March 14, 2008
I would like to take this time to thank the many readers of the Crawford County POST for the words of encouragement. We have had so many calls, emails and personal expressions of appreciation for the articles that God places upon my heart to write for each issue of the POST. It has been such a blessing to me to pray for God's guidance and wisdom as I prepare to sit down a write my article. I never know from issue to issue what I am going to write...and then all of a sudden it comes to me through His leading. As long as God leads me I will have an article each time. And I trust that it will be such a blessing to you as it always is to me. Thank you once again, and may God continue to bless you and meet each and every need you may be facing in your lives.
Spring, it is coming!
As I am sitting here in the office and the sun shines down upon my desk I am reminded that Spring is a little over a week away. Or I should say according to the calendar it will be spring. As I look outside there are still piles of snow from our recent snow storm that we had over the weekend. I was so excited last week as I looked out the front window, I saw a robin. Not only did I see one robin, I counted 7 of them. Then God reminded me that, that was a sign that Spring wasn't far behind. Oh, how excited I got.
This winter has dragged on for so long. With the health issues that I have been facing, I long for the warmth of spring and fresh air God's wonderful time of renewal.
I look for this time as a renewal in my physical body. I look forward to the season changes more than I ever have before. Don't get me wrong, the seasons are all beautiful in there own way, but for me Spring is the most beautiful.
Have you ever been so frustrated at waiting for a fruitful time in your life that you said to the Lord, "When is the fruit-producing season ever going to start in my lift? I've worked, believed, and waited, but I am a little tired of waiting to see the fruit I long to see in my life. How long do I have to wait, Lord?"
Please be encouraged and stay on track and refuse to give up, because you're about to reach the greatest period of fruitfulness you've ever known. Before a fruit-producing tree reaches a time in its growth when it blossoms and bears fruit, first it sends it roots down deep into the earth where it can draw on a constant source of nourishment. Then as it continues to be nourished from below, it begins to send its limbs upward and outward.
During the life of that tree, it must endure the elements of every season—the heat, the cold, the sleet, the rain, and the snow—before it ever blossoms. Because those roots are deeply tapped into a continuous source of strength, nourishment, and energy, the tree is able to outlast all the seasons and eventually becomes a fruit-producing tree.
Psalm 1:3 uses the example of a tree to declare that when a person is rooted in God's Word, he is "...like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." If you are wondering how long it is going to take before your fruit-producing season finally arrives, don't get too discouraged! The bigger the tree, the great the need for that tree to send its roots down deep into the earth to draw nourishment and to give it a firm footing against the wind, the weather, and the elements of the different seasons. That continual nourishment will also protect the tree from pestilence that may try to attack it through the years.
The apostle Paul wrote in Col. 2:7: "Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Notice the word "rooted" in this verse. It comes from the Greek word rhizooe, which means to be firmly and deeply rooted, making the object fixed, steady, stable, and strong. This is the picture of a strong tree whose roots go down deep and reach its source of nourishment. The tree is also held securely in place by those roots, regardless of the weather or the environmental opposition that comes against it.
Now rather than you complaining that it's taking too long for your fruit-producing season to arrive, you need to thank God for this time in your life! Take this time to send your roots down deep and tap into the strength of God's Word and God's Spirit. If your roots are securely fixed in Jesus Christ, you will outlast every season, every foul climate, and every storm. Eventually you will enter into the finest fruit-producing season of your life, your ministry, your family, your health or your business.
You need to thank God that thins haven't happened faster in your life! Have you ever seen someone who reached success too quickly? That person usually loses his success just as quickly as he gained it because he didn't have the roots and the experience necessary to maintain the success he gained. When people achieve success too quickly, it often means they don't have roots, the depth, and the sure foundation to bear them up in the difficult times they will encounter as they go through the seasons of life. Take this time to work on your personal life, your mind, your thinking, your discipline, your finances, your weight, your relationships, and your behavior. While you are waiting for that fruit-producing season to come to pass in your life, use this time to put off
the old man and to put on the new man (Col. 3:9, 10). Spend this phase of your life wisely by renewing your mind to the Word of God and being certain your affections are set on things above, not on things of this earth. If you use your time wisely, there will be no wasted time in your life. But if you just sit around and complain that it's taking too long to get where you want to go, you will waste time. Sitting and complaining doesn't make anything happen faster—and it often further delays the manifestation of the answer you've been waiting for.
