Twin Girls......Chistmas Eve....What a way to end 2007!!! or begin 2008...whatever way you look at it! We rejoice!

Welcome to the family

Rachelle Ann and Kirsten Lynn Nichols.

Born Christmas eve....to Kurt and Heidi!

Rachelle was 5 lbs. and Kirsten was 4lbs 10 oz.

Both girls are doing well.....and they were able to come home on Thursday.

Proud grandparents are Ken and I, and Ron and Carol Scott (Wyoming, Mi)

We are praising God for these two little miracles...and ask that you pray for Kurt and Heidi as they settle into a new routine in their lives!!

That brings us to "seven" grandchildren......(in four years!!!!!!)

Kurt, Andrew, and Kirsten

Jonathan and Rachelle

The twins on Christmas day....one day old.

I also have numerous pictures from our Christmas with Jason, Emily, Isaac, Seth, Annabelle, Kurt, Heidi, Andrew, Jonathan, and Uncle Joel on December 22, but left the camera at my parents on Christmas day......so will have to post those later. We spent Christmas day with Mom, Dad, Linda, Don, Clint and Andrea.

Even though some of were not feeling the best.....a precious time was had by all.

Please continue to pray for Mom as she faces three more chemo treatments...shes very tired but her attitude is good!

On the health front: I went for a consultation with a Rheumatology Specialist from the University of Michigan who sees scleroderma patients. After 16 viles of blood, 30 some x-rays, and lots of tests I have a return visit scheduled for mid January...and the course of action is to see how we can slow the progression of the disease. Currently I am not working and will probably apply for long term disability....with the hopes that I can return to work at a later date.I started occupational therapy with Mercy Rehab services last week and will continue that indefinitely.

I'll post more later.....but sometimes, I just have to stop talking and thinking about my circumstances.

Recently I received Christmas cards from my choir students......about 100 cards!!!

Anyway....I wanted to close this posting with a portion of the card from a girl named Audrey;

Dear Mrs. Nichols,

I hope so much that you will get better. I know you will but it takes time for everything to work out. God plans it all so you can't stop it. But please remember that God tests only the strongest people with kind hearts because he wants you to show people that you can always, always, survive anything if you always acknowledge that He is still here and believe that He will save you. But I know you won't forget Him. Please don't worry :) we love you so much. AudreyAnn

Well...I do acknowledge Him, and I believe He will work His best in me....whatever time it takes...... all to the Glory of God.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!!!!

As I travel this road back home to Michigan and to my

husband and family I am once again thanking God for

bringing me to "Times of Refreshing". I thank Him for

the progress I have made, and look forward to

the progress I will continue to make once I am

home. My journey that began October 28th still

is an amazing one.....and a humbling experience how

an Almighty God take someone like me through

the valley and up the mountainside.

My desire is to continue to serve him with my

"piano hands", despite any discomfort that

comes my way....I will serve, because I know that

He will make a way....where there seems to be no way..

and He will do the same for you....when you call upon Him.

Thank you once again.....from the bottom of my heart!

My verse for today: Give all your worries and cares to God for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Shelem and Diane Flemons (back center)

and the staff at Times of Refreshing.

Cooking class! Today veggie burgers, yesterday

home-made rolls!

Celenia, Shane and me in the kitchen

After my treatment today I was treated to a facial! Hey Ken....How do you like my new line of makeup? The hospital gown really finishes the look out don't you think? P.S. I won' t look like this when I get off the plane:)

Thank you once again everyone for the many cards, calls, emails, and

prayer! Tomorrow is my last day here....then home I come on Thursday.

God has taught me many lessons while I have been here.....two of the biggest are

trusting Him for everything....and patience to run the course that God

has planned, and not the path I would have chosen for myself I'm learning......yet I know I still have a journey to travel.....thank you for

coming along with me via technology!

My verse for today: We are hard pressed on every side. But not crushed. Perplexed but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8

This was a picture I took while on my walk today!

How could anyone not believe we have a Creator God who loves us and wants the best for us.

He loved us so much that He gave us His son, Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.....yours and mine.....and made a way to eternity, when we confess our sins, believe in Him, and give of our own lives as a living sacrifice.

Thanks Emily for the daily scripture!!!!

Ken and I are truly blessed with a wonderful family. There's nothing more joyful to a parents' heart than to see their children walking close with the Lord, serving Him in their local churches, and raising their families by biblical standards! Love you guys!!!!! Grandma will be home soon!

