I'm On My Way

I'll wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get ready for my 7:45 a.m. flight via Salt Lake City to San Jose, CA. From there I drive a rental car to the Mt. Hermon retreat center for the writers conference. I'll be serving on faculty to teach one workshop and meet with writers during one-on-one appointments. And I'll get to hear some great speakers and network with some others in the business.

Thanks for your prayers. I'm almost literally flying by the seat of my pants, since I just got word that I might go yesterday, and it wasn't confirmed until after noon today.

Just call me the "Plan B girl"!

3 a.m. Ramblings

It's 3 a.m. and I'm wide awake. I woke up with nothing but being overheated on my mind, but now that I'm up...of course the mind is racing and I can't go back to sleep. We all have nights like that!

What am I thinking about? Everything and nothing all at the same time.

I received a call yesterday that my boss might not be able to make a trip to a large writers conference in California this weekend. She is scheduled to be on the faculty as well as take one-on-one appointments with writers. She called to ask if I could be ready to go in her place if she needs me. I won't know until today, and if I go, I leave tomorrow morning!

What's a girl to think with news like this? Of course, my mind should be on the lesson I'll be teaching at the workshop, but mostly my mind is on:

-What clothes will I wear?
-How will I look for my first impression with many of these professionals?
-Should I go get a mani-pedi?
-I hope my hair stylist does a good job on my hair cut today!
-I hope I remember to pack everything I need, yet keep a light suitcase since I'll be staying over 5 nights.
-What's the weather like in northern California?
-What an awesome opportunity!
-I wish I had some of my book proposals drawn up-even just one-sheets, to show prospective publishers and agents!
-I hope I get some great new clients from the opportunity!
-I can't wait to be a blessing to others, and to BE blessed-to share Palm Sunday with so many other awesome Christians!
-I wonder who my roommate will be?

And of course, there's no sure deal that I'm even going! But that is how the mind works--especially at three in the morning!

And then there's the other thoughts that come crashing in while I'm "focused" on the conference:

-How am I going to get the house ready for the buyers' walkthrough this evening? Will they understand that the house is topsy turvy from packing? (They're packing too, so they must relate to the chaos!)
-Don't forget to pick up your prescriptions and diabetes supplies today!
-I wonder if Jazzy will miss me if I'm gone this weekend?
-If I do go, Russ will be left to coordinate moving our big stuff and many of our boxes to storage this weekend. I'm glad he has 2-4 guys lined up to help. I'm glad we don't have to be out for another week.
-If I do go to California, I'll need to go pre-sign the papers for the closing of our current house-it closes tomorrow.
-We're closing on our house! That means I'll be saying goodbye to our latest dwelling and moving to transitional housing (Extended Stay Hotel) in just one week. So much yet to do!

On and on the mind wanders and it wonders too!

And then there are those relational thoughts that rush in...
-I wish I could say goodbye to some of my friends before I move, but I don't know how they feel about our sudden departure. ACK! I don't know how *I* feel about our sudden departure!
-I wish things weren't so hard with the ones I HAVE been in touch with. Awkward. Difficult. At times even paranoid I'm sure. Them holding back. Causing me to hold back. Shallow conversations. No more real heart bonding. Less transparency, more walls. I hate walls! I'm all about the transparent! But being transparency risks vulnerability. Pain.

But soon. Yes soon! I'll be in a better place than I am this 3 a.m. posting. I am embracing the "yet to come." I am anticipating all the good stuff about to be opened up to us. I get to dream big and so does Russ. No limitations. Nothing holding us back but our own imaginations. Well...that and finances! haha!

I am reminded of the passage of scripture when Joseph tells his brothers, after all the terrible things he has been through because of their rejection, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." God did not orchestrate this sudden turn of events, but He can use it for His glory. He can give us beauty for ashes!

I think of the beautiful wild flowers that bloom after the horrific wild fires. Literally transforming the black ashes into Nature's beauty. God will take the ashes of my pain, of my disappointment, of my hurt regarding what happened at church into something that will knock my socks off! And I'm a barefoot kind of gal, so I know, no matter what it is, I'm going to LOVE it!

On The Way To Church Today...

