Mom Update: Praise and Prayer

Dear friends,

Mom was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday evening!!! PTL!!! However, she was unable to have the MRI and Kidney Functions Scan there. I was able to reschedule those appointments for today. Please remember Mom in your prayers.

Her leg is much improved (PTL!!), but it definitely is still infected. She is currently taking antibiotics by mouth at home. She now is taking two new meds due to the new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Please pray that she is free from the potential side effects of these powerful meds.

Please pray for the staff at Holy Spirit Hospital, especially the nurses. Being in the hospital environment again has caused me to remember how difficult it can be for nurses. Pray blessing upon them!!!

May His blessings be multiplied to you!!!

With love,
Beautiful Grace :)

Meme - 5 Things I Dig about Jesus

I was tagged by Sandy over at Dark Chocolate and Jesus for this meme. There are many things that I love "dig" about Jesus, but listed are the first five that come to me.

1. I love "dig" that He desires to be with me. I talk to Him about EVERYTHING! He is never distracted or hurried. He is my voice of reason for this naturally emotional girl.

2. I love "dig" how He loves me, though He is aware of every misstep, mistake, sin...He chooses not to remember them.

3. I love "dig" how He loves me through others. I've received so many beautiful encouragements and prayers over the years. Thank you to all who allow His love to flow through you!!

4. I love "dig" how He loves me through the rough seasons in life. Actually, it is during the roughest seasons in my life that He has revealed Himself the most. Thank You, Jesus!!!

5. I love "dig" that He allows me to be His ambassador, speaking truth and life to others.

What I Did This Summer

Guess what I did over the summer? If you said, prepared for Consecrated's senior year and Fire's freshman year, you'd be correct. However, that's not what I was thinking of.

After stumbling upon the National Center for Home Food Preservation's website, I am a graduate of the University of Georgia's canning course. I have been canning for about eight or nine years, but this summer I decided to actually take this free course over the Internet.

I recommend this course to any of you, who have a desire to learn this traditional and economical means of preserving food.

Praise and Prayer: Mom Update

Dear friends,

Dad called me yesterday morning. It turns out that Mom's Left leg infection (cellulitis) and her bladder infection has returned. Praise God that she was not mentally out of it like she was the last time. Thank you, Jesus!!! However, she is very weak, to the point of even falling after getting out of bed yesterday morning.

Another praise was the speed of the admission process in the Emergency Room at Holy Spirit Hospital. In the past, it took into the early morning hours until the decision was made for Mom to be admitted. This is a direct answer to prayer as my sister-in-law, Plain and Simple, and I declared that the Emergency Room visit would be shortened. God's answer...I got home around 9:30 pm. Thanks Jesus, for caring about the physical rest out bodies need!!!

Another praise is that the MRI and Renal Function tests will be done while Mom is in the hospital. This saves my brother, Pastor Brother, from making an extra trip to Harrisburg. Thank You, Jesus for begin concerned about our time schedules!!!

Watching my parents last night was beautiful!! As Dad said goodbye to Mom, He told her to be a brave soldier and proceeded to kiss her on the neck. Her response was giggles. I love having parents who love each other completely, playfully and faithfully. Praise You, Jesus!!!

Please pray that the leg infection and the bladder infection resolve completely!!!! Most likely the antibiotics used the last time were not effective in completely destroying the assaulting bacteria. Also pray, for Mom's heart to pump normally. They found that she has what's called atrial fibrillation...meaning, the top part of her heart quivers instead of pumps effectively at times. This has the potential of causing clots to be formed in the blood.

Your prayers touch eternity. Thank you, on behalf of our family!!!

Always in Jesus,
Beautiful Grace :)

Purple Door 2007

I spent this past weekend on Ski Roundtop! For the past several years, our family has made the trek to Mt. Airy for the annual Purple Door Christian Music Festival.

This year was a particular blessing for two reasons. The majority of bands I saw left no doubt as to how they felt about Jesus, encouraging the listeners in the love and forgiveness of the Lord. The passion they spoke and sang about was more than rehearsed religious speeches.

The second reason I was blessed was because of meeting, Michael Barnes, the lead singer of one of my favorite bands “Red.” I had heard on TVU (the Christian alternative to MTV) that he was a registered nurse. When questioned about his nursing background, he quickly pulled out the wallet-sized version of his nursing license form his wallet to present to me. In talking to him, I found out that he considers his music to be a type of spiritual nursing. (AWESOME!!)

What a blessing to meet a young man who is using the gifts the Lord has given him, whether music, compassion or intelligence, to serve the Lord by serving others. What a blessing to see the next generation making use of “hard rock” music to bring glory to the Lord!

