3-Month Follow-Up to My Brain Surgery

Well, this month marked three months from my brain surgery removing the two tumors back in December.  In ways it seems like a long time ago and then again it seems like it was just yesterday.  I have come a long way since December 12, 2012, and my Christmas miracle!  God's hand has been on me blessing and guiding me each step of the way.

This month marked my 3-month follow-up doctor visits.  I had seven doctors appointments along with speech therapy 2 x's a week. I'm getting a little tired of all the doctors visits, but I know they are necessary.  My brain surgeon, Dr. Music (isn't that a sweet sounding name - music to my ears!!) was very pleased with how I am doing.  I am scheduled for another MRI which will be interesting! He said I am doing better than most considering the size of each of the tumors but also warned me to not "over-do-it" in my eagerness to get back in the full swing of things!

My speech therapist is a real "angel" also. She has been such a help and encouragement to me - even when I could hardly talk! Slowly, I am experiencing less and less word blockages and am able to communicate my thoughts verbally.  I am working to overcome my Aphasia which is a type of word-finding difficulty. I understand what you may be saying to me but I may need a little extra time to get some of my words out and communicated verbally. This is getting better as the weeks progress.  I feel like I have gone back to school as I work on introducing 100's and 100's of words, synonyms, antonyms, opposites, & sentences -  reconnecting them to the learning & communication center of my brain. It is quite a process but the challenge is good for me! Again, the therapist warned me to watch my fatigue and stress levels. I can really tell when I reach that point!! I have had a couple of set backs but continue to plow through those times and look forward to the next week which always seems to get better. God has really worked a miracle in this whole area. Of course, He created my brain and knows it better than I . . . what better teacher and healer than to have HIM on my side!!!   

I am still in awe over the whole ordeal.  I still have lots of questions in my mind, which I may never have the answers to, but I am simply trusting in the God who made me and also knows the plans He has for me. I like to call my whole hospital experience with the removal of the tumors "My Christmas Miracle". I felt like I was this caterpillar trapped in my own cocoon when I went into the hospital but when I came home I felt as if I were the butterfly - old things behind me & all things new! Now I am experiencing the "Butterfly Blessings" that God is sending my way every week! It is exciting to see God's hand in my life and each of His blessings have been beyond my expectations. I look forward with anticipation to each new "Butterfly Blessing" that comes my way!  My only hope and desire is that God can use my experiences to help and encourage someone else along the way.  I have learned to look at life as a much more fragile thing.  We have no real guarantees of tomorrow so I want to make the most of my "todays" and make each one count! 

The Mayonnaise Jar Lesson

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are
important to you...” he told them.

“So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Take My Son . . . .

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works  of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.They would often sit together and admire the great works of art... When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.   The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only  son. About a month later, just before Christmas,  There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands . . . He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.' The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.  It's a gift.' The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?' There was silence...       Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We              want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.' But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!' But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?' Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. 'We have $10, who will bid $20?' 'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice,         SOLD for $10!' A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'  'What about the paintings?'      'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!' God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?' Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!                                               John 3:16 FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE

Easter Dinner - Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Serves about 10

12 oz. whipped topping
1 small package of cheesecake pudding (just the powder, don't add the milk)
3 (6 oz) strawberry yogurts (I used Yoplait)
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, sliced (add just before serving or they brown)
miniature marshmallows (add just before serving)

Thaw whipped topping and in a large salad bowl stir together whipped topping, yogurts, and pudding powder. Let this set up in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. Wash and slice strawberries. You can add strawberries to salad or wait to add them with sliced bananas and marshmallows just before serving. Keep refrigerated.

This "yummy" salad will be going to my folks home for "Easter Dinner" at the farm this Sunday!  We will have good food, family, fun, laughter, and reflection of the past, present, and future. It is always a joy when the whole family gets together for special times like this.  A time of thanksgiving for what our Lord and Savior did for each of us - the price He paid for my Salvation - His Resurrection and sustaining power through the Holy Spirit - and His Preparation for those of us following Him as He guides us on this journey through life to Heaven.  What a reunion that will be then, with hosannas ringing out in celebration - home at last!

Are We There Yet?

How many times have you heard . . . "are we there yet?" from the back seat of your car?  In other words, have we reached our "destination" yet?

It would never fail when going on a trip, we would hardly get out of town and the kids would already be bored and start asking that dreaded question . . . are we there yet? And it usually continued until we did reach our destination!! It didn't matter if it was an hour away or eleven hours away, we still heard that chorus from the back seat in harmony with all three of the kids.  