One of the neat things about being in-between churches is the opportunity to visit a variety of churches to see what is out there. It's a time to experiment with new styles of worship and different sizes and structures and locations. Today we drove to Landmark Baptist Temple in Cincinnati, a church rich in history, but also known for making a transition into a more modern way of worship. We attended the 11:00 a.m. church service, which featured a praise band with tremendously talented musicians and singers. Honestly I felt like I was part of a concert setting, and it was amazing-with light show and everything.

But...

On the way to church today, just before we made our last turn, we stopped at a red light and looked at the map. The traffic light changed and we hesitated just a split second before hitting the gas. Just enough time for the driver behind us to honk his horn.

The funny part is that they too turned at the church drive and parked in the lot to attend the very same worship service we were attending.

So much for Christians being in a "sweet spirit" frame of mind in anticipation of worship-at least, not the driver following us to church today!

It reminds me of something funny our Realtor told us. She said there was this car full of older ladies on their way to a church gathering. Another car cut them off in traffic. One of the elderly ladies told the older driver to give the other car "the finger." While that may sound crude, the funny part is that the driver complied with the instruction, shaking her pointer finger at the driver in a "shame on you" attitude. So cute-she gave him the "finger." Then of course they pulled into their church gathering to find the other car pulling into the same event.

We don't just take our reputations with us, we create our reputations on the way there!

(c) 2007 Kathy Carlton Willis

Good-bye is the Hardest Word

The newspaper who hosts my weekly inspirational column

(which I also post on this blog) has decided not to pay me for future columns, so I had to make the difficult decision of telling them good-bye. I really struggled to know what to write for my last column, because good-bye seems so FINAL.

I'm not saying good-bye to my blog, but this column contains my prayer for you as well.



GOOD-BYE IS THE HARDEST WORD

This week I must do something that is very difficult to do. I must start the process of saying "goodbye." Some doors have closed and others are opening. Part of closing the door on this part of my life is ending my column here at The Paris News. I have loved sharing my heart with you over the past six years. Thank you for inviting me into your homes via the newspaper. It seems like I know each of you and because of this bond, it is extremely sad to move on.

Each day is like a gift-wrapped surprise from God. We don't know what is inside until we open it! I have had many opportunities to write and encourage other writers since my humble beginnings with The Paris News, and now I also serve as a publicist with Glass Road Public Relations. It is the only literary firm in the country to exclusively promote novels with a Christian worldview.

What words would I like to leave with you in my last column? I hope each of you know Jesus in a personal way. The kind of relationship where you can talk back and forth, and you can have moments of contented silence as well. The kind of relationship that gives you peace about your eternal destiny AND your immediate needs as well. I didn't always know Jesus in such a way. For some time, I knew ABOUT Him, and believed in Him. But it was when I trusted Him as my personal Savior, accepting the price He paid for my sin by going to the cross, that life made sense.

I want you to see God in everyday things. Rather than having a God who is distant (with prayers never getting past the ceiling), why not have a relationship that is as close as your next heart beat?

Stay strong and stay in the Word. Cling to the Lord and seek His face for every detail of your everyday life. My prayer for you comes from Colossians 1:9-11. It says, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it [your love in the Spirit], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."

Begin faithful, stay faithful, and end faithful!

(c) 2007 Kathy Carlton Willis

Help Is On The Way

Last night an ambulance barreled down our quiet cul-de-sac at two in the morning. Bright lights were whirling around, illuminating bits and pieces of the neighborhood. When the hues of orange and yellow lit up the faces of family, I detected concern. They witnessed their loved one wheeled out on a gurney, strapped in and curled up on her side. What could the problem be? Our neighbor is around my age. Maybe she was severely dehydrated from a bout with a stomach virus or perhaps she had a fall down the stairs. All I was left to do was pray, so pray I did.

I'm not sure why I was still up at that time of night. Normally I would have been in bed. Maybe it was the concerns on my heart, or the highly caffeinated diet Code Red I guzzled earlier in the evening. But to be truthful, a phone call from a friend in Texas at 1:30 a.m. is what kept us awake at that late hour. He wanted to tell us about his son's wedding from the past weekend, and didn't care what time of night it was!

All I know is, while sleep is nice, the privilege to pray for someone else is even better. I'm glad I was awake to see the need. Have you ever had an odd set of circumstances cause you to be in the right place at the right time to intercede at the throne of God on behalf of someone else? What a precious gift!

