Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Urgent Prayer Request for Nan's Brother

I am asking for you and all other prayer warriors out there to pray for my brother, Woody Cottle.  He is in Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.  He is in need of a heart transplant.  He's 70 years old and we just met for the first time three years ago (that's the short version.  He never knew he had a sister until Feb. '08)  He is a wonderful, sweet man and I love him so much.  He's been having trouble for some time now, in and out of the local hospital, and was admitted through the ER yesterday.  I am leaving home at 7am in the morning to be with him and his wife, Judy.  Please pray with me for God's divine will in Woody's life.  I am not afraid for him.  I know the power of prayer.  I trust the good Lord to be with him and with the medical staff who are caring for him.  Thank you so much.  Love, Nan

Every gesture of good will begins with a thought

Imaging can help you be successful in the areas of goal setting, conviction building, and action taking.

A goal is only a wish or dream until it is written down and pursued.

You must develop the conviction that your goal is achievable.  Do this by building a mental picture of the goal being reached, and run it over and over in your mind.

Once the picture is formed, take the steps your mind tells you are necessary to achieve reality.

At each level on the road to success, an underlying faith in God will remove the worry that can block progress.

All of the quotes I've shared with you today come directly from the book by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale entitled How To to make POSITIVE IMAGING work for you.  I just purchased this book on Monday at the Goodwill store in town.  Somehow I must have had the God-given insight of which Dr. Peale wrote about in this book when I decided to donate my teddy bear collection to the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.  In my mind I could see myself finding more bears specifically for this purpose.  I envisioned myself talking to Jeff at the dry cleaners shop.  I envisioned myself taking the teddy bears to the hospital.  All of this happened!
On Friday, July 22nd, I delivered the first 25 bears to the ER and met Greta Jordan for the first time in person.  It was an incredible experience!  My heart was filled with love and joy as I was introduced to the ER doctor, the nurses, and other staff members.  To witness the looks of wonder and support on their faces brought me such joy I can barely describe it.  As a child is given a teddy bear, the parent is given an envelope which holds a copy of the poem I wrote entitled Nan's good will bears.  It's not about me getting credit.  It's about acknowledging the Source of all comfort, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and providing comfort to someone when they need it and least expect to receive it.  While I was there, two children in the ER were given teddy bears.  They had been involved in a car accident.
I envision receiving boxes of teddies coming to my office as people are encouraged to participate in this endeavor to bring a soft, cuddly touch of comfort to sick and injured children.  I have faith that by the grace of God more teddy bears will come and we will continue to share the love of God with more children and their families.  This excites me immensely!   Remember, every gesture of good will begins with a thought.  Take it from there and make your gesture of good will a reality.  Action required  :)
Have a wonderful day!  Love, Nan
P.S. Scroll down this page to see a photo of one of these special teddies.


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Nan's good will bears (the poem)


Nan’s good will bears

By: Nan Forehand
Written on July 18, 2011

It’s easy to do something good and kind
when you’ve got a plan on your mind!
Every gesture of good will begins with a thought.
I know I’m doing exactly what I ought!
Over time I’ve collected teddy bears
and believe me, this lady really cares!
I’m giving away my bundles of joy.
Each teddy is more than just a stuffed toy!
Every one is an expression of love
reminding me of God above!
From the board of directors to the director of staff
They loved my idea, and didn’t even laugh!
To the hospital ER my teddies will go.
My love for little children I want to show!
To provide them comfort and peace,
a teddy will bring them sweet release!
When they are sick or hurt with fear in their eyes
the love of a teddy will silence their cries!
Cuddly and clean, by golly, by gosh;
my friend, Jeff, gave each one a professional wash!
Jeff’s the best dry cleaner in all the land,
always smiling and happy to lend a helping hand!
Each teddy bear has been loved by gentle hands before.
Now these children will take them home and love them even more!
My teddies will serve to remind one and all
It’s good to be loving and kind to people big and small!
Now you know the story of Nan’s good will bears,
all because this lady really cares!
Author’s note: The good Lord provides in abundance!  My collection began with 12 teddy bears and from April until July, has grown to more than 50 bears.  People have also begun to donate bears as word has spread about my plan. Sincere thanks go out to Aurora Tudela, Greta Jordan and Jeff White and the Iredell Memorial Hospital Emergency Room staff.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Nan's good will bears

