Incredible Blessing

Recently, our pastor asked me if I would share my testimony and the journey that God has taken me on the past few years. God had already placed a desire in my heart to share my story with the hope of encouraging others, so when Pastor Greg asked me, I knew it was a "God thing". My desire is for people to know that with God by their side, they can handle whatever trials life brings their way!

What an honor it was for me to share my story on Mother's Day weekend! You can watch the video here. (click on the video for May 11/12 and my story is near the middle of the video) I pray that God will bless you and give you courage and strength to handle the storms in your life! I can testify to the peace and joy He alone can give! Trust Him with your life today!

Praise be to the God...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The church surprised us with a trip for our family to go to San Diego! WOW! Yes, I cried when Pastor Greg told us! We are so blessed to be a part of such a fantastic group of believers at Palm Valley Church!!

I thank my God every time I remember you! ~Philippians 1:3

Reflections of a Mom

Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that these two little girls are grown and I have three grandsons! Where did the years go?

I remember when I was 18 and the doctor told me I would never have children because of the severe endometriosis that started when I was 16. Art and I were married in July of 1979 and by September, the doctor had me scheduled for a hysterectomy. The night before surgery, I called and cancelled the surgery and told the doctor I just couldn't do it...I wanted to be a mom so bad...I needed more time!

With the help of a specialist, I eventually gave birth to each of the girls. Stacey in March 1981 and Sherry in November 1982. Three months after Sherry was born, I hemorrhaged and had no choice but to have a hysterectomy...I was 21 at the time.

I am so thankful that God allowed me to have my two beautiful daughters! What a blessing they have been. I loved the "little girl years" and had a lot of fun with them during their "teenage years"! I've never forgotten the two miracles that God performed in my life when He gave them life!

My first Mother's Day was so special as I celebrated being a new mom. It was an incredible feeling as I held my little baby girl in my arms. Then, what a special time when I had two little girls to hold in my arms on Mother's Day! This year was another memorable Mother's Day as I celebrated with my two daughters by my side...their arms wrapped around me, this time! They have been two of my biggest supporters during my fight against breast cancer. God has truly blessed me!

I love you girls...you're amazing young ladies!

Update on Dad

It appears that he has a staph infection in his blood. They are concerned that the infection may have gone to his heart, as well, and will be doing a scope to decide.

My Dad

Dad was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on Mother's Day. Yesterday, we also learned that he has an infection in his dialysis port and they think it has spread to his blood. He is in pain and feeling weak. They have him on strong antibiotic IV's while we are waiting on results of his blood work. (sounds too familiar)

Mom told the nurse on Sunday, "well, we spent Valentine's Day and our anniversary here, so we thought we'd come back for Mother's Day". I'm glad she can smile about it all.

I would appreciate your prayers for them.

Happy Mother's Day

(From left to right...my brother, Steve, my sister in law, Cindy, Art, me, my brother in law, John & my sister Karen with my mom and dad this past Christmas.)

My mom is a remarkable woman! I admire her for her strong relationship with the Lord and I cherish my childhood memories of her sitting at the table reading her bible and praying. What an example she was for me growing up.














(Here are my parents with their grandchildren and their spouses, with the exception of my niece Danah and her husband Tom, who live in WI.)

My mom has faithfully prayed for each of her grandchildren from the time they were born. The grandkids had a lot of fun times at grandma's house, playing and swimming in the pool. I love to hear them reminiscing and laughing about those memories, now.















(Here they are with their great grandchildren, Jaden, Evan, Seth, Dalton, Jacob, Josh & Lexie and we still have room for more!)

Great grandma can't get enough lovin' from the great grandkids! She loves to read them books and has even been caught running around chasing them with squirt guns! Can you believe she's 77 years old?

Thank you mom for the legacy you are leaving behind! You are such a blessing in my life!

Milestones

This past weekend, our pastor did a short video and in it showed a pile of river rocks, representing the milestones in our lives. It struck a chord with me and lead me to be creative with my Women's Home Team this week. We took small stones and wrote on them different milestones in our life...blessings and trials.

Here are a few of the milestones in my life:

1971 Salvation
1971 Baptism
1973 Met Art
1977 Female health issues began
1979 Married Art
1981 Stacey was born
1982 Sherry was born
1983 Hysterectomy which lead to depression
1988 Missionary work
1994 - 2000 Youth Ministry
2000 Jeff & Stacey were married
2001 Joined Palm Valley Church
2001, 2004, 2008 Grandsons were born
2002 Became a Realtor
2004 Sherry's Illness (she went missing for 5 months)
2007 Women's Home Team started
2007 Breast Cancer

These stones gradually shaped me and lead me toward the purpose God had planned for me. I was meant to be this person at this time for His plan and purpose!

In trials remember 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!"

In blessings remember Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!"

We each gathered up our milestones and placed them in a glass jar and set a small candle on top. As a reminder that Jesus is our light and His light should shine through us in blessings and in trials.



Let your light shine!

One Man's Trash...Another Man's Treasure

This past weekend, my girls planned a HUGE yard sale to help with some of my medical expenses. When they first approached me about the idea, I was not in favor of it, at all. I have difficulty receiving help or charity and would much rather be the giver than receiver. However, they are quite persistent (this I've known since their childhood) and they convinced me to give them my blessing.

It was an incredible two days of organized chaos! I couldn't believe the trailer and garage full of donated items to sell! I was a bit overwhelmed with it all and I wasn't even the one doing the work. They had two days of hard work, sweat and flies! However, in their normal fashion, they laughed and had fun doing it together! It was hard to imagine them selling some of this stuff but like they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

Each day, there was a steady stream of people coming and going. The girls had posted a sign that stated their cause, "our mom is fighting breast cancer". In addition to all the stuff they sold, many people were handing them change or dollar bills as a donation. They heard many stories of loved ones who had died from cancer or happy stories of cancer survivors. The end result was enough money to make a significant difference on medical bills! Once again, God is taking care of the details of my life!

Thank you girls for your hard work and for giving so much of yourselves to demonstrate your love! You've been a blessing to me from the day you were born and a tremendous source of encouragement these past 7 months! I can't imagine my life without you and I'm so proud to be your mom! I love you more than words can express!