GENETIC PINK

My Genetic Braca test results came back. I saw Dr. Schlesinger on Tuesday and she told me it was NEGATIVE! Which means the cancer was not caused from my genetic code, but probably from my over 20 years of smoking, although I haven't smoked in 19 years.

I believe it was caused by the building where I worked at Langley AFB. It as one of the really old buildings. The building was part of NASA and there is a building inside that belongs to the Air Force. We moved there in 1995. Within a year, it was discovered that I had eczema. I was also allergic to roaches and their droppings, mold, mice, cats, pine, fescue grass, therimesal, etc. There was a bay in the side of the building that had storage for the communications squadron. They sometimes would leave the bay open all day and pidgeons would fly in a roost on the rafters in the warehouse. The pidgeons would poop all over the top of our building inside of the warehouse. One of our air conditioners was up there and had large pan to catch the condensation and drain into a pipe leading to the outside. Needless to say, the pipe would get clogged with pidgeon poop and stop up. Then if it was particularly warm, the pan would overflow into the walls, one of them in my area. It was always damp and Civil Engineers would come and paint and the next thing you know, it would leak again.

One day, I was taking the mail around to the supervisors and when I got to Mr. Kelly's office in the front, there was a huge bubble in his ceiling. It was full of water from the AC. I called CE and they came and replaced the ceiling tiles and cleaned out the pipes. This kept happening until they finally hired a contractor to come in and clean up he whole area upstairs. It was okay for a while, and then Hurricane Isabel happened. Our office had over 3 ft of water in it and we had to move to the Suntrust Building in Newport News while they cleaned it up.

I was so happy, the office was about a mile from my house and within 4 months, I was able to cut back on the prednisone that the allergist was giving me for eczema. We were there for 2 years before they had our area fixed. I went by one day to check on the progress and they had all the sheetrock off the walls and were preparing to redo them. There was mold all over the studs in the walls and they didn't replace them. They said they sanitized them, but it looked moldy to me.

We moved in and it was nice but the moldy smell was there. I put a sign on the door to the NASA part of the building so no one would open the door, because the NASA side was never sanitized. It was a pit. I would get really sick if anyone opened the door. So, when the first day I could retire came, I did. I just couldn't stay there any longer. Three months and 2 days later, I discovered a lump in my breast. Go figure. People say that I should sue the Government, but isn't it in enough trouble, especially now?

At least I am drawing a retirement and a supplement until I reach 62 and go on Social Security. We are doing alright. Ray doubled our tithe about 3 years ago and the Lord has blessed his business beyond our expectations. Not to mention, most of my documentation was destroyed by Hurricane Isabel. Environmental would come around with a little device and walk the office and say there was nothing there. I saw the roaches. They were the size of small mice. They would make nests in our audit books. I think they liked the glue. It was really nasty and no one should be working in that building. NASA vacated the building, now no one wants to admit responibility for it.

Anyway, I truly believe the environmental factor that caused my tumor was that nasty, sick building. It is not the only building at Langley in that shape. It would be interesting to know how many employees have contracted cancer. I know at least five including myself, and two of them died. I pray for those who have to work around all that mold and decay every day. I pray that the young women who are working there and plan to have children are alright. Sometimes historical is nice, but more often than not on a military installation, it is just a sickness waiting to happen.

The good news is that I don't have to have a double mastomectomy and my ovaries removed. I called my siblings and gave them the good news. My sister Jan was so happy. Her daughter had a lump that turned out to be a cyst and so did Rhonda. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

We spent the weekend in Tyson's Corner for the Lions State Convention. One of my dear friends won 1st Vice District Governor, which means she will be District Governor in July 2010. Her name is Donna Weiler and she lives in Tappahannock. She is awesome. She is so capable and positive in manner. Her husband is Dr. Hauser Weiler. Hauser has been District Governor and VA State Council Chairman of the Lions Clubs. He is an opthomologist and has an office near Rappahannock Hospital. He took care of my cataracts a few years ago. She has my full support.

