10 days and counting...

I hear the countdown in my head. 10 * 9 * 8 * 7...

10 days remain between now and election day on November 4th. Are you praying?

Here's today's prayer from James Robison's website The Soul of a Nation:

God, You set a standard of holiness for us in Your Word that includes a respect for life, marriage, family, and freedom. Those of us in America who love and follow You want to keep these values central to our society. But there is a strong pull on us to abandon morality and embrace depravity. Lord, keep our hearts strong as we resist the constant pressure. Allow us to be a light to those choosing darkness. Do not let us be led astray by the voices of worldly logic. Hold us true to Your path.

In Jesus' name...Amen.

One word...WOW

I have no words (other than WOW!) for just how well our appointment with Dr. Mike Lee went this morning. Thank you Jesus!! From start to finish, we were blown away. Really.

It would appear that a lot will be happening in the next few weeks...As Dr. Lee said, "We need to strike NOW because our window of opportunity is so small with this disease..." Yes. NOW!

So for all of you who prayed about our "doctor situation" - THANK YOU! Today, if you would, send up a quick prayer of thanksgiving for Dr. Lee. This man is a Godsend ~ truly an answer to prayer!

My Sweet Hubby's new oncologist ~ Dr. Mike Lee

"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" John 11:40

The best of friends

My Sweet Hubby and I are richly blessed in the friendship department. Our best friends are J and T. In fact, J and I just celebrated the 25th anniversary of our friendship, which was brought about via a small group New Testament study we had both signed up for through the Catholic church we attended in upstate New York. It was a nice group of people, but there was something "special" about J...still is! I tell her she is the sister that God forgot to give me. We can't choose our family, but we sure can choose our friends and I am fortunate indeed that a quarter century ago God saw fit to have our paths intersect.

And of course, because we are friends our hubbies had to come along for the ride, right?! But as much as J and I enjoy spending time together, our guys feel the same way about each other. They are best buddies.

Last week, J and T traveled the 6 hours that now separates us to spend the week with us. Now while they have a standing invitation to stay here, and in fact we refer to that guest room as J and T's room, they made reservations to stay just a few minutes away. They felt that given the circumstances, we needed a little privacy. That's the thing with best friends...no explanations are necessary. They just intrinsically "know" what to do and when to do it. I am so thankful that while they were here, my Sweet Hubby had one really good day. We all remarked how it seemed "just like old times."

While they were here, T and Matthew dismantled my studio. No easy task. Lots of heavy furniture and cabinetry up and down stairs. Another morning, T arrived to help me bring my Sweet Hubby downstairs (there's safety in numbers!) and then he carried my Sweet Hubby's recliner downstairs from our sitting room to our family room as at the time, that was the only comfortable way he could sleep. My Sweet Hubby and I drove away shortly thereafter for an appointment. As a surprise while we were gone, T weeded our flower beds and planted some sunshine in the form of yellow pansies. What a treat to see when we pulled into the driveway! They still make us smile every time we look at them...

And J? She was my emotional support. She listened. She held my hand as I cried and she cried with me. She made me laugh...it wasn't all sadness!! She spent hours alone at the resort while T did the various and sundry things he did for us - including that all day move of my studio. Ugh. She was available and present. A perfect best friend.

Long, long ago this couple passed from the realm of "friendship" and crossed over into the world of "family." Like I said...my Sweet Hubby and I are richly blessed.

"J" and I...25 years and going strong!

"T" and my Sweet Hubby...best buddies!

"He replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'" Matthew 12:48-50

Into the looking glass

As I was studying God's Word today, I saw myself. It wasn't pretty or flattering; some of it was downright hard to own. But it was honest and true.

"Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant--I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." Psalm 73:21-28

But in my reading, I took such great comfort from the fact that even though I felt out of control, God was very much in control! He was holding my right hand!! Patiently waiting for me to come back to my senses!

Here I am Lord!

1930 was a very good year!

Quite a few notable events happened in 1930...among them:

• January 13th ~ Mickey Mouse comic strip made its first appearance.
• January 31st ~ 3M markets Scotch tape.
• May 1st ~ the planet Pluto is officially named as such.
• July 7th ~ construction began on the Boulder Dam (now known as the Hoover dam).
• August 8th ~ Betty Boop premieres in the animated film "Dizzy Dishes."

And most importantly, to me...

• October 19th ~ my Dad was born!

Oh wow - what do I say about my Dad? Well, he's awesome, for starters! He's kind, generous, loving, thoughtful, wise, handsome, loyal, and hysterically funny! He can make me laugh like nobody's business! My Dad...how I love him...

Check out my Mom's "Sassy" sweatshirt...I cracked up when I saw that!

Happy Birthday Daddy from your daughter who just loves you sooooo much....

