Thankful Thursday

I am joining Iris and a thankful bunch of gals on this Thursday. We have so much to be thankful for and God loves a thankful heart. I am thankful for much today.....

* After a rough day at chemo yesterday and finding out my Dad has lost even more weight (12lbs just since I left) and having to have fluids intraveneously for the first time during chemo, he had a much better evening and was able to eat some soup. Again my opinion is the dehydration issue and am praying that he too will see AND recognize this to be a serious issue. He is pretty much bed-ridden and I found out the doctor has asked that he at least get up and make the long journey out to his mail box at least once daily but preferably twice. We will see.

* I am so thankful for my sweet and kind husband. I had alot of pain yesterday in my shoulder and have had alot going on since I have been home. (I did schedule surgery for Sept 18) When he got home from his long day at work he noticed my pain and went and ran a hot bath for me and made sure I was taken care of....what a gift he is to me.....Thankyou LORD!

* We spent some time with the kids in Colossians 3 last night. Each reading a portion sharing what it meant to them specifically and then moving on to the next. Funny how the LORD orchestrated who read what :) (my husband read the part about not embittering your children or they will be discouraged, Jen read about anger, I read about clothing myself with kindness, compassion etc) because I had spent time earlier in the day reading this and repenting and felt the Lord prompting me to share this with the kids and HE sooo anointed this time together! Thankyou Father!

* I am sooo thankful the kids had a great first day. Jantzen was thrilled with his teachers and although he didn't get to lunch until 1....yes they arrive at 7:30 and normal lunch was at 12:10 it is just a part of the first day adjustments and praying today is much better. He told me he couldn't wait to go back ....oh ya KIM, he didn't get his locker open for a while either but finally it worked ....PHEW! :) Jen had a good day! Math has always been her weakest subject but this years teacher is straight from JESUS. doesn't like giving homework ~ they work together in class and she give quizzes not tests..." can I get a HALLELUAH!"

* I am also thankful for Bailey the horse. He was able to roam the pasture in total freedom and bliss Tuesday. He is such a fighter and I just praise God for helping him and allowing him to be ok!

LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL......I am thankful for each and everyone!

1st day of School

I truly can't believe it......summer is gone and school has begun.

Jenna is a Junior this year. She was up and ready to go EARLY. A big group of friends met for donuts so when I asked for the traditional "first day picture" she was rushing me to say the least ;)



Notice, she has her back pack on, IPOD in one ear, keys are in her hand along with her Training clothes so she is prepared for the day.

Jantzen is in the 6th grade. This is the first year that all of the elementaries (total of 8) come together and go the 6th grade center. It will be quite a change and he definately had those 1st day butterflies.



I am so anxious to hear how their day went!

August 18,2009

August 18, 2009
For Today...

Outside my window... RAINING :) & much cooler HALLELUAH

I am thinking...about my Dad, school starting, and so many who are struggling right now

I am thankful for... a home filled with Love, Friendship, and Laughter. One final day before school starts. The Strength the Lord is giving me each day in regards to my Dad.

From the kitchen...salads, I am going to make fish tacos here for the first time (wish me luck), brisket, chicken

I am wearing... Jeans, meet the rams tshirt and a rain jacket to go out today.

I am reading... When Jesus speaks to your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie, Take 2 by Karen Kingsbury, The Principle of the Path, and The Noticer

I am hoping...and trusting that all that we have been praying for in blogland feel the Presence of God falling on them each and everyone.

I am praying.. for my Dad, for Alleluiahbelle & Ron, Kats Uncle who just passed away and her mother, All of those on Beth's page and Andreas page, Rosel & Donna @ Seaglass, Lisa and her 7day Lay it down girls, and for all of the kids starting school

Around the house...getting things ready for school and sooo not ready for my kids to go back!!!

One of my favorite things...seeing my precious grandaughter, she is just soo cute and funny

A few plans for the rest of the week... going to get school clothes, taking my son to get a haircut.....oh my!! and going to pray over their schools tonight. Meeting with some friends in the morning to have coffee and catch up :)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
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Isnt she silly.....clearly I didn't know what she was doing or I would have been cracking up!!

