Last week was a wild one.
On Sunday morning, we arrived at our 8:15 am worship team rehearsal to discover that the mixing board for our P.A. system was emitting a not-so-inspiring burning smell.
How many of you know that when an electronics item smells like it’s been smoking Marlboro’s, it’s not a good thing?
The mixing board had been struck by lightening several months ago which fried about half of its thirty channels; on Sunday, another half of them inexplicably gave up the ghost and Charles, our sound guy, spent a busily frantic half hour repatching cables and mikes and guitars and keyboards and trying to make use of the very few working inputs that remained.
We made it through the morning service–just barely–and by Monday morning, Charles and Steve were deep in the throes of researching sound boards and figuring out what to order so they could get it shipped in and up and running by Sunday.
Which is fine. No big deal right?
However.
Last week just happened to also be the week that painting crews, scaffolding equipment, and tech people were all due to arrive since our church’s 20-year old, quickly fading projection system was going to be replaced.
And since my office at church is a part of the sound room and since the sound room was sort of Operation Central for arriving video/technical/soundboard parts, and since there were workers of all kinds in and out of the church and my office all week, my work life was just a wee bit chaotic.
Since our church has a very tall ceiling, getting the projectors installed was a bit of a trick. I’m sure glad it wasn’t me up there!
Happily, both installations went flawlessly and were up and running for our service yesterday morning.
On top of that whole experience (which Steve probably invested at least 20 hours into, in addition to his regular pastoral duties) we had the following stuff going on:
Tuesday, Steve attended a monthly pastor’s meeting, and went to the second half of Bring a Parent To School Day that afternoon. He led singing and taught the Wednesday night Bible study, prepped for (and led) the church’s Annual Business Meeting and taught his weekly class at Dare Challenge, the nearby center for men in drug/alcohol rehab. He also did a couple hospital visits.
I went to the first half of Bring a Parent to School Day on Tuesday, headed up a monthly women’s dinner Tuesday night, helped Steve compile fifty, 25-page booklets for the Business Meeting, did my regular graphics designing, bulletin printing, and music prep in addition to doing a whole bunch of graphics/sign up sheets for a couple big projects the church has going on. On Saturday, I left at 7 am for a women ministers/pastor’s wives meeting I am in charge of. Got home at 2:30, took a brief nap, and headed back to church to finish up three more hours of work.
Last night we had a 2-hour drama meeting, getting geared up for our Easter production and then tonight, Steve has a monthly board meeting. We have VIP overnight guests flying in Thursday (more about that later) and then we’ll be staying at a beach house this weekend that rents for $25,000 a week.
Is that busy enough for ya?
To make things all the more lovely, my laptop had some virus/Trojan thingies going on last week and I have spent way too much time trying to figure out how to get those issues resolved. My brain is officially overloaded by technical stuff Plus, I woke up this morning with a horribly sore throat and a not-so-peppy, malaise-y sort of feeling.
But other than that, things are grand-n-dandy!
Although the preceding paragraphs of happy, chaotic busyness were written sort of tongue in cheek, there was something more serious that happened this past weekend. Late Saturday night, my mom was taken by ambulance to the hospital following a grand mal seizure. In the past, when she has had seizures, she has shattered her collar bone, broken her wrist, gotten nasty hits to the head, etc. Thankfully, after a thorough checking over, she was discharged from the hospital at about 2 am Sunday morning with no serious injuries.
As much as I love living in North Carolina, one thing that is difficult is not living near any of my family, and especially not getting to see my mom, who is an amazing, loving, prayerful, brave lady. (My dad died two years ago.)
I also have five siblings up in Wisconsin/Minnesota, along with aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews, but finances and circumstances limit the opportunities we have to see each other.
I’m especially thankful for my sister, Debbie, who lives in the same town as mom and cares for her with great efficiency, love, and tenderness. Which is not to say mom needs a lot of care. Apart from her seizure disorder, she is spunky and strong and loves long walks and watching the birds and deer that wander onto the lawn outside her assisted living facility. (And if you’ll excuse me for just a moment, since I know that mom reads this blog, I just want to take a moment to say, “I love you, Mom!”)
And if you have a mother nearby whom you get to see pretty often? Give her a hug next time you see her, in honor of my own mom. Because after all, moms were made for hugs–both giving them and receiving them.
Sending a sweet, cyber hug to my mom right now . . .
