Hear the Authors of "90 Minutes in Heaven" LIVE tonight

Who hasn't wondered what happens after you die? Is heaven real? Is there life after death?

Don Piper is one man who had the chance to find out.

Several years ago Don's car was crushed by a truck on a narrow bridge in Texas. That horrific car accident left him in hopeless shape. Medical personnel at the scene pronounced him dead . A passing pastor was told it was useless to pray for Don, but he prayed anyway.

And guess what? God had a different plan for Rev. Piper. Don told his story in the best-selling book "90 Minutes in Heaven". God has used his experiences to bring hope and comfort to thousands of people all over the world. And this evening you can hear him LIVE for yourself.

Tonight on the online call-in show "Cec and Me," Don & co-author Cec Murphey will be talking about Don's experience, the book and taking calls with any comments and/or questions you may have.

If you are interested in life after death, near death experiences, heaven or just what happens after you die, please listen tonight to

http://toginet.com/shows/cecandme

Tues, Dec. 7 at 8 PM eastern, 7 PM central time.

This is an online program. You listen on your computer. Just click on the purple colored link shared above to get to the show. To listen, click on the box at the upper right that reads "LIVE ON AIR click here to listen" And be sure to call in with questions/comments.

If you miss the show on this Tuesday, you can still hear it any time by going to the show and clicking on the archives.

The Great American Smokeout

Today is the Great American Smokeout! This is the day that smokers are encouraged to quit smoking just for one day. I could be the start of a new life for you.

I come from a house of smokers. My mom, dad, sister and two brothers all smoked from the time they were teens. And except for one brother, they all quit, some more permanently than others, nevertheless they were able to stop smoking at least for a period of time.

I have to say I am very proud of the victories my family has had over cigarettes. They all quit cold-turkey, mostly because there were not as many aids or support systems in place when they quit as there are today.

After Dad died, we found a small black notebook in he used as a day-planner. In it we noticed a number printed in red at the top of each page. We could not figure out what it was until finally we came across a page that mentioned a number that corresponded with the number in red. It was the number of days he’d been without a cigarette. He never told anyone, just went about the business of quitting.

Dad made this decision after he’d recovered from having a mass removed from his throat. The doctor had been sure it was cancer, but it turned out to be benign. We were all so relieved. Dad had said before the surgery “If it’s cancer, I’m not gonna keep on smoking because it won't matter anyway. If it’s not cancer, than I’m gonna quit”. So, without making any big deal about it, Dad kept the promise he’d made to himself and quit smoking.

I wish I could end this story more cheerfully. Dad did enjoy many more smoke-free years, at least 20. But in 2003 another mass was found in his esophagus. This cancer was much larger and found much later. It was so large anything Dad ate had to fit through the size of a small soda straw, mostly soups and other liquids. It was painful and frustrating. No one would choose to die this way. Did it begin years ago when Dad was still smoking? We'll never know for sure. But I am sure that quitting gave him many years of easier breathing and better health than he would've had if he'd kept smoking. And it gave us many more years to enjoy him, too.

So if you are a smoker, how about giving it a try? You know, just take the day off from smoking. It’ll be a gift to those who love you, but most of all, it will be your gift to yourself.

If you’re not a smoker, why not pledge to help someone quit? It’s a long, hard road and your support could be the thing that gives someone the courage to go one more day with out that smoke.

For more information and help about quitting, visit http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index

Hope you give quitting a try today. Praying you make it last forever.

10 Ways Not to Encourage Cancer Patients

Our guest blogger today is Yvonne Ortega. Yvonne shares some great reminders for friends and loved ones with a touch of humor any cancer survivor can identify with and appreciate. Thanks so much Yvonne!

10 Ways Not to Encourage Cancer Patients

Point out they shouldn’t be scared, angry or depressed, because they are Christians and that would ruin their testimony.

Suggest they have cancer because of the stress in their lives. You may not be a doctor, but you just know.

Remind them that lack of forgiveness causes cancer, and they need to forgive somebody.

Explain they probably got cancer because they didn’t eat right, and from now on they need to take responsibility for what they eat.

Make sure you tell them about your aunt, cousin, grandma, friend or neighbor who had cancer and died.

Mention the horror stories you’ve heard about chemotherapy.

Don’t forget to inform them about the friend you know whose skin burned because of radiation.

Visit them as soon as they return from the hospital and keep talking to them even when their eyes are at half-mast.

Tell them to call you if they need anything. They probably won’t call you, but you’re off the hook, like your telephone.

