32 Years and Counting

A Romantic Stroll by Brent Heighton

My DH and I celebrated our 32nd Anniversary today! 

The Lord has been with both of us from the very beginning and it's only by His wondrous grace, mercy, guidance and strength that we have been able to weather the various storms that have come our way down through the years . . .

I don't know how many more years He may give us on our journey together, but I'm so thankful for each and every moment of every day as my heart echoes those tender words of promise from long ago ~ I DO, all over again :)

A Special Wedding

 

Our *baby*, our only daughter, married her beloved on 11.11.11 ~ which has made that day of Remembrance special in more ways than usual.  I joked with her that neither of them will have any reason for NOT remembering their anniversary :)

It was a very special day for everyone!  Both the bride and groom have only their maternal grandmothers still living and both were there to be a part of it.

After a honeymoon in a hot, tropical destination, they soon return to their 100 year old home which the groom purchased before he ever met her and has gutted and rebuilt ... because they will be a bit closer to us than she was before, my DH and I hope to visit them in the spring :)

Made Etsy FRONT PAGE for the 1st Time!

I'm very excited to have made Etsy's FRONT PAGE for the very 1st time and I found out quite by accident!!


I know that in the grand scheme of things, it's not important but to those of us who have online shops on Etsy, a unique handmade market, it's a mini dream come true :)

Blessings,

My Unique 300 FAN CELEBRATION on Facebook

I was inspired by a fellow POSH NURSERY team member to *think outside the box* as I slowly begin the approach toward 300 wonderful fans!

I may not have very much to give away but I can certainly create something special for SOMEONE SPECIAL and I realized that most people always have SOMEONE SPECIAL on their hearts and in their minds.

Although this SPECIAL CELEBRATION is being announced here as well as my other blog, a person must 1st *LIKE my FACEBOOK PAGE* before they can enter!

Contact can be made directly to aboundingtreasuresATgmail.com OR via the Contact Form on the LEFT side of my FACEBOOK PAGE --

I wanted to get people to think of OTHERS ~ someone ELSE who might be blessed in some small way by receiving one of my 3D collages or pieces of art but maybe cannot afford one or doesn't know about them?

In the EMAIL or CONTACT MESSAGE, I need to know --

• ONLY their 1st name
• the REASON[S] why YOU believe I should choose the name/person YOU are submitting! 

ALL names and REASONS must be submitted by the time the NUMBER of FANS reaches 300 ~ Name + Reason[s] SUBMISSIONS can be given at any time to ensure that they're included.

As soon as the FAN NUMBER hits 300, I'll post a notice that I will NO longer be taking any more submissions!

Once I choose the winner, I'll contact the person who SUBMITTED them for their Full Name and Mailing Address as well as the age group of the person receiving this special gift.

When the 3D art is shipped to the Chosen SUBMITTED NAME, I'll include a GIFT TAG with the NAME of the person submitting it as the VERY THOUGHTFUL GIVER :)

I hope this comes across as it's meant and that it gets people to think of others rather than themselves ~ something I'm learning still, after all these years!


Blessings!

* graphic courtesy of Google Images

Birthday Collage

Every year for as long as I can remember, 

my Mom has sent me a beautiful floral arrangement 

for my birthday 

and this year was no exception :o)

The bright yellows are so welcome

on these short winter days

and the fragrance is lovely!!

* Happy February to Everyone *

31 Years and Counting

My DH and I just celebrated our 31st Anniversary!

The glorious words of this hymn echo our hearts as we remember and rejoice that the Lord Himself is a partner in our marriage and leads and strengthens us throughout our lives together. 

All the way my Savior leads me;
  What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
  Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
  Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate'er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
  Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
  Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
  And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;
  Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
  In my Father's blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
  Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way.

An Early Gift

I know it's Christmas tomorrow but this year the Lord gave me a special gift early!!

No one but my husband knew the results of my screening biopsy which took place on November 23rd.

Almost 2 weeks after it took place, I received an ominous letter in the mail saying that the radiologist who had examined the mammogram results detected an abnormality and that a more intense diagnostic mammogram as well as an ultrasound were required. 

Those tests took place very early Dec 13th.  At that time, I also glanced at the top of the report that the technician had on her desk and read those dreaded words -- NODULE - LUMP!!

