Update on my Aunt Becki

I just recieved this from my Aunt:

Thank you all for patiently waiting for this update. Becki met with the doctor yesterday late afternoon. The meeting went VERY well and we left extremely encouraged. I have created my update in four segments. First, you will find the Scan Results as it is at this time. Second, specific areas of need. Third, areas of thanksgiving. Fourth, specific directive for continued prayer. Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think may be interested as this communication was approved by Becki to send out.


SCAN RESULTS

Scans were done on her entire body and the findings of these scans are as follows:

o The tumor in the kidney is still present and appears cancerous.

o The scans show spots on each lung.

o The brain is completely clear and normal.

o The bones are completely clear and normal.

SPECIFIC AREAS OF NEED

• Surgery to remove the kidney is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 @ 8am.

• The Insurance company has not yet authorized the surgery and this is a problem that needs immediate resolution.

PRAISE REPORTS

• GOD APPOINTS PRIMARY PHSYCIAN: Dr. Harmon was extremely encouraging. His leadership today gave absolute confidence that he is on assignment by God. He was very firm that we would not allow the insurance company to delay the surgery. Dr. Harmon also made it very clear that the insurance problems are only a distraction from the real job at hand, which is Becki’s health! He strongly praised the prayer teams and support network that is in place for Becki. Dr. Harmon gave great hope in the process before us. It was clear that this doctor was handpicked by God!

• GOD GUIDES TO SELECTION OF ONCOLOGIST: We prayed and asked God to show us the right oncologist as this is a decision that must be made prior to ever knowing for fact if cancer is present. We had hoped for a particular oncologist who had been recommended to us. That oncologist is not on the insurance list. God is so good, however, because on the approved list of oncologists who were also recommended by both Dr. Harmon and our good friends Drs. Bob and Diane Comp is the name of an oncologist who is part of the same practice as the original oncologist we had hoped to see! God is smiling at us in every way.

• NEW REPORT IS BETTER THAN INITIAL REPORTS: The report from South Africa indicated that cancer was likely in the bones. This is not the case and is a huge area of praise.

• BECKI & JOHN READY FOR BATTLE: Becki is in GREAT health. Becki and John are both standing with amazing faith and confidence in the Lord.

PRAYER STRATEGY

• CALL TO WARRIORS: Though we all hoped and prayed that the tumor would actually be gone, it is not and we must remain strong and remain faithful in prayer. This is huge in our prayer strategy because the enemy would love to take some of the prayer warriors out!

• FIGHT AGAINST CANCER: Though Dr. Harmon indicates the tumor has all signs of being cancerous, he is very clear that cancer cannot be truly diagnosed until the actual tissue has been examined. Pathology reports will not be completed until at least Saturday. Pray that we get a clean and clear report, free of cancer.

• GOD GUDING SURGEONS: A prophetic word came early in the process indicating that God was taking His hand and going right in and removing the tumor. God is using a surgeon to do this. We must pray earnestly for Dr. Harmon and his associate who will join him in the surgery (Dr. Ponas).

• INSURANCE: Pray that the insurance company will release authorization immediately. Becki is scheduled for some blood work today and the surgery on Wednesday.

• SURGICAL RECOVERY: Becki will be in the hospital from 5-7 days. Pray that her recovery goes well.

• MIRACULOUS: We remain in the posture of praying for the miraculous to overshadow this situation.



I will keep you all up to date. Please keep them in your prayers.

Blessings

Prayer Request

Please keep the McRae family in your prayers. Their 5 year old Kate, has been diagnosed with a brain mass. The neurologist is doing an MRI and other tests today.

The McRae's are the precious family we spent last Tuesday with. Yup, remember the photo I posted yesterday of Josh and Kate? That is the same little sweetie.

Here is a close up of her with Josh.




Here is another photo of her with Marie.



Please keep the entire McRae family in your prayers. They are all in need of His peace and strength.

Thank you

My Vacation

This morning my alarm went off at 7 am -4 am AZ time!

My body doesn't realize what my mind has had to figure out-

My vacation has officially ended.

It was so perfect while it lasted. I visited with my aunt (who is still awaiting the results of tests from last Wed.), was present as my mother wrote another song (SO cool watching God give her something new!), spent some quality time with my brothers, step dad, and my amazing sister, met my newest nephew and hung out with his sibs, and met up with a few friends I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years. If you think that is a run on sentence, living it felt like it was all mashed together also. Seriously not enough time in 8 days for all of that love!

Over all it was a great vacation and many memories were made. Did I photograph them? Nope! (let me pause for a moment as I kick myself- again!) I got a few, but not nearly enough to even scrapbook. Darn!

I thought I would share a few of the photos I did get.

This is my son Josh and my girlfriend's daughter. He let her climb all over him. He gave her and her brother rides for hours.