We can use that thick sense of concern or worry for the good of others when we enter in prayer to our Savior. God doesn't want us borrowing trouble from tomorrow by worrying about the unknown. But I think in cases like this, He does use our burdens for someone else as a way to help us pray for them. When we put ourselves in their shoes, and empathize with them, we end up praying with greater fervency and urgency.

Look around for opportunities to pray for other. A friend of mine taught her little boy that whenever he sees the flashing lights and hears the blaring sirens of an ambulance or fire truck, that it means "help is on the way." And in that instance, she leads him in a simple prayer for the unknown person in need.

Let's look at emergency vehicles in the same manner. And when we pray, we can trust in that saying, that "help is on the way!"

(c) 2007 Kathy Carlton Willis

Lessons Learned from Jazzy

[photo NOT of Jazzy, but close!]

Not thinking, this morning I smeared two nutri-grain reduced fat toaster waffles with Simply Jif peanut butter (diabetic friendly). I only can eat one-not sure why I made two. So, I let the extra one sit on the dining room table, and figured I would cut it up for Jazzy to eat later.

When I went to take my shower, Jazzy helped herself to the waffle. I walked back in the room, and could smell the scent of peanut butter, but the evidence was missing. Jazzy looked guilty, and then I put two-and-two together. I wasn't really upset-it was my fault to leave the waffle there, I was going to give it to her anyway, and she somehow did not make a mess, even though the waffle was still whole.

Later, I heard her rustling some papers around. I went to check on her, and she had discovered a pack of gum sitting on an end table. I found gummy bits of green and waxy scraps of paper scattered on the rug, and Jazzy with a guilty look on her face. I guess I learned a couple of things.

1. Even dogs don't want to have peanut butter breath-Jazzy helped herself to minty fresh breath.
2. Dogs, left to themselves, will find a way to add more chaos to an already chaotic day, while still making you smile.

Long Overdue "Letter"

I haven't written a personal update in a long time. I know some of you are wondering if I have dropped off the face of the Earth. If I did, I wonder how that would feel???

As many of you know, I was hired as the newest publicist for Glass Road Public Relations. I went for training a couple of weeks ago, and it was INTENSE. I love it! (That's a GOOD kind of intense!) I'm working with 14 books, obtaining media coverage of all sorts. Also am learning how to coordinate blog tours and do e-blasts. The authors are a joy and the publishing houses are very helpful.

I went to train one-on-one with Rebeca, the president and founder of the firm. She started GRPR for many reasons, but one was to be home with her child. Well, then her husband Charlie was also able to get into the business with her, and he serves as V.P. So, it is a real family affair. Russ went with me for the week, and we were both welcomed with open arms. We hugged the first night we met, and felt like instant friends.

Now we're back in Burlington. Our house was placed on the market at the first of the year, and not quite a month ago, we were offered a contract on it. The inspection went great, and we have no reason to think the appraisal will "flunk" so it looks like we will be closing on the house and moving around the week before Easter.

For now we are moving back to the staff housing behind our church facilities. It is a very nice 3 bedroom duplex with large Master bedroom (laundry off the bedroom) and formal dining room (or extra living space). We will be quite content there until we find our next home. The only thing that will make it more comfortable is if we put a little bit of fencing in the back so that Jazzy can go out on her own and we don't have to leash walk her every time she has to take care of business. (Although, mandatory walks 4 times a day might be good for us!)

Life is hectic with my new job and our impending move. But I don't know anyone who has a life without chaos anymore. I sure do miss the old days when life was all about a game of hide-and-seek or chasing the fireflies at night. I don't think I even really knew the definition of stress back then!

But God has a way of showing me His purpose in all of this. Even today I was able to cross paths with someone who was hurting and because of where God had me in life I was able to reach out to them. And others have been able to reach out to me too. Christianity is a mutuality of commonality. How's that for a tongue twister?!

I'll try to give you some neat snippets of life at the Willis' as I have time to post (or MAKE time to post). I've worked hard to stay connected to those of you I love and care for, and because of that CONNECTEDNESS, I commit to staying in touch! I want to hear from you too.

Have a great week!

Brain Fry

Ever had one of those brain-fry moments when nothing new can be learned or decided upon and nothing old can be recalled? I'm having one of those episodes right now. This week I've been in training to be a new publicist for Christian novelists with a PR firm. So much new information to learn. Formats, policies, names, locations, deadlines, personalities, campaigns, etc. Lord, I'm 44 and I know you can teach an old dog new tricks, but I do need a little extra assistance!

