Resting in Jesus' Lap

The second week of December I went in for my annual mammogram. I've never had any problems and as far as I know there is no history of breast cancer in my family but so many women are diagnosed every day, that I'm grateful my insurance pays for a yearly exam.

With the new digital imaging, there is no waiting until the x-rays are developed, so I'm usually in and out again in fifteen minutes. No change this year.

However, the next day I received a call from the Women's Health Care Clinic. The radiologist had seen something suspicious and wanted me to come back in for a different diagnostic mammogram. They had an opening the following day. This time I went in a little scared. So many women in our church had battled breast cancer, some several times. I prayed and tried not to worry.

After the second mammogram, I was asked to have a seat in the waiting room and the radiologist would talk to me about the results. The wait was very nerve wracking. I just kept praying and asking God to comfort me. Finally, I was called back to meet the radiologist. She smiled and then showed me some bright white spots on the screen image. She explained these were microcalcifications but she couldn't tell from the picture if they were benign or not. Her explanation is that irregular shaped spots or spots clustered in one area, such as mine, sometimes indicate cancer. She said she would need a biopsy to further assess the situation. I blinked back tears as I agreed.

Next I was asked to go back into the waiting room while they contacted my doctor to get the biopsy scheduled. Fear gripped me with tight fingers. I repeated the Lord's Prayer over and over and repeated Psalm 23 in my head. Then I began my conversation with the Lord. Isn't it wonderful that he can hear us when we are talking silently?

I told Him that I was afraid and that I could not handle this on my own. I knelt at his feet and asked him to take me on his lap and hold me. What a wonderful feeling! I felt His comforting touch and laid my head on his chest and let my worry go. I can't explain the abolute peace which overcame me as the fear washed away.

My biopsy was scheduled for a week later. During that time I didn't focus on the negative. I knew whatever happened God would be with me and all would be well. And it was. The results of the biopsy showed I have fibrocystic breasts and there is no cancer!

Resting in the arms of Jesus, I received the most wonderful Christmas present. In times of trouble He is always with me as well as in the good times.

My Husband Blooms

Bloom where you are planted is a cliché.


Anyone who hears the phrase gets a specific mental picture. I think of shining in your environment by being a beautiful blossom. The idea of an individual as a brilliant flower draws others to what is inside you as a person.

Others may think of standing out in your neighborhood, or doing an exemplary job in the workplace. As a believer, it’s the light of Christ that unfolds when talents are used in the body of believers.

I’ve seen that bloom unfold recently in the life of my husband. In September, Bill had a heart treatment called cardioversion, to shock the atrial fibrillation of his heart into an even rhythm. One electrical jolt set him into rhythm, but his pulse was only in the thirties. After several hours of the low heart beat, a surgeon came in and talked to us about pacemaker implantation. That took place October 25th. After we got home the next day, Dear Hubby said, “I feel like I’ve been kicked by a donkey.”

We went to the emergency room in the wee hours of November 7th because Bill had a multitude of symptoms. After seven heart tests with no conclusive results, we came home late the next afternoon.

Forty-eight hours at home, and Bill still didn’t feel well. The next day, the 11th, we were back in the surgeon’s office because of blood clots, and Bill was admitted into the hospital. The following week, he received injections in his stomach twice a day. I counted 26 jabs.

We couldn’t take a deep breath yet. Due to a high INR on December 1st, his anticoagulant dose was adjusted. Sunday the 5th, he woke up with swelling. We had the roughest 30 hours in the hospital yet.

Talk about blooming where you are planted, Bill was in full-blown blossom. During his hospitalizations, visits to the doctors, and to the infusion center for the shots, he did the Lord proud. Every chance he got, he smiled. He uplifted those treating him with optimism, and encouragement when they couldn’t get needles in. He gave all the credit to God whenever comments about his attitude were made.

I can’t help but think that prayers of the Saints had a hand in this scenario. We know we’ve been wrapped in a blanket of prayer. I felt as though I walked on a pillow of peace during what others may have called really dark days.

Prayer empowers believers to bloom where they are planted.

Bill could have these clots for as long as six months. That’s one month down, and five to go. As long as he keeps his focus on the One Who grants eternal life, I can’t help but think my dearest husband will continue to bloom, anywhere and everywhere.

Only God knows why we go through various trials. The purpose could very well be for someone whose life Bill’s experience has touched. And I am so thankful to be married to this beautiful blossom.

LoRee Peery

Make it a great Day

At the supermarket a few months ago, I accepted my meat from the young man at the deli counter and said, “Have a great day.” He grinned and said, “No, you make it a great day.”

 That thought hit me so hard that we made it our family theme. When my husband leaves for work or the boys go to school we say, “Make it a great day.”

 It’s a choice we all have to make each day. Am I going to smile, be positive, and make it a great day or am I going to let situations or people derail my happiness?

 The Lord wants us to be happy. Yes, we were sent here to be tried and tested, but I believe one of the things we need to learn through the trials is how to keep our smile intact even through the hard times.

Last year, I cut off three of my fingers in a lawnmower. Very dumb. Extremely gruesome. My sister couldn’t believe how upbeat I was in the emergency room. She thinks I have some kind of amazing attitude, but truly it was because I couldn’t stop thinking how grateful and very blessed I was. It wasn’t one of my three sons that got hurt. Sure, my hand looked funny and I had to learn to type again without my middle finger – the only one they couldn’t sew back on – but my babies were safe and healthy and every time I thought of that I would cry with gratitude.

So, that is my first tip for making it a great day – Thank the Lord for your blessings.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Whenever I feel depressed, picked on, frustrated with my situation, I go into my bedroom, drop to my knees and start saying thank you. After several minutes and a lengthy list of my many blessings I usually feel ready to reattach my smile and handle life’s demands.

Another thing I’ve found that can make it a great day is to serve others.

“When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.” President Lorenzo Snow

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” James Barrie

One last idea to help us make it a great day is to laugh. Life is so serious. Sometimes we just need to laugh and lighten it up a bit.

“The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

I want to testify to all of you that the Lord loves you and he wants you to be happy. In John 16:20, the Savior tells the disciples, “ . . . your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

I know this life is hard, my prayer for you is that you can rise above the sorrow, smile, serve and love and allow the Lord to turn your sorrow to joy.

Cami Checketts is the author of “The Broken Path” and “The Fourth of July.” Please refer to her website www.camichecketts.com and her blog http://fitmommas.blogster.com for more articles and information.