State of "normalcy"?

Webster says normalcy is the state of being normal. What is normal?
It seems like things are returning to "normal". The fundraisers for my best friend Mike are over (for now--and have been VERY successful), kids are in school, TJ has a new truck, gas prices are at $2.03, I still have a job, a family, my faith, my church, my hobbies, so it seems like things are getting back to "normal". Again, I ask, what is normal?

I get up early, kiss my wife goodbye as she leaves for work, say my prayers, read my Bible a bit, then leave so I can race other people to work just to make a buck. That same buck gets split so many ways.....mortgage, Uncle Sam, car payment, insurance, utilities, yada yada yada. Then I race home to find more ways to split the buck that I made until it's totally gone, and then I go to bed...

Everyone says that things will get back to normal after the big election. Like my vote for President actually means anything to anyone but me, I still will cast my ballot next Tuesday. I believe that we should all vote, and we do make a difference in the smaller races, but the Presidential race has long been decided, IMO. Again, what is normal?

Pontius Pilate while questioning Jesus before His crucifixion asked Jesus "What is Truth"? but wait a minute, the Truth was standing before him. I think possibly Pilate knew the Truth, but was afraid to stand up for the Truth. I just had a fella in my office telling me a dirty joke. This may not bother some of you, but to me, it's an insult to my Jesus and what He stands for. Did he think he did anything wrong? Not in his mind. He thought it was funny. Did I laugh? I can honestly say no. I simply said "That's disgusting" & turned away, but did I stand up for Jesus?

BTW....Mike has returned to work!! He is working a limited schedule, and is doing well. He starts a 16 week regiment of heavy duty chemo soon, so please keep him in your prayers!!

101st post...

Looks like a rainy day today! The other day Dan had a 100% chance of rain for Wednesday. Well, looks like his forecast verified! We can use the rain & it should make for a very pretty fall here in NE Oklahoma in the next couple of weeks.

Our benefit garage sale went very well.....we raised over $1,700.00 for Mike and this will help him greatly! Thanks to all who were involved!! This year has really been a heavy time for me, but especially for Mike. I am looking forward to the day when his doctor declares him cancer free!! And then I will shave my playoff beard!! YAY!!!

I spoke with Lanny Dean earlier & he and I want to organize a chaser gathering, so stay tuned for an announcement about a gathering sometime in November, just to hang out & visit about the perils of chasing, share videos & pics, & have a little fun...

Good afternoon,
Mike is doing well--resting a lot at home. He will get the staples removed this week. He is still in quite a bit of pain so please continue to pray for him. Please pray for Mike's financial situation as he has learned that he may have to start over on his medical deductibles. He was informed by his workplace that his deductible runs from September to September, meaning that he may have to start over paying his deductibles.

Our benefit garage sale is this Friday & Saturday for Mike!! Helen Underwood and Jerrie Walden, along with several others have volunteered countless hours sorting, pricing, and organizing this huge event. To them, I say THANK YOU!! And to those of you that we'll see Friday & Saturday, THANK YOU!! All proceeds from the sale go straight to help Mike with his medical bills. Also, if you would just like to donate to Mike, please let me know.

Also...our On The Edge youth group will be having a "Cram Nite" (youth gathering) this Friday at 7:00pm. We will have dinner, fun-n-games, and a message from God's Word. If you have youth-age kids (7th thru 12th grade), they are invited!!

sunrise this morning....

This was the view from Verdigris this morning....absolutely breathtaking!!

The good Samaritan.....

In our youth lesson last night we talked about the good Samaritan and how we can be like him. You know, after Jesus told the story, he commanded us to "go and do likewise". What kind of good Samaritan opportunities do you come across, and how do you react? That was the question that I posed to the kids. Do we simply pass by on the other side of the street like the Priest & the Levite did? Or do we stop being busybodies long enough to help out a friend, brother, or neighbor? I hope we choose the latter but too many times we don't. It's a simple choice, and easy to say in church, but what does our lives show? That is what He is looking for....

Mike is at home!!!!

Praise the Lord, Mike is home!! I am so glad that everything has went so well concerning his surgery & recovery, I just know that he has had a Helping Hand, if you catch my drift...

He is resting and still has a long way to go, so don't stop praying.

Here is a picture of Mike so you can put a face with the name!

Thank you all again! Mike is very blessed with many friends!!

Great news!!!!!

Sally, Mike's fiancee just called with some awesome news!! Mike is doing really well. The doc says that he has NEVER had anyone recover so fast from this type of surgery! He may even get to go home tomorrow!! He walked three times yesterday and gets to eat a little real food today!! I can't thank everyone enough for your thoughts & prayers for Mike. Please continue to pray for him and for our fundraiser car wash on October 17th & 18th at the Verdigris car wash at Highway 66 and Gordon Road...if you have any donations, please let me know.

Utica Square..

Well, after I visited Mike in the hospital last night, I walked over to the edge of the St. John's parking garage and just stood there for a while, talking to God. It was a beautiful night, my friend was doing well, and it was one of those moments, you know, where you just reflect on things for a while. As I thanked God for all of my good friends, and prayed for some, I watched people going up and down the rough Tulsa street. I saw lots of cars, and an ambulance. I wondered who was in the ambulance & why. I felt sorry for whoever was in there and his/her family, and said a prayer for them. Then I just marvelled at the beautiful evening...

Update on Mike...

Good news! I just learned that Mike was able to get up & walk around a while today! He is pretty sore now, though. Please keep him in your prayers!

Update on Mike...

First of all, let me say thank you to all of you that have had your thoughts and prayers with Mike. He is in his own room as of Friday night about 10:00pm, and resting. Mike is still in a lot of pain, but when the doc checked on him yesterday he was very confident that Mike is doing very well considering the major surgery that he has just endured. They are considering sitting him up today. Once again, thank you for everything. It's a huge blessing to know that people are praying for him that he has never met. THANK YOU!! ...and don't stop.

Mike in recovery...

Mike's surgery went well....doctor just came and told us that he feels very confident that he got all of the cancer and he also is very confident that his other organs are healthy and well. Mike will have a long recovery, but with your prayers and God's healing hand he's gonna be just fine!!!!
Thank all of you for your prayers & support!!
GOD IS AWESOME!!
more later....

surgery...

...still in the O.R. as of 5:15pm CDT...

surgery...

Mike is in surgery now. Please pray for him! I will update as soon as I know anything...

Today is the day!!

Well, today is the day. I am excited, anxious, worried, and happy all at the same time. Keep Mike in your prayers and I will update as soon as I can!
Thank you
Jeff

1 more day...

Well, just one more day until Mike's surgery. His check in time was just moved to 10:00am from 9:00am. Tomorrow's the big day! I am still praying for a miracle! I will keep everyone updated as I get more info. Thanks for your prayers!!

Uncle Jeff!?!?

Well, I just got the news about my "widdl brudder" gonna have a baby!! Well, he's not, but his wife, Artie is. I am so excited about the first new Smith in quite a few years, and their first child!! Dave is like thinking "wow, a kid! That's pretty cool!" Congrats Dave & Artie, and I get to take the first baby picture of my new niece or nephew! Babies are God's greatest gift, besides Jesus. I'm looking forward to spoiling this little child, let me tell you!!

OK, 2 more days till Mike's surgery. I'm still praying that they will go in there and find nothing!! The doctors will be astonished, and I will tell them " Hey guys I got this little Book that explains it all"....