Love and Blessings to you all today!

A day at the Movies, a win, and a prayer

After I had seen a couple of friends post about this movie plus my mom telling me how good it was, I asked my DH to take me to see this. I also wanted to see the Time Travelers Wife as well, so we decided to make a day of it. I really liked the Time travelers Wife but I must say I have been in a romantic gushy mood since I have been home with my honey! Upon reading about this movie on FocusontheFamily.com I knew it wasn't a movie that I wanted to take our teenage daughter along with her boyfriend to see, so, we invited them to go with us to see Julia & Julie. My daughter was bummed but it is one I will see with her on a girls day :) It truly is PG13

On Julia & Julie, I must say, I agree .....any and all bloggers must see this movie! We can so relate! Being somewhat of a new blogger myself I saw the transformation in Julie that I have experienced. Such as....the excitement of our first comment, our obsession, our realization that we can, and do at times, put this blogging above our families and balancing that out in time, and even the point in which she is told by her oh so sweet hubby "DO NOT BLOG ABOUT THIS!" hee hee! Yep I have experienced each and every one of these! This movie is wonderful....I laughed, I cried, I learned alot about Julia and didn't know this was a true story even about Julie! I love the wonderful portrayal of marriage in this movie because their husbands were supportive and they communicated, loved, worked hard TOGETHER no matter what life threw at them and they believed in each other! It just made me love and appreciate the relationship I have with my husband because he is sooo like the men in this movie! I think too after seeing this movie he understands why I love blogging so much and here is just why I say this:

When I opened my computer this morning I went to Incourage to read their post for the day and they happened to be announcing the winners of their Limited Edition Incourage tshirt. Out of 250 "what incourages you" posts I was one of the lucky random chosen WINNERS!!! I called my husband and told him and he was earnestly excited with and for me! He is so precious!
This is Holley with DaySpring sporting modeling this tshirt! She is a sweet lady as are all the women involved in this website!



On a side note I have to ask for prayer for my Dad today. This has been a hard weekend and today he actually cancelled all clients and for the first time is NOT going to work because he is just tooo exhausted. He is sleeping most of the time and I found out yesterday that most food has become to painful to eat. He was able to eat a shake yesterday but that is it. Smoothies have become to painful due to the acid from the fruit. I know the Great Physician is at work and I just ask that you all would come in agreement with me for the Lord to strengthen Dad, mininstering to HIM and as HE draws him near that my Dad would long to know and accept JESUS! I love each of you and thankyou as you come before the Lord on my Dads behalf, it humbles me so!

Love and blessings to you all!

Spiritual Sundays

I am reading Hearing Jesus Speak into your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie. This is from the chapter Hear Jesus Speak of His healing for YOU.

I am Jehovah=Rophi, the Lord who heals. Healing is not just something that I do; it is my very nature, reflected in my name. I am the source and sustainer of life itself. So in your sickness, look to me. I want to heal you.

And I mean really heal you-not just heal your body in a temporary way, but heal your spirit, soul and body in a pervasive and permanent way. I want to bring you to the place of complete wholeness I created you for. My healing work has already begun in your life--it began when I first drew you to myself. The deeper you go in me and the longer you abide in me, the more healing you will experience.

It is my healing touch that soothes your ailing body, your aching heart, your troubled mind, and your weary soul. It is my touch that heals you from the self-absorption that consumes you, the apathy toward me that depletes you, the lust that brings you shame and regret, the materialism that leaves you unsatisfied, the unforgiveness that isolates you from others- all the sin that has made your soul so sick.

I know it is never comfortable when my Spirit shows you the areas of your life the are offensive to me. I'm not trying to hurt you by calling attention to your sin; I'm helping you. Won't you let me love you in this way? Just turn toward me and begin to confess those sins rather than ignoring them or trying to hide them. I wont turn away from you. I will cleanse you.

This repentance Im calling you to is not a one time things. Im asking you to make it your way of life. As you live in brokenness before me, I will continue to show you the things in your life that keep you from closer fellowship with me--not to condemn you or discourage you, but to draw you into the full and free life I have for you.

