Quote of the Month: “Every possession you own, takes with it a piece of your time.” Mindy Starns Clark

As I begin this newsletter, it is two days until transplant day.  On our anniversary, July 29^th, my wonderful husband of fifteen years and our precious donor, Trish, will undergo a tandem surgery to save my husband’s life.  Since I won’t write again until after the surgery, it is a humbling thing to begin an August newsletter with the future unknown.

But then again, our immediate future is always unknown.  We can plan to do things, go places, run errands and organize our lives, but tragedy or celebration can change it on a thin dime.  That can make life scary, but it can also make it an adventure.…

I am finishing this newsletter on August 12, 4 days behind schedule, but I’m sure you’ll understand.

If you have Facebook, you should check out some of the precious updates through all of this; even a few pictures!

There were unforgettable moments: having church in a huge prayer circle in the hotel lobby the night before transplant.

Holding my husband’s hand as we went to visit Trish in pre-op and check him in as well.  The moment he had to be separated from our girls.  And from me.  Trading hushed and whispered, “Happy Anniversary” and “I love you.” Priceless prayers from friends.

A room full of 37 people, waiting and praying with us.

The moment they announced, “We’re closing up Trish!” and the room broke out in teary cheers.

The news that they were beginning to sew the first part of the kidney into Greg’s body.

The wait for news from Greg’s doctor when no one had told me the surgery was over 2 hours ahead of schedule and I was terrified I had lost him.

The first moments in recovery when the sleeping new kidney woke up on its own and began to produce “gorgeous urine!” according to the nurse.

Trish’s visit to Greg in ICU and a phenomenal parade of friends.

Greg’s first steps and transfer to a regular room. Coming home and living with a miracle each day.

We are grateful.  Humbled.  And reminded anew that life is freshly fragile and each day a gift to be unwrapped with giggles and breathless anticipation.

To be able to do that, is my wish and prayer for you, precious friends, as you begin a new school year, a new job, a new slice of life.  Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Hugs from our house to yours,

Cindy

84% of teens would rather have supper with their parents than alone.  [National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse at Columbia University]

“The amount of sleep required by the average person is 5 minutes more.”  Unknown

Barbie’s full name – Barbara Millicent Roberts.  She was introduced to the toy market in 1959.

Fun Fact [or, maybe not!]

17 Days – the average time moms with kids 12 and under spend in the car each year!  That translates to over 400 hours.

Paradise Contest Winners

1. Pat Stuckey [Bloomington, IN]– who submitted a lovely, touching story about a vacation to the DC area and their tour of the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia: “My son explained [to a soldier] that we were touring the base because his Dad had trained there.  About this time, my husband walked up and the Marine officer saluted my husband (even though he was in civilian clothes) and thanked my husband for serving.  Talk about tears flowing…an active Marine officer was saluting my husband for serving when he was the one serving us presently.  It was a very humbling moment for us all.  God bless those serving each and every day to protect us.” 

2. Kristen Koch [Faribault, MN] – who was privileged to accompany a dear friend, experiencing a difficult pregnancy, to Hawaii.  She was able to minister to her, play nursemaid in paradise surroundings and share some girlfriend time building precious memories.  She sent this picture, which made me drool – what a beautiful world God has made! “I was able to spend a fabulous week with a wonderful friend in paradise, enjoying God’s beautiful creation.  It was so wonderful for me as a busy mom to leave behind the chaos of home.  The only difficult decision I had to make each day was whether to plop my butt on the beach or next to the pool!  In addition, I was able to spend some much needed one-on-one time with a great friend.  Since she has not yet experienced the craziness of motherhood, I’m sure she had no idea what an amazing gift she gave me.”

3.  Brenda Kaiser [Carthage, MO]– wrote about her romantic beach wedding in Hawaii.  I have to share a brief part of her beautiful entry: “I have been very fortunate to have many more paradise beach vacations in various locations; None will ever compare to that first trip to Hawaii. Those memories are beyond words, the pictures are beyond breathtaking, and my life following that paradise vacation is beyond words.”

Hurricanes in Paradise

By: Denise Hildreth

A 5-star resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.  A beautiful director with a haunted past.  Add a beauty queen with secrets of her own, a colorful bedazzled senior citizen recovering from the loss of her husband and a snarky, reclusive writer and you have an explosive mix.  And, there’s a hurricane headed right for them.

The descriptions of the hotel and the island are phenomenally real and the characters are written with depth and resonance.  However, having recently emerged from personal hurricanes of her own, what Hildreth brings us is much more than a summer beach read.  She offers a sometimes quirky, often identifiable peek into personal pain.  Most importantly, she weaves the hope that is only available from the God of all comfort throughout a believable, powerful story.

Sign-up for Cindy Sigler Dagnan’s monthly newsletter and enter our contest to win one of 3 copies of this new release in top-notch Southern fiction!

