Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Giveaway!

When Rick moved his office into the basement of our house, it caused a lot of upheaval.  We're bursting at the seams.  Not only is the basement filled, but so is our small garage.  And when our employees show up to work?  Parking can be a nightmare.  So with the help of a friend who does concrete for a living, and some of his crew, Rick readied the ground next to our garage last week. 

The pumper truck was supposed to come at 11 Saturday morning.  But a little before 9 the sound of a large truck underneath our bedroom window woke us up.  We scrambled out of bed and jumped into work.  But just a few hours of work, with several sets of hands, and we had it looking good. 

Speaking of hands, when we moved back to Moorhead we made a set of handprints in concrete we poured at our first home, circa 2003.  So it seemed appropriate to mark the passage of 11 years in just this way.  Wow- where has 11 years gone?  






The rest of my week has been filled with such sadness.  My heart is heavy with sorrow.  Not one, but two precious cancer fighters, have been told they will be going to their eternal homes- soon.

Much too soon.  

There have been many tears shed.  And lots of talk about how do you do this?  How do you stop… treatment, and doctors visits, and infusion appointments?  And then what?  What do you do?   The vulnerability, of no treatment, no protection- well I just can't wrap my brain around it.

Because you think- just one more drug.  Can't there be just one more chemo?  One more treatment?  One more anything? 

When we speak of wanting "awareness" of breast cancer and all the funds raised by "Pinktober" to shift to research and funds going to find a cure- this is why!  

Because at the center of my awareness- is too many friends, taken by their stage 4 metastatic disease, way too soon.  

Can we focus on making this stop please?

Find a cure. For all cancers.

Amen.





So in the meantime, I'm soaking up all my moments, with urgency and energy to match.  My sister-in-law, Missy got this early Christmas present for me.  Its a positivity jar.  Each day you grab a quote out of the bag and put it on top of the jar.  Each one has caused me to pause, to reflect, and helped to shape my intention for how I will live each day.



Every time I go to this fundraising website, Vicky fighting breast cancer, I leave in tears.  A ten dollar donation allows you to be entered into a drawing for  "thank you gifts," a few of which are shown below.

I cry just as easily for the 10 dollar amounts, as I do for the other generous amounts given.  What I know, is that each one costs, each of you- no matter the amount,  and we're so humbled by it all.  We have just a few weeks left of the fundraiser!  







While out on a hunt for a Birthday gift for my mom who just turned 79, I  came across this little gem at Barnes and Noble.  "Life is a Verb."  How would you spend your time if you only had 37 more days to live?  




So often, you all do so much for me.  Sometimes, when I am spent, weary with sorrow, and completely worn out- the only way through- is by focusing on something or someone else.


Why not do a giveaway?  Do you like to read?  Is there a book on your list you have wanted to get for the longest time?

Maybe today is your day?

I purchased a 25 dollar gift card from Barnes and Noble and will give it away to one lucky reader! 



For one entry into the contest, please leave me an answer to this question in the comments below on my blog:

What is at the top of your "must read" book list?  

For a second entry, either sign up to follow and leave a second comment, or tell me you already are a follower in a second comment on my blog. 

That's it!  


I will use a random number generator to pick a winner.

You have until 6 pm Friday night to enter.


I will post the winner shortly thereafter, so you can email me your mailing address! 

Good luck to everyone! 

















31 comments:

  1. What a great thing to do. I love the positivity jar. And I love the container you hold all your positivity in.

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  2. Tables in the Wilderness by Preston Yancey

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  3. Entering on behalf of Shirley Mohr- "Love Does," by Bob Goff

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  4. Already a follower. I think of you and pray for you often. You are truly an inspiration to me to live intentionally each day. God bless you!

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  5. Love the concept of your positivity jar.
    Michelle DeRusha’s “50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith.”

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  6. "Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage During World War II" by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman and Sarah Sundin.

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  7. Been following and reading your blog for a very long time.

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  8. I just finished a book and I am going to start Leaving Time by one of my favorites, Jodi Picoult tonight. I am following you. Love that jar with all the positive thoughts!

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  9. Dear Vicky, I just joined your blog as a follower. To answer your question, I think the book, Heal Thyself: Understanding and Overcoming Illness" would be a magnificent book to read. Additionally, I am so sorry that two of your friends with breast cancer are struggling. I am thinking of them, and you. Sharing these things with your blog followers, (as well as facebook friends), is very inspirational. I think your positivity jar is so cute, and such a fresh idea. :) Thanks again for your blog entries. Every time I see the notice on facebook, I drop what I am doing and sit down to read what you have to say. I appreciate your honesty--because breast cancer comes along with many challenges, and being open about it gives us a "wake up call," and expedites prayer for not only you, but others in our lives who are struggling with illness. Your words are like a choreographed ballet, and you, my dear, are the White Swan. Much love to you!

