Remembering Ann... and other things...

Heaven gained another member, and we lost an earthly angel...

Ann is the mother of one of my dearest friends. I say "is" because I believe she lives on, just out of sight, in the company of saints and angels... in the presence of her Heavenly Father.

Ann was a close friend of my mom's, and after my mom's passing, she often reminded me that she prayed for me every morning. She said she had decided to cover me with prayer as my spiritual mom.

Ann not only prayed for me, she took time to encourage me. She would call just to chat and ask me how I was doing. She had such a gentle, loving spirit. As someone at the memorial service commented... a real lady, who loved God, her family, her friends, her church. Gracious. That's the word I keep thinking of. I will have to pray a lot more to fill even a small portion of the gap that she left. I've already added a couple of names to my prayer list.

I will miss you Ann, your prayers, your faith, and your laughter!

And now the other things...

• I got the results of my MRI and it is mostly good news. Although I have two new lesions on each side of the brain, the changes in the existing lesions are only slight. The issues with balance, pain, numbness, and sight I am having should continue to improve with the higher dose of medication, and as I get to the end of this episode. I am still in the Relapsing/Remitting phase of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), so when I get hit with an exacerbation there is usually an improvement at the end of it. I am told you only recover some of what you lost during one, but up until now I have been blessed with regaining most of my functions. I am believing for the same with this one!
• Next, please pray for Pam Warden and her family. Her son Toby was diagnosed with MS, and it is an aggressive/progressive form of the disease. She just sent an email asking for prayer and support for him and his family. They are participating in the National MS Society Wisconsin Chapter Walk (http://www.wisms.org/). Please help support the MS Society's search for a cure. My husband has been active in the Idaho Chapter's walk. They do more than research, they give information and support to patients living with Multiple Sclerosis. Also, continue to pray for her husband John. I know if you take the time to visit Pam at Pam Warden Art or at Faith Folk Cafe, you will be blessed by her faith and endurance.
• While at Faith Folk Cafe, I found another blog that I love! It's called ooh lala designstudio and the artist is Vanessa Brantley Newton. She does wonderful watercolors. She is a children's book illustrator. While there, I read her February 9 post "Oh How My Soul Sings of Gratefulness" (if you click on the title it will take you right there)... Read the list of 10 things... It reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for!

Now, before I forget.... the Thank You's!

I've been absent from blogging for a while, due to a lot of family and friend situations. During that time, I have had what some call "a run of good luck" I prefer to call it a "shower of blessings & surprises" and this is a picture of the "Give Aways" I won recently.

Following is a photo of each item, and who it came from.

I won a Give Away hosted by Mary of Scottish Nanna for a lovely altered notebook! It came to me all the way from Australia. It's so beautiful!

I look forward to filling it with all kinds of keepsakes, notes and pictures. I also loved the card with the beautiful lilacs! One of my favorite flowers!

Thank you so much Mary! I hope you are feeling better! You are a dear!

Next I won a beautiful retro scarf from Jenn at Revive (Unique Handcrafts).

It made me smile when I opened the package and saw the polyester fabric pieced together to make this charming scarf. Jenn takes vintage materials and creates useable scarves, handbags, etc. Some of the patterns were very familiar to me... straight from the late 60's and early 70's I'm sure! What a sweet surprise!

Thank you Jenn!

I also won an autographed County Business magazine from a Give Away hosted by Pam of Pam Warden Art ! It is filled with so many beautiful treasures! I have browsed through it several times, and each time I notice something new and wonderful.

There is a world of amazing artists out there, and Pam is one of them. This is the page with her art, featured in Country Business magazine.

Pam, Thank You So Much!

I just received this latest prize, a beautiful bracelet!

Nita of Red Tin Heart hosted a Give Away for some of her jewelry creations. She awarded four prizes, and this is the bracelet I won. It's made with a Gold Monk's Stone and Vintage Glass Beads. It is even prettier than the picture reflects. Thank you Nita!

I feel very blessed today as I remember Ann, such a precious friend. I think about all that I have to be grateful for; old friends, and new; my wonderful husband and sons; answers to prayer; a home; my life; most importantly a Heavenly Father who loves even me...

Christmas is almost here...and I'm Not Ready!

This has been a wacky month for me. Didn't do any driving for about four weeks, so I did all my shopping online. Still have a couple of items that haven't made it to my home, and since we decided to be frugal this year I really need them to get here!

While I was at a really low point with my health, I received two beautiful cards from Pam Warden of Faith Folk Cafe & Pam Warden Art. She lifted my spirits with the beautiful friendship card and the Christmas Snowman. Here they are. Please do not copy these images as Pam retains all rights to her artwork.

Last Saturday (a week ago), I went out for the first time. It was cold and icy, but my cousin was having a holiday sale in her home. Lovely handmade items... aprons, handbags, wreaths, baby things... too many to name.

Original Art (sadly for me, it was sold)

Wreaths & Handbags
Baby Sets & Blocks... See the Darling Tuxedo Bib!

I loved this "Teatime" baby set!