I was thinking about that word "destination" which means port, goal, halting place, end, conclusion, finale, or close. Another word worth looking at is "digressions" which means - diverge, swerve, ramble, wander, deviate, stray, straggle, rove, dodge, meander, or veer.  I read a quote that used these two words along with the word potholes to shed some new light. It said, "Look forward to the journey and all of the potholes and digressions along the way . . . not just the destination"!

I will be the first one to look forward to the journey and it's final destination but to look forward to the potholes - to look forward to the digressions along the way!!   Whoa - wait just a minute - you mean to tell me that those are part the destination?!   

Well, needless to say, I have been thinking about that concept ALL week.  And thinking about every destination I have ever arrived at - there have been potholes and digressions!  Sometimes when the journey was long there were many and it was hard to dodge those nasty "potholes" - those "digressions"! Many times they were there when I least expected them.  Try as I might to avoid every pothole and every digression, there have been times I simply could not avoid them and ended up high-centered in the pothole!  Have you ever found yourself "there" on your journey?  And to top it all off while you sat there in the midst of this digression from the back seat you heard . . . "are we there yet"?!  



I thought back to the many "journeys" I have been on and the final destination of those journeys - Yellowstone Park, the Black Hills, Custer's Last Stand, skiing in Colorado, the Smoky Mountains, etc. and I remembered some of those potholes and digressions along the way.  No, I didn't "look forward" to them - I had my eyes on my "destination".  I was only "looking forward" to that destination!  I had not stopped to think about the things that happen along the way. My focus was only on the ending destination - did I make it, had I accomplished it, was I there yet?  

I had totally put from my mind the various people, places, and things along the way that brought me to my destination.  Some of the people, places, and things brought with them difficulties, trials, frustrations, and disappointments. In being so focused on my destination I forgot to remember that it is these very "potholes" and "digressions" of people, places and things that have made me who I am today and brought me to this place in my journey in life!  

What shape or form will the next pothole take on? Will I stop and recognize it as a pothole making up this life's journey? What digressions will I experience - will they be large ones or small ones? God only knows what particular potholes and digressions it will take to make me stronger for the journey. He knows what potholes and digressions will strengthen my faith in Him and build a bond of trust in His leading to this journey through life to that final destination - HEAVEN!  

Don't give up and lose faith because of the potholes and digressions along the way. They are there for a reason beyond our own understanding.  But remember that God rides along with us. He is there to help us avoid some of the potholes of life and sometimes He is there to help and guide us through those potholes and digressions along the way.  Either way just remember God is God and if He knows the way through the wilderness - He surely knows the best way "in", "through" and "over" the potholes on our journey . . . our journey through this life and ultimately to Heaven!

As I am sitting here typing this blog entry listening to a Bill Gaither CD, the song "Sweet Beulah Land" just came on - how appropriate as I pause to listen to the words. A song about a Journey to Beulah Land . . . Heaven!

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you. And someday on thee I'll stand. There my home shall be eternal, Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah Land.  

I'm kinda homesick for that country. To which I've never been before. No sad good-byes will there be spoken, for time won't matter anymore!

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you. And someday on thee I'll stand. There my home shall be eternal, Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah Land. 

I love to travel and see "new" places and experience and look upon God's vast creation with wonder and awe!  But as I journey among the "potholes" and digressions of this life I'm looking forward to that final destination . . . Sweet Beulah Land . . . Home Sweet Heaven!!  . . . "ARE WE THERE YET"?

Aging - Getting Old!

Well, today is my birthday!!!  Happy Birthday to me!! I love "Maxine" and her "years" of practical advice!!   I'm sure she must have seen it all in her days!!!  Really though, she can get by with saying things the normal everyday person won't think of really saying!!  But I'll take her advise on "aging" as I pass on to this next year.  I realize that I am one year "older" but I truly hope I have also become one year "wiser"!  It really isn't the number of candles on the birthday cake but the number of lessons learned in life that really count. The number of people's lives that I have touched and offered encouragement, joy, and laughter to. It is not only the number of lives that I have touched . . . but the number of lives that have touched me and been there for me.  2012 was a unique year for me wrapping up with my "Christmas Miracle". A MRI showed I had two malignant tumors the size of tangerines embedded in my brain. My "Christmas Miracle" resulted in removal of both tumors from the lining of the brain - not embedded in the brain and no sign of cancer! I thank all who have been there to encourage me.  I am looking forward to 2013 with great anticipation of new things, new hopes and new dreams. No longer in the caterpillar/cocoon mode but that of the beautiful butterfly soaring high in the sky and stopping to smell the beauty of each colorful flower along the way!  

