tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901750938751245532024-03-21T16:49:02.912-07:00Ms. De's TreasuresMs. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-17738500415493112882011-05-06T14:47:00.000-07:002011-05-06T14:47:12.259-07:00Creating Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50E2Z0cgTnUorGA-OI4Y6txi13kVBiw895Bfr4doojeulAQalhyphenhyphenq7e56jAJ0PGdz0H9NaMvpIXeY_x9W5Kc6r_Lc6mm8VMY0zXacE6ZdD72LU4_jv37AeRWi89i8xOMgd6-meWO2-fNHM/s1600/LCMF-Creating+Yourself-Quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50E2Z0cgTnUorGA-OI4Y6txi13kVBiw895Bfr4doojeulAQalhyphenhyphenq7e56jAJ0PGdz0H9NaMvpIXeY_x9W5Kc6r_Lc6mm8VMY0zXacE6ZdD72LU4_jv37AeRWi89i8xOMgd6-meWO2-fNHM/s320/LCMF-Creating+Yourself-Quote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://lesscakemorefrosting.blogspot.com/2011/05/creating-mea-mothering-day-post.htm">http://lesscakemorefrosting.blogspot.com/2011/05/creating-mea-mothering-day-post.htm</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was reading one the many blogs I follow, this link was one I came across and absolutely LOVED! (I'm sharing it with you so that you can get the free download as well.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For several weeks now, I've been trying to figure out which way to go with my blog, my etsy store, my quilting, my aprons. I get emails from the etsy team weekly that give you ideas on how to grow your business and how to market your business and one of the consistent things they tell you to do is to "blog". I started this blog initially as a way to keep people updated on my son, Jordan's, progress with gastric bypass surgery. Also as a way to share what God has done, and is doing, in my own life. I went back and forth as to whether to keep it as the one I would use to link my business to, but have finally decided that one: I don't have time to do more than one blog and two: that my business and my life are all about what God is doing!! I don't know if anyone really cares what I have to say. I certainly don't think that by posting pictures of what I am working on is going have people following so they can learn something from me...except maybe how NOT to do your seams, etc. that way!! But there is a huge community of quilting blogs and I, myself, have learned so much from them, so maybe through my links or what's on my site, more people will find them as well. And I will always share what the Lord has been showing me, because really, that's the most important thing to me when it all comes down to it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have two etsy shops now...my Tea 'N Treasures where I sell the tea and aprons and my new one, Little Flock Quilts. The name of this shop is based on Psalms 91:4</span> <i style="color: purple; font-size: small;">"</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">He will cover you with his feathers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: purple;"> He will shelter you with his wings."</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I obtained a new sewing machine in December and knew that with that blessing, I wanted to use it for ministry, so with the help of my daughter, Meghan, I came up with the idea to make quilts for Foster Children. I will use proceeds from both etsy shops to fund this venture for the most part, but already the bible study I attend has purchased material for both a boys and a girls quilt that I have made for a ministry at our church called "PB&J" that works with the homeless. It is a huge blessing to me to be able to give of the talents I have been given.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I continue to be "created"...it's really amazing how you think you know the direction your life is going, and then something else comes along and you see a path you had never envisioned. I really do take one day at a time. Who knows what tomorrow will bring??</span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-81840391109577021812011-02-09T07:24:00.000-08:002011-02-09T07:24:45.467-08:00Piece N Quilt a quilt blog by Natalia Bonner: Block of the Month Week 1 {Friendship Star}<a href="http://piecenquilt.blogspot.com/2011/02/block-of-month-week-1-friendship-star.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PieceNQuilt+%28Piece+N+Quilt%29">Piece N Quilt a quilt blog by Natalia Bonner: Block of the Month Week 1 {Friendship Star}</a>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-43343352095379956292011-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:002011-03-01T16:08:01.527-08:00Pressing On<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14</i></span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span">Happy New Year! Hard to believe another year has come and gone! As I read all the Facebook posts, so many people are hoping for a "better year" in 2011. I think it is so easy for us to look back over the year and think about all the difficult things we dealt with, but I guarantee that if we take each one of those difficult circumstances, we can surely find many blessings embedded in each one!</span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Our year consisted of a home with black mold; moving; my hand surgery; Jordan's gastric bypass and the usual culprits of car troubles, appliance outages and the all consuming FINANCES! But out of each one, there have been positive changes made and lessons learned.