October is the month of  PINK  everything to bring awareness to Breast Cancer research. I wanted to join in on that this month and I finally got around to changing up my blog design. I hope you like the new PINK look!! Please let me know if something isn't working correctly (links and what not) so I can fix them :-)

You'll notice I put in my header "in honor of Grama Lu" and I want to share a bit with you about her! Actually, I would like you to know about my other grandparents, too, as several of them died of cancer.  BUT, I really think of Grama Lu (who is really Mike's grama, btw) when I think of who I know that has been a survivor (two time breast cancer survivor) and so that is why I'm going pink to honor her.

 Mike conversing with Grama Lu summer 2007 

If you've been reading a while, you probably already know I love her very much! She is very special to me. I'm pretty sure she knows that but I make sure I tell her often. I know she needs to hear it. We all do every once in a while!

Back in the mid 80's -- before I knew her -- Grama was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through treatment and had a single mastectomy. My husbands family had just moved back to the states from Germany. It seems God worked his perfect timing in that situation. Doesn't He always?! Grama did not have any other cancer issues until 2000 when she was once more diagnosed with breast cancer. She again underwent treatment and had a second mastectomy. Everything seemed to be going well but last year around Thanksgiving, Grama had a "stroke" or something and ended up in the hospital. Further tests earlier this year proved that Grama does again indeed have cancer. This time it is behind her eye. Grama is not going to have any radiation or surgery this time. She's been ready to go home to heaven pretty much since 1995 when Grampa Hal died and I don't blame her for not wanting to put her body through treatments again. She IS a survivor, but the truth is we can only survive for so long before God calls us home. I've promised her that when I call her I won't be a "nag" about seeking treatment. However, I've also promised her I would be praying a great deal. I think she's fine with that as long as I don't pray for her to stay around here too much longer ;-)

I've been preparing my heart for Grama's departure since the beginning of this year. It finally seems like an event that will happen sooner rather than later. It will be an event that cuts deeply but over our conversations I've promised not to be too sad. I've got my dress bought for her funeral. It is black but has some small aqua blue polka dots that remind me of the color of her eyes and how pretty she always looked in those sorts of colors. I have thought often of what flowers we will purchase for her funeral bouquet and none of the ones I've purchased for her while she is alive seem to fit the mold of what would be appropriate for her. In the end, I think it just might be the largest wildflower bunch we can find without looking terribly gaudy :-) She has told me several times that she hopes there are gardens in heaven and that God will let her tend to them. I think there are and I think He will. At least, I hope so!

You know, I worry many times that people think I am acting on selfish reasons when I send grama flowers or call her so often. In some way I guess that could be right. But probably not for any reasons anyone might come up with. The truth of the matter is that I know how often I DIDN'T do those things with my grandparents on my mother and fathers side of the family. I miss them very much but I can't take back any of those moments that I should've called them or went to see them. They are lost forever. Grama Lu, for however much time is left, is the only grama I still have. I cherish that! I know what I've lost already and don't want to lose it again. There are memories still to be made, and stories still to be told, and lessons still to be taught, and learned. I will take it... every bit I can, as often as I can!!

Do you have a breast cancer survivor in your family? Why not go pink for them as well this month. Click here to become involved in Go Pink for October.

Sallie

Most everyone I know are old time readers of The Old Schoolhouse but I wanted to let any new readers I might have know about their fall promotion going on right now.

You can get two years of the magazine, 6 fabulous physical  gifts (all real products...not downloads!) worth over $120, plus the current issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine that is full of ideas for the new school year, so you start receiving your magazine in a flash!

It really is one of their best deals ever and you don't want to miss out. In fact, they've got a really cute Homeschooling with Heart tote bag (valued at $13.95...WOW) for the first 1000 to subscribe. About half of them are gone, but you should still be able to get one if you hurry! (They will remove the info from the subscription page when the bags are all gone.) The total value is over $212, but you receive it all for only $39 - 50% off of cover price! Plus subscribers get their online monthly Teacher's Toolbox which focuses on a different topic each month, giving you words of encouragement, hands-on teaching ideas, book recommendations, field trip ideas, and a bonus download item.

