Monday, October 24, 2011

Wiggin out!

Me and Sue!


Little bit of peach fuzz going on.....
that’s what’s on top of my head now.
My younger brothers have salt and pepper
hair a top their heads.....

so it only made sense, that since I can no longer dye my hair...
the color coming in is just that,

salt and pepper.


It was decided...a trip to the wig shop
was in order.
  after all, it'll be
months before
I get a decent head of my own hair.

Betsy in the mirror..I didn't get this one

My sweet, Betsy and a friend, Sue, volunteered
to bring me down to the Mall of Georgia.

We had a blast!!

Spent the whole morning trying on beautiful
wigs of many different styles and colors.

Betsy was such a dear, taking
photos of each prospect and texting
the pics to my daughters and
husband...

”This one?”
and
“How about this one?”

I got this one!


I finally decided on two and left
the mall with a new spring in my step.

It feels so good to have hair!

Joe and I spent a great weekend down in Woodstock
with our daughters and grandchildren.

We celebrated Nicole’s birthday, went shopping,
attended the Fall Festival my daughter organized
at her work, Trickum Animal Hospital, with all the little pets.



Chester as Batman



(It was a good deal of fun!)

We attended church and generally had a great
time with family.


IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE FEELING SO GOOD AGAIN! 


Thank you, Jesus, for my healing.
Thank you, Jesus, for a renewed faith
Thank you, Jesus, for your love...


“For all that you’ve done, I will thank You,
For all that You’re going to do,
For all that You’ve promised,
And all that You are
Is all that has carried me through,

And Jesus, I thank You.”

~ Hillsong ~



Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Heightened Senses





Crunch and crackle are the sounds
the leaves make beneath our feet as we walk
hand and hand around the lake at
Vogel State Park.

What a beautiful and glorious morning!
Joe promised me a walk in the fresh
Fall air...I’m needing the exercise and
it was a perfect morning for it.

It is exactly one mile around the lake.
We took our time stopping to check out
 the different leaf patterns and colors,
basking in His glorious creation.




Chester loved it....he was so excited
to be out of the house for a change.

If you live in Blairsville, or at least,
close by, I encourage you to
take time out from whatever you are doing,
get in your car and get to Vogel before
the season ends! 

It will be so good for your soul!
Rays of sun from heaven
shine through the trees and
brighten the yellow, orange, pink,
 burgundy and red foliage to
a fever pitch.

When one comes out of a very dark place
in life and into the light, everything, all your
senses are heightened.   

All of sudden, what I have taken
for granted...becomes important,
and so meaningful. 




The beauty God created for our enjoyment
is so inspiring and uplifting.
The awareness of God’s presence in
everything is so wonderful
to behold.

It reminds me of the song “How Great Thou Art” ;


“When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art!
How great Thou art! Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!


My timely devotion today;

“Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on Me.
I will open up the way before you, as you take
Steps of trust along your path.”

~ Jesus Calling ~

by Sarah Young





Sunday, October 16, 2011

Joy Comes in the Morning


UGH! NO CAMERA!!

I can’t believe I forgot my camera
on one of the best weekends
ever!

I went to church today!

Oh...it felt so good
to be among my fellow believers!

Such warm and welcoming folks,
it felt like home.

I hugged and hugged and greeted people
I haven’t seen in so long....

faithful prayer warriors.

The worship was exhilarating,
the preaching convicting,
the prayer at the altar with my husband...
renewing.

We were treated to brunch at
 Brasstown Valley Resort
 afterwards, by dear friends,
and had a wonderful meal and a
relaxing afternoon in a beautiful
location which boasted
in Fall finery.

Gorgeous!

I haven’t eaten that much in
a very long time :)

Joe and  I spent Saturday
evening with dear friends
at a birthday celebration,
the first social outing
I’ve been to in a long while.

My life is slowly  coming back to normal.

But, I am different....
I am not the same....

More on that later,
when I have had a proper
amount of time to pray and reflect.

