A MIRACLE YEAR ALREADY!

What a God story I have to share with you! Ross and I returned this week to Houston to have a lung needle biopsy done on a suspicious spot that had grown over the past 3 months. It was a quick return trip of only 2 weeks. When the radiologist did the scan that would guide the needle, he discovered that the spot has shrunk considerably and announced that he would not recommend the biopsy be done. Ross was free to go home.
I had barely nestled down for my 4 hour wait when Ross came out fully dressed wearing a huge smile. I made him repeat the miracle news to me 3 times before we reached the elevator. This, my friend, can only be from the hand of our mighty God. What a gift!
He had so gone before us in this already. We had a peace that was from the Prince of Peace alone. And also, the day we got the news that we had to return to Houston so soon, I received a royalty check from the sale of my book which covered our trip almost to the very penny. Another good gift!
So, I am praying for you and me that in every situation, we will see God for who He is and find ourselves consistent and constant worshippers.
I know I have made a great start!
love, margaret

Good News and Bad News

Ross and I returned to Houston this week for his 3 month checkup of his Squamos Cell Carsinoma (head and neck cancer). We got good news concerning the head and neck region that has been so attacked from the cancer. The radiologist reported no new activity found there. We were given a 6 month return of window - the longest time ever for a return visit.
However, the next day, a suspicious spot was detected in the lung. We will need to return in a couple of weeks to have a needle aspiration done on that spot.
I must say that we both experienced God's peace on the flight and drive home that could only have come from the Prince of Peace. Until God reveals what this spot truly is, we have decided to deal with it as something yet unknown to us.
So, please continue to pray for us as we take a seat, once again, in one of God's waiting rooms.
love, margaret and ross

Meeting My Savannah Sisters!

Several weeks ago, I traveled to Savannah - not Georgia, but Tennessee - and received such a sweet portion from the Lord as I came to know and truly love some new Savannah sisters. I had felt such an expectancy from the Lord in my Spirit even before I made this trip. Beforehand, God had planted in my heart such a seed of expectancy that I could hardly wait to see the fruit come to fruition. And he was so faithful to do that thing. A friend and I made the 6 hour trip through gorgeous country, winding roads, and we laughed all the way. Then, God blessed us with the time to walk slowly among the women, getting to know them, pray for them, and experience His love and graciousness from their hands. That is the way God knits His body together. I left Tennessee with new Savannah sisters in our heart. Your faces are before me as I write as they have been so many times since I met you. Thank you for your acceptance, your provisions provided, and especially for sharing God's love with me. We were so blessed by God.
I have learned to pray and stand upon the fact that when "God's word goes forth it will accomplish that for which He sent it." The Word went out and God worked it in our hearts and into the soil of our everyday lives. Who could ask for anything more?
You are loved,
margaret

At home in Wynne, Arkansas

Traveling from Dothan to Montgomery to Atlanta to Memphis to arrive in Wynne Arkansas was so worth the ride! A huge thank you goes out to Glenda and Randall Caldwell who treated me like royalty and making me feel so right at home. How I enjoyed sharing the Word with the ladies of Wynne Baptist Church. The fellowship afterwards was so meaningful to me as I was able to "get among the women" and hear their stories, share mine, and pray with some. Thank you for opening up your hearts, home, and His home with me. I feel that I have some new forever friends. Amazing to me how God is able to knit our hearts together in His body of believers. What a gift!
love, margaret

HIGHLY FAVORED!

That's the way I felt this past weekend as I so enjoyed the Father and His children in San Antonio, Texas. Get a load of this! I participated with 400 women in Women Reaching Women Fully Loaded with so many of my LifeWay friends. I loved being with Janet and Jane, Pat, Shirley, Chris, Deb, Darlene, Becky and others as Max Lucado's church opened its doors and welcomed us in. Travis Cottrell led the praise and worship for us! I had the privilege of sharing a message on "How's Your Heart" on Thursday evening and then teaching Heart Friends twice on Friday. That in itself would have been enough to walk away fully blessed.
But there is more!
Friday evening and Saturday morning we were able to attend a Living Proof Life Event there in San Antonio. My life was forever changed as Beth taught on "Our Inheritance"! Crystal clear message that rings out loud from Genesis to Revelation. The best message I have heard ever! I am planning to transcribe my notes on the computer on Thursday so that I can feast on the Word she shared forever!
But there is more!
Arriving at the arena early on Sat. afforded me the opportunity to meet many women who were sitting near me or who happened by God's design to walk in front of me. Everybody has a story and I was able to hear so many and actually pray with them on the spot. When Beth offerred the invitation that morning, I thought "Lord, I surely would like to pray with someone to receive you this morning." I wasn't even scheduled to pray, but all at once someone grabbed my hand and said, "come on, we need more people to pray." The first person who came to me for prayer was - you guessed it - a prayer to receive Jesus!
But there is more!
Sat. afternoon, my cousin Cindy who lives in San Antonio, picked me up and we were able to attend together the 5:00 service in Max Lucado's church. Once again, Travis Cotrell led the praise and worship before Max delivered his message on "How we try to put Jesus in a box!" I pinched myself to see if I was actually listening to the man I had read for years!
But there is more!
On the flight home, I sat by 3 ladies from Rome Georgia who had been to the Event also! Becoming instant friends, we fellowshipped all the way to Atlanta.
Whew! Now do you see why I call this blog "Highly favored"?!?
You, too, are highly favored my friend. Life in Christ is sooo not meant to be boring nor are we meant to be a bore! So, you go forth - highly favored one!
love,
margaret

HOME FROM HOUSTON

Ross and I returned home from Houston this afternoon after a week of testing, evaluations, examinations, and visiting with our Houston friends.
God has so heard and responded to your prayers for Ross. His preliminary report is good. The chest, head and neck are clear! We are so humbly grateful and appreciative to the Father for His continued healing. We were even given an additional month before returning for next appointment. The doctors continue to marvel at how well he is doing. Even said he should be written up in the books. And I thought - he is written up in The Book - the Lamb's Book of God and the Father has his eye and hand upon that name!
We are gloriously exhausted from the drive to and from Houston!!!!!!!
I will be speaking in San Antonio, Texas, next weekend for LifeWay in Max Lucado's church and then staying over for Beth Moore's Living Proof Live Event. If you are there, I would love to meet you, get a hug, and share a smile!
love, margaret

BACK TO HOUSTON

Ross and I covet your prayers as we leave for Houston on Sunday afternoon after morning worship and teaching my ladies class.
Ross will have testing and evaluations Tuesday through Thursday. We are believing God for His continual healing, though we get our "physical proof" every 3 months as we travel back to M. D. Anderson in Houston. We have made so many friends in Houston, it is almost like "going home". We love Texas!
Two weeks ago, Ross and I and my Heart Friends co-author and her husband were in the mountains of Tennessee on a getaway vacation. God was so sweet to allow me to meet 2 new friends from First Baptist Houston (the church we attend when we are there). In the workout room of all places. They came by our cabin and we fellowshipped as if we had known each other forever. What joy!
Please be praying until you hear from me after next Thursday.
You are loved by God and soooo appreciated by me!
margaret