Insist that they must be strong because it could be worse.

Copyright © October 28, 2010 by Yvonne Ortega

Breast cancer affects everyone it touches, whether firsthand or through the life of a loved one. Counselor and teacher Yvonne Ortega discovered this when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began her journey. In Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer, she shares with readers her personal triumphs and setbacks with humor and refreshing candor, always reminding us of God's desire to meet us exactly where we are. In this repackaged book, sixty devotions are divided into sections--diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and recovery--each incorporating Scripture into daily life. It also includes a new chapter on living with the possibility that cancer may return. Ortega's attention to even the most basic hopes and fears that a cancer patient faces each day offers encouragement that can come only from one who has been there herself.

Pink Glove Dance

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (Portland, Oregon) employees put together this video to generate breast cancer awareness throughout their hospital system and hope it inspires others to join in the cause

Cancer After a New Heart

Thanks to Cindy Scinto for today's post. Cindy's incredible story has been published in her book "A Heart Like Mine".

From Cindy's website:

"I am passionate and intent on sharing my story of perseverance and how God has sustained my family and I during many years of turmoil and tragedy. Regardless of what comes my way, I am happy to be alive and trust that God will be with me every step of every hurdle. "

Thank you Cindy for sharing a small part of your story with us today.

Cancer After a New Heart

My body curled into a tight ball on the bunched up hospital sheets. They smelled like the sheets in a cheap hotel room; pungent bleach mixed with sanitizer. The chemotherapy treatment was done when the last drop of poison dripped into long tubing connected to the intrusive catheter in my chest. The second hand on the clocked ticked towards 1:00 pm. After four hours, the morning treatment was complete.

But the evening treatment would begin at 5:00 pm. Right when I started feeling like I might survive, the next bottle of rusty colored medicine would hang and begin dripping for hours of infiltration into my blood stream.

“It’s like pouring gasoline into your veins,” Dr. Nogle stated after a nurse rushed to rinse her hands at the sink. A few drops of chemo had splattered on top of her left hand and immediately singed her skin, leaving red blisters behind. I witnessed the burn. That’s going into my veins. How can they do this? Isn’t it burning me up inside?

Four months prior, I survived a dangerous heart transplant resulting from countless heart attacks, 30 angioplasties, an experimental thoracotomy, double bypass, open heart surgery, and dying twice in the ER. All this occurred like an ambush on my health in less than three years with no plausible reason for heart disease. The donor heart I received came a day after Dr. Nogle told me there was no hope. But this heart only became available because no other surgeon wanted to risk transplanting it. It needed extensive repair and came with a viral type cancer.

The cancer manifested four months later and after conventional chemo failed, a stronger, more lethal one had to be used. The doctors in my home town hospital exclaimed how that hadn’t used it in 20 years and it took that patient a year to recover from three weeks of treatment. I would have to endure 60 days of two treatments a day, seven days a week in an isolation room at the hospital. When I was released, a regimen of six months, everyday of the week, with home nursing care continued.

I lost most of my hair. Early on I prayed, “Lord, please don’t let me lose all my hair and be a pudgy Italian with a turban.” He extended grace to me. >smile<>

But I survived and recovered well. I kept my sense of humor and my hair grew back as curly and thick as it was before. Today, I do everything I can to avoid a recurrence. The virus that brought on this cancerous malignancy is permanent.

I am grateful for Cec’s book, When Someone You Love Has Cancer. I wish the people around me had read it when I was in need of care. He writes about the absolute needs instead of the perceived needs people conjure up. It’s like tradition to make meals or send flowers. When those gifts arrive for someone and their family suffering with cancer, their hearts sigh with disappointment. Read Cec’s book. He offers the practical gifts of true ministering when someone you know has cancer.

Has cancer attacked your life? Then keep your attitude on “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

By Cindy Valenti-Scinto, author, A Heart Like Mine, Finding God’s Will for Your Life, book one of the Heart Like Mine Trilogy, with book two, A Heart Like Yours, Understanding God’s Will for Your Life, to release later in 2011.

Online:

http://www.aheartlikemine.com/
http://www.cindyscinto.com/
http://cindyscinto.blogspot.com/

Find Cindy’s book at: https://www.winepressbooks.com/product.asp?pid=2751&search=a+heart+like+mine&select=Keywords&ss=1

Also available as an e-book compatible with all e-book readers.

"When Pink Is Just A Color Again" - Kal Hourd, for Breast Cancer Awareness

Remembering those who've lost the fight and those who won't give up the fight. And those who love them.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Did you know that September 13 is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day?

