Has this ever happened to you?  This year I opened Ben's Valentine's card and it was the same card that I bought him!!  Okay that must be a sign that we have been married a long time--so long that we think alike!

We are celebrating Valentine's Day with a concert this week:  Jars of Clay and Sarah Groves--I can't wait.

I'd appreciate your prayers, everyone...for our daughter to get over mono and be able to graduate this spring....for more energy for myself---I am dragging.  Finally, pray for a decision we are waiting on and will hear on Friday, Feb. 24--which happens to be my birthday. 

Thanks everyone!

.

Last Saturday, Ben and I attended a memorial service for one of the parents at our school.  It was a beautiful service honoring the life of a godly man.

This coming Saturday, we will attend another memorial service for a dear friend who died of cancer.  She was courageous, fighting her battle for at least ten years.  The last time I spoke with her was this summer and the doctors had told her there was no trace of cancer. 

This woman was a woman of faith and conviction who spoke into my life.  With the passing of friends and loved ones, it causes me to reflect on how I want to be remembered.  Am I speaking into the lives of those I come into contact with?

It's not about me, it's about Jesus and what He wants to do through me.  Lord, help me to remember during every moment that I breathe to reflect your love to others. Help me to speak into their lives.

I received a really thought provoking email this week--"The Ten Things God won't Ask You."  The list included things like, God won't ask the square footage of your home because He is more interested in how many people you have invited into your home than how many people can fit in your home.

It was another reminder to keep eternal perspective because the things that we don't see are actually more real than the things of this earth....

So, I hope that when my day comes, I will find many heavenly treasures stored in heaven and I hope that the memorial I leave here will be people whose lives have been changed because I touched them in some small way. 

Well, here I am at home--recuperating from surgery for the next few weeks.  I had my surgery November 9th.  I was not sure of my doctor's spiritual condition, but I am always open with her about things of the Lord and things happening in our family.  I recently gave her a cd of Evie's.  She loved it and wants to share it with her brother-in-law who is a youth pastor.

Right before surgery she asked if she could pray for me.  Of course, I said yes!  She took  my hand and prayed.  I know I am in God hands, but it sure was reassuring to know that I was also in the hands of a praying surgeon!  Our good friend, Joy, kept Ben company and brought him coffee and pumpkin bread while they waited to hear from the surgeon.

The surgery went well.  I didn't like the morphine afterwards--kept me real dizzy so I could not even lift my head of the pillow and I was fighting nausea for awhile until they changed the pain medication.

I was at the hospital for 2 days.  Teachers from our school have been bringing us meals.  Joy came to the house and started putting up my Christmas decorations--which I really appreciate so much!  Peggy and Janet have been stopping in to help vacuum, pick up and keep me company.  Ben has been doing alot to help me.

God is so good.  I appreciate so much the family of God even more during this time. Each day I am feeling better--just need to pace myself and rest.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.  The Burchetts and Haskells will celebrate together--always fun to be together. Everyone is pitching in to help. Evie flies home Wed. night.  Then Thursday a.m. she is singing at Beaverton Foursquare--this will be my first outing! The her producer will be out Friday and Saturday to get her ready for her recording in December.  It's a busy time for Evie--pray for her!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!