Cushing's and kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) patient, founder, owner and webmaster of Cushing's Help and Support, web designer, piano teacher and mom.
I am a Cushing's patient who has dealt with Cushing's symptoms since 1983 (or earlier) and the aftereffects of pituitary surgery since 1987.
Because I had very little support for my symptoms, diagnosis and surgery, I decided to try to make things a little better for other patients and started a support site called Cushing's Help and Support in 2000. The site has grown to astronomical numbers. This disease isn't as rare as doctors have told us!
In 2006, I was also diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). My left kidney and adrenal gland were removed. Having an adrenal gland removed complicates my post-Cushing's symptoms.
I am not planning to have any more rare and unusual diseases.
My entire bio to date can be found here: http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm
But, enough of that - it's not always about Cushing's, or even Cancer. This one is about Life!
Vale UMC invites members of the community to help us package 80,000 meals for the global anti-hunger organization Rise Against Hunger.
The meal packaging event will be held at Vale UMC (11528 Vale Road, Oakton) on Sunday, February 2nd and will be organized into three sessions: 11:30-1:30pm, 2:00-4:00pm, & 4:30-6:30pm. To volunteer for a shift, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE
The whole family can participate! Kids ages 8 and up can help; child care for children under 8 can be provided if you give us advance notice (please make a note in the comments section). And for teens, this is a great opportunity to earn community service hours for school.
NOTE: The meals were purchased from the proceeds of Vale’s annual Christmas tree sale—so if you purchased a tree from Vale, thank you!
Scan the QR code below for the Poetry Slam Application and Guidelines.
POETRY SLAM GUIDELINES
Please review and make sure to adhere to the following guidelines before submitting your poem:
Submit only one poem.
Your poem must be an original piece of work. Plagiarism is a very serious offense.
The theme is TRANSFORMATION.
Poetry can be written in any style on the subject of TRANSFORMATION.
Please use proper language. Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or wholly inappropriate will not be accepted.
All poems must be written in English.
The writer must be a student, at least 13 years old in the 7th grade.
By submitting your poem to this poetry slam, you accept that your poem will appear online and may appear in a print anthology. Regardless of how your poem will appear, you will be credited as the author.
We reserve the right to not publish a poem for any reason.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Originality and creativity.
Quality of the poem – is the idea of TRANSFORMATION communicated clearly?
Is the poem well organized?
Poets can recite poems from memory or read from paper.
Poets cannot use props, costumes, or musical instruments.
The delivery of the poem is just as important as the content.
Performers will be treated with respect.
A poet who is physically unable to read their poem onstage due to a permanent or temporary impairment may have a substitute reader perform the poem as long as: (a) the primary author is in the space and positioned where they are clearly visible to the audience and (b) the reader delivers the poem without significant affectation that draws attention away from the author.
We recognize that being on stage may be terrifying. A poet who experiences extreme anxiety about being on stage or who otherwise requires physical support to be on stage may have a teammate or coach accompany, provided that the accompanying support person remains physically neutral on stage and does not engage in anyway that could be considered to make them a performer.
Entries can be submitted electronically with this poetry slam application completed to Pender United Methodist Church OR mailed to Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033, or dropped off at the church office.
All entries must be received in Pender United Methodist Church office no later than Saturday, February 15, 2025.
PRIZES
Three swag bags will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winner.
Each swag bag will have a variety of items to include a $100, $75, and $50 Amazon gift card respectively included.
Step into a world of giggles and song with “Fun “with Music at Pender! This is not just any music class – it’s a journey through sound and imagination designed especially for preschoolers and their favorite grown-ups. Since 2013, Jim and Roberta Pont have been creating a space where tiny toes tap, and little voices echo with joy, crafting a magical musical experience for children from birth to five years old.
