Lemons to Lemonade

Over the last 6-8 weeks, my highs have been really high and my lows have been really low.  I finished my class with an A, continued to become very comfortable and settled with sharing how I feel (respectfully but uncensored and unfiltered), I'm back to being a soccer and football mom and then........one morning I woke up and could not move.  Everything joint in my body hurt and my muscles and body were completely fatigued.  Thirty-five vials of blood, x-rays, a bone biopsy, a bone marrow biopsy, a rheumatologist, a hematologist/oncologist and weeks later.....still no diagnosis.  I've heard whispers of leukemia, bone cancer, lupus, and arthritis.  I had not been so unsettled in all of my life.  Not for fear of a diagnosis, but the waiting.  Thank God, they have ruled out everything they could think of....they were scary things and I was ready to fight, but where does that leave me?  I am doing much better now. Still a medicine lab rat and achy from time to time, but drastic a improvement. The only thing that bothers me is that there is no diagnosis. Will this continue to get better, go away or come back again one morning?  I don't know, but I can't or won't stop living while I am waiting to find out.  I am going to do what I can...

My bone marrow biopsy came back clean, so I immediately registered my info on the National Bone Marrow Registry.  I was blessed not to have cancer and if I can help someone else beat cancer I will.  The biopsy was not pleasant by any means, but I know it doesn't compare to the emotional or physical suffering that cancer patients have to  deal with every day. (I had a SMALL taste myself) ....My boys and I will be participating in a 30 hour famine fundraiser.  We will be educating ourselves on the suffering around the world, raising money and fasting for 30 hrs to experience what it is like to truly be hungry. (More info will come soon on how you can learn more, donate or join us.)  We are blessed and we need to recognize that everyday there is someone that would thankful for the things that we often take for granted.

I was given lemons, but I choose to make lemonade and I plan to make sure that it is a never-ending glass. : )

Avery Got Her Wings..Rest in Peace Angel!

Many of you may have heard of a baby girl named Avery Canahuati who was suffering from SMA. Those with SMA rarely survive past the age of two.  Avery was five months old and had created a blog in order to bring awareness to SMA and to chronicle her marking things off of her "bucket list".  I had just become a frequent visitor of her blog last week and was truly saddened and brought to tears to find out that she lost her battle yesterday.  True to form, Avery did not want anyone frozen in sadness due to her passing. She wanted action. Avery, posted that she wanted all of her millions of new friends to remember her by bringing awareness to SMA.  She had set a goal to raise 1 million dollars to get a therapy program out the lab and in the hands of doctors to help those with SMA.  There is $365,000 left to raise.  Please visit Avery's blog to see all of the fun and exciting things that she accomplished in her short time here, to learn more about SMA and/or donate to the fund.  Please send everyone that you know and don't know to this site. Click here.  Rest in peace, Avery.

A Quick Update:

Ok, so since my post on April 3rd, alot has happened.  The loved ones that I mentioned both lost their battles - one on the evening of the other's funeral.  My niece's minor surgery turned major, with her ending up in ICU and on a respirator.  My move was anything but a smooth transition and I am physically and emotionally drained.  I completed the No Soda Challenge and Ryan and I succeeded with flying colors.  I soon had a few Pepsis and considering what I have been through, I am okay with that. (I could have definitely done ALOT worse!) I haven't had a soda in over a week and am back on track to having them in moderation.  My dad is doing better and we are awaiting news as to whether he will have to have surgery. His spirits are better and he's getting stronger everyday. My plan was to give more details, but at this point I can't.  I am too tired and just want to move forward.  I have cried and I have been angry.  I have forgotten to eat.... and at times I have forgotten to breath.  No more dwelling in this place.  I may visit from time to time, but no more dwelling.....

Financial Planning: Wise Money Management

Good financial planning is a part of wise stewardship.  To be a truly effective steward, you must believe unequivocally that the money being managed is someone else's money- God's money.  Having this perspective gives a person the freedom to use finances as a tool to accomplish God's purposes, recognizing that no one comes into this world with any possessions, and no one will leave with anything (Eccl. 5:15).

