Thanks for the scar, Scott...

Several months ago a young man we know was diagnosed with cancer... 

Watching his journey strongly affected me in many ways...

Because of him and his story I felt a very strong prompting to have two spots checked out.  One was on my face and had only been there for a year or so and the other was on my right side, it was fairly new also.  As I said, I had both of those for probably less than two years and had never given them a second thought.  One day as I was praying for this young man the Lord just stuck me with the intense, overwhelming need to get my own spots checked.  

So I did.

I went to the dermatologist and shared my concerns with him.  He took one look at the spot on my face and said "That is nothing at all to be concerned about".  Then he looked at the one I pointed out on my side.  Again he said "Nothing there at all, no problems."  I was so excited, so thankful, so grateful to the Lord... so very relieved!

Then his tone changed and he said "Oh" and to the nurse "I need to get a look at this one, we need to biopsy it."

Honestly, I was stunned.  What was he talking about?  What other mole??  I asked and he led my finger to the place but I couldn't even feel it.  He drew a picture of it on a piece of paper, it was the size of a skinny marker's dot.  But something about it attracted his attention and he was concerned.

He took a biopsy.  Two long weeks later the results were in:  "Abnormal mole. Moderate risk.  Recommend immediate removal."

I went right in for the surgery for removal.  It was nothing like I expected.  For this tiny little mole I have a two inch scar, eight external stitches and I don't know how many internal stitches.

I had no idea.  I did not know it was even there.  If I hadn't been prompted by this brave young man's story and our loving heavenly Father I would have never known about it.  My dermatologist said it definitely had the potential to develop into something very serious.  It was on my midback just an inch or so from my spine.  I don't know if I ever would have noticed it... until it was too late.

So, thank you Scott Cloud for so openly sharing your journey with us.  Thank you Lord for your loving prompting and healing.

So I say "Thanks for the scar, Scott."

Top Ten Worldview I Need to Teach My Kids

Another great blog post:
http://homeschoolingforhisglory.blogspot.com/2012/07/top-ten-worldview-concepts-i-need-to.html?spref=fb

The World Needs Large Families

Excellent blog post I'd like to share:
http://ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/2012/05/world-needs-large-families.html?spref=fb

Recent Sewing Projects

Wise words from Michael Hyatt ... watch your toes!

Why Speaking Well of Your Spouse Is So Important

As a leader, the health of your marriage directly affects the impact of your leadership.  I have witnessed this time and time again. Being effective at work or in ministry begins by being effective at home.

Early in our marriage, Gail and I attended a church led by a dynamic, thirty-something pastor. He was an extraordinary communicator. He was a wise and empathetic counselor. As a result, the church grew rapidly.

But as we got better acquainted with him and his wife, we started noticing a disturbing trend in the way they related to one another. They would often make disparaging remarks about the other in public.
At first, it seemed cute. Their comments seemed playful and humorous. Everyone laughed. But over time, they became more and more pointed, thinly masking their frustration with one another.
We ultimately left that church. But several years later we learned they suffered an ugly divorce, both admitting to multiple affairs. They lost their family, and, of course, their ministry. To this day, it grieves me to think about it.
Conversely, I noticed that Sam Moore, my predecessor at Thomas Nelson, always spoke highly of his wife. He would often say, “I hate to leave her in the morning, and I can’t wait to see her in the evening.” They have been married now for nearly 60 years. Last time Gail and I were with them, they were holding hands. It was obvious they were still in love.
In reflecting on these two experiences, I am convinced that praising your spouse in public is one of the most important investments you can make—in your family and in your leadership.

This is important for at least five reasons:

1. You get more of what you affirm. Have you ever noticed that when someone praises you, you want to repeat the behavior that caused it? This is just human nature. It can be a form of manipulation if it isn’t genuine. But it can be a powerful way to motivate others when it is authentic.
2. Affirmation shifts your attitude toward your spouse. Words are powerful tools. They can create, or they can destroy. They can build up, or they can tear down. I believe most people have a drive to align their actions—and their attitudes—with their words. If you start speaking well of someone, you start believing what you say.
3. Affirmation helps strengthen your spouse’s best qualities. Encouragement is also a powerful force for good. All of us need positive reinforcement. This is why when we are losing weight and people notice, it gives us the strength to stick with the program. This is true in every area of life.
4. Affirmation wards off the temptation of adultery. When others see you are happily married, they are less likely to proposition you. It’s like a hedge that protects your marriage from would-be predators. You simply stop being a target.
5. Affirmation provides a model to those you lead. To be a truly effective leader, you must lead yourself, and then you must lead your family. Your marriage is a powerful visual of how you treat the people you value the most. When you speak highly of your spouse, your followers are more likely to trust you. It takes your leadership to another level.

