IT IS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT IS THE WORST OF TIMES

Hopefully, my borrowing of Mr. Dickens' terminology won't make him turn over in his grave since it seems to best describe this time in my life.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,  but not in despair; Persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 CORINTHIANS 4:6-10

It is the best of times because I am 71 years young, in good health [only take an occasional aspirin], in a wonderful home that has almost everything I ever invisioned [not a mansion by any means but more than anything I really thought I would ever have]. I enjoy being a homemaker, a wife, a mother-grandmother-great, grandmother and  being able to indulge in my quilting, sewing and crafting.  

It is the worst of times because I am 71 years old and there is so much illness in my family it is heartbreaking and debilitating if I don't try and keep busy and keep my mind on the positive-that God is in control, no matter what. I have to keep in mind the tragedies He has brought us through in the past 4 years:
brother-in-law, Larry, has sustained several strokes

My son, Jeff,  almost lost his eyesight from an acid burn at work. 

Nephew, Gary, was burnt badly at work.

Nephew, Keith, was resuscitated several times as they worked on him on the operating table after his stomach and esophagus ruptured.

Sister, Jackie, was t-boned and her car totaled.

Ayden, Gary's 9 month old grandson-Jackie's great, grandson-hospitilized a month after removal of a tumor from his brain, check out his story at this link: http://cwainscott.blogspot.com/2011/04/gods-miracle-baby-ayden.html
in photo below:Gary & Ayden while Ayden was recuperating in hospital, there is very little evidence of the burns Gary sustained

Many, many people were in much prayer during each of these times. Jeff, Gary, Keith, Jackie and Ayden are all recovering nicely. Thank you, LORD!

Now:

 sister-in-law, Iretta, is being treated for cancer after surgery to remove a tumor from her brain.

brother-in-law, Wally, is being treated for cancer in the stomach and esophagus

niece, Debbie, had a double mastectomy and is scheduled for a year of chemo and radiation

nephew, Keith, faces surgery to remove kidney stones

nephew, Gary, just had shoulder surgery and is in therapy, shoulder probably sustained injury when he was burnt at work

son, Jeff, is in extensive therapy after shoulder surgery-another work injury
and
we are waiting for the results of a biopsy to see if my husband's cancer is other than or more extensive than the prostrate cancer. He has started chemo for the prostrate cancer. 

Our mother is our head prayer honcho and prays endlessly for all of us but seeing her family down to her great, great grandchildren go through so much has taken its toll. I know she turned 91 on May 31, 2011. I know she has lived a good long life which I tried to convey a little about @ http://carolynscanvas.blogspot.com/2011/01/no-calico-no-slivers-of-soap.html
in photo below: Mom with great, great grandson, Ayden, as he recuperated in hospital

But knowing all this doesn't prepare us for the inevitable. She fell last week and ended up in the hospital. Things went from bad to worse and we almost lost her a couple of days later. She has been getting better [its that prayer thing again] and has been transferred to a nursing home for further care.

My son, Jeff, told me that he had been dreading this time when he would have to face losing his grandmother and parents. I told him this is part of life and it would be selfish of us to want to keep our loved ones here if they have to  endure the pain that mom was in at the time, that Jesus Christ is her Saviour and the minute she leaves here, she will be with the love of her life-my dad- in heaven. The thought of heaven is what got me through the time of losing my beloved grandmother and I know I will see her again one day.

Ours is not the only family going through such times, I know many of you are experiencing times of your own. I know that God is sustaining us and is doing the same for you if you have asked. Please remember our family in your prayers and contact me so we can be in prayer for you. 

My quilting and crafting are my therapy whether things are bright or cloudy. Poetry is another outlet and I want to share this poem. The date on the paper tells me I wrote it in 2001.  

THE LILY OF THE VALLEYS

Though you walk through valleys of The Shadow and despair

and believe the life you've led is far beyond repair.

Though the enemy awaits you in his dark, craggy lair

and in the past you've been unable to escape his snare.

Though the burden you carry is more than you can bare

and hopelessness engulfs you and keeps you so aware

that you feel so all alone and no longer dare

to lift your eyes to meet another cold, dark stare.

Though your valleys seem impassable there is The One who cares.

Just go to Him on bended knee in prayer

and THE LILY OF THE VALLEYS will go with you there.  

God bless all of you,

Carolyn Wainscott