It was a strange convention for me. I had to stay in my room because my immune system is compromised. I did get to see a few people but they were not allowed too close. We did go to dinner at Olive Garden on Saturday with Linda and Jim Gregory. They drove up to the convention on Jim's Harley-Davidson and left right after the election this morning. I was almost a 3 hour drive. I was able to do some art this weekend.

Jeff and Rhonda gave me a Nintendo DSI for Mother's day. Since I couldn't be there on Mother's Day, they gave it to me at Mother's party. I discovered last week that I could access Twitter on the Internet. It is difficult to ReTweet, but I can read them anyway. We have Wi-Fi at home and any time I am near free Wi-

Fi, I can get on the web. I can even check my gmail.

I was elected as President of the Newport News Host Lions Club in April and will take office in July. It is the third time I have been President. We have some awesome people in our club and as long as they do their jobs, mine will be easy. I really have learned to delegate. My last chemo is in July, but I think I will be fine. God is Good, All the time!
Nitey nite~

HOT HAIR PINK!

Well, the hair is gone. We went to NC last weekend and my son Jeff shaved my head. He is a barber at DunArtie Spa & Salon in New Bern. I did it this way because I wanted everyone to see that it could be a "good" thing. It was hard for Jeff and my daughter Rhonda, I am sure, but Rhonda'a twins, Garrett & Taylor, took it real well and even wanted to try on my wig. LOL! Actually, it was kind of freeing.

I cooked barbecued ribs and we had Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Rolls, Garden Salad, deviled eggs, & dirty rice. It was a party atmosphere. Since Sunday was my Mother's 79th Birthday, I bought a chocolate cake and Ray picked up some vanilla icecream when he went to town. We videotaped some and put it on YouTube although I couldn't put it there until we got back to VA. My sister Cindy in Dallas, and sister Jan in Jacksonville (FL) also put videos on YouTube.
If you want to see the birthday video, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MiQ1KYxWnA (Don't forget to rate it, LOL!)

I had gone earlier in the week to a shop in Denbigh and bought a very nice (expensive) wig. It is darker than I am used to, but highlighted. Everyone says it makes me look younger. Sounds good to me. LOL!

I have been deep in thought about his whole experience. I thought I would feel better after the first week. It didn't happen. Thursday was the first day that I really felt any better and there is chemo again next Tuesday! Ray has had to drive me everywhere; he is so patient. God couldn't have sent me a better man. I love him so much. He gave me money and I paid a really nice lady to clean our house on Wednesday. She was there 4 hours and did a great job. She will be coming every Wednesday until I get over all this and get back to myself. It really improved my spirits to have a clean house. The toilet in the main bathroom broke and we were without it for 2 days while Ray tried to fix it. He finally got it fixed last night after I left a message with a plumber. I hate using the half bath off the bedroom; it gived me claustrophobia.

I have been Twittering. If you haven't tried, it is wonderful. There is so much positive energy there. I just love it. Since I am a little obsessive/compulsive, I really have to watch myself. I am afraid I have ignored my Facebook friends somewhat, but reading stuff on there, I don't think they missed me too much.

GOD is GOOD, all the time! He still is there for me whenever I need Him. Sometimes when I don't think I do, there He is. He is watchin over me. He knows He has my heart. He sends me things through people I have contact with. I received a lot of cards last week when people heard I had chemo. Each card is a prayer. I look at them that way. Each email is a prayer. There are so many people out there who care about what happens to me. I never realized I was loved by so many. Don't worry, I am not getting a big head about this. I appreciate each and every one of them more than they will ever realize. I pray for each person who contacts me and even pray for some who don't. My favorite verse in the whole Bible is "I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me." And, I can!

