May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day, especially to my Mom, who is an inspiration every day! Mom had an appointment on Friday. It was a long day for her, starting out with an MRI at 7:15, doctor appointments, and followed by her infusion treatment that she was unable to take last week. Her platelets were 46 last week, making her unable to take the infusion; however, thankfully she was back up to the 200's Friday. Her MRI results showed that there is little change in Cain and Abel from the images last month and Dr. Torres felt that the gamma knife treatment would be the best option right now. Because Dr. Harshbarger is a jerk and the machine is being upgraded, we will be making a trip to UPMC for consultation and gamma knife treatment. Dr. Torres told that UPMC brought gamma knife to the United States, so it is our thinking that they are the best. We're expecting to make that trip within the next couple weeks. Pray for Mom's healing according to God's will.

Following treatment, Mom came to work at Michaels with me and did some scrapbooking while I did some Mother's Day events at the store. We had a busy Saturay, as well. I did a jewelry event at the McGrew House for the CPMS band boosters and Mom helped out a while there. Justin and Allison were over for the day, cooked dinner, and then headed to Coalton. We finished up the evening with game night up at Uncle Delmas and Aunt Ann's. Joanna was in for the weekend, Paul & Shelly had the kids over, and we had a great time laughing until we cried playing Apples to Apples.

Dad is finishing up his final night of night shift tonight, so we're having a relaxing afternoon here at the house. Plans are still in the works for Mother's Day dinner.

I've been bombarded with messages of talents and God-given gifts in my devotions and again this morning on the radio. The minister was delivering a sermon on utilizing the talents God has provided us to help others. He went on to say that "everyone is able to do something." So I felt that was a good message to share. Maybe you can't do everything for everyone, but you can do something for someone. We need to carefully, but generously use the talents we have to help one another. Back to the sermon on the radio, if we use our gifts to help others, God will abundantly bless us. What goes around comes around! ...in a positive way! From my devotion earlier in the week:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights. James 1:17 Do you place a high value on your talents, your time, your capabilities and your opportunities? If so, congratulations. But if you've acquired the insidious habit of devaluing your time, your work, or yourself, it's now time for a change. Pearl Bailey correctly observed, "The first and worst fraud of all frauds is to cheat one's self. All sin is easy after that." If you've been squandering opportunities or selling yourself short, it's time to rethink the way that you think about yourself and your opportunities. No one can seize those opportunities for you, and no one can build up your self-confidence if you're unwilling to believe in yourself. So if you've been talking yourself down, stop. You deserve better. And if you don't give yourself healthy respect, who will? As I have grown in faith and confidence, I have known more and more that my worth is based on the love of God.

So, value yourself and the talents God has given you and share them with the world! Our friends and neighbors are still sharing their talents of cooking and generosity. We've had a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends this past week, as well. The blessings God is showering down upon our family continue abundantly! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.