Special thanks to Denise Hildreth and Tyndale Publishers for donating copies.

Quote of the Month: “A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.”  Charlotte Bronte

This month’s scripture would make me downright cranky if it weren’t for the fact that it was written by the Apostle Paul.  He knew a bit about suffering: the Palestinian James Bond who was lowered over the city walls at night in a basket to escape the bad guys; survived shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments and town riots, all for the precious name of Christ.  Since Paul has so much credibility in the suffering department, I don’t mind his reminding me that this is not all there is. 

Yes, we’re having some hard times at our house, but it’s possible that this will be a time of great growth and opportunity to brag about our great God that we could never have dreamed.

If you are hurting at your house, please e-mail me.  I’d love to have the blessing of praying for you.  As my precious daddy told me, thinking of and doing for others is often the very best remedy for too much introspective dwelling on our own pain.

It has been immeasurably hard to watch the love of my life continue to hurt more each day.  To know this and be powerless to do anything about it.  It has also been immeasurably sweet to meet our donor’s family and get to know them and think of them as part of our extended family.

Be sure of this, precious girlfriends: God sees.  He has not forgotten.  He goes before us in every battle of our lives and we already know the end of the story – we win, for He has predetermined the outcome for eternity!

I will be speaking one final time before surgery, at my own home church on July 24^th.  It’s about footprints – the ones we leave when we walk with God, in everything from our boots to our flip flops!  I can’t wait to share and as always, rely on your prayers.

Someday, the Heaven He has promised will blow all our current hard times literally out of this world!  Amen.  Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Mom Kiss: The Last Song – based on Nicolas Sparks’ novel; better than the book.  Surprise twist; an unaffected performance by Miley Cyrus & tender realism.  Despite the fallout of a divorce, the importance of marriage message shines through, as does the sweet shortness of life. [I should note that I saw this WEEKS before I saw her performance & new music release, lest you think I’m suffering from Miley schizophrenia!]

Mom Hiss: At least the cover of Miley Cyrus’s new CD.  Seeing her performance on the Today Show broke my heart.  She’s still a little girl. What are her parents & agents thinking about her wardrobe and the message she sends to her fans? She seemed jaded rather than jazzed about performing in Central Park.

Summer Contest Fun

I am thrilled to be able to offer three copies of the new release by one of my favorite fiction authors – Denise Hildreth – Hurricanes in Paradise.  It’s all about an unlikely group of girlfriends from all ages and stages of life who come together to escape their problems in the middle of a literal Paradise.  But even in Paradise, hurricanes do happen.  Our perfect lives shatter; we are diagnosed with a terminal illness; our spouse leaves; we lose a best friend; our professional world is rocked to its foundation; we’re hurting and too afraid to share, especially if that hurt has been the result of our own choices.  God moves, though, even then.

E-mail us your BEST paradise vacation story and three blessed gals will win a copy of this brand new release!  I’ve already devoured it and felt like I was in the Bahamas, basking in some of God’s most beautiful handiwork, even in the midst of pain.  Go to www.cindydagnan.com for more book details under Book of the Month.

 From Our House to Yours

Meet Trish, our amazing, perfect match kidney donor for Greg!  We finally have a date set for surgery, July 29, our wedding anniversary.  To quote an e-mail to a friend this morning, we are “equal parts grateful, sentimental and terrified.”

We’ll be at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, my home town.  It wasn’t our first choice for anniversary plans, but as my sweet friend Debbie put it, “The gift of Greg’s health for your anniversary!  How lovely.”  Indeed.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the prayers and all those who are making this journey with us.  For those who are driving my mother and our girls back home [where she is bravely going to stay with all of them!]; who are watering plants and mowing the lawn and watching the puppy; who are organizing prayer vigils and sending us encouraging scriptures. A package arrived today from my sister’s precious family in Taiwan with Get Well cards for Uncle Greg from our wonderful nieces and nephews and a precious letter from my sister and from my brother-in-law.  Youngest niece Mollie’s card boasted a hand-drawn picture of Uncle Greg in a wheel chair with her pushing him! Each word of encouragement is a treasure. Thank you and beyond.  Our hearts are full.  I will have to learn how to post next month’s letter as well as updates during our stay by myself!  Until then, prayers & God’s gracious blessing on you and your sweet ones.

Cindy

Fun Facts About Sleep

• Elephants sleep standing up, but they must lie down to dream.
• If you deprive rats of their sleep entirely, they only live for a week.
• Everyone dreams whether you remember or not.
• Sleep may be one of the single best health investments you can make.