Mother & Daughter Aprons, Crocheted Snowflakes!

I did a bit of gift shopping at the sale. If you want to see more of these products, visit Breeno Baby at Etsy. My cousin's daughter started the shop, and the two of them have plans to open another Etsy shop in the very near future. They will do custom orders. They put a lot of love and care into each piece they create!

I did a bit of gift shopping at the sale, and had a wonderful visit while sipping delicious coffee and snacking on finger foods she had prepared for her guests and customers. It was a perfect afternoon.

Tuesday evening my husband and I went to the Christmas Concert at my son's high school. He plays cello in the orchestra. It was a combination of Concert Band (freshman) who did very well. Next came the Orchestra. Their selections were beautiful and for the final song, Lucky13 had a "solo" harmony part. It was great. Next came the Jazz Band, followed by the Symphonic Band. I have never heard such a high quality concert, even at the high school level. It was a fun and entertaining evening!

This week I made a couple small homemade gifts, but I'll have to wait till after Christmas to show them. I don't want to spoil a surprise. PJ did our outside lights and I got our tree up, but there are only lights on the tree... no ornaments.

There is snow covering the ground outside and it's very cold. Inside it's nice and warm. The house is filled with the smell of spiced apple cider, ginger snaps, sugar cookies and a 7-UP Cake. PJ did the baking, and sampling, while I worked on last minute Christmas cards and gifts! I am taking the 7-UP Cake it to a Christmas Sing-a-Long at the Assisted Living Home where my Grandma Martha lives. It's one of her very favorites.

I hope you are all having a peaceful, fun holiday season.

Blessings!

Nita Jo

Faith Folk Cafe - Sunday Challenge

I was just over at Faith Folk Cafe, one of my favorite spots. Yesterday they began a Sunday Challenge. This week it is:

Sunday Challenge... It's simple...what are you thankful for?

To participate, or just read everyone's posts, go here.

As I sit here, I know I have too much to ever list. God has been so good to me.

I am thankful...

For Christian grandparents who saved my life... and the life of my mother, by bringing us to know God; and for teaching us to have faith no matter what trials may come... for life is full of trials, but it is also full of blessings, miracles, love, and beauty.

For a loving, caring husband who has stood by me through all the loss, pain, uncertainty.

For two sons that are so dear to me. Sons I was told I might never be able to have. They are my miracles, my heart.

For a mother and an uncle who, by their example, taught me that faith is not dependant on a perfect life, a healthy life, a pain-free life... that you can walk in faith in the midst of pain. Pain, failure, sickness, disability do not define us... we are defined by Christ alone. He is our source of strength.

For family, For friends, For wonderful Pastors, For strength for this day...

For unending hope for the future. No matter who becomes our next President, I can walk in faith, without fear, because everything... Everything... is in the hands of my creator... my Father God and His dear son Jesus Christ.

I am thankful that I can believe in a bright tomorrow. I believe while we are traveling there, faith will carry us through the rough times.

I am thankful, so thankful...

Faith Folk Cafe - Friday Challenge

Please visit Faith Folk Cafe and check out Pam Warden's Friday Challenge. She posted two questions. You post your answer in the comments section. Even if you choose not to comment, it is a unique and uplifting blog to visit. You can go there by clicking on the title of this post.

I shared about how I am thankful for so many things today. My health has improved a bit the past couple of days. This is after weeks of dealing with what is called an exacerbation of my Multiple Sclerosis. I tire very easily, my muscles have gotten weaker, and my vision has been affected. I have had to wrestle with not allowing myself to become discouraged, and I'm not ashamed to admit I've had some dark days. Because I live with MS, keeping my home in order is very difficult at times.

Now, before this starts sounding like a pity party, I have to say that God has blessed me abundantly in my life. I have a husband who stands beside me no matter what comes. I have two wonderful sons, when doctor's told me I would most likely not have children. I know what a tremendous blessing that is. It's like I've shared before, I cannot let my circumstances determine my faith.

The other thing I am thankful for today is that my cousin Sally, who many have been praying for, is improving from her stroke a little bit every day. I am thankful for her continued improvement. She has now been moved to the rehab area of the hospital. Please continue to hold her in your prayers. If you want to see who you are praying for, visit Nitajos Photos (link over to the right), where I have posted a picture of Sally.

I plan on serving God by serving my family. This weekend is a time for reclaiming some order in my home. God has blessed me with an improvement in my health, and I want to share that with my family. I have made plans to purge some excess "stuff" from my home. Some will be donated, some will go into my church's rummage sale, and some may go to Freecycle.

God has placed some ideas and dreams in my heart. I am praying for guidance in making decisions in the areas of writing and art/crafts. I also hope that by pursuing the dreams that have been placed in my heart, I will honor God.

I am thankful for the questions posted at Faith Folk Cafe. It challenged me to do some reflecting. Please take the time to visit, and while you are there, be sure to read the interview with artist, Jane DesRosier. She is a favorite artist of mine, and she is also the newest member of Faith Folk Cafe, joining with Pam and Mystele.

Blessings!
Nita Jo