Celebration

 

September 9 marks 24 years of survival for me and 7 years of survival for my mom from breast cancer. My husband and daughter took me out to dinner to celebrate the life God has granted me beyond the age of 30.  Isn’t He awesome? I’ve been so blessed, and I’m so grateful for his mercy.

We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Ruth Chris and lots of laughs. The restaurant treated me to a sweet dessert with a wonderful message. 

I’m so thankful for my loving husband and sweet and silly teenager. They keep me laughing!

Yesterday, I was able to celebrate with my mom over lunch and grocery shopping. We were living large!  Celebrate each day and be thankful!

Would you like to read this book? Excerpt from Lavender Sky

 

A short, fun “About Me” video! Enjoy!

 

A hello from me and a chat about Lavender Sky

 

Rough day?

 

Do you ever feel like you have to forever be reminded of God’s love and faithfulness? That’s totally me.  Sometimes I think it’s just the being human thing, but other times I realize it’s the constant warfare we’re battling in this world.  If I seriously think about it, in only a 24-hour period, I can easily be overwhelmed by negative news headlines, negative people, sadness in the world, and my own negative, anxious thoughts.  In fact, I would say my own thoughts are my own worst enemy.  

We all live with day-to-day decisions and associated drama in our jobs, homes, child-rearing, and relationships. Add in world affairs, disease, trauma, unkindness, and resentfulness, and you’ve got a recipe for chaos, anxiety, and no peace. It’s looking pretty ugly and hopeless, isn’t it?

We take a moment, and we pray for help, for strength, for anything good. Then, in walks Jesus into our day, right into our mess. He reminds us that He is in control of this world.  He knows what is happening, and He has a plan for the world and for you and me. He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b). He sees our situations and He tells us that He will fight for us, that we only need to be still and wait on him (Exodus 14:14).  He reminds us we are His. “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalms 100:3). He gives us strength to get through our days and holds us up. “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

So this is just a reminder for us, as we do battle in this world, that we don’t have to do this life alone.  We are worthy of God’s love and protection because of Jesus.  He is always with us.  He fights our battles. He gives us strength. He holds us up. And most of all, He loves us.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16):

Take those promises to your daily battle, and have a great day!❤️

Some Enjoyable Reading

 

For those of you who like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility and stories similar to those and set in that time period, I’ve got some gems for you. These historical fiction stories are marvelous and will keep you reading until the end. Want a happy, satisfying ending? You’ll get one in these stories.  Plus, these authors know how to tell a story. You won’t be disappointed. Let me know what you think!

Sally Britton:

His Unexpected Heiress

Miss Devon’s Choice

Courting the Vicar’s Daughter

Discovering Grace

Saving Miss Everly

Engaging Sir Isaac

Reforming Lord Neil: A Regency Romance

Rescuing Lord Inglewood

A Companion for the Count

Sir Andrew and the Authoress

The Earl and His Lady

A Haunting at Havenwood

Jennifer Joy:

A Splendidly (Un)suitable Match

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Traitor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Poet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Guardian: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Be Still

 

Hi friends! Can you believe it’s almost February? 2023 is moving right along. In my last blog article, I told you about some health problems I had been having. I was to have a biopsy of a neck lymph node. I was very concerned about the return of my breast cancer from over 20 years ago or possibly the metastasis of a new cancer from somewhere else. I put the situation in God’s hands, and I knew He would come through for me no matter what—whether the lymph node was benign or I had to deal with cancer again.  He has always been faithful to me. 

On January 25, I went to the hospital for an ultrasound-guided biopsy. The radiologist came into the room to scan me for the lymph node. He spent a few minutes running the transducer up and down my left neck, then he looked at me and said, “There is nothing here to biopsy.” I have to say, I had immediate tears of joy as I realized what he meant. He couldn’t find an enlarged lymph node because there wasn’t one.

So, I’m here today to share a praise report with you. God is amazing. He can do anything. I know this. When our greatest fears are hanging over us, we can be still and know that God is fighting for us when we put our trust in Him. Whatever you’re going through today, whether it be a broken relationship, health issue, financial hardship, depression, grief, or whatever is hurting you, remember to take it to God and then be still and let Him fight for you. Remember, He can do ANYTHING. 

Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.”

