The Widow Maker

Those were not the words that I expected to hear on Monday, when the cardiologist followed the gurney holding a living, breathing Bob out of surgery. Several weeks ago, Bob began to feel a tightness in his chest. He first noticed it while jogging. When he stopped jogging the tightness went away. Then it returned when he mowed the lawn or walked briskly. It even reappeared while watching the battles scenes in latest Narnia movie. Bob never had pain, nor shortness of breath, but any time his heart rate was up, his chest got tight. A treadmill EKG, last week, indicated a blockage. That felt like a kick in the stomach for me. Bob was not as surprised. He knew something was very wrong.

An angiogram was scheduled for Monday, June 2nd and we were advised that a stent would probably be inserted if the affected artery were reachable. For seven days, Bob’s task was to stay calm and not raise his heart rate. He successfully avoided strenuous work and never created any situations that would result in tightness of his chest.

Monday morning at the hospital went quickly and Bob was out of his hour and a half procedure by 11:00am. The next shocker came when the doctor told me that his left anterior descending artery was 90-95% blocked. This artery is one of the three main arteries to the heart and is also known as the “widow maker.” The doctor also told me that he saw diffuse soft plaque throughout his arteries, which indicates coronary artery disease. Since Bob has never smoked, eats healthy, gets regular exercise, and has low blood pressure, his only known risk factor is his cholesterol or LDL number. In an effort to lower that number below 70, Bob is on strong medicines for at least a year. There may also be a hereditary factor and in a few months a blood test will give us that information.

The good news is that Bob’s heart muscle is strong and has no damage. The blockage (or stenosis) was opened up with a bare metal 4.5 x 28 mm stent and Bob is fine! He was back to work for most of today and will be running again in a few weeks.

That may have all sounded quite factual, but there is another side too. Bob and I both know that God is in control of our lives. He knows the exact number of our days and we are thankful that we will spend more together here on earth. Although there is a part of me that knows I will probably be a widow some day, I am thankful that day was not this week!

Big Change, Part Two

The day after I made my decision to resign from children’s ministry leadership, I saw an opportunity at a private school in our town. I made an inquiry call to set up discussion of the leadership needs at the school. At the beginning of the week, I was looking at the possibilities of volunteering to do some teacher training, observation and evaluation. By the end of day two, I had put together a resume. Day three, I had a long phone conversation about the elementary principal position. Day four, I received a job description for the principal position and had a face to face conversation with the superintendent and day five, I interviewed with the search committee for the elementary principal position. I could now see God’s leading in when and why I was to resign from the church ministry position. I was appointed as the elementary principal of Horizon Christian School last Monday night at their board meeting. That was just one week ago today! I love being in the center of God’s will and am excited about what he has in store for me as part of the Horizon team.

Big Change, Part One

About a month ago, I felt God moving me. He was gradually getting me ready for a change in my life. I had the distinct message that I was to finish up my work in children’s ministry at our church and step out of that position. But why? I love my team and I love making things happen so that children learn about God, his plan for their life and for the world.

Two years ago, God told me to step into children’s ministry for a time. The director’s mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and her assistant was moving to another state. God showed me clearly the need and gave me the desire to be a part of the leadership. I applied and have enjoyed working with the team that God put together. We all have different strengths and it has been stretching to see how that is the best plan to get the job done. In just the last year, our attendance is up 15% and we have many new classes and 109 volunteers (including all the youth helpers and the substitutes). God has melded us together as a team and I have loved working with both Karola and Holly.

God nudged me, but I didn’t really want to step out of the position. Some of it was truly selfishness. I like being on staff at a church. In some ways, I felt like I had arrived. Finally, I was working with children in a way that would impact their eternity. But I knew I was supposed to resign. God did give me peace when I made my decision. Then he confirmed it in a Bible Study the next day.

Sometimes what is good for a season, is just that, good for a season. When God moves us on to the next purpose he has for us, we need to let go of what was great for us last year. It is a part of pruning and if I hang on to what God is pruning off of me, it is as though the I have a hold of the thorns on the branch being snipped off. Do I really want to hold that branch and have those thorns rip my hands as God is snipping this off? Of course not!

And so I wondered: “What does God have next for me?”

Wednesday nights

Wednesday nights a community group meets in our home and Bob usually leads the study. We just finished a year long study of John and this week started James. Bob sits in our new chair with his commentary and his Bible and we read and talk about a chapter.

We all chime in with what verse really spoke to us and why. We talk how to apply the truths.

Once in a while Bob really gets inspired.

WE COWER.

WE RUN FOR COVER.

Want to join our group? We were having a little too much fun last night!

Surprise Brunch

This morning at our Bible study, some friends of mine surprised me with a birthday brunch. Since my birthday is not until Thursday, I guess I get to celebrate all week long.

A walking, talking little boy

Here are a couple current pictures of our grandson who lives in India. He is growing up so fast. In these pictures, taken in March, he is just over a year old. For more pictures and videos of Shane walking check out the Spotts Family website.

Happy Birthday Kathleen

Twelve of us celebrated with Kathleen last night! This chocolate cake with a gnoche icing was to die for! Her mama makes the best desserts!