Dear Reader:

I think I have been slowly going through some kind of metamorphosis of late. If you look up the definition for this word the dictionary says: Definition of metamorphosis – (in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.

Like my insect and amphibian friends…I think I am finally growing up… (from an immature form to an adult form) maturing in my spiritual growth. I am finally starting to let go of being in charge of my life; instead I am observing (with amazement) what happens when we turn the reins back over to our Creator.

I am happier now than ever before…because I can see the difference in self-control and God-control. Let me give you a little example: I always try to give the team members who walk each year some kind of little memento from the race. But in the past couple of years the little souvenirs that used to be in stores for the Race for the Cure have evaporated to the point where it is hard to find small pink accessories that work for adults of both genders. The stores who used to carry items have stopped.

So this year I thought I would order some pink cupcakes and put them in individual containers with pink ribbons as just a little treat to take home.

Publix told me that they couldn’t decorate pink cupcakes with the traditional breast cancer ribbon because it was trademarked. So that meant I would need to order some decorations on line but then I wouldn’t be able to close the containers because everything on line stood up on the cupcake. It just didn’t seem to be working…there must be a reason.

It was starting to get ridiculous….so I ended up getting little Boo Y’all magnets with Thank You support cards and a written message thanking each participant.

Later when I asked Lisa Jones (Race for the Cure Communication Director) what the goodies were they were giving each tent…she said delicious cupcakes! Of course that is why it didn’t work out…we were all getting them anyway! God had already ordered them!

I am finally becoming more conscious of how God is steering us in the right direction on every single facet of our lives but then we decide to hop back in the driver’s seat and get lost all over again.

The most wonderful thing about turning the reins back over to God is the marvelous sensation of feeling freer than we have in a long time. Things will work out and it doesn’t take us planning our lives so tightly that we don’t have time to hardly breathe the fresh air around us, much less spend more time finding all the happy things just waiting to be discovered.

So instead of showing you some of my most recent favorite things…let me show you my happy things that make me smile!

Honey gave me this latest flower vase (she made in her pottery “shop” at home) for the Race for the Cure with all shades of pink in it…add a few flowers and it has made me happy all day today on this rainy Sunday.

I was playing around with colors on my Iphone and suddenly my white moonflower (have one on the fence left over from last year) turned pink with the fence transforming into even a darker pink. Happy!

Look what Jessica made for me (Coastal Produce ) for the Race for the Cure! I told her a little pumpkin she had made for me for breast cancer month lasted three years inside the house…and I had to throw it out a few months ago! So she made me another one…we will see how long it lasts! Happy!

My favorite birthday gift Honey gave me was this metallic angel of light! I have placed it in the hallway between my bedroom and bathroom…the perfect guiding light for those late night/early morning “excursions.”! My angel of light!

Patty Knight and I had a chance to talk yesterday on the phone. Many of you might know that her daughter (and mother to Patty’s three-year-old grandson) Kristen was diagnosed over the summer with breast cancer. This “angel of light” has continued teaching school while undergoing treatments…some of which are very tough on the body…with a smile on her face.

Kristen is one amazing individual and obviously many other people concur because she was just recently selected by Clemson to be their Spirit of the Tiger Honoree for this upcoming game Saturday night against Georgia Tech at Clemson Stadium. What an honor! And it is because this amazing young woman just blows people away with her upbeat personality, strength, perseverance and faith! Her doctors all adore her!

Patty and her family got tickets to the game and Kristen will be recognized for Clemson’s Support of Breast Cancer Month. (Kristen is just praying she will be able to stay for the whole game (8:00 night game) after teaching all week and having treatments on Friday afternoon.) What a gal!

Look at the t-shirt she received for the occasion! “ALL IN FOR KRISTEN!” (And we are…with prayers for our brave girl!)

So until tomorrow…Let’s all try giving it up to God literally…our Creator can handle anything we can’t…so let’s learn to ask for help for small things, as well as, big. It makes our lives run so much smoother and happier!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Happy Birthday Joan! You get younger every year girl! Please share your secret! Come back soon and visit…we are long overdue for a girl’s shopping day in Summerville!