Love to all, Barbara

FEELS LIKE SUMMER PINK

Today was the first day that I felt like doing anything at all. I actually woke up optomistic! There is light at the end of the tunnel. I have been so fortunate that I started this blog. It has made a difference with me. It gives me something to think about and update. I am constantly thinking, would anyone want to hear this? The Twitterverse has made it wonderful. I had over 850 page impressions on this site since I started it. There was only 200 or so for a long time, but then I started putting the url on Twitter and everyone had to see. Isn't it great. They have been so supportive and want to know how I am. I have met some nice ladies, QueenMisha in Austin TX, ZnaTrainer in Hawaii, and Kimberly McCarthy on the East Coast (Awesome Christian that prays for me a lot).

I have my wonderful lady prayer warriors at church: Bev Parker, Bertha Taylor Baldwin, Barbara Goff, Bruna Maffei, Dottie Aebischer, Lena Self, Rachael Pittman, Linda Gregory, Tracy Houston, Betty Elofson, Mary Oder, Judy Gatlin, Bette Young, Anne Glover, Judy Brett, Clara Hughes, Norma Sowell, Mary Merritt, Donita Waggonshutz, Beverly Garrett, Mary Prussia, Janet Banton, Jonnie Sowers, Doris Taylor, Diane Boyette, Odessa Poore, Kitty Turner, Dot Riley, Judy Arrowood, Terry Adkins, Lynn Adams, Thelma Aydelott, Ann Bledsoe, Yvonne Bush, Helen Brown, Kay Brown, Gainor Clark, Christine Colley, Joyce Conner, Janet Crowder, Eula Davis, Jean Darnell, Juanita Wilson, Helga Dietrich, Benita Edwards, Karen Evans, Sandra Faison, Joyce Fitchhett, Monica Garcia, Ruby Gilbert, Shirley Gratto, Edith Green, Shirley Gunnels, Stephanie Hall, Emma Heath, Vicki Hodges, Linda Hoffler, Mary Ann Hutchinson, Kim Jeffries, Vera Johnson, Ann Jones, Virginia Jones, Mary Keeling, Starlyn Kelley, Joy Kilgore, Cathy Jones, Betty Jones, Gloria Keene, Grace King, Gay Klich, Lou Ladson, Betty Lamb, Aline Laufer, Elsie Lester, Jeanne Lester, Mary Lynch, Jeanette Lystlund, Janice Mahone, Georgia Mann, Lisa Mason, Heather McCracken, Docia McKean, Judy Means, Sherry Means, Beryl Meisner, Betsy Moore, Agnes Murrill, Joyce Nettles, Nicole Newsome, Nancy Nichols, Kim Overman, Carol Pauley, Betty Pearson, Marguerite Peck, Ann Perkinss, Donna Pultz, Thea Rawls, June Ray, Nikki Reed, Evelyn Rieger, Janet Rippy, Judy Roberts, Jane Satchell, Jane Saunders, Mary Self, Diane Shinault, June Simpkins, Erma Slye, Betty Smith, Bert Smith, Joy Spaugh, Jean Squires, Nancy Thomas, Annabelle Thornton, Amanda Tilley, Debbie Webb, Dottie Wallace, Connie Watkins, Nonie White, Peggy White, Connie White, Cresenti Williams, Dot Williams, Betty Wood, Mary Watkins Wright, . . . . .
I probably forgot a few and I hope they forgive me. They are all so wonderful and supportive. I love them so much. I know there are men who pray for me also, but they don't seem to be so forthcoming. I appreciate them too.

CLAY BALLS PINK

A friend sent this to me and I thought it would be appropriate today because I truly appreciate all my friends for all the help they have given me in the form of thoughts and prayers. Please read this with gratitude and hope...

Clay Balls

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar tr easure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them; I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE,

ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!

I thought this was too good to waste on email. Love you all!

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

#1 CHEMOTHERAPY PINK

I started Chemotherapy last Tuesday. This has been one of the most difficult weeks I can remember going through. I don't feel like doing anything and it is difficult to think. Ray has been super. He has been trying to help me but I probably have spoiled him over the years and he just doesn't know what to do. He has been doing the dishes though. Hopefully I will be able to get back into some semblance of normalcy this coming week. I didn't realize how bad this was going to make me feel. Somehow, I guess I thought they would give you the drugs to make you better but include drugs to make you feel better too. What a misconception. This has been my most difficult day so far. I really feel ill. I had the first dose of Chemo on Tuesday and really haven't felt too bad until today. I have been dozing in and out.