Only the Lord knows how difficult the past 12 days have been.

Even though my husband would say that "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof", from time to time, all sorts of thoughts would wander through my mind but that's the joy of the Lord, those thoughts never stayed there ... He helped them to pass by!

I knew that I wouldn't be able to handle this on my own and with each day of waiting, I found solace in the Word of God and the promise that He is with me every step of my journey and I finally got to the point that I accepted that whatever He allowed was for a purpose and prayed that in the midst of it all, He would give me the strength to go through it and the grace and help to be a help to someone in the midst of it all, for His glory.

I also found great help in reading the amazing words and personal experiences of 3 dear sisters in the Lord via their personal blog journeys with breast cancer ~ Hope, Kelly and Sheri Easter and like the 3 of them, I would urge any who have NOT had a mammogram to make an appointment ~ early detection saves lives!!

Today was the 12th day and I decided to phone my family doctor who in turn phoned to get the results for me --- the very welcome news is that the more intense mammogram and the ultrasound showed ALL CLEAR and he thinks that what the screening picked up was possibly scar tissue from the various procedures and 2 different pacemakers I had years ago for my heart issues!!

I've been told to return to a regular screening mammogram schedule -- he said they were being very careful and wanted to be sure of what the original picked up :o)

My DH was out delivering a cinnamon ring to his sister and her family when I received this wonderful news so we shared the joy when he walked back in the door!!

My 1st reaction to the Dr's words were tears of thankfulness to the Lord.  My 2nd reaction was an apology to Him for the time that I had wasted with any negative thoughts which turned out to be so unnecessary!!

May I continue learning to lean on Him and not on my own understanding!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all, a Good Night :o)

A Joyous and Triumphant Wedding

I'm sure others have already seen or read this but I only came across it this week and it was so inspiring and touching that I wanted to share it!

On Valentine’s Day 2002, Katie Kirkpatrick, then a freshman at Rochester College (a small Christian collage in Rochester, Michigan ), was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. 

Undaunted, Katie strove to keep up with her studies, but she suffered another setback in 2003 when she was diagnosed with an inoperable lung tumor wrapped around her pulmonary artery. Nonetheless, in 2004 the resilient Katie took part in champion cyclist Lance Armstrong’s Ride for the Roses cancer fundraiser.

On January 15, 2005, 21 year old Katie -- the girl “with a contagious smile and unrelenting optimism” who had been battling cancer for 3 years -- married 23 year old Lapeer County sheriff’s deputy Nick Goodwin, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, at Church of Christ in Hazel Park, Michigan.

Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23. Katie spends hours in chemotherapy. Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...

Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie took care of every single wedding plan. Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to her constant weight loss.

An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional with the wedding and to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent. 

Katie, in a wheelchair, listening to her husband and friends serenading her

In the middle of the party Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain doesn't allow her to stand for long periods of time.

Katie died just 5 days after her wedding at the McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan

The photos and text are from snopes.com which verified Katie’s story. Photos were taken by Romain Blanquart..

A Birthday is Always Special

My DH's birthday was yesterday  ...

and we enjoyed a sweet time together celebrating!

Happy Birthday to my Baby

Today is a very special, milestone birthday for my only living daughter!  

We are so thankful that each of our grown children had a moment in their younger years [at different ages and times] when they each trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

We pray for her blessing as the Lord continues to guide her and strengthen her in the way that He wants her to go and we pray that this next year will be very special.

This photo was taken when she was about 3 years old so that was about 18 years ago ~ some days it's so hard for me to believe that it's been that long since I was a new Mommy for the last time ... in some ways, it seems like only yesterday :o)

Happy 21st Birthday and may the Lord bless you with many more!!

Happy 4th of July

by Terry Why, courtesy of AllPosters

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers :o)

Thrifting and 2 Surprises!

I love thrift stores and had high hopes of finding all sorts of treasures when I was in the city ... but, all I found this trip were some some vintage childrens' books that I'm using for a new series of butterfly and elephant collages.

I went to one of the dollar type stores and found some beautiful frames and then to Michaels craft store and got some watercolour paper 40% off, and with my 50% coupons, I purchased 3 craft punches -- a heart, a baby elephant punch that cuts out the ears as well and a 3-in-1 butterfly punch.

