This and That Tuesday

Went to physical therapy and got yet another progress report....I am progressing ever soooo slowly but STILL, I am progressing! I increased 5 degrees in each motion. I am not yet 50% (of where I should be) in some positions and the most important one I want to be able to do is, be able to reach my arm up to blow dry my hair and/or shampoo it the way it is meant to!

Look at those arms!!! I will be there SOMEDAY!!!!


We did however figure out a new way for me to exercise those back muscles which will help in strengthening them! and EVERY BIT helps right :):)

Jantzen and Jenna find humor in reminding me that they are getting older. Jen will be 18 this year and my baby boy became a teenager last month **sniff sniff** I was sharing with Jantzen that I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic state with the thought of Jenna going off to college (I calmed myself knowing she has another year of highschool) and he began talking about when he leaves (just to ruffle my feathers) .....Love your babies because it goes sooo quickly!!

We were all together this weekend as a family ~ Our oldest daughter came over this weekend to get a haircut and her eyebrows waxed! Casey came along with our granddaughter Rylee ♥ and wanted to let everyone know he is doing much better. He returned to work today and will be getting his stitches out tomorrow. His jaw will be wired shut still for another few weeks. We told him we would all celebrate with a big juicy steak when he can eat again! I love when we are all together like that!

My brother Tony did a commercial tinting job and the lady who owned the business noticed his bracelet that he wears and Tony was able to share John Bucks story and tell her about the FundRaiser this weekend....she wrote him a check for $100 on the spot! Love those moments when you know God is moving in HIS people!

The grieving process is a difficult season and you never know what/how the grief will come on any particular day....Somedays I get by and only miss daddy while others come and I cry so many times throughout the day at random things....The other day I was on the phone with a company and the song that was playing while I was on hold sent me into a tizzy! This season in my life is hard and I know I have really pulled way back from many and for that I apologize....I haven't done any of this on purpose and pray they will understand that this is only a season....


Our doggies are doing great! Maggie (the new boxer) now weighs more than Tyson (the snorky) and is just the sweetest girl! She is doing great on potty training (just don't ask my husband ;) because you might get a different version!)

I will be annoncing a new book tomorrow....I am supposed to be reviewing it but I haven't even received it yet LOL but come over to my book blog and check it out


Love and Blessing

What are you drinking?

Some of you know I suffer from Chronic inflammation issues (which causes soo much pain!). Some days are better than others but I have started drinking this! It's organic Just Black Cherry Juice.....it tastes pretty good and I am praying I will see some benefits QUICKLY!

For those of you who visited my post yesterday and were not able to view the video ~ I FIXED THE PROBLEM AND YOU CAN WATCH IT NOW :)

Thank you for your prayers and kind words for the Buck Family! I know it means so very much knowing they have so many praying for them!

Love and Blessings!

Spiritual Sundays

I have shared my L♥VE of this Blogging Community and ALL the blessings myself and my family have received from soo many of you! Last May when my Dad was first diagnosed with lung cancer, my friend Edie, made him a prayer button and this was just the beginning of my heart bonding with so many of you as well as it speaking the depths of my Dads heart. The thing was ~ I never even asked Edie to do this! She just did it ~ because well, she's loving that way and shares her gift with so many and glorifies the Lord by doing this.

Galatians 6:2 tells us:

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

I experienced this Scripture through so many of you all! Walking along side of me, praying for Dad, sending notes of encouragement to him along with your prayers! We all rejoiced when Daddy shared of his acceptance of Jesus and we all knew he would be in Eternity face to face with his Savior if the day came ~ it did. Thank you all, you shared in mine and my Dads burdens! You obeyed the law of Christ!!

Well, now I am going to introduce you all to someone else and share their prayer button with you. I shared a little bit of Johns story in a previous post. John Buck is a Husband, Father, Son and dear friend to many, just to name a few! He was diagnosed in December with Stage 3 Head/neck cancer. He began treatment at MD Anderson and finished his final round of treatment on Friday February 12. When treatment is completed at MD Anderson you get to "ring a bell" Well, John's wife Jenny made a video of this final treatment and just before John rang the bell, they passed out a picture to others and he also held it up to the camera. This picture is of MY DAD! I shared in the post mentioned above that my brother asked my Dad in the days just before he died to be with John, to help him through this cancer battle. John and Jenny have clearly seen the evidence that Dad is fulfilling that request! My brother is in the process of doing a fund raiser for the Buck Family. To say this video touched me is an UNDERSTATEMENT.....This video is a gift.....a precious gift.



