Never A Dull Moment

I can't believe my last post was over a year ago! How has it been so long?  Why did I stop writing? I could make all kinds of excuses - surgeries, recovery, kids, mobile church, laundry, etc. But, I really think the only answer is. . . I just felt like I had nothing to say. I am an introvert by nature. On the DISC scale, I am an S/C with very little D/I. I will work behind the scenes and not think twice about it.  But, I married a high D and as pastors, it is difficult to operate behind the scenes only and lead at the same time. Sometimes I have to be reminded that I do have things to say and share. So, share I must.  When I started this blog, I was feeling the effects of working all the time and lacking a creative outlet.  When I was given my diagnosis and started the treatment plan, all 'extra' things just went out the window and we focused on surviving and maintaining. It's been 2-1/2 years since the diagnosis, almost 2 years since my mastectomy and almost 2 years...

Well, it's been a while! Sorry for the drought, but there have been a few things going on. Let's see . . . cancer diagnosis, chemo treatments, mastectomy, radiation, Christmas holidays, rest from all that for 5 months while going back to work, then reconstruction surgery. Throw in a few bajillion baseball games, band concerts and various other kid related events, as well as church functions (ALIVE Conference) and that brings us up to speed. It's been a full spring! I am rounding out my days while on short term leave, recovering from reconstructive surgery. It was a little more challenging than I thought it would be, but in some ways it has been better than I expected - purely by the grace of God. I am back to sleeping flat in my bed again, praise Jesus! And can mostly walk upright - just a slight lean from the tightness of my abdomen where they stretched the skin tight to close up where they removed 'blubber'. I am looking forward to being able to join my family in ...

During this whole 'journey', there have been some challenges and some victories. At one point, I received Dodie Osteen's book "Healed of Cancer".  I dug into it very quickly and have highlighted these 40 scriptures that she used - they have become my own.  I have them printed out and on index cards.  It's amazing how much the Word has been a source.  My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 30:17 that says 'I will restore your health and heal your wounds, says The Lord". I have quoted that many times over the last few months.  Especially when my hands and feet were numb or when I was feeling queasy.  My prayer when I started this was that I would not look tired and sick.  I did not want my children to have to see me in the worst of the worst.  I did not want to look sick.  Thankfully, although I have felt sick many, many times, I have not really looked sick.  I did lose my hair.  It began to fall out two days after my second chemo treatmen...

April 3rd - that's the day I sat in the doctor's office and listened to her tell me that I had 'Invasive Ductal Carcinoma'.  Jimmy and I were just shocked. There's nothing you can ask or say in a moment like that. She explained that this is not an area of specialty for her so she read the report and then recommended a surgeon that she wanted us to meet with - who would be able to explain more. I drove home - we were in separate cars - and cried and prayed and called my parents who were waiting to hear. I stayed home the rest of the day just trying to figure myself out. The peace of God was definitely there, but there were so many unknowns that we had to work through. I called and scheduled an appointment with the surgeon for the following Monday. We celebrated Kid#1's 13th birthday that weekend and it's always good to have a busy family weekend to keep your mind off of things. So thankful for my family through all of this! Monday meeting with the surgeon ...

Ok, so most of the people who read this silly attempt to blog already know what is going on in my world lately.  If not, this will not be a pleasant start to a post.  I may not even post this but just use this as a way to gather my thoughts - they always seem to become more orderly in my head when I write them down. Series of unfortunate events: - Middle of February - after a 7 day cruise with my hubby, discover a lump in my left breast. It feels a little like contracted muscles - tight and a little uncomfortable when pressed. Agree to get it checked out. - Early March - celebrate my 39th birthday and call to schedule appointment with ob/gyn.  Doctor is out of town for the following week (Spring Break) and appointment would be pushed to April so agree to see Nurse Practitioner instead. Pay large amount of money (unmet deductible) to have her tell me that I have a lump and need to get it checked. - Mid-March - schedule appointment for mammogram and ultrasound. It was a...

Somehow, time has flown in such a way that one-fourth of the year 2014 is almost over. . . let that sink in for a minute. So, here's what has happened so far this year (or at least since I last blogged): - Christmas came and went. It was glorious! Great gifts, baking bonanza, time off with the family. Could not have asked for more. - New Year's Eve - fellowship and games, and prayed in the New Year with some of my favorite people. All prepped for a great year of promise! - January included some work travel. Who goes to Calgary in January? This girl. Nothing like standing at the window in your hotel room on the 23rd floor of a strange city, looking out and seeing life happen - to remind you how small we really are! So thankful for grace and home and snow boots. - February - the month of LOVE. Took a 7 day cruise with The Hubs. Can you say 'Fabulous?' It was! Especially since about 75% of the crowd was over 60 - I felt young and like I looked very good in my swimsuit!...

Found this list of names of Jesus and who He is for us, and had to share. Let Him be these things to you! He is. . . Alpha and Omega – Revelation 1:8 Blessed Hope – Titus 2:13 Bright and Morning Star – Revelation 22:16 Captain – Hebrews 2:10 Comforter – John 14:16-18 Christ – Matthew 1:16 Counselor – Isaiah 9:6 Creator – Romans 1:25 Crown of Glory – Isaiah 28:5 Deliverer – Psalms 40:17 Dwelling Place – Psalms 90:1 Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6 Faithful and True – Revelation 19:11 Fountain of Living Waters – Jeremiah 17:13 Gift of God – John 4:10 Good Shepherd – John 10:11 God With Us – Matthew 1:23 Gracious – Romans 16:24 High Tower – Psalms 18:2 Holy One of Israel – Psalms 89:18 I Am – John 18:6 Immanuel – Isaiah 7:14 Jehovah Jireh – Provider – 1 John 4:9 Jehovah Nissi – Banner – 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 Jehovah Shalom – Peace – Isaiah 9:6 Jehovah Tsidkenu – Righteousness – 1 Cor 1:30 Jehovah Shammah – Present – Hebrew 13:5 Jehovah M’Ka...