Mom Update: Praise and Prayer

Dear friends,

Mom is scheduled for an MRI and Renal Function tests on Friday. Please pray that God will be glorified in all of the test findings. Mom did feel that the Lord healed her this past Tuesday at Christ Community's healing service.

Praise the Lord for the seeds of faith planted in Mom!!! Continue to pray that any plant not planted by the Lord would be uprooted.

Thank you for caring and praying!

Beautiful Grace :)

Praise and Prayer: Mom Update

Mom, Dad and I attended the healing services last night at Christ Community Church, and it was beautiful! Mom was visibly touched by the love of Jesus, and she declared, "I am healed." Praise, praise, praise, my wonderful Jesus!!!

Please pray that the seed of faith planted in Mom would be protected and that it would grow into a healthy, strong tree which bears good fruit.

Please ask the Lord to uproot any plant in Mom which the Lord has not planted.

All glory to Jesus, the Matchless One!!!

Praise and Prayer: Mom Update

God...all powerful, full of love and mercy, reaches down from Heaven by His Spirit to touch the hearts of men. Thank You for Your beautiful touch, my King!!!

Today was difficult, but at times during the day, I could feel the Lord's Presence physically, encouraging me to continue to trust Him. He is Good!!!

Found out today the surgery will be more difficult than the surgeon first thought, and that metastasis (spread) is a possibility. He did agree to let Mom have an MRI at my request.

Mom will attend healing services tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church. If you can attend, great. If you can't, please remember Mom during that time.

Youth Explosion 2007: Radiate

I'm tired. I'm sore. I'm blessed!!!!! I had the privilege of being one of the youth counselors at this year's Youth Explosion, hosted by Christ Community Church and held at Messiah College.

God amazingly touched the lives of over 150 teens this past Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Passionate worship, unbridled by tradition, led by the worship band "Radiant," set up the atmosphere for the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord to pour Himself out unreservedly.

Thank You, Lord for allowing me to witness Your awesome ways. All praise to You, my Great Lord and King!!!

Praise and Prayer

Visited Mom, yesterday. She reports she has much more energy, more than in a long time!!! Her vital signs are great. Praise Jesus for His healing power!!! Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Mom is scheduled for an appointment with the kidney doctor on Monday the 13th of August. I will request another CT scan prior to the surgery. We wouldn't Mom to have unecessary surgery!!!

Please continue to pray for peace for Mom and Dad (they are doing well).

Please continue to pray that the left kidney tumor shrinks away to nothing, because NO THING is impossible for our God.

Pray for favor with the surgeon, that he would agree to a pre-surgical CT scan.

Pray life to the vision my brother, Plain and Simple's DSH had...The doctor showing x-ray films to my Dad of before and after Mom's healing.

Praise Jesus for ALL the good He does. Praise Him in the calm. Praise Him in the storm. Praise Him because HE IS WORTHY!!!

Blessings and love!! :)

High School High Questions Answered

1. Who was your best friend?
Sue C.

2. Did you play any sports?
Are you kidding!?!? My motto was and is, “Thou shalt not sweat.”

3. What kind of car did you drive?
Plymouth, Volare; Grand Safari (I'm not sure what company manufactured); Ford, Fairmont.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
With Strongman, bowling or watching T.V.

5. Were you a party animal?
NO, I was a homebody. Still am.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Strongman was my only high school boyfriend (first and last)

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Absolutely, it was the only thing I really enjoyed about high school. I especially enjoyed being involved with the Trojanaires ( a small singing group) and the high school musical, “Of Thee I Sing.”

8. Were you a nerd?
It depended on who you spoke to. My singing buddies thought I was o.k. Some people still do think I'm a little strange, but I try to listen to Jesus about what He says about me, not the voices of the world.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
No, but I did “earn” a warning with the threat of detention in my senior year. I skipped a class during “Student is a Teacher Day”. The principal, Dave C., one of my singing buddies, gave me a speech on how disappointed he was in me. I'm sorry, Dave!!! Forgive me, Jesus!!!

10. Can you sing the fight song?
Yes, the chorus!!! It was “We Will Rock You”

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Hamme (art), Mrs. Hassinger (creative writing and literature), Mr. Foster (social studies and sociology), Mr. Adams (history, didn't like the subject but loved the man) Each one of these educators encouraged me and because of it, caused me to make positive decisions for my future or rethink my self-worth.

12. What was your school mascot?
a Trojan

13. Did you go to the Prom?
Yes, 2 times, both with Strongman

14. If you could go back, would you?
No. I made some unwise choices in high school, but the Lord has taken my unwise choices and made me into the person I am today… I am o.k. with that!

