Taking life for granted ...

A close friend of mine last night found out that her sister died unexpectedly. She was only 44 ... same age as me! Really makes you stop and think, to count your blessings! I am so thankful for the family n friends I have in my life, for the good health my husband and I both have, for our children and how wonderfully successful they each are in their own endeavors!

Have you counted your blessings yet today?!

Happy Halloween!
Lisa

times of opportunity ...

When do you know if an opportunity is presenting itself at the right time? When do you take the risk and move forward? Leaps of faith ... I need to be more intentional about them, I think!
Have a blessed day!
Lisa

Writing - the commitment!

Last night (Sunday, Oct. 3) I began sifting through all of my notes, brochures, pamphlets, booklets on acute myelogenous leukemia, the cancer that my friend Jane Byram has battled and beat!!! I am writing her story, which is remarkable! It's a wonder that she is here to tell about it.

AML according to Wikipedia, is "of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and its incidence increases with age. Although AML is a relatively rare disease, accounting for approximately 1.2% of cancer deaths in the United States,^[1] its incidence is expected to increase as the population ages."

For Jane, while there were a number of complications along the way, she did have a successful stemcell transplant and shares her story, personally, any time the opportunity arises. Last night as I began re-reading notes and coming up with additional questions, I got a fire in my belly that had not been there for awhile. I spent a good two hours working on it, and will try to devote at least that much time to it most days!

I'm anxious to get the remaining chapters written and will begin sending queries and sample chapters out to prospective publishers. Know any publishers who may have an interest in a motivational story about fighting cancer?

The book is formatted so that readers may simply read it as a story of hope and encouragement or use it as a learning tool in personal study or in a small group setting. Each chapter includes personal interviews and testimony, scriptural and motivational references, photographs and illustrations, as well as a set of topical questions/conversation starters to help facilitate meaningful thoughts/discussions and/or journaling opportunities.

I have three or four chapters basically completed. Pray as I begin editing, refining and adding chapters! 

If you have cancer-related stories about yourself or loved ones, please feel free to share with me for possible inclusion as real-life examples of how to or not to handle life/death as it relates to cancer and other serious illnesses. 

Blessings!

Lisa