I’ll end with a plea for prayer....
for my brother-in-law, Barry.

He’s in the hospital AGAIN with
yet another pancreas attack...
and this one just 4 weeks after a procedure
that we all thought was the
answer.

Please pray, my sister is being held up
by the Lord as she is battle weary.

Thank you, dear friends.


“...weeping may endure for a night;
but joy cometh in the morning”

Psalm 30:5





Friday, October 14, 2011

Apples and Encouragement





Apples, apples, apples
everywhere we looked!
What a glorious day for a
road trip!

Joe took me to the Mercier Apple Farm
in Blue Ridge this afternoon.

It was so good to
get out of the house!

I’ve had cabin fever for a few months.

What a beautiful day for a ride;
blue skies, gentle breezes and
leaves falling on the car
as we pass under the trees
(a few of my favorite things).

We unloaded apples (Jonagold),
apple cinnamon bread,
fried apple pies,
apple cider,
peach cider,
and a few other treasures
when we returned home.
Yum!

Thumbing through the mail,
I noticed a card from one of my dear friends,
Mitzi.

Such encouragement....

Let me share......


“Fear not for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
You are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And when you pass through the rivers,
They will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:1-2
(underline and italics hers)

The cancer came to pass, it did not stay!

I reached the other side!

She further encouraged me....

“I pray the waters, river, and fire only served
to remove from you what the Lord said needed to go,
and what has remained is a greater
reflection of Him
passing through you!!


Thank you my friends for your constant
encouraging cards and prayers...


I am forever beholden to you all




Thursday, October 13, 2011

Rain and Peace


Rain, rain, rain....
we sure do need it!

It makes the Fall leaves shine
 brilliant colors....gorgeous!

It’s been a good week so far,
With just a slight set back last Monday.

I think I did too much
the Sunday before with my walking
 and sightseeing.

Wednesday I was able
To go to my weekly
Bible study with the girls.

It felt so good to be with them,
Laugh, pray and study the Word.
Oh....and eat :)

My taste buds have made a full recovery!
Food holds pleasure once again....
what a victory!

Thank you, Jesus!




My meeting with the cat scan this morning
went well...except for the drinking
of the horrific white stuff.
I was able to keep it down, though
so that was good....what a relief.

Dr. Barnes will let me know
Monday what the final outcome will be...

But I already know......

Cancer Free!!!!

Not allowing myself to be tied
up in anxious knots.... I
receive His gift of peace.

It grows in me as I
Continue to trust in Him.

Therefore, circumstances can’t touch my peace,
I’m enjoying peace in His presence.


“All things work together for good
Of those who love, who love the Lord.
Why waste one minute when you can have
Peace in the midst of your storm”

~ Peace in the Midst of Your Storm – Kurt Carr ~



Sunday, October 9, 2011

Glorious Fall


Praise the Lord, My husband
arrived home from Belarus!

All is right with my world,
I thought as he bent down
to embrace me.

I could not stop the tears from overflowing,
I was so relieved to see him.

Apart from the prickly beard
(he forgot his shaver) he looked wonderful
 and none worse for the wear.

We talked into the night about his
wonderful time with the Belarusian
people and the work they
were able to accomplish.

It wasn’t well into the night,
 mind you, he was exhausted!

My weekend was awesome,
 to say the least.

My Joe was home, Tracy came up
and I just kept feeling better and better.

This morning I walked down the driveway
with Tracy and Chester with the wind howling
in the trees and the leaves falling
around us like rain....

It was exhilarating!

I wasn’t even out of breath,
which is quite a difference
 from just a few days ago.



Feeling on top of the world
we piled into the car,
after a breakfast of eggs and bagels,
and headed for Brasstown Bald,
to see the beautiful Fall leaves.

Gorgeous!

I even got into the courtesy van
which drove us to the very top.
We walked around the museum,
braving the wind, and
then back down to the parking lot.

