Manic Monday? Poop, Poison, Run Away Dog, Hospitals and More!

It was a Monday like I've not had for some time and I think it has finally come to an end but then again it is nearly midnight so I guess it should be ending.

I didn't get out of bed until nearly 9:30 and that was a good start. However within the first 30 minutes we had an elderly Alzheimer father in-law who had a fecal accident. My mother-in-law was not feeling well and attempted to get him changed. Soon I couldn't find our 10 wk old puppy, only to find her eating poop in the bathroom a few minutes later. I quickly got her cleaned up and back in her kennel for some rest.

Caryl got her dad shower and got him dressed for the day. During this time we noticed that her mom was more disoriented than the day before and that she continued to have some jerking of her arm. Her medicines had just been changed a few days ago so we've been believing that this is side-affects of the new medicines. As the morning progressed we noticed that she was getting worse so we called her doctor. He recommended that she go to the hospital to be evaluated and rule out anything that may be going wrong.

Meanwhile- I had a call to help a family get a tow dolly to go pick up a car in Tucson. When we were at U-haul it turned out that the vehicle they had to pull the dolly/car was not large enough so we couldn't make this work.

Our niece, Melyssa came to help with dad while Caryl was at the doctor. What a huge help and Marley came along to play and Johnny was entertained. About mid-afternoon dad let Little-Man (Mom's escape artist Bichon Frise) out the front door. Melyssa was able to get him back but not before dad had made his way partially down the street. Meanwhile I was partially oblivious as Johnny was doing a poop and Marley was playing upstairs. Soon Daniel, my awesome friend next door, was ringing the doorbell to deliver dad back home.

Around 4 Pm I arrived back from the store with a few items that we needed for the day. Around that time I had Susan come by to help rearrange mom/dad's room so that she would have a more comfortable bed. Meanwhile Melyssa took dad, Marley and Johnny outside - and I believed all the dogs were along. Once I thought I heard something and I went to check and see if a dog had been trapped in our pantry - didn't see anything.

Then about 5 min later Johnny comes to tell me that Sydney (our 10 wk old Mastiff puppy) had been trapped in the pantry. Not sure how she got in there other than that she followed Johnny in for a snack. Well, her snack was a tray of phosphorescent blue rat poison. Called her vet. They said make her vomit by using peroxide and then get her to the Doggy ER as quickly as possible. Didn't seem like she would vomit and then we finally had HUGE piles of blue vomit - lovely and then other dogs trying to get into it. I'd like to say I kept my cool but I yelled a bit and was rather forceful with everyone. Finally I'm off to the ER vet which is 30 minutes away in Chandler. Melyssa & Susan both agreed to stay behind and clean up the vomit, watch dad and keep the kids entertained.

The vet was so professional and so good. I'd like to say I've never been there before but our epileptic Dalmatian of days gone by made quite a few visits. Turns out the vomiting was good for Sydney. She got a good dose of liquid charcoal, a Vitamin K shot, an IV and a prescription for 21 days of Vitamin K. At the end of that we'll check her clotting levels and if they are OK we'll be done - if not - more Vitamin K. Fortunately second generation rat poisons are treatable and we should have a full grown Mastiff in the year to come! Praise God as I already love this dog and could not face Kelvin (the breeder) if she had not survived!

Meanwhile Caryl and mom have now been in ER for over 12 hours. She was seen by a doctor in the past hour. Prior to that they did about 5 tests - chest X-Ray, Head CT, Blood work, Urine tests and more. They are now looking to admit her as her oxygen levels have not been good, swelling is very bad and they want to run a few more tests. Looks like it could be 3-8 hrs until she gets a room - Wow do we need more capacity in health care in AZ or what?

The puppy is sleeping. My son is sleeping and Susan is staying over to help with him. Dad is changed for a final time and in bed asleep. I'm catching up on some blogging and other online stuff and will take my position on the couch downstairs very soon. Have to to be sure Dad doesn't get out again tonight!

I really have laughed today - what else could we do? Was it just another Manic Monday? You decide!

Sunday Night Reflections

Wow! Am I pumped up or what? God is awesome and I am in one of those weeks that I can hardly believe I get to be a part of this! So - here are a few random thoughts and reflections of this past week!