On the cross I dealt decisively with your deepest and most destructive disease, and even now you are being healed by my wounds. There I destroyed the power of sin to rule your life and determine your destiny.

I am not unmoved by the pain in your life. As you lay it before me and invite me into it, you will find me moving toward you bringing you peace.

adapted from Exodus 15:26, Acts 17:25, Heb 1:3, Rom 6:13, John 15:4 NKJV Luke 6:19, Luke 5:31-32 Mathew 13:15, 1 JOHN 1:9, Eph 5:26 Phil 1:6 John 16:8 Col 3:5 1 Pet 2:24

for other posts go here

Note from Dad

I have to be honest. I was broken hearted when I read this weeks note! I did NOT want to post it and I think you all will understand why. Satan counterfeits everything from Jesus. A sermon, power, a book. Gods power is available to all of us Eph 6:10 says be strong in HIM and in His mighty power. Jesus teaches the true sermon on the mount in Mathew 5,6, and 7 in HIS WORD. I shared with my dad when I spoke to him on Friday that sooo many people had prayed for him on Thursday and I believe that is why he felt so much better on Friday. (This was before he ever wrote this note)

As I prayed, cried out to the Lord asking for the deceit to be revealed and Truth to be received by my dad, it was in that time that I knew I should ask you all to come in agreement with me. I read a story posted on the InCourage website written by SarahMae about her mother who was an alcoholic and only had 2 months to live. She heard the voice of God clearly telling her to put down her Vodka which she did and has since surpassed her doctors diagnosis and 10 months later is still here and living for HIM! It gave me great hope and has encouraged me to continue to believe that my dad can also accept Jesus! His gift of Salvation, His Forgiveness and life Everlasting!

My dad knows that I post his notes but he does not read my blog. I am not sure why. He has seen his prayer button and I would read comments to him from each of you which he appreciates and is very humbled by but for whatever reason he doesn't read my blog. Anyway ~ here is his note.

Doug Woods: "The Sermon on the Mount" by Emmet Fox

Doug's Notes|Notes about Doug|Doug's Profile
"The Sermon on the Mount" by Emmet FoxShare
Yesterday at 10:07pm
I’ve been out of pocket this week – mostly because of fatigue. I couldn’t even muster the energy to get on Facebook. I think the accumulated radiation treatments took their toll on my energy. I worked each day, but then I spent the evenings resting and trying to get my energy back. My best day was today – after yesterday’s chemotherapy treatment. I felt the best I’ve felt all week.

Fortunately, yesterday’s chemotherapy treatment went without a hitch again. I did react to the sedative they gave me. It was the first time the sedative had an effect on me. The way I knew things weren’t going well was when it took me an hour to write a 4-line email to my assistant. I couldn’t get my fingers to type correctly and I kept starting over and making errors. After I finished that one email I shut my laptop down and didn’t work anymore.

This week I finished 5 more radiation treatments (bringing the total to 23 of the planned 28) and another chemotherapy treatment (for a total of 5 of the planned 8). I will have my next chemotherapy treatment this coming Wednesday and my final radiation treatment will be on Friday. After this week’s chemotherapy treatment, I will have two more – each three weeks apart.

Besides fatigue, my throat is still sore from the radiation and I still have a cough. For my throat, I am taking some medication before I eat. It helps. For the cough, I take some medication when I go to bed. At least it allows me to get some sleep.

Barbie and I made some progress on preparing for the EMDR but we didn’t get started on the actual process. Hopefully, we will do something this weekend. I am very anxious to start as I feel there are some big rewards that will come from the going through the process.

-----------------------

Personally, one of the most important books I think I ever read is a book by Dr. Emmet Fox entitled “The Sermon on the Mount”. I read this book about five times during my second year of sobriety. It had a profound impact on my life and how I viewed and dealt with things. Dr. Fox’s book was very influential in formulating many of my views. I picked it up again this week and began to read it again.

Just to sidetrack a minute…I think that the period around the mid-1930s was a remarkable period. There is so much correlation among the great thinkers of that period. Some of the people who lived at that time were Dr. Fox, Carl Jung, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob (AA’s co-founders). One thing I think is remarkable is that they all had a hand in the formation of AA and in a couple of cases they did not know their actions contributed to the formation of the organization.