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  10. Ahhhh! The top of my list? That's almost like asking to pick a favorite. :) I'm going to have to say Follow Me by David Platt. Brian is teaching his 4-6th grade Wednesday night class at church and using the student edition. I decided to read the adult book and do the adult study so that I can follow along with Camden.

    I feel and know your sadness with your fellow cancer buddies. Sometimes the weight of it is so heavy. Sometimes it makes me face those questions head on, and they're not comfortable.

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  11. Oh sweet Vicky,
    I can just feel the weight of the sorrow your heart feels for your fellow sisters on this cancer journey. How devastating to hear that news. I am praying BIG time that God will ease their pain, give them peace and heal them. I am praying for your heart too. And I wish all the advertising dollars for this month and "Pinktober" would go straight to research...NOW!

    I just love the picture of your hand prints in the concrete, the look on Colton's face,
    your long and beautiful fingers recorded with those of your family. The amazing Positivity Jar..WOW!

    Like you, I am also so, so touched with the generosity of everyone who has contributed to your fundraiser. And the book, Life is a Verb is one of my favorites.

    Know this sweet friend, you are in my thoughts and prayers daily and at times hourly. I will
    never stop praying for your full recovery!

    Love you to the moon and back!
    Linda

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. I know that when my brother and then my dad were told there was nothing else to treat their cancer, and that we had to prepare for Hospice, we were more than heartbroken. As I look back on that time two and three years later, I do cherish those last days we had with them knowing that nothing was left unsaid, and they were finally at peace - physically and emotionally. I will pray for your friends that they find peace and comfort in the end of their journey knowing how much they are loved, and in the knowledge that Jesus will wrap His arms around them and they will have an unimaginable, amazing life in Heaven.

    Next up on my reading list is Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger. :)

    Sending you love, hugs and prayers~always!

    Steph

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  13. I am already a loyal follower. :)

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  14. I read a lot of fiction. Right now, I have To Kill a Mockingbird sitting on my coffee table in the den. I want to re-read it and write all over it. I always write in my books.

    Love you, my friend. And how kind of you to do a give-away. You have the most amazing friends who arranged your give-away! xo

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  15. And I have been following you for a while. prayers!

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  16. Shoot, my comment about my book doesn't seem to have published. Just in case:
    I am a sucker for stories set in winter and or Christmas. It's the romantic in me I think; White snow, twinkling lights, beautiful colors. I am on the library waiting list for Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle.

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  17. My current read is by one of my favorite authors, Terry Tempest Williams, "The Story of My Heart"...just re-read "An Unspoken Hunger" reading each day is a precious gift for me. The public library sees me every week. Thanks for the giveaway offer.

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  18. I am a long-time and devoted, praying follower of your story. Your words heal my heart from losses in my life the past several years of close friends from stage IV.

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  19. all the pictures, all the sceance's have such a wonderful family normalty about them..that my heart smiled. Your two friends, who have been told, "there is nothing more then can do"...I remember that moment only two well with my own mom. what words can one write....that will help? Perhaps it's those of us left behind that 'cry out' the most. How I wish I could impart what I know without a doubt...were we go, is so filled with love and peace no written human word can come close. And if we new just how much...we would all want to rush in line to get there. This i do know without a doubt...and yet. we are here...with the only knowen our memories can comprehend...how I pray for peace and love to embrace them and Yes the lords arms to wrap around them and all who love them. I would have to say my favorite book is still "The Four Agreements" I have to many favorite books :)

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  20. A Thousand Gifts by Anne Voscamp
    I am already a follower

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  21. Must read....something by Linda Lael Miller.

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  22. Yes I am already a follower and a friend on facebook.
    Lynda in Michigan

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  23. I found your blog from Sara's, and signed up to follow you after she shared your story. I was hooked from your first post! I work in a cancer care center in CNY, and you help me to see things from the patient point of view. You are showing us all how to live, to expand our moments and to notice them, all while trying to do the same. Thanks so much for sharing your story and your days with us!

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  24. So happy for your winner. :) I saw this post come through on Facebook and hoped just the right person who needed a lift would win.

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

When you get lucky

When you get lucky

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