Holiness Hill Reunion

If you read my previous post, you know that Les and I traveled to Nashville again. I have to confess that I scheduled that post before we left but we did NOT get to eat at Cracker Barrel!! This is our fourth trip back in 11 months - Thanksgiving 2008, Brent and Alicia's wedding, Bill and Dolly's anniversary, and the Holiness Hill Reunion.

So what is a Holiness Hill Reunion? Holiness Hill is the name of the Tennessee youth camp that Les attended back in the 70s and early 80s. Doug and Lori Long, Sonna Reid, Suzanne Andrews and a few others got together and decided it would be a great idea to have a reunion. Months of planning culminated in a fantastic weekend that none of us will ever forget!

Over 100 attendees, many who Les had not seen in 25 years or more, started gathering Friday evening at the "new" Tennessee camp group - Camp Lake Benson. The laughter, squeals of delight, hugs, handshakes and smiles seemed endless. It seems the years rolled back, and everyone was young again! Children were not invited, although "tag-along" spouses like me were! I enjoyed meeting so many people. I was able to put faces with names and the many stories I have heard through the years.

After a time of fellowship, we all made our way through the line to get our dinner. But it was after dinner that the fun really began. With Doug emceeing, many people made their way to the front to share a memory or a story or a confession! There were even some "older" folks, former staff members, who shared stories of a different youth camp - the one seen through the eyes of the staff.

Melody (Duncan) Smallwood told about Terri (Atkins) Wachstetter receiving the Holy Ghost. Melody wanted to know how to receive it for herself. Terri said, "just pray at the pole over there, that's where I got it." Melody took her advice and it worked! The show of hands of those who received the Holy Ghost at Holiness Hill was the true measure of youth camp's success.

There were skits - "The Elevator," "The Hypochondriac," and "The Family Vacation" that became the "Bus Trip to Youth Camp." All the actors had to go on was the name of the skit and their memories. I think there may have been some new scenes, especially ailments that 10-year-olds would not have understood!

As the planned activities wound down, small groups formed and changed while people were getting caught up on the lives of others. Then someone made their way to the piano and soon the platform was crowded as they gathered to sing the old camp choir songs - "Going Up Yonder," "Holy Ground," "Rise Again," "Praise the Lord (He can work through those who praise Him)" and "The Boy's Name was Steve..." It was amazing that so many remembered not only the words but their parts! Sopranos, altos and tenors found their parts and the sound was amazing!

We finally made our way to our room at about 2:30 a.m.! We were exhausted, but exhilarated!

We met back up for breakfast Saturday morning. We picked up our plastic trays and filled them with youth camp standards - biscuits, gravy, sausage, eggs, bacon, pancakes, and fresh-from-the-oven, melt-in-your-mouth, think-you've-died-and-gone-to-heaven, world-famous, Cinnamon Rolls! Les said that was worth the price of our ticket!

Saturday morning activities included a sword drill. The participants lined up in their chairs, Bibles in hand, waiting for the reference to be given so they could look for their verse. This sword drill had a twist - each verse had an animal in it, so the "winner" got to act like the animal in their verse!


"Volunteers" also go to play old camp standard games such as "Rhythm," "Alli Babba," "This is a What?" and "Baby, I Love You, but I Just Can't Smile." Again, the years melted away and everyone was young again!


The Luthers, who had worked in youth camp since the 60s, brought piles and piles of paperwork from their years of service. Included were applications for camp workers along with evaluation forms. We found a few of Les' when he was 16-18 and worked as a counselor for Junior Camp. He listed his experience as "I worked as a counsellor at last year's camp, also, every day I have to keep my Jr aged sister out of trouble." That seemed to work since they let him in!

Saturday morning we also took the time to pray for a former counselor. Before he was a missionary, Bro. Steve Willoughby was a counselor to many of the men in attendance. His family has suffered greatly this year, and it was our privilege to lift them up in prayer while we were all together.

Unfortunately the girls won the "Pig" for having the messiest dorm! The pig was signed by all the former campers and donated to the camp museum that contains memorabilia from years of activities in the Tennessee district.


I'm sure I'm forgetting many of the things that went on, but it was a total blast! Keith Austin's wife, Jennifer, was raised in a religious organization that did not have youth camps. She summed it up by saying, "I feel cheated that I didn't go to youth camp!"

