I am learning to appreciate the small things every day, like waking up and not feeling sick! That is an incredible feeling that I most often take for granted. I hope I will remember to be thankful for each day of good health long after this battle is over.
I spent the morning with Kristina and her six week old daughter, Jaiden. What a fun time of snuggling and playing with a very special little baby! Thank you, God, for new life, and for letting me be a part of this one!
Later I walked down to get the mail and there was a package from my dad's cousin, Mary. I was so excited when I saw it, it felt like Christmas! The package said "Do not bend", and I knew! Mary is an artist. She paints beautiful pictures of flowers, landscapes, and outdoor scenes. I had visited her website before (Happy Trails Studio ) and had thought how neat it would be to have a painting from someone in our family. I knew this package contained something special! When I opened the package I found a beautiful print of her painting "Afternoon Glories" and a copy of the Serenity Prayer, and a very sweet note from Mary. My grandmother kept a small plaque of the Serenity Prayer in her bathroom. It was there my whole life. It was how she chose to live her life every day. Mary knew this, and she sent me this prayer as an encouragement in my battle with cancer. The tears came again. Tears for my grandmother, tears for the sweet love of a cousin, and tears of gratitude for God who is carrying me through.
And as if that weren't enough, God kept pouring on the blessings today! Our daughter, Sarah, called to let us know that she got the job with Teach for America that she had applied for and many of you had prayed for! She is so excited! She will be teaching bilingual education in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning next fall. She will spend a month in Phoenix next summer for her training. This was her first choice of location and position! We are so happy for her and very proud of our girl! She will be an amazing teacher! And I am so happy to see how God is using the experiences of her life to put her in a position where she will be able to encourage and bless many children. Thank you, God, for the good plans you have for Sarah!
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."
I can feel your joy radiating all the way here! :)
ReplyDeleteMy sweet Laura, Every time you say you cry-- tears well up in my eyes also. I seem to be very emotional in my old age. I praise God that you are not going through this and growing old at the same time. You are young, vibrant and beautiful. And your ministry reaches out to far places! Only God know how far!!!
ReplyDeleteI love you, Marilyn