My Aunt

A few weeks ago, my Aunt Bea was diagnosed with cancer that has progressed very far. It is now in her brain, lungs, and bones, and they are still checking to see where else. She had been feeling fine until about a month ago when she had an episode that was originally thought to be a mini-stroke. The real problem was quickly discovered when they performed various scans and tests. There is no hope for curing the cancer and she has opted to not receive chemo or other treatments, since they would be giving her extremely harsh doses and it would not give her much time. She has always been, and still is, a very Godly person. She is trusting that she will be called home when He is ready for her. All things considered, she is holding up well. She has lead a long and good life. Please pray for her as she recieves her care. We don't know how long we will have her before she is called home and hope we can find joy in the time we have left with her.

Psalm 31:5 - Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
John 11:26 - And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Oh boy

So I apparently have been out of the loop for a LONG time. I feel really bad. Between our field trip to Williamsburg, VA, school wrapping up, and some family issues (more on that in a seperate post), I've been very busy and tired. I PROMISE to get back in to it now that summer is coming.

I'm back!

I believe I may have said that about two weeks ago, but works been unreal and then we got some bad news about one of my aunts this past week. She has been diagnosed with cancer and it doesn't look good. They are not going to operate, but will do chemo and radiation. I am feeling a bit out of sorts, but God is good and He will be good. She is taking it as well as can be expected and is doing a lot of praying. She sees God has a plan, and knows she has lived a good life - as she told me, if He wants to call her home, than she is ready to go. Pray for us please.

WOW!

I can't believe how busy my life has been. God has been good and provided so much for me, but it has taken me away from writing. I am back this week!!

Troubles

I am going through some personal turmoil right now. I would appreciate any prayers that are out there! Praise God for all He does. Even this turmoil has a reason. I'm not sure what, but he would not give me something I can't handle! I don't have the heart to go in to it all right now.

God - please allow me to get through this. Continue to walk with me. You are great and shall guid me what I need to do!

Strawberry Pie

This was one of our favorites growing up:

Strawberry Pie

Crust:
1 cup flour
2 sticks melted margarine
2 Tablespoons sugar
Mix ingredients well. Press into pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. Let cool.

Inside:
2 pints fresh strawberries sliced

Filling:
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:
Boil the three filling directions, mixing with a wire wisk. It will thicken. Take off the stove. Add one small box of regular red jello. Cool somewhat. Then add the sliced strawberries. Pour into pie crust. Chill and refrigerate until serving time.

Variations:
* My mom used to sometimes do strawberries and blueberries (combined 2 pints). That makes a nice red, white, and blue pie (with whipped cream).
* She also used to do sliced peaches. If you do sliced peaches, we used to find the peach jello a little too sweet, but really liked it with orange jello.

Prayer Notebook

I had used an idea that Rebekah used (I have linked to her site in my side bar and this idea in an old post). It is a notebook of reflections on a variety of Bible topics that I find I need on a variety of topics to help me stay focused. When doing my notebook, I used a three subject notebook, 9.5 by 6 inches, 150 pages - not the standard size notebook, but the next size down. I found it helped me to have it in one notebook (I lose things). I gave each tab two pages, which allows a few extra at the end of each section (comfort, theology, and womanhood). I have included a page at the end of each seciton that is a sort of further reading, investigation, etc page if I find a book, article, etc that goes with that section that helps me or is interesting. It turns out I still have some extra pages in each area in case I want to add more. Check out the original link here: http://learningtoloveinchrist.blogspot.com/2008/04/by-his-grace-and-for-his-glory-tips-for.html#links