Merry Christmas

We are on the road today, heading out of town to spend time with family. I want to wish each of you a wonderful Christmas time, full of warmth, love and blessings.

I also wanted to express my heartfelt thank you to each who spoke a special prayer on Tracy's behalf. I feel truly blessed to belong to such a caring and supportive community. Giving of yourself is the greatest gift any of us can give, and so again I say "Thank you" for taking the time to lift her up before the Lord.

Merry Christmas, my friends~ Rhonda

Prayer for Tracy

Today I am sending out a call to prayer for a wonderful young woman~Tracy.

Tracy is a dear friend of our family that has been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her left breast, T5 bone cancer which came from the breast cancer and a kidney tumor. She is undergoing a 3 phase treatment plan which includes:

1st - strong, triple-drug chemotherapy
2nd - surgery after chemo is completed
3rd - radiation to take care of any remaining cancerous cells

She is currently in the 1st phase of treatment and has been since November 5th. I chide myself for not bringing her before the wonderful prayer warriors I have come to know here in the blogging community before now. The latest update that I received yesterday said this~

Well, God is good!
After good lab results (I was really worried about them because I am trying to catch a cold again) and a positive doctor's appointment (he really thinks the tumor is totally shrinking), I was able to start my 3rd session of chemo today.
So, I am staying on schedule - yippie!!!

My Neulasta shot is scheduled for late afternoon on Thursday, 12/18.
I ask that you pray for me especially on that day and a few days after.
This is the shot that kicks the production of bone marrow into high gear.
This is the one that "kicks my butt" each time due to horrific bone pains.

We will keep you posted if anything changes.

Tracy

Won't you please join me and the rest of Tracy's family and friends in prayers on her behalf for the success of the treatments and the easing of the pain that the necessary treatments cause.

Tracy does not have a blog, but I know she would appreciate any prayers and words of encouragement you would like to share.

~ Rhonda

Moon Watching

A Wonderful Sight

December 12 — The Full Cold Moon
Sky watchers will be dazzled by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee. When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets. The Moon is also high at this time of year; when it's overhead (near midnight), it will light up the landscape. Take a magical stroll and see your world at night. You won't need a flashlight!

Thought I would pass along this note from the Almanac Bulletin~Enjoy!

Article and Photos~The Old Farmer's Almanac

Going Blonde

Going....

Going...

Gone!

While the rest of the nation hit the stores on Black Friday, I took advantage of our two day reprieve from an early winter and painted the thrift chairs I got on my Birthday. Now they will by no means pass a close-up inspection, for while I consider myself fairly competent in a multitude of craft genres, Spray painting requires a certain finesse and patience that I simply do not possess. Maybe in the Spring I will take them back out and re-do them, but probably I will simply embrace their little imperfections and never look back.



The table is still in the process of being stripped down and will require a couple more days of work. Of course in my true 'put the cart before the horse' form, I eagerly removed the current dinning set, so there are currently four lovely chairs sitting in my kitchen and NO table. Sweet hubby hesitantly asked this morning...."How long will we be without a table?" Sorry, honey! Soon I promise:)





On a completely different note~
Last night as my little one was saying his prayers he spoke his list of things he was thankful for......

"Lord, I am thankful for Christopher Columbus, technology,

and lots of things Lord. But, mostly Lord, I am thankful for my

Parents and Me. Amen."

Yes, I teared up then and just now as I typed it. ~Rhonda

Giving Thanks

This post is part of a post I wrote last year for the Gratitude Gala. The words and the sentiment still hold true today......As I pondered the design of this post, I considered the numerous moments that surround me in blessings daily. I arise each new day and begin my tasks. In a warm and comfortable home, I sip my coffee and correspond with friends. Laughing and crying, gaining new wisdom and inspiration with each visit.

I tend to my animals and the soil from which I gain sustenance and a sense of self-sufficiency.

I have the ability and resources necessary to cook our meals and wash our clothes.
During the day, I often touch base with those I hold dear, my parents who provided the foundation of love and instruction that I have built my life upon. My brother and sisters who are not only my siblings but my closest friends and confidants.
I am often caught off guard and filled with happiness as I recognize the little moments of wonder and beauty that remind me that life is more than chores and expectations.
In the evening, as my husband returns from work, the focus shifts to family together time. Talking, relaxing and relating our day.

At the close of the day, I snuggle my son into bed and I am humbled by the infinite gifts the Lord has provided, in spite of my sins and shortcomings.

I am thankful that I have the ability to Praise Him openly, for his provisions and grace.
And it occurs to me that even though time has altered the appearance of our world dramatically since the first Thanksgiving, the things that we are most thankful for have not changed.

Food, shelter, the knowledge and tools necessary to survive and thrive. Our families and the lives that we share together. A sense of love and acceptance gained through our relationships. The aspects of our lives that bring us peace and joy. The freedom to rejoice in fellowship and gather in worship. These have always been the whispered points of gratitude in our daily prayers and I suspect that they always will be.

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends~ Rhonda

Fields of Gold

"I never made promises lightly,

there have been some that I've broken .
But I swear in the days still left

we will walk in

fields of gold."


"We'll walk in

fields of gold."

What's A Christ-Follower To Do? VOTE!

"When you become entitled to exercise the right to vote for public officials, let it be impressed upon your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, 'just men who rule in the fear of God.' ...if citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted." Noah Webster

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities...." Ephesians 6:12

For me the election comes down to this..... VALUES~

The Sanctity of Marriage

Sorry for the glare, it's hard to take a picture of a picture.

The Right to Life

Yesterday, my Pastor reminded us that as Christians we are to make our choices based on "the core values that sync up to biblical truth." Tomorrow, when I cast my ballot I will take that reminder to the polls.

"When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan." Proverbs 29:2

~Rhonda