Another birthday . . . another candle . . . another day!!!

Think Before You Speak

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto you, O Lord, my Rock and my Salvation". (Psalms 19:14)


Since my Brain Surgery to remove the two tumors back in December 2012, I have had go to Speech Therapy.  I have been working to reprogram some of my vocabulary to connect in the cognitive thinking area of my brain so I can communicate those words that are blocked and not connecting.  I may know the word and sometimes it is right on the tip of my tongue but I just can't communicate it. It is like it is just blocked out of my verbal communication.  So in Speech Therapy, I work on hundreds of words, their meanings, their opposites, I try to list as many synonyms as I can for a certain word and attempt to do all this within 5 seconds!  It is really quite challenging as I try to think of these words.  Some are really a struggle for me, others are a real breeze, and some of the words I just have to pass over and come back to them later.

Since I am working with all of these "words", I have started taking note, in a different light, of the many words and phrases people use and also those that are in what I read.  There are so many words - some I have never attempted to use! I must say that I am almost fascinated by them. Many of these words have different meanings with the different context of use. Even "opposite" words and their meanings come in different degrees!

Through all of these word exercises I am having to do, I've come to realize how import our vocabulary is . . . it can build up or it can tear down; it can spread rumors or lies or it can speak volumes of truth; it can help or hinder; it can encourage and inspire or it can put down and belittle; it can be necessary to speak or it can be idle, course joking and of little use; it can be kind and understanding or it can be hurtful and harmful.  We choose what we want to come out of our mouths, what falls upon the ears of our children, families, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers.  We choose with ever word.  Before you speak . . . THINK!  This is such good advice for all of us to remember.

I want to think before I speak and know what the words I am speaking are really saying. Psalms 19:14 says this, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto you, O Lord, my Rock and my Salvation".  During this time of speech recovery, I have claimed this scripture to stand upon. It is my hope and prayer that as my learned words reconnect to my verbal vocabulary they will communicate what is pleasing to my Lord.

"Delight in the Lord"

He (God) is so very faithful to His children!

Glazed Orange Bundt Cake

1 white or yellow cake mix
1 small package instant vanilla pudding
1 c. orange juice (fresh or made from concentrate)
2 T. orange juice concentrate
1 T. orange zest

4 eggs
1/2 c. oil

2 T. dry orange gelatin powder

Combine ingredients together until smooth. Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until cake is cooked through. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes to cool. Pour bundt cake out onto a plate. Make glaze.

Glaze:

2 T. butter, softened
2 T. orange juice concentrate
1 t. lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
3 c. powdered sugar
Dash of salt
Zest & juice from one orange

Combine glaze ingredients together and whisk until completely smooth (can do this with an electric beater). Drizzle glaze all over bundt cake once it has been turned out onto a plate and allowed to cool for 5-10 minutes.

My Christmas Miracle - Dec. 12, 2012

~My Christmas Miracle~ 

Wherever we are and whatever we're doing, God wants to be a part of it. 
When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might 
do for His glory! ~Dennis Fisher

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God‘s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
(I Thessalonians 5:16-18)





I have been on a journey that I was not even aware of.  I’m not sure when it all began and I don’t fully understand why or even how I got to the point I was at in this journey.  It seemed that I was just there.  Looking back I can see tail-tail signs that this journey had begun at least a year ago (February 2012) and maybe even before that in 2011.  I have no real recollection of it beginning as this journey was so gradual. 

As this last year progressed I had good days and a few days I just did not feel myself but could not pin-point what was the matter. I was not really sick, so to speak, but just not quite myself. As the summer progressed into  fall I had friends that sensed I was not myself, either.  I was distant, unemotional, and could never decide where we should go to eat!! I did not realize that this was frustrating them, even making some of them mad at me and some even thought I was mad at them - when I was not. "In my mind", I saw no change in myself and thought everything was as usual.

They suggested I go to the doctor and that maybe I was just depressed. The doctor gave me a prescription for depression.  This really did not make any difference. I would sometimes have a bad day and then go two weeks feeling fine. At least that’s the way I saw it in my mind. Finally my girls noticed that I sometimes had difficulty expressing myself and communicating and was just not the same “mom“ they had grown up with. Not the mom I used to be!

