at my ENT’s office for my ear pain. He confirmed that I do have an ear infection and put me on two different antibiotics. He also examined my throat and told me that my right vocal fold has hemorrhaged. This means that I’m on vocal rest, only able to speak if absolutely necessary, at least until next Wednesday. And, it also means that my recovery just became much harder. I was originally told I’d be hoarse for 2 weeks and have my full voice restored in 4-6 weeks. Now, I am going to be hoarse for 6-12 weeks and may not have my full voice for up to 1 year. I am very discouraged by this news and am asking for prayers for this coming week and for my recovery.