Thursday, January 17, 2013

Opportunities...



Happy belated New Year!
Anyone stay awake to ring in the new year?  I've only met two people who did.  Our family was out cold by 9 pm.  We're so fun.

So, I just wanted to get caught up a bit.  I've received lots of emails asking how I'm doing.  I think some of my friends get a bit nervous when I'm not blogging.  Maybe they think something's wrong.  Well, rest assured dear friends, I'm doing great.  My latest cat scan revealed that all of my lesions have shrunk by 50 percent on this new regimen.  My doctor, after reviewing the scan said, "That's exciting!"  Nothing better than making your oncologist excited!  My tumor markers are elevated, but they assure me that a good scan trumps blood work, so all is good.   The only bummer is that I ended up in the ER with a horrific migraine last week.  A side effect of one of the drugs I'm taking.  It was rough.  But I'm now equipped with heavy drugs to combat that should another one creep into my head.  

On to better news.  
I titled this post "Opportunities" because there's an abundance of them on the horizon.  

Last month, we were asked to speak at Inspired31's mother/daughter retreat.  We were asked to teach a break-out session on our class His Flower Girls.  We're condensing our 4-hour monthly class into 50 minutes.  We've never done this before, but we're very excited to give it a shot.  We've also been asked to decorate the cake table at the event.  Everyone is to bring a bundt cake and a glass cake pedastal.  We thought it would be cute to sprinkle the table with a few chalkboards that read, Nothing "bundt" love for Him! and Nothing "bundt" praise for Him!  Of course, I will do my best to resist trying them all!  

We've also been asked to speak at Chelsea Cameron's 24/7 Family Class in February.  So many of her students came to our Christmas home tour.  And as they were walking around, I thought to myself, "You guys are the perfect students for our class.  Young moms, with little kids, and new homes.  You need to take our class and become Flower Girls!"  So we're looking forward to sharing our testimonies and decorating tips with them.  

And one of the coolest opportunities that may come our way is that the founder of Inspired31 has asked to feature our home (and Teri's) in her upcoming new book on hospitality.  I am in awe of how God is using this home for His glory.

At our class just this past Saturday, I had a thought.  I told the girls that when I was in the sixth grade, I bought a gold necklace and wore it around my waist as a belt.  The very next day, another girl did the same thing.  I was devastated!  I HATED when people copied me.  My mom would always say, "It's a compliment, a form of flattery."  I never saw it that way.  Fast forward 40 years (I mean 20 - wink, wink) and now I beam with joy when I hear someone has copied something that I've done.  I encourage these girls to take pictures of our home, to run out to the store where I bought something they like and see if there's another one.  Who woulda' thought!   

That God of ours can change hearts. 
 I know that because he's working on mine.

So before January comes to a close, what can you lay before the Lord?   How do you want Him to use your gifts?  What opportunities do you want to ask Him to bring your way?  

You two could make an amazing team this year.  Give it a try!
(Then I want to hear all about it!)





  







5 comments:

  1. Oh, what an exciting post! Thrilled to hear that you are doing so well. I have thought of you often and wondered how you were doing. Thanks for the update.

    And, so glad for the opportunities and how the Lord is using you.

    Blessings abundant!

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  2. Thank you so very much, Lea! xox

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  3. Ruthie, What wonderful news!! I'm so happy for your great health report. Congratulations, on your fabulous opportunities! I know you don't know me but I pray for you often.
    xo rachel

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    1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for lifting me up in prayer. Isn't blogland wonderful!? Love your blog!
      xox

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