Walk for Life

My heart goes out to anyone who is experiencing what seems to be a crisis pregnancy.  But, I believe abortion is wrong.  I believe it is really, really wrong.  I don't believe God wants us to kill our unborn to solve our problems.

Having said that, I also want to say that I don't think it is our job to judge someone who has chosen to abort a baby, someone who has performed or assisted with abortions, or someone who has supported this choice.  I think each of us drags behind us a history of poor choices and outright mistakes, at least until we are forgiven.  I know stories of many young woman who have suffered greatly from their own choice to go against their basic instinct to protect their young.  We need to reach out and help all of these people to see that they are being offered forgiveness.

Nearly 7 years ago my friend, Nicole, introduced me to a local crisis pregnancy center.  I went through their training, learning and observing, and we have donated to them ever since.  I was so impressed with their attitude of love and caring.  They offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, limited STD testing and counseling.  They try to direct mothers to whatever services they need to maintain their pregnancies and even offer support after the babies are born.  I was most impressed with the help they offer young women who are hurting because they've already had an abortion.  That spirit of forgiveness and compassion is extended to fathers as well. 

Mike & I walk in a fundraiser for this agency each year and we are inviting anyone who wants to support this effort to let us know.  You can read about them at their website http://www.carenetcasper.com/   They have recently changed their name from CareNet to True Care Women's Resource Center.

The way this fundraiser works is kind of neat.  We are raising money but we don't ever have to actually deal with money.  Between now and June 4 you just go to this site, http://www.firstgiving.com/npo/28243 if you want to help.  Once at that site you'll see a box asking for your friend's name.  Just type in Strucks and you'll find our page.  Or you can just email me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com telling me the amount you wish to donate, as well as your name and address.  True Care will then send you a statement.  It's that easy.

Alternatively, I'd like to suggest you research in your own community.  See if there is a crisis pregnancy center and find out how they help their clients, what their attitude is toward them.  Then, if you feel challenged to help at your own local level, ask how they could use you.  It feels really good to do something so positive to try to help eliminate the perceived need for abortions. 

These pictures are of our grandaughter, Cordelia, taken the day she was born.  Cordelia was always wanted, always loved.  She's growing into a confident little person who knows she has a support group of people who care about her.  That is how it is supposed to be.  I am just trying do something to help every baby get to experience that sort of beginning, whether it be with a birth family or an adoptive family.  I thank you for considering this opportunity to do the same.

Maria - My Daughter, My Friend

Maria Rose was our starter child and today we are celebrating her.  She is named after Mike's Grandma Maria and my Grandma Rose.  Mike's grandma was Norwegian and we used her pronounciation for the name so it is pronounced like Mariah. 

I should have been posting this on April 2 but Maria was 16 days late folks!  I'm sure that had something to do with her 9 lb. 2 oz. birth weight.  She was also 22 1/2" long!  I kind of felt like we missed her infancy as she was born wanting to get on with it!  She seemed to think she could walk right out of the womb!  She hated being treated like a baby and wanted upright at all times.  She was walking several steps by  7 months and anywhere she wanted by 8 months.  She potty-trained early, talked early and a lot, and pretty much just set an advanced pace for herself throughout her early life.

Even as a little kid, Maria always seemed to be older than she was.  I once commented to Mike, while we watched her with other children, that she seemed to be a little adult trying to pretend she was a child! 

Already as a child Maria was pretty insightful as well.  Once, when she was about 3rd grade, we were visiting at the home of one of my friends.  My friend had a teenage daughter who was getting pretty sassy to her Mom and I watched Maria really taking it all in.  On the way home Maria discussed it and declared her disgust at the girl's behavior.  She ended saying, "I hope I never act like that to you, Mom!"  Then a bit later, "But if I do, will you just remember that it is a stage I am going through?"

Maria was a fun child to raise!  She learned things quickly, had in inquisitive mind and a let-me-try-it spirit.   She's always had a love of laughter and a good sense of humor.  OK, some of her jokes were pretty bad but I just blame that on her father.  She can't be held accountable for what genetics did to her!  And as she points out, she went through some awkward phases...again, genetics, but I'm not saying which side.

