Liz Flies!

I have written several times about my admiration for two of my close friends, Victoria, and her daughter, Liz. The story and testimony of Liz is truly amazing and continues to be more so with every achievement she makes in her journey since suffering a stroke at the age of 22 eleven years ago. She has gone through so many stages and as she has progressed, she has done things that I would probably have given up on long before. At the time of her stroke, she was very overweight, but as she went through her rehabilitation, she saw the effect her weight was having on those who helped her ... especially her parents. So she went on a weight loss plan and through her self-discipline lost weight with no exercise at all since she was unable to move in any way.

She has matured in her Christian walk by leaps and bounds. Not being able to move on her own or speak has not stopped her from listening and learning from what God has to say through His Word or the pastors and teachers at church. She is perfectly able to communicate with the Lord because He knows her every thought and desire.

Speaking of desires, it has been her desire to walk someday and this past year her mother and her discovered a physical trainer who works with people who have special needs. She has been working faithfully all year and now is able to lift not only her legs, but her legs with 15 pounds on them. She is truly working out and though it hurts, you know what they say! No pain, no gain! She is gaining strength and has more courage than anyone I know (that is, excepting her Mama!)

Recently, Liz had an adventure at a place here in town called iFly. It is a simulated skydiving experience and one we gave as Christmas gifts to our grandsons a couple of years ago. Well, I guess she had so much fun at iFly, she made the decision to actually sky-dive from a plane at 14,000 feet!! Say what?? Are you crazy, Liz? She. Absolutely. Loved. It!

I truly believe one day Liz will get out of that special chair and walk!

Just so you can see the difference ...

from a few years ago with her Mama

More recently on our annual outing to the Arboretum

And now! More exciting things than a walk around the park!

Strapped in and ready to go! 

Look at that beautiful smile!

She is strapped to this gentleman.

The video of this took my breath away!

Liz, you are truly one of my heroes for what I

think is called intestinal fortitude, or better than that ...

YOUR FAITH!

Her testimony is tattooed on her wrist.

"This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life."

And I bet she would be the first to tell you that her mother is the wind beneath her wings!

Resurrection Sunday

He is not here; 

he has risen, just as he said. 

Matthew 28:6 NIV 

Be Ye Glad

In these days of confused situations

In these nights of a restless remorse

When the heart and the soul of a nation

Lay wounded and cold as a corpse

From the grave of the innocent Adam

Comes a song bringing joy to the sad

Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom

Has been paid up in full

Be ye glad

Now from your dungeon, a rumor is stirring

And your eyes show the sorrow they've had

Ah, but this time the cell keys they're turning

He has opened the gates

Be ye glad

So be likes lights on the rim of the water

Giving hope in a storm sea of night

Be a refuge amidst the slaughter

Of these fugitives in their flight

For you are timeless and part of a puzzle

You are winsome and young as a lad

And there is no disease or no struggle

That can you pull you from God

Be ye glad

Oh be ye glad, oh be ye glad

Every debt that you ever had

Has been paid up in full

By the grace of the Lord

Be ye glad, be ye glad

Be ye glad*

Be Ye Glad

Debbie Boone

Jesus' sacrifice of Himself for my sins and His resurrection from the dead means I have new life, and I can live with hope and expectation that all God's promises in the Bible are true and that everything in my life on this earth is impacted by His love and grace for me. 

"When the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 NET

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:3-9

Be blessed today in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift He has given to us of Himself.

*Lyrics: Michael Kelly Blanchard

Good news Monday

Going to the doctor isn't that much fun, nor is it the way

I really want to spend an entire morning.

But it's always good news to find that everything is well when you're done.

It's a red-letter day health-wise. Not only does the doctor proclaim me to be in great physical shape - but I am still growing!

I grew half an inch this past year!! LOL! Thinking somebody made a clerical error

in the records somewhere, but will take it

since the additional height greatly improves the BMI index.

Eh?? What did you say?

I have been comexplaining my hearing is very bad.

Doctor's test says my hearing is better than average.

Now I'm wondering if I am ADD, using selective hearing,

or just tuning out others. What is my problem?

Will try to pay more attention.

7 years out on breast cancer! YAY!!!

Thats something to shout about!!!

Musing earlier about whether to mention this is also the 27th anniversary

of another day that was a life-changer for me. 

A day I discovered how quickly a fairly tranquil world

can be turned upside down - in the blink of an eye.

You wake up, life is normal, you bid your husband good-bye as he goes to work ...

and he never returns. You receive the dreaded phone call that nobody wants to get ...

and nothing is ever the same.

I remember that day vividly. The people who came to my aid in that time of need,

the weather, my emotions, sleepless nights, 

it is all etched in my memory as though it happened yesterday.

Since that day, I have experienced many other life-changing days.

The good news is I'm stronger now than I was then.

A strong woman believes that she's strong enough

to face her journey ... but a woman of strength

has faith that it is in this journey that she will be come STRONG!!!

Not as strong as I want to be.

Life still throws curve balls ... and always will.

The even better news

God gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.
and He will sustain me in times of trouble.