What do you do when you feel like you've hit the wall and you can't focus on any more tasks? Do you allow yourself time for a diversion? Watch mindless television? Take a walk or a bath and zone out? How do you free some space in your mind's hard drive so you can function with greater speed and ability?

I am doing all the tips the magazines suggest in those "Top 7 Ways to Improve Brain Power" articles. I'm getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy. I'm dealing with stress in positive ways. I have surrounded myself with a good support system. I've deleted negative distracters from my life and delegated tasks to others. I've even discovered which hours are my "brain surge" hours, and I work my most difficult mental tasks during that time period.

Right now I'm taking a breather from some assignments to write this article. Sometimes just changing gears like this helps. But I've also taken the time to pray and ask God to assist me. I know I can't do it on my own. The Bible says if any lacks wisdom, we just need to ask for it. Ask for it I will! The best part is, this isn't just for any old wisdom, but godly wisdom-even wisdom to read and understand the Bible-God's Word.

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed and can't focus any more, take a five minute mini-vacation and visit the throne room of God. There's nothing like talking to Royalty to put things in perspective.

Then, get back to work! And with those words...I will too.

Gratitude List

May gratitude keep me anchored in my faith and hopeful in my journey. (Kathy Carlton Willis)

1. I'm doing well from my recent surgery. Thanks for those of you who asked about it. There were a couple of little glitches, but nothing that surprised the Lord! I'm already doing so much better than I was Monday night. Thanks for praying! Please keep it up. I have a road trip in a little over a week and hope to be fully recovered by then.

2. I am still rejoicing about the new job I have! If you haven't heard, I will be working as a publicist for Glass Road Public Relations. I'm already getting my feet wet some, but my official training will begin on 2-19. Russ and I made a faith-raising decision at 1:00 p.m. Friday, which involved not knowing from where some money would come, and not 6 hours later God plopped this publicist job into my lap! We are still pinching ourselves! I had applied in October, and if I had gotten the job back then, it wouldn't have been nearly as noticeable of a "God-incident" as it is now. This way, it all points to God-His provision, His timing, His goodness!

3. Russ's birthday was this week. I'm married to HIM? I'm a girl most blessed!

4. Little Jazzy (our 1 year old Boston Terrier fur-child) is having some potential health problems. She's losing her hair, and it doesn't appear to be an allergy or itch. If it were just cosmetic, we would live with it, but the vet is concerned it could be a thyroid problem. She had some bloodwork done a couple of weeks ago, showing a low white blood cell count, a high cholesterol level, and elevated liver function tests as well. They are still waiting on the thyroid testing to come back from the University of Michigan. The vet is waiting on the final results to know how to diagnose her problem. If it is just a thyroid condition, it would mean an inexpensive pill every day. But if it is a bone marrow disease or Cushing's Disease or something else, then we will have to decide whether to have her treated or not. She is such a big part of my day-to-day life that I can't imagine if she wasn't around. Makes me appreciate what I have!

5. I was asked by my surgeon to be available to talk to young girls born with MRKH, their families, and their spouses. He said I have a healthy outlook coupled with a good grasp of the medical information available and I can reach out to these hurting individuals in their times of need in a way a "white-coat professional" can't. He said these families often find the doctors too clinical and cold and distant. He is going to give my name to the specialists at Children's Hospital where most of these girls are sent. How neat is that?! Also, I'll be taking in the articles I've written about MRKH for him to see when I go on Wednesday. Perhaps he will help me see these published in medical journals. Who knows? If nothing else, he is interested in the research I have done. My biggest prayer has always been that God can use my circumstances for His glory and for the good of others. This is just one more way He is making this possible. I was just so surprised for the doctor to ask me if I'd be willing to do this-I didn't realize he "knew" my heart like that. I guess you don't have to perform open-heart surgery to see someone's heart, huh?

God is certainly blessing!

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

"The following school districts are closed today, due to snow: Bowling Green, Clarksville, Louisiana..." Anytime snow fell, we huddled around Dad's radio to listen to KPCR's school closing listings. I grew up in Louisiana, Missouri, and it took quite a few inches to have a snow day. We loved having these free days off. No homework. No cares in the world. Just glorious snow calling our names.