I had a really wonderful 2-day visit with our friends while there and discovered that twice weekly in the evenings their church holds English as a Second Language classes where the Bible is used as the teaching aid, so I went along to help out with the treats. I met Japanese, Korean, Spanish and Arabic speaking people who are hearing the wonderful news of the Gospel while learning English and it was a real joy and honour!

One of the foods that I tasted for the very 1st time in my life was avocado! I hear it has a very bland flavour but since I had a dip made out of it, I couldn't say. I don't think I'll be buying it anytime soon though :o)

When I returned home, I had 2 fantastic surprises! The 1st was that our oldest son had made a very short surprise visit for a couple of days which was wonderful and the 2nd was that I sold my very first baby elephant collage that I listed in my etsy shop!!

To update any that might be wondering -- I received a phone call Friday letting me know that pathology was NOT able to get any readings from my biopsy even by doing special stains, so now I'm waiting to hear what the cardiologist's decision is with regard to re-doing the biopsy on its own ... I should find out in the next couple of days and next time, I'm going to ask the person doing the biopsy to please take 2 extra pieces over and above what they usually need in regular cases ~ because, I never seem to be a *regular case* :o)

Blessings,

*The delightful illustration of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh is by Ernest Howard Shepard.

It's My Birthday

I received a birthday present early this morning when the doorbell rang and this beautiful floral arrangement was delivered . . . it took me by surprise and reminded me of my Saviour's love and brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart ~ it's from my dear Mom!

FIVE years ago today I was beginning the 4th full month of my hospital stay after receiving my mechanical heart pump the previous November and waiting for my transplant.

The staff on the cardio-vascular floor where I stayed had the kitchen bake a huge chocolate cake to help me celebrate ... they were all so sweet and kind, doing anything and everything they could to make my long stay more enjoyable :o)

My husband won't get off work until later this evening and has to work tomorrow so we'll put off going out to our favourite restaurant for dinner until AFTER my annual post-transplant check-up which is booked for March 1st and 2nd.

Trust that each of you has a wonderful day in your little corner of the world!

Blessings,

Happy Birthday to My Middle Child

Happy Birthday to my middle child ...

From an early age he displayed creativity and as he grew older, he embraced writing, painting and making his own kind of music.

Here are examples of a couple of his watercolour paintings:

Happy Birthday to My First Born

Happy Birthday to my eldest . . .

who was born very early in the morning on New Year's Eve day. I was so happy and blessed to be a Mommy for the very 1st time :o)

Because of various problems BEFORE I even knew I was carrying a little life within me, doctors had planned on doing a D & C, but even after it was set, just as I got to the door of the operating room, the anesthesiologist discovered that I was still suffering from a lengthy case of mono and refused to take responsibility for sedating me!

About 5:30 AM, I was told to get dressed and return home -

A few short weeks later I felt very thankful for this specialist's refusal because I discovered I was pregnant and it was one of the earliest occasions when I realized that the Lord overrules in all areas of our lives when He has a plan for us -- I was so thankful and humbled by His care and His arranging details that were out of our control.

May I ever be like that, on this road Home :o)

Blessings to all,

Our 30th Anniversary

My dear husband and I celebrate our 30th Anniversary today

and in many ways,
it doesn't seem like that much time has gone by ...

A part of 1 Cor. 10:13 really touched my heart this morning:
~ but GOD is faithful ~

because
He has been the strength and stay of our relationship
and has brought us through so much,
and He continues to this very day.

In a heartbeat, I say I DO, all over again :o)

My 2nd Blog-iversary

I can hardly believe it's been 2 years since I began this blog!!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my wonderful visitors for making this journey inspiring and encouraing. You all have no idea how often I have been blessed by your words of kindness throughout the past 2 years.

My heart's prayer is always that my blog points to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as I share a little of what He means to me ... what He has done and is doing in my life ... and what He is teaching me day to day, as I travel through this vale of joy and tears more commonly known as life.

May each of you know that I truly appreciate every email and comment that is left for me to read.

I know and understand how busy all our lives are and I am honoured that you've taken the time to visit with me over the past 24 months.

As a way of celebrating, I'll be hosting a GIVE-AWAY --- the post will be up on Monday!