This is my daughter Marie and my niece Alexia.
Aren't they beautiful!



I was so tickled to be given a few great scenes for my WIP! Amazing how they come when I'm not freaking about it!

Thank you all for your prayers and please keep my aunt at the top of them.

Blessings

Update:

We are hanging out at my Mother's home in Arizona and having such a wonderful time. My husband was able to come out for a few days also and just relax; a rare feat for a soldier like him.

It seems that God knew we would melt in the normal AZ heat and have been blessed with temps below 90 since we arrived! A wonderful surprise to me; a nearly transparent woman who is totally unable to tan, only burn and peel. It is so bad my sister and brother in-law had bets on how long it would take me to burn. LOL! Neither one has won yet! Thankfully.

My Aunt and Uncle have arrived from So. Africa and have been spending time with their church family and friends. She saw a Urologist on Thursday who confirmed the issue with the cyst on her kidney. This next week will be full of tests and an operation to remove the kidney (the most pressing issue at the moment) has been scheduled for July 1. Once the cyst has been biopsied, they plan to see a Oncologist if needed. We hope to be able to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins before we leave.

Please keep them in your prayers along with the rest of our family. My grandparents plan to fly in from So. Africa later this week so we will probably miss seeing them. :(

On the writing front: I am going through the manuscript my mother and sister had and am happy that there very few changes. All of them are either spelling errors or a missing word. Yeah! They loved it.
I am working on many great ideas for my WIP, being around wonderful women does that to me! What inspiration.

Have a fabulous weekend. Make sure and give the fathers in your life a hug.

Please pray

Hi All,

I am preparing for our vacation and am so happy that we found someone to care for our home and our pets.

Our vacation plans have changed drastically over the past 3 days.

My Aunt (the one I blogged about who is a missionary in So. Africa) has been diagnosed with cancer. The severity is not known but spots were found on her kidneys, lungs, and other places. She will be traveling to AZ while we are there and we will be blessed to spend time with her.

The same day we found out about my Aunt, my sister got news that her SIL has severe cervical cancer. She is only 23 and has two small children.

Our family is sitting in shock and asking God to show us His plans. I am amazed at His timing and that for the first time in years, I will be able to be with my family and help out where needed.

I intend to blog while I am gone, but not sure how often.

Please keep these wonderful women and their families in your prayers.

God has a plan in all of this and I can’t wait to see the brilliance of it.

45 Lessons Life Teaches

Written by Regina Brett, of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland,
Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once
more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your=2
0friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God
never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one
is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no
for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ
is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,
will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time - time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of "who God is", not because of anything you
did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd
grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.


It amazes me how each and every one of these is a monumental lesson, and essential in life!
I need to re-read this daily!
Andrea

Spiritual ADD

WARNING: This may be a bit deep for a Wednesday- or any other day!

This morning while making breakfast, I found myself calling out to the Lord asking for His mercy. No, there is nothing specific I need mercy from, but I am feeling attacked on so many fronts: spiritually, mentally, financially, and in a few of my relationships. –relationshiply? Is that a word? Haha!-

(On Sunday Pastor Dan, at New Life Providence, spoke about the one prayer God ALWAYS answers: the prayer for Mercy. Let me tell you, I’m clinging to that prayer and the promise it holds.)

So, back to this AM; I’m praying hard for His mercy when He hits me in the forehead (He does this often and by now I should have a huge dent!).

“You have not been waiting on me,” He said.

As usual, He is right. I have not been waiting on Him.
Why? I believe I have Spiritual ADD. -I'm serious!

Some of the signs of Medically diagnosed Adult ADD are:

1. Fidgeting or squirming when I have to sit for a long time. –I can sit easily during Church or meetings, but in front of My Lord, I can’t just be.

2. Difficulty concentrating on what is said to me, even when someone is speaking to me directly? -Hugh Lord, what did you say again? Could you please repeat that?

3. Being distracted by activity or noise around me? -Was that my dog barking?

4. Feeling restless or fidgety? –Seriously Lord, You want me to be still?

5. Difficulty unwinding and relaxing when I have time to myself? –In my daily life relaxing is a joy, but in my spiritual time between myself and my Lord? I rarely feel relaxed and able to unwind in His presence.

6. Talking too much when I am in social situations? –Lord, let me tell you about this and that! -no snickering from the peanut gallery, I know I am talkative!-

7. Difficulty waiting my turn in situations when turn taking is required? -Lord, why did she get her prayer answered first?

8. Interrupting others when they are busy? –Thankfully my Lord is NEVER too busy for me, but I have been known to interrupt His process in my life.

There were MANY other questions on a test I found to help diagnose Adult ADD. It can be found here: http://www.addcoach4u.com/symptomsofadhd.html. The points listed above were the most convicting when applied to my Spiritual ADD.

