Friday, April 24, 2009

Where would I be?

Another week down, just a few to go until summer vacation. I just never seem to get caught up. My lists of things to do never gets any smaller. My piles of things to get to never seem to dwindle, my filing does not get completed, my yard does not get cleaned up. I am running many late nights to track meets. I really do enjoy watching my "little" girl run with the big dogs, and she holds her own very well. I have just a 45 minute free period at school and instead of tackling the piles, doing the filing, and end of year reports and busy work....I paint. I have spent the last couple days painting in the library, and just finished today. I think this one is really beautiful and it looks like summer is right around the corner. It was 90 degrees yesterday, 60 degrees today and it is supposed to rain like crazy for the prom this weekend....and this wind.....IOWA!

Now, could I ask you to send up some prayers for me? My oldest sister, Linda, struggles with a cyst issue on her spine and they have done some major surgery and placed a shunt 2 times to keep this cyst drained, but she fears it is plugged up again as she is experienceing some loss of feeling in her legs. She will have an MRI this week to find out. It may mean a 3rd major surery to her spine. Her daughter, my niece, Missy, lives in constant speculation of what is around the corner. She had cancer and beat it over 5 years ago, but little things are popping up and lots of tests are being done. My friend, Stephanie has breast cancer, and is undergoing chemo, so has had spells of tiredness, nausea and now has lost her hair. She is amazing and talks about wigs and hats and all of her wonderful friends and family, and lifts all of us up on her caring bridge site each day. Another friend is going though cancer with his father, Rod, and Rod is beginning a very strong treatment of chemo and radiation. And then, there is Mary Jane, who has been so faithful and listening to God and believing and trusting....her tumors are growing...and for her daughter, my friend, Jennifer as she travels down the road still fresh in my mind and heart, and as she wishes to sell her home and then purchase a new home so she can move closer to mom. For Candi, my best college roommate...her sister, Michelle lost her husband, Joe, in a drunk driving accident, leaving her and 15 year old daughter, Anna Jolyn struggling with why and how and why him and what about Anna's first prom and her future wedding day with no daddy? And then there is Marcia, losing her dear husband Bill, and becoming first time Grandma within a few days....Wow!!! With all of these prayer requests, I want to add my thanks to God for my health, my friends and family, my wonderful job, and the gifts He has bestowed upon me. And, I ask Him to make me a friend, a helper, a support and strength to all of these people who need us to lean upon. I leaned, and I leaned HARD on my family and friends when I was going through my fire, and in the times I forgot or failed to lean on God, he never let me fall.

"Where would I be if not for His grace?"

Enjoy the scenery and the music! Have a wonderful weekend! Oh, and thank God for weekends!!!!!





6 comments:

Lavonda Pflug said...

Beautiful pictures! Sometimes our burdens seem so heavy. It is nice to know we have Jesus Christ and brothers and sisters to help carry the load. I've lifted you and your fiends up.

Billy Coffey said...

So pretty, Carol. And prayers for all those suffering.

My wife is counting the days, too!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Oh Carol, you are something extra-special.

Lydia and I are sitting here reading through your prayer requests. Touched ...

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Your paintings are just spectacular. What a gift you have, Carol. I am living for the weekends and looking forward to summer right now too! And...amen to your question..."Where would we be without His grace?" I don't ever want to know. Lifting prayers for you and those on your heart today.

Love to you,
Kelly

Annie said...

Beautiful painting! It is a reminder that prayer, friends, family and Jesus create the bridge that allows us to cross over the challenges in our lives and journey to a place of peace, love and hope.

Candi said...

Carol, thanks for the prayer request for my siser and niece. I read it and the tears just came...again. It is hard to watch someone you love struggle with such an untimely death with no good-byes possible. God really did throw out a challenge to me which is not to be angry at the drunk driver who hit and killed my brother-in-law. I am working on that every day, but it is hard. I will say an extra prayer for your sister and friends who are having their own challenges. God bless! Love you!