Day {30} of 60 to 60

Hi Friends

Welcome to Day {30}

Of my 60 days to 60

Half way there and being honest

It's been a tough few days for me

I won't bore you with details

Here are a few photos from the past 5 days

I treated myself to a post rain storm walk

Although there were no rainbows

I found the gold for the day

ADOT

Sure can come up with some fun 

Highway signs

Caught the 'love' sign this week

Got my Flu Shot

Important when you work in a pediatric office

Received a new piece of AZ petrified wood

To go with the two I already had

Cleaned out my [2] sock drawers

Some sweet people received some brand new socks this week

And, I reduced my collection to only [1] drawer

However, a friend had challenged me to reduce this by 1/2

Not sure it will happen, but I'll try

Had my Sunday dinner with kiddo #2

Where did we eat this week?

Yep, Texas Roadhouse Again

He LOVES Steak

Little glimpse of the full moon

Need to learn more about my camera

Volunteer Night

Thanks for stopping by

IF you happen to think of me this week

I sure could use prayers

Blessings to YOU 

Some Thank You's

Hi Sweet Friends

Thank you for stopping by today

You always bless my heart

I'm praying you are well and

Have enjoyed a Beautifully Blessed Weekend

Today I wanted to share a few Thank You's

First

I want to thank so many of you who have prayed

Over the past few weeks and even months

For some of my friends and my own family

Prayer is so very powerful

And I am grateful to know

That God hears our prayers

"Before they call I will answer;

While they are still speaking I will hear"

Says the Lord."

Isaiah 65:24

So Thank YOU for praying

I'd like to also Thank my blog friend Noreen

She blogs over at 

Life Blessings

She was away for a little trip

But didn't say where she was going

I guessed where she was and who she was visiting

Noreen so sweetly sent me a few gifts

From her trip

You can Never go wrong

Sending me something with a 'beachy' theme

I LOVE it all

AND ...

This little item is what has started my New Collection

Val - Noreen's friend

Who lives on one of the Islands and blogs at

My Girlz Got Paws

Was so very sweet to send me a piece of sea glass

To go along with Noreen's package

Hence, I have a new collection ...

Well, sort of

I want to have a collection

I guess you need 3 of something to call it a collection

So, I'm on the Hunt

Sea Glass - My newest Obsession *SMILE*

Thank you Noreen and Val

Finally

I want to Thank Stephanie

Who blogs over at 

The Enchanting Rose

While participating in her 8th Tea Cup Exchange

I happily sent a second package

To a sweet lady who didn't receive hers

I surely didn't do it to receive a gift

However, Stephanie is so very kind

She sent a really sweet package

I promise I have not even opened the chocolate YET...

But will soon

I Love the cookbook and have been perusing it this past week

The chicken pot holder is just my colors

And super fun

Thank you Stephanie for blessing my home

Again, thank you for your prayers

For stopping by and leaving such encouraging comments

I would Love to pray for you this week

If you or someone you know has a need

I would be honored if you left me a comment

Or sent a PM so I can pray for that need this week

It is My Greatest Privilege

May you be Blessed with Joy

Prayers Requested

Hi Sweet Friends

It has been a difficult week

For several people I love

Would you mind lifting up the needs

Of these precious friends please

"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear," says the Lord." Isaiah 65:24

1. Dianne

Dianne is a sweet coworker whom I've known for 9 years.

She is a busy wife, mom, grandmother, sister and nurse practitioner

On Saturday evening she and her hubby, sister and brother in law

Were involved in a serious ATV accident

Fortunately Dianne was the only person

Who suffered serious injuries

They were a 3 hour drive from a hospital, So

After being transported to a local hospital via AirEvac

Dianne was diagnosed with several broken and fractures

Bones in her pelvic and hip area

She has had surgery as well as blood transfusions

She is doing well but will be off her feet for

Probably 2-3 months and will then be able

To begin weight bearing therapy

This will be a huge challenge for her

Because she is such a physically fit woman

I know she will heal well

However, I'm sure she will be challenged

Emotionally and Mentally

Praying for healing in all areas of her life

"I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord, my God."