On Wednesday, December 5, I got up to go to work and just did not feel well - I could not tell you what was wrong but I just did not feel right. I decided to call into work and let them know that I would not be in and was not feeling well. That is what I thought I said when I called the church and got the answering machine. Later I found out that what was recorded on the answering machine was, “Pastor, this is Diana and ah and ah - I want to - to leave a mes-message”.  That was not at all what I was thinking I was saying and I did not even realize that was the message I left until that was later shared with me.  About 11 AM the Pastor came over to the house to check on me and see if I was alright. I told him I was staying home, I did not feel well and wondered why he did not check the answering machine!!!  He said that was fine-take all the time I needed until I felt better.  What I did not realize was that the Pastor had also noticed a change in me. I usually answer the phone “1st Church of the Nazarene, this is Diana” but there were several times that week that I could not think of “1st Church of the Nazarene” - I was just a blank - so I wrote it on a piece of paper and put it beside the phone. My girls stopped by to check on me that same day that I stayed home and later told me I looked like I had been run over by a semi-truck! I was really out of it. I had a headache but didn’t bother to take any Ibuprofen until Liz told me to take some. I went to work the next day and must not have looked much better because the Pastor told me to go home at noon and rest. I did not understand because I felt fine . . . at least in my mind I felt just fine.  I went home and that afternoon my girls, Liz and Hannah, called the doctor and more or less forced me to go see him that same afternoon on Thursday, December 6. The girls told the doctor that I was having trouble talking and communicating. I would try to say something sometimes and then I would give up and just say “never mind”. The doctor perked up and immediately ordered a MRI for the next day. So on Friday, December 7, I had a MRI and was told to return to my Doctor and the three of us sat and waited in his office until the end of the day when he finally came in with the copy of the MRI in his hand.  He said I had brain cancer. There were two malignant tumors, each the size of a tangerine embedded in my brain and I was to go directly to the hospital and check in from his office.

None of us had eaten lunch or supper so we went to Burger King on our way to the hospital.  I rode with Liz and Hannah went home to get Noah, my son, and they met us at Burger King.  On the way, I called my mom to tell her. I was already pretty much out of it in that I was having trouble talking and could not really carry on much of a conversation.  Liz filled mom in on the details.  I guess I also called my two brothers but I don’t remember even talking to them. The three kids and I discussed the situation as best as I could while we ate and then headed directly to the hospital to be admitted - that was Friday, December 7.

From that point, I hardly remember anything - just bits and pieces.  The Doctors came in and explained what they were going to do.  I expected to have my head shaved and go “wig shopping” but the surgeon just cut a nice little line 11 ½ inches long almost ear to ear up and over my head about an inch back from my hair line and left my incision concealed in my hair.  No wig was needed! 

I went into the hospital on December 7 and surgery was scheduled for December 10th. I was prepared and taken down for surgery and was in surgery for about an hour while the Doctor began “mapping” the surgery out with this “mapping machine” when the machine quit working.  So I was taken back to my room and the surgery was postponed until Wednesday, December 12. (12-12-12!)  I was glad that the “mapping machine” did not quit working half-way through the surgery - what would have happened then?!  Looking back now, I see that was a blessing or a miracle from God! So many people came and went as I laid there in that hospital bed and there were many prayers going up for me from my family, friends, church families from nine to ten different states and I know God was listening to them all! So many things were said and had happened leading up to this surgery but in spite of all of that there was a "peace" that passeth ALL UNDERSTANDING that had settled over me and I knew this situation was entirely in God's hands.

Wednesday, December 12, came around and I was once again prepped for surgery.  This time it was the real thing.  Somewhere between the MRI on Friday and surgery on Wednesday another “miracle” came from God in that the MRI stated that I had a malignant tumor embedded in my brain and when the Doctor got in there - yes, there were two tumors the size of tangerines but they were not embedded in my brain but just between the lining and they were NOT malignant!  Miracles do happen, don’t they?!

