HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

*I wrote this last night, but had problems with uploading pictures

so it didn't get posted until today.*

Bright and early this morning before church, we headed to Bob Evan's for a Father's Day breakfast with (part of) my mom's family.

This was taken from one end of the table.

This was taken from the other.

 At church, my small group made cards for the fatherless - the orphans in Costa Rica and Ecuador.  Although these children may not have an earthly father, they do have a Heavenly Father who loves them more than they can imagine. 

We took a few pictures to send with our cards too.

After eating lunch at Sonny's BBQ (all dads ate for FREE - thanks Nana!), we spent the afternoon at my dad's with my brother and his family.  

(L to R: my husband Shawn, my brother Shane, my dad Max

There was a lot of cousin time too that included swimming, playing video games, and jumping rope. (L to R: Avery, Tanner, Sydney)

Faith Wrenn (above) and Lindsey (below)

I must say that Father's Day is a bit different now since my stepdad and my father-in-law have both passed away.  Don't take anything for granted.  Give your dad a hug or a phone call today!

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After we came home from my dad's house, my husband turned on the TV

and guess what was on...???

A nature show on etv about AFRICA!

Check out this gorgeous RAINBOW at Victoria Falls in South Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia & Zimbabwe.

ONLY GOD!

Loving MY HEAVENLY FATHER with all my heart & soul,

Nancy

Weekly Blessings

"...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."
~ Proverbs 24:12

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The blessings just keep coming.....

Last Friday, my dear friend Stephanie and her beautiful daughter brought us a delicious feast for dinner!  THANK YOU SO MUCH STEPHANIE!!!

Also on Friday, I got a call from Laura K., one of the moms at my MOPS table.  She wanted to bring us a meal too.  So on Saturday, she stopped by and brought us a pasta dish and all the ingredients to crockpot another meal!  WOW!  We will be having the crockpot dish tonight!  THANK YOU SO MUCH LAURA!!!

On Sunday, my husband came out of Sunday School with a plate of yummy muffins from Robin W.!  I've been eating them for breakfast all week.  I just ate the last one this morning.  THANK YOU SO MUCH ROBIN!!!

Also on Sunday, my friend Mendy gave me a special picture from her very special daughter.  THANK YOU MENDY!!!

On Tuesday, Angela P. brought us Chinese food & some delicious cupcakes she baked.  She made sure to get us lots of food so we could have leftovers.  Her plan worked too.  THANK YOU SO MUCH ANGELA!!!

On Thursday, Connie from Sunday School brought us a huge salad & fabulous spaghetti.  THANK YOU SO MUCH CONNIE!!!

Also this week, I received a special gift from my friend Julie in Georgia. THANK YOU JULIE!!!

And I got to have some "PJs and coffee" time with my friends Laura P. and Nancy B. 

God used my cancer and Laura's cancer to introduce us and make us all friends!  ONLY GOD!!!  HE IS AMAZING!!! 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways My ways,”
            declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are My ways higher than your ways
   and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Then Stephanie treated me and my husband to the play "Smoke on the Mountain" at the community theather.  Her daughter Kailee along with 2 other people from our church starred in it.  It was really good and very funny.  THANK YOU STEPHANIE!!!

Please know that my family and I are SO GRATEFUL for each and every one of you.  Your acts of kindness and your prayers are PRICELESS!  We Love You!

We also celebrated my daughter's birthday all week!  Faith turned the BIG 1-0!  Once you hit double digits, there is no turning back!

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,
Nancy

The Big Day

Today was a big day in the Swicegood household...

TANNER GOT BRACES!!!!! He did great!  It was only suppose to take about an hour & a half.  But, it ended up taking 3 hours!  His orthodontist said they put nearly every device possible in his mouth!  He is quite sore, poor thing.

He has to wear 3 rubberbands - 2 all the time and 1 at night only.  When the dental assistant was giving us instructions on where to put all of them, she said "the one he wears at night makes a RAINBOW."   Tanner and I just looked at each other and smiled.  What a special reminder of God's presence every night when Tanner puts the rubberband in!  ONLY GOD! 

*The orthodontist called tonight after dinner to check on Tanner too!  That speaks volumes to me.  So if you are looking for an orthodontist, I highly recommend Dr. Thomas & Dr. Leitner.  Great people.

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And I FINISHED RADIATION TODAY!  It was very emotional.  I am REALLY going to miss the radiation staff.  They did something very special for me too.  I can't wait to share that with you - when I can see straight!  I am drained.  Hopefully, I'll be able to share in the morning.  If not, I'll do it on Saturday.  I'll also share with you the special people God used to provide meals for us today!  Ohhh, we are SO blessed!  Good night.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,

Nancy

THANKFUL THURSDAY (& Friday, & Saturday, & Sunday, & Monday, & Tuesday, & Wednesday...)

I have been sharing with you the many, many thoughtful and delicious things people have blessed me with since I have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Due to the holidays, 4 family birthdays, and grieving the end of Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel (just kidding - mostly :), I have been a little slack.  So, I want to share some more with you now - better late than never, right?

 *Disclaimer:  I have taken pictures of everything so I can always remember how gracious God has been to me through YOU.  But, something has happened to the way my camera stores the pictures I take.  The pictures do not come up in chronological order when I view them.  I have tried to correct it, but haven't figured it out yet.  With that being said, I may have overlooked a picture or two.  That is the only reason your gift would not be included on the blog.  BUT I HAVE NOT OVERLOOKED YOU!!!  I have prayed for you and asked God to bless you for your kindness.

