December 12, 2008 Day 60
Tedd Ostrem - Friday, December 12, 2008
It has been a week of getting back into more of the flow of daily responsibilities. Tuesday I met with the Executive Team and Staff on Wednesday. As I am able I will continue to work my way back.
Thursday night we had the privilege and honor of attending the Concordia College Christmas concert at Orchestra Hall with some dear friends. One of the couples daughter, Jenica who happens to be our God-daughter, sings in the Concert Choir (we are so proud of her). It was wonderful! Each year Christmas comes alive in a special way as we listen to the choirs sing beautiful carols and songs in honor of the birth of Jesus. What a joy!
I have been struggling with some pain issues and today spent most of the day at Mayo having a CT scan, ultrasound and lab work. They discovered some fluid in the plural lining of the left lung that is now being treated with some additional meds. In a few days it should resolve itself.
Don't forget our Children's Christmas program is this Sunday at all the morning services.
See you in church!
Thursday night we had the privilege and honor of attending the Concordia College Christmas concert at Orchestra Hall with some dear friends. One of the couples daughter, Jenica who happens to be our God-daughter, sings in the Concert Choir (we are so proud of her). It was wonderful! Each year Christmas comes alive in a special way as we listen to the choirs sing beautiful carols and songs in honor of the birth of Jesus. What a joy!
I have been struggling with some pain issues and today spent most of the day at Mayo having a CT scan, ultrasound and lab work. They discovered some fluid in the plural lining of the left lung that is now being treated with some additional meds. In a few days it should resolve itself.
Don't forget our Children's Christmas program is this Sunday at all the morning services.
See you in church!
December 7, 2008 Day 55
Tedd Ostrem - Sunday, December 07, 2008
Had a good morning at Prince of Peace. I gave an update at each of the services. It was good to be with the church family. It was a joy to commune with everyone. Again I was reminded that we really need each other. Pastor Hal had a very good sermon. We were blessed.
December 6, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Saturday, December 06, 2008
The days of healing keep moving forward. Not as fast as I had anticipated but I keep looking toward complete healing in these days. Friends and family continue to bring joy into our home and lives. Last night Lois and I ventured out and joined the Prince of Peace staff for our Christmas gathering at the Olson's. It was good to be with everyone and enjoyed a marvelous meal. Conversations were full of Christmas talk and memories. It was good.
Sunday we are planning on joining our church family for worship. I will still have a "no hug; no handshake" zone but will be there. Hope you will be there too!
Sunday we are planning on joining our church family for worship. I will still have a "no hug; no handshake" zone but will be there. Hope you will be there too!
December 3, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Romans 12:3-8
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
A long time friend of mine, George shared this scripture with me tonight. He had spent the day at Fort Snelling Cemetery as a part of the honor guard. As he had his personal devotions this evening and read these words from Romans it prompted him to call me. George had recently visited with a friend of his that shared with George he had been treated for Mantle Cell Lymphoma at Mayo two years ago and was doing great. George called to share these words of encouragement with me as I continue my recovery. We had a wonderful visit and agreed that we needed to get together after the first of the year.
I had spent part of the day at Mayo. My news was good and they adjusted my medications for a few days. It was encouraging to hear my physician make note that he felt that I am in remission at this stage, however he would confirmed this in January at my +100 day visit.
George's words of hope and encouragement were "frosting on the cake" after my visit at Mayo today. It's been a great day. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
A long time friend of mine, George shared this scripture with me tonight. He had spent the day at Fort Snelling Cemetery as a part of the honor guard. As he had his personal devotions this evening and read these words from Romans it prompted him to call me. George had recently visited with a friend of his that shared with George he had been treated for Mantle Cell Lymphoma at Mayo two years ago and was doing great. George called to share these words of encouragement with me as I continue my recovery. We had a wonderful visit and agreed that we needed to get together after the first of the year.