Today's post comes from www.candlelighters.org. Please click on the link at the bottom of the post to read the entire proclamation.


"Senate Passes Allard-Clinton 'National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day' Resolution
May 23, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C.– September 13, 2008 will now be recognized as "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" as a result of a Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

"Never before in history has the dream of eliminating childhood cancer been so attainable, yet seemed so elusive," said Senator Allard. "We live in a nation where the effectiveness of treatments and technology offer hope to children who dream of a bright future. Each case of childhood cancer is a very personal tragedy that can strike any family with children, at anytime, anywhere. In setting aside September 13th to recognize this battle on cancer, we continue of our efforts to draw attention to the victims of childhood cancer and the great work of the families and organizations who continue the fight."

"We have made tremendous strides in the fight against childhood cancer, but far too many children still suffer and lose their lives to this illness. The more we know as a nation the better able we will be to prevent and treat the disease and help those who are battling and surviving pediatric cancers. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day is an opportunity to reach out to all Americans with the facts about childhood cancer, and this day will be an important symbol of our commitment on all days to find a cure," said Senator Clinton.

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer and the second overall leading cause of death of children in the United States. More than 10,000 children under the age of 15 in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually."
http://www.candlelighters.org/Awareness/ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth.aspx

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

As the 1950's daughter of a mom who took DES this type cancer holds a special interest to me. "DES (Diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed between 1938 and 1971 to help women with certain complications of pregnancy. DES has been linked to clear cell adenocarcinoma, an uncommon cancer of the vagina or cervix, in daughters of women who used DES during pregnancy."*
I've been tested somewhat extensively since the 80's and so far nothing has turned up. But it is important for all women to know about their risks, what the signs are and what can help prevent these cancers specific to our gender.

"Gynecologic Cancer is cancer of the female reproductive system, which includes cervical cancer, endometrial/uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and peritoneal cancer. In the last two decades, considerable gains have been made in the detection and treatment of these cancers. When detected in early stages, most gynecologic cancers have a good cure rate.

What you can do…

See your health care provider for a pelvic exam and Pap smear annually.

Use condoms to reduce the risk of all sexually transmitted diseases.

See your health care provider if you experience any vaginal bleeding between periods or postmenopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse, unusual abdominal bloating or changes in bladder or bowel function.

Quit smoking.

Maintain a healthy body weight.

Discuss your cancer risk factors and family history with your health care provider."

From http://www.cpmc.org/services/women/health/Gyn-cancers.html

And a couple more suggestions from me:

Watch this short, well-done video to become more informed about the dangers of gynecological cancer.

Share this information with a woman you love.

http://www.cancervideo.tv/video/K72MY6UKO16O/Gynecologic-Cancer

* Parker Waichman Alonso

Mourning Coffee

Thanks to our guest blogger Donna Smythe Teti, for today's moving post.

“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and those crushed in spirit he saves.”
34:19 the New American Bible

Mourning Coffee

“Hi Donna, let’s meet at the park for coffee.” My twin sister Sue called over the phone. “I will pick up some coffee along the way.” Or “Hey Sue, do you want to meet at the bookstore and grab a coffee?” I’d call and ask her after we put our kids on their school buses at opposite ends of the same town.

We spent many a morning with a coffee in hand and some great conversation. We fell over each other’s words as we chatted about our kids, husbands, our faith and how to solve all the world problems. We gave each other piece of mind, comfort and encouragement as we worried about all the things moms worry about.

But suddenly at the age of forty my dear twin sister had a massive stroke. In three days she was gone. With great pain and great faith I let her go.

My faith carried me for a while but as the days passed naturally I missed my sister more and more. I missed our daily conversations and the comfort and insight that she gave me on life. Without her words of wisdom my faith began to waiver. I think faith is easy until one has to really believe in it.

Each morning after the kids went to school I sat in my family room, drank my coffee and “talked” to my sister in Heaven. I told her how much I missed her and how scared I was. “How am I going to get through this grief Suzy?” I shouted out loud one morning to her as I sipped from a steaming hot cup of coffee. It was then I felt a message touch my heart. Jesus is here too. Sue seemed to say.

Wow! In my grief and anger towards God I had forgotten that! So I poured a fresh cup of coffee, sat down in my family room and thought about Jesus. I shut my eyes and tried to picture Him there in my home chatting with me over coffee…just as Sue and I had done so many times. What would I say? What would He say?