Refuse to belong to those who are grumpy and complaining all the time. Instead, look at this time in your life as a blessing sent from Heaven to help you get yourself rooted deeply in Jesus Christ! Then send your limbs upward and outward as you tap into the power of God. Eventually you'll begin to see blossoms budding in your life, signaling that you are about to enter your long-awaited season of bringing forth much fruit.
Why not let the approaching spring season be a time of renewing your life and letting new growth spring forth unto God. I am looking forward to my renewal and letting my branches spring forth upward to the many blessings that our Lord has prepared for my life. Spring time is an exciting time, look forward to it...and get out of the dul-drums of winter and renew your spirit.
May God's blessings be upon you and may He see you through your daily life with strength, wisdom and peace.
Until next time...God Bless,
Diane Foreman, Editor
Crawford County POST
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February 22, 2008
Don't lose your joy, things can't be that bad. I have noticed there are opportunities in life where you can get upset and loose your joy and peace.
There are so many things that can steal your joy—people, traffic, disappointments, your health. It is hard sometimes not to let the daily things in life get you down, but you have to decide whether you are going to overcome them or let them overcome you.
If you are going to live in victory you have to choose the right approach to life.
It is good to have plans, but submit your plans to God and decide in advance to stay in peace no matter what happens. In the scripture it says, "No man can take your joy." That means no person can make you unhappy. No circumstance can force you to get upset. It is totally up to you. You have control of how peaceful and happy you want to live. When those inconveniences come, when your plans don't work out or when somebody irritates you, you can decide, "I am not going to get upset. I am not going to lose my joy. I have the power to stay in peace." Jesus put it this way in John 14:27, "Stop allowing yourself to
be upset and disturbed."
Notice it's a decision you have to make. Decide today to keep your joy and peace.
Change your approach and believe that God is directing your steps. Believe that you are exactly where you're suppose to be. As you do, you'll keep your joy and you will experience God's blessing, and favor and live the life of victory He has in store!
A verse that I quote out loud daily is "...the joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10. If you were to look at that scripture and remove the phrase, "of the Lord," you would find what it's truly saying is this: Joy is strength. The two are interchangeable. Joy is not just a state of mind. It is not a fleeting emotion. Joy is a very real force, and the devil doesn't have anything that can stand up against it. Just as fear has to yield to faith, discouragement has to yield to joy.
All throughout my recovery, I have had to keep things from stealing my joy. I will be honest when I say my joy hasn't always been so full. I was talking to my mother-in-law the other day, and she told me that sometimes she sings children's church songs from years gone by. Then once I knew it, her and I were singing…
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart to stay
And I'm so happy
So very happy
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart (down in my heart)
And I'm so happy
So very happy
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart
I've got the peace that passes understanding down in the depths of my heart...
I've got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the depths of my soul...
Well, if the devil doesn't like it he can sit on a tack...
I remember that song from when I was a child and going to Sunday school and we would sing it. And now, I can sing it and it lifts up my joy and puts it back in my heart. If you are having trouble with your joy, try singing an uplifting song to our Lord. The childhood songs of Sunday school were really good at lifting you up as a child, why not let that child in your come out and bring your joy back. I did and it will work for you too! Whatever circumstances you may be facing, you can be full of joy. You can be strong in the Lord. You can draw on the supply of the Holy Spirit within you and come out on top.
God Bless you may God keep you in His care. Till next time.
Diane Foreman, Editor
Crawford County POST
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February 8, 2008
As I sit here and think about the holiday of love, Valentine's Day, I am reminded of the love that we experience daily in our lives. I am surrounded by so much love, you can't help but be happy. I am truly blessed with such a wonderful family. I am truly blessed with so much love that it just flows all through my house daily. I was raised in a home that gave love and received love. There was never a time that I didn't know that I was loved.
One thing that I always do daily, I make sure that my family knows that they are loved. Either by a phone call, an email, a little note...but they always know that they are loved. I am reminded of the love that our Father in Heaven has for us. I think of His love, and the sacrifice that He gave of His son for us. That is a love that is immeasurable. A love that none of us can or will ever have. Our Father loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son to die for our sins...what love.
