Wednesday, September 17, 2008

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!
__________________________________________________________

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...

45 comments:

Mrs Anne said...

how sweet are you??

I bet the ladies will just LOVE these sweet/salty treats!

Very kind of you...

it's truly the little things that can turn a persons day around.

:)

cherry said...

YUMMMMMM.......cool idea. cherry

Joy said...

I hear from a lot of people that that is a winning combination of treats. I going to have to try it.

I don't mind you using my photos because you mentioned where they came from. The copyright is just so that people won't use my photos as if they were theirs.

I think you could use the bigger frames to make the project. Or you could even use three small individual frames and group them close together. Good Luck with your hunt for frames!

Lacey in the Sky said...

I don't think anyone has ever stopped by just to say "Hi!" to me before! Sweet :) Hiya right back at ya Becky! Love that story about Audra and her Mommy. That's some amazing faith right there. I could use some of that! I will keep them in my prayers!

Anonymous said...

What a story. Faith can carry you through so much. Thanks for visiting my blog. I like yours, great craft ideas!

Amy said...

That was a very touching story that you wrote. You are a terrific writer.

And not only that, you are a very thoughtful person, that comes up with very cute gift giving ideas.

That fall salty/sweet snack jar is darling. And I know the recipients of the gifts will love them.

You're a gem!
God Bless,
Amy:)

Rhonda said...

Your story is very well told. You just described one of my worst nightmares.

But little does cancer know the force to be reckoned with that is a mother's love.

I will keep the family in my thoughts for sure!!

Rachel said...

Just great....and kind!

And great idea by the way...thanks for sharing!

T said...

What a beautiful story! That mother is amazing and what faith she has! I will be keeping that little girl in my prayers.

I also love the idea...I have to go to the store today and I think that is going to be added to the list!

Sondre Lyn said...

I agree with Amy...You're a gem!

tiarastantrums said...

Beautiful - GOD is amazing!!

Unknown said...

i totally forgot that it is now the official candycorn/peanut season!!!! thanks for the reminder. i must make a huge bowl of it :0

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

MMM candy corn! And good idea mixing that with the nuts - never saw that before!

Insight, Insanity, Imagination said...

Your story touched my heart. God is so good and can bring us through so much more than we ever thought possible.


And the candy corn treats? You are too sweet. I want you to be my friend :)

Liz Harrell said...

Thanks for the story, anything written from the heart is good writing.

What a fabulous idea about the candy corn and peanuts! I'll have to try this.

Me said...

This was a very touching story. i will definitely keep Betsy and her family in my thoughts and prayers.

Annikke said...

That story is so inspiring and made me cry. Thanks for sharing it.

Those containers are adorable! And I will have to give the salty/sweet combo a try!

Unknown said...

Your post is so touching...thank you for sharing it.

Kim said...

What a story of faith. Many prayers and good thoughts for your friend and her family.

taratoons said...

You are a great writer!! I loved the story that you wrote. Your friend and her family are truly inspiring. I'll be keeping them in my thoughts and prayers. I had to scroll down to see what kind of frame you were looking for. I. LOVE. IT. I'll be back to check in!

Rebecca Jo said...

Cancer touches so many people in so many ways. Glad to see this family is facing it with courage & a strength to fight!

Also - I love that combo of candy corn & peanuts....yum! And what a cute little gift! You're so thoughtful!

Heather said...

What a cute idea!

Alana said...

I loved the tribute to your friend.

sj said...

omg - you are *so* sweet... how thoughtful of you, really. (thank you for stopping by our blog! i love your ideas!)

what a beautiful story. thank you for sharing!

Whitney said...

MMM! I have heard of a lot of people doing that little combo! Is it good?

Whitney said...

I do the MILKDUDS in popcorn. It is amazing. The heat from the popcorn melts the duds a little and it is absolute Heaven!! I do it at the theatre most every time. Yuo and all this popcorn talk really have me craving it!!

Mojito Maven said...

thanks for the blog love! I have also enjoyed reading yours! I've added you to my blog roll :)

KatBouska said...

It tears me up thinking about little kids and these big mean diseases. Your friend's stregth and faith are inspirational!

Los said...

A good friend of mine in middle school (8th grade) was diagnosed with liver cancer ... he had 3 liver transplants, and ended up dying after the third ... we grew up very quickly that summer.

S Club Mama said...

cute cute sweets! very good idea.

thanks for stopping by, come again!

lklalli said...

You are an amazing writer my friend.

That snack is yummy:)

Anonymous said...

That is such a great idea! I have never seen the candy corn/peanuts combo. I will definitely try it soon b/c I love them both!

valerie said...

You are so sweet and thoughtful!
What a cute idea and the snack sounds really yummy too.

I thought your story was very well written. I'm keeping that family in my prayers.

I like your new picture, by the way.

Jo-Jo said...

That post makes me want to be a better person. I mean if she can get through the things that she has and will have then I should never complain. God is still in the miracle business!

Melanie Dickens said...

Heartbreaking story, I cannot even imagine.

Wendy said...

Thanks for visiting my place. I love love this snack. In fact, it's fall so we had it at work this week! What a story about your sweet friend Becky. You are a good friend! I see you are from small town OK, me too! So glad to find another OK blog friend!

~Trish~ said...

OMG I have done that for years and people think I am insane until they try it!! My kids always start asking for it about this time of year too. It's like a Salted Nut Roll huh?? Thanks for commenting on my blog yesterday :)

Solei said...

I just loved the way you wrote your story so much. It just breaks my heart when children are sick. =( I will most definitely keep your friend and her family in my prayers.

ps. thanx so much for stopping by my blog. i really like yours!

Jennifer Owens said...

THanks for sharing your sweet story girl. Loved reading it.

That is one of my favorite combos - candy corn and peanuts taste kind of like a payday!! Yummy!

Faith said...

What beautiful words you wrote about that family. I prayed for them just now.

Thanks for your sweet comments about my wedding pics!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Shillingburg's said...

Ok, so how do you get your ribbon to be so perfectly curly??????

amy (metz) walker said...

How cute!!!

Jen said...

looks yummy! and very cute!

judy said...

I'm "passing through" and caught your wonderful story. I will be praying for that family.

Your candy corn and peanuts recipe is great. My neighbor makes it for me every year! DELICIOUS.