Mother's Day Quilt and Workplace Missions

Mother's Day 

For Mother’s Day my daughters blessed me with a wonderful quilt and quilted shams. From the photo you can see the wallpaper and quilt don’t complement each other. The first night sleeping with the wonderous quilt I decided I’d paint the walls, but what color? White is blah.

The old drapes match the wallpaper so well, I hated to change anything. Years ago we tagged the bedroom “The Beautiful room.” Did I really want to paint and throw away the drapes?

In bedroom 

A week later I asked Marcy, “Okay, I’ve got to paint, but what color do I paint the walls?” She never gave me an answer, but one of those light bulb moments popped into my mind. “Why not change rooms? The guest-Savannah’s room has white walls and white sheers.”

See the underside pattern? 

With the help of two men, the beds were changed out and the beautiful room is still old-fashioned looking and will offer guests a great sleepover. (If I ever have guests.)

In my new room with the gorgeous quilt, two plants found a home on a bookshelf in front of the south windows. Lovely. Only life happens in spite of glorious gifts and change.

A few days after the move, I listened to Dr. Chuck Swindoll give a great message on my way to work. After I locked the car doors, I sent a prayer heavenward, “Lord, help me in my work place. Give me the heart of a missionary.”

Something inside of me broke loose. By the time I reached my desk tears threatened Why? I felt overwhelmed trying to hold back the crack in the dam. Yes, I’ve spent more money than usual in the last few months with the yard work and changes in the house, but hey, I’m living in the moment. I can save everything and not have fun or I can trust God, be diligent with my finances and enjoy life.

My emotions had nothing to do with bedrooms, changes or finances. I’d asked God to give me a missionary heart, one that cares about others, especially those I work alongside. My heart broke because I knew one of those friends in my workplace felt angry with me.

I emailed my daughters, telling them little about the circumstances, asking them to pray for me.

In only a short time I received an email from Marcy:

I will pray for you today. I have a card in my cube my mother gave me that says, “Hello this is God, I will be handling all of your problems and concerns today. That is my job. Your job is to give them to me, and then trust me.”

I replied, “Tell your mother she’s a smart woman and thank you for sharing with me.” 

Keep reading to find the answer to the problem I faced. 

My New Life with Rocky Balboa Crawford

 I figured out this week I must live for 200 years to get every fun thing I want to enjoy finished before I die. Yikes.

For those of you behind in the Lionhearted Kat world, I am the proud Mom of an eleven month old puppy. For those who know me well, you understand that after our Paddy dog died I said, “No more dogs ever again.” Well this is all Savannah’s fault and yes, she said I could blame her.

Our neighbors brought home a puppy on May 9^, 2015. They housebroke him, trained him quite well and then needed him out of their crowded house. The young man asked me if Savannah might want their “Buddy.” Nope. That isn’t possible, she already has Snookie dog.

I texted Savannah. Do I want Buddy? She texted, “Yes, yes, yes.” And continued to text me until I said I’d pray about another dog in my house. I’m not sure what the Lord said, but I finally said, “I’ll keep the dog overnight and see what happens.”

We neither one slept, but one night isn’t enough to try anything. By the second day I fell in love with the big black German Shepherd/Border Collie mix almost bigger than me. Daughter Marcy saw a photo and said, “If Dad were here, he’d name him Rocky.” So now Rocky Balboa Crawford and me are totally bonded and in love forever.

I told the neighbors, “I’m not sure if you owe me because I took your dog or if I owe you. You raised this puppy through the worst of the worst and I now am enjoying Rocky. He’s such good company.”

If you are interested in the rest of the dog story and my life full of fun, stop back again. I’ll share how God has blessed me over and over again.

Still Lionhearted, Kat 

Rocky Balboa Crawford
German Shepher/Border Collie Mix 

Merry Christmas to All and a Great New Year

Can’t believe we have a snow free December. Oh, we had what Dad called a skiff of snow, but not enough to create a snowman. Along with no snow, Christmas will be different this year. Simple. Savannah will spend the day with Grandma (read on to find out why.)