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you." Exodus 20:12

Deep cleansing breath

OK - confession time. I have been in a deep, dark place for the past few days. I really feel that I have been waging war and am sadly beaten down. BUT...

My God has equipped me with every good thing that I need; every piece of armament to don to protect me. So, this morning I am renewing myself in the Lord. I have asked His forgiveness for falling away rather than drawing nearer. I have drawn in a deep cleansing breath!

I have been looking forward to Music Monday and wondering what song I would choose as none had come to mind. Until today. The words of this song mean something to me...especially the word "sacrifice." There is much sacrifice in my home right now. My Sweet Hubby has sacrificed all to this terrible disease called pancreatic cancer. I am sacrificing my life as I care for him 24/7. Even still, both of our sacrifices amount to nothing when laid at the foot of the Cross. That is the standard and none of us will ever come close.

Still, there is much that can be done...by all of us.

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more."
Luke 12:48

This will be a very busy week for us. I hope to post daily, but please forgive me if I don't!

And now ~ here's today's music selection...one of our favorite artists. Such a humble man as well; truly loves the Lord and hates the limelight. What a predicament to be in given his profession! **Remember to scroll down and pause my player before listening!**











Mercy In Me ~ Todd Agnew

And because this video didn't have lyrics, here they are:

A poor man on the corner
I could give to You by buying him lunch
But I rarely think about it
‘Cause I got a little but it’s not that much

And I pray Lord won’t You help me
Give me a little bit more for myself
And You say Child won’t you let me
Take all that you got and give you a little real wealth

CHORUS
And I don’t know what You want, what You see in my life
And I don’t know what You mean, how You could be glorified
I’m not too sure about this idea of sacrifice
What You mean by mercy, mercy in me
Your mercy in me

A young girl in an old house
Three kids and another on the way
She’s in desperate need of some new clothes
But I keep my old ones and tell her I’ll pray for her

But Your heart breaks for those kids
And that child of a mom who’s one of Your own
When a few gifts and a little time
Is another crown I could lay at the feet of Your throne

CHORUS
And I don’t know what You want, what You see in my life
And I don’t know what You mean, how You could be glorified
I’m not too sure about this idea of sacrifice
What You mean by mercy, mercy in me
Your mercy in me

CHORUS
And I don’t know what You want, what You see in my life
And I don’t know what You mean, how You could be glorified
And I’m not too sure about this idea of sacrifice
What You mean by mercy, mercy, mercy in me
Your mercy in me

Please Lord, today let all that I do glorify You. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Encouraging news!

Today my Sweet Hubby had an appointment at a local hospital's lymphedema clinic. His physical therapist was a wonderfully kind woman. During the course of the evaluation, we disclosed that we had an appointment with another oncologist next Friday. She asked who we would be seeing. We told her "Dr. Mike Lee." When she heard the name, her face lit up, she threw her hands up in the air and said "yessssssss!"

Seems Dr. Lee had been her mother's oncologist some years ago and that he is just wonderful. And yes, as we had been told by Dr. Jansen, he's a Christian. Hallelujah!!

She said, "He FIGHTS for his patients."

Yesssssss! We are encouraged!

"In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3

And then he smiled at me...

Oh what a night we had! Mixed feelings to some extent because it involved my Sweet Hubby starting on morphine last night...

BUT! My Sweet Hubby SLEPT all night long. And I do mean ALL night long. 10 hours of blessed, restorative sleep for him. (Me? Not so much! I kept popping up wondering why HE wasn't up!!)

And at 7:01 this morning (that's right!) as I tiptoed over to check on him, he opened his beautiful eyes and then he smiled at me! Oh, my heart...how I have missed that smile. And not only that, he was full of spirit - laughing and chatting! What a wonderful day it's been! Our best friends were over and it was like old times, sitting and reminiscing - albeit in our bedroom!

Tomorrow is the appointment at the lymphedema clinic. Please pray that they are able to provide some relief!

Thank you Lord for the lovely day...oh thank you!

"Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile." Proverbs 31:25

I get by with a little help from my friends

What would I do, where would I be, without all the wonderful friends I have in my life?

People I know...our best friends J & T - who are here so lovingly to support us this week. My girlfriends who call, text, im, email every day just to "check in and see if you need anything." Our church friends who support us spiritually and emotionally. The people I have met via online pancreatic cancer support groups who "walk the walk" with me and understand exactly...

I know God has a plan for me and my Sweet Hubby and all of them factor into it. Thank you Lord for tending to our every need.

"Two sparrows are sold for a penny, aren't they? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's permission. Indeed, even the hairs on your head have all been counted! So stop being afraid. You are worth more than a bunch of sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Not much to say today...

It's been quite a day following a rough night. Here's hoping for a better night tonight...