Back to “The Sermon on the Mount”: The following statement by Dr. Fox is one of the transforming statements that had an impact on me. Dr Fox wrote: There is “a source of universal power that is rightfully yours. ‘This Power’ is the real source of all things that exist. It needs only to flow into your being and transform itself into health, into true prosperity, into inspiration, or into anything else you may be needing. The Power is there. It is present everywhere. It belongs to nobody in particular because it belongs to all. It is waiting at all times for men and women to call it into use – not merely in crisis, but in every problem however small every day of your life.”

Dr Fox continues: “The fact that most people do not suspect the existence of the Power does not change the fact that it is there.”

It was the idea that this Power was available to me (and everyone else) that opened my eyes to the possibility that I could open myself and let It transform me. All I had to do was to “seek systematically to destroy in myself everything which I knew should not be there, things such as selfishness, pride, vanity, sensuality, self-righteousness, jealousy, self-pity, resentment, condemnation, and so forth – not feeding them or nourishing them by giving into them, but starving them to death by refusing them expression.” Obviously, I fall far short of achieving this lofty goal, but it is something I work toward each day. When I am aware of one of these defects, I try to not give into it and by doing so I grow.

This approach applies to how I deal with this cancer. I don’t fall into self-pity – nor do I give into fear. I have no resentments about this disease. I know the Power is available to me and I am trying to let it transform me into health, true prosperity, and anything else the Power thinks I need. I have come to trust this Power and let It work in my life in any way It thinks best. I expect to continue this approach and attitude as I deal with this tumor.
Doug Woods

Please join me in praying for the TRUTH to be revealed to my Dad. JESUS the one and only is the teacher of all of these things and the giver of life, the healer. He alone will show us how to live, renew our minds, and how to die to our flesh by giving us HIS nature. It is in HIm that we grow and it is in HIM that we have Power!

Love and blessings to you all

Friday Funnies

I got this in an email and knew instantly I wanted to share this as my Friday Funny this week. For other laughs go visit Kim here.


Life's Two Questions:

Should I get a dog?



~ OR ~

Should I have children?



No matter what situation Life throws at you....No matter how long and treacherous the journey may seem...
Remember there is always Light at the end of the tunnel



Have a great day and remember....always give thanks



Cats are so very dramatic ;) I love them soo!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Love and Blessings to you all!

Thankful Thursday

I have been waiting for today to share with you many reasons I am thankful today!

I am thankful that I have a husband who cares about our children and today he is taking our son away to have some quality time and have "THE TALK" I did this years ago with Jenna. We call it the "adolescent trip." James Dobson has a tape series and he covers everything....peer pressure, purity, body changes, sex and making the decision TODAY to say NO! etc. Moms take their daughters and Fathers take their sons. Go away to somewhere fun and listen to the tapes while driving and you have LOTS of discussions. I have referred back to this time with Jenna in numerous conversations still today. I Highly recommend this but the information is very direct and only you know your children and what information you want them to know.

I am thankful for the gift of friendship. Rosel made a gift for many of us. It is a gift from her heart. She is an amazing woman of God. A prayer warrior and a woman who KNOWS and SHARES the Word with all who come in contact with her. Here in blog-land or those that she meets at work or in her daily life. She a such a blessing and I have come to cherish her friendship more and more! Isn't this beautiful! I can just see and feel the Love she poured into doing this! Thankyou Rosel!



I am also thankful for Kat! She has been such an amazing friend to me. It's like we are sisters! We share a deep bond and the Lord is definately the head of our friendship. Kat had the creative idea to highlight new blogs and she chose mine to be the first one. So during the time I was traveling home she gave this award to me for being her blog of the week. She too, designed this herself! WOW .....these women are so talented! I love this woman and thankyou Kat from the bottom of my heart!