It’s been a very good year. In December 2013 my eye doctor, Dr. Patti Fries at UNMC fitted me with wonderful

contacts. I tell you, to go from not seeing well to having 20/25 vision, being able to drive in the rain, the snow and even at night seemed like a Christmas miracle.

I’m one of the Leadership Team for Wordsowers Christian Writers. We held our second conference in March. Phil and Pam Morgan were our keynote speakers. Stephanie Grace Whitson is our keynote speaker for our 2015 conference.

In April I flew to Oregon where I spent fab time with family in Eugene and Medford. Creating Memories for Disabled Children  I've written stories about Creating Memories also with photos of the cabins at Ashley's Park.

I also met made new friends. Enoch Stalcup and his mother Angel drove from Estacada to meet me. Enoch created the website for

On June 8^th I shared in our worship service, “I read the Prayer of Jabez

once more and feel I am challenged to broaden my ministry.” The next day I saw Dr. Fries again—my world shrunk. The doctor took away my wonderful contacts. The right one had rubbed on my cornea transplant.  Read more about transplants here

Battled poison ivy this summer...worst ever. Flew to Oregon (still had PI blisters) for the Leaton Family Reunion, time with family and had breakfast with the 1959 Alumni. Spent almost a month there.

In September two friends from church, Reta and JoAn flew with me to Oahu, Hawii. We stayed with another friend from our church Hazel and her daughter. Jeanie. What an awesome ten days

ACCEPT THIS DANDELION COVER REVEAL

Today is

the Big

Cover Reveal

Day

for

Brooke Williams latest book coming soon. 

Watch for

book review

in February.

Want to know more about Brooke and her previous books: 

Visit her website

Authorbrookewilliams.com 

Brooke is a member of Wordsowers Christian Writers. If you want to know more about Wordsowers, visit their website and read all about 

Wordsowers Conference coming in April. 

Congratulations PMP Survivor Micheal Smith

A few days ago I posted a photo of Bob Peterson, our number one helper in finding Dr. Brian Loggie. Then I posted a photo of husband in his biking outfit: Dr. Loggie’s called husband his Poster Boy. (I did, too.) 

Before PMP I said to a friend, “My life is a box. I go to work and come home. Everything is routine.” She told me to read the Prayerof Jabez and ask God to broaden my ministry—I did.

Look what happened.

PMP patients, Dr. Loggie and Me 

In 2005 Sandy Smith from Seattle, Washington emailed me. After I shared husband’s journey she asked for information about the Hallelujah Acres Healthy Diet  (vegan diet) husband used before finding Dr. Loggie.

Michael Smith after surgery with nurse 2005

Sandy sent me the photo of Michael after surgery and now look at him nine years later. He's the picture of health. congratulations to Michael.

You look great Michael and you, too, wonderful caregiver Sandy. 

Sandy and Michael Smith, nine years after Michael's MOAS PMP surgery. 

More info on PMP and being a caregiver can be found in my book:   

Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers

Dr. Brian Loggie, MD 

The foreward is by Dr. Brian Loggie 

And yes, I'm Still the Lionhearted Kat 

Dr. Brian Loggie's PMP Poster Boy

Desperate for information about Psuedomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) in November 2003, I sent a desperate message to a website where the creator of the website had not posted since 1998. I hoped someone might read my post and respond.

Bob Peterson emailed me. He invited me to the PMPbellybuttons@yahoogroups.com. I was the 17^th person to sign up for the group and Bob became our encourager.

Sometime before husband’s surgery in 2004, Bob flew into Omaha for his checkup with Dr. Brian Loggie at Creighton Medical. Bob invited husband and me for dinner. Bless his heart, Bob didn’t know how financially strapped we were by then and he paid for the meal. 

A professional phot of Dr. Brian Loggie

Bob encouraged Gary (husband) to trust Dr. Loggie. He shared his own PMP journey with us. How he’d followed Dr. Loggie from one location to the next because of the doctor’s expertise. 

Gary did have surgery in February 2004, the week after our 43^rd wedding anniversary.

