New Home

After much deliberation and discussion with Ashleigh...

I've decided to move my blog.

It's time. Time to close up shop here and move to a place that better reflects my life today.

So come on over and check out my new digs! Hope to see you there!

Hugs and much love....


(you can click here to head on over)

Hope

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10

So...we got the results of my mom's MRI. They say it confirms the original CT scan results and that the lesions on her brain are indeed cancer. She has an appointment with an oncologist tomorrow. (Thank you, to my dear friend Mitzi, for going with mom.)

My mom is being so strong. Me? Not so much. I had a good, long cry last night (now my eyes are swollen and puffy, which will be so nice when I greet the patients today!).

I am just so tired. It's been a long, difficult two years and I am tired. I cried out to the Lord last night and told Him I just couldn't take another thing. Really.

And you know what? He hears me (and He hears you). Psalm 9 was my devotional reading this morning...His words of promise, hope and love...to me (and to you). Thank You, Lord.

Thank you for continuing to pray for my mom... Hugs and love to you!! : )

Heart to Heart

Still no news on my mom's MRI. Thank you for your continued prayers....


I am getting ready to head off to work shortly, but I wanted to share this blog with you. Ashleigh told me about Holley a few months ago after she met her at a blogging/writing conference. I *love* Holley's blog--so full of encouragement and hopefulness--which is what I am all about these days.

So if you get a moment today, head on over and be encouraged--and blessed!

Happy Wednesday! : )

Thanks bunches!

Thank you to each of you that has been praying for my mom. She underwent various tests this past week and hopefully we will know this week exactly what she is dealing with. My mom is amazing and truly an inspiration as she trusts the Lord with whatever is ahead. She knows the One who holds her life.

I'll keep you posted!

Much love and hugs... : )

All things...

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

This past weekend I flew to Alabama to see my mom (thanks to a son who works for an airline)...

And here we are: this is a very typical picture of us--me being silly and my mom not wanting her picture taken. : )

She's still protesting here--and I am trying to get her to smile. : )

We are quite the pair--pulling close, pushing away, just to pull close again--the way mothers and daughters do.

But these days? We are pulling close. Very close. Clinging, in fact.

My precious 'little Mama' as I call her (cuz she's itty-bitty) is fighting for her life. We found out this past week that she has a brain tumor. The ball is now rolling to find out exactly (although the doctors have a strong indication) what we are dealing with--which means a whole battery of tests.

If you think about it, could you please pray for her? We have a lot of major decisions to make over the next few weeks and we are pleading for wisdom to make the right choices. Thank you.

And I'll be honest with you, when I heard the news, my first thought was..."what else?" It's been a pretty rough couple of years around here. But as I drove to work that morning after finding out about my mom, I truly felt the Lord take my anxious thoughts and replace them with His peace...that passes all understanding. I really don't know how He does it, but He does it. Over and over again.

(And good thing, because I am constantly trying to figure it all out on my own.)

So today I am flying back to Omaha and will await the results of the tests my mom is having this week--and then we'll make some decisions--and I will keep you posted.

Thank you so much for your prayers...

Hugs and love! : )

I read the most heart-wrenching, yet encouraging post today, written by the most amazing woman.

Alece has walked a very similar path as I have and when I read her post, it resonated with me as nothing else has. In fact, while it's not a long post, it took me almost two hours to actually be able to read the entire thing. It hit such a tender spot in my heart that I could only read a few words at time and then I would have to get up, do something else and read more later.

There are many stories of marriages that have been healed and restored after infidelity. And I praise God for those marriages and the healing that has taken place. To be able to move forward and choose to trust again, is truly a miracle.

But...there are also those of us whose stories don't have the happy ending. The other person chose to walk away. From God, from their vows....and in some cases, as in mine...even from their children.

And it's a very broken and lonely place to be because when you are in it, there is no rejoicing and the future is very uncertain. But you can be whole again. You can. If this is you, I encourage you to go and read Alece's post.

You are loved.

Truly.

A different kind of summer goodness...

I work in small farming town just outside of Omaha. The folks that come into the clinic come from all walks of life, but most have some sort of ties to farming. My coworkers talk about the weather and how it affects crops and gardens.... and what they are going to can or 'put up' for the winter months. (And I am the lucky recipient of lots of garden fresh produce!)

There's talk about sheep and chickens...cows and pigs. Lots of talk about corn. This is Nebraska after all. : )

People talk a lot about helping each other and 'giving a hand' if you need it.

It's about community. It's about coming together when times are good...or difficult. It's about serving together and working hard.

I am completely fascinated by this way of life. This Cali girl has never been around folks like this, who live like this. I am such an outsider, but I am welcome. Always welcome.

And what a lovely feeling...to be welcomed...accepted. : )



Hugs to you all on this Wednesday--half way to the weekend--yay!!!

Morning light

I've always loved the first light of the morning...the sun shining through the windows, casting long shadows against the walls and floor. Or the hazy light of a cloudy sky. Either way, I love morning light.

In my former California home, I had a favorite spot where I'd sit every morning--drinking my coffee, reading my bible, praying, journaling--enjoying the first quiet moments of the day. In fact, even when my children were wee ones, they knew that if Mama was in her spot, they must tread quietly. (Although they were always welcome to join me.) I loved the big picture window, with the view of our old mesquite tree and Joshua Tree National Park.

(And this is about as far as I allow my mind to go...for the memories are sadly, overshadowed with pain...)

Now in my Omaha home, the first moments of the day are met with the sound of an early morning alarm and the rush of getting ready to leave and work a 10 hour shift. And while my mornings are very different than my life in California, I am so thankful I have a beautiful, peaceful drive every morning. There is no traffic, no rush. Instead of desert landscape, I have rolling green hills and fields of corn--old barns and farm houses--that lead into the small (but very busy) rural clinic where I spend my days.

And then I have my Monday mornings. Oh, how I love Monday mornings! Sometimes I sleep in, sometimes not. I love the slower pace. If the weather is nice like today, I get to enjoy my coffee while sitting outside, watching the sun filter through the trees--I can read my bible, pray, journal, write a blog post. : )


So what about you? What does your morning light look like?

Blessings and hugs to you on this happy Monday morning... : )

And so it was...

Sunday was my 44th birthday. I cannot believe I am 44! Sounds soooo old!

Celebrations are a bit different these days--not that different is bad--just different. My kiddos are in Colorado and I am in Omaha. Not too far--but far enough that we can't spend just a day together.

So on my birthday I did talk to my kids (fun, long talks) and to family and friends. Then Todd made me a yummy dinner and later, he and his boys brought an ice cream cake and sang happy birthday to me.




Later...Todd gave me my birthday present...



And can I tell you? I love my Nook. LOVE it!! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about an electronic book because I love real books. I love the smell of them, I love the feel of the pages....if you are a book lover, you know what I am talking about, don't you?

But you know....there is one thing about books and that is, it's best when you actually read them! And so far, my Nook is helping to read more. And that makes me happy. : )

And so it was...

Another year gone by. It was a different kind of celebration, but it was a special celebration.

I am blessed. Indeed.

Brodie

Steadfast in affection and allegiance--faithful friend, best friend.


My Brodie-dog.

He's been with me with me through thick and thin these past two years. He's been there since the beginning of the end of our world as we knew it.

At the first sound of tears, he'd forsake whatever he was doing and come to me. On many nights he'd take up the empty spot on the other side of the bed--even though he prefers his own doggie bed. He'd keep me company as I spent many afternoons hiking in the desert hills. He moved with me from those desert hills, across the country to Omaha.

And he's here with me now--as we make a new life.

I couldn't ask for a better friend. : )