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  ~Dalai Lama


Today is the day I will meet Greta Jordan and take her "Nan's good will bears"!  She is the director of the Emergency Room at Iredell Memorial Hospital.  Several years ago I began to collect teddy bears.  Of course, it didn't begin as a collection or with the idea of a collection in mind.  I occasionally came upon a beautiful teddy bear and decided I wanted it.  I never had a teddy bear as a child and I thought to myself that it's never too late and I'm not too old to buy myself a teddy bear.  
At some point last year I began to think of doing something special with my collection of bears.  "Nan's good will bears" came to be when I contacted my friend, Aurora, who is on the Board of Directors at the hospital and gave her my idea.  I wanted to donate my teddies to the Emergency Room to be given to sick or hurt children who were being admitted who were frightened and needed a special diversion from what was being done to them and for them as the professional staff cared for their needs.
I have the first 25 bears ready for delivery this afternoon.  They have each been professionally cleaned by my friend, Jeff White, who runs Sloan's Cleaners.  Jeff is a wonderful man who always has a smile on his face and is happy to lend a helping hand.  His involvement is critical, in that, parents and hospital staff know the bears have been professionally cleaned before they reach the hands of the children.  I am so grateful God brought Jeff and me together.
There are another dozen bears at the cleaners being cleaned as I type this message.  I have another 26 bears waiting to go to the cleaners.  I take Jeff a dozen at a time. 
I am continually amazed at how God has richly blessed this intention of good will.  He has provided in abundance!  I find the bears in excellent condition for very affordable prices.  My original collection had a total of 12 bears and just look how abundantly God has provided these beautiful bears for children who have no clue they will receive one!  Others have begun to bring their bears to me, as well.
Aurora got in touch with the director of the ER, Greta Jordan, and now you know the rest of the story.
Tomorrow I will share with you the poem I wrote called Nan's good will bears.


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  ~Dalai Lama


Take care and have a wonderful day!  I will!  Love you! Nan

Monday, July 18, 2011

A Better Life

You will also declare a thing and it will be established for you.
Job 22:28

Whoever believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.
Mark 11:23

I can only write of what I know is true.  A long time ago, I looked death in the face and wanted to live.  I not only wanted to live, I wanted a better life than the one I was living.  At that time I was 23 years old.  Negative things were happening all around me, but I knew I had to live, not only for myself, but because, somehow, someway, God had plans for my life and I knew if I gave in to chronic negative thinking, I would not live to find out His purpose for me.  I remember talking passionately to God saying "God, I know there has to be a better life than the one I'm living.  I want that life, Lord.  I want to live the life You want me to live.  I want to be loved the way You want me to be loved. "   God knew that if I succumbed to chronic negative thinking, I would never enjoy the beautiful life He planned for me.  Faith, hope and love kept me alive and thinking positive thoughts.  Never, never, never, never give up hope.  Even when faith falters and love seems elusive, keep the embers of hope burning in your soul.
My first date with Allen was a blind date (remember, I was 23 years old and had recently left home with only the clothes on my back).  Today, we celebrate a marriage of 27 years, 8 months and 6 days and are living happily ever after.  Thanks to God and to Allen, I have been living a better life for a long time. I thank God and Allen for the two beautiful children we have been blessed to parent.  Ashley and John are the children God knew would be in my future and they are both so precious.  
If you believe that God has plans for you to live a better life than the one you are living today, remember what it says in the book of Mark "Whoever believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says." Remember, however, that verse can apply to negative thinking as well as positive thinking.  Guard your thoughts and your tongue.  We must be careful not to declare that something bad will happen.   Go into your Bible and read Jeremiah 29:11 and keep reading.
All things happen in God's time, not our time.  All we have to do is to keep positive thoughts and believe.  Remember, the dominant thought wins.  Make sure your dominant thoughts are positive ones.  Trust me, I know this is true.
I'm doing more than living a better life.  I'm living my life on purpose.
Take care and know you are loved.  Nan