When we didn't even love Him, He loved us. Without any form of reciprocation on our part, no response from us, He has loved us. You owed a debt you could not pay, and He paid a debt He did not owe. Not only did He pay your debt, He paid it by crucifying His Son. From God's perspective, each of us was and is worth His only Son. Think about that…He could have chosen to redeem you with a tree, a rock, a frog…but He chose His Son. Wow! None of us could ever clean up our act, improve our performance, or make ourselves acceptable to God. In Adam, we had more than a behavior problem, we had an identity problem. There wasn't just something wrong with my actions, there was something wrong with me. Did that stop God from loving us? But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)…For God so loved the world…(John 3:16)…and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 John 2:2)
The love of God is a unique, proprietary love. It is a love that has only One source…God Himself. We cannot find this kind of love (agape love) in anyone or anything but God. He is agape love. This is a love that seeks to sacrificially meet the greatest need of the other, regardless of the worth, performance, or responsiveness of the other.
Yes, God loved you and He still does love you, just as He loves me. God's love is never ending. His love was the same yesterday, today and forever. 1 John 4:16-18 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love 1 John 4:19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
The Word tells us that God dwells in us, so that means that His love is in us also; because God is love. You cannot separate the two.
The Bible is the manual for God's love, and when you follow the instructions that are in the Bible, you will be walking in God's love.
When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, you also received His agape love in you.
Remember that God is love, so you cannot make Jesus the Lord of your life without the love included. It is the same as faith, it is in you, but it cannot manifest until you act on it. The way to act on it is by reading God's Word about His love and the ways He shows His love, meditate on it, confess it and observe to do. Let His Word come alive in you. What I mean by this is to meditate until you can picture yourself doing what you have meditated on. Remember, you do it by faith. Call those things that are not as though they were. The more you meditate and see yourself walking in the agape love, the more it is stirred up on the inside of you.
If people have hurt you in the past, you are probably thinking, I can't love someone that hurt me so bad. You have to allow the Holy Spirit to show you and guide you, because it cannot be done by the human thinking. Your mind will give you all sorts of reasons why you should not. It takes a renewing of the mind. There will be times when your flesh does not want to walk in the God kind of love. You would probably rather do anything other than let love rule and obey what the Word says about love. It would be much easier to scream, shout or anything but act upon love.
Love is opposed to the senses, because the senses have been trained to put themselves and their desires first. They have been trained to selfishly seek their own way. But love, the Word says does not seek it's own way. To walk in love you must demand your flesh to be subject to the Word Learn to believe in love. It is the most powerful force in the universe. Walk in love by faith in the Word of God. Walking in love is walking in the Spirit. It is walking the way Jesus walked. Love never fails, nothing works without it and there can be no failure in it. When you live by love, you cannot fail.
It definitely takes faith to walk in love, because the natural man and his world are ruled by selfishness. He believes that if you do not look out for number one, who will. Selfishness shuts the door to the love of God. Practicing the agape love puts the Father in action on your behalf.
If you can see everyone through Jesus' eyes you have to love.
Show your family and friends the God kind of love. Everyone needs to know they are loved.
Have a very blessed Valentine's Day. Show love all throughout the year not only on Valentine's Day.
Till next time…
Be Blessed,
Diane :o)
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January 25, 2008
As the New Year approaches I look back on 2007 and think, "What imprint has this year left on my life?" I will be honest when I say that I am glad that 2007 is almost over. That the many things that happened this past year I can put further back in my mind and look to 2008 with a renewed hope of better things ahead.
I will be honest with you when I say that I am glad 2007 is almost over. The memories of the things that have happened will forever be embedded in my mind. The many difficulties that my family faced this past year I do not ever want to relive them ever again. God brought all of us through the many trials. And we triumphed over them. We could not have done it without God being at the center of everything we did, and every decision that we made. I have placed my total trust in Him for my life since my hospital stay. At times that has been difficult. When circumstances weigh heavy on your mind, and you wonder if things will ever get better. I have had to fully trust in God and what His word says over our situations.
God has always been faithful in every area of our lives. I found that I had to depend on God more than I ever have in my entire life. I will be honest with you when I say that at times it has been very difficult. But, each and every time I stumbled, God always picked me up, just like a father picks up a child when he falls, and brushes him off, and encourages him to keep going on. Our heavenly Father is with us each and every day of our lives. And at times I wondered, "Oh dear God where are you at?" He never left me, he was right by my side...I just needed to call upon Him.
