I NEED HELP!!

I am not one that likes to ask for help but I need help!  I need help selling books and getting the word to others that have never heard of my books!  I need prayers that God will be in control and lead many to buy my books or to tell others.

You can help by sharing this post or telling others about my books.  They make great gifts for children and they do come with a free audio. They also are available for kindle.  Those of you that have bought them can help by leaving a review in the comment section below or on Amazon, BarnesandNoble, or on my facebook page Jungle Friends, Leo the Lion and the Big Bug Dilemma.

The books are available at any bookstore.  If they don't have it they can get them.  It is available on many of the online places.  It is available through the publisher, Tate Publishing.  I also have a website.  Here is the link : http://leothelionandthebigbugdilemma.web...

I also need prayers in my quest to find an agent.  I would like to find a christian agent that will work with me as I venture to write other books.  I want one that will be fair and honest and represent me well.  I want one that will find many places to promote my books.

I know that my ways are not God's way and I do want to be on the same page as He wants me to be.  Pray that this will happen!  Thanks for the help and prayers.  Thanks to the ones that are already helping.  Many of you are great about sharing and I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!!!

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Happy Birthday to the best third son that anyone could have

Happy Birthday, Jacob, Happy Birthday to you!!  You arrived 25 years ago six weeks early but pretty healthy.  You stayed under an oxygen hood for about eight hours but got to go home on the third day.  You weighed in at six pounds and one ounce and twenty inches long.  Hair was kind light brown, then looked kinda red and then turned blond.  Jonathan didn't want anything to do with you but James wanted to hold you and talk to you.  You have added much fun and talk to our family.  Love you more than you will ever know!

I hope you have a wonderful, blessed day!  I love you much(even if you are an OSU fan, just kidding)!
You are the my favorite third son!!

                                                HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

The Journey Continues:Pet Scan Results

Today ended up being quite the long day.  We started out on time and my car has a mind of it's own and decided that it needed to reduce the engine speed because it thought it was slick and hazardous.  We were not out of Enid yet and Richard said maybe we should go back and take the pickup but I said no that it would be okay.  The car had done this before.  Very irritating but it usually runs fine.  We got almost to Perry when the car just quit.  I got it off of the road and then it wouldn't budge.  The key wouldn't even turn. We called the insurance guy to see if we had towing on our insurance and we don't but he did give Richard two numbers of two truck garages in Perry.  Richard was dialing the first number and I decided to try to start it one more time.  This time it started and we did make it to Richard's appointment and we were in time for the appointment but late for blood work.  We finally saw the Doctor after four.

She started out by telling us that most of Richard's blood work was good.  His creatitin levels were up to 2.0 but she didn't seem to think that it was a big deal.  She then gave us the results of the pet scan.  There were spots on the scan but she is not sure what they are.  The one on the chest is still there and it is bigger,  There also are two more that are bigger than the one on the chest and they are on the left side under the clavicle.  She said that they could be cancer, a fungal infection or graft/vs/host problems.  They are going to try to do a biopsy in the next two to three weeks.  She is having the CD of the pet scan fed exed to her so that she and the radiologist there can study it to see if one of the spots will be big enough to biopsy.  She said that there are options for all three scenarios.

It was almost 6:30 when we got back home.  We are both tired physically and emotionally and covet your prayers.  God is in control and He is good all the time!!

Romans 8:39

New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Journey Continues:Appointment today

Richard has been getting stronger a little bit at a time.  He has been back on the 20 mg of steroids for at least two weeks now and he is doing more again.  He actually drove to Oklahoma City and back on Saturday.  He is staying awake more in the evenings and not watching the television through closed eyelids.

His doctor's office here in town did call yesterday and seemed upset about his creatitin levels.  The nurse said she wanted to make sure that the cancer doctors knew.  I told her that they got the reports every week and that we had an appointment today.  We will get the results from the pet scan today.

Thanks for the continued prayers!  You guys are the best prayer warriors ever!!

Psalm 100:4

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.

Happy Birthday to Brianna my lovey granddaughter

Happy Birthday, Brianna, You are the best granddaughter EVER!!! You are the best!!  I hope you are having a wonderful day today!!  I remember the first time I saw you and could not get enough of you! Still can't!  You are growing into a wonderful young lady of NINE.

 I look forward to seeing you celebrate many, many birthday!  I will love you FOREVER!!

