The Littles

                                                       Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                       everyday is a journey.



One holy Church of God appears
through every age and race
unwasted by the lapse of years
unchanged by changing place
S. Longfellow

When my grandchildren were small, my Aubrey had this way of calling them the "Littles" and the nickname quickly stuck. Well, the "Littles" are no longer little. In fact, one is a freshman in high school already and the other fast approaching tween-hood! Six years have passed and in children years, that can be huge!

When we first met! How could I not fall in love with these two? 

The original "Littles," Tim and Hannah.

Halloween, Christian style!

Merry Christmas from the Littles.

First day and last day of school.

My favorite picture of these lovable two just having fun on a hot Summer day.

Ready for the new school year!

Chilling on a hot Summer day!

Chilling on a different level!

Eight grade graduation! The Littles are not little any longer. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Lazy Morning

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


Consider the lilies of the field, 
how they grow; they toil not,
 neither do they spin: 
yet I say unto you, that even
 Solomon in all his glory
 was not arrayed like one of these.
--Matthew 6. 28, 29.

I didn't want to get up. The bed was comfy, warm and utterly peaceful. Silence all around me. One could hear a pin drop. I knew it was somewhere mid-morning, but I didn't care. Why can't I just lay there and do nothing? Why do I need to get up at all?

Responsibilities, that's why.

The problem is that it's not just today. I have this feeling almost every morning. This feeling of not wanting to do anything at all. Some people would call this depression, but they're wrong. I am not depressed, but on the contrary. I am quite happy, filled with Joy. 

I think the problem lies with this deep and hidden desire inside of me to run away from all responsibility. A life where there are no rules, but freedom to live out our purpose. It's almost like I'm looking for Heaven. 

 I want to sleep whenever I feel like it. I want to eat whatever I want to eat. Who cares about weight gain? Maybe all I want to do is crochet and watch all my favorite programs? Maybe not.

Life cannot be all about doctor visits, schedules, appointments and work. There has to be rest. There has to be relaxation. There has to be days filled with nothing. I am looking for those days more often. 

This past treatment took so much out of me. It certainly took a long time away from me. At least, that's how I've been looking at it. I want time away to refresh and smell the roses. Wouldn't you?

Have a blessed day everyone.

Thursday Ten

                                                                      Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


The comfort of a mind at rest
  From every care Thou hast not blest;
  A heart from all the world set free,
  To worship and to wait on Thee.
A. L. WARING.

No matter how bad my week, month or year may be going, I'm always full of hope. One has to be, because if hope is gone, there is nothing except emptiness. Hope is the one thing that motivates our being into moving forward. 

This week has been a tough one and I easily could have turned it into a woe is me kind of time. Satan is never too busy to lie to you or to me. He has been certainly very busy with me these past few days. So today I wanted to focus on and write down ten things I'm very grateful for to remember how blessed I am every single day.

1. My provision.
I have everything I need. Everything. I shall not want. God has provided for me. I have food, water and shelter. What else do I need?

2. My car.
Probably for the first time in my life, I feel secure in the car that I own. I've never had a vehicle in such great condition. I have made a vow to myself to keep the maintenance up on this car for that very reason. I'm loving our little Herschel. 

3. Our jobs. 
I say our jobs, because I mean Emily's as well as mine. Only God would have made it possible where we work across the street from each other within the same time schedule. You will never convince me that He does not exist. 

4. Our apartment.
I know that all of you are probably so tired of me exclaiming how much I love our place. It certainly isn't the decor, but definitely the ambiance. 

5. My Ministry.
I don't think I could ever find the words to express the absolute Joy I receive from my Crocheting Ministry. For many years, I've served in a Church Ministry teaching Sunday School. Those were wonderful times that I will always cherish, but I've found a deeper love of serving my community. 

6. My computer. 
This may sound crazy to you, but having a computer has opened up a huge world to me. I've met so many wonderful fellow women out there in social media that have come to mean so much to me. I often write about the dark side of social media, but if we use it for good, there are so many benefits. We can communicate instantly with our loved ones, meet interesting people that we can help or they help us. 

7. My cancer.
You must think I'm absolutely nuts, but my life changed for the better since my diagnosis. I'm living my life out now and that's something I didn't do back then. I went through the motions, but I missed my purpose. Yes, my life is better since the cancer. 