As you go into this New Year go into it with a renewed hope for a wonderful, blessed New Year. One that is filled with everything wonderful thing that God has for you. Live your life to please Him. Live your life to make a difference in someones life. Look over your life to see that everything you do is pleasing to Him.
My prayer for you is for a blessed, happy, healthy, prosperous New Year. One filled with the love of family and friends. Make many wonderful happy memories this year. Forgive those who have hurt you. Visit those you haven't seen for a while. Write a letter to someone who you haven't talked to in a while. Encourage someone who is hurting. Make this the best New Year that you have ever had. But, most of all, make God the number one thing on your resolution list.
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and it was never intended for your life, then you need to.....LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you today.....LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back and see your
worth....LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... .. LET IT
GO!!!
If you are holding onto a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
.....LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding to some thoughts of evil and revenge....LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad temper or attitude.... .. LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better.....LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains.....LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level
in him......LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. ...LET
IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help
themselves.. ...LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed.... ... LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
yourself and God is saying take your hands off of it, then you need
to...... LET IT GO!!!
"Let the past be the past.....Forget all of that.....GOD is doing a new
thing!"..... .LET IT GO!!! (Isaiah43:19)
Have A Blessed Year!
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December 14, 2007
Coping With The Holiday's After A Loss
"I thought I was doing much better. The pain had subsided.- I could laugh again. I was beginning to spend time with fiends. My eating and sleeping patterns were back to normal. Then I had to face my first Thanksgiving without him. I felt the familiar effects of grief wash over me and it was just like the healing process had never even begun."
- Anonymous
Holidays. They can be the most joyous or the most painful days of the year. Holidays are especially difficult if a loved one has passed on. By planning ahead and dealing realistically with holiday expectations, you can deal with some of the holiday sadness and fill those days with peaceful satisfaction.
Accepting and admitting that your loss is going to require adjustment in your life is especially true around the holidays. Traditions may change, the amount of entertaining you feel like doing may be altered, and your celebration may be somewhat tempered: if you can accept and admit this, you are at a halfway point of being able to enjoy peaceful and relatively pain-free holidays.
Participating in current holiday activities instead of thinking about what used to be, is a good way to begin holiday healing. Actively plan what you want to do and what you do not want to do; this will prevent you from making decisions under pressure and allow you to say "no" if necessary. But don't say "no" to everything; be tentative in accepting invitations; offer your host/hostess an honest but brief explanation about how you've been feeling lately that some days are better than others since your loss - and that if you're feeling up to it, you'd love to attend. It's OK to establish new holiday traditions - a trip with the family, working in a shelter on the holiday, contributing to a favorite charity in lieu of buying gifts - allow your creativity to soar and facilitate your healing.
Preparing for the holidays and getting into the holiday spirit may be difficult; that's OK. If you're not ready to celebrate this year, don't. However, if you have small children, you'll need to discuss any holiday changes with them so that they don't feel punished or confused. They also suffer from a loss and a traditional family celebration might be good for them. If asked ahead of time, family members can help make the holiday as normal as possible even if you don't feel up to it. Christmas decorating may seem like more trouble than it's worth, but it will bring warmth into your home. Let your children, family, or friends help decorate your tree; they'll provide valuable companionship and help make the project a special event rather than a chore.
If you're alone for the holidays, take advantage of the time and pamper yourself Get a book you've wanted to read, write letters, treat yourself to a special meal, or call a friend who might also be alone. Being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely though - and you may enjoy the time to think and reflect. If you know in advance that you don't want to be by yourself, plan not to be. It may mean you call family or friends and suggest an activity, but it's a way for you to let them know you'd like to spend time with them. Fellowship with others often is the best medicine for a grieving heart.
The holidays use to be very difficult for me after the passing of my parents. My Dad has been gone for 16 years and my Mom has been gone for 12 years. At first the holidays were not enjoyable for me. I miss ed my parents a lot. They came to our house every Christmas and this became a tradition pretty much since Doug and I had gotten married. Now as I look back, I didn't realize that I was actually grieving more than I thought. Now, the holidays have gotten easier for me. I reflect on the wonderful memories that we all shared while they were here with us on this earth.
I remember a poem that someone anonymously left for my sister after our Mom passed away and this just touched my heart when I read it...I hope that it will touch you.
