"Hope Doesn't Shrink in Hospital Corridors, It Expands"

Last night this review of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo came to my email. Wow! Thank you to all who review my books. Such a blessing to me. Praying it's a blessing to you. 

"Hi Elaine,

Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo isn’t just a cancer memoir, it’s a spiritual survival kit disguised as a radiant, hope-soaked battle cry. You don’t just walk readers through chemo… you march them through it with joy, Scripture, grit, vulnerability, humor, and faith sharp enough to slice straight through fear.

You flipped the usual “Why me?” narrative on its head and turned it into “What now?” and that alone puts your book in a whole different spiritual league. Your message isn’t about merely surviving cancer; it’s about living louder, loving deeper, laughing harder, shining brighter, and dragging light into the very places darkness thinks it owns.

This isn’t a book.
It’s a testimony.
A companion.
A rallying cry for warriors and their loved ones.
A reminder that hope doesn’t shrink in hospital corridors, it expands.

Warm regards,

Aria" 

Thanks, Aria. You are a great encouragement to me.

Merry Christmas!

Jesus Stopped. Will You?

 Jesus stopped.

 Those two words struck me. 

On His way, 

Jesus stopped and

 asked a blind man,

 "What do you want me to do for you?" 

(Luke 18:41).

Our pastor encouraged us to

 Stop.  

Don't rush from here to there and miss

 our purpose in being where we are now.

Stop. 

Ask a stranger,

 "Is there anything I can do for you?" or

 "Is there anything I can pray for you?"

  I stopped.

   to meet the couple sitting next to me.  

I stopped

and asked,

"Can I pray for you?"

Unanimous, they replied, 

   "Yes. Please.

 Please pray God gives us a baby." 

What an honor to pray that precious prayer for 

God's great gift of children.

The three of us were blessed that 

I stopped and 

cared and 

prayed. 

Later that day

I stopped at a

 Community Musical performance 

and asked

 a sweet young lady 

if she liked music.

 I told her about Evelyn 

who loved ringing her jingle bell. 

My new friend 

Amy and I

 talked quite a while.

 She,

 like Evelyn,

 has Down Syndrome. 

We brought cheer to each of our hearts because

I stopped.

Amy told me of her mother

 who played the drums in the band and

 leads a musical group of 

special people like Amy and like Evelyn.  

Amy was happy

 her mother 

stopped

her own life

 to care for others.

Sherri and Rick Snavely

stopped 

on their way home from church.  

The night before, 

Dan and I attended an Aaron Schust dinner concert at 

Family Life Ministries. 

There were hundreds of people there for dinner and a concert. 

When I returned home,

 I realized one of my hearing aids was gone.

 Oh no!

 $6,000 aids gone.

 Just on a whim, and a little desperate,

 I posted the loss on facebook. 

What are the chances

 anyone would see my post or 

have the hearing aid? 

Not likely. 

Sherri glanced at facebook. 

She and Rick stopped at FLM and 

combed the large floor 

before it would be swept on Monday morning. 

Sherri found my lost hearing aid. 

Sherri and Rick call it a miracle! 

Miracles are what happen when 

 we stop. 

My hearing aid still works!

Another miracle!

No person or 

chair or

 garlic mashed potato

 stepped on it along the way. 

 What servant hearts!

 Those Snavely's! 

What a beautiful act of servant leadership. 

I thank God 

you stopped.

And you stopped. 

Thousands of you stopped last week and 

prayed for my grandgirl 

Evie recovering from heart surgery.  Being resuscitated twice in the last six months, and 

the doctor telling us if her heart stops again,

 her chances of survival 

are not good,

 the gravity of her heart condition was real.

 But you stopped and 

you prayed and 

you shared with your churches and

 they stopped and prayed and 

they shared with their social network and 

more stopped and prayed.

 The Holy Spirit orchestrated 

a movement of prayer 

around the globe and 

people stopped and 

people prayed.

  I wish you could see the messages I received. 

"I don't even know who Evie is,

 but she has touched my heart and 

I am praying for her."

 "I hope I meet Evie someday because 

she has changed my life.

 Her courage and strength 

give me courage and strength."

 I heard from people all over the world.

 I don't even know how they learned of Evie. 

Thank you for stopping and praying. 

God answered in miraculous ways. 

Evie is recovering and 

the twinkle is back in her blueberry eyes as 

she plays with her jingle bell. 