I had to take Ray to pick up our car Wednesday and I came back by the Silhouette Mastectomy Boutique at 12715-V Warwick Blvd by across from First Baptist Church. I ordered two new bras, and 2 camesoles, a prostesis, and a few other things. My insurance will pay for the bras, camesoles and prostethesis which is nice because they are much more expensive than I ususlly purchase Ann Wilson is the certified fitter. They are are open from 9am -4pm M-F and the 1st Saturday from 10am-2pm. I am amazed that insurance pays for it. One bra had to be ordered. They have a basket full of hats that people donate to other patients. I got a really neat denim hat and I also bought a "Save the TATAs" Magnet. The ladies there were so nice. I really enjoyed my talk with them. One is going to see if she can get the insurance to purchase more bras. Most insurance companies purchase at least 5 or 6 a year.

The chemo itself wasn't too bad. I took my computer and even watched "House" on HULU. Ray took me and brought me home. It was quiet in there that day. No one but me most of the time. I am not sure how it would have been if there had been a roomful of people. I miss my friends. Hardly anyone calls. I guess they are afraid to wake me up. Even if they did it would be alright. I even had to tell my mother that I was tired of talking yesterday. It certainly helps to pass the time.

Did I tell you Ray wanted my Kindle and told me to order the new Kindle2? It is wonderful. I have been reading in it all week. It is so portable, I am carrying it all around and reading a wonderful set of books by Diana Galbradon. I haven't read many novels over the past few years. The really nice thing is that when I get tired of reading, the Kindle2 reads to me. It is kind of a computer voice, but I am getting used to it. It is kind of restful, even.

People in the Twitterverse have been awesome, they retweet my tweets and are very supportive. Some are monitoring my blog now. If this blog can help one woman to get a mammogram or do a self-exam, then all the hours poured into it will be worth it.I have almost 2200 people in my Twitterverse, and I have only been really trying for 2 weeks. They are all so special.

I just had a phone call from Debbie Hancock. She is finally home from the XanGo convention in Las Vegas, although she never really got a chance to go. She had a heart problem and spent the last 3 weeks in and out of the hospital in Vegas and California. It is so nice to have her back home. She keeps me grounded and real. She fusses like a mother. Especially about the part where I am not supposed to be drinking XanGo during Chemo. Oh well, I cannot go against the doctors advise.

Please tell your girlfriends to do self-exams and have their mammograms on a regular basis. It is so important. I just cannot tell you how difficult this is to go through. But GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

GOD IS GOOD PINK!

I had an appointment with Sandy at the Cancer Center. She gave me a book with all the information that I need for my chemotherapy. I still have to see the nurse who will be my personal nurse during the chemo. There is so much to read. I did find out that my hair will probably fall out about two weeks after I have my first treatment. Sandy showed me around the clinic where they do chemo while I was there. There sure seemed to be a lot of people. There are four rooms and four or five recliners for patients. There were people there and their relatives.

Today I went to see Dr. Schlesinger's nurse, Cliff. He is very nice and is making sure I don't fall through the cracks. He set up the appointment with the chemo nurse and the time for my chemo to start. It will start on Tuesday, May 12th, at 9:00 a.m. I have all this stuff to read before then and I would like to get my house in order before I start. I imagine that it will make me ill or tired and I need to feel no stress about the house.

The Medical Lab where they sent my last blood test for genetic testing called and said that my insurance would not cover the test. It costs almost $4000 to do the test. It would show whether I have an inherited gene that causes cancer. I told her I just couldn't cover the cost. I thought that was it, but then she called and said that she didn't realize that I had two insurance and that Tricare would pay 80% of the cost. I will end up paying about $700 and they will finance it for two years with no interest. I am so glad. If it turns out that it is positive, it wll impact my treatment. Praise God for Tricare.

