A Pain in the.....

I turned 50 last year. It didn't take long for things to begin to go snap, crackle, POP. My shoulder went POP. Third week of June to be exact. I was trying to start a pressure washer. I know - I know - not a very lady-like chore, but I wanted to wash the bricks at the back of our house so I asked my father in law if I could borrow his. I should have asked him to start the thing --- knowing what I know now ---ugh! I pulled the start cord and it pulled me. It was stronger. I didn't know pressure washers were SO strong. You either start them or they kill you! Seriously! I heard my shoulder pop as the cord resisted my measly attempt at starting the contraption. I grabbed it in pain and was immediately mad at myself because I knew damage had been done.

I have babied, cuddled, soothed, injected and tried all sorts of medical and non-medical approaches to healing this injury. No go. So now its off to surgery. Tuesday to be exact. I am not looking forward to surgery but I am looking forward to getting to use my left arm again.

Left arms are important you know. You reach out your window to grab mail out of your mailbox with your left arm. You hold the blow dryer via the left arm as you style your hair. You instinctively open doors with your right and reach in with your left --- well.... I used too. Now I resist because even the simplest of motions leave me on my knees in pain. Oh - yeah - yelling too.

Tim has made up a song about my "broken wing". He sings it at the most inopportune times like right after a major stabbing pain. Its NOT funny. It's not even a good song. I have told him so and yet..... he keeps singing. I don't know which pain is worse the one in my shoulder or the one that sings! Ha.

Highly techno!

I got a new gadget for my birthday. An IPod touch they call it. I was in the market for a new IPod since I had sort of "overwhelmed" my old one with downloads of songs and sermons. This thing is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out of my league but I am intrigued by it. First of all, it is wi-fi. Didn't say high five I said wi-fi. Its wireless and anywhere you might go that has wireless technology floating in the aire waves --you can use it and connect to your emails , the Internet and all sorts of great stuff. Love it.

Last week I had the opportunity to be in Florida at my sisters condo and it was my first real chance to use the gizmo. Sitting on the balcony, looking at the ocean, I was accessing my emails and communicating with multiple people, all from my IPOD! I thought to myself "this is crazy". I checked the weather for Perdidio Key, got directions to the nearest Office Depot (sister needed some more technology), looked at my daughters wonderful wedding pictures from 2 years ago- ALL from my IPOD. Love it. I listened to Chris Tomlin, Celeine Dion, and Russ Taff and never left my chair. Love it.


I have downloaded several sermons from at least 5 different pastors, and have my favorite music at my finger tips... I tell you LIFE is good.

Ok.... I am a little carried away I know. But I see potential here. Potential to grow and learn as I get to listen to others teach and preach from pulpits I would never get to be in front of. I can get online and look up Scripture and read books and things that might not have been packed in my travel bag. Technology can be good. I realize there is all sorts of evil using it too but I for one am using it for good. I am appreciative of my gift. Love the IPOD touch. :)

I'm Back!!!!!!

Well, Hello again! Long time - no see. My Bad! As you can tell I haven't blogged since May. There is a reason......my life changed in May. Little did I know back in May that I was about to wade out in some deep waters. The last several months have been some of the most difficult times in my recent history. For reasons of confidentiality I cant go into much of it here but suffice it to say its been "deep".
Here it is August and only now am I able to begin to see some of the things God has been and is doing in my life.
This morning I am particularly excited. I just got off the phone with a radio station in Oklahoma City, OK. I was being interviewed for an upcoming women's retreat that I will be leading there on August 16th. The women's ministry coordinator- her name is Debbie - said something that blessed me dearly in the interview. She said that her prayer team had been praying for a year about who they were to ask to lead this years retreat. They were on the Internet when they happened upon my web site (www.lisaclements.net) and began to read the ministry God has given me and even some of the messages. They said they prayed and felt the Lord say "Invite her". My heart pounded as she spoke. They didn't know me and I didn't know them and yet God knows us both and this has been on his calendar for some time. I am humbled and in awe. I know God has something so wonderful He desires to do. I am just the messenger- it's His message!
On another front, I had the "joy" of moving Candace from Murfreesboro to Nashville last weekend. Whew! It was 110 degrees in the shade. We melted-- I'm serious! It was so hot we panted worse than her dog!!!!!!!!!!! Nevertheless, Candace is now comfortable in her new abode and started her new job with Gaylord entertainment this past Tuesday. Yea! Another one off the payroll (just kidding ........sort of).
Next Wednesday I will resume teaching my bible study at the church. I am ready to return. I am grateful for the intermission of June and July (I would say rest - but ..... lets just save that word for now!). The women are excited to get started back. They are like sponges when I teach. They pull everything out of me that God pours in. I love that. I love them, especially that they desire to know MORE of him and to be MORE like him. Me too.
The heat is letting up... weather wise and otherwise. I can fell it. I am grateful. So without much further ado...... let me just say I'm glad to be back. God is faithful all the time.

