Pamela's Daybook: June 22

Today: Melanie and the kids were here for lunch. Sloppy joes on homemade rolls -- the boys' favorites. So many laughs. The kids are all reading books this summer, and I love to hear about them. Landon finished "The Boxcar Children" -- a favorite of mine at his age. I wanted to live in a boxcar! 

At my writing desk: Traded cooking and some house cleaning for writing. Tomorrow is another day. It all gets done eventually. 

Praying for: James Pinkerton and his family. He has been through so many physical issues and received more bad news this week. 

Thankful for: Daughters and where they live. I'm aware not everyone can have theirs close by, so I'm especially thankful to God for allowing my sweet girls to live ten minutes away. 

I'm reading: Reading "The Widow of Larkspur Inn" for my book club. I'm not a big novel reader, but this club is pushing me to read them.  Once I get into them I'm okay, but it takes me a while to shut off my mind. I downloaded a sample: "Broken Hallelujahs: Learning to Grieve the Big and Small Losses of Life." Love the title!

Postmarking: Didn't work on cards at all today. Did receive some names sent for the next list.

Favorite quote:   "It's not luck, it's God's favor."  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (John 1:16).

Pamela's Daybook: June 15th

Today: This has been a quiet day here. Like many of you, we've kept the news on. We are grieving for the families in Florida who lost their loved ones in such a terrifying way. Finally I just had to turn it off and listen to Pandora. "Open the Eyes of my Heart" is my prayer.

At my writing desk: I worked on curriculum until almost 11:00 last night. So this morning I worked on it first while my brain was fresh. You just may be a children's editor if your work space is surrounded by paper turned into crowns, staplers, colored pens, etc. God gave me such a great way to tell the story this morning. I had to see if it would work. It did!

Praying for: The family of the little boy who was taken by an alligator at Disneyworld. My heart can barely stand the thought of it.

Thankful for: Raspberries! My bush is blooming. RB brought in the first two ripe ones this morning.

I'm reading:  I'm reading Abraham's story in Genesis. It's where I'm editing curriculum, and I find immersing myself in the same Scripture keeps me focused. 

Postmarking: Going to get three done tonight. I'm so happy that my Facebook friends send me requests -- many I wouldn't know about. We don't just send a card; we pray for the needs, too.

Favorite quote: If we don't teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to. (unknown)

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Gifts in an Envelope for Cancer Fighters

There is a word that strikes fear in every heart. We don’t want to hear it connected to our name, the name of a relative or a friend. Cancer is a word that devastates the most optimistic heart. It fills hearts with questions, doubt, uncertainty, denial, fear, and hopelessness.

We often wonder, What can I say? Because of fear of saying the wrong thing, so often the card we bought lays on our desk, eventually buried from putting other items on top of it. To encourage turning our intentions into action, here are five gifts to consider tucking into an envelope:

5 Gifts We Can Write to Cancer Fighters

1. Hope -- for healing here or in heaven

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

2. God’s Presence – even on the hard days

God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5b-6).

3. Distraction – a funny story or a memory

A joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 24:22). You will never believe what I did at the grocery store today…

4. Love – both yours and God’s

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again (Jeremiah 31:3-4).

5. Rest – for the body and soul

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:1, 8). 

Acknowledge the long and tough battle ahead of them. Instead of a blanket, “I love you,” say, “I love your sense of humor,” or “I’ve always loved your beautiful smile.”

Bow your head over your card, whisper a Help me, God, and then write – even if it’s I’m so, so sorry.

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Encouragement Verses for Your Cards