I am also thankful that in a post like this I can share a prayer request and KNOW that you all will pray fervently! That means so very much. From the day I left my dad has gone down hill. He has become extremely fatigued, has no appetite and sleeps alot. I know all of this is because of the treatments so I am not scared or panic but it just is hard to see him like that. Trust me ~ I know this could still be much worse!!! But I am just praying for his Mind. His Spirit, His appetite but still most importantly ....SALVATION.

Love and Blessings on this Thursday....I am oh so thankful for each one of you

HOME SWEET HOME

Can I just say that being home has been absolutely heavenly AND absolutely crazy at the same time? Can anyone relate? Catching up and listening to my kids share has been wonderful. I LOVE listening to my kids, being with them, laughing and being silly too. We have been doing that non-stop it seems since Sunday. Along with that we have been picking up their schedules and doing all the necessary things before school starts. Both kids are attending new schools this year(meaning moving from MidHigh to Highschool or from elementary into Junior High) so we have spent ALOT of time walking their classes making sure they have their schedules down and won't be lost on the first day! This is also the first year my son will have a locker so we "made sure" he was able to do his combination many many times. (This has seemed to be his biggest concern) It has been fun watching them get excited for the new year and seeing all of their friends and finding out if they have classes together.

Praying for what teachers they will get begins way before the next school year starts and this year the majority of the teachers are really good (thankyou LORD!). My daughter has a class with a group of kids that she is already saying "OH BOY, wonder what the Lord is going to teach me with this class." Hearing her say that made my heart fill with joy! This group of kids would not be her favorite group but she has learned over these past few years that turning away from such situations DOES NOT make them go away, they will come up somewhere else in someone else, or in some other situation, guaranteed IF you don't listen and learn to what the Lord wants you to see, to learn or to know and/or understand!

One thing we started doing a few years back is going to their schools the night before school starts and taking who-ever of their friends wants to go and allowing each one child to speak out any concerns/fears they might have regarding the schoolyear. This may be peer pressure, teachers, friendships/relationships/ purity etc. Whatever is spoken we pray against these things and cover them with Gods Word and promises asking HIM to cover and protect each one represented. We allow the Holy Spirit to bring whatever HE wants spoken to and for these kids. It has proven to be such a peace-filled thing and a foundation for the school year. Living daily for HIM and seeking HIM daily is key to making these things come to pass but knowing that a foundation has been laid has been a gift to me, and to our kids and their friends. They see their parents, and know that we earnestly care for them, and their friends and their school year, but more importantly they KNOW their Heavenly Father is with them and will walk with them each and every day. HE is there protecting them, giving them wisdom and speaking through them to other children who may or may not know HIM. It isn't just going to school to learn~ it is being a light for JESUS that really matters.

Love and blessings to all of you!

A new website

I shared with you all about my friend Jennifer and the new website she has been able to be a part of called InCourage. Well, today is the grand kick-off and they are asking for us to share what (In)courages us. I have to say, for me, I am filled with (in)couragement by so many things but today I have to say.....It is truly by the man the Lord chose and made just for me. My husband ~ Brian.

He has been an amazing support to me this summer. He has been mom, dad, housekeeper, caretaker (yes my daughter had her wisdom teeth cut out while I was away and he is THE BEST nurse!) chef, and so much more. All of this and he still went to work everyday and he has NOT COMPLAINED one bit! He has been there to listen, encourage and pray for and over me no matter what time of day or night! He has given me laughter on days that literally carried me through !! When he was able to come to Florida to spend time with my Dad he worked tirelessly on whatever my Dad needed him to do. My Dad told him

"Brian...A few days ago I told Loren how grateful I am that you are her husband and Jenna, Jantzen's & Krista's father. You are an example of what every father should be. You have a deep spiritual life, you show how much you love your children, you are a light for them to follow, and with Loren you have created a family that everyone wants to model. It has been my pleasure to know you!"

Yes, this is the man the Lord chose for me....THAT.....Incourages me! Thankyou Honey for EVERYTHING you have done, for loving and caring for me so wonderfully, for supporting me in everything I do and for being the most kind, loving and caring Father. For working so hard for all of us each and every day no matter where you are ~ at work or here at home. For being the example of Christ and ALWAYS pointing us to HIM! I love you and praise God for you every single day.