Girl Trivia: The average number of questions we ask during a doctor’s appointment –

Women – 4

Men – 0

J

On Our Table

Bed & Breakfast Cookies from our favorite B& B – “Barn Again” in Ozark, Missouri

2 ¼ c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1 c. unsalted butter, softened

¼ c. sugar

¾ c. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 t. instant French vanilla pudding

2eggs

1 pkg. chocolate chips [I use ½ semi-sweet & ½ milk chocolate]

Mix flour w/ soda.  Combine butter, sugars, vanilla & pudding mix. Beat until smooth & creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture. Bake 375 degrees 8-10 minutes.

 This surprising book from one of my favorite authors also happens to be my book club’s selection this month.  Rich with literary allusions, quotations and quirky characters, it satisfies without any of the typical endings. There’s an unsolved mystery, a bad guy, a nosy secretary and family fabric galore. Kelly Kovatch is a young girl working her first “real world” job after graduating from a home school classroom.  Her first boss and her mother have a history that she knows nothing about. Tragedy haunts both families, but they have vastly different ways of coping.  Do the little things we do really, truly  impact our world? Is it possible for us to make a difference one gesture, one prayer, one reaching-out at a time?  I think you’ll find that sometimes a light surprises.

“Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?” Psalm 106:2, NLT

Quote of the Month:

“All the good stuff happens in the middle, don’t you think?” Jacquelyn Mitchard, The Breakdown Lane

I’m not sure about you, but the middle part of anything can be the toughest for me [with the exception of Double Stuff Oreos or Krispy Kreme filling, of course!].  As a writer, I’m all about the beginnings and the endings.  I love the opening sentence of a book or an article; coming up with a punchy ending is one of my favorite things.  Sometimes the middle can be sloggy, iffy.  If the book is poorly written, the middle sags.  If you think about, sometimes, we get to feeling that way about life too. We wax nostalgic about childhood freedoms; we anticipate the future – as grandiose as heaven, as near as a new kitchen floor, as dreamed of as that dream vacation.  There are days when nearly everything coming up seems better than whatever it is we’re doing right now. But we might be wrong.   Ignoring the middle part, which makes up most of our lives, causes us to miss the joy of this moment.   What are you doing right now?  Reading this newsletter and then getting into a new book?  Getting ready to tuck in your sweet ones or cuddle up and watch a movie?  Take a walk with your friend or your spouse? Is something baking in the oven? Are you reveling in some rare relaxed time alone? Did God share something precious with you from His Word today?  Look outside. Has God flung the heavens full of sky jewelry just for you tonight?  Is the moon dancing?  The rain bathing everything with misty soft focus effect? Is the sun bouncing off the dew on the grass? Do you hear the laughter of neighborhood children, smell the fresh mown grass or the damp echo of sidewalk chalk and rain on concrete?  There’s nothing like it.  This day, this moment, will never come again.  Chase your “middles” girls!  Celebrate them, and let me know how it goes.

Fun Facts

“Sugar may have an effect on kids with established hyperactivity, but it WON’T make a nonhyperactive child hyperactive.” Richard Surwit, Ph.D., Professor, Duke University
Whew! If your kids [or you] swallow your gum, it won’t stay in your intestines for seven years, it pretty much moves through your digestive tract at the same rate as everything else. Mitchell Shub, M.D., Gastroenterologist – Phoenix Children’s Hospital

What’s on our Table [actually, in the fridge!]

 
Summer Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
1 large jar marshmallow cream
8 oz. package cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
3 T. powdered sugar
Beat all ingredients until smooth. Serve with fresh fruit for dipping!

From Our House to Yours

I’m finishing the newsletter before I get ready to go to Greg’s Doctor appointment for news of his current kidney function level.  Please pray with me for news of a firm date for the transplant.  I deliberately chose this month’s scripture before we went, because I am truly trying to work on trusting.  On worshipping while I’m waiting, rather than celebrating after the fact.  After all, being thrilled after you already have everything you want isn’t very impressive. Our oldest, Eden, is filling up her summer with work at three different jobs and shopping enough that she looks cute while doing said jobs.  My mother assures me that I too was more interested in clothes than savings at that age. Emmy is on a mission trip to inner city Houston, working VBS and helping out at a homeless shelter there.  We were so proud of the work she did getting accepted to go and then helping to raise funds.  Now we’re just down to missing her and taking giant steps of faith every day.
Ellie has to take PE and Health for the month of June so she’ll have room in her Jr. High fall schedule for band.  I love listening to her play that flute! Thus, sweet Elexa is my home buddy alone for the first time since she began Kindergarten.  I’m begging her to stay eight years old, but since I did the same with her 3 sisters and it didn’t work, I’m not holding my breath. Life is hard, but sweet.  God is good, even while we wait.  Thank you for all your prayers for my spring speaking engagements.  I will only be speaking once this summer, in deference to a more relaxed pace. Fall will be here before we know it.  Lemonade or sweet tea glasses bottoms up girls!  Drink deep of summer.

Hugs & chocolate,

Cindy