God has entrusted each person with certain resources.  Money is something that God uses to test your ability to handle properly the other gifts He desires to give you (Luke 16:11).  One day He will ask for an accounting of how you managed the resources He has given you (Luke 19:11-26).  A wife who manages resources wisely is a blessing to her husband and family (Prov.31:27-28).

Remember:
Avoid an overly consumptive lifestyle.  The Bible teaches moderation in all things (1Cor.9:25).
Avoid debt (Prov.22:7; Rom.13:8).
Maintain a savings program (Prov.12:11).
Set long-term goals (Prov.13:22).

                                                                                                           ~The Woman's Study Bible~

Don't leave it on the desk...

I just got back from our "indoor picnic" at church and we had a great time.  Immediately, after service everyone filed downstairs for the picnic. (After the visitors and seniors, of course.) I made sure that we sat with members that we don't usually get to talk to or sit with during service, so that we can get more connected.  All you could hear was people having great conversations and the chattering and giggling of the small kids.  The was no shortage of food and I tried to sample almost everything ;  ).  I made meatballs and all that was left at the bottom of my dish when I left was one meatball, a piece of green pepper and a pineapple chunk. Yeah! I would have been depressed if it was barely touched. And yes, I secretly scanned plates to make sure that they weren't hidden under napkins on finished plates headed for file 13. (I know I 'm not the only one) ~Why do they call it file 13?~ Anyway, I am stuffed and need a cat nap. ~Why do they call it a cap nap?~  (Maybe, I should stop using phrases that I am not completely sure about. wink.wink.)  Well, in addition to those questions, I leave you with this................When I read this story I was truly touched and hope the same for you....

*PLEASE READ TO THE END. (YES, IT LOOKS LIKE ALOT, BUT YOU WILL BE GLAD THAT YOU DID!)

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

" How many push ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve. "Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can... yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second! aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did ten... Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he! fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

                                                                                                               ~Author Unknown~

Contentment: The Ultimate Acceptance

Contentment is the ultimate acceptance of yourself, your surroundings, your past, and your future.  Yet, reaching this blessed state of contentment is not an easy task.  Satisfaction- when you have real unmet needs, freedom from worry when you have overwhelming concerns, patience in letting God work when pressures abound seem like impossible dreams.  Happiness-despite heartaches caused by the past, in the midst of tragedies experienced in the present, based on promises trusted for the future- is not merely a human pursuit but demands spiritual resources only found in the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God has chosen not to give you contentment as a gift.  He chose rather to teach you to be content as you allow him to be ruler in your life. Contentment is learned (Phil.4:11)  As you trust God's gifts to be sufficient and his assignments to be appropriate, you can accept the way you look, the means you have been given, the family in which you are living, the struggles through which you have gone, the job you have, being content and fulfilled in all (2 Cor. 3:5, 6; 12:9).

On the other hand, acceptance does not mean stagnation.  Dissatisfaction with areas in your life that can be changed, within divine guidelines, may help you to see that something is missing.  When this happens, you dare not adopt the "Canaan" syndrome of complaining.  Remember that God's people were not allowed to enter the Promise Land because of their murmuring (Josh. 5:6).  Rather, take that dissatisfaction to the Lord and see what He would challenge you to do, being willing in the meantime to be "content" as you work toward ultimate goals.  This is the balance between "I have learned to be content", and "I can do all things through Christ" (Phil. 4:11,13).

You must trust that God has given you everything needed for this moment in time.  You should be content with yourself, your family, your surroundings, your job, or your past.  As you depend on the Lord, you are content as you pursue His goals for your life.

                                                                                                      ~The Woman's Study Bible~

Thought: How are you worthy to receive bigger, better and newer if you aren't thankful for what you have now? Know that without contentment, you will never be happy, because there will always be something out there bigger, better and newer than what you have.  Besides, many have lost everything by jumping fences, because they thought that the grass was greener on the other side only to find out that it wasn't even grass, but some fake turf or a spray on color. : ) So enjoy what you have now and what is meant for you will come in time.....if it was to be yours...