Not only did we get the joy of parenting Maria, we have loved watching her come into her own as an adult.  She is very good at being married, truly giving and supportive of Eric, as he is for her.  And as a mother, I've never seen anyone so tender.  It is truly a beautiful thing to watch her with her own daughter.

I'm just trying to say that I am so very grateful for the gift Maria has been to our family.  Words seem kind of inadequate so let me just show you...

(photo by James Strate - used without permission, hope you don't mind, Jim!)

(This photo by E.K. Wimmer,also used without permission but I'm sure he would've given permission had I asked.)

(Another photo stolen outright from E.K. Wimmer.)

(OK, so I used this E.K. Wimmer without permission as well.  We gave him our daughter, though, so I doubt he will press charges.  I'm pretty sure he won't.  I really don't think he will...)

This daughter of our's has been and continues to be such a joy to us.

The truth is, sometimes I look at her and just marvel at her beauty, inside and out.

Happy Birthday to My Daughter, My Friend!

A Gentle Donkey Kind of King

 On Palm Sunday our entire congregation waits out in our large foyer, except for those of us on the Worship Team.  At 9:00 the doors open and as people come in waving their palm leaves we all sing, "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!"  It isn't our typical Sunday.  It's kind of funny to watch and see who will actually wave the palm branches they are given at the door.  Lutherans maybe aren't known for their exuberence during church. In fact, we are a bit nervous if someone asks us to clap. For the record, I waved my palm branch high overhead.  I admit, I wondered if I looked silly, but I got into the spirit of it anyway.  I'm hoping that the soft flesh on the underside of my arm wasn't outwaving the palm branch!

I did have a moment of terror in church this morning.  We were nearing the part of the service when we have a children's sermon.  All the adorable little kiddos come down and a little mini-sermon is presented for their benefit.  My husband, Mike (Pastor Mike), does the children's sermon about every other week and lay people do it in between.  Well, just as we were approaching that part I suddenly remembered that on

Wednesday a guy had asked me if I could do the children's sermon "next Sunday".  What is wrong with me?!  How could I forget a thing like that?!  Why didn't I write it down or something?  I started frantically trying to come up with a talk for the kids and I quickly developed a plan, kind of.  Not to worry!  My husband got up and he had the whole thing under control.  Apparently he had just planned to do it since I'd been sick this last week.  He didn't even know I'd thought I was doing it.  Whew! 

Anyway, Mike had a title for his children's sermon.  It was, "A Gentle Donkey Kind of King".  He spoke of the type of person people would expect a King to be.  I thought of all the hoopla surrounding the upcoming royal wedding in England!  Or what about the fuss made when our President arrives anywhere on Airforce One?  What a contrast to Jesus, riding a gentle donkey into Jerusaelm, even as he is being welcomed like a King.

Why do you think Jesus rode in on a donkey?  We know that it was prophesied in the Old Testament that the Messiah would enter this way, but why was that important?  Do you think it was to teach a lesson about being humble?  Maybe it was to set him apart from previous leaders?  Perhaps from this we are to remember what is really important in this life, and it is not wealth and fame.  What do you think?

Carrier Gene

I live in an art museum...



My mother is an artist.  She is a very, very talented artist.  These are some of her paintings hanging in our home...

My daughter is an artist.  She started winning awards when she was in junior high school.  These are some of her paintings hanging in our home. (Note, the orange one is a collaborative piece she did with her husband.)

 

And,

 

I did this last one...

...all by myself.

Now, does the title of today's blog make sense?

I have a dear friend that pointed out that I must have the artist carrier gene.

I can live with that.

Taxes, Grout and Love

Our taxes are done!  Actually, I finished them last week but couldn't just be done with it.  I had to look them over some more, get them "Mike approved" and risk forgetting to hit that send button.  But now, they have been e-sent and even our estimated 1st quarter taxes for 2011 are paid.  I've done our taxes for many years now.  It makes me glad that this is one thing I can do to eliminate a worry for Mike.  I think Mike really appreciates that he doesn't have to do it and I really kind of enjoy it now that we use TurboTax.  (No, this is not a paid commercial for Turbo Tax...  but I'd do it if they asked!)  So, I don't know why I dilly dally so with taxes but no matter, they are done now!

Are your taxes done?