The question I then posed to Him was, “What do I do about my Spiritual ADD? How do I change it?”

As I sat down with my breakfast, these questions were circling in my mind. I opened the devotional that I reviewed here, and wouldn’t you know that the Lord would again speak loud and clear, directly backing up what He was already saying. He is so wonderful, confirming what He wants to show me!

While there isn’t an Earthly cure to Spiritual ADD, I believe there is a Spiritual cure: Christ!

My Devotion started with, “Rest in Me, My child. Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen… Ask My Spirit to take charge of this day...” WOW!

The scripture for the day was:
Psalms 62:5 GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Wait calmly for God alone, my soul, because my hope comes from Him.
or
King James Bible
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

As I come to Him, He will discipline my heart, mind, soul, spirit and body. I believe He will give me the peace I so long for in my walk with Him, thus curing my Spiritual ADD.
Thank you, Lord!

Now it’s your turn. Do you feel that you suffer or have suffered from Spiritual ADD?
What is He showing you about dealing with it?

Writing Update

I must apologize for not updating you all on my writing progress.

Since my hand surgery, I have taken some time off and seriously need to get back into the grind of working! -Injuries can be such a great excuse!-

My work in progress: I am still in the research and note phase. I can't wait for it all to come together like my last book did.

I'm attempting to write my WIP a little differently than my last book, The One, where I just sat down and wrote what I saw in my head. Then I would go back and make sure it was seamless and that it all made sense. After all the edits were done, I then wrote a synopsis of the finished work.

Honestly, that isn't always the best way to write. It worked for the last book, (and might work for future ones)but since then I have learned SO much and want to try something different. So this time I am working on a Synopsis that is done BEFORE the book is written. Kind of like the outlines you wrote for reports back in High school and College, but this is more detailed. It will walk me through all of the important aspects of the book and keep me on track while I'm writing.



The One: I have gotten two more e-rejects from my queries. There are still 5 queries out there and for each e-reject I get, I send another out. I have about fifteen more agents on my list to query, but I must admit there are not nearly enough agents who deal with the genre it is written in. It is hard to find agents who deal with Inspirational Romantic Sci/Fi- yup it's a mouth full!- But I am not discouraged. I know that eventually it will sell. I realize that day might not come for a while and that I might need to finish other works first. -my next book is an Inspirational Woman's Fiction. There are many more agents to be found in that category!-

Don't for a moment think I am giving up! I refuse to give up on it! I am just being reasonable; I need to continue writing and improving my craft.

Did you know: Carrie by Stephen King was rejected 30 times (he even threw the manuscript away forcing his wife to fish it out of the trash!) and Gone with the Wind was rejected 38 times before publishers picked them up!

I can't give up because my agent/publisher might be right around the next turn.


I'm excited to see what the next few weeks hold.

What's up with you? Where are you in your writing/job journey?

A different life in almost the same body…

Have you ever felt like your life had changed without your consent? That due to some unforeseen, unplanned, and unwanted change you were suddenly seen as and treated different?

For the first time in over 15 years I have been placed in a world of weird looks and forced kindness; all due to my finger surgery.

You see, I am not able to wear my wedding rings at the moment. –possibly not for the next 6 months! WAAA!-

While out with my teenager the other day, she mentioned how much she hated it when men stared at me. I had NO idea what she was talking about. – I’m oblivious to my surroundings! There is too much else going on in this head of mine. -
I went to scratch my nose with my left hand -the assured message to all that I'm married-. As my hand passed my face, I got a quick shock when I saw my scar instead of my ring. I realized that without my rings the message I send is that I am AVAILABLE!

Until that moment I hadn’t realized the safety and security of those little circles of gold. Not only did they protect me from every lurch over 35, but also from the judging eyes of other women.

When I am out with my children I have started to notice the looks from some other women. The look that says, “I wonder what happened to their father?” or “Stay away, whatever drove her man away might be contagious!”

This all prompted me to look introspectively. What is my first reaction to other women? Do I do the same thing? When I see a woman do I look at their finger first before I look in their eyes? How about a pregnant woman; where do I look first: her eyes, or her left hand? –talk about a wake up call!

I am convicted, how about you?

I have finally found a Daily Devotional........

That I plan to read for the rest of my life!

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jesus Calling is a daily devotional written to speak directly to your heart and soul.

Sarah Young felt Christ inspire her to write down what He said during her quiet time with Him. In these messages He showed her who He is and who she is in Him. Each day He gave her a down to earth, easy to understand, personal message. She then passed those messages to us in the form of a daily devotional.

I have been searching for a daily devotional for years. I have longed for one that would help me see Christ up close and personal and at the same time make me want to come back for more.

This book has ended that search.