P.S. Don't try to keep up with the Joneses, because they are broke!

Don't Be Afraid......

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are we not to be?  You are a child of God: Your playing small  doesn't serve the world.  There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.  It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
                                                                                                            ~Marianne Williamson~

Grow Up!

The word "mature" is defined as having reached an advanced stage of mental or emotional development characteristic of an adult, while "immature" highlights one not fully grown or developed. {or deficient in maturity, lacking wisdom, insight, emotional stability}

Wise men increase in learning and understanding.  They never stop learning.  "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel... Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5, 9:9)

Children will fight and argue with one another; adults  learn to compromise to get along. Children are selfish and only think of receiving; adults are selfless and learn to love giving. Children cannot control their emotions; adult learn to rule their spirits and emotions. Children pout when they don't get their way; adults learn to overlook hurt. Children envy others for their advantages; adults rejoice in the blessings upon others. Children are moody and let others know it; adults crush their moods and hide them.  Children fail to look in the mirror or ignore it; adults cover their blemishes (James 1:25).

Am I, and have I, increased in all measures of spiritually mindedness and spiritual fruit? Am I stuck on a rut with little progress? Or have I actually regressed in recent months/years? Do I reflect the person, the grace, the character, and the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Am I a child or an adult?

                                                                                                               ~Min. Steve Miller~

The Big Game

Super Bowl XLVI features the New York Giants vs. New England Patriots tonight at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana.  Advertisers have spent as much as 3.5 million dollars for a 30 second spot.  It is one of the major sports events in our nation which will be watched by millions of people.  Sports fans in general are known for their loyalty, dedication, and deep commitment towards the players involved and the teams they represent.  In many cases, fans will go to extreme lengths to follow or support their favorite player or team.  It has been pointed out that there are certain characteristics of fans: they arrive early, they don't care when they get home, will endure any kind of weather, want the best possible seats, never miss a game, memorize statistics, pay the price (no matter how high), and vocalize whose side they are on.
                                                                                                               ~Min. Steve Miller~

Do you exhibit this kind of loyalty when it comes to your faith..family..those in need..etc? or is just for "The Big Game"?

What's In A Name?

Here we are starting our journey.  So, let's start at the beginning.  Some of you might be wondering, "where did the name of this blog come from?" Well, like many of you, I have always loved butterflies and dandelions, but poison ivy...not so much. Butterflies symbolize beauty, long life and transformation.  Likewise, anyone that has ever made a wish while blowing the "seeds" off a dandelion "flower" knows the magic of hope and wishes associated with the dandelion.  That's if you were able to blow all of the "seeds" away in one breath. I never had the lung power : ) ....  If it smells good, feels good, or tastes good, we're sold, but what about the things that may not seem that appealing.  We usually ignore or avoid them, often without truly investigating them to find their worth.  Example: poison ivy......  Did you just start itching?  I did : ) .... It is hard to have a positive reaction to something that has only been given a negative connotation. The name doesn't help either, but what about the good things that it has to offer.   Get past the name and think of the plant itself. The leaves are actually pretty and quite vibrant in color. Yes, touching the leaves can get you in trouble, but did you know that deer eat the leaves and that squirrels and songbirds eat poison ivy berries and seeds? or that it has medicinal purposes and treats a host of conditions including anxiety/depression, menstrual issues and of all things, itching skin diseases?  Think of how many great things we are missing out on, because we have judged the book by the cover or the by the first couple of chapters.  I wanted my blog to have a name that would encourage others and remind me to appreciate the beauty, hope and the not so nice things (or the things perceived as such) that life has to offer.  Thus the name, Butterflies, Dandelions and Poison Ivy.  Everything serves a purpose and we must find something positive in the things that seem completely or overwhelmingly negative.  You may have to look with a magnifying glass to find it, but it IS there.