July Newsletter
Scripture of the Month: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
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 24th. 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.