This one-of-a-kind bracelet was made by my friend Cindy.  It was the very first pink breast cancer item I received.  THANK YOU CINDY!  I wore it this weekend, and my friend Rene saw it from a distance and thought the ribbons were the Christian fish symbol.  Then she mentioned being fishers of men.  From now on, when I see the breast cancer ribbon, it will remind me to be a fisher of men!!!  Breast cancer is a HUGE ministry opportunity.  So many people with cancer are longing for HOPE.

My friend Shawna Lee actually gave me the shirt off her back out of her closet!  But not before she sent me this very encouraging e-mail after learning I had cancer... "Got up this morning and put my "Fight like a Girl" t-shirt on for you.  We will be praying, sweetie.  GOD is good, ALL the time!!"   She also made me the yellow bracelet.  THANK YOU!!!

One of the most amazing gifts you all have given me is your words of encouragement & prayers.  I have saved every single one of your encouraging e-mails so I can go back and read them any time I need to.  THANK YOU!!!

This book and a few others have been loaned to me by my friend Sally from church.  She is a breast cancer survivor herself and has answered lots of my questions.  THANK YOU SALLY!  You have really helped me.

These 2 gifts (above and below) are from my friend Susan.  When she gave me the "Facing Cancer" cards, she told me to be sure to pass it on when I was finished with it.  There are lots of cards with Scripture on one side and practical encouragement related to cancer on the back.  THANK YOU SUSAN!   **We really enjoy Olive Garden too! 

Also, THANK YOU TO THE LADIES AT MY MOPS TABLE for the Carraba's gift card.  It did not last long!  THANK YOU!

Check out my RAINBOW cup and the pretty bag it came in.  THANK YOU MENDY & SEAN!!!  I use this cup all the time and am reminded of God's presence and promises.  THANK YOU!

This creative gift came from my friend Faye at church.  All 7 of these things were wrapped, and she told me to open one a day for a week.  The reason: so I would know she was thinking of me and praying for me every day.  How thoughtful is that??!!!  THANK YOU FAYE!  *I almost bought a puzzle book for myself at the Dollar Store a few days before I received this one from Faye.  Isn't God amazing??!!!  He cares about everything in our lives, even a puzzle book!

Amen!!!  This is from my sister.  THANK YOU COLE for bringing me more joy!

Here are my friends Angela and Jeannine.  We had a DELICIOUS lunch together at Angela's house, along with lots of laughs.  Spending time with you guys was so much fun!  THANK YOU!!!  And THANK YOU JEANNINE for sending dinner home with me that night too!  And THANK YOU ANGELA in advance for the pedicure!!!

Joy & Hope - I got not 1 but 2 ornaments in the same gift box at our Tuesday Morning Bible Study ornament exchange.  Joy is "my thing" and Hope is "my friend Cindy's thing."  She wasn't able to come that morning, but she still got her ornament!  God is so awesome!!!

YUMMY! What a treat to come home and find this waiting for me along with an uplifting note from my friend Ruth!  THANK YOU RUTH from me AND my family!!!

This is another one of God's unexpected blessings.  I had been craving pears for several days.  I had a jar of home canned pears and couldn't wait to eat them.  I was so excited (I know, it doesn't take much!)  But when I opened the jar, the pears were bad, really bad.  Air had obviously gotten in.  I was sooo disappointed.  Then a day or 2 later, the doorbell rang and look what was delivered...... PEARS along with lots of other goodies!!!  This was from my friend Angie and her family!  THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!  This is how God works through one person to bless another.  WOW!!!   

I'd been wanting a candle that smelled like Christmas.  At Tanner's birthday party, my aunt Robin gave me this.  Guess what it smells like??!!!  CHRISTMAS!  That's my God!  THANK YOU ROBIN! 

Check out this necklace....it was a special surprise from my friend Jacona!!!  The word "LIFE" is imprinted around the tree too.  I love this necklace!  THANK YOU JACONA!!!  THANK YOU!!!

This is our youth group's name & symbol - gotta love the tree!  This weekend, our youth will be having their annual Disciple Now weekend.  About 2 weeks ago, we had a parents' meeting about this event where we completed paperwork and provided payment.  While I was there, my friend Gail looked at me and said she wanted to pay for Tanner.  What??!!!  She insisted.  I cried.  O-V-E-R-W-H-E-L-M-E-D.  THANK YOU GAIL!!!  More than you will ever know.  This is how God works through His children, for His children.  He is AMAZING!

This delicious meal was delivered today by my friend Tracy.  The plan was to freeze it for next week when I start radiation.  However, I started work today (I do bookkeeping during tax season) and was tired.  It's tough using your brain all day!  Anyway, I had planned a meal for dinner but soon discovered I was missing some ingredients. TRACY, YOU SAVED THE DAY!!  THANK YOU!!! WHAT A BLESSING!!!!

I can't thank you all enough - for everything!  You are absolutely wonderful!  I am asking God to blow your minds with His abundant blessings!  Watch out, because He will!

"At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me (with Epaphroditus.)  They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen."  Phil. 4:18-20
Loving HIM with all my heart & soul,
Nancy