Our Tuesday - and an Update on Summer

So many of you have been praying for Summer and have asked me how she is doing.

Ruth Ann and I spent a good part of this day with her.....

We met in Plano to see a movie this morning......a really inspiring and uplifting movie.

We had a lot of fun snapping photo op pictures before we went in.

Ruth Ann and I arrived early - gasp! I KNOW! Me? Early?

I bought the ticket for Summer and chose the same row Ruth Ann, Candie and I had sat on for the movie yesterday - Row E.

I wasn't thinking! This was SIX steps UP!

Summer was in a great deal of pain when she arrived and took some pain medicine which allowed her to sit for most of the film. She had to get up and stand a time or two but she made it through.

You can't tell by the smile on her face the condition she is in physically or even emotionally.

We enjoyed the movie and its message.  I think we all needed to see this one today.

There were only a hand full of people in the theater at the 10:45 showing.

This lady (between me and Summer) started talking to us and we were all sharing our thoughts about the actors and had a good time visiting. Her husband was the one who took the photo of the three of us together as we went into the movie.

Our next stop was lunch at Chuy's - only a short drive through two parking lots up from the Cinemark.

Once again, Summer spied the fun photo op!

Chuy's is a happy place and it feels like a party here!

Two wonderful ladies sitting at this table!

While I am always 'real' - I don't always share everything.

I jokingly say that there are at least 5 or 6 things I haven't told anyone.

Maybe just 2 or 3!

This photo doesn't show the tears and emotions Summer shared with us during our lunch visit today.

She is still experiencing intense pain. Some days are worse than others but no day is pain free.

She is doing everything she can possibly do to get better. Her exercises, therapy, medication, prayer.

The fact is - she is at a particularly low point in her life right now.

In pain.

Unable to work.

No job.

No income.

No home.

No money.

Summer and Sabrina's house has sold so there will be a little money coming soon but there are complications even about that.

So how is it that she seems so happy and smiles at the camera??

I will share some of the lessons my daughter has taught me.

Summer loves people. She always has.

 She is a people person and, yes, even at times a 'people pleaser.' 

She sees the best in everyone.

She sucks it up and does what she has to do - and tries to do it with a smile.

She keeps a lot of her pain to herself.

She believes it is healthy to be around happy people and especially around children.

Summer finds children can bring joy when you think you can't feel joy anymore.

Summer leaves things better than she found them.

That's true of a trip to the beach or a park.

She will wipe down a wet counter in a bathroom - any bathroom.

She has lived her life picking up litter every where she goes.

Summer loves nothing better than to fill a need for someone.

She believes in the power of music, friends, prayer and family.

She believes that if you do good to and for others - that good will not only come back to you - but it will be paid forward.

So how can she smile when she was just crying her heart out a few minutes before?

That's just who she is.

She is not faking her pain.

She isn't making it up.

It's not in her head and just because she can SMILE in the midst of pain does not mean she isn't feeling the pain.

Summer doesn't know when or how God will provide for her health, life and direction but she is trusting Him anyway. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13King James Version (KJV)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

  I thank all of you who have joined me in prayer for Summer.

It was September 19th, 2016 when she was taking a power nap during lunch in her office.

She simply turned over on the couch......

That's been nearly one year ago.

Sometimes we have to wait on God......without even knowing why......but the answer will come.

I'm so proud of my daughter and her testimony of faith.

I truly believe God will redeem this time in her life.

We left Summer and she went back to Rowlett and we went back to Irving.

She called me later while I was at Aldi and said she had a good afternoon thrift shopping and finding some treasures - remember she had sold just about everything she owned when they put the house on the market.

I told her I had found a few things too!

That cutting board is the thick sturdy old fashioned kind you can't find any more.

I use it on the art table and cover it with newspapers on art night.

The sunflower pillow makes me smile and I love all my little candle lights!

Tonight Ruth Ann made more progress on our Santa.

I think this is some of her best work and she is loving this painting!

I worked on my two and we will be ready to put in some of the details next week.

Another two sessions and they will be done!

The top Santa is from last year and I glazed it tonight.

It was still wet when I hung him up on the Santa Wall last November!

The rain has ended in Houston and they could see blue skies late this afternoon.

We have family and friends down there and all are safe.

Some have been evacuated to shelters and some have had water but not so much that they had to leave their home. So many of the residents have lost everything. Still, there is a spirit of hope that shines through this whole devastating and catastrophic event.

I saw this on Facebook and that's pretty much how it is in Texas!

I get to stay up late and sleep in tomorrow!!!

Good night, folks!