Isaac, Andrew, Seth, Jon, Annabelle

I received this scripture from my dear sister in Christ, Nita Kitson, and wanted to pass it along to all of you!

Psalm 73: 25-28 NLT
Whom have I in heaven but You?I desire You more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,but God remains the strength of my heart;HE IS MINE FOREVER.
But those who desert Him will perish,for You destroy those who abandon You.
But as for me, how good it is to be near GOD!I have made the Sovereign LORD my Shelter,and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

My verse for today: "The Lord you God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Sorry, no pictures today......just me:) Today was a little more difficult day for me in the fact that when I woke, after almost 6 hours of sleep, my hands were very tight and swollen....and my feet pretty sensitive. Immediately I started the "self pity" trip of , "Oh no.....20 steps forward, 1 step back, what am I going to do?"..
this attitude sort of stuck with me throughout the day....feeling sorry for myself, and slightly complaining to anyone who would listen!

Anyway, as the day came to a close I started soul searching, and scripture searching....and one of the first verses that rang loud in clear is this:

But He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me" 2 Corinthians 12:9

Now a verse like that will help you take your mind off yourself, your ailments, your pity party! I then stopped to ponder the blessings of the day:

1. Terry and LaNice, our friends from North Carolina came today for a visit.

2. I slept almost 6 hours last night.....better than most nights.

3. I talked to Ken a bunch! What a freedom we have in phones and cell phones!

4. I have received more than 30 cards and notes while I have been here.....and now am teased that I get more mail on a daily basis than "Times of Refreshing".

5. I have had more than 170 emails in my inbox from friends and family.

6. The skin on my legs and arms has softened.

7. I was blessed by the visit of Tommy, Megan, and Danen....I got to hold a baby!

8. I have more people praying for me than I can count.

9. God is in control!

10.Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world!

Thank you to all who have been part of these blessings......I am humbled and grateful! Good night.

My verse for today: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Today I had company! This is Tommy, Megan, and Danen Knight. Megan is Jim and Mel Morris' daughter.....and we are all friends through our fellowship at Rollins Christian Fellowship in Manton. They drove about two hours over to Times of Refreshing this afternoon for a wonderful visit. Danen is a sweetheart.....very content and cuddly! Her big brother "Teddy" stayed at home with friends......Tommy and Megan said it was a quieter/calmer drive with just the baby. They loved their trip through the mountains and took in the beautiful scenery.

After a tme of visiting, they were invited to stay and eat dinner with us....so they did...and that was another great time of fellowshipping. I am so thankful that they were able to make the trip and that we had such a special visit. Before they left, we all gathered around the piano and sang hymns in good ole four part harmony....what a blessing! Megan sang soprano, Tommy "the tenor", Shelem sang bass, and Diane was alto....I filled in on piano and where I was needed....but!!mostly just swallowed up the "moment of music" for what a great time it was!!!!

Baby Danen Knight........5 weeks old!

It was wonderful to hold a baby again! Just think....Kurt and Heidi will soon have

TWO little babes in pink!! I thought about that alot as I held Danen today! Wow!

My verse for today: Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

Six days from tomorrow and I'll be home! Do I sound a little anxious?:) Yes.....I'm thrilled to be on the home stretch, but I am also extremely thankful for the ministry here and the treatments I have received! Today I had another "steam tent" to sweat out toxins. It was 30 minutes long and very refreshing!
I pray tonight that I can get a good night sleep. I have had difficulties sleeping for over two months, mostly due to the tingling in my hands/feet/legs......even though that has been letting up somewhat.....I still have a hard time getting into any deep sleep.......Jesus said "Come to me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest". Matthew 11:28......well....I am heavy laden.....and am looking forward to a good night's rest.

Some exciting new!!!!! Tomorrow afternoon I will have visitors! Tommy and Megan Knight (and new baby!) will be driving over from just north of Atlanta,Georgia. Megan is Jim and Mel Morris' daughter! ( Jim and Mel are friends of ours from Rollins Christian Fellowship! Jim is our choir director and Mel is our organist.)
I am soooooo excited that Tommy and Megan can come for a visit....and very anxious to meet the new baby! I've had the privilege of accompanying them for special music when they been home visiting.
Please pray for safe travel as they make the journey here! Tomorrow there will be lots of new pictures!