**NOTE: I am sorry I had initially set this to private but it is changed now and everyone should be able to view it....my apologies! Sunday @ 1:40 p.m.

I chose to share this post on Spiritual Sunday because I know so many come and visit, because this is a blog in which we are able to share the burdens of others! Thank you all sooo much for adding John and his family to your prayer list. Thank you for praying for a complete healing for John! Here is Johns prayer button and code if you all would like to add it to your blogs





Next Sunday is the Fund Raiser for his family! I simply CANNOT WAIT to see what God has in store!

Please go here for other Spiritual Sunday posts

TGIF

It's Friday ~ Praise. The. Lord.
Everyone needs to laugh and this guy does it oh so well! Enjoy and please go visit my dear friend Kim and share more laughs





Love and Blessings!

Pursuing L♥ve

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not Boast, it is not proud. 1cor 13:4

This week in Pursuing Love we are sharing as Marsha put it "The unloving twins" ~ boasting (bragging) and arrogance or trying to make others jealous of what we have. I appreciate how she shared this as well.
"While jealousy puts people down, bragging and arrogance puts ourselves up much higher than we desire." That statement right there immediately makes me think of small children and hearing them say "Well, I am better than you or I did better than that!"

We do think more highly of ourselves at times than we ought! Pride and Arrogance are so ugly! Not only are they ugly but they lead to false emotions/satisfaction. This can lead us to needing/wanting more and more of that feeling. How many have gone down the path starting out in love, honestly serving and end up experiencing praise and appreciation and how quickly it turns into just puting in the time and before you know it ~ we feel we deserve to receive the glory because afterall, we have done sooo much for the situation. In Proverbs 8:13 The Word tells us that the Lord HATES Pride and Arrogance!


I learned a few years ago to always always ask myself this question when doing something ~" Loren....what is your motive? and who is this about ....YOU or The person in which you are doing something for?" When we are honest with ourselves and ask ourself these questions, we will know if we are wanting the glory or if we are willing to do something even if we never get any glory whatsoever! This is sooo important in ministry! If someone is in a ministry and they are wanting to do it for the attention or for their name it will prove to be disastrous but if you are in the ministry to serve and to bring glory to the Lord then it will be blessed and well, so will you!

None of us are above being Prideful and Arrogant and for me I know it is something to always keep in check seeking the Holy Spirit and making sure my motives are in line with what God wants not what I want, or what I desire. Everyone loves a good pat on the back but when we receive one in a humble manner ~ Oye! It means sooo much more to us and more importantly to HIM!


Thank you Marsha ~ please go here and join her in Pursuing Love!

My brother Tony and His Beautiful Heart

I shared with each of you all the wonderful things my Talented brother did while we were sharing our final days with our Dad and then all that Tony did afterwards....Dads eulogy, His last note on Facebook, the Video etc. Yep ~ my brother got all the talent for sure! Here I could inject that while He got all the talent I got all the heart and well, that just wouldn't be true. My brother has been on quite a journey over the last few years. He has been through a very heart wrenching divorce but came out stronger and a wonderful Father through it all. He has grown leaps and bounds and continues to do so with each new day. My Brother is a Captain of the Tulsa Fire Department, he owns his own business Tinting cars and what a successful business it is. But it is none of these reasons that I am sharing about Tony today. I am so very proud of my Brother and all he has become but it is when we see his heart and love for others that just brings me to tears. You see, just hours before we lost our Dad Tony received a call from a friend notifying him that one of his Firefighter brothers (and trust me Firemen are a group of Brothers like no other) just found out he had cancer. Tony took it very hard! While we sat beside our Daddy in those final hours Tony would read things to my Dad ~ comments from Facebook, emails, etc. Some were so hard to even get out and I wasn't the one sharing them but would just cry with my brother while he spoke them to Daddy. Anyway, Tony sat there and told Dad about his friend John. He asked my Dad to help John, to be with Him and we both knew He would because that is the kind of man our Dad is/was.