On our way to church last night, Les and I were talking about what makes Youth Camp so unique. There is no other activity that takes a group of children or young people, many who have never met, and throws them together for a week without their parents. Girls who have never met are bunk mates. Strangers on Sunday, but doing each others hair, and sharing shoes and secrets by Friday. While boys probably don't do each others hair very often, bonds are formed during pillow fights and on the ball field. And while the times of fun formed bonds of friendships, times at the altar formed bonds that will last through eternity.

I think this is just a small taste of what heaven will be like. But we'll never have to go home again and we'll never get tired! It's gonna be great!

Guess Where We Are?

That's right! We used our Southwest vouchers from our trip in August for a quick Tennessee visit. Gonna see some great friends, laugh a lot, and eat some good grub.

Happy weekend!!

Friday Foodie

I didn't try a new recipe this week, just a new twist on something old! With the rain Tuesday and Wednesday, it was perfect for chili and cornbread. I usually make corn muffins straight from a mix, but when I bought the Betty Crocker mix it suggested "Traditional Skillet Cornbread." Hmm... never made that before... Well now I have!


I'm sure these directions would work for any mix or homemade recipe, you might have to adjust your oven temperature and time.

1. Heat oven to 400. Generously grease or spray sides and bottom of 8-inch cast-iron skillet. Heat skillet in oven 10 minutes or until hot. Carefully remove to heatproof surface.
2. Prepare muffin mix per package directions. Spread batter in hot skillet.
3. Bake 16-18 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.

This was very good! It made the cornbread a little crunchier and was very easy. My skillet was 10 inches, so the batter was spread a little thinner and it only took about 10 minutes to bake. I was surprised when it did not stick to the skillet at all. Dump a piece in the chili and butter a piece on the side... mmm, mmm good!

Nutritional info: 120 calories / .75 g fat / 0 g fiber / 2.5 points per piece. Makes 8 servings.

What Really Happens to Shepherds

While I was listening to Christmas music the other night, I listened to my favorite musical. "Child of the Promise" was written by Michael and Stormie Omartian. It is one of the most Biblically based Christmas musicals I have ever heard. You can turn to the book of Luke and just follow along as the songs are being sung.

"Child of the Promise" came out in the year 2000. With the release of the album was also a nation-wide tour. Les and I saw the performance at the Pond in Anaheim and enjoyed it so much. The cast included Steven Curtis Chapman as Joseph, Crystal Lewis as Mary, Russ Taff as Gabriel, Russ Lee as Herod and many more.

Then there were the shepherds...


The group 4Him had the distinguished role of the shepherds and their part is still one of my favorites. The set was not the usual elaborate stage that most Christmas musicals have. It was very simple. For the shepherds, there were just a few sheep and they were stuffed animals! Here is the shepherds' song, entitled "Nothing Ever Happens to a Shepherd"

It's cold out tonight in this God forsaken place
And we're stuck here with a thousand sheep
While life is exciting everywhere else
The highlight of our day is sleep!
Shepherds are notorious for making little profit
We garner just enough for room and board
While everyone else wallows in their wealth
We're financially ignored

'Cause nothing ever happens to a shepherd
Life is boring as can be
While exciting things occur all over the world
Nothing ever happens to me
Nothing ever happens to me

It's lonely out here in this isolated job
Our position is without esteem
We're socially challenged, we're society's scourge
We're not exactly every woman's dream!
Shepherds have a humble purpose
Of our fate, few people care
Sometimes I wonder if God knows we exist
If He does, I'm certain He's forgotten where

Nothing ever happens to a shepherd
I'm common as common can be
While exciting things occur all over the world
Nothing ever happens to me
Nothing ever happens to me

Shepherds are the lowest of the low
Our lives are void of mystery
Except for David killing Goliath
No shepherd will go down in history

'Cause nothing ever happens to a shepherd
I'm common as common can be
While exciting things occur all over the world
Nothing ever happens to me
No, nothing ever happens to me

At this point, Gabriel and a multitude of angels appeared, stunning the shepherds that something actually happened to them!!

Do you sometimes feel like those shepherds? "Nothing ever happens to ME." Maybe you're a Sunday school teacher, or you sing in the back row of the alto section, or assist in bus or van ministry. You don't have a fiery pulpit ministry or sing solos for the choir. But if you'll look closely at any church, the platform is not the largest part of the building! It takes more than a platform and those who are on it to have church.