Wow, you did have a crazy week! So sorry to hear about your mom. It is so tempting to want to wrap them in cotton wool to keep them from getting hurt, but it also has to be about their choice. I certainly wish you were able to be closer to your family here in the Midwest. Our family is struggling with this as my mother was “officially” diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s, and we are trying to arrive at a consensus as to how we move forward.
Take care of yourself, please, Becky! I don’t think our good Lord gives extra points for being Superwoman, especially if it is at the cost of your health.
Liz,
I loved your line about cotton wool, because that is exactly how it feels sometimes.
Grace to you and your family as you enter this new chapter with your mom.
Becky,
The See’s that Cindy talks about is the best! My Aunt used to send me the lollipops and they were the best ever. Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, I love them all. Enjoy.
I am glad your mom is ok and I think it is the coolest thing that she uses a computer, reads blogs and posts. She sounds amazing.
I lost my mother 14 years ago and still miss my mom’s hugs daily. Twelve years ago I became a mother and got mother hugs back. I am so thankful to be able to give them.
Hugs,
Lisa
Lisa,
With all this talk about chocolate, I’m actually looking forward to turning 50!
I know you miss your mom’s hugs but so glad you get to give mom hugs of your own.
And yes, my mom truly is amazing.
Turning 50 isn’t bad at all! Speaking from a survivor stand point. I just need to know, light or dark, and I will get you some suckers as well. Those are very good.
Cindy,
Well, I guess I’ll go with light chocolate since Sarah doesn’t like dark and I want to be able to share with her. Thanks!
I am a huge fan of light chocolate and will fill my time for the next month or so finding things for the both of you. Perpare for the bunny bag, it’s coming.
$25,000 a week!!! I know we will be getting a pictorial review of the house… between that and Wedding Wednesday, I am sitting on the edge of my seat! 🙂
Lisa,
Yes, it IS a lovely house; thankfully, our church group will be using it for free. $25,000 is just a teensy bit beyond our budget.
Becky,
Thanks so much for your kind words and I thank the Lord I can say I love you and your
your 6 siblings so so much. I have enjoyed so much recently reading again several of
of my dozens of diaries about our family and I also wrote a little poem about how
we rejoiced at the birth of each of you
I love you so very much Mom
Jo Ann,
Hugging you from California! Becky and her family are quite special to me, as are you.
Cindy
Cindy, that was so sweet. Thank you!
Mom,
How fun to see the name Jo Ann Campbell pop up in my comments. For some reason, it has a bit of a familiar ring to it! 🙂
Glad you’re up and about and able to type. You’ll have to send me the little poem you wrote; that’s the first I’ve heard of it! Get some rest and make sure Debbie doesn’t misbehave too much! Love you!
Those mom hugs are precious things – I am so glad your mom is doing better and has your sister to keep a watchful eye and be right beside her if she needs help. My brother always lived so far away during my parents aging years and passing – but we knew he was there in a moment’s notice if we needed him and his love and support was always felt. He struggled with his inability to be “right there” when he felt that we needed him, or he needed to be, or mom and/or dad would have loved for him to be – but he was always right there in their hearts as we were in his and that was a comfort unexplainable to him – but true and real – so, as difficult as it is for you to be hours and hours away, your love and devotion and respect and care for your mom is as close as a prayer or the beat of her heart. Keep that in mind, Becky, because being one of the “sisters” that my brother felt he let down because he couldn’t physically always be by our side, I know he never, ever did – he was the calming voice from afar or a new perspective and that was an invaluable and treasured gift. Take care of your momma – you know, you just did that very thing.
Mary H.,
Since you’re someone who has just lost your mother, I know that you have an extra special place in your heart for the memories of those mama hugs.
Thanks for your encouraging words about the fact that I can still “care” for my mom from a distance. It sounds like you and your brother were a good team in caring for your sweet mother, even though he couldn’t always be close by.
Definitely miss the mom-hugs. Probably the best feeling in the world.
sending tons of best wishes and cyber hugs to your mom, so so glad that she is feeling better and did not suffer any breaks.
Nancy,
That is so sweet; thank you!
Glad your Mom did not suffer any breaks or cuts. My Mama fell again last week and has a large “knot” on her hip and bruise. No breaks for which we are thankful. Sounds like you and Steve need time to breathe. Hope you enjoy your week end getaway. Is this the place you have stayed before? Enjoy, relax, and have a restful time. We are getting a video system at church and are waiting for the electrician to do the wiring first. Hopefully by the end of February it will be installed. It will be interesting to see how it plays out with our people and facility.