When Tony came home from Florida his friend John had begun treatments at MD Anderson and Tony was in constant contact. Tony is a man of many resources and a HUGE HEART. He came up with the Idea of having a Fundraiser for their family. I need to inject here that my brother and I have had lengthy conversations about God, the Lord, My Saviour and Tony just listens and says "thats for you" but I know that God has Tony right in the palm of HIS hand and HIS favor is on Tony. If I could share everything that is happening this would literally be a book but suffice to say ~ many amazing things are coming into play for this Fundraiser, for this family John and Jenny Buck. I am believing for healing for John. He is a young Father, a Loving Husband, A precious Son, and a Fellow Brother in the Firefighter world. God is with all of you and is blessing this ONE DAY AT A TIME! I simply cannot wait to see how it all plays out.

I am sooo proud of you my sweet brother Anthony William. I love you with all of my heart!






Tony's artwork for the Fundraiser.....

What is your name?

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend....don't they just go wayyyy tooo fast???!!! It seems Friday comes and then before we know it we blink and it's Monday already...

I wanted to share this video with you all....We are the body of Christ....If We claim to be Christians then we bear the name of JESUS....

If any of you watch the Biggest Loser, (we do and LOVE it!!!) you may remember Sean from last season. He left early on but it was his reason for leaving that most affected me. He and his partner Antoine, knew they couldn't stay in place of the largest woman who had ever come to the Biggest Loser Ranch. He sacrificed himself for Shae, because she needed to remain on the ranch and receive healing and the help to change her life and the choices she had made to get her there. You see, Sean is a youth pastor and he happens to be from Oklahoma. He came to church and shared his testimony a few weeks ago. We were learning about our influence on others. Sean shared with us that when he was asked by the shows producers "You are a Youth Pastor? Sean said "Yes, I am." They asked Sean "Are you sure that is what you want to be?" Confused Sean said "Yes, why are you offering me a job?" (I have to share here that Sean is quite the funny young man and was only kidding in this question but here is the point of their question) "We want you to understand that if you are claiming to be a Youth Pastor you are the face and example of all Christians and we will put ALL you do in front of millions of people~ Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Wow talk about influence! Sean told them "YES, I am certain this is what I want." Sean knew the God had led him there and prayed that he would bring glory and honor to the Lord for allowing this opportunity! I have to say as a fan of this show I was so struck by him and can say without a doubt he completely brought glory to the Lord and for believers as well.


Everyday we have an opportunity and although it may not be in front of millions of people we must know that an audience of one can be just as important!



I have posted a new review for a Phenomenal book titled Deep Harbor by Lisa Tawn Bergren! It's one I highly recommend! Go here to read my review
Have a blessed Monday everyone

So many hurting

I have been away from my computer and spent some time catching up on some blogs tonight. I was so sad to read sooo many posts with great needs, prayer requests, hurting souls, so many in need of the LORDS touch ~ HIS miracle working power in their lives! But we serve an AMAZING GOD prayer warriors!!!! HE hears the cries of HIS people. I sought HIM on each prayer request I read, laying each one at the feet of Jesus ~ knowing, trusting that HE would minister, HE would heal, HE would give HIS peace, HIS joy, His love, HE will provide!

I read these and wanted to share then and pray they will encourage those in need. This one comes from Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

Oh, dear heart, what is your condition?
Are you torn with anguish? Are you sorely distressed? Are you lonely? Are you pushed aside? Then cry to God. NO one else can help you. HE is your only Hope. Wonderful HOPE! Cry to HIM, for HE can help you. I tell you, in that cry of yours will be the pure and true worship that God desires. HE desires a sincere cry far more than the slaughter of ten thousand rams or the pouring out of rivers of oil (Mic 6:7)....
See then, poor, weeping, and distracted ones, that it is not ritualism, it is not the performance of pompous ceremonies, it is not bowing and struggling, it is not using sacred words, but it is crying to God in the hour of trouble that is the most acceptable sacrifice your spirit can bring before the throne of God.

This comes from Jim Cymbala ~ Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

I discovered an astonishing truth:
God is attracted to weakness, He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need HIM.

Please visit Spiritual Sundays . Thank you Charlotte and Ginger for bringing us this anointed blog each and every week!

Love and Blessings!

