R-E-S-P-E-C-T

She was the Queen of Soul.

She sang for Presidents.

She sang in her father's church choir.

She was a beloved mother and grandmother.

She was adored as an artist.

She was 76 years old.

This morning at 9:50am, Aretha Franklin lost her battle with pancreatic cancer.

The loss is enormous.  The world is a quieter place today without her voice...

There will be tears and grief, and accolades and memories shared over the coming days.  She was an amazing woman, strong and resilient, but pancreatic cancer was stronger.  And it makes my heart hurt.

According to Dr. Phillips, Aretha's oncologist, she suffered from the rarer neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer tumors.  These tumors only affect about 6% of pancreatic cancer sufferers.

Most pancreatic cancer cases are exocrine or adenocarcinoma cancers.  That was the name given to mom's cancer.

But in the end, it doesn't really matter what the doctors call it.  Pancreatic cancer is deadly.  So very ruthless.

And no respecter of persons. Aretha Franklin knows. You can demand
R-E-S-P-E-C-T all day long, but pancreatic cancer is brutal. You may be Rich or Poor.  Young or Old.  Man or Woman.  Famous Celebrity or an Ordinary, Beloved Mom...

This cancer does not care, leaving in its wake a nightmare of suffering and grief.

And if that was the end, this would be a very sad day.

A friend shared his pastor's sermon from this past Sunday, and I find it perfectly timed.  God knew there would be questions... there have always been questions... about His Goodness. His Sovereignty.

For how can a good God allow such sorrow and pain?  The debate has roared throughout the centuries.  From the time of Adam and Eve and a garden, the brokenness has brought humanity back to God either on their knees or with fists raised...

The pastor was clear and passionate as he shared from Romans 8:18-28.

"God is not a God who causes suffering, but He will not waste it."

I needed to hear this, today, truth proclaimed,

"God's goodness is not locked in an outcome.  God's goodness is locked in His Character.  He uses the brokenness of our story to mold us, shape us into the image of His son."

The sorrow doesn't magically disappear.  Oh, but He will not waste it.

This passage in Romans is so rich with Hope.  And Hope is what we so surely need when the suffering turns our days to night.

Mom shared this poem with us shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer:

Cancer is so limited.

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot destroy peace,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot suppress memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot steal eternal life,

It cannot conquer the Spirit.

                               ~ Author Unknown

It Can Not Conquer the Spirit.

This is the Hope we cling to this night,

In Grace, Always,

            Jane

Beating Cancer without Chemo!

Is that even possible?  I mean, Chemotherapy is the mainstay of our fight...Right??

But what if someone beat cancer without Chemo?  Really, truly, stopped cancer in its tracks... without the horrific side-effects of Chemotherapy treatment.  Wouldn't you want to know??!

Yes!  Yes!!  I'd be telling everyone I knew and loved, and even those I haven't met yet!

So, if you are fighting cancer, or have a loved one facing this daunting challenge, then listen up!  Chris Wark is sharing his inspiring story in a FREE 10-part video series for all of us:

The SQUARE ONE Healing Cancer Coaching Program

It begins Tomorrow, August 14th.  It is FREE.  And it is so very Powerful!

We met Chris a while back.  His story is nothing short of amazing...

Diagnosed with Stage III Colon cancer at the age of 26.  He chose the path less traveled, and against the strong advice of his doctors, friends and even some family, he walked away from Chemotherapy and conventional treatments, choosing to heal his cancer naturally...

In this 10-part video series Chris will educate, encourage and empower all of us to research our options and take charge of our medical decisions.

Today, over 14 years later, Chris is cancer free, alive and well, and sharing how he and many others have healed their bodies with nutrition and natural therapies.

Could this be for you?

Listen to some of the reviews:

"Square One has been an invaluable resource for so much information pertaining to cancer treatments, testing, nutrition, lifestyle, support, and more!! Chris's amazing personal story and experiences provide a unique platform to educate and empower those on their healing journey."
                                                   ~ Elaine

"After DCIS Breast Cancer diagnosis in October 2016, Chris Wark's Square One got me on the right track to make significant changes in my life.  My initial searching on the internet provided information, too much information and confusion.  Square One provides guidance/information on food, supplements, and treatment options while empowering me to be in control of my life and my body.  Thank you Chris.  I encourage anyone cancer or any other illness to listen with an open mind and take advantage of the resources found in Square One."
                                                    ~ Maribeth

Whether you are choosing a Conventional, Alternative or "Combination of Both" approach to your diagnosis, Chris shares information in an easy to understand format, allowing each of us to examine the choices before us and make the best decision for our unique fight.

It costs nothing but your time... It is free... all you need to do is sign up at the Square One link.