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
Feeling free!!!!

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
I didn’t skip (o.k., maybe I was a little nerdy, but at the time I went to school, it was a serious thing to skip school. Nowadays, the schools expect a Senior Skip Day)

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
No, I was too busy with extra-curricular music stuff.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
The Covered Bridge

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Yes… ;)

20. What did you do after graduation?
I attended Steelton-Highspire Tech. and became a practical nurse. Then I got a job, got married to Strongman, attended HACC and became an R.N.

21. What year did you graduate?
1982

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date?
Strongman

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion?
Yes, I did go to my tenth, but I won’t be attending my twenty-fifth. It is scheduled on Strongman and my 23rd anniversary. I think I’ll celebrate with him instead. ;)

God Story: "I Am Changing Your Genetic Structure" Part 2

"Magnetic forces at the center of the galaxy have twisted a nebula into the shape of DNA, a new study reveals. The double helix shape is commonly seen inside living organisms, but this is the first time it has been observed in the cosmos." "Nobody has ever seen anything like that before in the cosmic realm," said the study's lead author Mark Morris of UCLA. "Most nebulae are either spiral galaxies full of stars or formless amorphous conglomerations of dust and gas—space weather. What we see indicates a high degree of order. These observations, made with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, are detailed in the March 16 (2006) issue of the journal Nature."


Jesus continued to remind me of His intentions to change my genetic structure on August 1, 2005 as I read, "Understanding and Breaking the Cycle of Infirmity" by Chuck Pierce, Glory of Zion International with Dr's Dee Legako and Pat Legako. This article explains how DNA is linked, not only to physical inheritance, but that it also links us with past generations. The article is spiritually deep, but gives more explanation as to why God told me that He was changing my DNA.

Life's dins continued and intensified, but God kept reminding me of His promise. I lost count of how many prophetic e-mails I received referring to God changing our DNA. I'd watch a program on Sky Angel and the preacher would refer to our DNA being linked to the DNA of Jesus.

By the spring of 2006, the dins were deafening, and that's when the beautiful encouragement of the DNA Nebula arrived in my e-mail inbox (see above). I opened the e-mail from space.com and began to weep. The Lord loved me so much that He even used secular science to encourage me. Maybe He even created the DNA Nebula for the purpose of encouraging me and people like me?

I was super-excited about how God was speaking. I was teaching biology to a group of home schooled students at that time, and I'll bet you can guess what we happened to be studying at the time...genetics and DNA!!! :)

After that, I saw DNA license plates (lost count as to how many) and while searching for a book for Consecrated to read was handed a book by the librarian entitled, "Double Helix." God was adamant about my receiving His promise and deliverance!!!

Jesus, Himself, experienced the torment of anxiety and depression (Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33). Jesus experienced, battled and won!!!! No matter the affliction...emotional, spiritual or physical, Jesus has won!!!! He has deep compassion for our sufferings, because He has been there Himself!

If you need the Lord to heal you, run to Him. Allow Him to embrace you and break the chains that bind. It makes no difference whether the captor is depression or cancer or a cold. Look to God, look to His heavens!!! You will see how He will encourage and speak and provide deliverance for You as well.

"My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing grace!" Chris Tomlin

Praise and Prayer

Dear Praying Friends,

My mother was discharged from the hospital Saturday. The infection in her leg has improved dramatically. PTL!!!!

As some of you already know, during the testing procedure, a baseball-sized mass was noted on her left kidney. The doctors say it and the kidney must come out!! Please pray for my Mom. We want God to take care of the tumor.

Please pray that our faith is enlarged in order to receive the great miracle Jesus has for Mom.

Please pray that it shrinks away to NOTHING. NO THING is impossible for Jesus!!!!

Please pray for continued peace and wisdom for Mom and Dad and all of the family.

Blessings and love!!!

Please Pray: Update

My mom was hospitalized on Monday for a severe leg infection. During the testing process, a baseball-sized mass was found in her left kidney. The surgeon is saying he feels it is cancer and that as soon as her leg is healed, her kidney will need to be removed.

Please pray that Mom's appointed days on this earth be completely fulfilled WITHOUT disease and sickness!!! Also, pray that I and my family remain in peace during this trial. Pray specifically for my Dad as he depends heavily on my Mom. My parents are extremely devoted to one another, and I know this has to be difficult for my Dad.

Someone Will Win...Could Be You!

5 Minutes for Mom is Giving One of You a 37″ Flat-Panel LCD HDTV!!!


You might win this big screen TV compliments of Best Buy! All you need to do is leave a comment at the site and then link the site to your site.

Have a wonderful God-filled day!!!!