A Heart That Won't Quit -

I have never been an elegant writer. I use the same words over and over. I am also the Queen of run on sentences- but I felt challenged to take part in Mama's Losin' It little assignment. The topic I chose to write about is a heart that don't stop. I am choosing to write about my friend Betsy and her daughters battle with cancer. All through this Betsy has been so strong. She is the one facing a battle and she is teaching me so much. She has a daily journal giving us all the latest updates on Audra.

Today she wrote this...I sit here tonight watching my daughter rest, and as all mother's i see the most precious beautiful angel in such a peaceful God given rest. She is a Blessing. I can not Praise God enough !! even with only a mustard seed of faith (thank you myree) God can move mountains. It brings me to tears to see the presence God has in Audra's life here. The doc's are amazed, in we really. They were afraid the posterior fossa could continue for months so they were trying to prepare me for that. but i tell you with great confidence, MY GOD IS HERE! and praise His name she is waking up. Watching her today, moving following commands with her hands and feet from her nurse. Its an overwhelming feeling to drop to my knees and Thank you Jesus for every second that tics on the clock and every breath of being. she is a living miracle and proof our God is powerful beyond anything ever imagined. we read of stories in the bible, but im looking at a story in this bed. such a tiny body, carrying such a powerful message of God's mercy and saving grace....Words cant express. like the song "I can only Imagine" those are the emotions i feel right at this time. and that is so true. so true. surrounded by His glory here, what does my heart feel.....i want to dance, im in awe, we live/stand in His presence, and i do want to fall to my knees and sing His praises watching her day to day, from tears of joy or tears that He takes from my eyes, because He takes all pain away, He carries us, loves us, loves you......sometimes, most times i have no words at all to express what is happening here. There is no darkness here, only God's light and love. We will only worship God and continue each day to get better and better. She will dance for Him for she is surrounded by His Ever present Glory.. She has amazing strength. I am learning so much from her.

Here is my story-

I have a friend and her name is Betsy. She is married to a coach and has 3 children. Two boys and a girl. Betsy is a teacher and a lover of sports, especially baseball. The summer league at our school was just getting underway when her daughter was tragically diagnosed with cancer. Her third grade daughter and their family was thrown into a game they weren't prepared for. The opponent was big and scary - a team no one wanted to play. Cancer, a team they never thought they would have to face. The news of the big game spread quickly. People began to rally behind this family as their battle began. People were praying and cheering this dear family toward a victory. Betsy, the heart of the team quickly fell into place. She has been with her daughter every step of the way. Fighting each batter with her daughter. Her heart has ached because of the times she has felt helpless. As she watched her daughter in pain, knowing nothing she could do would make the pain go away. At other times her heart has felt triumphant as she heard the umpires yell SAFE! You have made it through this batter, prepare for the next. Her heart has felt loneliness as she and her daughter traveled to the best field in Memphis. While her boys and husband battled the opponents here at home. Her heart has felt the love from the cheering fans and well wishes from home. Her heart has felt pride as she watches her baby take on this battle head on. Betsy must be tired and weary from all the innings but she doesn't show it. She is the picture of strength. Betsy has not sat on the sidelines the entire game. She has been actively running right along side her and she will be until her daughter rounds the last base and heads straight toward home. We will all be there cheering as they present this family with the trophy. 1st place champions beating cancer. Everyone will be so proud but no one as proud as her mother, Betsy. Her biggest fan will be cheering the loudest. Tears of joy will be streaming down her face and she will take her family in her arms and as they began to quietly huddle all together- they will thank GOD for a successful season.

Betsy's heart won't stop believing that her baby will successfully beat this challenge and neither will we! I have been truly inspired by Betsy through this whole ordeal. She is so strong. I am learning so much from her. Thanks for reading my story about them.. Please keep this family in your prayers!
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I am still in search of those silly 3 opening picture frames. This afternoon after work I went to another Dollar General, The Family Dollar, and The Dollar Tree.. and I found several things but not the frame that I was looking for.. Sure I found frames that had 3 openings but they were all bigger than I wanted. I think if it is to big the project will not have the same effect.

However, I did find a few cute things at the Dollar Tree. I bought a few of these:

Cute little plastic containers with adorable scarecrows on them. Hmm, lets see what can I do with these?

Then I headed across town to the Family Dollar and there I bought these..

I would have bought planters peanuts but the only planters peanuts they had were unsalted and that just wouldn't do.. this being my last stop I headed home disappointed. I really wanted to find some of those stinkin' frames.

When I got home I mixed the peanuts and candy corn together.

Then I put the sweet and salty mixture in the plastic jar I bought at the Dollar Tree.. I added a little Happy Fall Ya'll Gift Tag and some curly ribbon! It's a cute little gift costing me a big whopping 3 dollars. I am letting my class give them to the secretaries in the elementary and high school offices.

If you guys haven't had the sweet and salty mixture of candy corn and peanuts you need to try it. It is so yummy. Once you try it let me know what you think...