Testing...testing...and trusting.

Hello friends and happy Wednesday...

I trust that all of you in the midst of this Polar Vortex are keeping toasty warm!
Anyone ready for spring??
~
So I have a bit of an update on my condition but it is still very much in the testing phase.
I am trying not to share too much, too soon, but I have had some encouraging news!
My first biopsy and PET scan seem to be showing a lot of inflammation on and around the pancreas...
...no malignancy from what they can tell so far!!
I had vials and vials of blood taken last Friday...testing for any hidden cancers anywhere.
I am still waiting for the results...some of them take days.
But I do know that I will be having another biopsy, possibly a surgical one next time.
The team was to discuss my case yesterday (Tuesday) and decide what's next.
After ruling out any malignancy, they will be focusing on the pancreatitis and how to treat it.
It's a good feeling when you hear the oncologist say that he may not be seeing you again!
Let me just say that I am praising God and trusting Him in the midst of all of this uncertainty.
And I thank you for the emails, cards and continued prayers!



Here is my little "faith cluster" I have started on the side of my fridge.
I am so thankful for these encouraging reminders that some of you have sent to me.

I have no doubt that the Lord has me in the palm of His hand!
~
So let us get to the Wednesday Medley, shall we?
Head on over to Terri's blog, copy the questions, paste them to your blog and answer them!



NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY – January 30

In the United States, National Croissant Day is observed each year on January 30th. Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  

The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.

Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.

Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant or try making your own using this recipe: Croissants recipe.

1.  Well, I do love croissants when they are fresh, but day-old croissants need to be turned into a donut.  I happen to really like the croissants that have a donut-like glaze on them!  Sugar overload but so good.  So... do you like croissants?  What is your favorite way to eat them?

Well, there's no doubt that I do love me a great croissant and I have never turned one into a doughnut...although that sounds pretty darn tasty. If I were to eat a croissant, it would be a fresh one with a yummy, chunky chicken salad sandwiched in between. I will say that just because I love them doesn't mean I eat them regularly...in fact, I can't remember the last time I had one...and if my diagnosis is what they are thinking, they most likely will not be on my diet. 😩

2.  Speaking of food... How do you handle stress?

My first thought would be "by eating" but that is really not the truth. I would pray first and ask the Lord to give me peace about whatever the situation is...and then I would eat. 😉 

3.  Out of the negative emotions of greed, anger, jealousy, and hate, which one would you say affects you the most?

All of the above. I believe that any of them can ultimately lead to hatred. As far as how they affect me...I do my best to not let the actions of others dictate my life. I really just pray for those people and situations that I have no control over and let the Lord handle it.

4.  Out of the positive emotions of compassion, positivity, enthusiasm, and initiative, which one is your biggest strength?

I would say positivity and enthusiasm would be my strengths...but my constant prayer is that the Lord would give me more of a compassionate heart. I don't think we can ever really have enough compassion. 

5.  What do you get every time you go grocery shopping, other than the staples such as bread, milk, butter, flour, sugar...

Since it's just me and Jim, there are very few things that I have to buy every week. It used to be eggs...until I lost the taste for them...for some reason, I can hardly eat them now. The only other things I can think of would be a roll of paper towels or maybe half & half for Jim's coffee. Since Jim is away from home half the week, I don't do a lot of cooking. Yay me!

6.  Please tell us something random about your week so far.

This is the sky from last night...it was absolutely breathtaking. I went out to snap a couple of photos and I was totally overwhelmed. God is so, so GOOD!