The Heart of a Wellston Tiger:Biology

A week ago Sunday our church had a D3 Dinosaurs-Destiny-Design Conference.  I only made it to Sunday morning and Sunday evening services but what I heard was very interesting.  The conference pointed out that God was Creator and the flaws and lies of Darwin and his theory.  That morning before the service began I noticed one of the church members walking to his pew(you know we all have our pews)  and he was carrying a few paper plates in his hand.  They were turned right side up just like he was ready to receive a full portion.

I could not help but think back to my eleventh grade year at Wellston, Oklahoma . That was the year that I was introduced to Biology.  It had many yuck minutes along with weird facts and minks.  We had to dissect a mink, not a frog, but a mink!!  I am so grateful that I had a friend in  'ML' who let me be in his group along with a few of my squeamish best friends.  He did the dissecting!  I must say he did a wonderful job too. There was an awful smell that permeated throughout the room as everyone started dissecting.  I don't believe I will ever forget that smell.

The teacher taught what was in the book, gave assignments and tried to make our lives miserable with the projects.  You know a normal teacher.  The second semester of school was in process when the unit on Charles Darwin was presented.  I was in shock and I told Mr. M that God was creator and that we had not evolved from monkeys.  There were many heated debates after that but they ended when he told me that when test time came that I had better put the correct answer or he would count it wrong. He meant that I had better put the answer from the book, not the correct answer.

I was in a dilemma.  I didn't want to miss any points but I wanted to put the correct answer.  The answer I knew that was true, not that we evolved but that we were created by a mighty God.  I was not sure how to handle this until a thought popped into my head.  It came from God.  The answer that I wrote for the question about Darwin's theory was 'The book states the fact that we evolved from monkeys but that doesn't mean that this is true'.  The words may not have been those words exactly but close.  Guess what?  He did not count it wrong!

I am so thankful that my parents moved to Wellston when I was one.  This move planted me right in the heart of Oklahoma into a town full of churches.  This town was also full of people who looked to Jesus for answers, who loved Him and followed Him.  They were kind, considerate and helpful.  They are part of the reason that my plate was turned right side up and that I was ready to receive the truth.  The truth is that God is Creator.  The truth is that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for me and for you!

What way is your plate turned?  Do you know the truth??

Genesis 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

John 14:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Happy Birthday to Sarah my baby girl!

Happy Birthday, Sarah, You are the best fourth child and only girl that anybody could ever have!  You made our family whole and melted our hearts.  Even your brothers!  The minute we saw you we went nuts over you.

We were a little concerned because you were 8 weeks early and the Doctor had warned us that you might have to be medi-flighted to Children's hospital in Oklahoma City.  The minute you were born though we knew that you were going to be okay.  They had speculated that you would only weigh a little over two pounds but you weighed in at 4 pounds and 11.2 ounces and were 18 inches long.

You did get to stay in Enid and in the hospital for 24 days.  That was after they had said it might be a few months before you would be allowed to go home.  You not only showed them you thrived and stayed healthy most of the time.

Once we got you home the fight was on.  The fight over who got to hold you.  If you made a tiny squeak the boys came running including your daddy.  I tried to warn them but the spoiling was on.

You have been a delight, a pain, a mess, caring girl and are turning into a wonderful christian young lady.

Love you most and forever!!

Psalm 127:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.

The Journey Continues:Not feeling so well

This week Richard has been not feeling quite so well.  He has been really tired.  He seems to be getting congested and starting to cough.  I can just tell by looking at his face that he is tired, he doesn't feel well and he just wants quiet.  He has slept through several shows and has been waking up tired.  He is still fighting some stomach distress also.

I have emailed the nurse and waiting for a response.  I don't know if he needs the steroids to be upped again.  It seems like the problems slowly have crept back as he went down to ten mg a day.  Hopefully I will hear from the nurse soon.  Richard is worrying that if it keeps going backwards he will be using up his time again.

Thanks for the prayers!  We do appreciate them!!

Ephesians 6:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Locked out AGAIN!

I seem to have this knack for getting locked out.  I don't have a key or I left it on the table inside or just figured that I would get into the house through the garage.  Last night I arrived home from doing a training in El Reno and opened up the garage door, gathered up my bags and walked through the garage to the inside door.  IT was locked.  What nerve of my family.  What were they thinking??