I offer to you whose hearts are broken, the poem I wrote about that visit with Jesus.

Warmest Blessings,

Donna Teti

Having Coffee with Jesus

Each morning as I awake
Sadness floods my heart again
So I pour a cup of coffee and pray
My heart will start to mend

On this particular morning
As my grief began to soar
I went to get the paper
And found Jesus at my door

As He entered through the doorway
Sunlight covered every wall
When He smiled and looked me in the eyes
He stirred my very soul

He thought that I could use a friend
Who knew sorrow and knew pain
He saw that I was grieving
And that is why He came

Jesus knew that I was hurting
And feeling life was quite unfair
And He knew I spent each morning
With good coffee and good prayer

Jesus wanted me to know
In that early morning hour
He was there to share with me
His gentle healing power

He felt that it was important for me
To see Him face to face
Sometimes we need to be engulfed
In a strong and warm embrace

As He wrapped His hug around me
His love through me did flow
Then He asked to sit with me awhile
And have a cup of Joe.

As I poured His cup of coffee
I had so much on my mind
Yet He knew what I was thinking
And He answered, she is fine

He told me she is here with me
Each morning while in prayer
She continues to love and care for me
Each day throughout the year

He tried to answer questions
Though the mysteries could not be told
But He asked that I just trust in Him
For someday they would unfold

As we sat and drank our coffee
I stared on in disbelief
That Jesus would actually come to me
And help me through this grief

Jesus said He enjoys these mornings
When I sit with Him and pray
Even though I can not see Him
He too is with me every day

As Jesus drank His coffee
I spoke of sorrow, loss and pain
He did not speak but His Presence there
Was healing just the same

He understood my emotions
As He wiped my tears away
He confirmed with a sympathetic smile
These feelings were OK

I said I feared my broken heart
Would never heal completely
Because the loss I felt inside
Was in my soul so deeply

Jesus agreed the pain would subside
But never quite go away
So He would surround that pain with love
As I met with Him each day

He said that when He walked the Earth
He turned to His Father in prayer
It got Him through each moment
When His life seemed quite unfair

He encouraged me with compassion
To look for joy between the tears
There are many Blessings in my life
That will make for happy years

Jesus eyes lit up as He reminded me
Our lives will go well beyond
As He described the joy in Heaven
When all heartache will be gone

Jesus said that He would carry me
Through this aching and this loss
As His Father in Heaven had done for Him
The day He met His cross

He said this is why it is such a gift
Just talking with Him each day
It enables Him to comfort me
As I sit with Him and pray

When Jesus left my house that morning
I knew His Spirit was still there
So I refilled my cup of coffee
And continued on in prayer

Copyright © 2006 by Donna Teti


Donna Teti has been published in both Guideposts Magazine and Cecil Murphey’s Christmas Miracles. She is also a 2008 winner of the Guideposts Writer's Workshop Contest. Her story Balloons of Hope has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Book of Miracles available in stores September 21, 2010.

http://www.donnateti.com/

Fighting Cance With Humor?

In our family, humor was our first and best defense in any kind of trouble. My mom once tried to light our oven after she'd left the gas on too long. A few minutes later I heard a commotion in the kitchen and the acrid smell of smoke came drifting into the bedroom. Walking into the kitchen I could see mom sitting on the back porch steps.

"Mom", I said, "Something's burning!"

"It's me," she replied, "I just burned off my eyebrows!"

At that point we both started laughing. Of course Mom wasn't badly hurt, just her pride, but I share this story to introduce a link to an article I read last week and wanted to share in this space.

This link is to an article that doesn't have a lot of new information. But if you need a lift for the day, this might be just the article for you.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5015714_fight-cancer-humor.html

With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman

Today's post is a song of comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one. May Stephen's words bring you comfort and grace and reminding you of the hope of heaven to come.

Music and Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman
Speechless, 1999, Sparrow Records
No copyright infringement intended

Based on 1 Thess. 4:13-14 and Heb. 6:9, 10:23


This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreamsAnd now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine youWhere you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're homeAnd now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

We wait with hope

Support for the tremendous stress of caregivers

"People who are taking care of a family member with lung cancer need support for the entire time that their loved one is terminally ill because they encounter tremendous stress during the dying process, a new study has found."

Read more about this new study by Scott A. Murray, of the University of Edinburgh reported on Yahoo news. Click on the link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100612/hl_hsn/familycaregiversshareexperiencesofdyingpatients

Top 50 Cancer Survival Inspiration Blogs

I recently found a great post on the link below. I hope you will find it useful, inspiring and a great way to connect with others struggling with the issues cancer brings to our lives.

