May 8, 2015 - Counting Down - and an Update!

The countdown is on - one week from Monday is surgery day! This is the second part of reconstruction surgery, where tissue expanders (which are UNCOMFORTABLE) will be replaced with implants. Maybe it seems odd that I have been counting down to surgery - but it seems like this will be the end of the journey that began last October, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It's been rescheduled twice - first because I needed to have chemo, and next when I had to have eye surgery. But it's almost here!!

Life is so much more normal these days. My eye is healed, my vision is great, my hair is really starting to grow (I even went to Kroger without a wig this week!), and physically and mentally, I am feeling like myself. 

One thing that has changed drastically in my life over the last few months is a much greater reliance on God. While I wouldn't wish this journey on anyone, I wouldn't trade the lessons I've learned. God has been with us every step of the way, providing peace, comfort and an assurance that the hard days won't overwhelm us. 

There are so many things from this journey that I am still processing - but three things stand out in my mind at this point:

1) WORRY adds nothing. 

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? (Luke 12:25-26 NLT)

2) JOY is the best weapon against satan's schemes.

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)

3) At the end of the day, LOVE is the only thing that will remain. If we get that wrong, nothing else matters. But if we get it right, it will change everything. 

Thank you for all your prayers on our behalf and for all your encouragement! We are blessed. 

May 1, 2015 - RESTORED

re-store. (rĭ-stôr′)

1. To bring back into existence or use; reestablish: 
2. To bring back to an original or normal condition

This has been an amazing week. It has been so good to be "face up" again and to do things that I can easily take for granted - walking through the produce section at Kroger, going out for sushi, taking a walk around the neighborhood and looking at the beautiful blue sky. 

The most incredible thing has been how I feel, physically, mentally and spiritually. After surgery in November and chemo from January to March, I didn't take much down time. I pushed myself to get back to life. But "face down" time forced me to really rest. I didn't realize how tired I was until this week. 

"Face down" time was a blessing - a gift. It restored me. 

"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD." (Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV)

April 29, 2015 - Happy!

I am happy about a lot of things today:

1) I go to the eye doctor this afternoon and have no doubt that he will "spring" me from face down time. I've been able to see the gas bubble in my eye since the surgery; last week when I was at the doctor, it took up about half the vision in my eye. This week, it's much smaller.

2) I am rested and feel the best that I have felt since I began treatment for cancer.

3) I am going into the office for awhile today - so excited to see my pals!!

4) I get to be back at church this weekend!! Yay!!

5) My hair is growing! It's only about 1/4 inch long but it's coming back!!

6) I have begun to lose the weight that I gained from chemo. 

7) It is absolutely beautiful outside and I can't wait to look up at the blue sky!!

Some of those things may not sound like much, but put them all together and that is an awesome list!! It's very easy to be happy today - but I am SO THANKFUL for God's presence and peace that has been with me on so many "not easy" days. Growing closer to Him has made this all so worthwhile. 

You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
How You love me

How wide, how deep
How great is Your love for me
How wide, how deep
How great is Your love for me

April 28, 2015 - Noise

"If you lower the ambient noise of your life and listen expectantly for those whispers of God, your ears will hear them. And when you follow their lead, your world will be rocked." - Bill Hybels

As I prepare to come out of almost two weeks of "face down" hibernation, I couldn't agree more with this quote. 

We get so busy with our daily lives that we sometimes think we don't have time to listen - but in fact, we are always listening to something. We seem to easily pay attention to the people who are demanding things from us, or listen to lies that satan uses to discourage us. 

Turning down the "noise" in our lives allows us to listen for God's voice, and I want to give priority to recognizing THAT voice. He speaks peace, mercy and grace into our lives, and gives us comfort, strength and direction. 

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)