Fulcrum--1951 The Rest of the Story

This story has four parts that I want to share with you.  It was a story that changed all our families lives not only at the time that it happened, but for the rest of our lives.

We often are so overcome with the tragedy and sorrow of an event that we cannot see anything good.  So it was with the story of Ruthie in 1951 and for the next twelve years.  But her story didn't end in a hospital in Casper, Wyoming in an iron lung, or in a halo apparatus at the Shriner's Hospital in Salt Lake City.

At the Shriner's Hospital she was a special patient.  When she was eleven they arranged for her to see fireworks for the first time in her life.  Through all her pain and suffering she never complained, but was a ray of sunshine to those around her.

When she finally was able to come home, my parents sold the ranch and moved to Cody so that she could go to school as her health was too fragile for living in the mountains.  She attend high school, sometimes when plagued with recurrent pneumonia by remote connection, and home tutoring from her teachers.
French studies were her favorite classes.  She went on to attend college in Minnesota with a dream to be a French translator for the United Nations.  She was an accomplished pianist.

Then, in 1968 she accepted a job as an angel in the heavenly choir, singing praises to her Heavenly Father.

Part one of this series was published May 21st.

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Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like: 

1. June 10th is Iced Tea Day - do you drink iced tea?  Sweet or unsweet?  Flavoured? 

I love Iced Tea--with temperatures way above 100 it is so refreshing.  I like it slightly sweetened with a slice of lemon.  I have had Southern Sweet tea, but it is just too sweet for me.  No flavors, thank you.

2. What would be an essential for you to survive a long airplane flight?

My Kindle.  I have trouble sleeping on an airplane, so I generally read.

3. How do you explain wanting an iron to someone who does not speak English?

That would be hard to do since, I really don't iron.  When I travel, I pack either wrinkle free clothes, or those nice crinkly fashions.  

4. Should smoking be allowed in restaurants?

No.  Smoke gives me a headache and spoils the taste of the food for me.

My question for you--

5. What is the longest airplane flight that you have taken?

That would be from Paris to Boston--3446 miles, second was from Phoenix to Honolulu--2911 miles. 

Sunday Meditation--What's Important

Oswald Chambers said, "Spend plenty of time with God; let others things go, but don't neglect Him."
Three steps to study--
1. - "Daily" is meant to be a goal, not a club or a chain? Obviously ANY time in the Bible is better than none!

2. - "Consistency" is really what we desire. The journey of 100 miles may indeed begin with one step - but one must take a whole bunch more steps to get somewhere.

3. - "Systematically" means you are going somewhere in particular.

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

After the Fall

I am no athlete, I can barely climb a flight of stairs, but I was drawn into the story in this book.  It presents an unforgettable example of the power to endure.

"After the Fall" by Craig DeMartino tells his true story of a should have been fatal climbing accident and the aftermath of healing and restoration. From the circumstances of the fall, through the years of recovery, setbacks, new challenges and victories, to the person he is today, the writer takes you on a journey where you can almost feel the pain, joy, frustration, and eventual acceptance of the results of his fall. Craig is honest about who He finds God to be for him in the midst of life after the fall. That realization inspires hope, faith and encouragement for everyone who is seeking to find God in the middle of their fallen circumstances. 

For anyone who has been knocked down or run over by life, After the Fall not only offers an engaging read but also provides a clear message of hope: sometimes the greatest gift we can receive isn’t just healing, but the power to endure.

Craig DeMartino travels throughout the country sharing the powerful message God preserved his life to deliver. His incredible recovery has been documented in video; has been covered on Discovery Channel’s Vital Scan series, CNN, and NPR Radio; and is the inspiration behind Gripping Point, a six-part Bible study based on pain and how to deal with it in our lives. Craig is now climbing again. He is the first amputee to ever climb Yosemite’s El Capitan in a single day and has won five gold medals in climbing competitions at the Extremity Games. He has also launched After the Fall Ministries, working with other trauma survivors and speaking to groups about his experience of how God’s love changed his heart.

 Craig shares his passion for climbing with his wife and two children.

Pondering with a Purpose--Roll

Today's prompt is: Roll

Well, better late than never.  I was on a roll playing dolls with my granddaughter and time got away from me.  This was after we had lunch of mac and cheese and a warm roll.  Earlier we had been to  her school for roll call for game day.  It was a busy morning. Now I just want to roll out an easy chair and relax for awhile.