"Top 50 Cancer Survival Inspiration Blogs
Once diagnosed with cancer, patients can feel isolated and alone, even from those closest to them. Using the internet as a tool, now they can reach out to anyone, anywhere in the world who wants to share their experience with this devastating disease. They can research, ask questions, post their own story, or they can simply read the stories of those who have been where they are going. From breast cancer to leukemia, these 50 sites cover a variety of subjects."

http://http//radiologytechnicianschools.net/top-50-cancer-survival-inspiration-blogs/

Eating Whataburgers in the Car

Yesterday I sat in my car in Target's parking lot, eating a hamburger and thinking wistfully about my dad.

Dad died April 1, 2004 of esophageal cancer. I was down in Texas taking care of him back then. In the months preceding his death, a tumor in his esophagus left him unable to swallow anything that could not fit through a straw. This made eating quite a challenge. If that wasn’t bad enough, Dad also suffered from dementia (possibly from cancer in his brain) so he really didn’t understand or remember that he had to be very careful about what he ate.

Consequently, anytime we were eating together we'd eat only liquids or something super soft that could fit down his obstructed esophagus. His favorite, his “comfort food”, was Milk Toast, which if you’re not an "old timer" from Texas you may think that is just a term used to describe a wimp. Milk Toast is hot milk poured over buttery toast, and really not too bad, but it's not getting featured on the Food Channel anytime soon, either. Most of the time it was the Jell-O and soup which was fine for both of us. Plus it was a good reminder to me of what Dad was going through, of how much he'd lost to not be able to even eat normally.

Occasionally though, I'd get really hungry for some "chewable" food and sneak off to get a "Whataburger". The first time I did it, I sat in the restaurant and ate. When I walked into the house an hour later Dad asked me where the hamburgers were. He could smell them from my clothes and figured I brought take-out.

After that, whenever I would get the burger buzz, I'd use the drive-thru, park a block or so away from home and eat in the car. After I finished, I'd bury the trash outside under what was already in the can and leave the car windows open to make sure there was no burger aroma to give me away.

It was one of those sad/funny/guilt inducing things that you do when someone you love has cancer and you're the primary caregiver. As I sat in the car back then, I'd feel silly and guilty, with my heart aching because of Dad's illness.

The worst was probably dealing with the dementia. Dad couldn't remember why he couldn't eat or what the problem was. It was a constant struggle, but we were blessed with a strong and loving relationship of trust in each other and God got us through that oh, so difficult time. As hard as it was, it was also one of the greatest blessing of my life to be able to give back to my father just a fraction of the loving care he'd always given to me.

Today my dad is in heaven, healed, and eating heavenly hamburgers every day I suspect.

I'd like to ask you a favor. If your dad is still here, please give him a big hug or send him a loving e-mail for me today.

When Someone You Love Has Cancer Trailer

New York Times bestselling coauthor of 90 Minutes in Heaven Cecil Murphey knows what it means to walk the journey of cancer with someone he loves. As a pastor, he counseled and comforted many. But when his wife was told she had cancer, being a caregiver and encourager took on a new and personal meaning.

If someone you love has cancer, or if you know of a caregiver who needs a bit of comfort, let these simple words from someone who's been there ease your heart and give you spirit-lifting thoughts for celebrating the gift of life in the midst of troubles.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

I've got my appointment to schedule a colonoscopy. How about you?

At a recent trip to my wonderful doctor (who is just about my age 59) I mentioned that I'd been having some trouble swallowing and frequent heartburn and indigestion. I also shared that my father had died of esophagus cancer in 2004 and I was concerned that I might be at risk for that particular cancer. I asked about an exam I had read about to scope out the condition of my esophagus.

To my surprise, Dr. A told me he had some of the same symptoms I was describing and in addition to taking a look at my esophagus, he thought it would be good to take a look at the colon as well. Turns out, that he just recently gone in for same test and had a colonoscopy, too, "As long as you're "out" anyway."

(Incidentally, Dr A also mentioned that was one test he'd been avoiding, too, but was glad he'd finally gotten it done).

So, my doctor called and my appointment is for March 9, @ 1:45 PM.

How about making a call and get your own appointment scheduled today?

Scared of the unknown? Here's just one of the informative articles you can find about the procedure if you "Google" " colonoscopy". http://www.health.com/health/library/topic/0,,hw209694_hw209697,00.html

It's even possible to find video of the exam on YouTube (not to mention lots of humor from a variety of comedians about it).