Now, to celebrate, I'm going to go chip out the old grout around our bathtub and redo it.  No, really that is what I am doing today.  I know how to have a good time!  I did it for Mike's shower already this week and told him that was part of his birthday present.  Actually, he's been so busy lately, meetings many nights a week, I figured I should kick it into gear a bit and take off some of the load from things he thought he should be doing at home.  So you see, even grouting can be an act of love!

There are so many creative ways to show someone you care, don't you think?  Grouting is mine for today.  Do you have plans to show someone you love them today?



Apparently some birthdays need to overflow into the next day...  Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties I am unable to upload any photos from my computer today.  Perhaps another day I'll be able to treat you with more Mike pictures.

I am, however, able to load pictures from Facebook.  So, let's talk about Mike as an entertainer.  (Thanks, Wendy, for reminding me of this fun picture.)  Mike was in a 50's show, singing Buddy Holly songs.  On the last night of the show he was greatly surprised by the screaming female fans!  It was lots of fun, even though he had trouble finishing that last song! 

I mentioned Mike's songwriting talents, and many of you have heard him sing.  I totally forgot to tell you that he does have a CD.  (Thanks, Maria, for reminding me.)  Here's the link for that... 

 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MikeStruck

Although Mike didn't choose the path of a professional entertainer, it is still a creative outlet for him and I still love to hear him sing his songs!

Mike's Day

Today is Mike's Birthday!

Mike is a mysterious and complicated guy.  There are so many sides to him! 

 I will tell you about a few...

Many know him as their pastor.  Those people probably don't realize he is actually an introvert because in his pastor role, he pushes himself to be available to all.  He's a natural and easy speaker and a knowledgeable teacher, as well as a kind and caring spiritual advisor.

I like observing Mike as a brother.  I think he's pretty special to his sisters and I know he cares deeply for them.  He makes an effort to keep those relationships strong.

Mike, as a son, keeps his mother's life interesting!  He has long talks with her on the phone at least weekly.   When together, he keeps her on her toes, often teasing her mercilessly!  She loves it, of course.

I pat myself on the back for my choice of Mike as my children's father.  They are blessed to have him as their Dad and they know it.  They can rest certain in his steadfast love for them.  They value his opinion and enjoy his time with them.

Mike as a grandpa is where he has really come into his own.  Cordelia sees Grandpa as her destination for fun!  He's so patient and attentive to her.  They have hours of fun together!  Their bond is already so very strong.

Mike as a songwriter...many who know him have no idea how many songs he has written!  The man's head is full of songs and he is really very, very talented.  I still think he deserves to be discovered!

Mike as a husband, I will say that he is my best friend.  He's supportive and caring, funny and adventuresome.  We've traveled many unexpected roads during our time together and I am so grateful to have been side by side with him on this journey of life!  No one can make me laugh as he does!

No matter all the roles Mike has taken on over the years, this is how I still see him, the farm boy I married...

So, to my very complicated farm boy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I'm really glad your time on this Earth coincided with mine.

P.S. Mike told me I didn't have permission to put his picture in my blog...   ooops!



Have You Had Your's?

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.  It's not March.  Leave it to me to be a bit behind (get it?).  I'm thinking it is time to get on a soapbox.  What is the point of having your own blog if you don't get to use your soapbox?  Actually, I have several but I'll start here for now.

So, as I was saying...

In years past, before I was working as an oncology nurse, I worked with GI doctors.  Yep, they are the ones that do unspeakable things.  Yes, I am talking about colonoscopies.  Come back here!  Don't you go clicking on to the next blog already!

During those years as a nurse in the GI lab, I sometimes complained to my husband about star status, or lack thereof, for the GI staff.  Goodness knows there are plenty of medical shows on tv.  ER type shows grab most of the coverage.  Sure, they save lives and all, but so did we!  We just did it before the patient even knew their life was in need of saving.

