Day One Hundred Thirty-one

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless."  Matthew 5:13

"A little bit of salt can change something. It can enhance the flavor. And just as salt makes a difference, one Christian in a dark situation also can make a difference. Salt stimulates thirst as well. Christians who are living their lives the way they ought to will stimulate in others a thirst for Jesus Christ.

Salt is valuable. Salt makes a difference. Salt stimulates thirst. So be a salty Christian. Be a representative of Jesus Christ in this culture. " PowerPoint

That made me think.

Well, mistakes are made, and I made one yesterday.  In one of the pictures where Evan Bourne is signing an autograph for Ryan, there was someone in the background with a very inappropriate shirt.  Inappropriate because it listed quite a few very obscene words one after the other.  Anyway, someone (who might be an english teacher) was kind enough to point that out, and I removed it. At first I thought she was talking about Eva Torres and I couldn't remove that picture! :)  For those who saw it, I apologize.  For those who didn't, be glad. I will pay closer attention to the pictures in the future.

Ryan was sound asleep when I got home.  So was Emma.  Davianna was awake but in her own little world, taking after her mother.  I woke up Emma when I went to my room, and in turn, she woke up Ryan.  Boy, he was moody tonight.  We're on the home stretch, son.  Hang in there.


Mirjan cooked another wonderful meal.  She started the meal yesterday afternoon and had to stop so we wouldn't be late for the wrestling matches.  It was good as new.  After dinner, Mirjan and Davianna did hair stuff.  Ryan, Emma, and I went outside for a while.  Sometime, Ryan ended up in the bath and Emma and I played.  Then the lessons of WWE began.  I really think Emma understood the wrestling last night.  When I was on the floor, she body slammed me.  Then she started jumping on me.  Then Ryan came running and screaming and did some type of slam on me knocking both Emma and myself over.  Emma started laughing like a hyena. Good stuff!  I read Ryan a book, he got moody, and so we had a good discussion.  He has to understand that the boundaries can't be crossed in regards to love and respect in the family.  It's hard to discipline him, but we have to be consistent or it will be chaos.  Later, he came and hugged everyone goodnight, gave everyone a kiss, and was in a good mood.  Rollercoaster.  I'm not sure whether it was our discussion or the jug of milk he drank.  I'm putting my money on the milk, but hope that he heard some of the discussion.  I read a book to Davianna and then to Emma and said my goodnights.  Sweet kids....such blessings. 
 
 The song, "My Favorite Things," from the "Sound of Music" popped into my head today.  Then a snowball of songs from Mary Poppins, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, etc. came afterward.  Why?  I don't know. Maybe I'm weird.  Maybe I took one of Mirjan's woman vitamins by mistake. Maybe it's my mother's fault for making me watch them. I just hope nobody heard me singing or humming them today. 
Anyway, my thoughts turned to Ryan, which happens all the time now, and while I was driving home, I started thinking about his least favorite things on this journey.  These are things that he has commented about or have just been very obvious since he started treatment.  So, I just replaced the original lyrics with mine and a masterpiece was created. 

If you need a reminder of the original song, then shame on you. :)  However, here is one courtesy of youtube.

My Least Favorite Things by David (based on Ryan's experience)

Trips to the doctor and big scary needles
Elevator music by a group called the beatles
Flushing my port, man, that really stings
These are a few of my least favorite things

Losing weight and losing my hair
Constantly pulling up baggy underwear
I'm going crazy with all these mood swings
These are a few of my least favorite things

Getting the chemo and then getting sick
Not being in school with all of the chicks
Feeling like a martian among earthlings
These are a few of my least favorite things

When I'm tickled
When I'm held tight
When I'm playing ball
I simply forget my least favorite things
And then it's not bad at all
Good day!  Thank you, Lord.

Father, thank you for your blessings daily. Each day with Mirjan and the kids is special, and I am grateful.  I ask that you help me be a representative of Jesus Christ in this culture and stimulate a thirst in others.  Guide me with this request.  Father, please continue to strengthen Ryan's body, let him feel your love and calm his behavior, and please heal my little boy.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.