• Fasting is soooo worth it! Should I not be willing to forgo the food I love so much to hear from God? Is not his Kingdom worth it? Is my family not worth it? Are unbelievers worth it? On all accounts - yes! Forgo food and be ready to receive!
• Salvation is in house! Three weeks and 18 decisions for Christ at Oasis! It never gets old seeing people make the connection and then get reconnected to the Father! He is calling His children home.
• We need workers! The harvest is plenty but few are those who are there to lead, to disciple to love, to influence to give!
• I think our 10:30 svc today had the most kids we've ever had at one service - 61 in KidSplash today with 10 workers! Wow! What a ride!
• Can you make the 8:30 service? We could definitely accommodate more people in the first service! If you are willing and able - this would allow us to have more room for visitors which are more likely to attend the 10:30 service.
• Can I just say - that wall MUST come down!
• Will you pray with me that Oasis will give consistently of their resources so that we can see that wall come down?
• More people attending but still not meeting our budget per month! God I trust you and pray you will release your provision for your work here in Maricopa. Find us faithful to you!
• Ok - "30-Days to Live" might be the most challenging series we've done yet! It has been messing me up every week and the response has been one we've not seen in some time - if ever!
• We turn 2 years old as a church in just 2 weeks! Hardly seems possible but it is about to come to pass.
• Can't wait for our dream team party on Feb 7th! Love to celebrate everyone who makes this all happen week in and week out!
• Caryl & I cannot do this all ourselves - we love our staff and we love the Dream Team! Thank you for the way you give your lives away!
• Caryl is traveling this week and then hopefully will be home with us for a month or so! Thank you God - we need the mama at home!
• My parents arrive this Wed night and can't wait for Super Bowl next Sunday - Cardinals here and my parents for Steelers! Should be fun. Johnny says he's just rooting for the Super Bowl!
• Yes - we are getting a new dog! A beautiful Mastiff puppy that most likely will also become a part of our family next Sunday! Time to hide the shoes!

There is so much more I could say but it is WAY past the time I should be in bed tonight! Johnny has school in the AM and that means dad has to get up early!

With love - Pastor Scott

Random Thoughts - On a Friday

Well- Sunday I was tired and I said - I'll blog on Monday.
Well - now it's Friday and my mind-dump might just go on for a long time

Here we go!

• Response time during this "Facing the Family Challenge" series has been incredible! Love serving communion and being able to interact wih individuals - "There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ"


• Did I speak over 40 minutes on Sunday and we still got out on time ?(well - on time for the 2nd service!)


• Community Groups are on the grow - each week we've been adding a few more people -if you've not attended one - this coming week will be another great opportunity.


• Wed was service night for community groups - thank you to the 20 people who came and sorted and packed up all the "stuff" that has been donated for benevolence at Oasis - you made a difference - we love your passion.


• We've lived in AZ since 97 and this is the first time we've had scorpions - I do not like scorpions!


• This past weekend we divided into more classes in KidSplash. We now have infants through 2 yrs/3-5 yr olds/ K-2 and 3rd-5th grade. Pastor Susan is committed to age appropriate teaching and this new breakdown will allow us to more effectively meet this objective. Way to go Susan!


• I continue to be excited that families are "getting it". Our lives are not perfect but we are learning what the "green zone" looks like and with God's help we are striving to have healthy families that are being transformed by the Grace of God!


• Does this $700 billion buyout just fry your brain or what? I guess I am just not smart enough to understand global economics. I'm praying that these politicians are getting good advice because it is going to be a big deal for our futures. God have mercy.....


• I now have over 325 friends on Facebook - are you one?


• Twittering is now a daily thing for me - afraid of what that might mean? Click http://twitter.com/oasislifeScott to find out!


• I am psyched for this weekend as we have Pray For Maricopa at 8:30 on Saturday morning. God be pleased as we come together in unity to pray for our city, our state, our nation, our churches, our families, our schools and our futures.


• Can't wait to talk about establishing a spiritual foundation in the family this week! This may be the most important week of the four in "Facing The Family Challenge"


• I love Oasis! You are awesome and I love doing life together

I think that is it for today! Be Blessed- pastor Scott