Still in doubt? Here's more information from the ACS.

A timely article from the American Cancer Society.

This March, the American Cancer Society is encouraging men and women 50 and older to make getting tested for colorectal cancer a priority. See our discussion of this topic from the ACS or visit the link below
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_Dont_be_Semi-Interested_in_Your_Colon.asp

So don't delay, you may wind up saving your own life.

Words of Comfort for Times of Loss

Through great personal loss, authors Cecil Murphey and Liz Allison, http://www.lizallison.com/index.html have gained insight to share with others who are going through uncertainty, depression, and loneliness after losing a loved one. They also offer advice for those comforting someone who is grieving.

Among comforting paintings by artist Michal Sparks, brief stories, personal experiences, and prayers offer a meaningful path toward healing for readers when they:

• feel alone and lost in their grief and want to reconnect with others and to life
• seek to make sense of their loss alongside their sense of faith, purpose, and God
• want to honor their loved one without clinging to the past in unhealthy ways

Readers are given gentle permission to grapple with doubt, seek peace, and reflect on their loss in their own way without judgment and with understanding and hope. A perfect gift for a loved one dealing with loss.

If you purchase a copy of Cec’s newest gift book, Words of Comfort for Times of Loss, for $11, I will give you a hardback copy of Heaven Is Real (a $22 value) free. (The offer is good while supplies last.) You might want to donate these books to your church library, a grief support group, a ministry, or give them to a friend. Contact Twila Belk at twila@gottatellsomebody.com or 563-332-1622.

Sharing Your Story

"For each life is a book, not to be read, but rather a story to be written. The Author starts each life story, but each life will write his or her own ending," Max Lucado.

Do you have a story to share? Most of us do and most of us need a little help to get started. If telling your story is a dream of yours, then read on, my friend.

If you’re looking for insight into the publishing industry, have questions about getting published or marketing your finished work, or just need some plain old-fashioned encouragement on your writing journey, QCCWC is the conference for you.

From all over the country authors and participants gather to share ideas, to spend time together finding and giving help and encouragement in a conference unique because of its heart.

Over and over again we've received feedback from people sharing comments like:

"There's a different Spirit at this conference".

"I didn't know the authors and teachers would be so accessible."

"I can't wait to try out what I've learned."

"Thank you for such a wonderful conference!"

We hope you'll take time to come and see for yourself the difference two short days can make in your writing and in your life.

From the website:

"The Quad-Cities Christian Writers' Conference is pleased to announce that some of the best writing instructors in the nation will join us in 2010 for two full days of breakout sessions, continuing sessions, keynote talks, one-on-one appointments, and inspiration.

In order to make an impact with your writing, it's important to LEARN THE CRAFT. That's what the Quad-Cities Christian Writers' Conference is all about. You won't find publishers, agents, and editors in attendance, but you will experience the care and coaching of a professional, knowledgeable staff. Our faculty will answer your questions, guide you, teach you, and show you how you can use your writing to change the world one word at a time."

Join us April 9-10 in Eldridge, Iowa.

It could be your first step toward the thrill of seeing your work in print.

For more information or to register go to http://www.qccwc.com/

I'll be looking for you!

Check out the special early-bird rate for registrations postmarked or electronically submitted on or before Saturday, February 20! $$ off and a free book as well!

"The Good-News Guide to Caregiving" from Reader's Digesthttp://http://www.rd.com/make-it-matter-make-a-difference/-4-amazing-caregiving-stories/articl

"There are only four kinds of people in this world,” former first lady Rosalynn Carter once wrote. “Those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, those who will need caregivers.”

I read these words on the plane flying home from California last year. I was instantly taken back to late summer of 2003 when I began the process of caring for both of my parents who were eventurally in hospice. My mom had multiple heart and breathing issues, infections and generally was in poor health, with dementia. My father was most heartbreaking, perfectly sound except for the esophageal cancer, possibly other places as well, that would take his life in April of 2004.

Love doesn’t stop when a parent, spouse, or friend gets sick. Here, remarkable stories of stepping up, sticking around, and finding joy, written by Camille Peri from the Dec/Jan issue of Reader's Digest. I hope these stories lift and stregthen your spirit as they did mine.

May you have a happy, hopeful New Year.

http://www.rd.com/make-it-matter-make-a-difference/-4-amazing-caregiving-stories/article168643.html