Do you know about Pavlov? The scientist who did the research with the bell and the dogs? He looked at conditioned responses (ones that we are taught) vs. unconditioned responses (ones that are automatic). He would ring a bell, and then give a treat to the dog after every bell, and he measured their saliva … Continue reading What it’s like to wait for a liver transplant, part 4
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The Fourth Watch
Last week I was listening to a podcast and the speaker was discussing one of my favorite miracles in the Bible, when Jesus and Peter walked on water. A phrase caught my attention— “the fourth watch of the night.” That’s one of those that we hear in the more traditional translations of the Bible that … Continue reading The Fourth Watch
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What It’s Like to Wait for a Liver Transplant, Part 3
Monday night I went to see my therapist. She is surely on the path to sainthood. Or possibly alcoholism depending upon how she handles her stressors because I am a lot, and after last week, I was in rare form. I held it together for the weekend and did the things I was supposed to … Continue reading What It’s Like to Wait for a Liver Transplant, Part 3
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Fight or Flight, Roots and Wings
Yesterday Other Half and I took a day trip. Not far, in case we got another transplant call (spoiler alert: we didn't). We rode up to Asheville to go back to the pen store I like so much (Origami Ink. Go there. You won’t be sorry), had some lunch at a bakery that I loved … Continue reading Fight or Flight, Roots and Wings
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What it’s like to wait for a liver transplant, part 2
This week has been not my favorite maybe. Of all the transplant weeks, it might have been the hardest so far, and also the most uplifting. It’s a toss-up. Here’s some things you should know about transplants. First, the way you get one is to be so sick that without one, you would die. Essentially, … Continue reading What it’s like to wait for a liver transplant, part 2
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Weekly Devotion: Worn Out
I am an avid reader. Sometimes I read to hide from my life and get lost in the story of another. Sometimes I read to learn or to investigate. Lately though, I’ve noticed that I’m reading to feel understood. There are a number of books I’ve read recently that were encouraging not because they had … Continue reading Weekly Devotion: Worn Out
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Devotional: Hopelessness and the Treasures of Darkness
Reading: Isaiah 45:3 Do you know what hopelessness feels like? Not momentary, it’s dark now but the sun will shine again discouragement, but true hopelessness? It feels like a bowling ball sitting in your chest. A heaviness that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. The fatigue of knowing that when you go to sleep you … Continue reading Devotional: Hopelessness and the Treasures of Darkness
Weekly Devotion: I Thought
Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com I got really angry with God this week. Spoiler alert: He didn’t smite me. He can take it. He already knows when we’re mad at him anyway, so I’ve always gone with the theory that it’s better to tell him so you’re not lying on top of being mad at … Continue reading Weekly Devotion: I Thought
Current Mood: Drunk Guy on a Roller Coaster
If I had to describe my current mood to an innocent bystander, I would call it drunk guy on a roller coaster. I’ve been up and down, back and forth, on many things in recent months. I’m not the kind of person who looks forward to change or thinks a fresh start is anything close … Continue reading Current Mood: Drunk Guy on a Roller Coaster
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Weekly Devotion: All We See is Manna
Reading: Numbers 11:6 I have a confession to make. Sometimes I have these blessings that come my way, but I am not happy about them. I decide that God must have misheard me because He did not send what I asked for. Instead of recognizing that in His wisdom and sovereignty, He is sending me … Continue reading Weekly Devotion: All We See is Manna
Setting Up Stones 