Each message is a personal note from my Savior with scripture and love woven throughout. Through this devotional, Christ speaks to each part of me: Spirit, soul and body. How could I not want to come back for more?

I look forward to reading this devotional each and every day for the rest of my life.

I read this book as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program found here: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/




View all my reviews.

Finding My Genre and Book Cataloging

When I wrote my book The One I never thought about the genre it would fit in. I knew that I wanted it to appeal to both my daughter (who is 14) and my friends (who are between 25-40ish. But when it came down to the story, I wanted a wholesome romance.

While writing I never thought about the other elements of the story and how it would affect where my book would be placed in a book store.

Imagine my shock when I was told it is a Sci/Fi! It has NO aliens, space ships, ray guns or other stuff like that, but it does have a new world that God created and they talk to their Guardian Angels (which would make it a Sci/Fi, Paranormal!).

I thought it was an Inspirational Romance. Plain and simple. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the extra lables much, it just makes it harder for me to market. Not every agent is willing to represent a Inspirational Romantic Paranormal Sci/Fi! So on my queries, I usually state that it is an Inspirational Romance with some Sci/Fi touches.

I have started paying attention to genre and how books are cataloged. I have been reading the inner flap on more and more books. There is a ton of info there about how the book is Cataloged in the Library of Congress.

For example, the book I just finished reading, Soul Tracker by Bill Myers has 5 catalog listings: Loss (Psychology)- Children, Death- Single Fathers- Teenage Girls- Future life. Amazing isn't it!

And another book I read was cataloged as: Missing Persons - Texas

The Noticer by Andy Andrews is cataloged as: Conduct of Life- Perspective (Philosophy)-Insight

I find this info so interesting.

So my question for you is: As an author, do you write with the genre or catalog placement in mind?

As a reader do you pay attention to genre, or do you read anything?

Have a wonderful evening!

Review of Soul Tracker by Bill Myers

Soul Tracker by Bill Myers

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Soul Tracker by Bill Myers is one of the best books I have ever read. Seriously!

It has all the components I enjoy:

It is a suspense/thriller, without much gore. It had me rushing through the pages to find out what was going to happen next.

It is a romance without excessive sex and language. There is a romance between two of the main characters AND a romance between many of the characters and Christ.

It is a Christian book that allows the reader to see Christ and how He woos us and loves us. Better than many of the self help books I have read!

It gives a very clear picture of Heaven and Hell.

It is written so well. At no point did I feel I couldn’t understand what Bill Myers wanted me to hear. One of my pet peeves is reading a sentence, page or chapter and having to stop and meditate in an attempt understand what was written.

Bill Myers is able to put into words how difficult it is for an author to articulate a feeling or idea.

LOVE IT!! I am starting on the sequel right now.


View all my reviews.

Just for fun......

QueryTracker.net is celebrating their second Anniversary. Congratulations! I would be lost without the ability to track my queries and find different agents. If you don't know what Query Tracker is click here.

They started a new contest on Thursday that runs until Sunday. It is so much fun!

The challenge was: Write the worst query letter. Break all the rules -on purpose! Haha!

It was fun! Here is what I submitted:

This would be hand written in pencil on a sheet of yellow legal paper.

Hey Agent Dude
I just started riting the best book since Twilite or Hairy Pottr! You have to read it or you will seriously be missing out big time! Imagine Rambo meeting your sister (dude, hope this does never ever happen) Sounds great right! Hey, I know you said you wanted your querries to only be on finished books but mine is so good I knew u wouldn’t mind. Think I could do a series on this? I mean better than Twilite - I never red em but everyone says they are grate!! I just know everyone will love it! Even tho my mom said it sucks, my girlfriend has red the first few pages and says it rocks, but that was b 4 she spilled her beer all over the paper- she does that all the time and I have to start writing my story over. It sucks because I have lost some of my best stuff because she cant figure out how to read and drink at the same time. I mean I can rite and drink and still do other things but she can’t even do this one simple thing. Ok enuf about her. More about me. I am almost 23, 5’7 and weigh 155. My eyes are blue and my hair is kind of brown- The girls love me! I m ripped!! 6 pak and all- u need to know even tho it took me 5 years to finish highschool –ha get it High School! -I still have a great connection there if u are interested.- I know that I am the best riter out there. I mean, how could I not be great? I have started riting a few other books but this one is the best. I can’t wait until everyone sees me famous! You can come to my autographing if you want. Remember the connection I told you about, he can come too, we probably shouldn’t invite my girlfriend, I mean HELLO she ruined my pages imagine her in a book store with lots of paper - better idea!! How bout we do the signing at a music store!!!!! Imagine how many fans will be there well need to hire security to keep me safe. Ill make sure you r safe too- dont wory.
So anyway because you want to represent the best riter ever give me a yell.
John Jones


That was so much fun to write. I'll keep you up to date on the outcome.