First we bundled up in our winter clothes to enjoy the imaginary land of Eskimos and Snow Angels. When ice crystals hardened our gloves into crunchy wool, we stomped inside for a warm-up. With hot chocolate in our systems, we wanted to go back into the cold white snowy paradise. Before Mom allowed us to go outdoors again, we had to strip out of our cold, wet garments, and into dry warm ones. Often we would cover our cold digits with socks to shield them from the frigid temperatures, while our first generation of winter garments stayed inside without us, draped near the gas heater to dry out.

Winter holds many mysteries for young children brave enough to venture into the cold. Now I'm old enough to enjoy the sights from inside my warm home. I'm nostalgic when the children have a snow day, like today. My mind goes back to the fun of those days, many years past. A little cold weather didn't deter our zeal or our stamina.

I pray my spiritual stamina will not be slowed down by the Winter Season of my life. My desire is for God to renew my zeal and my passion, even if I must rest a little more between trips into the chilly world.

The pure white snow reminds me of the Savior's sinless heart and the beautiful icicles point me to His grandeur. The pealing sounds of children's laughter alerts me to a new generation ready to embrace the creator of this Winter Wonderland.

Winter becomes HIM.

(c) Kathy Carlton Willis

Friday Blessings

I want to praise the Lord for His goodness to me. I don't acknowledge Him enough for all His wondrous works and ways.

Here's a partial blessing list for the week:

1. I have the best Invisible Friend in the world-the Holy Spirit indwelling me and whispering to me sweet somethings (because surely they aren't "nothings").

2. I received in the mail a magazine called ByLine magazine where my very first NATIONAL column appears. I'm their grammar guru and will have a full page column every other month. Russ was tickled when he saw my name, not just on my page, but on the inside cover, as a "columnist." I'm still pinching myself!

3. My husband's birthday is coming up-February 8th. I can't say enough about how God has blessed me with him. He is my anchor when I want to rush ahead!

4. My mother-in-love's birthday is today. She passed away 10 years ago. Hard to believe it has been that long. She made a huge impact in my life, for the GOOD. She also set the standard for being such an awesome homemaker so high that I don't even TRY to measure up to her. :o) Sure takes the pressure off! ~whew~

5. The snow coming down right now looks like God has broken open some feather pillows. It's so beautiful as it floats to the ground. The view from my French Doors is amazing as I look across our countryside.

See how God blesses? In little and big things. In people and in nature. In memories and in hopes for what is yet to come. In all these things and more, He blesses His children.

(c) Kathy Carlton Willis

Who Am I?

"Can you take a long article and cut it down for me?" asked the church secretary.

"Sure, I'd be glad to help you out. How long is the original article?" I replied.

"Well — we asked for a bio, and received a 4 page article. I only have space for about 75-100 words."

"You're talking a major reduction here! Sure, I'm up for the challenge. Give me a couple of days." I said, before ending the phone conversation.

Isn't that just how life is? We think our life is "all that" and we can go on for pages about how important we are, and detailing the big events and accomplishments we have experienced. When someone wants to know who we are, we tell him what we DO instead of sharing about our inner person.

If a woman has a hysterectomy or a mastectomy, is she any less a woman? If a man loses his arms and legs and can no longer labor for a living, is he any less of a man? If we removed all the things we do in life, and take away the way we look, what is left? What is our essence?

If you had to whittle away all the extraneous fluff and leave behind only the parts about you that Jesus sees, how would you describe yourself in 100 words or less? The Bible talks about so much of what we do being wood, hay, and stubble that can be burned away in the refining fire. If you removed all of that, what would be left?

I cut away all the bone and fat from my meat so I can measure in ounces the amount I am allotted on my new eating plan. If you were to cut the "fat" from your life, what would remain?

See how important it is to get to the essence of who you really are? Writers might call it a thesis statement. Businesses might call it a mission statement. Socialites errantly want to "make a statement" but Jesus just wants us emptied of self and ready to be filled up with His Spirit.

I don't let my resume or my health problems define who I am. Besides, it's more important WHOSE I am.

Now it's your turn. Who are you?

(c) Kathy Carlton Willis

Is There A Family Resemblance?