I had spent part of the day at Mayo. My news was good and they adjusted my medications for a few days. It was encouraging to hear my physician make note that he felt that I am in remission at this stage, however he would confirmed this in January at my +100 day visit.
George's words of hope and encouragement were "frosting on the cake" after my visit at Mayo today. It's been a great day. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
December 2, 2008 Day +50
Tedd Ostrem - Tuesday, December 02, 2008
It is hard to believe that it has been 50 days since my transplant. I was able to spend some time in the office today. It was good to see everyone and am looking forward to returning. I still have some health issues to resolve but it felt good to be back. I have an appointment at Mayo tomorrow. Hoping to get some resolution to some unexpected symptoms that have cropped up. Pray that my transplant doctor will have wisdom and discernment as we meet.
Pray for continued recovery and restoration as my body continues to heal.
I would ask you to remember in prayer one of my former dental partners as he and his wife await a pathology report this week. Pray that Gary's report will be favorable and he will continue to enjoy his recovery from lymphoma. Thanks be to God!
Pray for continued recovery and restoration as my body continues to heal.
I would ask you to remember in prayer one of my former dental partners as he and his wife await a pathology report this week. Pray that Gary's report will be favorable and he will continue to enjoy his recovery from lymphoma. Thanks be to God!
November 30, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Sunday, November 30, 2008
I am closing in on day +50 and I looked up a couple definitions:
re·cu·per·ate (verb)
1. regain health
intransitive verb to recover from an illness or injury
2. get back
transitive verb to recover something lost
re·cov·er (verb)
1. regain something
transitive verb to get back something previously lost or its equivalent
2. return to former state
intransitive verb to return to a previous state of health, prosperity, or equanimity
Yep...those are the things I seek and desire in these days which seem to hang in the suspension of time. I wish to push the healing time line without much success. I am reminded by God, family and friends that I am to remain faithful and leave the rest up to God. But I have things to do Lord...wait and heal is the answer.
I have said it before but I am not good at waiting. It leads me to lean on the Word from Proverbs 3...
re·cu·per·ate (verb)
1. regain health
intransitive verb to recover from an illness or injury
2. get back
transitive verb to recover something lost
re·cov·er (verb)
1. regain something
transitive verb to get back something previously lost or its equivalent
2. return to former state
intransitive verb to return to a previous state of health, prosperity, or equanimity
Yep...those are the things I seek and desire in these days which seem to hang in the suspension of time. I wish to push the healing time line without much success. I am reminded by God, family and friends that I am to remain faithful and leave the rest up to God. But I have things to do Lord...wait and heal is the answer.
I have said it before but I am not good at waiting. It leads me to lean on the Word from Proverbs 3...
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and humankind.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and humankind.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
So I wait...
November 28, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Friday, November 28, 2008
Spent part of the day at Mayo trying to figure out some side effects I have been experiencing. Nothing definitive...may be just part of the recovery process. There was mention of a possibility of shingles but nothing specific. Just doing one-day-at-a-time. Lois continues to recuperate nicely.
We had a good Thanksgiving Day with our family. We gave thanks for family being such a wonderful gift.
We had a good Thanksgiving Day with our family. We gave thanks for family being such a wonderful gift.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Tedd Ostrem - Thursday, November 27, 2008
I woke up this morning giving thanks for the many blessings and wonderful people in our lives. What a joy it is to have friends and family who care for us and pray for us. It is awesome and "priceless"!
What a joy it is to serve God who has shown His love for us in Jesus, the Christ. What more could one want in life. I give thanks.
As I had devotions this morning, the Daily Inspiration, hit home the significance of giving thanks each day of our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!
DAILY INSPIRATION
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
*****************************************
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
*****************************************
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melody Beattie~
******************************************
Take time this day to reflect on all the many things that you have to be thankful for. We truly are a blessed people...the mere fact that you are able to read this right now is a testimony to that!