8. Ah, the children. 
I shake my head every time I think of my youth. You see, I didn't dream of marriage and children like all my friends. I wanted a career, but God had other plans for me. He gave me children and now grandchildren. I'm so glad. God's plan is always better. I'm still amazed that they want to hang out with this old lady.

9. Jesus.
Without His Mercy, Grace, Love and His Death on the Cross, I wouldn't be here. I cannot imagine my life without Him in it. It's that simple. #Dropmic.

10. This blog. 
Who knew six years ago, that I would still be here writing out my thoughts on this journey of mine. This blog has been with me during some of the most darkest and loneliest times of my cancer. When I needed an ear, you were there. When I needed prayer, you prayed. I wrote for my own sanity never expecting anyone to be interested in my struggles. Every time I post a story, I'm amazed at the following. Thank you for being there along for the ride. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Here And There

                                                    Everyday is a brand new day,

                                                     everyday is a journey.

There's nothing bright above, below,

From flowers that bloom to stars that glow,

But in the light my soul can see

Some feature of the Deity.

There's nothing dark below, above,

But in its gloom I trace God's love,

And meekly wait that moment when

His truth shall turn all bright again.

--Thomas Moore.

It's been a very busy month for us. We've never shared the same work schedule before, so things always worked out fine. There was a person at home at all times. If she worked days, I would be home. When I worked nights, she was at home. Now, there is no one at home.

It seems so weird to come home and no dinner is waiting. It seems so weird for the place to be so darn quiet when she works on the weekends. There is nothing, but silence around here even with all these apartment dwellings. Nothing, but silence. 

Every so many months, I try to change it up here on the blog by using different backgrounds. Whenever I read other people's blog's, I sometimes feel like they are so much more advanced in their style than I am. Their blogs are so techno,  filled with witty and inventive categorized posts. Their "click here" to view any post from the last ten years, fills me with envy. I wish I was computer savvy so I could upgrade the technological side of blogging. 

For now, I guess I should be happy that at least I'm using a keyboard and not a typewriter or in longhand. I'm not that far behind in the times. So even if I cannot make this blog more futuristic, I can at least make it pretty.

As I've written in the past, I've been working on more long term crocheting projects rather than whatever I'm feeling. I really missed that random skill making. For this past weekend, I laid aside my projects and simply just crocheted.
I cannot explain how relaxing I found this to be. A wicker basket full of yarn by my favorite chair, while watching my favorite shows on Netflix. What a wonderful time. I wish there was more of it. 

All of this brought on more pondering from me. When we made this move, we ended up saving not just a few bucks, but also time. So how come I'm so behind? I do sleep more here. It must be all the quiet from not living next to a street, especially a busy one. Being off in the second row of apartments really buffers quite a lot of noise. 

Last night, I did view a spectacular sight out my bedroom window. It was thundering and lightening. God put on a beautiful show for me. You see, there are no other tall buildings at that end of the apartment. All one can see is an open sky. I am looking forward to Summer and all the beauty that comes with it. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Something To Read

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


We cannot kindle when we will
The fire that in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides:
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
MATTHEW ARNOLD.

From time to time, I post some of my favorite books that I've read. Last Summer, I made a commitment to reading more and not just acquiring books. The following are some of the latest books I've read. Hope you can enjoy these as much as I have.

The Precious Present
By: Spencer Johnson
When I first opened this book, I wasn't sure if it was a child's book or an adults. As soon as I began reading, I realized this is a story in poem form. I have to admit that I was completely taken in trying to decipher what the precious present could possibly be. I almost took a peek at the end to see the answer, but I didn't. There is a great moral reminder here so it came to no surprise that this book has been a favorite for many years. 

Last Year's Resolution
By: Robert Lampros
It seems that lately I have been reading a lot of spiritual self help books. This is not one of them. This is a story of a Christian writer and a journalist. This is their love story formed right before the End Times. As I read the story, I could see what the author was trying to convey. My only fault with the book (and many others that choose this subject to write about) is that they never portray the End Times in the horrific manner that surely will occur. Whenever I think about the Book of Revelations, I think of Resident Evil or The Walking Dead. I have no qualms, fantasies or illusions that it will be horrible here on Earth.  

Jesus Among Many
By: Ravi Zacharias 
I've been wanting to read this book ever since I have heard an interview Dr. James Dobson had with Ravi. He spoke about this book and my interest was piqued. My desire to  learn more on the subject of different religions and Jesus, is a thirst that cannot be denied.  This book answers the question What makes us different from other religions. 