In walked a woman opening the door for another woman with an oxygen tank. Behind her was a wheelchair filled by a matronly figure using the oxygen, being pushed by yet another woman. They huddled in one of the waiting area sections, and talked about an upcoming wedding. I caught my eyes searching one face, and then another, and another until I circled the group with my gazes. A mother and three daughters. Probably together for unpleasant reasons (the mother's health), yet they were making the best of it by talking about an upcoming celebration.

Then I allowed my eyes to visit the filled waiting room, picking out family units. Daughters resembling mothers. I detected at least five families with similar facial features. An elderly woman came out of the doctor's office, her petite frame stooped over. A taller version of the woman followed behind, surely a daughter.

Family resemblances. Once you start hunting for families with matching features, you find them everywhere. When I'm with my mom, I'm told I look a lot like her, and when they see photos of my father, they determine I take after him. I must be a perfect blend of both parents.

My husband used to tease that he thought he was adopted growing up because there were no photos of him when he was a baby. But then he started pitching in the same stadium his father played ball years before, and he heard comments from the stands, "Doesn't he look like Bobby Willis from twenty or so years ago?" "He's the spitting image." It was then that Russ faced the fact that he was surely his father's son.

More important than if I look like my parents is if I resemble my Heavenly Father. Do others see a family resemblance? Can they tell that I'm a daughter of the King? Do my attitudes and actions reflect His virtues? Rather than "fruit of the loom," are the fruit of the Spirit showing?

PRAYER: May my life reflect Your image, dear Lord. May others see You in me. I know I'm not a "spitting image" just yet, so I pray You help me as I am conformed to Your image.

Kathy Carlton Willis
Living Out Loud Communications
ImLivingOutLoud@aol.com
http://imlivingoutloud.blogspot.com/

BOOK REVIEW: Promise Me Always

Title: Promise Me Always/The Pinky Promise Sisterhood Series

Author: Christine Lynxwiler

Publisher: Barbour

ISBN: # 1597893552

Genre: Chick-lit

There was a time when Allie Richards didn’t have to be sensible. But that was before she was widowed with two young girls. Now she has lost her job, and the small severance check is forcing her to be practical. Allie’s dreams of owning a landscaping business are shot down by the bank, so she is back to square one. Enter the Pinky Promise Sisterhood—a group of friends from way back. They devise a plan for Allie to enter Shady Grove’s Beautiful Town contest, and in the process, launch her new business.

Poor Allie runs into problems along the way. To start with, her staff consists of the “Pinkies” and her unemployed (for good reason) brother. How will she compete with these legitimate landscaping teams? The contest is filmed for a daily reality show. The channel’s scheming newscaster provides interference and embarrassment. Allie’s worst predicament is with the good-looking cameraman/coffee shop owner who wants to be more than a friend. Allie’s practicality plays tug of war with her heart’s desires when it comes to the two men in her life.

"Promise Me Always" is hard to put down. The chapters move along, as readers gets the opportunity to take a peak into Allie’s life and forget about their own lives for a while. With romance, conflict, and challenges woven into the story, the book promises to be a hit for author Christine Lynxwiler.

(c) Kathy Carlton Willis 2007

Updates for Family & Friends

Sometimes I write a note to let you know how things are going. So, if you want to know-this is for you!

I went to my internist today for a follow up visit. She told me that she was REALLY worried about me when I saw her Friday. She said I was very very sick-almost hospital sick. I knew I felt bad, but I didn't realize it was THAT bad. So, I want to thank the Lord for a quick recovery. I'm blessed that Russ insisted I call the doctor-I was trying to tough it out. Evidently, the Metformin for the new diabetes diagnosis just wasn't right for me. I tried it for 3 weeks, and it caused gastroenteritis (tummy problems). Today she prescribed a new drug called Januvia. It is a brand new diabetes medication. Here is the information about it-for those who are following the diabetes journey:

JANUVIA lowers blood sugar when blood sugar is high, especially after a meal. JANUVIA also lowers blood sugar between meals.
JANUVIA helps to improve the levels of insulin produced by your own body after a meal.
JANUVIA decreases the amount of sugar made by the body. JANUVIA is unlikely to cause your blood sugar to be lowered to a dangerous level (hypoglycemia) because it does not work when your blood sugar is low.

