GOD IS RAINING DOWN SKITTLES ON ME:-)

Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Hi Friends!

We started out our day doing something we hadn't done in far too long. We tried out a new church that is very near to our new digs in Oxnard. For a while we had been attempting to commute back to our Simi Valley church. But the commute was difficult, especially with my health being fragile. And I realized today that while I love Simi Prez (now StoneBridge), I was sort of hanging onto it in an unhealthy way. I didn't want to go to a new church and be seen as needy. Typical, isn't it? I thought I needed to get my life more in order (more perfect) before finding a new church. Well, this week God slapped me upside the head with the absurdity of that thought. I realized I was just being too proud and didn't want to go to a new church where I might be seen as sick or needy. Because of that, it was easier to hang onto our Simi church where everyone knew our story anway.

Everyone was cooperative about trying out a new church. We went to one called Gold Coast, which offers two services, one at 9:15 and one at 10:45 ---obviously we went to the later service. All the kids set their alarms and were up and getting ready by 9 a.m. They all responded to the idea in their own unique ways as they are also attached to our Simi church. Isaac said he'd like to go to Sunday school, but then decided it might be "too scarey!" Nate is wondering if church might be a good place to "find a girlfriend?" (For goodness sake's -- he's 11!) Molly was excited about meeting friends and joining a new youth group. She's such a social butterfly! And Cameron (Mr. Autistic and Change is Bad) said he accepts our decision to go to a closer church, but that when he's 18, he'll probably go back to our older church "Because I really like it."

The church service was nice. It's nondenominational, but seems to fit in with our beliefs. The pastor and people there were very friendly. The message was on "The Me I Want to Be," focusing on God's financial plan. The pastor used skittles as examples of God's blessings on us and everyone got a pack of skittles. The kids, of course, loved it. The junior/senior high groups (Nate, Molly, Cam's age) were on a retreat today -- so all the kids went into church with us. Next week they'll get to see what the children's programming is like! But it definitely felt good to worship again. I wasn't even going to share my sob story, but on the way out -- one of the elders stopped me to ask if he could pray for me. So, I told him I'm going through chemo, and now I have more prayer warriors in my army! You can never have too many...

After church and lunch, Bill layed down for a nap. I was afraid to, because I've just started to sleep at night again. And I didn't want to jinx myself! So, while Bill slept -- the kids and I did shrinky dinks! And you know, if you've already read my facebook --- I LOVE SHRINKY DINKS :-) I will never get too old to watch them curl and shrink up. I now know why the box says ages 7-97. Because if I live to be 97 or older, I'll still be playing with Shrinky Dinks!

After our shrinky dink fun, Molly, Nate, and Isaac, and I went to the park. I played basketball...around the world... with Nate. We were both surprised when I beat his little bootie! With a triple PICC line in my arm, I thought it was a pretty big accomplishment. Nate was a good sport, though -- he seemed just to be glad to spend some time with me. I don't get out much these day, that's for sure!

Bill picked up Molly and Isaac at the park to take them grocery shopping with him. Nate found some friends to play with. I went for a walk around the park and then headed home... where for some reason (Can you say steroid energy?), I felt the need to go into a major baking frenzy. For months, I've been wanting to bake but had no energy -- so today, I did and I made 2 types of muffins and pancakes.

When everyone arrived home, they were a bit startled to see me cooking, but happily gobbled up the "breakfast for dinner" idea along with either Root Beer floats or Purple Moo Cow drinks. I know, Bill makes much healthier things for dinner -- but I am fun when I get going. And at this point, I'm trying to make happy memories for the kids. I don't want them to remember a "sickly" mother whenever they think back on their childhood.

And we all put groceries away, and then I helped Cam with his geography homework. He's doing longitude and latitude. I can handle that even with a swollen brain. Yay, me:-) Only after doing all that, did I concede that perhaps I had overdone it a bit today. So, since then, I've been playing around on facebook and the internet, and generally giving my family (especially Bill -- who I can now torment on FB) a hard time!

Sadly, it's almost bedtime for the kids. The younger two go to bed at 9 p.m., and the older two go to bed at 10 p.m. on school nights. It's was a fun, typical day. I only have 2 more normal days left until I go back into "patient mode" on Wednesday with my new treatment plan. No worries, I still plan to kick lupus' butt :-)

Good Night All and God Bless!!!
Much Love,
Michele