She did it!!!

The announcer said Candace Leigh Clements and our baby girl stepped up to the platform and received her diploma from the president of MTSU. That is one costly piece of paper! Worth it? Absolutely! We all breathed a collected sigh of relief. Our row cheered loudly. We even used our light up "clapper hands" to show this little gal how excited and proud of her we are! The celebratory lunch afterwards took place at Chili's. We laughed at Candace making a new friend while sitting in her seat enduring endless speeches. Well that's Candace. Easy going, friendly, fun to be with. We look forward to the beginning of this next chapter. She has a family that loves and supports her and she is packed full of potential. Please continue to pray as she seeks a career job and of course the "life mate". There's a rib missing out there some where!!!

My baby is graduating!!!!

Saturday May 3rd is a big day - BIG day. Our last little one is graduating from college. Whew! Candace took a slightly longer route than twin brother Colby but nevertheless she is DONE! She is so relieved, excited, and happy to finish this chapter of her life. All the "fam" is heading to the 'Boro to celebrate. Tonight's celebratory dinner is at the Macaroni Grill - Candace's favorite. Tomorrow the commencement begins at 1pm. It is at this time that I will have the first photos of Candace in her own mortar board (picture at left is from Colby's graduation last year). Candace has done well. Thru the ups and downs of college life she has persevered and finished the course. Next up - a J-O-B! a real one that supports the lifestyle she is accustomed to living. Yea baby!. Currently she works at Steppin' Stones Academy and while she loves being with the little ones she is pursuing a career job. Feel free to pray for such! All in all it has been a fast 4- uh 5 years. I cant believe all my babies are so grown up and out on their own (sort of--- if you're a parent you know what I mean).

Did I tell you I LOVE my back yard?

My yard is my respite. I couldn't be more grateful for its beauty. Yard work is my therapy but I cant take full credit. Bob Long has longgggggggggg been my yard guy. He just knows the look I like. We spend time in the back yard moving plants like someone would move furniture. We are always collaborating for the best look as the plants grow and mature. Most afternoons that are nice you will find me in the swing on the porch. Its peaceful. If someone comes over for a visit - yep its out to the porch. Its a place of cookouts, counseling, praying and swinging.

Candace tickles me when she comes home. She heads straight for the hammock - even if its 10 o'clock at night. She swings and swings and swings. Colby and I will have early morning talks when he is home. Jenny and Kris prefer afternoon talks!!! I love them all. Tim & I are "grillers" Most afternoons we put some meat on the grill, fix a good salad and are just as content as if we were at a fine restaurant. The back porch is another room in our house and the back yard is our personal masterpiece!!! I LOVE my back yard :)

I LOVE my back yard

 

Spring has sprung

I am ready for Spring. I LOVE Spring! I love planting, digging and all that therapeutic stuff. My cherry blossom trees are gorgeous! I especially love early morning in the spring. I often go out on my back porch to do my early morning bible study. Birds are singing (for real), the whole earth seems to just be waking up. All the colors are vivid. The green trees are greener, the sky is bluer and God is so evident. I don't know how anyone couldn't believe that God exist. His artwork is all around. I am glad Spring has sprung!

Easter for the first time?

This morning I had the opportunity to sit down and write in my journal all the things I feel so blessed about. My number one blessing is my salvation. I don't know about you, but I am pretty sure my life would be a mess with out Jesus. Easter has significant meaning for me. I am always amazed as we go through Holy Week and all the events of Jesus' life leading up to Easter. This year was very surreal. I had invited any of the team that didn't go home for the weekend to come to Easter services with us. Several responded and came. One in particular surprised me. She is not a believer. In fact, we have had several conversations about whether God exists or not. Have you ever tried to convince someone of this? It seems like an easy argument but not for those who really have no reference points. We are making head way in that conversation. She agrees that there is a God (I guess) and that He probably is the one who decides who goes to heaven or hell (yes she believes in both) but is totally clueless about the criteria (if you will) of going either place. Again, we are making some head way, slowly. But there she sat Sunday--- right beside me. She has only been to church 2 other times in her life, both of them with me. She has never been to an Easter service. Can you imagine that? I was constantly wondering what she must be thinking. I was constantly praying for God to open up her heart so she could understand. After church I inquired as to what she thought. In her native accent she said, "it was quite lovely". She seemed to enjoy it and I think she was paying attention. Maybe that's the most I will get out of her for the time being. But I trust that God is working. He came that NONE should perish and that includes her. She wasn't raised in church and doesn't really know a single Bible story. But Sunday she was faced with the cross and the Christ that died in her place. Will you join me in praying for her salvation?

