If you don't know what my Monthly RAK is all about, you can read about it on the Paperthreads Forum.

I'm waiting for one last card and then I'll send the cards to the November RAK, Janice. I'm planning to share pictures here!

Kristi has been picked for the December RAK. This is what Jan (Sam & Hailey Designs) wrote about her.

I'm so thankful that Shirley would pick someone that I know to be the monthly feature, once again. My dear friend Kristie is more than a friend to me, she's a sister in every way but by blood. It's an honor and also a great challenge for me to tell you about her.

Kristie and I met almost seven years ago when we bumped into each other in the nursing mothers' room at church one Sunday. She had just moved to Connecticut and we both had just welcomed our first children into the world. It was an instant friendship that's as rare as rare can be. Since that time we've both had more children and enjoyed raising them as close friends. Two years ago life called us in different directions, we moved to Tucson and Kristie and her family moved to Upstate New York.

Shortly after her move, Kristie was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and began the fight for her life. I remember her telling me that one doctor was giving her a bleak picture of her situation and she told him, "Listen, I have three children under 5 at home, I need you to give me a reason to hope, not dispair!" And since that moment, Kristie has gone forward with a faith that few could rival.

Seventeen months later after endless courses of treatment and surgery, Kristie is finally feeling great, but received devastating news just last week. The cancer has spread to her pancreas and liver. Of the news, Kristie said, "Is this journey stressful... yes. Is my faith shattered... no. I have found my greatest strength in this adversity and I know, without a doubt, I am being watched over and protected. There is a reason and purpose for everything in life. I don't believe in coincidences. I still feel healthy. The nurse at Dr. G's office said that the scan and my physical appearance do not match up. They were as shocked as I was when they received the results."

I'm so inspired by Kristie's attitude. Just today she said she was having a terribly hard day. Facing the reality that her children might lose their mother is really hard for her. I can only imagine. Yet. even on her worst days she finds hope in her faith. She said, "I had talked to the school social worker about how to tell my children that Mommy's cancer is moving and Mommy might die. Yes, I cried, almost sobbed hysterically then it came to me... that still small voice that calls out to you in your most desperate time of need, the voice that says, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' The way I see it is I am not leaving until it is my due time. I am not giving up and I am not going without a fight. I am doing all I can possibly do then I leave the rest up to Heavenly Father. There is a plan and we are all a part of it. We are all accounted for: Isaiah 49:16 'Behold, I have graven thee upon the palm of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.' He knows me and my heart. And just like all good parents, He allows me to learn from my mistakes and comforts me when I am in need. No matter how threatened my life may be because of this stupid cancer I will never doubt the love of my Father in Heaven and I will rejoice in the lessons I have had the opportunity to learn, for they are many...."

What more can I say? I know that a card might seem like an insignificant thing to us that are healthy and going about our everyday lives. But to someone like Kristie who has more hard days than easy ones, maybe... just maybe... our cards will arrive on a day when she needs a little lift. And we can be there to give her one.

Here is the picture Jan sent. I can only say one thing after reading Jan's story and looking at the picture. Kristi is a beautiful person on the inside and outside.



Kristi is certainly one that could use some cheering up! So lets shower her with cards this month . . . Since I got this up late, please postmark your cards by the 12/30/09.

Email me for my address. I'll be out of town for a few days, but I'll send you the address as soon as I return.

MAKE it a wonderful Tuesday Evening!

Another Thanksgiving quote:
"True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him." [George R. Hendrick]

Shirley