Good morning! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend! Yesterday I spent the day enjoying the cool breezes and sunshine around the San Diego Harbor on a bike ride with my family. It was a gorgeous day, and we saw so many people out in their sailboats in the harbor enjoying the day like us. I treasure days like that when each and every one of our kids share the same feeling as us, and say, "That was a GOOD day!"
Well, I want to share new RAK with all of you today! I always enjoy giving things away because it really makes me happy to share these with you!
There's a full paper pack of Brenda Walton papers from K & Company, a Stampin' Up stamp set, a package of Making Memories double sided sticker letters (great for glitter and flocking), a vial of red glitter, an album cover set from Teresa Collins, some tags, rubons, die cut paper mats, and coordinating Prima flowers (plus a whole box of extra Prima flowers!).
I usually post my Frebbie Friday RAK's on the first Friday of the month, but there's a reason why this is early. I have to confess that the beginning of my weekend (which I usually consider begins on Friday evening when my husband steps into our home after work...LOL!) wasn't what I expected. Thankfully, with a few prayers and a change of perspective, I'm feeling a lot better!
Let me explain...and please forgive me if you think that some of this is TMI (too much information). :) I have shared on my blog that there has been quite a lot of changes that I've been working through this past month especially in regards to my
health. I've been working with my doctor to try and reduce and/or get off of my blood pressure
medications that I've been taking for over eight years (since our
youngest son's birth). Thankfully, since my last doctor's appointment on the 15th, I've
been
able to discontinue one of my prescriptions. I was taking two medicines
before I made many dietary and lifestyle changes
which have helped to greatly improve my blood pressure.
However, during the same visit, my doctor noticed a couple of lumps in my left
that were questionable. She asked whether they hurt at all, but I
hadn't even noticed any pain (I'm so bad...I hadn't done a self-exam in
months!). She said it was probably nothing to worry about, but she did
want me to go have a mammogram taken since I hadn't done so yet since I
turned 40 (yeah, she said she got me and said I couldn't get away with it again this year! LOL!)
Well, last Saturday (the 20th) I went to get the mammogram done.
Then, on Monday, the 22nd, I got a call from the radiologist requesting that I
come in again for more x-rays. I went in on Tuesday morning to have
them done, and was assured by the technician that it was common for
them to need additional images since it was my first set of mammograms.
However, last Friday I got a notice in the mail requesting that I come in again this week for more, and needless to say, I've been concerned about it
even more. So many things went through my mind, and I have
to confess that I have been more than worried.
However, I am thankful
to have such a supportive husband who has helped me keep from worrying
too much by reminding me of God's grace and mercy in the past. I know
that I need to hold fast to my faith in God
to get me through the troubling thoughts that come up now and then when
I think about this. Lord willing, it really isn't something to be
concerned about, but if it turns out to be more, then we will remember
to keep our trust in the Lord knowing that my life is always in His hands.
One of the thoughts I had was that maybe there was some mis-communication in the radiology department, and that the notice was a duplicate request for the second set of images that I already had taken last Tuesday. I called the radiology department on Friday evening to find out whether this may be the case, but all they could tell me was that I needed to call my doctor on Monday to find out whether she received the results and confirm whether I need to go have more x-rays taken. That information really didn't help me...sigh.
The funny thing about all this happening at that time was that I had already been praying about what I would do with my days this summer. We don't usually go on vacation during the summertime (we take them in the spring), and I had already felt that the Lord was asking me to spend more time on relationships...my relationship with Him, my husband, and our children...just appreciating and enjoying them. I had already decided to start packing my scrapbooking and card making supplies to have them put into storage at the scrap retreat house that morning. Then the notice came in the mail late that afternoon...what timing! :) If and when
the desire to create arises, I'll simply have to make a trip out to the retreat house on a weekend when it's not being used!
Anyway, after lots of support and encouragement from the family members and friends that I shared this with this past weekend, I felt so much better! The Lord truly knows who to send my way with the perfect words and Scriptures to remind me of His wonderful mercy and grace!
Stacey, the owner of Shimmerz, shared this particular verse with me, which happens to be a favorite of hers, and it brought tears to my eyes:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
There were even a couple of sermons on the radio that greatly encouraged me during moments when fear and doubt began to creep into my thoughts again. I had so much peace that I really did enjoy the weekend with my family! What a blessing!
Thank you for taking the time to read all this...now you know what I've been up to, and why I've decided to posted my RAK early (and called it a June RAK instead of July).
All I ask is that you post a comment on today's post and your name will be added to the drawing for the RAK. You will have until this Sunday, July 5th, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time to leave a comment. I will post the RAK winner on Monday, July 6th.
Have a great week, everyone! :)

Edited to add:
I just found out today that my name happens to be among the Top 20 for the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest! Whoooowee! What a wonderful blessing and honor! Funny how things happen, eh? LOL! ;-D
I suppose my paper crafting supplies will be out for another week for this event...LOL! Thanks to the Paper Crafts judges for the opportunity to create for just a little while longer (and perhaps get my mind off of having to wait another week for my results and to know whether I actually need another set of images taken since my doctor happens to be away on vacation this week! Eeek! :-D ).
First...congrats on being in the Gallery Idol top 20! Your card is lovely!
Second...how wonderful it is to read your words about a time in your life when you could be worrying like crazy but instead you give it to God. Having such a great attitude will rub off on your family and is inspiring to your readers. Keep it up, even if things get tough!