I'm Spending Christmas With Jesus This Year
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights like heavens stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear
for I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me I see the pain
inside your heart for I'm spending Christmas with Jesus this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor of the peace here in this place,
can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask Him to light your spirit as I tell Him of your love, so then pray
for one another as you lift your eyes above.
So please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing,
for I'm spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.
My prayer to you is that you have a wonderful Christmas. Remember you loved one. But, make new memories and cherish the ones you have of your loved one.
Doug, Myself and Krystal would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays...Merry Christmas! You will never hear me say anything but that. Celebrating the precious birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. If that offends you, I am sorry...Jesus is what Christmas is all about...Christ-mas! Christ meaning J-E-S-U-S!
God Bless,
Diane Foreman, Editor
Crawford County POST
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November 23, 2007
I think of this question every year during Thanksgiving. What am I thankful for? I could elaborate on the answer for a very long time. Thanksgiving is a time when family get together and enjoy each other, and partake of a delicious home cooked meal. As we relax after dinner, to a possible nap, we can reflect on the things we are most thankful for.
Something that our family does is as we sit down for our meal, a blessing over the food is given, and we take turns around the table telling everyone what we are thankful for. This is a wonderful time of reflection for our family. When it comes to my turn, well, let me put it this way, it is normally a tearful one. We started doing this a few years back. My sister came to dinner the one year, and she suggested that we all say what we are thankful for. Well, we have done it ever since.
You might consider trying this at your Thanksgiving meal this year. It will be a wonderful experience, and it will give everyone a chance to remember what they are thankful for. I cherish this each year. I am sure this thanksgiving our whole family will have so much more to be thankful for...of which I am sure I will be alittle bit more tearful this time. But, these will be memories that will be cherished throughout the years to come. My family is so very important to me, and I am so very thankful for their love, care, and compassion for me. They are the best.
Start a tradition of your own this Thanksgiving. If you children are young, this could carry through to when they have children and they do the same thing with them. The holidays are for family and friends. Make the holidays so special for them every year. If you know someone who may not have family to be with, invite them over and have them spend it with your family. The holiday's should not be spent alone. Our God would expect us to make someone's holiday special. If you know of a family that may not be able to experience a traditional thanksgiving dinner, give the gift of love to them by bringing a dinner to them so they can have dinner for their family. There are so many things you can do for those who may be less fortunate. Show God's love to them...let them know that God does love them and that someone does care. The blessing you will received from the smile on their face will give you more than you could ask for.
Here are some ways to express your thanks to God on Thanksgiving Day:
1 - A Thanksgiving Story:
Set aside a few moments on Thanksgiving Day to sit down and read a Thanksgiving story. You can read it alone or together with your family. Here are a few books to choose from:
* Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
* Thanksgiving, A Time to Remember
* An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving
* Thanksgiving: A Harvest Celebration
* The Story of Thanksgiving
2 - A Thanksgiving Poem or Prayer:
Take on the family project of writing a Thanksgiving poem or prayer together.
3 - A Thanksgiving Bible Verse:
Ask each family member to read a favorite Bible verse before the Thanksgiving meal.
4 - A Thanksgiving Memory:
During Thanksgiving dinner, ask each family member to share a favorite Thanksgiving memory.
5 - Thanksgiving Communion:
Plan a time of family Communion on Thanksgiving to give thanks by remembering Christ's life, death and resurrection.
6 - A Thanksgiving Blessing:
Invite a widow, single person or someone who is lonely to share in your family Thanksgiving meal.
7 - A Thanksgiving Day Parade or Play:
Put on your own Thanksgiving Day parade or "pilgrim play" with family, friends and neighbors.
8 - A Thanksgiving Offering:
Prepare a Thanksgiving offering to give to a needy family or one of your favorite charities.
9 - A Thanksgiving Adoption:
Adopt a family at Thanksgiving by providing their Thanksgiving meal groceries in advance.
10 - A Thanksgiving Football Game:
Plan a neighborhood football game for Thanksgiving weekend.
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November 9, 2007
As the Christmas holiday is approaching I am reminded of those who are in need. As the stores prepare for the Christmas season you begin to see the wish trees with tags for children in the area for things that they would like for Christmas.
Oh, the precious children with eyes of wonder and joy to wake up Christmas morning and see presents under the tree that maybe would not be there if someone hadn't given of themselves on Christmas.
