March 19, 2010, Nashville, TN., 12:43 p.m., C.D.T.~

Dear Journal~

Tippie here.  Thought I would write in here while I am on my break from work; sorry if I haven't written; been very busy, as you can very well imagine.

Now that Easter (and the Easter Cantata at our church) is almost here, I have been spending a lot of extra time here at church.  I am singing in the Cantata, as part of the choir, something I normally don't do, because I am with the little children during service times.  It will be a very nice change of pace for me, and it will give me a chance to use my God-given singing talents.

The Cantata is in a few weeks; hard to believe, but it's true .  We're just past the middle of March.  St. Patrick's Day has come and gone; and my husband is home, nursing a sick little boy:  our younger son, Kenneth (Kenny) ate a little too much in the way of corned beef and cabbage; it gave him diarrhea, and he doesn't feel so good.  Yesterday, Kirkland (daddy) took him to the doctor's; the doctor gave him something for his upset digestive system.  It makes him sleep a lot, and so far, he hasn't had any issues today, thank goodness!

We'd gone to a St. Patrick's Day celebration held in downtown Nashville, and it was wonderful!  They had some great music (Irish mainly, but they also had bluegrass, country, rock, and even Cajun), and the kids sure made out like bandits with the trinkets and candy being thrown off the floats as they passed by during the parade!  The only complaint I had?  It was a little too cold for my liking!  LOL

Speaking of cold, we may get snow by Sunday afternoon.  The first days of spring, and we may get snow!!  Nuts!!  I'm ready for flowers, green trees, and warmer weather; we've had a bad winter this year here in N-ville!

I have been cleared by Dr. Jagadish; don't have to see him for another six months, but he says if I have any more problems, to see him right away.  I told him, no problem, but I wasn't planning on seeing him until the allotted time!  LOL  It will be soo good not to have to go to the doctor's office every week; I can actually have my life back again! 

I am seriously thinking of writing a memoir about my experience with necrotizing fasciitis; I want people who are going through it (or know someone who is) to know that with the right attitude (and a big faith in God), they can make it.  I did; they can too!  I have the first few pages written, but have tons more writing to do.  I am excited to think of putting my story in a book; I think people would like to read about my struggles and my ultimate victory!

Church is going extremely well: as I said, we are having our Easter Cantata in a few weeks, and we will also be having a Mother's Day lunch for all the mothers (me included!); all mothers will eat free, and it will be a wonderful time of fellowship, encouragement, and good food!  This is the first time they are doing something like this, and I know all the moms will enjoy it!

It will sure beat having to wait in the ridiculously long lines at all of the area restaurants that day! :)

I got some wonderful news:  my disability has been approved!  Funny, I only applied for it right after I'd gotten out of the hospital a year ago, and I'm already qualified!  It's only by God's sovereign grace that this has happened so quickly; it's been a huge answer to prayer!  Now, I won't get the full benefits (due to my working), but hey:  any extra money is better than no extra money at all!  :)

I have been left with a weak leg and arm, and of course, damage to my stomach from the nec-fac; this is why I have applied for disability.  I wear an AFO (ankle-foot-orthotic) brace on my one foot, and I have trouble moving my one arm and hand (the same side as the weak leg).  Doctors said I suffered a slight stroke when I was so sick, but I am determined to overcome it!  It has been hard, but I am grateful to still be working, even with everything that I've been through this past year!

Well, the kids want me to read to them, so I'd best go; looks like my lunch break is over sooner than originally planned!  *Sigh*  I don't mind; I sure do love "my kids" here at Christ Community Assembly of God!  They're the best (besides my own two boys, Kenneth and Kirkland, Jr., of course!  :) )!  I will write in here again soon; until then, take care; this is Tippie D. Young saying so long and God bless you mightily!

~Love, your Tennessee friend, Tippie.  :)

*to be continued.*