That she will come to know what you and I have known - HE LIVES !!!

"you asked me how I know He lives, He Lives within my heart"

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I love snow! I was thrilled last Friday when it FINALLY started coming down. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Once when I looked outside there were very large flakes- like it was raining snow! Before I went to bed I just had to check one last time to make sure it was still snowing. Yep. It was. The snow gave such a glow that it looked like I had on my outside lights. Everything looked so clean - so pretty. The next morning Hootie and I went slip sliding down our driveway to get the mail. Hootie took off in his normal morning trot only to experience a "splat" of sorts until he regained his composure. Even tho my kids are not home I didn't think that disqualified me from building a snow man. So I got out my snow gear and begged Tim to come out and play in the snow. The snow scrooge said no but it didn't keep me from going. I headed to the back yard to retrieve the snow for my "snow player" I was about to build. I didn't want to mess up the front yard - it was too pretty. As I was working feverishly to get the snow piled up ready to move to the front yard for my masterpiece a snowball came out of the blue and landed at my feet. My first thought was the kids that were out across the street. I thought, "I bet they have no idea that their errant snow ball almost hit me". That was.... until snow ball number two arrived..... and then three , four...... OK that's it.. The fight is on. I packed a good one and launched my attack. I had no idea who I was fighting but hey... they started it. I really secretly hoped it wasn't my next door neighbor out with his grandson. Bam! right to the neck. The snowball was cold and hard and lets just say this isn't your kid fight anymore. I packed quicker and launched faster. I was sure I must be hitting something and then I heard it--- the all too familiar laugh. Mr. Snow Scrooge had come out after all. He finally showed his face and I let him have one right to the chops. It was a good snow fight! Reluctantly Mr. Snow Scrooge helped me create my snow masterpiece. I felt it was the showpiece of the street-- yea first place material.

Well, its been a couple of days now since most all of the snow melted EXCEPT my snowman. There is still the small remainings of a fun day in the snow. I love snow.

The Last Lecture

Happy Anniversary!!!

Well, we've made it to #30. Yep. We have. By the grace of God, good earphones and a whole lot of forgiving!!!! on February 25th, Tim and I will celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary in Boca Raton, Florida. We were married 30 years ago in my home church in Pinson Tennessee. It was coming a blizzard that night, but it didn't stop the "faithful" from attending this event. After the ceremony Tim and I took off for the first night of our honeymoon stay at the Opryland Hotel. We could only afford to stay one night and the plan was to head out the next day to Gatlinburg. Only problem was - they closed the interstate! Did I mention there was a blizzard??? Yep. The folks at the Opryland Hotel were most helpful in finding us another hotel close by with more affordable rates. The only room the other hotel had available was the Executive Suite. When we arrived at this hotel and they found out we were on our honeymoon and "snowed in," they gave us this great suite for the same price as a regular room. More grace. We spent a couple of days doing the "Nashville thang" and then came home and settled in for the next 30 years! My, it's hard to believe that was 30 years, 3 kids, a dog, little league, basketball, changing jobs, leaving jobs, moving 8 times-- ago. Time flies when you're having fun.

Like any marriage there have been ups and downs, good years and not so good, happy times and sad, but through it all we stuck together, and this my friends, was the reason why we gladly slipped out of town for a few days and sat by the ocean and celebrated. We are grateful for the memories. We thank God for the years. If you are reading this there is a reasonably good chance that YOU have been part of our story. With a grateful heart, we thank you.

Devastation!

Most all in Jackson are still reeling from the tornado. It doesn't matter if you experienced first hand damage or not you were effected. Tim & I had watched the TV closely from about 5pm on as the forecaster continually said he thought we were in for a very rough night of weather. Around 6pm things seemed to escalate. Tim's middle brother, Marty, is the Emergency manager for the city of Jackson and Madison County. We checked in to see what he was hearing--- same thing. Conditions were conducive for tornadoes. Around 6:30 the red arrow came up. You know the one that tracks a storm right at you. We gathered necessity items ...flashlight, bottled water, pillows, blankets, the dog and headed for the closet. At 6:45 everything went black. Our power went out and there was an eerie calm. We went to the front porch briefly since we now had no information coming in (had not located portable radio yet). No rain, no wind, nothing except...... the sound........ the all too often described sound- the freight train and the tornado sirens. We took cover. In a matter of minutes we no longer heard the sound. We came out. We looked out. Up and down the street seemed OK. Nothing damaged. We both agreed things "seemed" Ok. It was only about 7 or 8 minutes later that sirens seemed to be coming from everywhere. Police, ambulances, fire trucks. The sound was deafening. We knew then things were NOT OK but we had no idea. No idea at all of what had happened only 2 blocks from our house. It would be a few more minutes before we began to know.