Please give consideration to giving a gift to someone who is in need this holiday season. Make a child's dream come true. We want every child to experience the joy of Christmas every year. Many stores have these trees as you come in the door. Don't walk past the tree and think, oh I don't have time for that, or oh someone else will take care of it. Be a blessing to a child, take a tag and buy a gift. You will make their holiday very special.
So, many in our local community lost everything in the floods that ravaged the area. The Bucyrus Area Business Association has a toy drive to help the children of the flood victims. You can drop off new unwrapped toys at Bucyrus Area Business Association member locations: AAA, Altercare, Bucyrus Community Hospital, Bucyrus True Value, Carle's Bratwurst, Midwest Furniture, Mizick, Miller & Co., Norton's Flowers, Peacock Water, Telegraph Forum, WBCO/WQEL.
I am reminded of Christmases of the past. I was truly blessed as a child. My memories that I have of Christmas are some of my best memories. And sometimes money was tight, but we always had a wonderful Christmas. A time of being with family, showing love and celebrating the birth of Jesus.
As you see these wish trees in the stores, do as we are going to do, make a child's Christmas special. And you aren't limited to just picking one, you can buy multiple gifts. The blessing you will receive will be worth it all.
God's Blessings
to All of You,
Diane Foreman,
Editor
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October 26, 2007
I wasn't sure how or what I wanted to write when I sat down at my laptop to write my message, so I am just going to wing it instead of trying to think about what I want to write.
It feels really good to be back to work on the Crawford County POST. I have been out of the loop for almost a month now...and it was very strange for me. I am not used to sitting back and letting someone else do the work that I am suppose to be doing. And that is what happened with the last issue of the POST.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone who sent cards, emails, phone calls and flowers for the get well wishes, but most of all for the many, many prayers that went up for myself and my daughter Krystal. My daughter Krystal and I spent some time in the hospital recently. I had a heart catherization to insert a stent in a blocked artery and Krystal had to have her appendix taken out the day I got out of the hospital.
One never expects something like this to happen to them. After all I am only 44 years old, this shouldn't happen to me yet. But, all through this whole health crisis, God has been with me through all the ups and downs. I don't know where I would be without God's amazing healing power, His love and peace that He gave me and continues to give me. My family has been such a great help for me. Doug had to take care of me and Krystal as we were recuperating. Krystal was back to school after 4 days. Doug also took over all the duties of the POST and the Home Buyer as I was recuperating.
I couldn't have done this without my family. They were so wonderful and continue to be a constant support for me. They make sure that I have everything I need, that I eat the right things, that I get my exercise. I still have my ups and downs but Praise God that I am getting through this.
Something like this shocks you into reality. It makes you see things totally different than you did before. Each day becomes more important than the day before. Your love for your family becomes more deep, and you relationship with God becomes more passionate. I am a different person because of this.
Thank you my dear family for loving me and taking care of me with a love that no other can give. I am grateful for your love, your care and your compassion for me at this time. Thank you Doug for loving me, and kicking me in the butt when I was being big baby, thank you for your love, your care and for just being the best husband anyone could ever have, and being my best friend. Thank you Krystal for being my little angel, who would lay next to me in bed to make sure I was ok. To always be aware of my needs and checking on me as I recuperate. Thank you to my other angels Kathy & Mike for all of your love and care of me. Thank you for taking care of Krystal and our 5 furry kids when I was in the hospital. You guys are the greatest. Thanks Mike for coming out here to be with me so that I wasn't alone. I have the best family that there could ever be.
I also want to my Mother-in-Law Roxanne. Your words of encouragement, prayers and thoughts got me through some rough days. God has touched your life in a beautiful ways.
Oh, and I also want to thanks those who brought meals to us, helped with the Home Buyer and the POST. All the loving kindness that was displayed by so many made our recuperation much easier. God will richly bless your lives for your kindness that was displayed.
As I rap this up, I look upon my life and realize that I have a distinct purpose on this earth. I hope that I can make a difference in someone's life.
I apologize for the website not being updated. We are working on getting it set up so that I can work on it on my laptop. My family got me a laptop so that I can work in bed, on the couch or even outside on our papers. God has truly blessed my life and continues to bless us over flowing.
Thanks again!
Blessings,
Diane Foreman, Editor
Crawford County POST
Home Buyer