Two memorable incidents before husband’s surgery:

A sweet nurse rolled husband toward surgery. “Oh, Mr. Crawford, you have such pearly white teeth.”

Husband popped out his teeth and handed them toward her. “You wanna use them? I won’t need them for awhile.

The second, when husband looked at Dr. Loggie and said, “Doc, I do believe you will see a miracle today.”

When prepped for surgery we were told it would take somewhere  between 13-17 hours, but nine hours after they wheeled husband away, Dr. Loggie showed up. He grinned at me.

Dr. Loggie's poster boy, Gary Crawford

“Mrs. Crawford, I do believe I’ve seen a miracle—I believe we removed every bit of PMP cells.”  

More of this story is found on my "More Than a Caregiver" website and in my book Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers.\

Husband lived seven more years (to the day from the first time he told me he had a problem). He did not die of PMP. My dear hubby of almost 51 years died of a sudden heart attack. 

It's hard to believe November 25, 2009 will be five years since husband died.

I first set my cap for Gary L. Crawford at Bible School at age 10. That’s lots of years to love one of God’s chosen people.

Sharon Understands What I Can't See

Sharon Bushey 

Sharon Bushey and I met at HACWN last year and I bought her book, Meagan’s Heart, a true miracle story. This year Sharon became a miracle in my world when she sat by me at the Friday night dinner.

By Sharon Bushey 

In a  few minutes we reminded each other of our connections. Her husband, a Church of the Nazarene minister, retired from ministry at age 55. They didn’t know the problem at that moment, but soon learned he had Lyme’s Disease and almost died. Today he’s in remission.

My husband retired from being a Nazarene pastor at age 53 because of an physical, emotional and spiritual breakdown. He did recover from the breakdown and God used him until he died at age 70.

After a few mouthfuls of wonderous food, Sharen said, "“I heard you were having problems with your eyes. What’s happening?”

“I have double cornea transplants—”

“So do I,” Sharon said.

“You do? I’ve never talked with anyone in my situation.” I felt tears filling my eyes. In a few words I filled her in on the history. Transplants, infections, laser surgeries, glasses that left me unable to drive at night or in the rain and then how chemo left me unable to drive again.

 “In 2012 the eye doctor said, ‘I can’t help you, but I know who can.” He sent me to a doctor who fitted me with hard contacts.”

“I wear contacts also.” Sharon smiled at me.

“Really? But you wear glasses.”

We chewed over why the glasses and then I finished my latest problem. “Last Friday the latest contact ordered did not fit. The doctor said she’s out of options and going to consult with another specialist. Maybe laser treatment or surgery might help.”

“A year ago my eye doctor told me I’d need a new transplant in one eye,” Sharon said. “He suggested I needed surgery for a disease in the other.”

I can’t remember who Sharon said prayed for her….but no surgeries were required until recently when the doctor removed an old stitch still in her eye from years ago.  

Tears kept pooling in my eyes. “Sharon, you know what I can’t see. No one else truly understands.”

Even while I write this I know God placed Sharon in the empty chair next to me.

“There was a time when a woman in our church got mad at me because I didn’t recognize her.” Sharon’s voice escalated. “I couldn’t see her. For nine months I walked around legally blind.”

“It’s so hard to even grocery shop,” I said. “All the people walking around make me dizzy. Even here in the hallways at HACWN I want to barf. (Yes, I know I should use vomit, but barf is what my stomach feels.)  

Pat Mingarelli snapped this photo in 2011, Even with glasses I didn't see well. 

Sharon assured me she would pray for me. The next morning my sweet friend

Sally Danley, the registrar for the HACWN writers conference, prayed over me while Norma Donavan, Teresa Tierney and Jeanie Jacobson placed their hands on me and joined her in prayer.

For whatever reason, I’m not healed—yet. But we all know God’s timing is for a purpose. I choose Joy on this Journey while I wait for the medical world to decide what’s next.

Still Lionhearted, Kat

PS I do have a contact for my right eye that gives me enough vision to drive on a sunny day and to work for a few hours. Unfortunately, the prescription is only a bit better than my glasses and it’s the best that can be done.