Blessings to each one of you,

A Special Day to Remember

I was contacted by the Heart Transplant Clinic this past week to let me know that a special clinic was in place for the day after Remembrance Day at one of the city's large hospitals specifically for heart, kidney and liver transplant recipients as well as those presently receiving chemotherapy.

All of us would receive the H1N1 vaccination there so that it could be done quickly ~ we all have *depressed immune systems* as a result of the medications we are receiving and according to the medical community, can't afford to wait.

Other than the usual bruising after I receive any needle of any kind at any time, I'm happy to report that I felt no side effects!

At this clinic, all of us learned that for anyone presently receiving immunosuppressive therapy, there is the possibility that our immune systems may NOT respond like a normal person's to the vaccine ---

For me, that is completely in the Lord's hands ...

REMEMBRANCE DAY itself, although a day specifically set aside to remember and honour all those who have fought for our country at various times throughout history, was for me personally, a day of thanksgiving and a flood of memories.

It was 5 years ago this past Thursday that I received my LVAD, or Left Ventricular Assist Device...a mechanical pump that took over the pumping of the left ventricle of my heart ...

This photo was taken of me holding the part of the LVAD that was attached from my heart to the outside of my body on the left side of my abdomen.

It looked somewhat like a transparent, very large YO-YO and you could actually see the blood actually being pumped. It made a constant CLIP CLOP* noise somewhat like a horse prancing down an old cobblestone street.

The newer ones are virtually SILENT and implanted COMPLETELY INSIDE the body, with only a narrow cord showing outside, which attaches to the battery unit carried inside a fanny pack ~ I'm always in awe of all that the Lord enables doctors and medical researcher to discover!

This amazing LVAD kept my weakened heart pumping STRONGLY so that all my organs began receiving oxygen rich blood once again and were healthy for when the Lord blessed me with another miracle, that of having a donor match me in every way necessary so that I was able to receive the Gift of Earthly Life.

Thankfully for me, there was a moment in my life almost 28 years before, when I received the Gift of Eternal Life . . . when finally seeing my my sinful, helpless and lost condition before God, I realized that the Lord Jesus Christ had paid the price for my sin on Calvary's cross and I trusted him as my Saviour and Lord.

A Family Tree as a Gift

I found this vintage blank book in my favourite Thrift Store

and plan on filling in the information soon :o)

A friend of mine celebrated her birthday recently and as a present, I've climbed her family tree as much as I could.

Now I just have to print it out and put it in a small binder for her to read and enjoy :o)

Blessings,

Recent Days

This last week of September has been busy around our home!

My husband had his birthday this past weekend and to celebrate, we went out for our favourite Chinese dinner on Friday evening, consisting of Beef and Broccoli, Fried Rice, Almond Chicken Soo Gui with Sweet and Sour Sauce on the side ~ mmmmm!

A friend of mine and her husband had a wedding to attend Saturday afternoon but couldn't find a sitter for their 6 yr old daughter, so I offered to do the honours after checking with my Mom that she didn't mind spending her last Saturday afternoon that way :o)

I guess I had forgotten just how busy a child that age is! I sure discovered that I'm not as energetic as I was when my own 3 children were that age :o)

I used some of my cardmaking supplies as well as some of my scalloped circle punches and we made all sorts of neat things.

Monday morning rolled 'round and the dreaded hour came when I had to take my Mom to the airport!

It was raining so heavily that I could barely see out of the windshield and was going slower than most of the traffic simply because I don't like the feeling of losing control in that kind of weather on the highway.

We passed the scene of a recent horrendous single vehicle accident where the top of the car was sheared right off and have heard since that a young 19 yr old male was killed instantly at the scene.

Seeing something like that reminds me all over again just how fleeting the moments of life are!

The most important thing is that I had a moment in my life when I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord ... anything else I might do or be or accumulate, will do NOTHING for me at that moment of death. Praise His Name!

Good-byes are never easy, especially as both my Mom and I are getting older and as my mother-in-law told me a few days before she died, you never know what a day may bring forth.

When she visited us when our children were toddlers, they always cried so hard when she left and I always told them that was the small price they had to pay for the privilege and joy of seeing and visiting with her ~ I had to remind myself of that yesterday :o)

Blessings,