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">One of our most positive is the success of Jordan's surgery!! At this date, he has lost 127 lbs and has dropped his BMI 15 points!! His surgeon believes that this is a record for his patients that are four months out!! Most importantly, he feels better and is able to do so much more! Which translates for me: he is in a better mood and does more for me around the house! It was a long, long process, but so worth the time that it took because he was ready for the changes that came with it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I love the way the Lord uses what we think are "delays" as one of the most important times in our lives. After a long recovery from hand surgery, I began to put my sewing business together with an etsy store and doing more custom aprons. I was so excited about what the Lord was speaking to me about where it was going! For several years now, my love of quilting has grown and my desire is to use that in ways if sharing the love of the Father. I was presented with the God-given opportunity the first of December to purchase a previously owned quilting/sewing machine that I had only dreamed of owning! After much prayer, I took the leap and signed the agreement believing that God would use it for His purpose in moving forward in this dream. Two days after bringing it home, I received a call from my Dr. who had done a routine colonoscopy the prior week telling me that they had found cancer in my colon. The next week consisted of tests to see if it had spread (PRAISE God, it has not!), appointments with surgeons and many, many questions. My initial reaction was peace. Okay, this is what I have to deal with, another bump in this crazy road of life I've been on. But other thoughts crept in as I began to deal with the issue of surgery (January 3 at 10am) and the removing of that section of colon and the surrounding lymph nodes. The "what if's" would begin to swirl. But through the years of the many trials I have been dealt, I have learned that when these "what if's" start, we must replace them with the precious promises of God. The Lord has given me so, so many promises and many, for what I believe is the restoration of what "the locusts have eaten."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you." Joel 2:25</i></span></span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span">I will not tell you that I haven't had my moments of fear. That would be a lie (and I don't lie ;)). But I do have such a peace about the outcome of this surgery. I'm not looking forward to it, it's going to hurt! But I'm going to trust that the Lord WILL work all things together for His good and that there will be blessings abounding even as I am pushing that pain-killing medicine button!! Not that I'll lose as much weight as Jordan, but losing a few pounds could definitely be one of the blessings!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Mostly during that time, I am going to spend time with the Lord and dream about where He will lead me with this business and how I can further His kingdom through it. And then, when the pain is gone (sooner, rather than later I hope!) and I am healed, I am going to PRESS ON into the future that He has for me!! And a really, really GREAT New Year!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-50666363034652582872010-09-21T14:19:00.000-07:002010-09-21T14:39:30.525-07:00Success!!<span class="Apple-style-span" >What comes to mind when you hear the word "success"? For some, it's about a financial situation or a job they have been working on. It may be the end of an educational experience or something you have been building. There are days when it's literally a "success" that I've made it through the day without killing someone! Right now, we are celebrating the "success" of Jordan finally having his gastric bypass surgery! While he is not at the end of the road yet, he is well on the way! He had the surgery on August 30th and other than a few problems with blood pressure and a large liver during surgery, he has done very, very well! He was in the hospital for 3 days and then came home but was immediately required to start walking. He was on full liquids (broths, milk with protein powder, PowerAde Zero) for two weeks and then started his pureed diet (chicken, vegetables, yogurt, scrambled eggs) for another three weeks. At his one week post-op appointment, he had lost 60 lbs since July 1! That my friends, is success!! His blood pressure being down to 130/80 is success! One of the biggest successes with his surgery was the number of friends who supported us through this!! I am happy to say that the drawing for the quilt I made went to a very good friend of mine here in Georgia who is in charge of our babies through Pre-K kids at our church!! She gives and gives and it was wonderful to be able to give something back to her!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have found that in life, it is very important to celebrate the small successes! After my hand surgery, I wasn't sure how well I would be able to continue sewing or making wreaths for the small gift shop I sell out of. Every item that gets finished is a success to me! I have recently opened an etsy shop (www.dancingbears2.etsy.com) for the aprons and to sell the loose leaf tea as well. For every success I have, there is nothing more important to me than to thank God and give Him the glory for even being where I am!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So, I think I'll go have a cup of tea and celebrate!! The success will be not having a cookie with my tea!!