******************************************
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
~Psalms 100:1,2,4,5~
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
~Ephesians 5:18-20~
For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
~1 Timothy 4:4,5 (amp)~
******************************************
© Copyright 2000-2008 by Guiding Light Ministries International. All rights reserved.
Guiding Light Ministries International
1605 Blue Spring Rd.
Fayetteville, NC 28304
What a joy it is to serve God who has shown His love for us in Jesus, the Christ. What more could one want in life. I give thanks.
As I had devotions this morning, the Daily Inspiration, hit home the significance of giving thanks each day of our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!
DAILY INSPIRATION
Thursday, November 27th, 2008
*****************************************
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!
*****************************************
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melody Beattie~
******************************************
Take time this day to reflect on all the many things that you have to be thankful for. We truly are a blessed people...the mere fact that you are able to read this right now is a testimony to that!
******************************************
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
~Psalms 100:1,2,4,5~
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
~Ephesians 5:18-20~
For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be thrown away or refused if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
~1 Timothy 4:4,5 (amp)~
******************************************
© Copyright 2000-2008 by Guiding Light Ministries International.
Guiding Light Ministries International
1605 Blue Spring Rd.
Fayetteville, NC 28304
November 25, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving is in the air. You see it on TV...everywhere you go it is encouraged and promoted. Tonight we had great news that my nephew, Chad and his wife, Amanda had a baby girl...Lyla Caylee.
Last December, their five year old son, Cayden died unexpectedly. It was a devastating time in all our lives and we will never forget little Cayden and the sweetness he brought to our lives. We give thanks for the gift that Cayden was in our lives and now Lyla his little sister.
Joy and gratitude are the roots of thanksgiving. I have come to cherish the quote, "Joy is the echo of God's life in you." Joy has come to our family this day and in the midst of our daily struggles we give thanks to God for His mercy and grace He has shown us this past year and in this season of Thanksgiving. Joy has been birthed again in our lives this day. Welcome to our family, Lyla Caylee Burud
Last December, their five year old son, Cayden died unexpectedly. It was a devastating time in all our lives and we will never forget little Cayden and the sweetness he brought to our lives. We give thanks for the gift that Cayden was in our lives and now Lyla his little sister.
Joy and gratitude are the roots of thanksgiving. I have come to cherish the quote, "Joy is the echo of God's life in you." Joy has come to our family this day and in the midst of our daily struggles we give thanks to God for His mercy and grace He has shown us this past year and in this season of Thanksgiving. Joy has been birthed again in our lives this day. Welcome to our family, Lyla Caylee Burud
November 24, 2008
Tedd Ostrem - Monday, November 24, 2008
Healing is a process. When you are in it at times it seems like taking "two steps forward and one step backward." The expectation of becoming whole again without some struggle is very high. We don't like the pain of healing but pain is a part of healing. Today we fought through pain to do the exercises three times-a-day. With the stretching and pulling there is pain. Without the stretching and pulling there will not be the healing that we are expecting.
Waiting or "being on hold" for some of us is more difficult than others. It feels like forever and is painful in some ways. I have been here before and am not of fan of these times.
Again the psalmists speak to me...
Waiting or "being on hold" for some of us is more difficult than others. It feels like forever and is painful in some ways. I have been here before and am not of fan of these times.
Again the psalmists speak to me...
"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Psalm 5:3
Waiting on healing as God would heal is at the heart of faith. Trusting in God to do what God will do in our lives is centered in our daily surrender to God's ways. As it says in scripture, God's ways are not our ways. Being willing to lay it all in God's hands daily is the key to serenity or peace. Today we wait expectantly on God for serenity.
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Psalm 5:3
Waiting on healing as God would heal is at the heart of faith. Trusting in God to do what God will do in our lives is centered in our daily surrender to God's ways. As it says in scripture, God's ways are not our ways. Being willing to lay it all in God's hands daily is the key to serenity or peace. Today we wait expectantly on God for serenity.
"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
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