Don't be discouraged! When Jesus talked about the talents in Matthew chapter 25, each servant was rewarded for being "good and faithful." We do not know what any of the servants' talents were. I imagine their abilities were varied, but there is no mention of what those abilities were. It didn't matter. All that mattered was faithfulness!

When the shepherds are spoken of in Luke chapter 2, they were not anticipating a heavenly visitation that night. They were "abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." They were doing their duties, being faithful.

Keep being faithful, whatever your duties may be. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" Colossians 3:32. Who knows, God may have a surprise for you just around the next corner!

What To Do on a Rainy Evening

After running, baking, cleaning, and laundry yesterday, I was home alone most of last evening because Les was in San Diego for business. So what did I do?

Lit a fire, although it wasn't really cold...


listened to the rain...

and Christmas music!!


I couldn't help it, the weather did it to me!

So far we've received 1.25" of rain. Guess that will put a damper on fire season!

Answered Prayer!

This is the face...

of someone who just ran in the RAIN!!! Yes, that's right! It is raining this morning!! There's been a storm in the forecast for a few days, but you know how that is. It might rain and it might not. When I got up this morning it was cloudy, but dry. 54% chance of rain. That's 46% chance of NO rain in my book, so I headed out.

About a mile from home it started sprinkling, then coming down a little harder! As the water was hitting my face, all I could do was laugh! I've been praying for rain. I posted about it here and here. What was I going to do? Shake my fist to the sky and say, "Lord, I wanted rain, just not now!!" Instead, I said, "Thanks, Lord, we really need this!"

I had to decide if I would continue running or not. I was close enough to home to quit, but decided to enjoy it instead. After about half a mile, it stopped and I continued on my way. Just as I made my final turn towards home, with about 3 miles to go, it started raining again. Oh, but I knew that when I got home, a warm shower awaited. With about a mile to go, I remember I had the ingredients for pumpkin muffins, so those went in the oven before I took my shower!

And that is exactly how life is. It is not a matter of IF a storm will come, but WHEN. 54% chance of trial, means 46% of smooth sailing! But it's what we do when the storm comes that counts. We can cover ourselves with a protective shell, hoping that life won't hurt us, but we'll never grow that way and we'll never know the joy of coming through the storm. And remember, there's a Home prepared and it's more than pumpkin muffins waiting for you!

I'm sitting here now, clean and dry, and have enjoyed 2 muffins! I don't regret running in the rain!!

It's a Battle!

My Weight Watcher leader handed out calendars for the month of October with a thought for each day. Thoughts like "Chocolate is not a vegetable" and "Get in all your fruits and veggies." Then there was this:

"Learning to lose is like basic training,
but maintaining the desired weight is the real battleground."
- Jean Nidetch,
Weight Watchers Founder

After 3 1/2 years of maintaining, all I can say is, AMEN!!

Also, we often hear "muscle weighs more than fat." This is not a true statement. A pound is a pound is a pound. But a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat. Here's a visual for you.

This is what 5 pounds of fat looks like:


This is what 5 pounds of muscle looks like:


Gotta keep fightin'!

Remembering

Norma Fultz
January 1, 1940 - October 10, 1998

I was awake early this morning thinking about Mom. There may be some who think I'm strange for not taking a trip to the cemetery, but Belmont Memorial Park doesn't hold Mom and for me it only holds painful memories. Rod was buried there, under a palm tree, and Mom was buried just a few steps away. The times at the cemetery only hold my most painful memories and I choose not to dwell there.

I cried as I thought about the 11 years of memories that Mom has not been a part of, but I smiled at so many of my memories that she is part of. Memories of Mom, staying home, babysitting, and the dozens of kids that made their way through our home. Memories of Fultz's Funny Farm and the dozens of animals that made their way through our home. Memories of Mom baking and the dozens of cookies that made their way through my mouth!!

