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Hi friends! My ophthalmologist appointment went well. I have healthy eyes. I have nothing wrong with my eyes that would cause headaches. The doctor did say that if I was having headaches from eye problems, the headaches would be across the forehead, not squeezing at the temples. I am getting new lenses for my glasses. My distance vision is slightly worse, but I now also need bifocals. I am getting the progressive lenses. Wow are those ever expensive!!

I will call the neurologist this morning to move up my recheck appointment. I have one scheduled for the beginning of August. Why wait around in pain right?! HOWEVER, I have been experiencing very low pain for three days now. I have been praying fervently for these three days. A LOT more than I ever have about this entire situation. I am so very thankful to God for this relief from the intense pain. Most especially since two of the days were very, very hot. I am still hopeful, believe it or not, that these headaches can just be gone. I am literally at exactly 4 months post steroid injection now.

Yes, I squatted down to get this picture. I am 5'11"tall. That would be one huge hollyhock!

Henry and I went to visit our friend Joyce at the nursing home last Friday. She died 5 days after we last visited her. :( I was so sad, I used my own comfort dog, Henry, right there in the lobby and cried. I pulled myself together and had a bad headache day. It is so hard when I lose a friend like that. We told each other "I love you." We were friends for two years. I miss her already. She would have been 90 in a few weeks. She loved Henry so very, very much. He was wearing his bow tie to show her, as I promised I would for the next visit. Well.... this is not the first time. It will not be the last either. I have been attached to quite a few elderly friends over decades. Can't stop now. ♥

I finished reading Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder Thaddeus of Vitnovica. What an excellent book.
Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica was one of the most renowned spiritual guides of Serbia in the twentieth century. As a novice he lived in obedience to Elder Ambrose of Miljkovo Monastery, a disciple of the Optina Elders. From him Fr. Thaddeus learned the Prayer of the Heart and the selfless love that came to characterize his whole ministry to the suffering Serbian people.

Born in 1914, Elder Thaddeus lived through all the suffering endured by Serbia in the twentieth century. Over the course of two World Wars, during the Communist takeover, and through the nato bombings of 1999, he co-suffered with his people. He taught, counseled, and prayed for all who came to him in pain and sorrow. His words of love and hope provided spiritual balm for people from all classes of society.

In 2002 Elder Thaddeus reposed, leaving behind a large collection of his teachings, preserved by his faithful spiritual children. His life, teachings, and spiritual conversations are here presented for the first time in English.

I am over halfway done with the July SAL by Snowflower Diaries. I have made small changes. I will share that with you next time.

I hope you are having an excellent week my friends! Thanks for stopping in.

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

"As is our relationship to our neighbor, so is our relationship to God."   Elder Thaddeus