I came home from the hospital, December 18, just before Christmas and went to my parents to recuperate. I feel like I went into the hospital like a "Caterpillar" trapped in his cocoon but I came out of the hospital like a "Butterfly" in flight seeing the world in a whole different light!  We had a very “low-key” Christmas.  I had not done any shopping but the kids and everyone understood.  Everyone just said me coming through this was their best Christmas present!  WOW! My son wrote on Facebook that this was the best Christmas he had ever had . . . Because his mom came home from the hospital and was with him again!  (This is where I started crying! LOL!) My girls kept saying, "our mom is back - she’s back”! I remember right after my surgery everyone kept saying, “she’s back again”. What I did not realize was that everyone said my whole personality was back to the “real me” again! I did not realize how big the tumors were until I went back to the Doctor. The Doctor, nurse, and the PA each told me and showed me the size of each of the tumors. Each one really was the size of a tangerine! They also said if I had not went into the hospital and got started on the massive doses of steroids (to stop the swelling) right away that most cases like this were fatal.  That kind of made me think and realize how thankful I was for God’s “clock-work” - His perfect timing indeed!  I just call it my very own special  “Christmas Miracle”!  Even through my stuttering and stammering, it was the most “heart-felt” Christmas ever!  Truly “my” Christmas Miracle!

My recovery was just beginning.  I was not able to talk or make much sense or even able to express what I was "thinking" most of the rest of the time in the hospital.  I would think something and something entirely different would come out of my mouth . . . and some of it was absolutely hilarious!  My daughter said I was quite entertaining there for a while!!  I could see people trying not to laugh at the crazy things I said but some of it was so funny even I could not help but laugh. The old saying "laughter is the best medicine" is so true!! What I was thinking and trying to communicate was entirely different than what came out of my mouth!  Others must have thought it was permanent because they were so serious and did not know whether to laugh or cry!  Thank goodness it was not permanent!  By the time I left the hospital I was starting to communicate a little bit and everyday got just a little bit better and clearer.  I started Speech Therapy and they had originally told me I would probably need to continue for 6-9 months, so I started the therapy two times a week after I went home.  Another miracle is that in two months I am now going to therapy just one time a week. It is very challenging and hard work but God is helping make the improvements and adjustments I need to make.  Both the therapist and the surgeon are amazed at the progress I have made in just two months!  I just told them that I had a lot of prayers going up for me, I have a BIG GOD, and HE really is the GREAT PHYSICIAN!! I have learned to appreciate God’s handiwork as I have learned so much about the workings of the brain and it’s different “learning centers”. Truly we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”   

I can now communicate fairly well, drive, and am back to work part-time working towards being back full-time again.  The "communication blocks" (words that I know in my mind and am thinking and trying to say, are just blocked out of my vocabulary) are getting to be less and less of a struggle for me.  It is so encouraging to know that God does hear our prayers and answers in miraculous ways beyond our comprehension . . . even when we are not in the state of mind to pray for ourselves as was my situation!  All I can say is, “I have a Great-Big-Wonderful-God.”

Thank you to ALL of you that prayed and I want you to know that YOU had a huge part in “MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE” sent straight down from God to me personally!  

(12-12-12)

A Different Type Of Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember, that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night, is a single mother, who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember, that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day, is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember, that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Help us to remember that those in our country that do not speak 'our' language may be able to speak the language of love, if we would be patient, and understand that they feel alone, and out of place, and are looking for a new beginning from a place of poverty, persecution, and hopelessness to a place of security, freedom, and a promise for a future.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts, not just to those who are close to us, but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judgment and quick to forgiveness and patience and empathy and love.

The Carpenter

 Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

 

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer 

to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge .. A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother..
"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, to build a bond of "love", "peace" & "sacrifice" like this type of  "LOVE".

Thanksgiving Roses - for you!

 

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind.
Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a "minor" automobile accident stole her joy. This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss. Troubles had multiplied. Her husband's company "threatened" to transfer his job to a new location. Her sister had called to say that she could not come for her long awaited holiday visit. THEN! Sandra's friend suggested that Sandra's grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.
"She has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder.
"Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered. "For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life, but took her child's?"
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk.
"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.
"For Thanksgiving? Do you want the beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the 'Thanksgiving Special'? I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?"
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong."
Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."
Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer, "Hi, Barbara...let me get your order."
She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.
"Do you want these in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers?
She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed.
"Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again." She said, as she gently tapped her chest.
Sandra stammered, "Ahh, that lady just left with, uh....she left with no flowers!"
"That's right, said the clerk. "I cut off the flowers. That's the 'Special'. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."
"Oh, come on! You can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra.
"Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do, today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very ittle to be thankful for. She had just lost her father to cancer; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery."
"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk. "For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel."
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.
"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and I NEVER questioned Him why those GOOD things happened to me, but when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, "WHY? WHY Me?!" It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of my life but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we'r afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."
Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about the thought that her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is, I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."
Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" the clerk greeted the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement...twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.
"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously.
"Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?"
"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem. The Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny, here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us.
As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too...fresh."
"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious.
We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."
Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment.
"I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.
"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."
"Thank you. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

It read:

My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."
Praise Him for the roses, thank Him for the thorns.

