"A Phone Call Can Change Your Life"

It is amazing what a simple phone call can do to change your life. I know with my past, there have been a few phone calls they have changed my family's outcome on how we view things, whether it was a good phone call or bad.

Today I waited for two separate phone calls from my family. I was waiting to hear from my mom about a doctor's appointment for my dad and I was also waiting to hear from Jenna about a situation with Hudson. My dad has been in a lot of pain and went to the doctor last week and things didn't turn out the way he had hoped. He went in for a complete bone scan then was told he needed to have blood work. They weren't sure if he could get into the doctor soon enough to go over the results because his doctor had moved and he had no doctor to see. After a few phone calls, they were able to get him scheduled today to see a different doctor (that in itself was a miracle). We weren't sure what the blood work or body scan showed and waited until 5:30pm today to receive the news. Everything checked out great for him and not to minimize his pain, they think he has a kidney stone. Never knew you could be grateful for a kidney stone, but today I think we were all rejoicing that this could be causing his pain.

Hudson fell off the couch today and hit his head and not long after, he threw up. Jenna called the doctor and they wanted to see him right away. After he was examined by Dr. Byrum, I received the phone call that he is fine and there is nothing to worry about.

I am thankful that I really wasn't worried about either phone call because I knew Who was in control and sovereign over this day. God may not always answer the way we want Him to, but I do know He listens to our prayers and He is seated on His throne and already had this day planned out. My hope continues to be in Jesus Christ and all He has already done for me and my family. I am so thankful that I can rest in Him. Psalms 33:21-22 "For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Tennis Reunion"

I was reunited today with some great tennis friends from 1999. My family moved to Bentonville in 1997 and soon after I began playing tennis. I joined a tennis team and the first year we played, in 1999, our team won state. We had fun at lunch today talking about the days that seem long ago. I feel we all look the same, minus my bald head, just seems like all of our kids grew up and are older looking now. It was such a blessing spending time together and there were others not there that I would have loved to have seen. God takes us all on different journeys in our lives and I am thankful for the season of my life to have great memories of these friends. Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."


Yolanda, Keely, Lisa, Myrna, Imelda, Anna, Me, Cathy

Pictures from 1999 below:

Lisa Frank, Me and Cathy Faber
Courtney, Yolanda, Me, Joan, Imelda, Linda , Ann, Myrna, Tina, Lisa, Keely, Jeff
Imelda (Love that smile)

On a huge side note; thankful for the blessing of rain today!!!

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Miracles in Aurora"

I went in today for my lab work and all my counts were close to being on target of being in the normal range. My chemo was 11 days ago and they always have me to go in around the 10th day after to make sure all my blood work is where it needs to be. I walked out of Highlands Oncology singing "To God be the glory, great things He has done." I am so thankful for all God is doing in my body and for the continued grace He has given me on this journey.

This morning I read in Psalms 10:16-18 "The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more." I highlighted in the margin of my bible Aurora, CO 2012

This afternoon Jordan sent me an email with this link below to read. Not sure how many have read this story but I felt it was worth posting on my blog to encourage us all of what a mighty God we serve and that He is still doing miracles today. If you woke up breathing, consider that a miracle. Highlight and right click the link below to open in a new tab:

http://bstrait.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/a-miracle-inside-the-the-aurora-shooting-one-victims-story/

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Jordan Tiffany Leigh Buettemeyer"

July 22nd, 1988 God blessed me with an angel who her dad and I named Jordan Tiffany Leigh Buettemeyer. I had my boy first just like I had hoped for and I was really wanting a little girl the second time around. I never had ultrasounds with either pregnancy so we had to wait until the day of to know what we were having. I arrived at the hospital early because my labor was so short with Bryan, I was thinking it would go quicker the second time. The doctor came in at 8:00am and broke my water and at 8:44am I heard the words "it's a girl" and my dream became reality. That day was the beginning of an amazing journey God had planned for giving me the blessing of a beautiful daughter. Jordan has always been a blessing to be around. I couldn't have asked for a better mother/daughter relationship than what we have had. We've always enjoyed being together and never tire of each others company. She is 24 today and we still love our time together. We live together, work together and hang out together. I know what we have isn't normal for most moms and daughters but it is our "normal". Jordan has always been a "pleaser". I can count on 2 fingers when our relationship has been a little off.

Jordan has committed her life to follow Jesus Christ and her insides match her outside beauty. She reaches out to others when others wouldn't give them a second chance. Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."


Love this little girl so much!!!
She's never been afraid of heights.
Preschool Days


She is such a cutie!!!!!


I am so thankful that God has allowed Jordan and I to be together during this season of my life. She could have been in Africa, another state or somewhere else in Arkansas but God kept us together. We've always been told how much we look a like. To me that is an honor because I don't see it, but I do see that my daughter is beautiful and I love that she is not ashamed of me.


Skydiving!!!



The beginning of a new journey together.