An update and a Birthday

Thank you ALL sooo very much for your prayers! I wanted to give you all an update on how the surgery went. As I shared with you the plan was to go in and put in metal plates on both sides of his upper jaw and also to wire his jaw shut for minimum 1 month.
When the Surgeons got in there they found they would NOT have to put in the metal plates PRAISE THE LORD but did have to realign the bone under his left eye because it was twisted. They still wired his jaw shut so that he can heal properly. He is at home resting and recovering now. Again, thank you all for your prayers and for the prayers of the man who has done this. I pray he meets the Lord and finds Salvation and Forgiveness.

Today is my baby boys 13th birthday! I know he is far from being a baby but I know you all understand our babies are our babies forever! "As long as I'm living my baby he will be!" I love this book " I will Love you Forever" I still can't read it without crying! (pathetic I know) Today Jantz woke up and was given his favorite breakfast ~ biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and of course coffee. Tonight we will all be going to one of his favorite restaraunts Tokyo Garden. This is where they cook your dinner right in front of you. He loves it and our whole family will be there to celebrate! I will post pics soon! Jantzen participated in the school spelling bee and ended up 4th in the Whole Entire School!

Jantzen from the day I saw you on the sonogram and knew I had a little boy I fell instantly in Love with you. You have always been the sweetest young man and you truly have a heart like David. I am sooo blessed to be your mom and so very proud of the young man you are today. May you continue to grow in the Lord, in HIS Word and Praising HIM every step of the way! Thank you for ALL the Sweet things you do! Dancing under the moonlight with me, rubbing my feet after a long day, warming up my corn bag, making cookies, reading with me and always wanting to just talk at the end of your day! Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and sweet heart teach me everyday and make me want to be a better person!

You have done such an amazing job with your dog treat business ~ your dad and I are soooo very proud of you! Always keep your dreams alive and make sure the ask the Lord to lead and guide you for it is far better to be in the center of HIS Will than ever doing things on our own!

Happy 13th Birthday ~ I love you sooo very much

Mowing with my Dad this past summer~ this is such a precious picture to me. It was the last time Dad ever mowed.


I've shared Jantzen's Canadian passion! Some friends got him this authentic jersey! It is hanging on his bedroom wall! :)


Just a handsome young man!


Silly pic ~ blurry too but I love this boy sooo




Please forgive me for not visiting today ~ We have Rylee ♥ and I just was able to quickly post this while she is napping! I love and appreciate you all so much!

Prayer Request

Our oldest daughter and my sweet grand daughter were spending this past week and weekend in Florida with her grandmother and had planned on staying through the middle of this week. We talked to her yesterday and she asked if we had received the picture and story of her husband via the text message she had sent us. Neither one of us had! WEIRD!!! We ALWAYS get her picture texts because most of them are of Our precious Rylee. Anyway, she proceeded to share with us that her husband had stopped at a local convenience store to get some cash from the ATM machine. He works nights so it was early in the morning or very late however you want to say it. The only other person at the convenience store was the female employee. Our Son-in-law got his $40 cash and proceeded to walk out. He was attacked from no where by a man who hit him UNCONSCIOUS and continued to hit him and hit him. He took the $ but left his wallet. The female employee called the police immediately but because the man was on foot he got away and has not been found or even identified.

My son in law is in soo much pain and found out that he will have to have surgery to place medal plates in is middle upper jaw on both sides along with wiring his jaw shut for at least one month. He will have to be on a liquid diet and on light duty at work for a month as well. This is soo very sad and I am just in awe of the evil people will do in order to obtain some money!

Would you mind praying for them. Krista is on her way home from Florida. They drove and stopped in a hotel tonight but will be here tomorrow to be with Casey during his surgery. This will take place on Wednesday. Please pray for them, this is such a blow to them in so many levels.



While praying for them please add Westin ( 5 yr. old little one who needs a miracle!), Melanie from Bella Mella, Lisa Smith(cancer), Denise and her Lovebug (healing), Alle and Ron (healing, peace) and Allie's sister Sandi (healing, recovery)
and for other prayer requests please visit my friend Beth's blog! She does an amazing job at keeping us posted on who and how exactly we can pray! God is able to meet each and everyone of these needs. As I type It feels overwhelming but not one bit of it overwhelms our Father! For HE is able to do more than we ask or imagine!! Praise HIM




Thanking each one of you in advance for being mighty warriors