So, if you are interested in trying out their magazine for the first time, or your old subscription is running out, please consider hopping on over and subscribing. This makes a great Christmas gift for new homeschooling families you might know, too!! Just click on the banner to order now:

Sallie

 MANY people have been waiting for this site to come online for a very, very, VERY long time!

Behemoth.com is a new vision for Vision Forum and has been in the works for a while (at least a year that I know of!). It finally has made its online debut and I'm so glad to share a bit about it with you :-)

I'm sure you've heard of Napster and I-tunes and places like that. Right?! I mean, who hasn't? Well, Vision Forum got the vision a while ago about creating a download place like that for Christian music, sermons, movies, audio books and so forth. Now, they've launched that vision to the world and we all get to experience Behemoth!They even have FREEBIES!!!

Click on the graphic and go take a look. I'd love for ya to tell me what ya think about this new Christian venture :-)

BTW, no Train Up A Child Thursday this week.... I have a lot going on and didn't want to just throw something together. I really want those posts (all of my posts really but those have a special place in my heart) to have meaning and so would rather not do one at all than do a bad one. Thanks for understanding!!

Sallie

I LOVE writing!! I have not always thought I was good at it (and still don't many days) but I sat in a church prayer service about 12 years ago and heard God telling me to start writing down my thoughts and sharing them with others. I was terrified and literally told God that He was crazy. Have you ever had any of those back and forth conversations with God? I seem to have them often :-\

I started writing pretty much right away and began to share my devotions and mini-stories to people I could trust for honest (but not cruel) opinions. I began reading and studying on how I could get better at sharing my heart with people. It has been a long road and one filled with both ups and downs. Miracles and Struggling. I keep on keeping on and have learned that God takes anything He wants and makes something good out of it. That is what encourages me everyday.

God has been good in opening up opportunities for me and I am currently writing for three places, other than my blog and family website. I asked God to show me where I was supposed to be and He has been faithful to do so. I hope you will share with me what you think about my writing. I know there is always room for improvement and my purpose is that in everything I do it brings glory to God.

You can find me at:

The Heart of the Matter Online -- YEAH!! I am once again back writing at HOTM and have had several reviews up this past month. I have always enjoyed writing for this online homeschool magazine and pray that my articles have been an encouragement to those who read them. There are lots of things going on, including going to a print magazine so I hope you will keep up with the happenings over there. BTW, there is an awesome article up today written by Luke from Sonlight Blog. Check out his Desires of Our Heart post!

The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew -- I was so happy to get chosen to be one of the reviewers for this focus group! I don't know what products yet we will be reviewing but there is a LONG list of vendors and I can't wait!! There are also some opportunities for taking part in some new ebooks.. I'll keep ya updated if I am blessed with the chance to participate in those :-) I really love reviewing products and am interested in making a stay at home job out of this!! I love being able to try things out without buying them and sharing my REAL thoughts about the products. My name is in the pot at a few other places for reviews too but nothing firm yet. I trust God will make everything OK for where He wants me to be!!

SBCVoices -- SBCVoices is a directory of over 400 Southern Baptist Bloggers.  Tony Kummer heads up the work involved in maintaining this multi-faceted feed roll (divided by women, states, most SBC buzz, seminaries, and more!!) and he recently sought out people to write for the main blog itself. I was pleased to be accepted as a writer and to have a place to write more articles concerning my faith. I have a post up today and would love for you to check it out: Are You Self-Conscious in Worship? -- I'd really love your feedback and comments!! Thanks!!

Sallie

Technically, it was up yesterday :-) I just didn't have time to post about it.

The carnival is a great way to see in one spot what other homeschoolers are doing!! My post that I submitted is here and its one of my favorite posts. I break down a few verses in James "homeschool style" and talk about what it means when we are lured by our own desires. The whole carnival is over at the Corn and Oil blog this week and Susan has a whole 4-H theme going on. Go check it out!!

Sallie