All About Me
By:Philippe Keel
I've held onto this book ever since my Joey was a small boy. It is not a book one reads, but instead fills in answers about themselves. I consider this a great book for a tween or teenager as they rediscovers themselves. The questions range from the personal to the historical to memories to fears that they may have. There is a section, a very small two page, on sexuality that would not be appropriate for youngsters. In fact, I have torn that out since I'm thinking of passing on this book to my 14 year old grandson. . . . with his parent's approval, of course. 

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I have. Have a blessed day everyone. 

It Happens So Quickly

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.




Come, children, let us go!
We travel hand in hand;
Each in his brother finds his joy
In this wild stranger land.
The strong be quick to raise
The weaker when they fall;
Let love and peace and patience bloom
In ready help for all.
G. TERSTEEGEN.



I don't know how I get myself into these things. It always happens so quickly before I truly have time to comprehend the consequence of my volunteering. I have a nasty habit of raising my hand whenever someone is looking for help. It could be anything like Sunday School, driving someone, babysitting, setting up or bringing a dish. My hand immediately goes up.

I don't really understand why I do this, especially when I'm way over scheduled. Usually, I somehow manage to get it done, mostly by staying up majority of the night. This time, I think I truly have bitten off more than I can chew. 

I've written about these past due projects that I'm trying to catch up on and finish. It's a slow process and I mean slow. I have this one huge one that I'm struggling with, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm nearly there. 

My problem here is that I feel I may actually have a problem. Why do I immediately jump in, volunteering my time even if I don't have any to spare? Take last night, a fellow co-worker shows me a sweater in a catalog, asking me if I could make this for her. Now, I have never made a sweater in my life and here I am contemplating that maybe I could try. 

Now, if that isn't horribly sick, then I don't know. First of all, when did I think I could make it or how was I to fit this sweater into my schedule? What is wrong with me? Is there a void inside of me that needs to be filled? Do I need to feel needed? What is my problem?

I do have to admit that I want to do these things. None of this is against my own wishes. I just wish I was able to do all of them and there were no time constraints. This is how I view my retiring years, serving others. You see, I want to spend my time volunteering and being there for others. This is my idyllic life. This is how I want to spend my retirement. I just need to remember that I'm not there yet.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Ovarian Cancer

                                                      Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                       everyday is a journey.


I was deeply impressed 
by what a gardener once
said to me concerning his
 work. "I feel, sir," he said, 
"when I am growing the 
flowers or rearing the 
vegetables, that I am having
 a share in creation." I
 thought it a very noble way 
of regarding his work.
--J. H. Jowett.

Ovarian cancer, I definitely never gave it a thought back in 2007. I was busy living my life, arguing about things that didn't matter. Everything was a rush and everything was more important than relationships with others. I was angry at the world, at my family and definitely at how my life was turning out. Being happy was something I had no idea how to be.

I can admit all of that now. At that time, I didn't realize just how angry and miserable I was. I thought I had everything in check and felt that life was as good as it would get. This was life. I couldn't have been more wrong.

It took me a few years into my diagnosis to understand what ovarian cancer represented. I was really quite ignorant on the issue of my cancer. I didn't understand any of the cancer terminology. After visiting an ovarian cancer support website, I realized how naive and uneducated I've been compared to others. 

Everyone knew their CA125 scores and I didn't even know what that was! In reality, I felt embarrassed about my lack of knowledge. How can I talk to others about this cancer if I don't know anything about it? My advice to fellow cancer survivors? Learn all you can about your type of cancer. Don't be like me, educate yourself right away.

When people meet me for the first time, they are surprised at my positive attitude towards my cancer. To them, "I look fantastic, unlike a victim" and they marvel how accepting I am of my disease. Little do they know, all of this didn't happen overnight. It took all of these ten years to get me here. They're seeing a good part of me, but not the whole part.

People ask me advice in regards to many things cancer. I can only speak from my own experience. There are a few things I can offer as solid advice to anyone that is going through any type of illness.
1. Learn all you can about your disease.
2. Don't push people away from you, but draw them to you.
3. Accept all offers of help no matter how small.
4. Take control of your health and do everything to become as healthier as you can possible be.
5. Don't stop living life.

I don't hate my cancer. I honestly believe it has helped me become the best that I can be. It brought it out to the surface the life I was meant to live. How can I hate that?

Have a blessed day everyone.