The first call (via a cell phone) came from my older sister. She said Jackson has been hit - hit bad. Her oldest son John is a fireman and his truck was the first called out. He had called back to his wife and mom to see if they were OK. It was then that we were told Union had been hit. John was the first on the scene at Union. He found the trapped students and began communicating with them. The extrication would not be easy. They were buried under about 25 feet of rubble. Emergency teams began to arrive. They called for cranes and backhoes. John said it was somewhere early in the rescue that they heard the dreaded news that another powerful storm was on the way. They worked feverishly and never quit. I found a radio and tuned in to 101.5. Calls were coming in to the station from everywhere. There was mass destruction.

People were describing where they were and what had happened. I heard that Medical offices were completely gone. My friends Exxon station - demolished. Jackson Oaks severely damaged. Walgreens contents had been completely sucked out. Our children began to call. Cell phone usuage was random to say the least. We assured the kids we were OK. More phone calls from my sister let us know things were serious. We lit candles and listened to our radios. We checked on parents, siblings and anyone else we could. I had texted the Lambuth coach. He had the team in the gym with him. All were OK there. Tim walked out into the street. So had a few other of our neighbors. The sound of sirens continued to fill the air. It made me nervous. The sounds just kept going. Emergency was definitely in the air. The second wave came around 11pm. The rain was hard, the wind was high, the lighting was scary but all I could think of was the rescue teams and the students that were trapped and perhaps 100's of other people in a similar situation. I didn't know. No one else really did either in the early hours afterwards.

Daybreak brought a horrible reality. Around 7 am the sirens started again. Police, ambulances, firetrucks. My nerves were on end. We saw the trucks go up a street near us. We could hear the commotion of so many emergency vehicles. Lots of information began to roll in as TV and power were restored. Pictures began to confirm what we only suspected the night before. Devastation! Its been5 days now since the tornado and it is still hard to believe. So surreal. Can't figure much out about all this except God is sovereign. He knows the devastation. He knows the need. He promises to meet it. Only God can bring something good from something so bad. I have already gotten glimpses of such.

I'm backkkk... sort of

Speaking of backs, the sign below could have been found on my door the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately I ruptured a disc in my lower back and I was not my normal bubbly, laughing self (when you're under the influence of drugs they say you tend to exaggerate). I ruptured a disc and trapped a nerve all at the same time. Doesn't take a lot of talent as it turns out - nope just one wrong move and yikessss. I was in orbit. The pain was excruciating. It took quite a while to get me seen by a doctor and get me comfortable. I was thrilled when my doctor finally made the call - "lets knock her out". I was in no position to argue. I just needed R-E-L-E-I-F . The next day Tim was instructed to bring his precious little wife back to the doctors office where the course of treatment was discussed and implemented. Little did I know it would involve going to "torture" camp. That's another name for physical therapy. Therapy????

My idea of therapy involves a 1 hour message. Not theirs. No, theirs involves laying on ice packs and contorting your body in ways that you really wouldn't be able to do on a good day. A good day- ahhhhh yes I remember those. Anyway, my physical terrorists- I mean therapist - is a jovial guy. A little too jovial. OK- I've been in pain. Overly happy people are not your friends when you are in pain. Tim said if looks could kill - well my therapists would be long gone by now. Its been 2 weeks now and I am feeling much better but I am leaving the sign up just in case! No need to take any chances. I am learning not to drive when I have on the pain pack. It tends to cause wrecks when your pain electrode comes undone and shocks you all of the sudden.

I'm learning to sit with pillow support, to walk equally balanced on both feet and Lord knows - not to slump. Yep, no slumping allowed in this camp. I find myself dreaming of slumping. You know - just being a slouch---comfortable. But nooooooooooooooooooooo.... if I want to get better I must remain in the position of a Marine private. Oh, well Life is still good. Turns out that they are very interested in totally eradicating all my back pain. Nope - no short term fixes for these guys. We're talking total back recovery here. Now that I can cheer about.