Sharing Good News

Good evening, everyone. Once again, it has been a few days since my last blog entry. Unfortunately, sickness has struck me and I have been laid up, fevered up, and specifically, fed up with the flu! I started feeling ill Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning, I was feeling like death warmed over. I have missed two days of classes!! Woe is me!

Yesterday, I ventured out for a rehearsal with the Nostalgia Singers, a choir of senior citizens that love to sing old music. While at the rehearsal, I talked to a gentleman, Kenny Snyder, and found out that he has been diagnosed with cancer and scheduled for surgery on Wednesday of next week. I encouraged him and promised that our church would be praying for his surgery and recovery. He is a sweet gentleman and was very thankful for the prayers.

This morning I called my English professor to inform her of my forthcoming absence and found out that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer! She found out over spring break and is already scheduled for surgery next Friday! Needless to say, I was astounded! She is young, most likely in her 50's and judging by her voice, scared! I immediately told her about my grandmother and her battle with the same disease just this last August. My grandmother is in wonderful health and is recovering well. Professor Howard and I spoke for a while and I believe I was able to lift her spirits and give her some hope for her future. As we closed our conversation, I told her I would be praying for her and she was very appreciative.

As I type this, I wonder if I am part of the Nostalgia group and attending school just to encourage these two people? I know that when I prayed about whether or not to accompany a secular choir that I felt very strong about the possibilities for being a witness for Christ. I hope that this is the case!!! It has been exciting to see different ones come and visit our church!! I have also met a lady who is the Activities Director for a retirement home the Nostalgia group performs for. She is currently attending an Apostolic church in Redlands and has family who doesn't want to drive that far and who are looking for a church!!! Of course, I invited them to ours!!!!! :)

So, sharing the good news about Who my God is and what He has done has been an exciting addition to an otherwise sick (pun intended) week!!! Thank You, Lord for these opportunities and may I continue to follow Your leading and be a light for You!!!

Friends and Food Joys

There is nothing like getting together with likeminded ladies and fellowshipping while enjoying a meal. Today, my english instructor did not show and so my class and I left. I was overJOYed!! I finally had a day to try and invite someone over for lunch.

So I got on the phone and invited several friends. Marissa and I made homemade potato cheese soup. It was YUMMY!!! Everyone had a second bowl (they were small) and we had a very nice relaxing visit. Katie was not able to make it but Maureen, with her onboard twins baking, Sarah and little Miss Natalya, and Tiffany came to fellowship. For a scrumptious desert, Marissa quickly baked some banana bread!!. I wish I had a picture to share but alas, I was too busy visiting and cooking to think of a camera.

Now, I have a confession: I have been wanting to do a luncheon for a while but I always talked myself out of it because my home isn't big and fancy!! However, last Friday night at Ladies' Fellowship, Sis. Linda Jones spoke about being a good hostess and one of the things she covered was waiting to invite people until everything is perfect and how that will NEVER happen!!! She said to get organized and step out and GO FOR IT!!! SOOOOO, today I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joys of Family and Friends

As some of you will have noticed, Sister Karla Holley and I have been blogging back and forth regarding mutual friends, family and connections to things in the past. This made me start thinking about the family of God. Isn't it awesome that God gives us brothers and sisters of like minds to share our lives with? And isn't it neat how we are all connected?

I was sharing a little of this thought with my daughters this morning at breakfast. I told them that when I was unable to meet their needs God has provided "sisters" for them to talk to. My girls both piped up and said that I am always able to help them but I told them I want them to remember for the future when as teens they may not feel like I am listening or such. I can remember many times as a teen when I would sit down with someone other than my mom and glean spiritual and practical wisdom from them. I want that for my kids!!!!

I found this song/poem online and think you will agree that it describes God's family!

Family, Friends and Fellowship

He gave you arms to hold me up - when I am falling down

He gave you lips to cheer me up - when storms are all around

He gave you songs to fill me up - when words will never do

For this family, oh Father I thank you!

He gave you tears to cry with me - when I am filled with grief

He gave you joy to laugh with me - when I find relief

He gave you eyes to watch over me - as I walk the narrow way

For this family, Father I thank you today!

Family Friends and Fellowship keep me going strong

There’s always someone by my side - I know that I belong

To a family bound for glory land, I find myself at ease

’Cause this family who loves Jesus, has His peace!

He gave you tears to cry with me - when I am filled with grief

He gave you joy to laugh with me - when I find relief

And because you love Jesus, I can trust you to love me too!

For this family, oh, Father I thank you!

For this family, oh, Father I thank you!

song- 2002 Marquita Lawson

And one of the awesome parts is that while YOU are doing all the above for ME, I am doing the same for YOU!!!!