I have been thinking lately why have I not posted the videos on my blog from our Ghana trip. I posted a link so it will take you right to our YouTube page and you can watch any of the videos from the trip. I am looking forward to this next year. God has give some great ideas to Chad on how to help get a couple wells drilled in Somanya, Africa. I will fill you in as time goes on.
Worldwins YouTube Videos
Blessings!
Well it is eleven days into 2008 and so far it is off to a good start! I am feeling healthy and ready for a new year of getting deeper time with God, playing more with my kids, and working out more to stay healthy. I know there is a lot to be said for making a list of the "I WANT TO DO'S", but instead, I am going to keep looking forward at all the ares of my life and make greater commitment to tend to them all this year. I have had enough distractions last year from my health and lost a lot of time to do all the things I wanted to do. Having said that, making a long term list of things I would like to accomplish, may not be a bad idea. I look forward to sharing what 2008 will bring and hope it doesn't go by to quickly. Dillon will be turning three and Emily four this year. How do they grow up so fast? I am going to be looking a preschool this year!!! Help! OK, I know this is the part of our children growing up, and I am very excited to see that Emily will get to interact with other children as well as learn what school will be like down the road. May God bring lots of blessing in 2008!
Being able to say, "I made it through" is always a good thing. Life has unexpected challenges sometimes and how we handle them really does help with how things turn out. I have been in the world of unknown for the last six to nine months with my health. It started way back in March when I went in for a mammogram and found out the that spot I found on my right breast during an exam showed nothing, but there was something on the left! I was very surprised and in shock when they said it looks unusual and I should have a biopsy to make sure it wasn't cancer.
I spent sometime doing some research on my own after a friend of my husband recommended a theromagraphy test over the biopsy. I thought what would it hurt, I am up to trying something non painful first. I went then through the tests and was put on lots of great supplements to try to get my body's PH back to where it should be. Then about two days later I found out my recent pap test was abnormal and I needed another one in four months. So four months go by and I went in for a second pap test for the year because of the previous abnormal one.
It turns out that I needed to have a colpscopy test done. I had a biopsy taken from my cervix and soon after found out that I had what is called CIN 3, a lesion that has a 75% chance that it will turn into cancer if left untreated. Wow! I felt like like a freight train went through my body and dumped some real bad news all at the same time...OK, over a period of time. I still had not gone to have the biopsy on my breast, I was trying to get my body be healthy enough with supplements that it would dispose of it by itself. Well, now with the cervix in not a very great stage to be in, I started to get concerned for what could be ahead of me.
I had many thoughts of breast cancer and cervical cancer, all those things that would keep your mind in a large pit of unknown and despair. I really knew I couldn't go there...to that Pit. I needed to rely on the promise that I knew about in the word of God, that I would never be left or forsaken through this hole thing. I prayed and got prayed for by people in my church and by friends and family for a healing to take place in my body. I knew that what ever the outcome of my breast and my cervix, I was going to get through it! God would have my hand through it all!
I scheduled the Leep procedure and then canceled it because I wanted to make sure that is what I was really what I wanted to do..well, better yet what did God want me to do? I spent some time thinking through it and had another thermography test done and it showed no improvement in those areas. I really knew at some point by Gods leading that it was time to get it done! No more waiting and praying it was clear to me that even through a doctor's hand a healing could take place.
It has now been a week since having a biopsy on my breast and six days after having the lesion removed and I am feeling good! I have a good report from the results of the biopsy...NORMAL and I am having a great recovery from the Leep procedure...no bleeding and little pain if any so far. With all of that, like I said in the beginning how we handle our challenges really does have a lot to do with how things turn out. I am so grateful that I have a relationship with Jesus and have given my unexpected issues to Him. I have "MADE IT THROUGH" and seen the other side of what could have been the endless pit of unknown and despair.
