Have you seen the social media game that asks you to look up the title of the #1 song on the day you turned 21? That’s how your 2021 is supposed to go. Mine was “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men. Uh, love is definitely not the word I use for this year so far.
For the first three days of this month, my husband and I took turns in the hospital with our oldest. Her spinal fusion surgery on January 28 kept her there for several days. (You can read a little more about that here.) And while my husband and I enjoyed hospital food and acting as ships passing in the night (thanks, Covid), we celebrated in being able to come home and be together. The long days of pain meds and recovery since put our nursing skills and patience to the test, but our sweet girl heads around a metaphorical corner as we speak.
Several sweet friends provided meals and gift cards for meals as we settled in back home. One even sent her housekeeper over to clean for us! This completely made up for the week of hospital food. We thank God for His generous people.
Just a week and a half after Shelby’s surgery, our youngest underwent surgery to correct a deviated septum she sustained the day of her leg surgery last year. She passed out and took a nose dive into the tile, breaking her nose. Last March with the leg to deal with, we kind of forgot about the nose after the swelling and bruising went away. The lingering repercussions reminded us months later.
Allie’s turn under the knife wasn’t as serious but did entail a week out of school and a trip to the ER to remove a nasal stent that became unstitched. Once she could feel it poking the back of her throat, she and her dad made the pilgrimage for care – returning home at 2:00am. The stitch came out of the other one the next day. After watching the ER doc, her dad felt sure he could pull this one with jewelry pliers – and did!
For Valentine’s Day we experienced a winter weather catastrophe here in the Dallas area that lasted for a week. 130 car pile up on black ice came first, then temps in the single digits and millions of homes without power and water. For days. And as I write this a week later, the thermometer touched 80 degrees! Please pray for those still trying to get power or water back and those whose homes or businesses sustained damage. Once again, my family thanks God for His generous people who put us up so we could stay warm and entertain my daughter with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
At the beginning of this week, my incredible husband celebrated a low-key birthday, followed by my youngest turning Sweet 16 the next day. We gave her 16 bags with different little gifts instead of one big one. Many of them were gift cards for fast food and coffee shops she likes. Those were probably her favorite. We let her pick out the restaurant for dinner and had a Dairy Queen Blizzard cake waiting until we could sneak her 4 besties in to surprise her. Was a nice day.
In the midst of all this chaos, I indulged in a little low-brow comfort TV. Framing Britney Spears on Hulu (what? I was curious!), and the teeny bopper To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Always and Forever on Netflix. The Super Bowl, Ted Lasso on Apple+ (entirely too much language for me), WandaVision on Disney+ (part of the Marvel universe), and For All Mankind on Apple+ ( fascinating reimagining of our space program) rounded out viewing for the Sparks brood. My husband and I tried Four Weddings and a Funeral on Hulu, but we turned it off almost immediately. The first 6 words spoken started with an F. We also tried The Mindy Project – on Huluas well. My husband didn’t care for it but I think I may continue it on my own.
Well, I’ll wrap up this 14th month of 2020 by saying, “I love you. I thank you, and I hope March treats you well.
Now, for this week’s featured post!
Did He Really Say…? from Kim Hood of embracethisseason.com brought a recent conversation with a loved one racing back into my heart. I believe this article highlights the number one technique satan uses to place doubt in believers about God’s Word. It’s subtle, it’s slippery and we have to be diligently on the lookout for this weapon in our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. See what Kim has to say.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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Lauren, your 2021 certainly is off to quite a start, thank you for sharing on social media, because I was honored to bring you and your family before the Lord in prayer, especially Shelby, as a little one like her cannot understand everything that is going on, and my heart so cried out to the Lord for her.
Hilarious about the number one song thing, my number one song is “sad Eyes” by Robert John-yep hoping that one is not prophetic….
Donna, thank you so much for the personal prayers for my family. And I certainly hope your song is wrong!
Whew, it sounds like you had one crazy February. Happy Birthday to your husband and daughter. I love the 16 little gifts idea. That’s so fun. I’m glad the surgeries all went well and I hope everyone is recuperating well. I’ve been loving the new shows B Positive and Call Me Kat.
-Lauren
I got the 16 gifts idea from my mom. She did it for my twin sister and me. I tried Call Me Kat and couldn’t get into it – although I love Mayim Bialik. I may have to try B Positive. The premise looks funny. Thank you for sharing.
Oh wow! Two surgeries in one month! Hope everyone is on the mend now. The 16 gifts was a nice idea. My husband and I enjoyed the new PBS All Creatures Great and Small–even though he didn’t think he would. I hear it’s different from the books and the old version–but I am not familiar with them, so it didn’t bother me. 😀
Well, from the sounds of it, All Creatures Great and Small is an entirely different show that I thought. For some reason I’ve been under the assumption that it was a reality show about a vet! I might have to check it out.
Lauren, you really had a doozy of a month! I cannot even pretend to understand how much stress and anxiety you have been through these past few weeks. I am so glad that February has come to an end and the spring will hopefully bring so much more light and love and good things into our lives. I had to go look up the top song on my 21st birthday at it was Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman by Bryan Adams. I don’t even think I know that song! I guess I should go have a listen. Thanks for sharing your stories and linking with me. I will continue to pray for speedy recoveries for your girls!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Oh, I love that song by Bryan Adams. So romantic. Definitely give it a listen.
Praying for Refreshing in March for your family! It really sounds like there was lots of love was being given – just not in the most comfy, exciting ways! I looked up the #1 Song on the Day I turned 21 (LOL – I got married the week I turned 21) – and it was “Every Breath You Take” by The Police – so I don’t know who’s going to be watching me every breath I take – but I’m banking on God! Though, when I leave the house and the boys come in not finding me there – I do get lots of calls with, “Where are you, Mom” – because then their hoping I’ll bring them home food or coffee! Today is a hard day in our community, though. It’s the anniversary of the tornado that took 19 lives in our little community. 2020 was not a user-friendly year.
I get the same kind of calls from my daughter. I’m sorry about the tragic anniversary and am praying right now for your community, Maryleigh.
Wow, Lauren, you guys had QUITE a February! I’m glad both of your young ‘uns who went under the knife managed it well. And that you and your hubby did too. I loved your idea of sixteen gifts. I wish I’d thought of that for our oldest, who turned eighteen on Saturday. May your March be calmer!
We are all doing well. Thank you, Jeanne. And from your lips to God’s ears!
What a month you had, Lauren! Prayers for your daughters as they recover from their respective surgeries!
And the #1 hit when I was born? “At the Hop”. Man, I am old! 🙂 I am hoping that predicts some dancing for me this year.
That sounds like a fun prediction, Laurie!
My goodness – what a time you all have been having!! The best part (!) being that you are safe in these times.
Thank you for reminding me of my blessings!
What a start to the year, I’m sure you are glad to see the end of Feb 2021! Praying a blessed March as you move into springtime.
Thank you, Sharon.
I couldn’t help myself. I had to check and see the top song from my 21st year–Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship ;). I’m sorry you’ve had a wild 2021 so far–but it sounds like it’s had its sweet moments, too. May God continue to lead and guide you through the rest of the year!
That song would be quite inspirational for this year!
Delighted to hear God has answered our prayers with Shelby’s recovery Lauren! And that you all have survived this rather already eventful year!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you for praying for Shelby with me!
Lauren, thank you for featuring my post. I’m sorry for the delay in thanking you. I’ve been in a bit of a low point, health-wise. It looks like you can relate. You certainly had a trying month! I hope your family is all mended and getting back in the grove of life again. Hugs!
It was a privilege to feature you! And hugs right back.