Dance Like No One is Watching!

You will want to read the July 5th entry to fully appreciate this one!

My sister, who has learned to "Dance in the rain" is now dancing for joy after the storm. She was just told by her Oncologist that she is completely cancer free! The oncologist used these expressions: "This makes no sense to me," and "I couldn't understand it," and "this is not at all what I expected."

I have seen my sister hold on to her faith, believing not only that God is able, but that He longs to heal His people. I've seen her go against the advice of the doctors and choose not to have conventional treatment and to choose what she calls "the path of life" for her. http://cherylowenspatterson.org/

Many times we face obstacles that seem insurmountable. Our "storms" often seem unending. I am so grateful that today I am reminded that God is still able to speak to the storm and say "Be Still." Because He is God. And He is in control. He can be trusted.

I hope this will encourage someone today and that you, too, will learn to dance in the rain and after it!!

Care to Dance?

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to end, it's about dancing in the rain." Unknown.

It is said that into everyone's life a little rain must fall. Some believe that if you pray or believe hard enough, there will not be rain. Some choose to live in denial of storms and for some, the storms seem endless.

Pain, disease, sadness, heartache, whatever "storm" touches your life can be analyzed, fought against, argued with friends for a cause and course of action. All of these drain you of energy and can be a futile attempt to discover a reason we may never understand.

For me, I am choosing, as often as I can, to dance in the rain! My sister and hero I have written about in prior posts has lived with Stage 4 cancer. I've never known anyone to live life to the fullest like she does. She drives a Miata, and loves to come visit and take a drive with the top down. No destination, no time limit, just drive. It is always an adventure. (Thank God I live in a rural area.) She will stop in the middle of a road to admire a tree! She ponders the countless birds that have nested there, (doesn't she realize I don't have time for this? There is laundry to be done, there are errands to run, meals to make...) She also loves to stop and visit "her" cows. Does anyone around here stop and admire, and dare I admit, talk to cows???

Naturally, I feign interest. I really don't care if the cows are eating well, or have missed her stopping to see them! She, however, has learned to dance in the rain.

If you saw her you'd never know she had cancer! She is a life of the party, has numerous friends who love her company, all because she is full of joy!

Cancer has not made her prepare to die, its taught her how to live!! And in her learning to dance in the rain, she is teaching me how to live!

Care to dance anyone?

TOP 10 THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. WHY ITS GOOD TO HAVE FIVE PAIR OF BLACK SHOES
9. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREAM, IVORY AND WHITE.
8. CRYING IS NECESSARY.
7. FAT CLOTHES.
6. A SALAD, DIET DRINK, AND A HOT FUDGE SUNDAE MAKE A BALANCED LUNCH
5. DISCOVERING A DESIGNER DRESS ON THE CLEARANCE RACK CAN BE CONSIDERED A PEAK LIFE EXPERIENCE
4. THE INACCURACY OF EVERY BATHROOM SCALE EVER MADE.
3. A GOOD MAN CAN BE HARD TO FIND, BUT A GOOD HAIRDRESSER IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
2. WHY A PHONE CALL BETWEEN TWO WOMEN NEVER LASTS UNDER TEN MINUTS.

AND THE NUMBER ONE THING ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND:
1. OTHER WOMEN.

Computer and Life Crashes!

She’s Baaaaacccckk!

You have been warned! ;)

I will start my return to the blog world with a post entitled:

Computer and Life Crashes!

I began blogging and then had a computer users worst nightmare, the crash of the hard drive.

No, I did not “back up.” (I’d love to know how many of you actually do?) I lost everything. All the photos, all the files, and the use of a computer until I could replace it. I thought I’d be off for just a short time, and then….

My life crashed!

I’ve learned so much since then. Mind if I share? (It’s my blog, deal. That’s what Joisey girls say, ha!)

A computer crash results in a loss of information, history, research, and kids homework, etc.

A life crash often results in much more. Loss of identity, loss of financial security, loss of employment, loss of reputation, and loss of friends, etc.

Those who know me personally know that I divorced after 20 years of marriage. For a conservative woman who came from a pious religious background, this is just not done!

What have I learned?

God hates divorce. He loves divorced people.

The favor of God can still rest on a divorced person.

Happiness and joy are two different things.

God is an awesome husband.

Friendships are precious, and their value can’t be measured. When you’re hurting, those that still love and support you are your dearest friends. (Thanks Jersey girl!)

Being alone does not mean you have to be lonely.

Recently my daughter graduated (as Valedictorian, I’m not proud!) from high school. That morning I was having my quiet time when my sister came down and caught me with tears rolling down my cheeks. Her face showed her concern until I shared “I’m so blessed. I’m so incredibly blessed.” I can’t begin to list the blessings in my life. Is it hard? Yes. Is it good? Yes.

I’m just sayin…