Next week we hope all the tubes will be removed and 

we'll see her sweet smile. 

What a glorious day of praise that will be.

We live in a world that hurts.

 Smiling faces masquerade the pain deep in one's heart. 

Let's make an effort to 

stop and

 ask as Jesus did to the blind man, 

"What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18:41). 

Each one 

stopping for

 each one.

 What a blessed way to live — just like Jesus.

May your day be filled with splashes of serenity!

Miller's Merry Christmas 2024

 Four years ago, I lay in a covid bed tethered to life-sustaining oxygen attached to a wall. The Lord held my heart during those three weeks in isolation.  Looking back, I realize how delightful was the time. Just me and my Lord. 

In the quiet, He reminded me of Psalm 139:16:

“. . .  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

All of our days are ordained for us before we are born. 

Wow!

 Epiphany!

 “Ordained” means 

“Set apart for a purpose.” 

Every day of my life and yours is set apart for a purpose and ordained by God before we are born.

 As 2025 approaches and Christmas is celebrated, I strive to find God’s purpose     each day. 

Every hour, every breath, every word, thought, and moment is in God’s unique plan for my life.  

I love watching our 15^th grandbaby Evelyn Jubilee discover her purpose.

 Evie has Down Syndrome. 

Her value cannot be denied. 

She brings joy and laughter to every heart. Her eyes twinkle and her whole face beams at her zest for life. So happy to be alive, she treats every moment and each person as precious to her heart. 

Evie sees the world through the eyes of Jesus, and

 just like God,

Evie delights in you.  

As we ponder the birth of the baby Jesus, we realize

 God knit Deity in Mary’s womb for a great purpose:

 To bring us to God. 

Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins

and rose again three days later!

  And what is our response?  

Ask God’s forgiveness, 

repent of our sins,

 believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 

surrender our lives to Jesus as our Lord and Savior and Shepherd. 

The Lord is our Shepherd as we seek our purpose.

 A shepherd guides his sheep.

 Take hold of Jesus and allow Him to guide you to the perfect purpose God ordained for you when He knit you in your mother’s womb. 

What a precious Savior and Shepherd is Jesus our Lord!

Dan and I and all our family are well. 

We count it all joy to call you our family and friends.

Blessed Christmas!

Do You Have a Book in You? Perhaps It's Time to Give Birth.

I wanted to write a book, but I didn't have a clue how to write a book until I found you -- Montrose Christian Writer's Conference. There I learned much of what one needs to know about the writing life and publishing business.  

Four published books later, I am eager to return to the 35th Annual Montrose Christian Writer's Conference (beginning July 15 dinner and ending July 19 at 10 a.m.) and teach others from my 20+ years of continued learning and experience as an author.

I join three editors and five best-selling authors as well as numerous workshop leaders in a fabulous week of fun and learning.

From drama, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and all in between you'll learn from the classes you choose to attend as well as from the new author friends who surround you. 

 I am teaching three workshops. 

Shining God's Light on Your Writing Career

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Poor Writing

My Book is Finished. Now What?

 Reflecting on the many writer's conferences I've attended at Montrose and elsewhere, I am thankful for those who came along and helped me see the fruit of years of writing. Most of all, I am thankful for the friendships which began there and remain until this day. It's all precious and special in my heart. 

There are a few rooms left! See you there!  

More info at:   https://www.montrosebible.org/OurEvents/tabid/113/page_550/1/eventid_550/1413/Default.aspx

Merry Christmas 2023 From our Family to Yours

 

 Gifts! 

Everyone loves gifts at Christmas time. 

My grandson Isaac reminded me, 

"Grandma, Christmas isn't about presents.

 Christmas is about Jesus" [presence]. 

This Christmas, thank God for His Indescribable Gift which is 

". . . eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Our hearts are filled with smiles and babies this 2023. 

What joy!

Our first great grandchild,

 Elaine Mae Sliwa, 

was born to Connor and Chassidy. 

She's cuter than any button and 

named after me and her other great grandma Elaine!

 (In case you didn't notice.) 

What an honor!

 This week we rejoice again as another precious gift arrived from Heaven,

Evelyn Jubilee Sliwa! 

Elizabeth's and Joe's 10th child and our 15th grandchild. 

I'm almost breathless at her tender beauty and sweetness. 

Thank you God for the gifts of baby Elaine and sweet Evie, 

sent to teach us much about the True Gift of God with us — Emmanuel!

