Nov. 19, 2015 - Not About Me!

I want to let you all know something - why I post about this journey with cancer. From the day I was diagnosed, I felt like God was giving me such comfort and peace and direction, and that He was saying "This isn't about just you, and it's not just about cancer. It's about trusting in Me." 

And that is why I share what is happening in my life with my Facebook friends. Not because I am so unique (statistics show that millions of people are diagnosed with cancer every year) or because I want sympathy - I am blessed beyond measure! But I am learning more every day about the value and importance of committing our day, whatever it looks like, to God, and about truly believing that HE will use our circumstances for His glory. It is the best lesson I have ever learned, and I am continuing to learn more every day!

I read this today and had to share it. Attitude + confidence in the goodness of God = unstoppable power!!  smile emoticon

"Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.

I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me." Chuck Swindoll

Nov. 18, 2015 - Good Father

I had a regularly scheduled follow up appointment with my oncologist on Monday - the first time I had been there in six months. I have been having some pain in my ribs for a few weeks, and my doctor scheduled a bone scan, which will happen the first week in December. It's possible for breast cancer to metastasize to ribs, so I'm grateful for a proactive doctor who checks things out!

I am not stressing about it - and there is no reason to think the scan will be bad - but it is definitely on my mind. So as the holidays approach, we again have a choice to make - joy or fear. And we definitely choose joy!

This past year has taught me the importance of focusing on the blessings around me. We will enjoy having all our family together before Kelli and John head back to the Philippines in early 2016. We will reject wasting time dwelling on "what if's" - but continue to believe that nothing that happens in our lives is a surprise to God, and He orders our days.

I have listened to this song over and over this week - and I am SO thankful for our Good, Good Father!!

"I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You are perfect in all of your ways
Perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us

You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, It's who I am"

Nov. 9, 2015 - Ordered Steps

The most amazing thing happened as I was flying back to Memphis yesterday. 

There had been no assigned seats on any of my flights until we got to the gate, and as I got on my last flight, I was (for the second time on the trip) assigned to a seat at the very back of the plane. I was thinking I might contact the airline to find out what the problem was.... Until I started talking to the person sitting next to me. Although we had never met, it turns out that she has been attending LF West, and we had a great time talking! We are now friends (fb says so!) and will definitely be talking more in the future. smile emoticon

What may seem like an aggravation, or an amazing coincidence, is nothing less than God, specifically ordering our steps for His purposes!!

Oct. 31, 2015 - Race for the Cure

What a difference a month makes! As I headed into October and the one-year mark of my cancer diagnosis, I felt discouraged. I had been having some health issues, was facing surgeries, and was generally tired of doctors. Even though my doctors are awesome! I also thought that I would prefer to skip all the pink October "reminders" everywhere about breast cancer. 

Fast forward to now. Surgeries are done. Energy level is so much better. We had a great time at the race, dressed head to toe in pink. It was more emotional than I had anticipated to pull on a "survivor" t-shirt and to see so many others wearing the same shirt. 

Cancer stinks. It has been a challenging year and I have plenty of scars to show from the battle, but with the help of God and an army of people around us, I AM most definitely a thankful survivor!  smile emoticonphoto.php

October 15, 2015

“Choose to view life through God's eyes. This will not be easy because it doesn't come naturally to us. We have to allow God to elevate our vantage point... Let Him do what you cannot. Ask Him to give you an eternal, divine perspective.” ― Charles R. Swindoll

One year ago tonight, I went to sleep, not having any idea of the tidal wave that was about to come over our lives. The day when my doctor said, "I wouldn't be surprised if this is cancer." 

The diagnosis was a surprise to us - but it wasn't a surprise to God. Never has there been a time when God has made Himself more real than in this past year. God has used each trial to show us another dimension of His love for us, and I am grateful for His hand of protection.

It's all about perspective - and from where I stand, this has been a very good year!

October 12, 2015 - A Paradox

After spending last week at home, and most of today at the doctor (scheduling dental implants for Oct. 19 and eye surgery for Oct. 26), this was "good medicine" for me!  smile emoticon

"Sometimes in your life you’re going to be so weak you can’t even pray, read the Bible, or go to a Bible study.... What do you do in those moments? You rest in the strength of the Lord, in his arms like a little child, and you trust.

Weakness can actually be a good thing in your life if it causes you to depend on God. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (NLT).

That’s the paradox of depending on God — the more you’re weak, the more you depend on God. And the more you depend on God, the stronger you get." - Rick Warren

October 9, 2015 - Growing Our Faith

"God NEVER stops building our faith. The day is coming when the things that scare you today will seem like no big deal." - Christine Caine

October 16th will mark one year since my doctor told me, "I wouldn't be surprised if this is cancer." 

I never felt fearful about having cancer - I knew from day one that God had our days planned and He was with us. I WAS fearful about what the journey would look like, who would get all the things done that I needed to do - and I couldn't comprehend dealing with chemo. Now - after four surgeries, chemo, hair loss, too many prescriptions and doctors appointments to count, with more surgeries on the calendar - I have such a different perspective. 

What stands out to me the most about this past year is how much my faith has grown. The things that I worried about and feared a year ago do not worry or frighten me now. I understand with such clarity how little control I have over my days - and how much God can be trusted to provide. I have seen God meet every need. Our family and friends have been His hands extended - sending a card, flowers, a meal, a word of encouragement; just what we needed, and just when we needed it. 

One year later - God has been with us and God is good!!

"But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!” 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT)