SCARS written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

As I slowly stirred the soup bubbling on the stove, I noticed Maddy, my 3 1/2 year old

granddaughter. She was very deep in thought....too deep for a small child. I could see the

anxiety on her precious little face,

as she rubbed her hand over the long, rough scar on her tummy......

 

The scar that is a constant reminder of the huge cancerous tumor that nearly took her

life when she was only 13 months old. She is too young to remember that horrifying

time in her life that was filled with pain and fear....

but she knows that her tummy doesn't look like other kid's tummies.

After a few moments she raised her shirt and looked at the jagged scar.

She then looked up at me and said,"Grandma, is my belly pretty??"

I nearly choked with emotion as I exclaimed,"Maddy, your belly is  BEAUTIFUL !!!"

Her face lit up as a big smile made her blue eyes dance ! Delighted, she ran into the

family room to check on her sleeping baby dolls.

Everything was suddenly perfect and right in her world again.

 

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I turned my attention back to the bubbling soup.

Maddy's scar IS beautiful !

A beautiful reminder of the miracle that saved her precious little life.

A beautiful reminder of God's awesome mercy.

A beautiful reminder of His answers to our desperate, pleading prayers.

A beautiful reminder to be thankful  every  day.

 

Jesus has scars too.....beautiful scars !

On His head...to remind us He is our Savior and King.

On His hands... to remind us of His love...

As He spread them wide to show us just how much.

On His feet...to remind us to walk with Him.

In His side...to remind us He is beside us always.

 

Beautiful scars.

 

Maddy's scar reminds us of the miracle that saved HER ...

Jesus' scars remind us of the miracle that saved US...

 

"Yes Maddy, Your belly is beautiful !!"

OVERWHELMED !!!!! by Donna (Ensign) Woods

HURRY!!...Get in the car.
Taking Madison to the E.R.
So much discomfort and pain,
Pray for no traffic or train.
Fever won't break...
How much can a baby take ?
Blood tests and x-rays...
Seem to take days !
My stomach...turning, churning...
As my mind is burning.
Feeling like I can't breathe
Praying God will answer and relieve.
Her tiny body swelling...
Waiting...waiting...no one's telling.
CAT scan reveals the news,
There are no choices in which to choose.
...Big tumor....must come out !
What is this Dr. talking about ????
She's only 14 months old...
Hanging on every word we're told
For an ambulance...there isn't time,
...They helicopter Life Line !!!
So weak I can't stand !
This was never planned !!
Waiting for Maddy...a surgery team...
This must be some horrible dream !!
Her fearful, pleading eyes...
Hearts breaking with her cries...
Reeling from shock, this can't be true
So desperate...nothing we can do !
I fall to the floor to pray...
"Please dear Lord, don't take her away !!"
Cry so hard and pray so much,
For our Savior's healing touch.

The Healing Prayer by Donna (Ensign) Woods - A Grandma

Thankyou for being the God of mercy and love,
And for the multitude of blessings you send from above.

The suffering of children, we don't understand,
But, we know all is in control, of your mighty hand.

Today, I humbly come, to kneel at the throne.
To intercede for Madison, your precious own.

A beautiful child, she's one of your best.
So, for her, I put the power of prayer to the test.

As I kneel and pray, I knock at your door.
May she feel your presence as never before.

May the Holy Spirit guide me, as I prayerfully intercede,
And I ask that you supply, for her every need.

Place your healing hands upon her, this very hour.
Bless each cell in her body, with your awesome power.

Let her feel your healing, flow through each vein.
I empower this prayer, by your Son's holy name.

Strengthen her body, to have victory in trial.
Bless her with joy, that makes her smile.

I can't understand why she must endure so much.
Please bless her, with your healing touch.

Send angels to guard her, both day and night,
And equip them well, to aid in her fight.

Shield her Lord, from this vicious attack.
Drive out the cancer, don't let it come back.

Your Word says, "ask and you shall receive...."
I'm asking Lord...and I do believe....

Restore her health...Oh Lord, I pray.
I ask for your blessings today.

Heal her Lord, in your awesome way,
In Jesus name, I constantly pray.

Amen

I challenge each and every one of you to pray this prayer for Maddy and Elijah
.....and every child you know that has been diagnosed with cancer.

Fear by Joyce Schafer

What are my fears?

Snakes—as a young girl I remember the chickens making lots of noise and going out to check on them. I also remember stepping on a snake (barefoot.)

Rats—as a young farm wife, I remember a feed room that every time I opened the door a rat would run across the floor. It got to be a routine. Open the door, watch the rat run across the floor, fill feed buckets, and pray that the rat had no friends.

Deer—as an older farm partner (notice how the name changed as my abilities grew,) I remember walking down a field road to get a grain truck only to have deer run out of the corn field. Let me tell you! Deer are really, really big and really, really fast when they are right in front of you.

Skunks—I have never personally encountered these but I have smelled dogs that have. I have no desire to smell like that ever in my lifetime.

These are some of my visible fears but my worse fears are those you cannot see:

Cancer—I have had cancer and have watched my sister and my mother die of cancer. I really fear going through this again or going through this with a loved one.

COPD and Asthma—Not being able to breathe is a big fear. Not being able to do what I want to do is also a big fear.

Accidents—I know the fear of a car going in circles on an icy road and another car backing into my car on a dry road (double fear since a small grandson was in the back seat.)

So how do I deal with these fears when my husband is running late, when the kids are driving on bad roads, the grandkids are sick or I’m waiting on biopsy results?A friend gave me this verse. Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”

I wish I could say I don’t worry and I don’t fear but I would be lying. I can say I do pray and I do believe that God will take care of my loved ones and me.