I’m glad I changed from my bathrobe to a jacket :)

I have been so weak and Jesus
came in with His strength and I
feel almost whole again.

Releasing all my worries to Him
enabled me to lay quietly
in His presence,
allowing His light to soak
into me and He drove
out the darkness that
lodged within me.

Isn’t that beautiful?
Sarah Young encouraged me
in that way through my devotion,
“Jesus Calling”.

It’s been a lifeline for me.

“Hail Jesus, You’re my King
Your life brings me to sing
I will praise you all my days
Perfect in all Your ways”



Hallelujah!




Friday, October 7, 2011

A Big Mac?!


“Go out and eat a Big Mac!” 

That’s what Dr, Manfredi (my chemo Dr.) advised.
Thrilled as I was to hear I can eat what I want,
I couldn’t see myself eating one.

I opted instead for creamy chicken Top Ramen...Yum!

I had a good visit with the doctor.

My blood counts are really good
and he is pleased with my progress.

“Don’t push yourself and get plenty of rest”,
he admonished.

That’s what I am doing, taking
each day at a time,

 relishing in God’s grace and mercy.

My Father came by today and spent
the whole morning with me.

We had good conversation
 and he read to me from the Word.

I am so blessed to have my Father in my life,
He is a true joy to me.

I can hardly contain myself
 as today is the day
my Joe comes home from Belarus!

He will be so pleased to see
The progress I have made.

I can’t wait to hear the wonderful God stories.

Thank you all for praying for him and the team.
They have been covered in your prayers
And have been protected on high. 

Glory be to God!






Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Sharing the Attention






Chester and I have been healing together.

We’re sharing the couch and
sympathizing with one another.

He took sick with a stomach condition
And is now receiving an equal amount of
Attention....hmmmm.

Dogs are so funny.

They sense so much and I think he knows
How sick I’ve been...

He’s a little jealous.

It’s not like I’m not willing to share the attention,

I certainly have my share,

And it’s comforting to have him sit beside me
 all curled up and snuggled in close.

That is how I have been feeling lately.

I’m snuggled in and comforted by my family and friends
 who are with me around the clock
in the absence of my husband.

They bring joy to my heart
 and healing to my body.

Each day I feel stronger
and more grateful
for each accomplishment

Thank you, my precious Lord!
You help me find joy,
even in the most difficult
circumstances.

You bring me hope and
unfathomable peace.

I praise your glorious name
And sing Your praises on high!




Monday, October 3, 2011

Recovery

Surrounded by the finest care,

I am emerging from what felt like

death’s door.

My weeks stay in the hospital brought me from a sickly, weak state
 to a slow recovery.

A blood transfusion, white cell booster shots,
bags of nutrients and constant monitoring
restored my body from a grey to pink color.
My involuntary shaking ceased as well as the nausea.

My stomach is still cramping and I am battling fatigue,
However each day I feel a little better and better.

I’ve been admonished to stay out of hospitals, Doctor’s offices,
Away from the public, small children and anyone sick.

Joe is in Russia and in his absence my family
And friends have risen to the challenge
and care for me around the clock.

I am relaxing in His everlasting arms. 
My weakness is an opportunity to grow
strong in awareness of His mighty presence.

I read that in my devotional...so beautifully stated.

Here’s more; When my energy fails me,
I do not look inward and lament the lack I find there.
 Look to Him and His sufficiency;
 rejoice in His radiant riches
that are abundantly available to help me.

Thank you again for all your prayers, cards, thoughtful gifts,
 meals, time spent reading to me, errands,

       I can’t possibly mention everyone or everything.

I am loved beyond measure and am so
grateful to you all.

Please pray for Joe and the team in Belarus, and for my dear friend, Dana,
Whose cancer is still advancing.....

She needs a miracle!

Please pray for my continued recovery and a restoration of my taste buds.

I am focusing my attention on the path just ahead of me
And on the One who never leaves my side

~ Sarah Young ~