I saw Rev. Juan Garcia at church this afternoon. We spoke about the website that I am going to build for the Hispanic Ministry. I am excited about it but I really don't have time until next week. Beverly offered to help with the sites and she probably can after I get it set up. What I spoke with Juan about was getting me some pictures. I plan to load the pictures, then show Juan and his wife Monica how to add captions for the pictures in Spanish (since I don't speak Spanish).

I am going to need prayers for the Hispanic Site. I do wish I knew Spanish. I will be doing a lot of copying and pasting. Juan has created a very nice logo for his congregation. I am so glad to have the opportunity to help his ministry in some way. I also am going to teach Juan's wife, Monica to build a blog for their baby. It will make it easy for her family to know what is going on in their lives.

Then, there is the Young Singles Ministry, I am going to help them set up a site also. Drew is young so he will probably pick up the ways of the site real easy. It should be pretty easy for him. The picture of Ray on the right is one that we were going to put on the church's site. But that is okay, I love having it here.

I don't know why, but I joined Classmates.com again this morning. It was like $59 for two years. I have lost touch with so many people. When I went into my profile, I discovered an email from Gerry Moore, my brothers friend from High School. I sent him an email and he called me. I had given him Sonny's phone number and Sonny called me tonight to tell me that he had talked to him. It was kind of nostalgic and Gerry gave me a website basekids.net. I went on the site and was able to see the high school yearbooks from Lee High where I graduated. It was strange in a way to see my picture in my freshman year. It is also funny how much alike Sonny and I look in our features.

I spoke to Rhonda yesterday and told her that we wouldn't be able to come for Mother's Day. I guess I will be cleaning all weekend. Earl Arrowood has some more items for another yard sale and I am going to store them in the garage until I feel well enough to have a yard sale later in the summer. We will have a Lions Sale and I will have my sale. It will make for a great sale. We should get a lot of people there.

Joel Osteen in Yankee Stadium is on TV and Victoria Osteen is preaching on relationship. A lot of people think that he is only a good positive speaker, but I don't think they really have seen him preach very much. When he has a service at his church in Houston, it is over one and a half hours. He preaches, Victoria preaches, and his mother sometimes preaches. They have Larry Jones with Feed the Children on with them. The two ministries have partnered to Feed the Children. I think that is awesome. They are bringing so many to Christ and they are making sure the people have something to eat. What is wrong with being positive in Christ, I think that is what he would want for us. The enemy is always trying to bring us down and Christ builds up up. I think anyone who preaches a positive message is much more likely to reach more people.
I saw the first sermon Joel preached years ago and was impressed from the very beginning.

I guess I better get to bed. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. I love you very much for following my journey. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

Love, Barbara

MAY PINK

I know over a week has past since I wrote anything. I have been working on feeling better, just trying to do a little more each day. We went to Roanoke this weekend and on Friday before we left, a nurse at Riverside Cancer Center called and asked me to come in on Monday at 2 p.m. for training for my chemotherapy. The people at the cancer center are so nice. I was just getting to know the radiation nurses. They are so caring and make you feel so comfortable.
We had a nice time in Roanoke. We stayed at the Holiday Inn for our Virginia State Association of Parliamentarians (VSAP) Convention. Ray is the new President of the Virginia Peninsula Unit (local)and of the Alpha Unit (Registers & Professional). Ray is a Professonal Registered Parliamentarian (PRP). The test to become one has been compared to the CPA Exam. We had such a nice time visiting with friends from other units from all over the state. Ruby Roberts was there. She is a member of the Golden Gavel Unit in Virginia Beach even though she moved to South Carolina a few years ago. She always comes up for the convention. She still looks the same as she did 18 years ago when we met.

Virginia Anderson (PRP) from the Golden Gavel Unit created a website for the VSAP a few years ago and has been the webmaster since. She recently had to go through chemotherapy for cancer and has lost most of her sight. So, Mary Loose-Diviny, President of VSAP has appointed me as the new webmaster for this next year. Looks like I am in the business. Anyway, I can get a hand in with non-profits before I graduate to paid web sites. I really enjoy doing web sites. Anyway, when you say your prayers, say one for Ginny.

