Blog Under Construction-- Some awesome news!

Hello Family and Friends,

I wish Beth Rudy was here... instead of Pa.... so I could hug on her neck. My blog appeared to have lost most of the posting for a while. Beth is the special person that helped me make my blog May 18th, when I learned I had cancer..... and she was able to retrieve it last night! Thanks Beth....again a blessing for me!

Awesome news.....MY OTHER HALF (TWIN SISTER) Linda and her hubby Wayne are heading their van west to the mountains this Sat. to be her for my surgery Tues. 19th!!! A HUGE BLESSING!! Linda wanted to get here so I can give her a refresher course Monday in helping Lloyd run the resort!! Michele was planning on coming up to help for the week....but having Linda here is so great. Michele has her hands full with, 2 kids,, home and job to take care of. Michele will be available if I need her when Linda and Wayne leave. God is sooo good!! Plus this is not nearly as major a surgery as before. About 3 hrs and I will get to come home the same day.

I've struggled to write since the last entry Aug. 29. I know many of you great people are daily looking at the blog. You must have thought I fell off the mountain!!! I've wanted so bad to have good news about my journey to share before I wrote....but the past 2 weeks have been really, really hard. I'm so thankful that we made the decision to take out the last "fill up"...it has helped....but still I struggle with the pain...feels like the expanders are cutting into my flesh.

The Zoloft that I was so hoping would help.... made me nauseau, headache and slight trembles....cut it in half after a week... and the side effects left....but at the same time I was struggling to go from 2 Percocets a day.... down to one....so I saw NO relief in the pain level...it went up! I made it 4 days with just 1 pain pill and had trouble even working....so back on 2 now. I have 2 a day left to get me to surgery. The 12 - 16 Ibuprofen a day caught up with my stomach last week so have changed to Tylenol....which doesn't work as well...but the stomach pain is better! TYL (thank you Lord). I just feel like a broken record...but want this to be a factual journey. Praying I won't need to be refered to a pain Dr. after surgery....I'm counting on doing LOTS better when I get the expanders out. I under stand the implants are much softer and more natural!!

I do know God as a plan and a purpose for this pain. Perhaps it's not for me to know this side of heaven what it is....but I've found peace in my heart that He does know. I love to dwell on Psalm 139....the whole chapter......but .especially verse16...."All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be"!! HE KNOW EACH OF OUR DAYS!!

My prayer for several years each morning before my feet hit the floor has been..."I don't know what you have in store for me today Lord, but use me for your glory." It has helped me focus on the events and people He puts in my life each day....thinking God put it/them here today for His reason. Please, Please Please ....I'm sharing this not because I'm trying to say I'm great or perfect...I'M NOT!!!! I'm just a humble servant who wants to be His hands and feet to others.

I feel when He touched my body and gave me an instant healing from a major ilness in 1977.....He allowed me to live for the purpose of a ministy to help others suffering with illness. (If you would like to know that incredible miracle....just leave a note on the blog... and I'll send it to you). This journey will surley give me a broader understanding of suffering. I pray I don't ever loose an opportunity to share about God's grace and mercy.

Do I fail??? YES..YES...YES....every day and I'm broken hearted when I do.......do I see each opportunity He puts in front of me? NO... and I'm so sad when the opportunity walks away without me opening my mouth.........praying for His forgiveness.
I've been praying for many weeks that instead of taking the pain away....just give me strenght to bear it this day. I don't want for anything in this world to miss what God will use this journey for. I just pray the Master Scluptor will mold me and use me as He sees fit.

One of my very favorite songs is the "Servants Prayer...Use me, Lord" by Randy Whittern.
I was in a Sunday service last year at the YMCA when Randy sang it! I've never had a song effect me so much....with tears streaming down my face....I said..."Lord this is my "heart's words and desire to be your servant"!! It's playing now as I write...I keep it on repeat...almost have it worn through!!

I pray that each of you reading this will continue to see the need around you where God can use your help!! Many of you are awesome example that have inspired me!!! There are so many people who are hurting with broken hearts, illnesses or many other needs that we meet each day....and YOU are the one that is ministering to them. God Bless You!!

I'm just over whelmed by your priceless gift of prayers for us. All the cards, e.mails and gifts for me and my family and beyond measure. I hope that some day....in some way....God allows me to repay you.

When your praying for us, I would ask for you to include:

1. Safe journey for Linda and Wayne as they drive here Sat. and Sunday from Cape Girardeau, Mo..
2. That God would give wisdom, focus and skilled hands to Dr. Baker as he does my surgery Tues. Sept. 19th. It's scheduled for 10:15 a.m. I truly feel God has given Dr. Baker a special gift.
3. That God would give a special peace to Lloyd , our daughters, Teresa & Michele along with the rest of our family as they wait for the surgery to be done.
4. And extra strength for Lloyd. He has been so awesome through this journey. I truly know his pain is as much as mine. It's hard to see your life mate suffer. He's been such an encourager, patient and loving partner....truly one of my greatest blessings.

It's getting late and bed is calling me....but I want to close with another verse from Psalm 139...verse 8-10....If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand wuill guide me, your right hand will hold me fast!!!.....and so dear ones....I'm off to sleep knowing He is holding me fast!!

Blessing for each of you,
Donna

P.S. please excuse the spelling....the ABC won't check tonight.....guess it's tired also!