You've got nothing to lose and so much to gain! Sharing Hope and Encouragement today... Get empowered in the Cancer Fight!

So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to Square One and check it out!

Graced to be Walking Together, One Step at a Time...

Love, Always,
Jane

The Blessings of July

Well, the Blessing of this July certainly wasn't the weather!

That's 110 degrees in the shade.  We fairly roasted alive in these here parts... little pond shrinking before our eyes... it's a sad, sad state of affairs, this Texas July!

Even the bees are struggling to find nectar in this world of brittle and brown...

(One small, purple blessing... so grateful for the stubborn,
flowering tenacity of the Texas Chaste Tree!)

But then to add misery upon misery,

the Sahara Desert blew in

... all the way to Texas!!

Struggling to find Blessing in the hot, dry, arid wind and brown haze hanging. The sand sifted in relentlessly and the infernal sun baked us!

No, no, the Blessing of this July arrived late one evening, all wrapped in pink and sweet...

Baby Ellie is here!

Treasured Bundle in our arms...

This Memaw and Pepaw are smitten!

If ever there was a Blessing this July,

Baby Ellie is it...

God is good like that.

Just when the heat and the hard, dry season has seared a soul,

along comes this breath of precious life

to show us what Love is all about!

Forever and Always

you will be loved Sweet Ellie,

Blessed to hold you in our arms and hearts this day!

I can see the Finish Line from here...

Several weeks ago I saw an interview with Jane Pauley and John Mellencamp.

I chanced upon it half way through, just in time to hear his take on how to live life well.  Well, actually I'm not sure he was expounding on the living well part as much as he was the living part...

But it struck a chord all the same and maybe you feel it too... the rushing of the days, speeding into years, until time turns around and the finish line nears...

How is it possible the Farmer is talking retirement??   65 this fall.  The Medicare solicitations filling our mailbox and Social Security deadlines looming...

65?

And still my heart skips a beat... he is the handsomest retiree-to-be I know ;-)

And the years, they keep rolling together, gaining speed with each passing day.

Perhaps Mr. Mellencamp was feeling it too:

"I can see the finish line from here.  I only have so many summers left. 

And I intend not to waste them being old."

I think we'd have to agree.  There's much more living ahead, and it's true, by God's grace, we only have so many summers left... So how to spend them?  This would be the question we face as we head for a new season in our life!

Retirement.

We're keeping an ongoing tally on our To-Do List...

There is much to do.  That log house won't build itself!  Lol!  And in 100 days, the Farmer will be punching out from the daily grind and punching in to life at the lake... {smile}

We intend not to waste a minute of the time we're given!

In our walk together these last many years, we've seen the tragedies...

the devastating losses of the too young,

the too innocent,

the too loved.

We may never understand, this side of Heaven,

nor have answers to ease our griefs.

We may never be able to fathom the depths

of God's grace and mercy for the sorrowing soul.

And we question the journey.

The longer we live, the more we realize how fragile our hold.

And yet, one thing I know... He has set the finish line before each one of us,

and we are called to run the race He's given us with excellence.

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

                                                            ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

By God's Grace, the gift of today is ours.

Let us make much of each moment,

for His Kingdom's sake...

My Love, Always,

            Jane

The Dog Days of Summer

This is how to deal with a Texas Heat Wave...

That's one smart puppy ;-)

The rest of us are melting!

Stay cool and check on your friends and loved ones

during this extended heat wave,

We all need each other more than we know!

The Best Days of Summer!

It's been summer camp at the lake these past few weekends!  Time for the grandbabies to join Memaw and Pepaw for some summer fun... and oh how much we have enjoyed the time... exhausted like never before, but so much laughing and loving... worth every tired muscle from keeping up with these busy babies!

First up was Presleigh.  Her first sleep over... ever!

 We started the weekend with a trip to the local U-Pick Berry Farm.  There were games...

and feeding the catfish (not too sure about that... lol)

And then getting down to business...

time to pick those blackberries!

There were gator rides around the lake...

And picking some flowers for mom!

It was a sleep over success!  She's ready to do it again!

Next up were Autumn and Aubree...

their turn for some Berry picking fun!

And then back to the cabin to cool off on the slip and slide...

Craft up some colorful rubber band bracelets...

And, of course, enjoy a sweet treat, complete with

some freshly-picked blackberries! Yum!

These are the memories precious that will

hold us through the long cold days of winter...

This Memaw and Pepaw have absolutely treasured the time together!

May these babies always know how very loved they are!

It's official... Summer Camp at the Lake

with the Grandgirls has been the Best!

P.S.  Next year, it's time for the Grandboys to join the fun!!

Happy 4th!