Monday, May 26, 2008

LIVING AND LEARNING

Greetings friends,

School is out for most students and summer vacation season is upon us. It was my pleasure a few weeks ago to join my son-in-law and his 4th grade class for their Annual End- of- the- Year Cookout. It has been my job for the last five years to be the "chief hot dog cooker". This year I grilled over 200 hot dogs!! What a joy it has been to watch his students and their families as they gather for this celebration. Every year he invites, not only that year's students but every class that he has taught in past years as well. Some of those students will be entering 10th grade next year but they still come back to see their favorite teacher and long time friends. I usually stand back and watch and listen and that is when I realize just how much "Mr. Landtroop" has helped teach and encourage these young lives. He is just that kind of teacher most parents hope their children will have in school. He has that perfect balance of discipline mixed with just enough love and compassion that the students need to be successful and grow. All of us can probably look back on our childhood and name one teacher who had that impact on us as well. (Mine was my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Smith. "Thank you Mrs Smith for making a difference in my life"!!)

We may not always be aware of the influence we are having on other people either. We are all "teachers". Others are watching and learning from us by the way we live our lives. Opportunities come in all sizes and shapes. Part of life's great adventure is the growth process itself. We are always growing, teaching, and learning. What are we teaching, what are we learning, how are we growing?

Enjoy your summer vacation but remember: "Someone is still watching and learning". Your life is a book. Be that example. It is not our job to "change" the world, it's just our job to "teach" the world and GOD will do the rest!!!

Happy Summer!

I love you guys,
Judy

Galatians 6:6-Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teacheth in all good things.

PS. What I learned last week from all my tests:
"God is taking good care of me!!" All my test reports were good. I just have a slight problem with acid reflux and medications will take care of that. Praise the Lord and "Thank you" for your prayers as well.

Friday, May 9, 2008

REVIVAL

Last week our church had spring celebration services--"a Revival". Rev. Larry Winn, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church, was our speaker and we experienced four awesome nights of preaching and praise. I wish you could have been there too! I got my dictionary down this afternoon and looked up the word revival and this is what it said: "Revival- the act of bringing or coming back to life, health, or activity". That's what I've been experiencing lately; life after chemo, health after chemo, activity after chemo and a great "revival" in my soul. How precious is that?!!! It is comforting to know that God made me and knows everything about me. Nothing happens in my life that He doesn't allow and if He allows it, He will be with me every step of the way--in the good times and in the bad. Whenever I think about that I am "revived" and ready to face the day, what ever it may bring.

As I reported in my last blog, I had my third cancer marker test on May 7th and the results were good. Praise the Lord!! Dr. Hardcastle was a little bit concerned about a nagging cough that I have had for several months so he sent me to see a Pulmonary Specialist. They administered a breathing test which also checked out OK. Next week (May 15th) they have scheduled a chest x-ray and an upper GI test to see if that will give us any more answers. The doctor seems to think there may be a slight infection in my lungs caused by acid reflux or maybe a touch of asthma or allergies. I will just wait to see what develops and pray that God will reveal the answers for me. My three-month check up at the Oncologist is also that same day so it looks like another full day of tests and appointments for me. As always, I covet your prayers. I will post the results as soon as I can. Thank you.

I'm also excited to tell you that last week I got my first haircut in over a year!! There was finally enough hair on my head to get it trimmed and, even though it is pretty short, I'm getting ready to pack up my wig and put it into storage. Just in time for the HOT Atlanta summer. Yippee!!!!

Life is good. God is good. How could I ever complain? He has brought me safe thus far. He holds my hand and we walk the path of "Judy's Journey" together. With each new day I am so thankful. He "revives" me again. I love to share "His Love Story"! May YOUR heart be revived as you travel on "your journey" too.

I love you guys,
Judy

Psalms 138:7-Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.
(A prayer of praise)