Aug 12, 2008

Long...worth the read...BLOG CANDY!

Why is it that those who are suffering so greatly can find peace, yet those with nothing to complain about are miserable? Perhaps we all need a taste of suffering to bring us closer to God and to humble us when dealing with the minor trials we face.


*gulp*


*inhale to speak--stop mid word and gulp again*


Wow! Do you ever have things happen in your life that leave you completely dumfounded and in awe of how evident God is working? I have had several glimpses today, though to be honest I shrugged them off. I went on about my day as though God were merely a breeze or even a pebble on the sidewalk. But thats the thing...He IS those things. He is those things and more.


I try not to preach on here. I try not to get so overbearing and Holy Rolling that I scare off what few visitors I have. But God blessed me with something tonight that I HAVE to share. If I end up talking to only one person...well then I guess it will be the ONE person He wanted me to share it with.


I promise cards will return soon. But please....sit down, and listen.


Let me introduce you to Nancy. Shes the one that wrote that statement up there.



This is Nancy. The long blonde hair, the bubbly spirit the great happy attitude. Thats her in the back row on the left. She was a great friend that always brought balance to the drama of the cheer squad. I grew up with her. Though she was a year younger than me, our town was small enough that everyone knew everyone and chances are, if you met someone in 1st grade youd still know em when ya got all the way to high school.

Tonight, as I was sifting through my emails (spam to be exact) I clicked on CLASSMATES.COM --generally I just delete their messages, because most of em are junk. But itd been awhile since I had checked out who had logged on and what was happening with the peeps there. So I did. And I noticed that Nancy was one of the NEW ones on there. Of course I clicked on her name quickly and sat there awestruck by what she wrote in her bio. OMG!

Nancy suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and is waiting a double lung transplant. I went HERE and started at the very beginning. I read every single post that she has written and still, here I sit. I am dumbfounded. I am left listless and numb.

God wanted me to see her today. HE wanted me to find her words her heart, her need and her prayers. Why? I am not sure. But I am praying for that answer. But I wanted to share this story with you. I know MANY of you are touched first hand by terminal diseases. I praise God that I have not had to deal with this in many many years (since the passing of my grandma).

I have not spoke to Nancy since I left home back in 92. I had no idea she had a family. I had no idea she had even left the area. But I do know that we were to cross paths once again. Afterall, her daughter's name is Hannah Marie!!!! My oldest daughter is Heather MARIE and my youngest is HANNAH Elizabeth! HELLO!!!!!?????

As a gift to you, and to Nancy. I am going to give away blog candy. Part of it will be a surprise, the other part will be a copy of her book. I am ordering a copy for myself and I will also order one for you. The rules for this candy are simple. Go HERE and visit her blog or go HERE and read about her book. Then come back here and post something about her. A quote? A funny thing she has shared. Something wonderful that you noticed. A prayer. Something that no one else has posted yet. Tell as many people as you know to come here too. If I can get over 100 comments to this one post, I will give away two! So that is TWO SURPRISE GIFTS & TWO BOOKS! So if you are a stamper, not a stamper, a scrapbooker or just plain a human being! HELP ME TO HELP HER!!!! And you get free stuff too! Cmon, just a whee bit of your time.

The MISSION is on!

21 comments:

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

That's an amazing woman. What caught me is the way she talks about the stages of her illness...about thanking God for having the strength to adjust to each to phase of her life. Amazing...what a testmanet!

The Basye-Arland Crew! said...

Wow...that is awesome....Nance is definately amazing....so are you...miss ya!

MB

Lori Stilger said...

Hey, Beck. I know how deeply this moved you, since we were online together when you found it. :)
It made me cry when she talked about her daughter hugging her and crying when she came home from the hospital; I can't imagine the pain the whole family bears - but the lessons in being able to love while we can that they're learning!!!!
I'm going to post a link to your blog today. :) When I get around to blogging, that is.... :D
LOVE YOU!

MizB said...

Sounds like an interesting book.

I'll be praying for Nancy and her family, Becky.

I loved how, in the intro, she told how her favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11-14... that verse has been a comfort to me many times. And, it's my sister's favorite. ;)

Pam said...