My verse today: A wife of noble character is her husband's crown...Proverbs 12:4

I received this beautiful arrangement of flowers from Ken and just wanted to share them with all of you! They are beautiful, fragrant and colorful!

I just want to thank Ken again for all he is doing while I am away......he is caring, unselfish, loving, kind, super supportive, and I just know that I would have never been able to come to Times of Refreshing without his support!

Today I got several emails and cards....which are a constant source of encouragement. On a sad note, one of the guests here received a phone call that his younger brother (in his late 40's) died suddenly of a heart attack. Please pray for Tony(the guest), and for the family of his brother that passed away (the family of Ricky Hayes)

For a health update: My scleroderma has substantially softened in my knees and above, my hands, arms, feet, and legs are not as unbearably tight and itchy, and over-all health wise I am doing very well. Weight wise I have lost weight due to juicing and the water fast, but in a very good way. I do not feel weak or fatigued.

Thanks again for checking in on the blog. Please continue to prayer our Mom, Lois Hopkins as she continues her chemotherapy, for my niece Andrea Hoaglund who just underwent platelette therapy and is also going into her third month of pregnancy, for Ken's brother Tom Nichols who has been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and will need to make decisions concerning his treatment, and for our daughter-in-law Heidi(Kurt) Nichols who is carrying twin baby girls and is due to deliver in January......please pray for her daily strength as she has two little boys to care for every day!

My verse for today: I can do everything through Him who gives my strength. Phillipians 4:13

The table was spread before me........and today I ate!!!

My first solid meal since October 29th! Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, lentils, avocado, onions, black olives, cucumber, and a really yummy homemade Italian dressing! Also on the table was homemade vegetable soup and cornbread! But, when you start back on solids, you start with salad and raw vegetables first. I just know I savored every bite!

This is my buddy Shane! We were playing duets just before our meal today!! Tomorrow his piano books should be in, and I going to give him lessons until I head back to Michigan. Shane is a very polite, kind, and respectful young boy who is a pleasure to be around!

Smile for the camera!!!

My verse for today: Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not get tired. Isaiah 40:31

Today at 2:30 I started back on juices after a three day water fast! Praise God

What a treat it was to drink green:) juice again.....it tasted soooooo good.

Tomorrow I get salad in the morning and more solids later on. Now I am actually looking forward to eating solids again.....I can't believe how quickly the time flew that I was on juices only, then the water fast. Lots of you have asked how I was handling the fast, and my answer is God's word the Bible was sufficient for me. When I thought of food, I read the scriptures.....immediately taking my mind away from food. AMAZING!

Well, in nine more days I fly home! I have experienced so much progress in the last ten days that I am looking forward to even greater change before I head home. Once at home I will still continue some forms of my therapy, stick on my way of eating, and use my ointments and lotions. I also will continue to blog....but just not every day like I do down here in Georgia.

My praise for today: I am thankful to God for my husband, Ken! I am proud of our son Joel for being good for Ken while I was gone, and for doing a great job at school. I am thankful for Jason and Emily and Kurt and Heidi for the way they are raising their children in the love and admonition of the Lord, for their love for Jesus, His word, and His people. I am thankful for our grandchildren and am excited about their futures and what God has in store for them. The pictures I share tonight are the kids!

Annabelle


Jon


Isaac and Seth

Seth

Andrew

Andrew

Isaac

My verse for today: Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Hi.

Sorry, no pictures tonight..just me!

This was my third day of water fasting.......wow! I never thought I could do this....it simply amazes me how God works in our hearts, wills, and bodies!

I am seeing substantial progress in my skin softening......I was able to play piano again for the devotional time.....what a special blessing that is to me, octaves are still a little tough but I know that will come in time. There were over 16 of us at devotional tonight, the singing was full and enthusiastic, full of joy, despite the pain that many here are suffering.

Today Shelem and Diane (the people that run Times of Refreshing) went to Atlanta to do their radio broadcast. It runs on Christian Radio wgun1010. They will be on live broadcast Monday through Friday all of November. They have asked me if I may be willing to be interviewed on live radio concerning my scleroderma disease and the progress being made. Being the shy person I am, I said I'd think about it.....HA!! You know me, I said, sure....where you need me, I'll help out! Plus.....radio, interviews, public speaking....that's down my alley:)I will let you know the day and time of the broadcast if this all comes together. You would not be able to pick up the radio station, but you could pick it up via internet by putting in WGUN 1010 AM.

