Another update on my mom

I had the opportunity to go and visit my mom Friday night through Saturday evening. I would not have been able to afford the trip if not for the generosity of my Etsy friends (see previous post!) I am so thankful to everyone who gave from the heart and their pockets in the fundraiser that one Etsy friend started on my behalf!

Many times there are people visiting from out of state, and I have to share my mom. This trip, no one was there except me, my husband and two of our kids. My dad took the kids and my husband out a few times to give me time with my mom, all alone. It was so nice to visit with her and sleep next to her on the couch as she was in her "daybed" (we call her hospital bed a daybed, it sounds cuter! LOL)

The first night I was there we met at the beach, my mom and I sat on a bench to talk alone while the guys walked the beach. I gave her a gift, something my friend http://www.wordzoflife.etsy.com made for her, a heart-shaped Snippet (check out her shop for some) that says Jesus on it. She loves it SO much!

Yesterday while we were alone, I took care of some of her needs. We had a "spa day" and I cut and painted her toenails, styled her hair and applied her makeup. She was looking quite lovely and said she felt so much better. Guys don't think of doing these things, so my dad doesn't do them. She tries to do her hair and makeup herself but gets tired out. I was happy to do it for her and spend time close by her. She had to nap in between each session, and I would nap nearby her. This photo on the top of my post was taken after our spa time, and she looks quite refreshed. It's my favorite picture that I got this weekend.

God is good to give us more time together. We don't know how long it will be, a day, weeks, months? But I have her here now, and I will visit her as much as possible. I'll tell her all the things in my heart and show her my love every time I see her. I kiss her and hug her several times an hour. We should always be showing our love to people in the family, as if it could be OUR last day. No one knows how long they have. I could die before she does, one just never knows.

Every time I have to leave her and drive over 3 hours to come home, I cry like a baby. I never know if that was the last goodbye in person that I'll have. But I love her more than I could ever express in words. She is the best Mom a girl could have ever asked for. God gave her to me, and I'm thankful.

Update on my mom

Hi everyone! I received the most amazing blessing today. Some wonderful friends at Etsy put together a fundraiser in my honor, to try to get money for me to go see my mom again since she was diagnosed with terminal illness. I had no idea this was going on until halfway through and I didn't know the whole thing just that some kind folks were offering up percentages of their sales to donate to this fundraiser. This morning I got the money, and I was floored by the generosity of fellow Etsians, some I know and some I do not know. I can now plan to see my mom several times and not have to worry about the financial part. I am going to see her in two weeks, for Labor Day weekend which is when my dad's birthday is. She was SO excited when I told her I could definitely come! And I told her of my Etsy friends and their kind generosity and she was so touched and happy that I can come more than once. Just making my sweet Mommy so happy was the best feeling, and knowing that I am loved by my Etsy friends is amazing too. I want to thank ALL of you who donated time and money to this, and know that God is good. I pray He returns the blessing to you over and over. This made my day the best day yet since hearing the awful news about my wonderful mom. Thank you all so much. I love you all!

I AM WHO I AM

This has been saved in my files for awhile, I loved it when I read it and kept a hold of it. I'm going through a serious valley right now, my mom is laying in a hospital bed after finding out 2 days ago she has a brain tumor. She's having surgery Tuesday to remove it. She forgets a lot of stuff, she's not herself. We're all scared out of our wits and I'm terrified yet am leaning on God to take away my fear. He has my mom in His hands, and I can rest knowing that. This I AM WHO I AM spoke loudly to me today as I wait to get down to my mom and see her on Sunday morning. Waiting is so hard, she is three hours away and I want to see her whether she is all "there" or not. I will keep reading this throughout my day and remember who is in control. Prayers for my mom, Betty, are very appreciated. Whatever YOU are going through today or any day, look to Jesus for strength, comfort and whatever you need from Him. He is here.

I AM WHO I AM

Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

Whatever your challenge is today, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or marital, the great I Am declares to you: “I am to you what you need Me to be.”

Do you need healing? He says, “I am the Lord who heals you. (Ex. 15:26) And as you believe Me, you will see your healing manifest thirty-fold, sixty-fold and a hundred fold.”

Are you groping in the dark, not knowing what to do? He says, “I am the light of the world. (John 8:12) When you walk in Me, you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Are you looking for a way out of a bad situation? He says, “I am your deliverer. I will reach down from on high, take hold of you and draw you out of the deep waters.” (Ps. 18:2,16)

Are you wondering if there is more to life than merely existing from day to day? He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) I came to give you life. And where there is life, there cannot be death. You will have life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Are you fearful of what is ahead of you? He says, “I am the good shepherd (John 10:11), who leads you to pastures of tender, green grass and waters of rest. You will not suffer lack. (Ps 23:1-3)

Are you confused by the opinions and reports of man? He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. (Rev. 1:11) I have the final word in your life. The doctors do not have the final word. The experts do not have the final word. I have the first word and the last word in your situation.”

My friend, do not be fearful of the problems you face. The great I Am declares to you, “Fear not! For I am what you need Me to be.”

Look what I just bought!

Lucy, of http://www.mummumscrafts.etsy.com makes the most wonderful mineral makeup. I have a few things by her and recently decided to buy this beautiful lip color. It's shiny and soft, and I can't wait to get it. Check out her shop, her prices are reasonable and the products are awesome.