</span></div>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-37874980451945431352010-06-13T14:23:00.000-07:002010-06-13T15:14:58.838-07:00Greater Things<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Have you ever been stuck somewhere? Maybe it's been in a car with a whiny toddler or in a line at the drive thru that isn't moving forward and you have three cars behind you. Perhaps it's been at the table where Uncle Joe is telling you about the war...again or in an elevator standing at the back of the car with 20 some other cheerleaders and realizing that you've overloaded it (I can't breathe even typing that!). Obviously we've all been stuck at some time in our lives physically. But what about emotionally. Or spiritually. I'll admit to you, in the past month, I've been stuck in all three! Six weeks ago I had re-constructive surgery on my thumb - on my right hand. It started several years ago with an injury from a car accident that due to the lupus and the steroids that I take, caused degeneration in the bone and finally got to the point that I was unable to move or use it. This is the first time in six weeks that I have been able to type with it (it's actually part of my therapy) and I'm just now beginning the long task of learning to use it differently since they fused part of it and put pins and screws in. Because of the physical limitations, I'm sure that it contributed to finding myself stuck both emotionally and spiritually. It is so easy when you're smack dab in the middle of a situation to think "this is all there is" or "it's never going to get better".</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We have been on this journey for Jordan's gastric bypass surgery for 18 months now and sometimes it really does feel like we take two steps forward and three steps back. A little over a week ago, we were at the point of being able to schedule his endoscopy - one of the last tests left to do. The entirety of last week was spent playing phone tag with the person whom he needs to speak to in order to do that. OUR desire is to have him finish this test, get fit with his CPAP machine and be ready when he sees the surgeon on the 28th of this month to schedule his surgery. Our urgency to get this done is not necessarily anyone else's!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When I find myself overwhelmed by just how stuck I really am, the first thing I do is to turn up the music! I'm pretty much willing to listen to anything (except nasty lyrics and rap:)) but when I'm really stuck, nothing works like worship. The first few days after my surgery when I was pretty much drugged beyond oblivion, I would turn my computer on and go to my Pandora station and would play praise and worship in my room for hours. This is so healing for me, to have many of the songs that are actually based on scripture reverberating through my head, even while I was sleeping. A couple of weeks ago I received a copy of the new worship CD from Women of Faith ~ I was one of 50 who was asked to listen and review it on my blog. A great activity considering the situation I was in! What I loved about the CD was that it didn't have just one style of music. There are so many different genres of worship music and they took all of them and made them feel fresh and new. "Healer" and "Amazed" had me on my knees thanking God for who He is and "Just Wanna Say" had the gospel girl in me dancing around the living room! It is this kind of CD that helps put my focus back onto the "Calmer of the storm" instead of the storm itself. A popular worship song right now is "God of This City" (Track 1) which states that "greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done". While the process of the journey is where we learn and is an important part, we can't forget that God is always working toward greater things. My hand, once healed, is going work greater than it has in 5 years. Jordan, after this long road and after the surgery, is going to be healthier and stronger than he's ever been and God has greater plans for him than he can even imagine. So, I'm holding on, and stepping out of being stuck so that I can go for the GREATER!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">(Jesus said) "The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even </span></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">greater</span></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"> </span></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">things</span></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it." John 14:11 MSG</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-40245839206584760802010-04-08T07:33:00.000-07:002010-04-08T08:07:55.834-07:00New BeginningsSpring is in the air! If you live anywhere that experiences seasons (sorry friends in South Florida, but this leaves you out!) there are signs everywhere of a new season - green leaves on the trees, buds waiting to burst open with fresh color on trees and shrubs, birds building their nests in your deck chair, yellow pine pollen on every surface it can hit, grass growing again that needs to be mowed! Yes, definitely pluses and minuses, but well worth it. We have come through a long, cold, damp winter, but life is being renewed outside our window!