Wordless Wednesday - Patriotic & Blessed

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you...."
John 15:12-17

Encouragement In The Toughest Times

Cancer.
One of the ugliest words, and worst concepts when it lives in one of your most dear friends or family members.

One of my best friends has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I am deeply sad, and really at a loss for words or actions that could encourage her through all of the crazy emotions that come with such a diagnosis.

She is half the country away, and I want to go stay with her, and take care of her! My three children, combined with her three younger children, would make that situation crazy, but I must find a way to encourage her.

So, I'm taking to prayer, and I know that other friends are also praying for her.
If I could ask my readers to also pray for healing from cancer, that would be the best way I can support her from so far away.

Dear Lord,
You made our bodies, and we know that you had the best laid plans when you made them as they are. We have so many outside influences on our bodies, and cancer is one of the worst. We don't know why it grows inside us, but we want it GONE. Lord, we plead with you, to heal our bodies, and eradicate the cancerous cells in our bodies. Provide us with peace and comfort as we attempt to eliminate the cancer, and become healthy enough to live for You. Your Glory shines through us, and we pray that your healing shines through the doctors and nurses as they operate on us, and treat us for the ailments from which we suffer. Help those of us who do not suffer from cancer to encourage and build up those we love who are suffering, so they can see Your love through us.
Amen

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Mommys Do Strange Things For Kids

My children and I ventured to our local library to sign up for the summer reading program.

We do this every year, since my kids really do love to read, and winning prizes motivates them even more.

My six-year-old son prefers to check out craft books, and this trip proved to be no exception. He found a fun book of "Sneaky Art", and was flipping through to find crafts he wanted to make himself. He brought the book to me, and asked what he needed to make the little pirate figure in one of the photos. It turns out the figures are made out of corks, from wine bottles!

My son went back to perusing the book, while I read my own.
As we were leaving the library, he asked, "Mommy, will you drink a bottle of wine when we get home, now, please? I need the cork for this craft project in my new book."

I could not say no!!