Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Roller Coaster Ride!

The past week has been a roller coaster ride for me. I honestly think I have experienced every single emotion imaginable to a human. I've experienced heartbreak, joy, tears, shock, exhaustion, gratefullness, rest, relaxation, I've been surprised, amazed, and even humbled.

We left early Tuesday morning for Louisiana to be with some friends who found their youngest son dead. My husband helped with the funeral, so we were at the church with the family Tuesday night, all day Wednesday and then for the funeral on Thursday. My heart was so grieved to watch my friends go through such a loss in their life. Just when I thought I couldn't cry another tear, I felt them rolling down my cheeks again.

After the funeral Thursday, we were on our way to my in-laws house when I became so ill I thought I was going to pass out. I felt so bad that I told my husband I thought I was about to die. The only way to describe it was that I was so weak that I felt like I was falling into a deep sleep. When we got to the house and they checked my blood pressure it was 33/57. I honestly can't remember much after that. We called my doctor and he called me in a prescription to the pharmacy in the next town, and told us to keep checking my blood pressure and to take me in the emergency room if it did not improve. To make the story short, my blood pressure went on a crazy trail the next couple of hours, going extremely high and then extremely low. What they think was happening was pure exhaustion. I had been up till after midnight for the last three nights and when I was able to fall asleep, I was up and down most of the night. That along with all the emotions and stress of the situations at hand was just too much for my body. After 11 hours of sleep, I was able to get out of bed and felt much better.

On Friday, we went fishing and had the most relaxing day ever. Several of our friends were at the lake, so we had a nice visit with them all.




Landon entertained our friend, Eddie while they were fishing. I say entertained because it was quite funny to listen to a three yr old ask questions of a forty yr old that he didn't have answers to. And, to answer your question, Eddie...No, we do not make him read a dictionary for fun!

Saturday we spent with no plans...although my mother-in-law and I had secretly planned the night before to hit some garage sales in the area! (If the guys only knew...) I just love garage sales in small towns. They price things to sell! I think everything I bought was either a quarter or a dollar. Gotta love that. I even bought my father-in-law a large tool box (Craftsman) on wheels with lots of drawers in it for a dollar. He likes me even more now. It was a wonderful day with lots of rest ending with a great dinner at Texas Road House. I was shocked they have a Texas Roadhouse in Louisiana?

Sunday we had wonderful church services with many lives being touched. My husband preached Sunday morning about the 'Vacuum of Conscience'. It was one of those messages that really made you think. He brought out how that when there is a void (or a vacuum of emptiness) in our life, we try to fill it with so many things, and spend so much time, energy, and money to fill the emptiness, but the only thing that will satisfy that void is the spirit of God. Many times we override when our conscience is telling us that the One thing we are searching for has been there all along with outstretched arms waiting to take us in and help us, thus creating a void or an emptiness in our life. I know I can't do the sermon justice in my explanation of it, but you'll just have to trust me that it was good. His mother looked at me on the ride home after church and said, "That was one of those exceptionally good messages." I'd have to agree. We left services Sunday night after a great presence of God and went to eat at some friends house. Thanks Shonda and Dan Dan...we had the best time ever and enjoyed being with you a little longer.

We had a great time and enjoyed visiting with some of the friends we haven't seen in a years. My only wish was that we had been taking the trip under different circumstances. We got back home yesterday afternoon, so I really should be finishing unpacking and laundry. It's amazing how much there is to do when you return. Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

5 comments:

Alexis said...

I've been praying for your friend and her family. It just breaks my heart. I can't imagine their pain.

Carol Kennon said...

Thank you, Alexis! They need all the prayers they can get right now. There are no answers as to what happened. He was found alone in his truck on the side of the road. I'll pass your prayers on to her.

Miller Racing Family said...

We will continue to pray for your friend. I can't imagine what they are going through. I am so glad you are feeling better, that would have scared me. I do love the photos of Landon fishing, he is so cute. We will be praying for you. Have a blessed day!

Debra said...

Oh my goodness, you've been through it, haven't you? I'm glad your blood pressure is back to normal now....how scary that must have been for you! I feel so sad for those poor people losing their precious son. I can't even begin to imagine how they must feel. Only God can give them the strength to get through such a tragedy! I'm glad you and your husband were able to be there for them.

I know this is hard on the both of you to see your friends hurting and I know y'all are hurting too. I'll be praying for all of y'all.

Monica said...

Carol,I'm sorry,that is so sad.I'm glad they have friends like you and Anthony to be there for them in this difficult time.I'm glad to hear you're doing much better.I've already told you and I'll tell you again,PLEASE take care of yourself.Glad yall are finally back home.No more going out of town for a while right?