So much to talk about ...

First off, choosing the word "peace" as my word for 2010 has been a good thing. While there are many times that I feel unpeaceful, there have been many more times when I have realized that feeling coming on and have focussed on being peaceful. Asking that God give me a peaceful heart. And for the most part, it works for me. I am able to calm myself down and deal with whatever is at hand. I am keeping my eyes open for artsy things that incorporate the word peace for my home. I plan for it to be in many spots in our home so I can channel that feeling at all times.

Something that is breaking my heart is the Haiti earthquake. I don't watch the news and most of the time life is too hectic to even read online articles. I was made aware of it yesterday on MSN's homepage but didn't get a chance to read details. Listening to NPR this morning, I became very aware of the devastating details. I am so saddened by this. I cannot imagine the condition that the country is in and the desperation so many people are feeling. I ask that you pray for the people of Haiti who are suffering, for their government to be able to meet their needs as best as possible, for outside countries to be able to lend assistance, and for all the children that are left without parents and for the parents who are left without children.

Months ago I wrote a post about my step mother's diagnosis with Stage 4 Melanoma which had grown on the outside of one of her ovaries. It is a very rare occurence where the Melanoma grows on the inside and there is little research on it. The statistics of such a cancer are not good. Anyways, in case any of you are curious, she has been undergoing some serious bio-chemotherapy. The schedule was as such: one week in the hospital constantly connected to various drugs. Then sent home for two weeks. During the first of the two weeks at home, she feels terrible. Very sleepy, very nauseous, no appetite, etc. During the second week at home, she begins to feel close to human again. When the two weeks is up, she goes back into the hospital to do another round. After every two rounds, they do an MRI to see what kind of progress has been made. So far she has had two MRI's come back showing positive results. THANK GOD! If you do the math, you can conclude that she's done at least 4 rounds of this intense treatment. Well, she's actually done 5 and was supposed to begin #6 today, but given the constant low white blood cell count, her doctors have told her she's done with them. No more! Her body can't take it. This is actually good news for her. It was getting to the point where she was becoming depressed over not feeling good. She doesn't like not having energy to do anything. She is not considered no evidence of disease (NED), but her doctor thinks she would never be able to get to that point anyway. And for some unknown reason, she can never again start up these treatments again should the cancer begin to grow. They have altered her immune system and expect it to continue its attack on the cancer cells even without drugs. So for the next 8 weeks she is to recuperate. Then they'll give her another MRI and see where to go from there. So please keep her in your prayers if you will. She's a wonderful lady. Only 47 years old. She has much more to give this world. So I thought I would update on her.

Along similar lines, there's a little girl's story I have been following. Her name is Kate McRae and she is 6 years old. She's a victim of brain cancer and it's a rare and agressive one. I learned of her from Jennifer McGuire and her Cards For Kids campaign. Her mother tries to post updates everyday here. She's a wonderful writer and does so to gain prayers for her sweet daughter. I highly recommend you following her story, sharing it with other, but most of all praying for Kate. Despite the sadness of the situation, the posts are very inspirational.

On a happier note, this weekend I get to sneak off for a scrapbook weekend with quite a few friends. There's a place in Escondido that is dedicated to scrapbookers. So I am looking forward to that. My hope is to complete two different kits I ordered last year from Christine Middlecamp as well as to possible complete my December Daily 2009 album. It's only three projects but something tells me the 2.5 days I will be gone won't be enough time. We'll see. I will post pictures of what does get completed when I return.

Have a wonderful weekend if I don't get back here before then.