The doctor believes my facial pain and eye pressure-that returned on Friday-is another sinus infection. I don't have any nasal symptoms or drainage, but she said that could be why I have so much pain-because it is blocked up in the sinuses. I'm supposed to call the Ear/Nose/Throat doctor to let them know I might be having another infection, to see if he will examine me while I'm actually in the middle of an infection (when I went to the ENT before, I wasn't having an active infection, so all he could see was allergies). The internist is concerned about these frequent sinus infections and wants a specialist to evaluate it. I'm hesitant to call because I'm not having any nasal symptoms. I guess I'll play it by ear and see how things develop this week.

I need to be all well in time for my minor surgery, which is scheduled for February 5th.

And all the while, I'm still working. So glad about that!

Also, I have an update on Russ's dad. I talked with him the other day to get my questions answered regarding his newest cancer. His primary cancer is chondrosarcoma (he lost a toe and later he lost his lower leg). He also has prostate cancer. Well, the CT scan shows a very definite chondrosarcoma mass of 6 mm that is not well defined at this point. It is not anywhere near where his blood clot was, so what they see isn't scarring from that. The doctors say it looks exactly like a chondrosarcoma and they would have said that without even knowing of his history with this specific cancer.

They are waiting until April to take another scan to see if it grows. If it has increased in size, and is a little more defined so they can get a biopsy of it, they will do a needle biopsy (they cannot reach it via bronchoscopy). If they did a biopsy of it now, they might miss the mass, since it is small and not well defined on the films. While he is on the operating table they will confirm the cancer, and then do a laproscopic removal of the mass, which will require a 3-inch incision. Chondrosarcoma can only be cured by removal of the tumor-there is no chemotherapy or radiation that will treat it. Also, there are only two places this time of cancer shows up: bone and lungs. His tumor does not have any satellites, so this is good news. It doesn't seem like there are 'seeds" that will spread into other tumors (some patients end up having multiple lung surgeries to remove these tumors). So-we wait until April to see what the CT scan shows. If it hasn't grown, then he may not have surgery. That would be my prayer for him!

Thanks for your concern, and for your prayers. Keep them up!

Book Review-A Bigger Life

I've written a book review for each day of the week. Enjoy!

Title: A Bigger Life

Author: Annette Smith

Publisher: NavPress

ISBN: 1-5768-3995-8

Genre: Gritty Christian Romance


Joel Carpenter isn’t your typical Texan of the male persuasion. He is a straight hair stylist at a women’s salon. He’s also a single parent raising a son with all the love he can muster. He hangs with the guys on weekends, but his heart still longs for his ex.

Life is turned upside down and everything Joel holds dear is challenged. He is at a place in his life to question what he really believes in. He’s only experienced a legalistic Christianity that left him wishing to run in the other direction. That is—until a client exposes him to a type of Christianity that gave him more answers than questions.

Smith’s style of writing keeps the mind buzzing as the story precedes forward and then flashes back to reveal the history of the characters’ burdens and victories. I admit I had to look twice to see if my eyes were fooling me when it came to the byline. This female author writes from a very convincing male point of view.

The book made me ache during heartache and rally during successes. A very real read that will open your eyes to conventional beliefs.

(c) Kathy Carlton Willis

Confession Time

My doctor took me off of the Metformin on Friday because of the GI-distress. Told me to eat a very mild diet until my tummy settled down, and to watch my sugar levels-saying they might go a little higher than normal since I was sick and also since I wasn't taking a medication.

Well, Friday I ate primarily carbs (she had recommended bananas, rice, applesauce, toast-all carbs). My blood glucose readings stayed between 98-108. I thought to myself, "Wow-these are good numbers. Maybe I don't need a medication after all. If I can keep my numbers in this range with carbs, how can I be diabetic?"

Then, yesterday I had no more vomiting, and reduced diarrhea, so I ate a regular meal. A friend gave us a roast dinner with veggies, potatoes, rolls, and apple pie. I ate some of the pie and my postprandial reading was 108. So then I thought, "Maybe I don't even have diabetes. Maybe my high readings were mistakes. Maybe it was because of the 3 days I had steroids in my system at the end of November, and maybe it just took a full 2 months to get out of my system."