Here's the deal... a polyp in a colon takes several years to grow into anything very ominous.  It starts out as a polite little cluster of odd cells.  They don't bother anything for quite awhile.  That's when we liked to find the sneaky little buggers!  We (and by "we" I mean the doctor of course) could snippity snip that little polyp off and WA-La...life saved.  Most cancers are not so easily cured.  It maybe doesn't give the patient much of a story to tell at dinner parties but our docs even gave them pictures afterward so they could share the excitement if they wished.  (I thought about putting a picture here of one of mine but decided against it, remembering that Mike sometimes thinks I'm too earthy already.) I suppose if they wanted to they could even wear a t-shirt declaring their Cancer Survivor status.

Sometimes people would wait too long for their colonoscopy.  Sometimes they would wait YEARS too long.  I hated it when the doctor would find a polyp that had given up the shy life and was already burrowing into the colon wall.  It was even worse if it was found to have burrowed through the wall and was then possibly starting new outposts in other parts of the body.  You knew that patient would have surgery and chemo in her/his future.

So, if you are 50 or older, it is TIME!  If you know someone 50 or older, it is time to start nagging!  Also, if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or just weird symptoms of bleeding, bloating, etc.  go see your doctor NOW, no matter your age!  And listen to your doctor about when to have your next one, and the next.  One at age 50 doesn't give you lifelong immunity.  I wish it did.

  Are you afraid of a really long scope coming in the back door?  Well, I've been through this many times so let me tell you, it's FUN!  Wait, that may be an overstatement, but for most folks it is quite tolerable.  The worst part is drinking the prep that gives you diarrhea, but luckily you get to move through that part of the fun in the privacy of your own home.  After the cleanout you will feel pretty pristine.

At the actual "viewing" you will likely be given IV sedation or anesthesia.  In fact, INSIST on it.  I've had it both ways and either is lovely.  You'll be placed on your left side, still all covered up, with those present saying kind things to you.  In just a second, or so it will seem, they will be waking you up.  You'll notice that you are still covered up and you likely won't believe they did anything.

Soon after, you will likely be tooting quite a bit because the doctor inflates air to expand the colon to see around better.  If you are lucky, most of that business will happen BEFORE you wake up.  The good news is, you are still so pristine that you can putt-putt away without fear of needing a room deodorizer!  Go ahead!  Try for the longest or the loudest.  Oops, my earthy side is showing again!  Trust me, though, it will be hard to impress the staff as they're so used to flatulence, they barely notice. 

You may say a few funny things, which is enjoyable for your family.  A patient I helped, shortly after 9/11, had a question to ask after his scope was complete.  He woke up saying, "Did you find Osama bin Laden in there?"  That of course was when they were still expecting to find him in a cave somewhere.  The patient thought he was pretty funny but when I saw him a few weeks later, he didn't remember it.  When I told him, though, he seemed kind of proud of the remark.

That's it.   It is one very, very easy way to avoid having to deal with colon cancer.

Katie Couric is my hero on this subject.  She had her's done on air.... while awake!  I don't recommend that but I honor her for doing it as a way to raise awareness and to help others get over the "ick" factor.  As you can see, she remained perky throughout.

I admit, it may not be the most fun you've ever had, but it is such a simple way to cure a cancer.  Considering all the cancers that are so hard to cure, it is almost a little miracle.

So, that's my speech.  Go make your appointments.

http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/ToolsandCalculators/Videos/get-tested-for-colon-cancer-english

A Colorful Family

This is my Grandpa, Red, and my Grandma, Rose.

With names like that, they were surely meant for each other, huh?

Rose and Red had 6 children.  First came Terry, then Grace followed by Michelle.

This story isn't about those 3 girls, though.  Yes, they are adorable, but let's move on...

Next, came twin girls.  I knew them as Pinkie and Brownie.  That's all I ever heard them called.  I was probably about 12 years old before I found out their names were really Kathleen and Kathryn.  It hadn't even seemed strange to me that their names were Pinkie and Brownie.  It was strange that the first three weren't named Green, Tan & Blue 

The last child was a boy.  He was named Jess Hugh but we all called him Hughie or Hugh. 

If you change the spelling to Hue, his name refers to color as well.

These are things I did not notice or ponder as a child. 

Are you wondering where I am going with this story?

Me, too... 

Pardon My Lenten Smile

When Mike was in seminary I somehow came into possession  of a button that said, "Pardon My Lenten Smile".  I loved that button!   Unfortunately, I lost it some time ago.