Affirming your spouse in public is an investment that pays big leadership dividends. In a world where fewer and fewer marriages last, it can be a difference-maker.

Link to original blog post

Training a Modest Heart

Great blog post!  Another gem from Stacy McDonald.

Homeschooling Quote

...and...

Frances Chan Quote for Today

A Great Teaching Illustration

I think this is an excellent illustration, not only for bullying but for other things like having a quick tongue and using unkind speech. 

Wow!  That says a lot!

6 Air Purifying House Plants

1. Bamboo Palm: According to NASA, it removes formaldahyde and is also said to act as a natural humidifier.

2. Snake Plant: Found by NASA to absorb nitrogen oxides and formaldahyde.

3. Areca Palm: One of the best air purifying plants for general air cleanliness.

4. Spider Plant: Great indoor plant for removing carbon monoxide and other toxins or impurities. Spider plants are one of three plants NASA deems best at removing formaldahyde from the air.

5. Peace Lily: Peace lilies could be called the “clean-all.” They’re often placed in bathrooms or laundry rooms because they’re known for removing mold spores. Also know to remove formaldahyde and trichloroethylene.

6. Gerbera Daisy: Not only do these gorgeous flowers remove benzene from the air, they’re known to improve sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving off more oxygen over night.

Spring Portraits of Our Blessings!

It's a Wonderful Life...

What a wonderful week... our dear friends from TX came for a visit.  They just left a few minutes ago.  We've been friends for eleven years now.  Talking, sewing, talking, playing, eating, talking, worshiping the Lord together, talking, shopping .... JOY!

We are so blessed!  Lots of pics coming soon.

Note:  Rachel isn't on Facebook so I told her I would try to post all my little 'odds and ends and bits' on here as well as FB.  ;)

While they were here they hosted a very worshipful and encouraging concert for us.  Here is a sneak peek of what we enjoyed!

 

30 Day Bible Reading Plan

I was recently introduced to a blog post where the author read the entire Bible through in 30 days.  It was intriguing to me so I started looking for a plan online.  I could not find one soo I developed this one.  It's not perfect but it's based on reading some from each of the ten divisions of the Bible daily:  Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, Gospels, Church History, Paul's Epistles, General Epistles, and Prophecy.  I figured up the pages per division, divided by 30 and rounded to the nearest chapter.  I'm excited to jump in with this and wanted to share the idea with you.  I'm expecting it to take around two hours a day.  I don't know about you but I know that if I am honest with myself I know I "waste" that much time each day on worthless pursuits.  I want to redeem the time!

[Click to enlarge]

If you can not get this to enlarge and print, just send me an email and I'll shoot the Word Document over to you. 

MaryVance... a chip off the old block... eerrrr... fat quarter?

 Hard at work...

 This is her entry for the Marianna Arts Festival contest.

 Didn't she do a great job!!!

And a close up of the fabrics and machine quilting.  The pattern is a Disappearing Nine Patch.  I am so proud of her!

Girls Room Makeover

I couldn't find pics here of the girls new room... so I took some today!

Molly is having a Photo Fundraiser!

Molly's dear friend, Rachel, has had a love for Israel and her people since her early teen years. She even takes Hebrew lessons, she is very passionate about Israel. God has opened the door for her to go on a trip this summer with Teen Missions to Israel Molly wants to help Rachel with the costs so she is having a fundraiser for Rachel.

The following photos will be printed in 8x10 and mailed to you. The cost is $10. All proceeds (beyond the cost of printing and shipping) will go to Rachel's Israel Trip Fund. Thanks for looking.  If you'd like one, just post here or email me

Introducing.... Ivy Lynn

Our newest precious "grandbaby"

Ivy Lynn

March 2, 2012

7 lb 12 oz

20.5 in

Jennifer was blessed with a wonderful, natural birth.  We are so thankful to the Lord for His many blessings!

Free GiveAways!

The fabulous, sweet and talented Heidi at Daddy's Little Princess is having a whole week of giveaways!
Check it out and tell her I sent ya!
http://www.lydia-lane.com/blog/

She also includes this fabulous "P.S."
P.S. If you have daughters or granddaughters, or neices, or friends with little girls, be sure to check out my Daddy’s Little Princess fan page on facebook. “Like” our page, and leave a comment to be included in the drawing Sunday Feb 12 for a $50 gift certificate to Daddy’s Little Princess