Telling your children to true meaning of Christmas will give them an example of truth. As children grow up they figure out that Santa Claus in not a real person or that he exists. I remember the time when I found out he was not real and I felt letdown and wondered why I a believed in something that was not even real and really didn't know what Christmas meant. I do have to say it was fun visiting Santa every year for pictures and telling him what I wanted for being a good girl. I want my children to have fun with Santa but also know the real meaning of Christmas. As they grow up they will be able to ask Jesus for the things they desire in life. He is always there whenever we call His name and will never leave us feeling letdown from not being real. I am so glad I get to share with my children the Real Reason for celebrating Christmas! May the lights that shine from our trees and houses show the trueness of what Jesus brought to earth the night He was born: a life full of Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love.
Wow, I have been home a week already and took off to Florida for MOPS! It is a Mothers of Preschoolers conference. I am here with iQuestions to show moms the website. I went from rainstorms in Africa to rainstorms in Orlando. What happened to sunshine? I do have to say, the six days at home with my kids were very fast! Unpack, wash, and pack again! I am getting my mileage this month.
I am enjoying every moment here. I have had the joy of sharing stories about Ghana with a few people, been able to see Mops in action, and share iQuestions videos with these great moms. It is so amazing how God brings things together! I knew that I was going to be working our booth in Orlando, but I did not realize I would be here as a Mops leader too. Just like I didn't think I was going to do anything in Africa except work with the children, but I spoke at two different churches solo for an hour each time.
I am continually amazed and daily reminded of how much God loves me, He shows it in so many ways. He has shown me how to be comfortable speaking in front of people and gave me hope to fulfill the desires of my heart. Finally! I can now see myself in the future ministering to generations of women and children around the world. I know God has placed these things in my heart not for my own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well.
I am ready to Dwell Well as the conference kicks off! When we allow God to dwell is us, the things around us will appear sunny even though a tropical rainstrom (life's stuff) roles right by us. I look forward to this year and the outcomes that will manifest themselves. For example, when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly it goes from kinda ugly and boring to something beautiful and intriguing. May the things that seem somewhat plain and ordinary (dealing with our HOME work) seem like a breathe of fresh air and look like a beautiful sky with sun shining, even when it's just a bunch of clouds!
I can't believe that there is only 5 weeks until Chad and I take off for Ghana, Africa. Knowing that it has been over 4 to 5 years since we wanted to go the first time, it's hard to grasp what reality is, the flights are booked and the visas and passports are in hand! Now it's time to plan what I will be doing with the school children and preparing for all the unknown things. I pray that God will lead me and give me wisdom in what the needs are and how to prepare. I am so excited that I will get work with the children and be able to be apart of their day. I am realizing that as much as I can mentally prepare, I still will not know what to expect until I set foot on African soil. I have dreamed many times of what it will be like, now I finally get to experience first hand. What will be needs of these children, some of them who don't have a mom or dad? I know it will be hard be not to cry when I see some of these kids, may God give me peace so I can minister in the way He wants. I look forward to sharing more with you when we get there. His Grace be sufficient in every way!
Wow! I did not realize how much fun a green bear could be for my children. My husband recently brought home four BOZ videos to the kids to watch, they love them. I love them too! The green bear lives next to two cute kids and they share fun times together by learning about God's world through examples of helping each other, sharing, and praying. It is made for preschoolers and moms and dads like it too. My kids are starting to realize they can share with other kids by giving away toys they don't play with anymore. I am seeing them act like the little brother and sister on the video. I am so glad, having a safe video for them watch on their own is hard to find. So I it is on my list for best children's videos that include God for preschool ages. Including Boz the Bear into your child's life is one thing they will love!
Ok, your thinking Dillon ate that lovely stuff we call DIRT! Well, He didn't quite eat it but it goes something like this:
Dig around the tree
Involes a rake or shovel
Rub eyes, it's hard work
Time for a bath
I never saw such a little guy look like such a huge mess. I now know why boys are made by God the way they are. It's all because Adam was told to tend to the garden. Do you think Eve could have had handy wipes back then?