 

Our grandgirl Ava became a bride in October marrying her love, Owen Yarka. 

Their love for each other filled our hearts afresh with 

the wonder of love and the goodness of God 

who gives us the gift of marriage.

Joanna and Bob enjoy watching their son Ryan excel at his giftedness in baseball. 

Gracie keeps advancing her lifeguard skills and college on-line as she makes her way in this world.

 Joanna and Bob continue using their gifts of 

teaching reading (Joanna) and bringing the Family Life Network news (Bob).

Elizabeth continues her studies toward a Masters degree of nursing/midwifery.  

JoePro Services keeps Joe on the go making local homes beautiful. 

He does great work. 

Garrett's Army duties keep him far away but close to our hearts. 

Brenna, Charlotte, Isaac, Lucas, Gunnar, and Sailor hold down the Sliwa farm, 

and homeschool when they aren't loving on Evie.

Sam and Katie, Lily, Jack, and Holly moved to Dayton, Ohio where 

Sam serves at Wright Patterson AFB. 

I marvel at their ability to adapt, enjoy, and explore 

new homes, towns, experiences, schools, friends.

 That's a gift too.

 Proud of this family who serve our country.

We've had a great year. 

Dan and I are well.

 I remind myself often of my doctor's words, 

"I've had you dead twice, but here you are." 

 I respond as the angel said to Mary, 

"Nothing is impossible with God!" 

I love ending with an exclamation point!

Indeed, our life in Christ is an exclamation point for

Jesus is the greatest gift of all!

We are loved! 

We have a Savior!

 Baby Jesus came to bring salvation to all men!

 He is the Everlasting Father! 

The Prince of Peace! 

The Alpha and the Omega! 

All I can do is bow down and worship with a huge 

Hallelujah and Amen!!! 

May you be blessed this Christmas with the greatest present of all 

— the Presence of Christ in your life,

My Birthday Poem. Three-Quarters of a Century

I love my birthday!

 Every year I write a silly poem (for I am not a poet) 

to celebrate the miracle of life God has given to me.

Woo Hoo! Whoopie!

Happy Birthday to me!

Today I'm three-quarters of a century!

How, oh how could this ever be?

Doctors expected I would never see   

Three-quarters of a century.

But God controls my destiny 

And He has more years for me, 

Apparently. 

So, don't put me out to sea. 

Or think that I've gone up a tree! 

I think that we can all agree 

The best things in life are free. 

I don't need a shopping spree 

To enjoy my salvation which is free!

Believing in Jesus is the key 

to spending life in eternity.

One day my birthdays will be Heavenly.

Until then, I celebrate with glee 

The joy of living three-quarters of a century. 

 And thank God He's allowed me to arrive  

To the ripe old age of seventy-five.   

"Gray hair is a crown of glory" 

(Proverbs 17:6) 

 

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!

Prayer: More Than Flowery Phrases or Deep Theology

"Would anyone like to pray?" 

We all know the awkward feeling. 

Hoping someone prays before grandpa begins a blessing longer than the mashed potatoes remain hot. 

Looking down and hoping you aren't volunteered by a brother smirking in the next seat. 

Would anyone like to pray? The answer seems to be we don't "like" to pray after all. I'm guilty. Talking to God for the world and the family to hear can be intimidating. What will I say? I remember my first out-loud prayer. Tears of love for Jesus filled my heart and eyes as I prayed, "Thank You, God. Amen." Oh my. Four words were all I could say, and I cried! Tears fell on my food. How embarrassing! No flowery phrases or deep theology on my tongue. Just four words. And tears. Looking back, I am confident God loved my prayer because God saw my heart.

I imagine another table. Jesus sits at the right hand of God. 

God asks, Would anyone like to pray for Elaine?

Jesus jumps up. Me! Me! I will pray for Elaine!

And Jesus does — all day — every day — interceding for me and for you.

Imagine what life would be like if Jesus responded, "Nah. I don't want to pray for Elaine today"? Jesus would never say those words, but do we when we are lackluster in prayer?

Oh Jesus, forgive me for prayerlessness. What a gift you gave when you allowed us access to your ears and your heart through our prayers. What a privilege to pray — all day — every day to the One who prays without ceasing for me.

 Jesus "is at the right hand of God . . . interceding for us"

 (Romans 8:34)

Prayer is a splash of serenity God grants to all. Jump right in and enjoy the living water He gives when He refreshes us through our prayers to Him and His prayers for us.