So, here is the confession part: This morning for breakfast, there was some leftover apple pie staring me in the face, so I had a slice. Not smart, I know, but I thought maybe my system could handle it. WRONG. My postprandial (2 hours after meal blood glucose check) this morning was 187. It's not supposed to be over 140, and they really want it only 20 more than the fasting levels, because by 2 hours our body should be back down from the spike in BG from the food. Hard telling how high mine went if this was the "back down" reading!

Anyway-this was a reality check for me that yes I do have diabetes. Even though apple pie might make everyone's blood glucose go up more than a protein meal, it still should have only gone up to about 120 as postprandial reading if I didn't have diabetes.

I guess this little experiment has proven I really do have to be cautious with my meal plan. And that I probably do need a diabetes medication of some kind to help keep the numbers in the normal range.

Okay-confession time is now over!

Topsy Turvy Week

What a topsy-turvy week! Let's see if I can hit some highlights, for all of you who come to the site for updates on my life. Here goes:

• Russ's dad just told us tonight that his CT scan of his lungs did show what they are almost 100% sure to be cancer, metastasized from his bone cancer (he had a toe amputated a long while ago and then a partial leg amputated in 2002). I'm not sure why, but they have determined it best to wait until April to do another test, and then to possibly do a bronchoscopy to not only biopsy, but potentially remove the tumor. I don't have any more details, but this sounds pretty serious to me. Of course we would appreciate your prayers. Russ's Mom died of metastatic breast cancer (to her liver and spine) in 1997. Russ's sister Cathy had thyroid cancer when she was in her mid 20s. Russ's Grandpa had two kinds of cancer (prostate and pancreatic). Russ's Grandma has had a type of lymphoma. In other words, it's a cancer family. Please pray!

• Russ has been sick with a cold this week and only worked a couple of hours today so he could come home and rest up for church tomorrow. Having a sore throat and cough hinders a music director from leading music, as well as teaching a Sunday School class, so we pray his voice is stronger tomorrow, and that he feels better. He said he tried the HMH: Hydrate, Medicate, Hibernate. Sounds good to me!

• I ended up getting so sick from the new diabetes medication (Metformin) that the doctor took me off of it. I went to see her yesterday as a "work in" patient after having too many tummy problems and getting lethargic. Sort of like a rag doll. Lost 12 pounds in 3 weeks (that part is good!). She said it was good I had come in to see her-I guess I was on the verge of dehydration. Anyway, she gave me a shot of phenergan and a script for the pill form as well and some other meds. I go back on Tuesday to discuss a new diabetes medicine after my belly heals up and also to decide if I have yet another sinus infection (or a lingering one). She didn't want to put me on more antibiotics with my tummy so messed up. I like this doctor so much! (But not enough to want to keep seeing her professionally.) ☺

• We had a blessing this week in the form of a "check in the mail." I received my portion of an inheritance from my cousin Mark's estate. I feel so undeserving of it and so appreciative!

Appreciate Today

The bud of a rose is just as beautiful as the full bloom. Appreciate what you have at the moment. --- Anonymous

God Can Do It!

GOD CAN DO IT!

I was reminded this week just how big our God is. I knew, I just KNEW that God had something around the corner for us. I had guesses as to how He might take care of us and show us a glimpse of His love. But I didn't REALLY know. In fact, I had no clue just how powerful God is to change our outcome.

I think what I've experienced can be called "mustard seed faith." I had a little bit of faith. I had faith enough to think mustard seed sized things might happen. But God took my little bit of faith and honored it by showing me just how BIG He is. WOW!

When I get these God-sightings all I can say is, "God, You are amazing. You take our needs and surprise us with Your solutions. Your ways are above my ways. Your ways are higher than my ways. Let me never forget Your goodness and Your power."

Twila Paris sings a song called "God is In Control." The last verse says,

"He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me."

If you are going through a human-sized problem just surrender it to God and wait for His God-sized solution. He has ways to make things "all better" just like my Mom fixed my child-sized problems. She used to kiss my boo boos and make the pain go away. God kisses away my problems and makes His grace come to stay.

I've learned not to limit God or put Him in a box. Just when I think I have it figured out how He might take care of my burdens, He surprises me with a different solution. This is one more time He has saved the day that I can write in my memory book. On those days when I need a reminder of His goodness, I can pull out this memory as a testimony of His ability to take care of me. I'll sing with Twila Paris the chorus of the song,

"God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him
We know O God is in control
O God is in control."