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Nature's Treasured Moments

Early this morning, after I rinsed my cucumbers and continued the process of making sweet pickles, I went to the garden to pick green beans.  I had just begun placing the beautiful green beans in my repurposed ice cream bucket when the most amazing thing happened.  I've picked a many of a green bean in my life and this experience I'm about to share with you has never happened to me before.  I was bent over from the waist, rustling through the leaves, picking beans,  when along came a tiny baby rabbit taking his/her  time as he/she  moved through the foliage right in front of me!  He/she had been further up the row where I had not picked beans and walked right in front of me!  Mind you, he/she was so low to the ground and the bean bushes were so dense there was no room to hop!  This little baby rabbit showed no fear of me at all and sat within arms reach of me as I picked my beans.  Then it moved along through the beans and crossed over to the row beside me.  I leaned over it and just watched it breathe.  It was a beautiful moment.  Something so simple brought me pleasure in a treasured moment meant only for me to enjoy.  I didn't mind the sweat dripping down my back or the dirt on my hands or the little pain in my back from bending over the green bean bushes.  In that moment, it was just me, God, and the little baby rabbit.  Amazingly, our black Lab, Bob and our cats were still at my house.
When we least expect something wonderful to happen, it will.  I never would have imagined I would have this close encounter with a little baby rabbit.  God prepared for my little visitor to be in just the right place at just the right time to greet me this morning.  That's how it is with God's blessings for us.  He has already been where we are going and has already prepared one blessing after another for our pleasure.  What a shame and a pity to miss out on this treasured moment had I not decided to go to the garden this morning!
I would love to hear from you and how God blessed you with an unexpected treasured moment.  Now I have to jump up and finish getting ready to leave for work!
Take care and stay in touch! Love, Nan

Monday, July 11, 2011

Wow!

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you.  Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.  True education combines intellect, beauty, goodness, and the greatest of these is goodness.  When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.  Helen Keller

Wow!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Living the good life with true happiness

If this world affords true happiness, it is to be found in a home where love and confidence increase with the years, where the necessities of life come without severe strain, where luxuries enter only after their cost has been carefully considered.  A. Edward Newton

Gosh, it seems as though Mr. Newton has taken a peek into my life with Allen even though he passed away in 1940.  I know this quote won't apply to all who read it today, but it holds so much meaning for me that I am compelled to share it with you.  I know there are young couples out in the world trying to make it together who need to know they hold true happiness in their hearts already.  They need to know that happiness isn't some elusive treasure that is just beyond their grasp.  True happiness is already inside each one of them, ready at a moment's notice.
I also know there are couples living separately together who basically go through the motions who aren't truly happy together, but don't know how to bring back the happiness into their marriage.  Happiness has always been there, but sometimes covered over with negatives.  Remember, the dominant thought wins.  Make your dominant thoughts happy thoughts.  Keep an attitude of gratitude.  Remember to praise your spouse in public and any negative thought you would have about each other should never leave your lips in public and should be carefully considered before speaking them at home.  Once hurtful words are spoken out loud, they can never be taken back.  Apologize when necessary.  As you point out each other's strengths, the weaknesses are lessened.  Strengthen each other, build each other up.  Smile more.
Allen and I are living happily ever after each and every day.  Allen talks on the phone a lot at work doing his business and sometimes when the customer asks Allen how he is, Allen says, "man, I'm just living the good life."
Even if you are not currently in a relationship, you, too, can live the good life.  True happiness is what God wants for you.  It's never too late to open up your heart and accept your own happiness.  It's there.  It never went away.  I want you to be happy, but more than that, God wants you to be happy.  So, today, simply be

Saturday, July 9, 2011

God's Timing Is Always Perfect!

You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now.  How?  By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged.  Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.
from the writings of Dale Carnegie

I just learned of Mr. Carnegie this past week and didn't know anything about him.  Then, much to my surprise, I came across two copies of one of his books in the Goodwill store!  The quote above came from another book  Dale Carnegie's Scrapbook A Treasury of the Wisdom of the Ages.  How amazing is that!
Another example of God's timing is always perfect!!  I'm so excited to get more into the book!  I'm sure you will enjoy more great quotes as I come across them.  Take care and have a wonderful weekend!  
Love, Nan

Friday, July 8, 2011

Changing Your Mind

Once in a long while I will come across a simple statement that speaks to me in a lot of ways.  We learn best by repetition, I think.  I'm excited as I sit here typing this message, simply because the sentence I'm about to share with you is a powerful one.  I use the method of particular repetition as a learning tool.  I hope you get as much from it as I did this morning when I discovered it.  As you read the bold, all caps word in each sentence use your most powerful, most confident voice and make sure your tone is a positive one.  Say each sentence out loud and with conviction.  I think it's best to consciously read the words slowly and take your time with each word as you say it.  Remember that even though you see the words in bold and all caps, I'm not yelling at you and you aren't yelling the words.