Thank you once again for the many emails, cards, and notes of encouragement. This correspondence truly passes the time and sustains my days.

My verse for today: 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline.

Today I had visitors!!!!! All the way from North Carolina! This is Terry and Lenice. Terry was the best man in our wedding August 12th, 1978!! He also was a good friend of Ken in High School. Mesick....class of 1975!

What a special blessing for me to have them come today.....they drove over the mountains around 2 hours or so to come here! We had a very nice visit....and it was especially nice for me to meet Lenice. We all commented that the visit would be complete if Kenny were a part of it!! We know he is with us at heart......but a Sunday afternoon visit would have been a hefty trip for him! They even picked up some neccesities for me........Nail Clippers....Yay, chapstick , crossword puzzle, and a Southern Living magazine!

Today is my second day of water fasting.....God is good....I even had a renewed energy today that really surprised me! One more day.....then I'll be back on a day of juices before solid food. I thought my scripture for today was very appropriate.....especially the "self discipline"....I certainly have had that today....I didn't even covet food when I was in the kitchen:)

I want to thank Terry and Lenice once again for coming to see me....what a special gift...And sorry Lenice if I am spelling your name wrong!!!

My verse for today: Matthew 17:20

I tell you the truth. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there", and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

This beautiful picture was from our "field trip" to visit Vogel State Park .The views were amazing....and the day was sunny and bright! Below are just some pictures from my day. Thank you once again for praying and for the many e-mails I am receiving! Every day I feel stronger....especially in my faith walk with the Lord...and I am so thankful for the improvement in my scleroderma!

This is Mageurite from Bermuda. She and her daughter are here together!

Jeff and Val



Carl and Celenia, Shane and Mikey

Brodie's family....I'll add in names tomorrow!

View from the park

This is the waterfall I was able to walk to and see....quite the hike for me!

Here I am on the first day of my water fast...

the only thing missing in the picture here is Ken!!!

This was my first major long walk/hike in about 2 months!

I am so thankful to have been able to walk far enough to see the waterfall!

These are just a bunch of pictures I took today by the waterfall......

While on our walk we saw a golden that looked just like Zoie!

This picture speaks for itself! Good-night.

My verse for today: "Wait for the Lord: Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" Psalm 27:14

Today is a much better day!!! Not so many tears....and more energy! I guess I need to take the name "Times of Refreshing" to heart! Because....that's truly what it is! My body and soul are getting an opportunity to really slowwwww down, rest, relax, get great nourishment, detox/cleanse my body....and really begin to heal my body! I hardly am itching at all....and in just 5 days I can see a change in my hard skin....which is actually starting to soften!

PRAISE GOD!

These are three other ladies that are here. Note that we were are standing around the kitchen watching Diane prepare the morning meal! Do you see those water jugs? Well I am drinking an entire one in a 24 hour period....every day! Truth is....a person is supposed to take their weight/ divide by 2, and that's how many ounces of water you should be drinking every day!!

Juice anyone!!!?? This is pretty much what I have had for the past 5 days....and amazingly I feel nourished! I know...it's a little on the green side....but it does have decent taste! On Saturday I will start my three day water fast! Pastor Lanning sent me Scriptures and encouragement for those days. I am actually looking forward to this experience.....but will have to stay far away from the smells of the kitchen.....today Diane made home made rolls.....arggghhhh!

These are Celenia and Carl's children.....8 year old Shane, and 2 year old Mikey.

They are absolutely wonderful children!

This afternoon Shane and I sat down to the piano...and he said, "I can play some hymns if you'd like!" Then he proceeded to flip through the hymnal and played at least 10 songs...the correct melody and everything.....all in the key of C......all by ear...and with wonderful harmonics in the left hand! I was amazed......! This child has never had a lesson in his life.....but he definitely has a gift from God! He reminded exactly of how I started out playing by ear....picking up everything I could learn...then tackle the lessons! We ended up playing duets for quite a while. Shane played a melody and accompaniment while I through in a little traveling bass! What a joyful time this was...and what a blessing God gave me to be with children while I am missing our Grandkids!

Here's a typical morning.......vitals/etc. This is Celenia. Here I am in the steam tent......sweating out all of those toxins!!