Have you ever needed an answer to a need in your life and no matter how hard you prayed the answer just didn’t seem to come. We not only have to practice patience and faith but Isa. 30:31 says: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be wary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Wait and your answer will come.

On the afternoon of June 19, 1969, my grandmother, Ruth Motes, lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 59. Early detection is the key and that is why it is so important to schedule a mammogram. Your first mammogram should be between 35 and 40 and annually for all women over 40. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the earliest stages have a 5-year survival rate of over 98 per cent.

Since 1969, cancer research has advanced so much that it makes me wonder sometimes if more funding had been available for research then maybe my grandmother could have beat the odds and perhaps lived a longer life.

Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Aundra McAnally and Javon Alldredge on Oct. 17, Steven Aguado and Judy Woodall on Oct. 18, Dione Hatfield and Barbara Hawkins on Oct. 19, Loria Allen and Ryan Halbrooks on Oct. 20, Jonathan Nelson on Oct. 21 and Peggy Shadden and Jeaneen Dean on Oct. 23.