God wants more for us

Happy New Year! It’s been a couple years since I reached out to you all.  COVID certainly did a number on all of us, and for me, I took a sabbatical from writing. I honestly didn’t feel like it.  I was working more and worrying more during the pandemic, and then I was trying to find some kind of new normal after the pandemic eased. I somehow know you can all relate.

The thing is, for me, one day started to blend into another. I was just busy all the time, and I’ve continued to be busy.  Work, school for my daughter, my work-outs, church, Bible time, grocery, social events, family events, more work, oh yeah, and sleep!  I can’t remember the last time I stopped to just slow down and not run to the next thing on my list. Do you ever feel like you’re just running a race or on a timer? I suppose it’s sad that I feel accomplished at the end of the day when I’ve marked off everything on my list, only to get ready for the next day.

It’s easy to forget that we’re on this earth for a purpose.  Our purpose is not actually to run a crazy activity race to see how much we can get done in a day. Granted, we have responsibilities. I get that. However, the balance can really become off if we let it.  With that loss of balance, we can feel a loss of purpose, exhausted, frustrated, and maybe even a little depressed. What is there to look forward to? Tomorrow’s list?

The great thing is that God loves us too much to leave us in that place. There are a number of ways He gets our attention and helps to remind us that we are His and we’re here for His purpose…to glorify Him with our lives, to show others His love, to bring others to know Him. Sometimes His methods are not those we would have chosen, but He teaches us to trust Him. He teaches us to look to Him for answers and purpose. 

Recently, I went to the ER for atypical chest pain. My heart was fine and strong, but I had a borderline enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node.  As a physician, I know that this is not good news.  The statistics show that the majority of these nodes are metastatic, meaning they have cancer spread from somewhere else in the body. Suffice it to say, I was distraught upon hearing this. I had breast cancer 22 years ago, and I hoped I’d never have to deal with this again. I have a CT-guided biopsy coming up.

I’ve prayed about this and I’ve asked many others to pray for me.  I’ve spent much time in God’s Word and much time talking to God. In my younger years, I would have gone to someone for counsel, but in my older years, I’ve learned to take my thoughts and brokenness straight to my Heavenly Father.  He hears us, He listens, and He cares. No one loves us the way He does.  Through prayer and actually browsing Facebook one day, a verse spoke to my heart, the one at the top of this post. “Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

I believe that no matter what my diagnosis is, reactive node or cancer, God will sustain me to old age. I trust Him to care for me, and through His care and love, I am reminded why I am here on this earth. To God be the glory. Please keep me in your prayers.  

 

I am with you

On my drive to work today around 6:55 a.m., I am feeling down, empty, and a little overwhelmed. So many people are affected by COVID right now, some sicker than others. There is fear of this virus that affects all of us whether we acknowledge it or not. I know of several friends and family that are sick with other illnesses as well. My husband works in a pediatric ER, and he told me how overwhelmed they are with children affected by respiratory illnesses, including COVID and RSV. I’ve seen many COVID-positive patients in the OB emergency department. Then there is also a constant stream of political unrest in our world. There is sadness in Afghanistan.  There is flooding from hurricanes and damage from earthquakes, not to mention lives lost.  There are injustices all around us. 

It’s no wonder I feel this way this morning.  I utter a prayer to God, and I can’t even find the words to speak.  I have so many prayer requests and concerns.  I don't know where or how to start.  I recall how the Bible says that "the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us." (Romans 8:26).  I think, "I sure hope you're interceding for me this morning."

My heart aches for the state of the world, and I am cynical.  I ask God, "Are you here?  Do you see what is happening?  Why are these things happening?"  I think that sometimes it's easy to wonder if God even cares.  He tells us He does in His Word, that He loves us, and we know He sent Jesus for us.  But, I still can't help but wonder how all of the unrest in the world plays out in His plan.

I look up to the sky on this sunny morning.  There is no sign of rain.  The clouds are fluffy and white and beautiful.  I sigh deeply and glance away, then something draws my attention back to the sky.  There, in a quiet moment, God draws a rainbow above me.  My breath hitches and my heart warms, as I realize what is happening.  He's reminding me that He's here, He's aware, and He has a plan.  I am overwhelmed by His concern for me and a tear escapes my eye.  For a moment, I feel sheepish for doubting Him.  Then His Word reminds me, "Fear not, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)