Psalm 38:15

2. Michelle

I met Michelle and her hubby and daughter 8 years ago in church

I had the joy of walking her hubby through a new believers class

And a family friendship began

During the month February, Michelle's mom began having pain

After numerous tests, specialists and finally surgery

Barb was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer

Just 2 weeks ago

Unfortunately, Barb (Michelle's mom)

Passed away on Tuesday morning

Just hours after being placed in hospice care

Barb's service is tomorrow

Please pray for her family

For Michelle, Steve and Kendahl

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers." 1 Peter 3:12

3. Renee

I have known Renee since she was a wee little tyke

She is the youngest of three kiddos

Who lived two houses down from our family

While we lived in SoCal in the 1960's - 1970's

My sister, brother and I all went to elementary

School together with her sister, brother and herself

We've stayed in touch over the years

And encouraged each other through

Life's ups and downs.

Renee is younger than myself by several years

This morning Renee became a widow

Her husband passed suddenly this morning

She lives across the country

And I won't be able to comfort her personally

But I do ask for prayers for her

For her sister and mom as they travel from their homes to hers

I know the brokenness she is suffering right now

And my heart aches for hers

Some of you are widows and know the deep

Sense of loneliness she will face in the

Days, weeks and months ahead

I appreciate any prayers, good thought and Cyber Hugs

You are will to share with her

Life

It is so very Precious

So Very Fragile

Very Short

Hug a loved one or friend today

Look them in the eyes

Let them know how much you Love Them

Thank you for your Prayers

{17} December Daily ~ Selfless

 

 

Hi Sweet Friends

Selfless
Not me
But my oldest son

The man who sits with his precious family
 

Gave
Twelve years ago today
A kidney
To his adopted father

I've shared the story previously
How he had left home
Never wanting to see us again
So we began to pray

"God whatever it takes"
To help him realize that our family
Is exactly where you planned for him to be 
 

 

Three short weeks later

Mark was diagnosed with complete kidney failure

His only hope of survival

A transplant from a perfect match

 

God had a plan

For 9 months later

Our sons perfectly matched kidney

Was transplanted to Mark

Which gave him

7 years and 7 days of new life

 

And our son

Well, he heard directly from the Lord

This IS the family I've chosen for you

 

Yes

God heard our prayers

Through trial

He brought our family back together

Never Give Up

 

And Now

 



 

K~Baby

 



 

K~Bel

 



 

K~Bug

 



 

Have a Hero for a Father

Who selflessly saved a life

And gives of himself daily

For his precious girls

 

Mr. A

Your momma will Always love You

And will Never forget your Gift of Life

 

And so it is with God

Who selflessly Gave Jesus

His precious Son

For us to have

Life Eternal

 

If you don't know this Jesus

Please allow me to pray with you

I'd love for you to meet Him

 

Blessings

 

 

 



Thankful Thursday

Hi Sweet Friends,

It has been a quiet and peaceful Thursday
I had my little K~Baby today
She is so very sweet and such a joy
She was pretty low key today
So, that made the day restful
And, after the past two weeks
That is exactly what I needed

Matthew is home from his 10 days of treatment
We are learning to navigate these new and uncharted waters
God is doing a mighty work within my spirit
Each day I learn more about grace
And unconditional love than I thought possible
 

The past couple of days have been sweet

I received a beautiful package in the mail yesterday

From a blog friend (Deb)

Who blessed my heart with these fall goodies

And even a few pieces for Christmas

My birthday is Saturday and she just wanted

To let me know that I was being thought about

I cannot thank you enough Deb!!

Because I'm taking Friday off work and 

I'm always off on Thursday

The office staff had a fun and delicious lunch for me yesterday

BBQ chicken, homemade mac n cheese

And a host of other treats

I also received flowers, balloon, and gift card

Then, in the mail this week I received

A couple of cards from other sweet bloggers

Who really have lifted my spirits in recent weeks

Along with a couple of gift cards and birthday wishes

 


Being hospitalized last weekend
And having my son in the hospital as well
Along with all of the 'challenges' we are facing

Today
I am SO very grateful for those people around me
Who have taken time to:
Pull weeds in my yard, take care of my dog,
Send a card, note or comment on a post
Like or 'heart' a photo
Give me a hug or word of encouragement
And drag me to Yoga

YOU have blessed my week and helped to
Support me as I take each step 
Along this new and very challenging path

YOU are my HERO's

I am Thankful on this Thursday
for YOU

Blessings to All

Written With Permission

Hello Sweet Friends,

"Consider it all joy, my friends, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

That is the scripture I based my blog on when I started it in 2008, 745 posts ago.  Since that time I have striven to find joy in the everyday things of life. I don't always succeed but I do attempt.