Best of all, I thought of the hope and the great reunion that awaits... "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." I Thessalonians 4:16-18

Friday Foodie

Once again, I turned to Rosalie Serving Italian for this week's new recipe. She has an entire section devoted to vegetables and I decided to try Eggplant Rolatini. In her comments, she states that this can be a side dish or used as a main dish. We had it both ways! The first night we had it with pasta, then last night we had it on its own. The recipe can be found on her blog, so here it is:

1 large eggplant

1 tablespoon salt

1 cup Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

3 eggs beaten, more if needed

Salt and pepper

1 (15-ounce) carton Ricotta cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded thin

1/2 cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon black ground pepper

1/3 cup olive oil for frying, more if needed

Marinara Sauce of your choice, or

Rosalie's Marinara Sauce on page 127 of Rosalie Serving Italian

1. Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Cut stem and end from eggplant. Peel the eggplant partially in strips, leaving some of the peel intact. Using a meat cutter or a mandoline, slice the eggplant into thin lengthwise slices, about 1/8-inch thick. Let the eggplant slices soak in cool water with the salt added for about 30 minutes while you prepare the other steps.

2. Place the bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, and parsley in a shallow plate. Beat the eggs until fluffy.

3. Prepare the filling by placing the Ricotta, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, parsley, egg and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

4. Rinse the eggplant in cool water and drain. Dip each slice in the beaten eggs and then the bread crumbs on both sides. Place the olive oil in a large skillet and over medium heat; fry the eggplant about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Salt and pepper lightly as they fry. Drain slices on paper towels. Add olive oil to pan as needed and if necessary, start a clean pan midway of frying.

5. Meanwhile, using a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, pour in 1/2 cup marinara sauce to cover the bottom. When all of the eggplant slices have been fried and drained, place them on a large cookie sheet. Place 2 tablespoons Ricotta filling on each slice and spread gently. Starting from the short end of the slice, roll the eggplant up jelly-roll style. Place each roll, seam-side down, in the baking dish. You should have about 15 rolls. Top with the Parmesan cheese and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

This was very good but a lot of work! The cookbook said 1 hour, 45 minutes and that was about right! My first was mistake was trying to cut the eggplant without a meat slicer. I was able to cut it with a knife, but I'm sure it wasn't as good looking as Rosalie's! I don't think I got as much out of it either, because I had a lot of the breading and filling left over. As I was working with the eggplant, I was already plotting... next time I'll try this with zucchini, since it is much easier to work with!

Nutritional info: 137 calories / 5.8 g fat / 3.2 g fiber / 2.6 WW points per roll with sauce.

Why I Pray for Rain

We have had beautiful weather this entire week. Every morning, while I've gone out to run, I have thanked God for it and asked Him to send rain. We've had a lot of fires the past few years. Two were very close to us last year, but the real reason I pray for rain is because of a fire that took place in 2003. Since I didn't have a blog back then, I sent an email to our friends and family about. After you read it, I think you'll understand...

Sunday, 10/26/03, 3:47 p.m.

Hi Everyone,

Some of you are aware of the weekend that Les and I have had and some of you are not. To those of you who have called or emailed with kind words, offers of help, and prayers, we truly appreciate it. I'd like to bring everyone up to date:

Saturday morning Les left the house at 7:45 to go for a bicycle club ride. I left at about 9:00 to run a couple of errands. When I returned, there were 3 messages on our answering machine letting me know that Les had been in an accident in Camarillo and was being air lifted to Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks. The final message was, "the helicopter has gone, but he's okay." What's a wife to believe??

I arrived at Los Robles shortly after the helicopter landed and was told that Les was currently in the emergency room being X-rayed. When I was allowed to visit him in the room, he was covered in blankets (his cycling clothes were cut off at the scene), shivering, filthy, and in a neck brace. His helmet cracked in 3 places, but protected his head from serious injury.

What happened? Les was going down a steep hill on his bike, lost control, regained control, and then lost control again. Thankfully with God's protection and a little help from his helmet, he did not break any bones or have any serious injuries. He did pass out on the scene, thus the reasoning behind the call for a helicopter. He has "road rash" on his left side from his shoulder to his knee and is having quite a time trying to sit down. I was able to bring him home after about 3 hours in the emergency room.

His bike had been taken to the fire station in Newbury Park. Our friend Daisy Mekash (now Daisy Oscal) agreed to go with me Saturday afternoon to retrieve our van from the parking lot in Thousand Oaks, then follow me to the fire station to get his bike. This was just a short trip that should have taken 60-75 minutes. Wrong!! On our return trip to Simi Valley we were stopped on the freeway and had to turn around due to fires that were quickly spreading in Simi Valley and Moorpark.