At our Lions Club Meeting last week, I was elected President of the Newport News Host Lions Club. This will be my third time. We have some really good members and will be enlisting some more people to join. Our members are diligent and I know they know how to do their jobs, so that should make mine easy. I do know how to run a meeting since I am a parliamentarian also.

Actually, back in the early 90s I joined NAP because I wanted to run for president of Parents Without Partners, Chapter 275 in Newmarket. We went with Paul Moss from Chesapeake. Paul had been the National President of PWP a few years before and belonged to Golden Gavel. I had to drag Ray along but once he got the gist of it, he became much more interested than I did. With Paul's help, when I was elected to my first term, we reduced the meetings from 4 hours to 1 hour, sometimes 1 1/2 hours. It was wonderful and people actually enjoyed coming to the meetings because they were so orderly. I could write stories about my 3 years as president of PWP. Ray tells everyone he had to marry me to get me out of there.

I think I might have to write a book about Twitter. It is really neet. If you just read what people say, you get a lot of positive affirmations and quotes. If you follow the links, you can discover some of the most interesting information. I think sometimes I am an infophile, I just love learning new things. I seem to want to know about everything and nothing is boring. It is kind of neat, but sometimes it is hard to focus. I have so many ideas going around in my head. I told Mary Loose-Diviny that I am the idea person and she said that was great and every board needs one. I come up with really good ideas, but other people are much better at following through than I am. Like I said, focus is not my strong point. I really have to work on it.

Something else, I think I should let people know that I am aware that I tend to cut people off when they are talking. I don't mean to, but as I said, my mind is running ninty to nothing, and focus is hard. I do apologize to anyone I might have cut off. I really love people and I promise to work on my listening skills. Maybe I should carry a notebook to jot down my thought so I don't forget them by the time the other person gets done talking. LOL!

Ray promised to teach Sunday Bible Study next Sunday. He forgot that it is Mother's Day and we won't be able to go down to NC. I am so disappointed. I really wanted to go. Oh, well, I guess Rhonda, Jesse, and the twins can have their Mother's Day celebration without me this year. Maybe we will go down the next weekend.

There is something that happened this past week that really got to me. Charlie Nichols, a long time member of our church went to be with the Lord. Last Sunday morning he got up and got ready for church. He told his wife Nancy that "It sure is a beautiful day to worship the Lord!" soon after, he had a massive stroke and was goneby the time they got him to the hospital. Charlie Nichols was an awesome Christian. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He went out numerous times during the week with his friend, Andy Hughes. They visited people in the hospital, in nursing homes, and in their homes. No matter what you started talking to Charlie about, he would eventually turn the subject to Christ. His funeral was a wonderful celebration of his life and his faith. Reverend Dennis Adams sang 3 hymns that Charlie loved, Reverend Lindsey Poteet from the Rescue Mission did the eulogy, Charlie's son spoke for his sister and brother about how Charlie raised them to be Christians. Reverend Tag Kilgore, Interim Pastor, at First Baptist did the sermon.

The church was packed with people there to support the family. Ray and I didn't get to go to the viewing on Tuesday. Ray was attending the Va Baptist meeting at Temple Baptist Church and I wasn't feeling well enough to drive. I was told Wednesday that there were so many people there that some people had to wait in line for over an hour and a half to speak to the family. It was a fitting tribute for a truly amazing Christian who loved his Lord with all his heart and soul. Save us a place Charlie-we love you.

Daily thoughts from Heartlight:

VERSE: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,... -- 1 Peter 3:15

THOUGHT: How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us.

PRAYER: Holy God and loving Father, please use my influence and the quality of my life to bring others to Jesus. Please give me wisdom as I seek to bring the following friends to Christ: (Name them personally!) .. May my words and actions lead them closer to you and show them my respect and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love to you all and thank you for all your prayers. Barbara