CHANGING your mind is changing your RELATIONSHIPS.
Changing YOUR mind is changing YOUR relationships.
Changing your MIND is changing your relationships.
Changing your mind IS changing your relationships.
CHANGING your MIND is CHANGING your relationships.
Changing YOUR mind is changing YOUR relationships.
CHANGING YOUR MIND IS CHANGING YOUR RELATIONSHIPs.


Changing your mind is your choice.

Life is all about relationships.  Since we all know we can't change other people, we can change our own thoughts about them.  When we change our thoughts about them and think of them more lovingly, they become more lovable, simply because we allowed our thoughts about them to change.
God doesn't make mistakes.  He created every living creature on earth and He saw beauty in each one upon its creation.  There is positive energy in beauty and negative energy in ugliness.  You've seen or heard something beautiful and you know how you felt at the time.  You felt positive energy.  You've seen or heard something ugly and you know how you felt at that time.  You felt a negative energy.  Find the beauty in each person you meet and as you do, this positive energy over rules the possibility of negative energy.  Being exposed to chronic negativity can be deadly.  I think of it as a cancer of the mind.  There is a cure for this type of cancer.  By changing your negative thoughts to positive ones, you are protecting your mind from cancerous thoughts that can become cancer of the mind.  Remember, everything in creation began as a thought.  I thank God for His beautiful, creative, positive thoughts.  Think beautiful, creative, positive thoughts.  If I didn't think beautiful, creative, positive thoughts, you wouldn't be reading this message.
I love you.  Nan

Thursday, July 7, 2011

A Healing Intention

Everything you need you already have. You are complete right now. You are a whole, total person, not an apprentice person on the way to someplace else. Your completeness must be understood by you and experienced in your thoughts as your own personal reality.
Beverly Sills 


I truly am a whole, total person.  I remember the time in my life when I didn't feel whole.  As I reflect upon then and now, the phrase "a shell of a person" comes to mind.  I know some of you may not feel whole right now.  That is why God guided me to the quote above today.  As I posted the photo of my pretty iris at the bottom of this page, which is named Beverly Sills, I was curious for more information about Ms. Sills.   I googled Beverly Sills and came upon quotes by Ms. Sills.  This one practically jumped off the page at me and begged to be included in today's message, which, interestingly enough, hadn't even been formulated in my mind at the time.
I want to share a quote from a book entitled The Power of Intention written by Dr. Wayne Dyer.  "Don't ask to be healed, ask to be restored to that perfection from which you emanated.  Here's where you want to hold an intention for yourself and for others in an unbending, nonnegotiable way.  Let nothing interfere with the intention you have to heal and be healed.  Discard all negativity that you encounter.  Refuse to let in any energy that will weaken your body or your resolve.  Convey this to others as well.  Remember, you're not asking your Source to heal you, because this assumes health is missing from your life.  It assumes scarcity, but the Source can only recognize and respond to what it is already, and you too are a component of that Source.  Come to the Source as whole and complete, banish all thoughts of illness, and know that by connecting back to this Source -- filling yourself with it and offering it to others -- you become healing itself."
Another very profound quote from this book is as follows "One of the messages of Jesus of Nazareth is apropos of all that I've presented in this chapter on having a healing intention: 
If you bring forth what is inside you, 
what you bring forth will save you.
If you don't bring forth what is inside you,
what you don't bring forth will destroy you.  
What is inside you is the power of intention.  No microscope will reveal it.  You can find the command center with an x-ray technology, but the commander in the command center remains impervious to our sophisticated probing instruments.  You are that commander.  You must allow yourself to be in vibrational harmony with the greatest commander of all and bring it forth to serve you, rather than allowing yourself to be in a state of despair."
This is the message from God for the people of God to the glory of God!
Love, Nan