However, this week I have struggled to find one moment of joy.

I have been faced with one of the greatest challenges of my life.

Second only to my husband's passing on Christmas Eve 2010.

In 1985 I began praying for an unborn child, 
One that was sure to have a challenging life.
There was no way to know, at that time, that Mark and I would end up raising that little child as our own through foster care and later adoption.  I've shared previously that he had a fragile prognosis at the time but has thrived in the nearly 30 years we have loved him.

 
He is kind, compassionate and funny,
Strong-willed, independent and loving.
He has brought joy to my life and I love him dearly
And I Always will

However, 96 hours ago he announced to me
That he wants to be a girl and go through transgender treatment

I am still in Shock
I do not know how to do this
I love him and will always love him

But honestly friends
This is not something I am prepared to accept or support
It goes against everything I believe
It is breaking my momma heart
And I have been Honest with him about this

Why do I share such a private and personal trial?

1. In hopes that you will pray for us.

2. In hopes that there is someone out there who has walked this path and will reach out to this momma.

3. Because someday, when we've walked a bit further down this path, there may be one person who is just hearing those words, whose heart will be broken, who wants to do it right, and who is scared, numb, angry, sad, broken and just needs support.

I am not a victim!!
I am a woman, a momma, a widow who will 
Attempt to walk this new path
With grace, dignity, love and somehow find JOY in the midst

I won't always do it right
I will make mistakes
But, with God's grace and guidance
I will do my absolute best
As a Christian and as a Momma
To walk this path and bring Glory to God

 

If you need me, you can find me here:

Source 

Thank you for allowing me to share
Thank you, in advance, for your prayers

Back to regular postings next week

Blessings
Looking for JOY
 



Update on Melissa

Hi Friends

Thank you so much for your Prayers

The Momma of this crazy family

Is Home!

The doctors have not yet come up with an answer

To her critically low hemoglobin and iron numbers

But after 2 bags of iron, 2 bags of blood and IV fluids

Plus a clean pelvic ultra sound

They felt comfortable sending her home

With several referrals for a couple more tests

We are grateful for prayers and

A God who answers them

We are grateful for you

We are grateful that she is feeling some better

Levels still need improvement

But that will take time

Find Joy is something little today

 

Carol Update and A Winner

Hi Friends,

 I have a quick update on my blog friend Carol

She received her new liver on Friday

It was a very long day for both she and her nephew

As well as for surgeons and family

As of today

Carol and Brian are both doing well

Brian has been up walking around and 

Getting ready to head home soon

Carol's recover will be a bit slower

But she has been up and is on a diet of clear liquids

Including clear booster protein drinks

She's a trooper and I'm sure she will

Bounce back soon and be healthier

Thank she has been in 14 years

Praising God

Next,

I believe I have finished the mural wall in my back yard

No peeking because my pool is filthy 

So, you'll have to wait 

Until I have time to clean it

And...I just might need to do a bit or touching up

Over the next week or so

But, I'm putting all of my paints and tools Away

It's been a fun challenge

Just Remember

When I do the reveal

I AM NOT AN ARTIST
Just a girl willing to play

Finally

I had my son pick a name from the hat

For my 700th post giveaway

The winner is:

 

Rose

From Musings, Meandering and Merriment from Rose

Congratulations!

Thank you everybody for you kind comments

For loving me through life

And for words of encouragement

They mean so much to me

Blessings for a Beautiful Week Ahead

Prayers for a Friend and The Giveaway

Hi Friends

In the early years of blogging

I met some wonderful friends

While participating in on-line Bible Studies

One of those friends is Carol

Carol is a sweet woman who lives in California

(My home state)

She's married and has a beautiful daughter

She has been waiting for a liver transplant for many years

Well, friends

The time has finally arrived

Carol is in the hospital being prepared

To receive part of her nephew's liver

Transplant is near and dear to my heart

As kidney transplant gave my hubby

An extra 7 years and 7 days of life

Will you please pray with me

As Carol and her nephew have surgery

And go through the recovery process

Updates can be found on Carol's Caringbridge site

HERE

Thank you my dear friends!!

Now, don't forget to go over to my 

700th post to enter the giveaway

Click here -----> 700 GiveAway

 

I will be drawing a name on Sunday afternoon

So, go by and enter to win!

It's a tiny way to say thank you for 

Loving me through 700 blog posts

 

Blessings for the Day