Wave ‘hello’ and join us every Monday morning for a delightful 30-minute musical escapade! Our littlest musicians and their families come together at 10 AM to sing, dance, and make friends with tunes. We dive into a treasure trove of stuffed animals and toys, transforming the room into an enchanting stage for our budding performers. With every stuffed lion’s roar or elephant’s trumpet, your child’s imagination will soar!
After the musical fiesta, it’s time for a yummy snack, followed by playtime where kids can explore and make-believe. Meanwhile, moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers can relish a homemade brunch prepared with love – a perfect chance to mingle and share stories.
Our box of wonders is always brimming with surprises! One day it’s a car zooming around, another day it’s a train chugging along. Flip it over and voilà, it’s a drum or even a rumbling thunder to match the beat of our songs. From “The Wheels on the Bus” to sparkling new Bible-based rhymes, we have tunes that will make your little one’s heart dance with every beat!
Last week, our pint-sized percussionists marched on bubble wrap to the rhythm of a march, popping and hopping with glee. And guess what’s next? A tunnel adventure awaits their curious little eyes and eager hands!
So, if you’re a parent with a playful tot between zero to five, and Monday mornings are open, come and make a splash in our sea of melodies at ‘Melody Mornings’. It’s not just fun; it’s a musical hug for the heart and soul. Can’t wait to sing and swing into a new day of joy with you and your little one!
This class meets every Monday starting September 9 at 10 am except for school holidays. Register at 9:30 on September 9.
The Pender UMC Traditional Service Final Hymn “Since Jesus Came into My Heart”, Sunday March 17, 2024 was played by Hetty Jacobs on piano and sung by the Sanctuary Choir and congregation. This was the fifth Sunday in Lent.
Rufus Henry McDaniel, ordained in 1873, turned his profound grief into a timeless hymn after losing his son Herschel in 1913. In 1914, he crafted “Since Jesus Came into My Heart,” a gospel hymn that beautifully encapsulates the transformative journey of faith, resonating with personal salvation experiences. McDaniel’s choice of repeating the impactful phrase “since Jesus came into my heart” throughout the hymn emphasizes the deep-seated change brought by faith.
Scriptural Foundation:
The hymn’s message is deeply rooted in scripture, particularly in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse perfectly encapsulates the transformative journey that McDaniel illustrates through his hymn.
Experiencing Transformation:
Each verse of the hymn narrates the significant shift from a life of wandering to one of purpose and direction, akin to the lost son’s return in Luke 15:24. This parable and the hymn alike celebrate the restoration and new life found in coming home to the Father through Jesus Christ.
Joy in Salvation:
The hymn exudes a joy that resonates with 1 Peter 1:8-9, which speaks of “an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” McDaniel’s lyrics mirror this joy, reflecting the profound inner peace and satisfaction that accompany salvation.
Navigating Life’s Journey:
In “Since Jesus Came into My Heart,” there’s a clear narrative of moving from life’s aimless wandering to walking a path illuminated by Christ’s love, reminiscent of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The hymn emphasizes the guidance and clarity Jesus brings to our lives.
Eternal Perspective:
The hymn concludes with a forward-looking view, expressing hope and assurance in the eternal life promised in John 14:2-3, where Jesus assures, “In my Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” McDaniel’s lyrics affirm the believer’s hope of dwelling with Christ forever.
“Since Jesus Came into My Heart” is not just a hymn but a profound testament to the enduring power of faith and the unifying journey of believers. It continues to inspire and resonate within the global Christian community, proving the timeless nature of McDaniel’s heartfelt composition.
In sum, “Since Jesus Came into My Heart” is a vibrant declaration of the radical change and boundless joy that come with a life surrendered to Christ, offering a blueprint for the Christian walk that is guided by faith, illuminated by divine love, and anchored in eternal hope.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank You for the profound changes You instigate in our lives. Like the joyful declarations in “Since Jesus Came into My Heart,” we too celebrate the new life, direction, and hope You have gifted us. May our lives continue to reflect the transformative power of Your love and grace. Amen.
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