After about 2 1/2 hours of trying to get to Simi, Daisy and I regrouped at a Chevron gas station and decided to go to the Emery's house in Moorpark. Karin Emery kindly allowed us in and found a phone number to the California Highway Patrol that gave us road conditions. All roads going in to Simi Valley from Moorpark were closed indefinitely. Daisy and I decided to leave one vehicle at the Emery's and traveled for another hour on the 101 freeway into the San Fernando Valley. We arrived home approximately 5 hours after we left and still only had one of our vehicles!

After a restless night, we awoke to more fires in Simi on Sunday morning. Les got up for a while, then went back to bed around 7:30. I was following the news and talking to neighbors. A nearby development received evacuation warnings at about 8:00, they were told to pack up what they wanted to take, and be ready to leave with 10 minutes notice.

I decided to start packing things at that time. If you've never had to determine what is really important in your life and what is not, a fire in the neighbor will help you do that very quickly. I loaded about 3 boxes of pictures and financial records in the back of our van and decided everything else what just that - things!

At about 9:00 our neighbor from across the street, Paul Kovelman, came over and informed me that our hill was on fire!! I ran upstairs to look out our master bedroom and I saw the flames coming over the top of the hill and down our way. I decided it was time to wake Les from his nap!!

We moved our van across the street, turned on the sprinklers, and hosed down our back yard, trees, and house as much as we could. We then joined Paul across the street in his yard to watch, wait, and pray. It was during this time that we received our evacuation warning, but we were never told to evacuate.

What we didn't know at the time was the fire department had set a "back fire" in hopes of controlling the one that was raging. The two fires converged behind our next door neighbors' house and we could feel the heat across the street. Again, God's protection was evident as we watched our entire hill burn, but the flames stopped at our "green belt" and not a single home on our street was damaged! We were able to return to our home at about 11:30.

As I write this, ash is floating in our back yard, helicopters are making occasional passes to check for sparks, the smoke is starting to clear, Les is once again trying to take a nap and I am starting to relax a little - I can truly say "all is well."

We will have pictures of the fire the next time you see us. Thank you again for your kind words and prayers.

Love, Les and Kathy McElhaney

P.S. So how was YOUR weekend???

So now you know. Why I pray for rain...

I Wanna Be a Bear!

You've probably seen this, but it has been in the 40s the last few morning, and with talk of comfort food, sweaters, and boots, today seemed like a good day for a repeat.

In my next life I wanna be a female bear.

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.


Before you hibernate you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could do that.


If you're a bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.


If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them, too. I could deal with that.


If you're a bear, your mate "expects" you to wake up growling. He "expects" that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.


Yup! I wanna be a bear.

author unknown

Powerful in Pink

Throughout the month of October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel to raise awareness for breast cancer. Their campaign, "A Crucial Catch", in partnership with the American Cancer Society, is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are over the age of 40.
Here are a few shots from Sunday's games:

There aren't many people on earth more physically powerful than NFL players.


The average weight for a player is 245 pounds...

with many weighing 300 pounds or more.


Yet they are wearing PINK to show their support

All apparel worn at games by players and coaches and special K-balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL Auction...

with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society and team charities.

In football a "crucial catch" can mean the difference between a win or a loss.

In life a "crucial catch" can mean seeing many more birthdays. So what are waiting for? Schedule that appointment today! You know you've been avoiding it...

Oops... just fell off my PINK soapbox...

Pastor Appreciation

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Last year I wrote about my three pastors - Pastor Murray Layne, Pastor Vaughn Morton, and Pastor Philip White. I am so blessed!!!

I've often read and heard others say "My pastor is the best!" Since I've had more than one pastor, whom should I choose?

Bro. Layne - my first pastor, the man of God who baptized me in Jesus' name, Mom's first pastor when she and Dad moved to Fresno...

Bro. Morton - my second pastor, who was also my boss, the one who helped me through my teenage years and early adulthood...

Bro. White - my current pastor, who carries the responsibility for my soul today, the one who has stood by my side through blessings and losses...

Thankfully it isn't a contest! Jeremiah 3:15 says, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." All three of those men of God have fit that role.