Ann,
I’m sorry to hear your mom fell, as well. That’s such a scary thing, isn’t it?
I think your church will love a projection system; there is so much cool stuff that can be done with it.
Phew, Becky. That is a boat-load of activity. I, um, took a shower, which is a major production here and one that I pray myself through so I remain standing for the standing portion of it! Doesn’t much compare, huh?
I am thrilled that you and Steve are so active because that is an honor, a privilege, and a blessing. I know you already know that. But, knowing that churches missions generally include “growing the church,” your already accounted for time will be stretched further as it does that. So, why not corral some volunteers to take over the less technical jobs like putting together 50 booklets? I have done that so many times I can’t even count! If I lived in Mateo I would be there with bells on my wheels, so to speak. But I don’t live there, alas. That leaves volunteers in and around Mateo. Remember, it is written, “You have not because you ask not.” So ASK!!!
All that out of the way, let me just praise God that your mom is okay–better than okay. I didn’t realize she lived in an assisted living place. That is good to hear, given the seizure disorder and being without your dad now. And, yes, all three of my daughters live in other states and it is so hard. In addition to missing them, they are great helpers when the situation calls for it. Thank God I have my husband (whom I call my cabana boy, Alejandro) to help me whenever I need it, which is often and daily. I pray that you and your mom can get together more often than you do. It’s so hard to feel needed and unable to get there to be a help. But I am a strong believer that prayer IS helping…a tremendous help…in good times and bad times. So, in that way, you too are together every single day!
Take care. And enjoy the getaway weekend. You and Steve certainly sound like you both need it.
Sue,
You’re right, it IS a lot to do and yes, we DO need to get more help. Couldn’t agree more! You would be proud to know that we delegated a few jobs this past week and felt very happy about that. We just need to do it more and more!
And getting a shower taken when you’re dealing with all the physical challenges that you are?
Big BIG deal. And so glad you have a cabana boy to help. 🙂
Well, so it’s come to this…the reason I SHOULD edit my writing. I just reread what I wrote and am devastated to see that I didn’t make churches plural possessive. It should read “churches’ missions” since I was talking about multiple churches and their missions. Geez.
Everyone makes mistakes, I know I have made many in writing!
Sue, I agree with Cindy. We all make writing mistakes and I am actually sort of relieved to see you make one from time to time so I don’t feel so bad about my own!
Hi Becky’s mom- I’m glad you’re doing OK &didn’t have anything broken or a hopsital stay. Happy Valentines Day to all.
Margie,
Thanks for your sweet words; I am so thankful, as well. Happy Valentines Day to you, too!
Becky,
I am so sorry about your Mom’s latest event, but so happy she didn’t hurt herself. I will be seeing my Mom tomorrow and I will give her a Becky hug!
I am so fortunate to live close to Mom and will happily share a condo with her this summer in Kauai, while my sister and her family occupy another one. Something tells me we will be sharing with one of the grandkids.
I was excited to read about the Easter service plans, cuz guess who hopes to be there?
Hoping things slow down for you and can’t wait to see pictures from the beach house. Can we have “Beach House Thursdays”? I sure would like to see some pictures of those horses, that tour has to be in the top ten things I have done in my life.
Cindy
Cindy, how fun to get to go to Kauai! I know you’ll enjoy that visit.
And I do hope you’re here for Easter; we’ll be doing the big drama on Good Friday Evening and Easter Sunday night.
We will be there for both the dates and will have had time to recover from our long four hour drive. Yes we need to recover from that, but we will pick you up some peanut butter from our favorite stop along the way. Once we stop there we “know” we are almost there. We arrive on March 31st. Can’t wait!
Cindy, that would be awesome to have you attend our Easter Drama. It is an original multi-media presentation with dance and music entitled “He Did it For Me.” We will perform it on April 6th and April 8
Steve, I know we both can’t wait to attend. Attending your service always gives me much to think about! I just wish I could be there every Sunday! I hope to see Sarah dancing, nothing could make me happier. So looking forward to seeing all the Smith’s.
Chlorita and I will bring a big Easter bag filled with chocolate to celebrate Becky’s mile stone upcoming birthday when we get together.
Cindy
Birthday? Chocolate? Bring it on!
I don’t know that you have ever had See’s candy and I plan to pick you up a box at the airport on the way out. Let me know if you want light or dark, either is very, very good. As you get near my old age I feel you really need to try it.
PS…Just got off the phone with Chlorita and I can’t tell you how excited she is to witness the Easter service!!!