They did leave all the outside lights on for me.  The light shone forth and led my path but I was left knocking on the wrong side of the door.  The outside.  I decided to go try the front door.  IT was locked!  I thought I would be nice and not ring the bell so I used my cell phone and to call the home phone.  My groggy husband answered the phone and I told him that the garage door was locked and that I was standing at the front door.  I figured that would save him a few steps.  I waited and I waited and I waited. I finally after thinking that he had misunderstood went back to the garage and to the inside door.  IT was still locked!

Then I knocked and I knocked loud.  I didn't care who I woke up.  Finally the door opened and I was inside the house.  My husband thought I had called to tell him that I was coming through the front door and had turned over and went back to sleep.  ????  The outside lights were bright and led me up the path to the garage door and to the front door but without the key I was stuck outside until I knocked.

I remember a time when a light beckoned me.  It wooed and it called my name.  This time the light knocked on my heart.  The key was I had to answer that knock.  I had to let the light in.  For a time I wasn't sure what that light was or if I wanted to answer.  The more I learned about the light though, the more I understand that this light would be forever.  It would guide my path through life.  I only had to answer. I did let the light in over forty years ago.  That light is Jesus.  I will never be locked out of HIS light!

Many think that they are in the light but unless you have responded to the still small voice there will be darkness.  Are you in the light.  Have you figured out the key?

Is the light wooing you?  Have you answered the knock?  Don't be left knocking on the wrong side of the door!

John 8:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:45-47

New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁵ The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

The Journey Continues:Confessions of a Caregiver

I just want to let you know from the beginning of this post that when I am talking about a caregiver, I am talking about a person that is taking care of an ill spouse, child, parent or friend.  I am talking about a person that has not been trained professionally to take care of the ill.

I confess that I had no idea.  I had no idea what the act of taking care of a loved one during an illness could entail.  I thought I did but no, not even close.  My husband has been fighting cancer for three years and I have not been a full time caregiver.  I have been a caregiver many weeks and even months but Richard has had some good months when things seemed almost normal.  Normal except he had cancer.  Our hope is that the cancer is gone and that he will get some relief from the graft/vs/host issues that  he has been battling.

I had no idea that I would experience a tiredness that I had never felt before.  It is a tiredness that invaded my body, mind and soul.  The sleepless nights in a recliner in my husband's hospital room or in the critical care waiting room didn't help.  The sleepless nights at home while staring at my husband most of the night to make sure he was still breathing didn't help.  The what ifs that fly through my mind at random times doesn't help. I have looked into the eyes of other caregivers in the critical care waiting area, the intensive care rooms, walking up and down the bone marrow ward and at the doctor's office and I have seen the same tiredness in their eyes.

I had no idea how much my husband helped me until I had to do it all.  He always wanted to drive but then he couldn't.  I have made that 200 mile round trip to the hospital or Dr.s office so many times in the last year and a half that it seems normal.  I also have had to go the grocery store, cook the meals, clean the house, pay the bills, go to Sarah's ballgames, band concerts, teach Sunday School, work and pick up the medicines.  I must confess that I have never been an immaculate house keeper so it was easy for me to let that job take a back burner. I also must confess that I turned down a good friends offer to do my dishes and clean up a bit .  I was afraid she would see my messy house.  I must confess I will never turn down an offer to help clean again!!

I had no idea that I would still get mad at my husband.  I guess I thought that him having cancer would change the normal, everyday parts of our lives.  It didn't.  He is still a stubborn, bull headed, want my way kind of man.  I am sure that if he had a say in this post he would tell you that I am stubborn and bull headed too. We still get on each other's nerves, say the wrong thing at the wrong time but we will always love each other.

I had no idea the intimate conversations that would come about because of cancer.  I must confess that I have learned much about my husband, his hopes, dreams and fears through these conversations. I had no idea though how hard some of the conversations would be. Like the ones when my husband told me the songs that he wanted sung at his funeral.  I must confess that those kind of conversations are probably better when a person is in good health.

I also had no idea of the support that there would be for my husband, me and our children.   We have had the support of my extended family, church family, friends and you guys.  I must confess that it would be hard to make it without the support and prayers that are said on our behalf. The prayers, the visits, the meals, the money, the cards have meant so much to us.  I must confess that I have felt the power of the prayers! Thank-you!!

I had no idea at the beginning of this journey how it would end but  I must confess that I would not have traveled this far without my God.  He has given me a strength and endurance that I did not know was possible.  I must confess that when I give my what ifs, what haves and what wills to God, He gives me a peace and wraps His arms around me.  That is when I rest!  I rest in the peace of God!

God is the ultimate Caregiver!

Psalm 62:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
⁶ Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.