Murphy's Law... (imported from Myspace)

I tell you - when you think things can't get worse.....they sure do. I was beyond emotionally drained last week from the death of that young man from Ashford. So I looked forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Well, Friday night we planned to go try out a new restaurant in the area with several friends from church. Had a good time visiting with everyone, but the food was pitiful. I could've grilled a better steak (which isn't saying much - I can't grill worth a flip). But we had a nice time, but Andy consistently said that he was feeling bad. He thought he had over-sang at his Messiah concert the night before. By Saturday he was still hurting, though he was able to handle the youth car wash. By Saturday night he needed to go to the doctor and, of course, everyone was closed. So off we go to the emergency room. Determined that it was probably acid reflux and that he had "burnt" his esophagus. We of course, stayed there forever and then the doctor says he is going to give him a "shake" to relieve the pain. But when the nurse comes back she only gives us a prescription for Lidocaine. Off to Walgreens across town we go (only 24 hour pharmacy in Dothan) to fill the prescription and when we get it the instructions say "swish and spit". Well, he's hurting deep in his throat, almost to his chest for crying out loud!!! What good is swishing going to do. It did no good. So all that was wasted. The money, the trip to the emergency room, the trip to the pharmacy. All wasted for nothing. Sunday he can't talk or sing, so he asks someone to lead worship for him at church. I called his family doctor and spoke with the doctor on call who prescribed something else that didn't do anything either. Another wasted trip to CVS and money for the prescription. Thank the Lord some friends of ours had some prescription pain medicine and sleeping medicine. (Yes, I know that counts as unlawful possesssion of a controlled substance! haha) That medicine is the only thing that has given him any relief whatsoever. He slept last night, thank the Lord. He spoke with Dr. Moon at the school and she gave him some advice, so I am hoping that it will all clear up within a couple of days. Especially since he can't get an appointment with a Gastroenterologist until tomorrow afternoon. But what has hurt my heart is the griping from a few of the church folks. I know people are people and they don't mean to hurt you, but boy, if they would've called to check on him, it sure would've made me feel a lot better. Especially after they were informed that he was really hurting. You know, this is exactly why the youth ministry is so much more rewarding than the music side. There are a lot of great people at our church (including some of the people who were griping), but for the most part, the adults in our church have never been as loving and supporting as those kids. The kids appreciate just about everything that you do for them. Which makes a grand circle and makes you WANT to do MORE for them. Opposite effect with the adults. They gripe, which makes you want to be with them less. But, really, I could handle the griping a little better if it was coupled wiht concern for Andy's well-being. We went to lunch with two of our three closest "couple-friends". Then the third called after church to check on him. Other than those folks, nobody called to check on him. Which really wouldn't have bothered me at all if they hadn't griped so badly. And finally, don't complain about us behind our backs. Not like we asked for this. I would much rather have the money in my pocket and been at church yesterday. So much for others knowing us "by our love one for another" as they say. We have so far to go in knowing how to care for each other.And while I am rambling, let me say, two of our friends, have gone over and above the call of duty and have showed me anew what true friendship looks like. They called Saturday to check on him after he was hurting on Friday, insisted on going with us to the emergency room to be company for us, asked about him at church, took us to lunch, encouraged Andy to eat, brought us prescription medicine (), handled choir practice, discipleship training and getting someone to lead music Sunday night, came to our house to check on Andy again, and then called this morning. Whew! What concern they have shown and how appreciated it has been. When you live away from home, you recognize how hard it is to make those really close friends. It's easy to be friends with folks you went to school with your whole life. It's much more difficult to build those relationship as an adult. At least for me. Which, I have always been a close friend kind of girl. Rather have five close, true friends than one hundred acquaintances. But, I know that God only gives you as much as you can handle - so I know he will see me through this difficulty the same as he has any other. But it sure does make me want to run away and tuck my tail. If it weren't for those sweet kids, I don't know if I could deal with it all sometimes. Anyway, this blog was really more for me than for anyone else. If you have suffered through this - I am sorry for the rambling.