Jordan thank you for 24 amazing years! Thank you for being a daughter anyone would love to have but I am the one blessed to be called your mom. I couldn't be more proud of the young woman you have become and I look forward to seeing all God has in store for your future. I love you so much!!! Mom

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
You'll never know dear,
How much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away.



Happy Birthday!!!!

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Can I Make A Difference"

The tragedy that happened in Aurora, CO is something we would only expect to see in movies. Why is it okay to watch a movie about evil, but when it is reality it is devastating. I have no idea who this 24 year old young man is or what he could have been thinking. My prayer is for all the victim's families that no longer have their loved ones with them. The things in life we take for granted everyday like the freedom to go see a movie and not have to worry if someone will be there to end your life while you are there. I am reading a book right now called "Castaway Kid". It is about a man that was dropped off in an orphanage home at the age of 3 and how his life was affected by all those around him. How many times are we out in the world and don't even take a second to see the hurt of others or pretend we have no hurts ourselves. We have choices to make everyday, to wake up and live our lives for ourselves or for our Creator. This 24 year old that took so many lives was once a baby, toddler, teenager and now a young adult. Where did our society fail in someone reaching out to him along the way. How many youth come through our youth ministry that are starving for attention but no one notices because they are "different". I know sin began with Adam and Eve and we will always have sin and evil in our world until Christ returns but how can I as an individual do my part to help those that are hurting? How many people go through everyday life without a hug, a word of encouragement or just a simple smile from others. We are quick to judge the body piercings, tattoos, clothing issues or lack of, yet the bible says in Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged." I am so guilty of judging others and prideful to think my life is better, but it is all because of God's grace and goodness that I have been given the life I have.

Here is God's Golden Rule:
Matthew 7:12-14 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

There are many that think believing in God gets them into heaven but that is not the case. His word says the path that leads to destruction will have many going there, but the gate that leads to life are few. I want my life to draw others to Jesus Christ and to count for His glory. Since I have been diagnosed with cancer and have become bald, I cannot tell you how many strangers are so nice to me. Why do people have to go through suffering before we acknowledge their lives and reach out to them.
My diagnosis has caused me to see others in a different "light" and maybe I see others differently and I've become kinder. Whatever the case, I want to see others the way God sees them and treat them with kindness and not judge. You never know when a simple smile may be all that someone is needing for the day. I want to make a difference for the Kingdom!!

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Joplin Day #3"

This was our last day in Joplin. Very proud of our students and the work that was put in these past 3 days. Today was another day of spray painting fire hydrants for half of the team and clearing a lot for the rest of the group. Not sure how many kids have gone home with red, yellow and green spray paint on their bodies and on their clothes, but it was worth it to be able to help out in some small way. (Pray the paint comes out of the car seats, floor mats and other interior places). So thankful for the safe travels there each day and a big shout out to our adults that helped transport students. Richard Knipple was our bus driver along with Kristen Shepard, Melissa Withrow, Donna Brown, Fanya Scantling and Ginger Lawson driving vehicles.

Heather Wills, Kelsey Tompkins and Jordan (3 of my favorite girls!!)
Heather, Caitlin, Katrina, Kelsey, Danielle and Mary Claire

While the girls in my car were painting, a lady from City of Joplin stopped by to take their picture. She said she was the one in charge of this project and was proud to see our team out working.

Katrina, Caitlin, Lady from the city, Danielle, & Mary Claire

Loved having these girls for the past 2 days. I decided a break at McDonald's was a treat deserved!!
Katrina, Caitlin, Heather, Me, Danielle & Mary Claire

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

"Joplin Day #2"

What a blessing to wake up to another day of God's amazing grace. I am so thankful I have been allowed the chance to drive to Joplin with our youth group to serve the Joplin community again. We reported to AmeriCorps and received our assignments. One team went to help clean a man's farm that was devastated by the tornadoes and had no insurance to cover his loss. The other groups were sent out all over town to spray paint the tops of fire hydrants. We were each given maps that had the colors we were to paint the hydrants. I never knew different color hydrants represented the pressure amount. We have students from 7th through 12th grade participating and it's a blessing watching them serve others. When we arrived back to our youth building I had received a message on my blog from Jenny (someone from Joplin that I have never met) with this comment from yesterday's post: As a resident of Joplin I want to thank you so very much for coming to help in the clean up. While you may not feel like you did much by cleaning up those lots you have no idea how much you really did. It means so much to those of us who are residents in this town! We very very much appreciate your help. What a blessing you have been to us to come and help us clean up the mess that even after a year is still there. We have made great progress but it was a huge mess and it will take many years to completely clean up so thank you for coming for two summers to help us out! Thank you Jenny for lifting our spirits and for taking the time to encourage our group. Your message will be read to all the students in the morning.






Never knew it took this many to paint a fire hydrant!

Studio 412 Joplin Mission Team!!

A job well done by this group!

"Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."