Thanks for posting Nancy's story Becky. She shares a lot of wisdom and courage, and I like how she spoke about how her ability to cope with her illnes can be an inspiration to others. I'll be praying.

Anonymous said...

Olean, NY! A short distance from where Meg was born. I know the ground Nancy treads on ~ the beauty she sees with her eyes and how wonderful that she has God's Spirit as she approaches each day. Love her, Becky, as best you can. I'm enjoying knowing that you had a SPECIAL time with another positive buddy, Marilyn, prior to learning this news. Go, my dear, sharing & enjoying life with each moment, knowing that you are loved. Hugs, Ellie

Patty Williams said...

My gosh... I truly believe things happen for a reason.

I'm struck by her positive spirit, though I know we all have much more in us than we sometimes believe. I love that she posts such great photo's...happy ones!

I will keep Nance in our thoughts and prayers .

God Bless !

reflections:0) said...

Nancy has a lot to live for... I like what Nancy said about us all living out gods perfect plan for us... What strong person!


reflections:0)

Anonymous said...

Oh Becky, thank you so much for sharing Nancy's story. I have asked everybody I see and talked with this week to pray for me. I have been in a bad depression for months and I am praying and asking God for my JOY and my PEACE back that I once had.

Reading Nancy's story has given me HOPE!! She is a wonderful lady and so encouraging. I realize I have so much that I NEED to be thankful for and have no reason to be depressed!! I feel ashamed.

Again, thank you for sharing Nancy's story. I can't wait to read her book. God is sooo Good and I think after reading about Nancy, I can finally realize that now. Blessings, Hootie in TN

Becky said...

I have gotten several several emails of people who will pray too! THANK YOU FRIENDS!

The Basye-Arland Crew! said...

Beck Good Work! God works miraculously! God Bless lady! I love how Ms. Nance can be so positive, it has changed my outlook on life considerably. Keep up the prayers!

MB

Anonymous said...

Nancy seems to have a wonderful outlook on life and on God. I love her reference to the Valleys or challenges in life and how she wants only what God wants for her.

Jeanine
TS

Anonymous said...

What an inspiration and so positive. Thanks for sharing Nancy's story with me. Meg

Anonymous said...

OMG BECKY...What an AMAZING WOMEN! I like you when I read this on your blog went to her's and started reading....To have an illness..such as her's yet still have the FAITH!

Especially when she said, and I quote from Mrs.Nance..."I do not always understand why things happen as they do, but I am very sure of one thing, my Lord will see me through"

We always have to remember..."The will of God will NEVER take us, where the Grace of God won't protect us"

He is with us always...We often don't understand,..but he has an Almight plan for us...God Bless...Thanks for sharing!

Nancy said...

Dear Becky,

I was so touched and moved by your wonderful words about me and continue to be amazed by the comments people are posting here on your blog. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers.

All my love! Nancy

Anonymous said...

I am always amazed at the number of people who weather the storms of life with awesome attitudes!!!Time for us all to take a lesson!!!

Myra said...

Thanks Becky for sharing her story. We all do have so much to be thankful for that we take forgranted. I like her idea of complimenting an employee or someone who does a good job. I have started trying to make a point of doing it rather than just thinking I should compliment someone. Myra

Amber said...

Nancy is so talented in so many ways. Back in the day she sang, acted, cheered, played sports, and pretty much excelled as a teenager (a self admittedly difficult time in my past, for which I always kind of admired Nancy for her grace during those crazy teen years). Now she continues to inspire throuh her story. All my prayers for her as she climbs this mountain.

amber (shockey) nurmi

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a fabulous testament of faith. It is amazing how suffering plus faith often equals peace, whereas those who suffer without faith tend to live in chaos and despair. Thanks for sharing, Becky!

Anonymous said...

I'm a TN Stamper and read your post based on your message there. Thanks for sharing this with us. It's hard to imagine yourself in her shoes when you have your health. We're all blessed in different ways, though, and she is surely seeing all of the blessings in her life.

Anonymous said...

i'm a really good friend of nancy's from st. bonaventure...i just wanted to say how wonderful it was to see pictures of her from back in the day! she is truly a remarkable person and continues to inspire every day. it's so powerful how you two found each other again. God works in mysterious and truly beautiful ways :-)

-Lara