I know that Lent is a time to remember all that Jesus had to endure before his resurrection.  I know we have to make that journey.  We need to dwell on the mockery, humiliation, pain, rejection, betrayal and death.  It needs to be real to us.  We need to feel it and own it.  We need to take responsibility for it and we need to be repentant.

But, because I already know how the story turns out, I may occasionally be caught with a Lenten Smile! 

Let's Play!

Cordelia LOVES being outside...

...in her precious blue coat.

Daddy and Grandpa are FUN!

Life is SOOOOOOO good!

Yesterday Maria & I took Cordelia and ventured out of town, just us 3 generations of females.  We had a lovely drive to see my Mom.  We met up at Mom's house with my sister, Tina, as well as my brother, Mike, and my sister-in-law, Pat. 

One of the highlights yesterday was just seeing how trim my Mom has become.  She could do a Nutri-System commercial!  Even as a child I recognized that my Mom was exceptionally beautiful.  It still holds true.  Maria and I were talking about her on the way home, as well.  She's just such a good and caring person.  She's modeled a way of life that puts other's needs above her own.  She's smart.  She's very, very artistically talented.  We're glad to be from her gene pool!

My sister, Tina, drove her motorized wheelchair from her own home not far from Mom's.  I'm so happy that she has that new wheelchair!   It was a little scary seeing her maneuver it up the steep ramp and through doorways that suddenly seemed real narrow, but she did well with it. 

Mike and Pat seemed remarkably calm, considering their house sold and they have to be out in just a few weeks.  That may not sound like a big deal, except that their new living situation is not yet settled and they aren't quite certain where they will be in the interim!  They are walking in faith, though!

On our way home we saw an antelope about to give birth, at least we think that's what we saw.  We didn't stop because we felt she needed her privacy.  We did see lots and lots of antelop that were not giving birth, including quite a few cute little babies.  Sometimes I've seen a herd of buffalo along that route as well.  I really wanted a picture to post of buffalo but they were shy yesterday.  It may seem hard to miss a herd of buffalo but the prairie goes a long, long way and apparently they were hiding out behind a hill.

I'm just going to leave you with a few people pictures from our little day trip...

Pat and Mike, showing us his new I-Phone.

Cordelia and Maria playing with a doll my Mom made (I'm telling you, my Mom can do ANYTHING!)

Me, Mom, Mike (brother), and Tina (sister)



HOPE- A Tribute to Bobbi

I don't know if any of you felt it yesterday, but the world lost some of its glow.  Our friend, Bobbi, went home to Jesus.

I only met Bobbi because she had cancer and I was an oncology nurse.  That's how our paths crossed.  She was sick and I, among many, tried to help her.  Well, as happens often enough, she probably helped us a lot more than we helped her.

Bobbi was one of those people who shared her smiles freely.  There was a warmth about her, and a zest for life.  Bobbi loved her family and friends and she knew that she was well-loved in return.  Bobbi had much to live for.

Bobbi had a theme word, HOPE.  One day we were talking about my love for giraffes.  Another patient had told me that in Africa, giraffes were the symbol for hope.  Bobbi said, "Oh, that's my word!"  After that, we always mentioned the word, "hope" to each other.   One day she brought in 4 red letters to spell "hope" and gave it to me.  I have had them on my bathroom mirror ever since.  I wanted it where I would see it first thing each morning.

The last time I went into our chemo clinic was rather a hard day for me.  My recurring illness had become annoying enough that I was no longer able to continue doing the job I loved so much.  I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  My plan was to come in, clean out my desk, and leave as quickly as I could so that I wouldn't cry in front of people.   It just so happened that Bobbi was there that day.  She called me over to her treatment chair.  She gave me a hug and spoke words of encouragement to me.  My situation was not as grim as her's, but she was speaking words of assurance to me.  She was ministering to me.  I was so very grateful.

So as we are mourning our loss,  I am trying to focus on HOPE.  Mike helped me find a bible verse that comforted me.  Romans 5:3-5  "...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our  hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Bobbi suffered and endured.  She had great character, and she had HOPE.  Bobbi knew her life would not end when cancer claimed her body.  She knew she was wrapped in God's love and she knew that she would go to be with her Lord. 

See you later, Bobbi.