Nattie Writes

I know people think I’m crazy. I have cancer, but I have oodles of things to be thankful for.
1. My mom is here doing all my laundry. lol
We joke that I got cancer so I wouldn’t have to do housework. It is all part of my evil plan. bwahahahaha
2. I’ve got great friends and family. Really. I can’t describe the outpouring of love and help I’ve gotten from them.
3. I have cute new fuzzy flip flops to wear around the house.
4. I have new pjs to wear post op.
5. I can move my laptop and sit in my comfy chair so I can be online a little longer.
6. My ipod. Last night I couldn’t sleep so I listened to an audio book.
7. Even though I can’t handle any “hardy” reading right now…I have oodles of “friends” (i.e. old books) that I can reread.
8. I am allowed to eat as much ice cream as I want. Never mind that I can only eat half a cup. I can eat ice cream whenever I want. The only time I was allowed to do that before was when I had my tonsils out.
9. When people come visit and ask what I want I can say, “Ice cream” and not feel guilty.
10. The most important thing of all is that God is by my side through this all. I don’t know how people handle tragedy without their Heavenly Father. I know I couldn’t and for this I am very thankful.

1. Checking my email at the library.
2. Listening to my ipod while checking my email at the library.
3. Looking out the window and seeing the beautiful spring sunshine and knowing that I’ll be walking home in it in about an hour.
4. Not getting a phone call from my son’s school…yet.
5. Stacks of books waiting for me at home.
6. Too many dishes in the sink (no, I don’t like dishes, but the dishes attest to the fact that despite my limited income my children are well fed).
7. Hope…sometimes it is blinding like the spring sunshine. Sometimes it is a gentle warmth that comes with kind words. Sometimes it washes over you like waves in the ocean and sometimes it just envelopes you slowly. Sometimes it is like water in a dry land, but it is there if you look for it.

This song bears repeating and humming…and singing at the top of your lungs while doing the glory dance….
Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- – -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

I’ve been pondering on why we as humans are never happy where we are. A few weeks a go, I wanted a real winter with snow and all that jazz. I’ve had it now and I’m over it. Now I want spring. Why can’t I live in the moment? And I know I’m not the only one who does this? Why can’t we be happy in the here and now?! Life is too fleeting to be wishing away today in search of tomorrow.
So I’m going to try to take a page from Paul’s book…
I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Phillipians 4:11-13
And all God’s children said…

1. Home grown cucumbers fresh from the garden with ranch dressing
2. Crystal light drunk from a wine glass
3. Doris Day and Rock Hudson movie marathons
4. Singing “undignified” at the top of your lungs
5. Stacks and stacks of unread books and a comfy chair to read them in
What are your simple pleasures?