It is so strange, on Sunday mornings, when Patty says, "Goodbye," and leaves to join you all in worship (at the 8:30 service), because that's where I should be going, and need to be going, too! To use the theological language from my Letter of Call, I am called to be with the congregation of St. Stephen on Sunday mornings. I just cannot get used to it. Perhaps, in a coule of weeks, I'll feel strong enough to sit in the pew. It'll have to be at the 11:00 service, because it takes me until about 10 AM to finally get dressed. (Bathing and dressing takes about an hour!)

We've settled into a schedule, determined by taking my anti-fungal medication, which needs to be taken on an empty stomach. So, I can eat nothing for three hours before taking it, and we need to allow two hours after taking a dose. So, I set the alarm to go off at 6 AM, and take the morning dose then. At 8 AM, then, I'm able to eat breakfast. Beginning at 2 PM is a time of fasting, and I take the afternoon dose at 5 PM. We are able to eat dinner, then, at 7 PM. By about 8:30 PM, I am about to collapse; my endurance is so low. So I can get eight hours of sleep before that alarm goes off, lights off at 10 PM (strictly enforced). (Even with eight hours of sleep, still, that alarm usually wakes me from a dead sleep.)

My biggest problem with the medication is that it makes my stomach upset. So far, I have not vomited within the two-hour period after taking the medication (although I've come real close a couple of times!), so it's all gotten into my system. I do usually have to eat a few saltines and drink a mug of hot tea when my stomach is especially unsettled. I have an appointment with the infectious disease doctor (one of those I talked about in an earlier blog who saved my life). I'll ask him if he has any anti-nausea suggestions!

Yesterday, Nathan and his wife, Renee spent much of the day with us. We put them to work, yet something else that I usually do. They brought in the Christmas tree and set it in its stand. Then Patty, Nathan and Renee decorated it. I sat in an easy chair and watched the first part of the process. But, sometime during the decorating, I fell asleep! I awoke two hours later -- and there was the tree, entirely decorated, all the storage boxes and paper for our ornaments cleaned up and put away! I'll tell you, the Spirit is having to work hard each day, to teach me that it's ok to be dependent on others, and to simply accept that care as a gift from God.

Meanwhile I am making progress day-to-day. I am getting stronger, incrementally.

Blesings to you on your own experiences of hopeful expectation during this Advent season.