God has given me three "best" pastors - the pastors I have needed for those times in my life. I don't feel the need to declare one better than the others. I'm thankful, beyond words, for all three of them!!

So pray for your pastor, make his burden lighter and be the best saint he's ever had. "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

He's Worthy of Praise!

I had an incredible run this morning. I really enjoy running on the weekends since there is so much less traffic. I headed out at about 5:30 and it was still a little dark, but as I ran westward, a beautiful full moon was shining! It felt like Fall - about 50 degrees, just cool enough for a windbreaker. And Peeps, that's not freezing! It's about as perfect as it gets!!

Most mornings I pray while I run and this morning was no exception. I prayed for needs of friends and family. I specifically prayed for our weather. We're in our fire season and I asked God to spare us this year and send rain instead.

But this morning, I mostly just praised! I've been working on new choir material and although I don't run with an iPod, it seemed like I had one today. Words and phrases kept running through my mind. Words like:

Where would I be, if not for Your grace?
Grace that restores
Grace that redeems
Grace that releases me to worship

And

He's been good
Sho'nuff good!
He's been good to me!

And

Jesus, most beautiful name that I know

And

You're the Lion of Judah, You are the Great I AM
You're holy... mighty... worthy of the glory

And one of the songs we're planning on singing tomorrow:

O Lord, You have turned my mourning into dancing
Over and over and over again

I thought of Solomon when he said, "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee." I know we often sing about ourselves or the church, and even sometimes the devil. But today all the songs were about HIM! It was wonderful praising God in the midst of His creation!

My legs are feeling the affects of 14 miles, but my spirit is completely refreshed! Can't wait to see what God has in store for tomorrow!!

Friday Foodie

This has been a very strange eating week for us. Les has worked late almost every night, so I've improvised and made simple stuff.

I often ask Les if there's anything he'd like me to cook. The answer is usually "no", but this week he said "beef and noodles." The way I make beef and noodles is by using leftover roast. So... I have a roast in the crock pot this morning! We'll have roast, mashed potatoes, corn, and yeast rolls tonight, then beef and noodles tomorrow night. It's a great way to use up a roast.

Beef and Noodles

Leftover cooked roast with gravy
Extra wide noodles

I didn't give exact amounts because it really depends on the size of your roast and family!

1. Reheat roast.
2. Cook noodles according to package directions.
3. Drain noodles, return to pot and add roast.
4. Stir and eat!

This is very simple but tasty. It is similar to beef stroganoff but not quite as thick and saucy.

Live Strong

Several years before Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer, before he started the Lance Armstrong Foundation, before he and Nike produced millions of LiveStrong wristbands, Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I would give my view of her response to the disease, with a little help from her Bible.

4-27-90 - Black day for me - but God is in charge.
Cancer is not too hard for my God.

We knew Mom had a health issue before she was diagnosed, but we didn't know what the problem was. Once she was diagnosed, there were decisions to make and emotions to deal with.

I think everyone who is handed such a diagnosis goes through the emotional whirlwind. The shock, the fear, the questions, the confusion, on and on they go. But once the dust starts settling, there is only one choice - to live strong or not. More often than not, people find amazing strength to endure. Occasionally a person will give up or refuse to fight, but that was not the case with Mom.

It takes amazing strength to endure major surgery followed by months of chemotherapy. The side affects of nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and many more pile on. But over and over I watched Mom pull from a strength that was not her own to continue her fight.

The thing that stands out the most to me is how much Mom kept doing. She would not just stay home and dwell on the what ifs. As much as she was able, she kept teaching at the Christian school. She kept caring for her kids and grandkids and would cook our favorite meals when we visited. During the times when she was enduring chemo, she'd stay home, but her creative side came out. She spent hours painting sweatshirts and t-shirts that she gave to family and friends. I can only imagine what she would have done with a blog!

The FatCyclist's wife, Susan, passed away in August after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. He entitled the post about it "Don't Say She Lost." Anyone who fights to the end is a winner! In the front of Mom's Bible is a card from a flower arrangement, I wrote about it here.

Mom kept the faith and finished her course. Though her battle ended, she was not a loser! She Lived. Strong. Whenever I'm tempted to wimp out, give in to fear or doubt, I remember Mom and know that I can do it! I can be strong, too.

So, Live. Strong.