Hello Friends!

Let me start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Secondly, I want to apologize for disappearing for the past several weeks.  It was not my intention to drop off like that, but as I’m sure you all know…life happens.

Where Have I Been?

I’ve been battling about a 6-week-long, ongoing migraine-type headache which significantly limits my ability to function normally.  My bed, the couch, and an icebag have been my very best friends these past several weeks, while my neurologist works with my medications and getting me some relief.

What I’m sharing here is quite personal, however, I believe we all need a miracle now and then and I want to share my “miracle experience” with you.

My History:

Some of you may know that about six years ago I suddenly began having seizures and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically, an astrocytoma (malignant brain tumor).  While I’ve known Jesus as my Lord and Savior my entire life, in that time I learned to pray in an ever more fervent manner, literally crying out to God, asking for a miracle and believing that one was coming my way.  I was on more prayer chains across this entire country than I’m sure I even know, with literally hundreds (thousands?) of people praying for me.  A truly humbling experience for sure.

I try to tell the story of what God has done for me every chance I get, but I haven’t told you, my stamping friends.  I promised God four years ago I would tell the world about my miracle, and well, this is the world-wide-web.  What better place to share than right here?

The following is my story as written by me in 2016 and posted on Facebook.  I’m copying and pasting it in, as my headache prevents me from spending much “screen time” right now.  If you’re not a “believer”, I would ask that you humor me and read my story and then do some real soul-searching.  The bible tells us that in the end times, world events will occur much like a woman giving birth – the contractions getting stronger and closer together until the day that Jesus returns.  I don’t know about you, but with the natural events over the past handful of years – hurricanes, wildfires, etc. and the social-political storms going on, I’m feeling it.  None of us knows what day or hour He will return, but I do believe we’re getting ever closer.  Again, if you’re not a “believer” I would simply ask you to read this, and then ask yourself, “What if I’m wrong and she’s right?”.

From 2016:

Okay,  I’m going to attempt to put into words that which there are no sufficient words to express.

MIRACLE ALERT!!!!

So a brief recap of events over the recent months. On March 21st I was given the diagnosis of a brain tumor, an astrocytoma (malignant tumor) to be specific. I underwent brain surgery on 5/23, and again on 5/26 (as a postop MRI revealed “they didn’t get it all”) to remove portions of my brain affected, as well as the tumor. We were told that following surgery, radiation therapy was pretty much a given, and quite likely chemotherapy pending tissue analysis. We have been nervously awaiting the pathology report over the last couple weeks since surgery, to find out the true scope of what was to come. Yesterday late afternoon I had a follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon. As he walked into the room, he stated, “You are a living, breathing, walking, talking miracle.” You see, the pathology report came back showing no tumor. Not just benign pathology… but “NO TUMOR”.

This tumor was felt to have been present in my head for 1 1/2 – 2 years, and the cause of daily seizures (average of 6 – 10 per day). Dr. Miller further stated, “This doesn’t happen in my line of business. If the tests come back showing a tumor, there’s a tumor. In your case, there is no tumor – it’s gone. The only way to explain this is a miracle, my friend.” The tissue sent for pathology came back as inflamed, swollen, brain tissue, but absolutely no neoplastic process. Are we over the moon ecstatic? Oh my yes!!!! Are we surprised? Yes and no. I know I’ve told some of you this, however, most not…. the Sunday following the news of my diagnosis, I was getting ready for church and was praying, feeling rather emotional, and suddenly had a vision of the blood of Jesus washing over my brain, and could feel the warmth of same inside my head. The chorus, “nothing but the blood of Jesus” ran through my head. I cried. I’m not one who regularly experiences “visions” but I knew this was of God. So, when Dr. Miller gave us this amazing news yesterday, I immediately knew the moment of this amazing miracle; Jesus blood washed it away that morning. All praise to our Lord and Savior…Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!!!! It’s still a long road back to “normal”, letting my brain heal from the trauma, though it’s believed that I will be left without significant residual deficit from the surgeries. God is so very, very good, and I am so very, very blessed. Thank you all who have been praying… never stop; the power of prayer is simply undeniable. I have one more prayer request… please fall to your knees and thank Him who is so worthy of all our praise!!!! Lord Jesus Thank you for your faithfulness… I love you Lord!!!!

And that brings me to the here and now.

I am tremendously blessed to have undergone two craniotomies with the removal of portions of my right frontal lobe (the amygdala) and hippocampus and still be able to walk, talk and function normally.  However, I do have a persistent headache, dizziness and balance issues since then.  With this unrelenting headache and increased disequilibrium over these last too-many weeks, the fear of “something more” going on in my brain has poked away at me, even despite an unchanged MRI in August.  So right here, I’m re-claiming my victory in Jesus and telling Fear, “You have no place here!”   I’m praying and claiming my healing; believing that all is well within my head even now.

If you don’t know Jesus and have questions or would like prayer, please reach out to me.

And, I will humbly ask you to keep me in your prayers, as I battle this ongoing, increased head pain.

I hope to get back to some paper-crafting and blogging soon, my friends, and ask that you would bear with my absence while my doctors continue to work with my medications and finding me some relief.

A quick project:

It took me several days working (playing) in 10 – 15 minute intervals to finish this simple card using the Dragonfly Garden stamp set from the new “Spring” catalog, and Corner Bouquet from the Sale-A-Bration catalog (free with $50 purchase).  I also used the new Many Messages Bundle for the Happy Birthday sentiment; and “Friend Like You” stamp set for the small stamped dragonflies and the inside sentiment.  All of the products I used are listed below.

   

I also used the new blending brushes to apply color for the background and I must say I like them a lot.  Be sure to check them out!

The Time Has Come!

Ordering from the new “Spring” catalog and Sale-A-Bration began yesterday, January 5.  So, place your orders before February 28 to take advantage of the free products you can earn from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!  You can find my online store here, or click on the tab above.  If you have questions or need help placing an order, please feel free to reach out to me!

I hope to be back with you on a regular basis real soon!

Until then,

Janet

 

Product List

Dragonfly Garden Bundle (English) [156224] $36.75	Dragonfly Garden Cling Stamp Set [154411] $23.00	Dragonflies Punch [154240] $18.00	Friend Like You Photopolymer Stamp Set [149237] $21.00
Corner Bouquet Cling Stamp Set [155273] $0.00	Many Messages Bundle [156272] $50.25	Basic White 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Pacific Point 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [111350] $8.75
Crushed Curry 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [131199] $8.75	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin’ Pad [147105] $7.50	Pacific Point Classic Stampin’ Pad [147098] $7.50
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad [147094] $7.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin’ Pad [147087] $7.50	Blending Brushes [153611] $12.00	1/4″ Bumblebee Gingham Trim [153658] $7.00
Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154898] $9.00	Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [154830] $9.00

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