Long time – no see! What started as taking a few days off when I was sick, turned into almost a whole month away! I’ve missed you! You can see I have been busy making some changes here! A BIG move to WordPress has been in the works and the site is now up and running. All my posts have been transferred – huge sigh of relief! There are a few things to work out, so please be patient (it’s a process!) But, I can’t tell you how happy I am with the new, clean look of the blog! What do you think?
I have been busy while away and can’t wait to share some of those projects with you! But, today is all about “grateful – thankful – blessed”. This past weekend was Josh and Sarah’s one year anniversary! I can’t even believe how fast that year flew by! And, that is a reminder that it’s been almost a year since my major spinal surgery last year on November 5. If you want to hear my story, you can find it HERE.
Basically, this time last year I was one bump away from being paralyzed from the waist down and after a six hour complicated surgery, I’m back to my normal self with just a few remaining effects from the tumor that was crushing my spinal cord. I still have pain from the surgery, but I’m working at strengthening those back muscles to help with that and trying to get more exercise into my busy schedule. I occasionally have some twinges of numbness here and there, but nothing to the extent of being completely numb from the waist down like I was last year at this time.
Looking back over the whole experience, I can see God’s hand over it all – it’s like that with God things! It was something that grew my faith, made me more bold about sharing my faith, and have a more balanced approach to life and what’s important!
To sum it up – I’m Grateful – Thankful – Blessed to be here to share my love of all things home! Thank you for being here – waiting for me to come back after a long break! Grateful for your prayers and sweet comments here! Blessed beyond measure!
Oh Doreen I’m so glad you are doing better and that the surgery was a success!
Thanks so much, Kelly!
Congrats Doreen! Moving to WP is a scary process I know. It looks great and a) I’m sorry you were sick and b) its good to see you back. 🙂 WP is a learning curve so don’t get frustrated. In a few months it will be second nature. xxoo, Barb
Oh my gosh, Barb! I feel like I need someone to hold my hand and figure this all out! Taking it one step at a time!!
What a great year for you to recover so well from your surgery. How is little Sadie doing?
Wishing only the best.
Sadie is all grown up, but just as sweet as ever!
Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!
I too am a Christian and so proud to be able to express my love for God.
God has a plan for us all and you are now able to spring forth and tell all about God.
I too have a bad back, just praying for some relief.
Have a blessed day
rosie
Dear Doreen, I was missing your beautiful “Hymns and verses”… and was so glad to see that you were back on my e-mail! I did not know about your surgery last year, but what a truly wonderful outcome! Blessings on your day … you are very gifted …. Love, Judy
SO HAPPY YOU’RE DOING WELL !!!!!!! LOVE HAVING YOU BACK……LOVE THE BLOG…..CONTINUED HEALTH AND BLESSINGS….. fondly……dee
Love the new look! Praise the Lord for a successful surgery and I love the sign. 🙂
lovely work here Blessings my friend
Love the new look!!
I love the look, Doreen! The script for Hymns and Verses at the top is beautiful! I know lots of hard work went into this. You are amazing!
Linda
So glad you are feeling better. Your blog looks amazing!! Love the new look!
Welcome to WordPress! I LOVE it and have never regretted moving over from blogger. Love the look you created here 🙂
To GOD be the glory. sharing life’s difficulties and trials minister to a lot of us because it shows how faithful He truly is. So thankful for women like you.
Doreen, I love your new clean look! I know it was stressful moving over to WP but you are gonna love it!
Blessings,
Jane
How EXCITING! Your website is lovely and I feel blessed when I visit you my friend xo
I’m not sure if I’ve forgotten or deleted posts because it has been one year since my husband’s stroke during vertebrae replacement surgery. At 53 and no clogged arteries nor high blood pressure nor anything, it was odd. Plus no dr nor nurses caught it until I got a ride many hours later ( I do have a brain injury) and I could tell he was blind and had the stroke. If they’d caught it in time he’d not be blind. Not have troubles. So young. Plus he’s had a rare cancer plus just started new treatment that’s working to keep rbcs round. Plus then he had a device implanted and it registered his heart stopped three times but restarted one day but months later a pacemaker was put in but done not right oh and he had a ruptured appendix right before the pacemaker—and now four months after pacemaker a second opinion and his cancer dr said it needs fixing and have a cardio thoracic surgeon do it. Oh and two weeks ago CA had rtwo mudslides but he can’t drive so he took a bus to LA and it was rerouted due to mudslides and he was part of the 200 vehicles suddenly caught when the entire side of mountain came down on them. The bus driver held the bus steady. He kept people calm as vehicles slammed into them from side and then head on. Big rigs slid by like toys. And though he’s hurting. His spirits grow week. He has me to help. He too sees the world differently. Pain has been there for fifteen years but nothing like this pacemaker. So we pray that another surgery–he’s had about six and there’s always complications!! We pray he can return to feeling well. Thinking well. Recovering. Oh Lord can he have his sight?? And we give thanks for our small home. And for a Savior says I have come that you might have peace. In this world you shall have many tribulations. But be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. John hmmm I forget 16?:33
And that verse hangs as our verse before it was THIS bad and we thought it was hard. But during the mudslide in CA on our mountain pass 58 my husband repeated this verse over and over. And we are sooo grateful. Thankful. Blessed. Lord You receive all our praise. Thank you and fit you too I pray complete healing.
Thank you for sharing all of your very cool ideas with us!! If I have to pick one thing I’m grateful for this year, is that I’ve had another one.. with my husband. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I’d have anything. Neither of us has family, or children, so were like each others support system. We’re coming up on #35, just a couple of years away, and I thank God everyday for giving me another. (He must have had a look see at my “to do ” list!!) There are so many things you all have shared with me, I want to make every one. Thank you all for sharing your ideas, tips, recipes, and may God’s blessing be upon you and your family this and every holiday season…and everyday of the year. Those are the most important, the everyday, in and out of routine. That’s what life is made of, if you can master that, you’ve got it. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!!!
sherry elston
Thanks so much for the post. I actually have a question about your wreath. Did you make it? And if so what materials did you use? Can you email me details?
Hi, Sarah! Yes, I did make the wreath. Here’s the tutorial – https://hymnsandverses.com/2015/10/real-oak-leaf-wreath.html
I loved this article! And your sign..where is it from??
Thanks so much! I made the sign and sell them in my Etsy shop. I will be listing a batch of them soon since Fall is fast approaching!
Love this wreath! So pretty!
Its good to hear you are doing good. Wish you all the best for your upcoming future.