<div><br /></div><div>As it is with Jordan's surgery, we have come through the winter of insurance problems and delays and are in the spring of beginning again. We saw his surgeon this week and because of the time that had passed, he wanted Jordan to begin as a new patient again. While this was disappointing in that Jordan had not forgotten the material, he felt that it would be the motivation he needed. So, he attended his education class again yesterday and is now scheduled for the gallbladder ultrasound and the cardiologist. Because everything involved with gastric bypass surgery has to be paid upfront, we will begin the process of covering a new deductible and out-of-pocket expenses. We will begin to actively sell raffle tickets for the quilt again so that we can schedule his endoscopy and psychologist. He will be receiving his CPAP machine for his sleep apnea and will continue to work on getting his blood pressure down (Jessika and I are not allowed to yell at him!). He has begun an exercise regiment with a friend from Starbucks who is also the rowing coach here at UGA, so he will be accountable (THANK GOD!) to Michael for his exercise program (Pray for Michael!).</div><div><br /></div><div>I am reminded that so often we forget that God is the God of winters, as well as of spring. I have struggled myself with some very dark, cold winters, but the Lord promises to <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">"never leave us or forsake us"</span></i> in the winters of our lives. The verse I lean on most heavily during these times is from Jeremiah (the weeping prophet) 29:11 <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">"For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"</span></i>. There is always a plan. During this time of delay in Jordan's surgery, we have learned a lot about the insurance companies, and Jordan has learned to persevere in times of difficulty. To keep going even when the way seems blocked. So, as long as we keep learning and keep trusting, spring will come! It's right around the corner!!</div>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-17946626272480051422009-09-08T13:17:00.000-07:002009-09-08T13:53:18.847-07:00The Waiting Room<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">We've all been there. Waiting. Waiting on the Doctor. Waiting on the stoplight. Waiting in line. Waiting for the mail. How do you wait? Do you wait patiently? Do you wait constructively? Do you wait expectantly? <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised." Psalms 130:5 <br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />I have personally been in God's waiting room for a long time. Waiting on promises for healing, for restoration, for blessings for Jordan and Meghan. It is somewhere I know very well! Waiting on things you know God has promised is one of the hardest waiting periods ever experienced. But because the promise hasn't come as quickly as I think it should have, does that mean I should quit waiting?<br />When we started this process for Jordan's surgery, we never knew it would take so long. We knew it was a process of tests and of classes, but we never expected to hit so many roadblocks with insurance, referrals, copays, Dr's. - you name it, we've hit it! </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span>Right now, we are at the roadblock called "Cobra". Jordan is required to work so many hours during a quarter to qualify for benefits with Starbucks. His manager misinterpreted when the end of the quarter was and he came up 1.5 hours short. It can all be appealed and cleared up, but until then, he has to go on Cobra. If you've ever dealt with Cobra, you know that this means high payments, slow processing!! So we wait. At this point, it is easy for frustration and discouragement to slip in. You get tired of waiting. We thought he'd be on the other side of the surgery by now. Does that mean he should give up? A resounding NO!! Why have we gotten to where we don't know how to wait for the proper time for things? <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Eccl. 3:1</span> We have become such a microwave society - if we can't have it now, we don't want it!<br /><br />I think personally what I've learned the most in God's waiting room is to try and find what He is teaching me during this time. Am I learning to perservere? Am I learning character? Am I learning hope? Am I learning to fully rely on Him? During this time of waiting for Jordan, the only thing that I, and you, can do is to encourage him not to give up! IT will come! In God's perfect time. Until then, look around and learn.<br /></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-59864722367162294682009-07-26T12:19:00.000-07:002009-07-26T13:10:33.989-07:00A New Way of Thinking!!<span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."<span style="font-size:78%;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Romans 12:2</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br />So, I'm not sure if you realize this or not, but it's been a few years since I've been in school! But over the last few weeks, I feel like I am learning so many new things! When you decide to have gastric bypass surgery, it is not just a matter of deciding to do it and picking out your surgeon and your date. Because it is so complex you are required to do many steps before it is a reality. Most of these steps your support person (or persons in this case!) do with you as well. Last week, Jordan, Jessika and I attended both the information seminar and the first education class. Because we had been to one information seminar last December, there was not much that we did not already know. You learn about the genetics involved, they describe the difference between lapband and the bypass, they give you statistics on the percentage of those who have actually been cured from the diabetes or high blood pressure and in this latest one, we learned how the Dr. had done a fellowship in robotic surgery for the bypass and showed how it was done. Now anyone who knows Jordan, knows that he has been involved with robotics since Middle School. For him to learn that he is a candidate for robotic surgery, truely made his face light up! I think I could even say, it possibly even excited him about the surgery!<br />The other class we took was an education class that explained to him how he needs to change his diet now to start preparing, how the surgery will take place and what to expect and the changes that will take place after surgery. The nutritionist came in at the end to get them started on what they need to start doing as they prepare. We had already gone to a low carb, high protein diet since our first appointment. Jordan has taken all soda's out of his diet - whether they be caffeine free, sugar free or regular. This will be something that will continue for the rest of his life. We are taking all refined sugar's out as well. Even natural sugar's may have to be limited. After having a gastric bypass, a patient can experience something called "the dumping syndrome". While I cannot tell you all the "scientific" reasons for this, it is caused by refined sugar's and carbs. As one Dr. explained it, you won't die from it, you'll just wish you had! Because they are taking his 40 oz. stomach down to 2 oz. they explain that the first thing he should eat will be protein. He will be taking supplements for the rest of his life that will help with absorption of vitamins and minerals he needs, but the protein is harder to come by.<br />We will actually attend a class on nutrition itself, but until then, I have been doing my own research. This totally changes the way I've cooked for most of Jordan's life! I've tried over the last several years to cook healthier - going to whole grain pasta's and breads and taking the white flour out of as much as I can - but now I'm looking at recipe books for whole grain scones and cookies, whole grain birthday cakes and even a whole grain pumpkin pie! (have you noticed all of these are desserts? Hmm?) It is a completely different way of thinking! <br />The last couple of weeks in church, we have been talking about how to change our thinking. If I can quote our Pastor (Thanks Pastor A!), "How we think relates to how we feel. And how we feel relates to how we act. So to change how we act, we have to change how we feel. And to change how we feel, we have to change how we think!"<br />Without discipline, this is never going to happen. You cannot just decide to change. It requires a lot of hard work. Jordan cannot just decide "I'm going to lose weight" and then not do anything about it. He must change his old habits. They make it very clear in the classes that this surgery is not a cure. It is a tool and you must learn to use the tool correctly. And it will take perseverance. It will not change overnight.<br />As Jordan goes through all these processes, one of the things they do is to weigh them at every step. Classes, support group, appointments. One of the things Dr. Nguyen is looking for is commitment to change their thinking. When Jordan stepped on the scale last week, eight days after his first appointment, he had lost 14 pounds!! I think he's on his way to a new way of thinking, don't you?! I know I am!<br /></span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-27376320954913205292009-07-16T09:18:00.001-07:002010-04-09T09:01:35.729-07:00Help Jordan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion2mmA_djouxKwWvsDoWCx6htkeovcV95dCxQV0G-9G-bAyCqXRYNuvXuRupyafmjnPXyP1pa0lpYasmb6XJxNpw0WH2iZle3XGaNA-X9Qg2ZLl8hQbTAnObYnVwyY71UqOdtwLtc4s2m/s1600-h/100_0975.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion2mmA_djouxKwWvsDoWCx6htkeovcV95dCxQV0G-9G-bAyCqXRYNuvXuRupyafmjnPXyP1pa0lpYasmb6XJxNpw0WH2iZle3XGaNA-X9Qg2ZLl8hQbTAnObYnVwyY71UqOdtwLtc4s2m/s320/100_0975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359094028962499778" border="0" /></a>
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDELORE%7E1.DEL%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Lucida Console"; 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:16;">Help <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> reach his goal!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">For every $10 donated to help <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> with his costs for gastric bypass surgery in September, your name will be entered to win this handmade 54” X 62” Benartex City Bloom quilt.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">In colors of blue, sage, brown accented with bursts of yellow, orange and magenta to brighten!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">You can donate at any Regions Bank to:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">Jordan Burke/Delores Burke<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">Acct. # 0099750775<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";">Or<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";"><a href="http://msdestreasures.blogspot.com/">http://msdestreasures.blogspot.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">To use your paypal account (and to follow <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s progress!)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";">Or <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">Mail donation to:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";">Jordan Burke<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span style=";font-family:";">172 Scottwood Drive</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style=";font-family:";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span style=";font-family:";">Athens</span></st1:city><span style=";font-family:";">, <st1:state st="on">GA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">30607</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic;font-family:";font-size:85%;">“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.<span style=""> </span>But the greatest of these is love.”<span style=""> </span></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1 Cor. 13:13</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">(Donations are NOT tax exempt)
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-6780445403483002282009-07-16T08:28:00.000-07:002011-03-01T15:48:25.279-08:00Let the Games BEGIN!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSglUiSy0lmqcnhPEA8h9H3eEOlLWgtcQSLpnvDCqNhTdlVAbyCVz6rxopKmxvQmprlwEJR3OLi4E-p5mA2ucjewxoDrcOd-hZNWVyO5R6IFpsFfxy9NjKG5I5HuvWuYAe5Dc5FSoC-puA/s1600-h/100_0898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSglUiSy0lmqcnhPEA8h9H3eEOlLWgtcQSLpnvDCqNhTdlVAbyCVz6rxopKmxvQmprlwEJR3OLi4E-p5mA2ucjewxoDrcOd-hZNWVyO5R6IFpsFfxy9NjKG5I5HuvWuYAe5Dc5FSoC-puA/s320/100_0898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359088772696432594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Begin with the end in mind".</span> This was the advice that we got yesterday when we attended Jordan's first education meeting for his surgery. Since our meeting with the new surgeon last week, the process is moving at a good clip! Dr. Nguyen (pronounced Wynn) was a delight to Jordan, Jessika and I! He spent an hour and a half getting to know Jordan and going over his procedures and reiterating that Jordan's success is his primary goal. Jordan and Jessika attended the first support group on Monday night. I declined this one as I feel Jordan needs the space to really open up about anything and might feel less inclined to do so if I am there (you know, like "my mom is my issue!" NEVER!) Yesterday we went to the first of two education classes he will have to attend. We learned exactly how the surgery will be done - taking his 40oz. capacity stomach to 2oz. capacity!! How he will have to eat after this is done and new habits that will be required. We will learn more about his dietary changes in the next class in a couple of weeks. I do believe that after this, Jessika and I will have new figures as well!! I think one of the things I'm most excited about is to see Jordan HEALTHY and enjoying the things he did as a young boy. He has always been one to want to be outside more than in. In fact, when he was about 10, there was a house that we used to go by on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">intracostal</span> in the boat (in Ft. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lauderdale</span>) that had one of the biggest ficus trees ever seen and Jordan was determined that when he grew up he would buy that tree (not the house) and build a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">treehouse</span> and live there! If not there, then he was going to Australia and live in the Outback! He had a huge fort in the backyard and would have lived out there if we had let him! He's never been your average kid. Most of the things boys his age enjoyed, such as football, baseball, were just not his thing. Not that he didn't like them, he would just prefer to concentrate on things like how the wings were attached to butterfly or how the earth turned on it's axis or the different phases of the moon! Most of the other kids just thought he was weird - until he got to middle school. We sent him to a Science and Technology magnet school where he met LOTS of other weird kids just like him! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VrNv_EtewadJlJOWjX_fyI1fdhGGR0j9oW1SXl46eBRDQWtDS1RY6uTi0tOXgKNFGa9Q2jeFavJPTfiVPx2ZP2niW6g5I6UNMboHdzVNK7TPgJtg6riTLAeVrSqDCPIDFXzMS4h4dkJ2/s1600-h/100_0084.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VrNv_EtewadJlJOWjX_fyI1fdhGGR0j9oW1SXl46eBRDQWtDS1RY6uTi0tOXgKNFGa9Q2jeFavJPTfiVPx2ZP2niW6g5I6UNMboHdzVNK7TPgJtg6riTLAeVrSqDCPIDFXzMS4h4dkJ2/s320/100_0084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359086901012702738" border="0" /></a>From sixth grade on, Jordan has had a friend that is like a brother to him and just as weird as him (let's just say I could do a whole blog on Jordan and Lesly stories!!) but it these types of relationships that is going to keep Jordan going over the next few months. He has a girlfriend who loves him for who he is and again, is just as weird as he is! I say "weird" with A LOT of love behind it!! I just can't always keep up with their conversations - if you know what I mean!! And he has a sister who though very different (she's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">a lot</span> more like momma!), is behind him and cheering him on! We have had a lot of great friends who have wanted to help with costs, so I have made a quilt that with every ten dollars donated to his surgery account, your name will be entered in the drawing that Jordan will do on the day of his surgery. I will be posting all the details here on my blog as soon as I can figure it out!!<br />So let the games begin!! We are SO ready for this race!!<br />"<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in a such a way as to get the prize"</span><br /></span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-83431478836383223082009-07-03T13:51:00.000-07:002009-07-03T14:32:13.287-07:00Ready...Set...CHANGE DIRECTION!!<span style="font-family:arial;">Okay, so it's three months later, and everything I have written in the my previous two posts don't really apply anymore! It's funny how when you think you've got your course mapped out, you've planned and plotted and you think you 're good for the long haul, God reminds you just who is in charge! And if (and I do mean IF) you are trying to live your life according to His plans, you will find that you really don't have a clue! Within a month of the last post, as I stated being ready to do what it took to stay in my little historic cottage, the Lord showed me that I needed to move and so, I did! I came to Athens where Jordan was and he and I found a house that fits our needs together - he has his own little suite of an office, bedroom and bathroom and there is enough room that his girlfriend, Jessika, was able to move in with us after she moved out of the dorm. We thought at that point that Jordan would be having the surgery in May, but have found that depending on your insurance carrier, that they can move at whatever pace they wish. We felt it important that I be close by to help as Jess is a full time student and we really didn't know what kind of help Jordan would require as he goes through this. Plus, just the need for both of us to tighten our belts financially (well, I guess soon he'll be tightening his belt<strong> literally!</strong> ) so now we are sharing expenses. It's been a process. And I think most of us would agree, we don't like "process"! Usually it means learning new ways of doing things and that can sometimes be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">uncomfortable</span>! But as a whole, I know that this is where I'm supposed to be and I'm confident that God will work all this for good! The weeks have drug for Jordan as the bulging discs in his back are possibly now herniated and the numbness in his legs and feet are worse. He is working the minimum hours at Starbucks to keep benefits and then spends the rest of the time flat on his back working on his websites. As of last week, we found out that the Dr. that we were requesting to do the surgery was denied so we have started paperwork for a new Dr. this week. We have tried to expedite things by having some preliminary work done that we know he will have to do, like his sleep study for his sleep apnea, but the frustration of having someone who has no vested interest in your personal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">circumstances</span> and handling paperwork in a timely fashion is sometimes beyond your patience. Oh yes, I really dislike that word. It's one of those things you desperately want, but don't want to go through the process (there's that word again!) of finding it! But I do believe that ultimately, God is sovereign. He is in control. And if the Dr. we thought we were going to use can not be approved, then there is a reason. Why is it taking so long? I ask that question every day. When I watch Jordan try to walk across the room. But as Romans 5:4-5a says "<em><span style="color:#6633ff;">And patience produces character, and character</span></em> <em><span style="color:#6633ff;">produces hope. And this hope will not disappoint</span></em>." <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NCV</span></span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-69083091718159399062009-02-07T11:43:00.000-08:002009-02-07T12:45:21.103-08:00Look Below the Surface<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;"><em>"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663333;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#663333;">When I came around the corner and saw it, I knew it was for me. There sitting back beyond the trees, was a little yellow 1920's bungalow. I'd always wanted to live in a home like this - big windows across the front, a front porch that wrapped around the side, a stone fireplace, beautifully landscaped and best of all, it had a "For Sale by Owner" in the front yard! After calling the owner and having her tell me it had completely been renovated - new plumbing, wiring, roofing, flooring and HVAC unit - and to go take a look, I got out of my car and walked around. It had new rose bushes, azalea and hydrangea's planted and nicely mulched and inside it was beautiful with upgraded kitchen cabinets and french doors into the dining room. It didn't take me long to sign on the dotted line! Since it was a lease/purchase, an inspection wasn't needed but from the looks of things, it was great! One of the first things we noticed was the leaking refrigerator and then the washer/dryer combo that didn't work. Then there was the knock on the door from the city inspector who told us the owner didn't have a Certificate of Occupancy for me to live there and that there was no insulation in the attic. After many conversations, all of this was taken care of, but we started noticing things as we walked through the yard - glass, a toothbrush, cans, bricks and very large roots, all hidden by grass or shrubs. As we began digging deeper (literally!) we found roots that went completely around the house. Under the mulch where the new azalea's were, there was an entire roof of old shingles! What we found out was that the house had been empty for at least 5 years and very neglected. When the owner bought it to renovate, she did not go to the trouble to take all of the roots of the vine and shrubs that had grown wild, or obviously the old shingles, instead, she just planted OVER them and covered them up! To the eye, it was perfect, but as we looked deeper, there were LOTS of issues!</span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">In our nature, we believe that as long as it looks good, then it must be good! We are so quick to judge something by the way it appears on the outside. I think no one feels this in our society more than the people who are overweight. We've all seen the shows on TV (there have been plenty!) of the skinny, pretty person who puts on the "fat" suit to see how people treat them differently. And we think to ourselves, "well, I wouldn't do that!" and while we might not be as cruel as some others, we still make our opinions based on the looks of others. We think they must be lazy or have no self-control. We judge what they have in their grocery cart or what they're eating at the restaurant. We know nothing about their life or who they are, yet we think we know what they should or should not be doing. In the process of gastric bypass surgery, the first thing that you are required to do is to go to the seminar held by the Dr.'s for information. We actually tried to bypass this process because of Jordan having so many problems with his back and we had done enough research on the computer, that we just wanted to get moving with the surgery, but they will not allow that. And I am glad they didn't - it was extremely informative. What we found was a Dr. who is passionate, not only to help these people, but to bring information into the communities. Research has now shown that 90-95% of the people who are obese, actually have an extra hormone secreted in their stomach that those who metabolize their food properly, do not have. He said you could put these two types of people in a room together for a week and feed them a liquid diet and the one who does not have the hormone will lose twice the weight of the one who does. It is definitely a genetic problem. His mission is to educate as many people as he can, even Dr's who think it's just a matter of discipline. But even knowing that, does it stop us from passing judgement? I'm pretty sure all of us have been victim to someone judging us without knowing us or the situation. And I guarantee we've all (even me!) judged someone based on how they looked or by what we saw. Why do we do it? Is it our own insecurities? Is it so we look better (in our own eyes!)? I don't have the answers. I don't know how to make people stop - or even myself for that matter, though I AM trying! Before I judge someone on how they are raising their kids or talking about people behind their backs the way they do, I want to look deeper, below the surface. How were they raised? Are they stressed due to the economy or a family issue? Do they not trust people because they've been hurt so many times? I want to go deeper in people's lives, and if that's not possible, I want to judge less and believe that there are things going on that cannot be seen by the eye. I want to see them as a person, just like I want people to see me, or Jordan.</span><br /><span style="color:#663333;">As for the little yellow house, I LOVE it (sorry dad!). Does it have it's issues - you bet! But I'm digging deeper to get those old roots out so that the new plants I plant can put their roots down because I want to stay for a LONG time!</span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190175093875124553.post-11941943925414779972009-01-22T13:44:00.000-08:002009-01-22T14:21:21.361-08:00In the beginning...<span style="color:#663300;">Here I am, not fully knowing what I'm doing, but ready to go forward! I'm sure it will be a learning process - so your patience will be greatly appreciated. I decided to start this blog for many reasons. I've had the desire to write "stories" about the processes taking place in my life for years. I know that God has given me a voice, and my experiences, for a purpose. If in my life one person finds hope, or courage, or comfort, then it will be worth it. One of the main reasons for starting this now is to share the journey of, and with, my son Jordan as he goes through the process of gastric bypass surgery. I am hoping that through this there will be more understanding of the process. I am hoping that it might bring hope to someone else out there who is dealing with a life changing event as well. Life isn't easy. Every person reading this could tell a story of something in their life that they struggle with or that has brought pain, but I believe that if we come together and help each other through them, we will all grow. I encourage you to post reactions or comments or suggestions at any time (though I'm really not sure how that works yet!). We learn from each other! </span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Jordan and I are working on my website now and I will be putting handcrafted items, tea and tea accessories and some of my gift items left from the store I owned, up for sale. I am currently working on a quilt that we will be selling raffle tickets to raise money for the surgery. More on that to come. I named my business Ms. De's Treasures - hence the name of the blog ;) - for a reason. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us, "<span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be</em></span> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>also</em></span>." I pray that in this blog, that you will always find that my "treasure" is in loving the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind and in loving my neighbor as myself.</span><br /><span style="color:#663300;">Blessings to you and yours - De</span>Ms. Dehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02569700004700955492noreply@blogger.com3