Because It Was There

Riding an elephant really wasn't on my list of goals or dreams. But there it was. A chance to ride an elephant. I couldn't pass it up. I might never get another chance. It was fun!!!!

 

Elephants are very fascinating. Elephant families bond for life, caring for and protecting one another. They are only separated by death. And God gave them a memory so they could protect themselves from danger.

 

God's creations are so amazing.

September's Almost Gone

I think I'm a little nostalgic tonight. I feel September is a fleeting month soon to be in the past.

I know these moments of time will never come again. It's almost like the past is growing and the future is shrinking.

I know I have a wonderful life full of great friends and a great family and I know that in this life, I couldn't have asked for more.

 

I Couldn't Have Asked For More

I sit here and think of all that I have seen

And the memories I made in places I have been.

I think of every sunrise that wakens up the world

Along with every sunset with colors all a twirl.

I've got to stand on mountain tops and see the world below.

Enjoy the peace and stillness while walking thru' the snow.

I watched the flowers grow as they came alive in spring.

And saw the pretty colors that only fall could bring.

I've held my newborn babes tight within my arms

And wished that I could keep them safe from any harm.

And someday when I'm drawing nearer to heaven's shore

I know that in this life I couldn't have asked for more.

 

- Patricia Rice

I am blessed.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month.


It's been over 2 years now that my husband passed away with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.


Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that progresses quickly without treatment. It affects mostly cells that aren't fully developed. These cells can't carry out their normal functions. That's one reason why it's important to get care and treatment as soon as possible.
With treatment, people who have AML continue to see improved results. However, AML can be a difficult disease to treat, and researchers are studying new approaches to AML therapy in clinical trials.

AML results from acquired changes in the DNA (genetic material) of a developing marrow cell. Once the marrow cell becomes a leukemic cell, it multiplies into 11 billion or more cells. These cells, called "leukemic blasts," do not function normally. However, they grow and survive better than normal cells.
The presence of the leukemic blasts blocks the production of normal cells. As a result, when AML is diagnosed, the number of healthy blood cells (red cells, white cells and platelets) is usually lower than normal.

AML progresses rapidly without treatment.

I'm thankful everyday for the treatment that my husband was able to get. It prolonged the time that my family and I was able to spend with him. Without treatment the doctor said he would only last about 5 months. So thankful that he was able to get a bone marrow transplant from his brother, Bob. The "Leukemic blasts" were just too strong. My husband fought a good fight.
So thankful that I'll get to see him again someday in heaven.

Pray that someday a cure can be found for this and other cancers.

Two Things Cannot Be in One Place

“One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts—just mere thoughts—are as powerful as electric batteries—as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in you may never get over it as long as you live... surprising things can happen to any one who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place.""Where you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow.”

―  Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

I love the story of "The Secret Garden."

One of my favorite passages is where they talk about replacing the bad thoughts that enter into your mind with good thoughts.

It is so easy to let our minds be over taken with sad and bad thoughts. Every day we wake up to violence and injustice happening in our world. We face the death of loved ones, health problems, or our hearts are broken over something we have no control over. I know it isn't always easy to replace those thoughts with good and happy thoughts. But if we don't, pretty soon we lose our happiness and purpose in life.

Sometimes ordinary little things can replace my sad thoughts. Maybe the music and words of a song, the smiles and laughter of my grand kids, the innocence of a new born baby, the touch of the wind on my face, the beauty of a flower, a hug, the smell of the rain on a warm summer day, a ripe tomato from the garden, the reddest juiciest watermelon in the world, the changing of the seasons, knowing I have an eternal home in heaven, and a God who is always in control.

The Bible verses that help me to find peace are  Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Whenever a thought enters your mind that shouldn't be there, think on honest, just, pure, lovely things and the God of peace shall be with you. Think on the things that give you happiness and peace.

 

Rejoicing in Heaven

Sunday, August 31, we laid to rest Jerry's brother, Robert L. Rice. 

While we are mourning the loss of Jerry's brother, Bob, I think of all the rejoicing that was going on in heaven that day. Bob had passed from death unto life.

At the funeral we had the joy of seeing family and old friends we hadn't seen in a while. It seems like it takes a sad occasions like a funeral to get family together.

Please continue praying for Bob's wife, Julie, and for the rest of the family. Pray for comfort and peace.

3 of my sons - Aaron, Neal, and Scott

 

 

 

On the way home to North Carolina, we saw the most beautiful rainbow. It reminded me that you can't have a rainbow of promise without a little rain.

We Live - Because of Calvary

My phone rang early this morning with the news that Bob Rice had went home to be with the Lord. It seemed like it wasn't real. I had saw him and his wife, Julie, this summer.  Everything was fine. And then I received a call at the end of July that Bob had lung cancer. It moved so fast.

I keep telling myself - "God knew all about it. He is in control. HE IS ALREADY IN OUR TOMORROW.

 

I thought about the reunion going on in heaven. He's seeing his mom and dad, his brother, Gary, and his brother, Jerry. They'll be no strife, no pain, no sickness, just a glad reunion time. I'm so thankful for that blessed hope.

 

Please be praying for Julie and the rest of the family as preparations are made.

 

On a happier note -. My son, Neal, and his wife, Amy, are expecting a little boy in January.  I'm so excited. My favorite thing in the world is being a Grandma.

 

A Baby is God's Way of Saying That the World Should Go On.

 

In this life, rain falls along with the sunshine. But what a wonderful Saviour we have. Always there leading the way. 

God Is Good - All The Time

God is Good - All the Time.  No matter the situation or circumstances or trials that we are going through - God is good. 

 

I write this blog with a heavy heart. Before I came home from my summer adventure, I learned that my brother-in-law, Bob Rice, had lung cancer. He was the brother that was Jerry's donor for the bone marrow transplant. I'm so thankful for his willingness and love for Jerry that he didn't even hesitate to be the donor. Bob gave me a few more months with my husband which I probably wouldn't have had.

 

Bob's lung cancer is very aggressive. Today we learned that it had gone into his pancreas and lymph nodes. We are still hanging on to hope. Hope and faith gets you through the dark days.

 

Bob is like my brother.  We all grew up together. My brother and Bob always hung out together and were in the same class. We were just a bunch of kids growing up in Newburgh, Indiana living on a little road called Clover Drive, out in the middle of nowhere.

 

We all had futures we were looking forward to, all of us wanting a better life than what our parents had. The best thing I can tell you is there was a time that Bob and his wife, Julie, accepted Jesus as their saviour.

 

Please pray for Bob and his wife, Julie. Pray for comfort and strength. My heart is breaking for them. Like Jerry and I, Bob and Julie had planned on retiring and growing old together.

Christmas of 2012
Back - left to right - Norman, Steve, Bob
Front - left to right - Janine, Gary, Pat, Julie, and Jennifer in front.


GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME