Happy July and Thankful TUESDAY!

Swinging in to say Happy July! 

I wanted to start out with a thankful TUESDAY post today, instead of waiting for Thursday to express my thanks! As most of you know, we had been anticipating an important appointment with a specialist for my hubby today for several weeks. I had requested prayer both here and on Facebook and beyond, as we were quite concerned about the outcome. 

 To give a little history, a couple of months ago my hubby had a weak spell at church which seemed like it could've been a TIA or perhaps his heart or something...The doctor ordered several tests, including a CT Scan of the brain, which also led to having an MRI of the brain. The results showed a small growth in the "meninges" of the brain, also known as a "meningioma". This is in the lining on the outside of the brain, not actually in the brain, but it could grow and have an impact on the brain. They are usually benign, but not always. So you can imagine how concerned we have been about this prospect and the not knowing for sure what the prognosis would be. 

 Thankfully today the neurosurgeon was able to relieve our concerns. He took one look at the MRI pictures and said that this growth was very small and possibly very old and not really anything he would be concerned about. He sees no reason to do surgery or even a biopsy at this point, however he does want to see him back in 6 months to monitor it and make sure that it isn't growing, but he really doesn't expect that it will be a problem. However, regarding the symptoms that my husband has been experiencing...a lot of weakness and fatigue and some balance issues, the doctor said we should go back to our PCP doctor and have him pursue a different direction of tests to figure out where that is coming from...but as far as he's concerned, it's definitely NOT from the brain! So that was a huge relief!!! And we consider that a big answer to prayer. I think my hubby feels better already just knowing that there isn't anything seriously wrong in his brain!  And we have an appointment already set for next week with our PCP to discuss this and where to go from here...but with a much lighter heart and mind!

So thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers on our behalf! We are truly grateful for you and for this answer to prayer!

I must say, my heart and mind feels much freer and happier with that news...much like this young girl swinging under what appears to be an apple tree, although July is a bit early for apples...Maybe they are peaches or plums.  Either way, no matter, I LOVE the picture...and there's my kittie Blackie right there beside me, enjoying a beautiful summer day! I can well imagine myself right there...what a joyous feeling to be swinging without a 'care in the world'.  I know, we still have concerns, and there is still much to figure out, but I know God is in control and we do not need to fear the outcome.

Oh, there's Sunshine, pretending he's a zinnia in the zinnia garden! LOL.

At least he's not pretending to be a hummingbird as in this picture:

Who ME?

Not me...I'd never...

Well, maybe I'd better just lay down here and stay out of trouble...

Good Idea! LOL.

Okay, back to the July Calendar roll call...Here's the Teapot Calendar for July:

That is so pretty and elegant!

Maybe I've been going about it all wrong...LOL.  I just drink it to enjoy it.

This little child's teapot and cup and saucer remind me of that one above in the calendar, but on a smaller scale...(this actually belonged to my paternal grandmother!)

And this is another large teapot that I have that is very much like the one in the calendar...sadly this one has a hairline crack in the bottom so I can't use it, but it's too pretty to throw away...

Here's the Thomas Kinkade calendar for July...isn't it interesting? So much detail! Wow!

It says it's from San Francisco Lombard Street II.  I've never been to San Francisco, so maybe some of you who have been there could tell me if this is a real place! Certainly is amazing!

And last, but not least, the Susan Branch calendar for July has a delicious looking fruit salad, which sounds really refreshing and delightful!

And yes, let us know forget the 4th of July coming up this Friday...a day to celebrate our freedoms and give thanks to the Lord that we live in the "land of the free, and the home of the brave".  

May God truly continue to Bless America! I believe He is, even more than we can imagine, even with all of the bad stuff that goes on...God is still on the throne...our one true King of kings and LORD of lords.  

Psalm 33:12-22 NKJV

"12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

13 The Lord looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

14 From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth;

15 He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works.

16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;

A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for safety;

Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,

On those who hope in His mercy,

19 To deliver their soul from death,

And to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You."

Yes, I can totally agree and shout out those last few verses today...especially verse 21...by faith we can say "for our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name..."  We have confidence in God that He will indeed give us reason to continue to rejoice in Him. Amen.