Just for Today

Just for Today ...

.. smile at a stranger

.. listen to someone's heart

.. drop a coin where a child can find it

.. learn something new, then teach it to someone

.. tell someone you're thinking of them

.. hug a loved one

.. don't hold a grudge

.. don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"

.. look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are

.. don't kill that spider in your house, he's just lost so show him 

   the way out

.. look beyond the face of a person into their heart

.. make a promise, and keep it

.. call someone, for no other reason than to just say "Hi"

.. show kindness to an animal

.. stand up for what you believe in

.. smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind

.. use all your senses to their fullest

.. cherish all your TODAYS

~ Author Unknown

Verses That Guide

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Jeremiah 29:11’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Psalm 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 2:6-9 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.

Twinkies

In an effort to clarify questions about the purported durability and unusual physical characteristics of Twinkies, I subjected the Hostess snack logs to the
following experiments:

Exposure

A Twinkie was left on a window ledge for 4 days, during which time an inch and a half of rain fell. Many flies were observed crawling across the Twinkie's surface, but contrary to hypothesis, birds -- even pigeons -- avoided this potential source of substance.

Despite the rain and prolonged exposure to the sun, the Twinkie retained its
original color and form. When removed, the Twinkie was found to be substantially
dehydrated. Cracked open, it was observed to have taken on the consistency of
industrial foam insulation; the filling, however, retained its advertised
"creaminess."

Radiation

A Twinkie was placed in a conventional microwave oven, which was set for
precisely 4 minutes -- the approximate cooking time of bacon. After 20 seconds,
the oven began to emit the Twinkie's rich, characteristic aroma of artificial
butter. After one minute, this aroma began to resemble the acrid smell of
burning rubber. The experiment was aborted after 2 minutes, 10 seconds when
thick, foul smoke began billowing from the top of the oven. A second Twinkie was
subjected to the same experiment; this Twinkie leaked molten, white filling.
When cooled, this now epoxy-like filling bonded the Twinkie to its plate,
defying gravity it was removed only upon application of a butter knife.

Extreme Force

A Twinkie was dropped from a ninth-floor window, a fall of approximately 120
feet. It landed right side up, then bounced onto its back. The expected
"splatter" effect was not observed. Indeed, the only discernible damage to the
Twinkie was a narrow fissure on its underside; otherwise, the Twinkie remained
structurally intact.

Extreme Cold

A Twinkie was placed in a conventional freezer for 24 hours. Upon removal, the
Twinkie was not found to be frozen solid, but its physical properties had
noticeably "slowed." The filling was found to be the approximate consistency of
acrylic paint, while exhibiting the mercury-like property of not adhering to
practically any surface. It was noticed the Twinkie had generously absorbed the
freezer odors.

Extreme Heat

A Twinkie was exposed to a gas flame for 2 minutes. While the Twinkie smoked and
blackened and the filling in one of its "cream holes" boiled, the Twinkie did
not catch fire. It did, however, produce the same "burning rubber" aroma noticed
in the irradiation experiment.

Immersion

A Twinkie was dropped into a large bucket filled with water, the Twinkie floated
momentarily, then began to list and sink. Viscous yellow tendrils ran off its
lower half, possibly consisting of a water-soluble artificial coloring. After 2
hours, the Twinkie bloated substantially. Its coloring was now a very pale tan
-- in contrast to the yellow, urine-like water that surrounded it. The Twinkie
bobbed when touched, and had a gelatinous texture. After 72 hours the Twinkie
had increased roughly 200 percent of its original size. The water had turned
opaque, and a small, fan-shaped spray of filling had leaked from one of the
"cream holes." Unfortunately, efforts to remove the Twinkie for further analysis
were abandoned when, under light pressure the Twinkie disintegrated into an
amorphous cloud of debris. A distinctly sour odor was noted.

Summary of Results

The Twinkie's survival of a 120-foot drop, along with some of the unusual
phenomena associated with the "creamy filling" and artificial coloring, should
give pause to those observers who would unequivocally categorize the Twinkie as
"food." Further clinical inquiry is required before any definite conclusions can
be drawn.

So be it said that I will not be eating "TWINKIES"!!!