Day 24

Hello everyone. The story below I wrote a few days ago, but decided not to post, because I felt it might be taken as another negative entry made by me. There have been too many made already.

Having had some time to think things over, I've decided that it would go against everything I believe in when I began this blog.
1.I've always wanted to be honest regarding  my emotions
2.This journey is about my growth, my experience and not about entertaining everyone else.
3. There is a reason, a highlight to all of this buildup

So bear with me folks, I'm going through some things.

"You know, things happen. Mistakes happen, but it's time to pick yourself up. You have another event."

Shawn Johnson's Coach Chow.

 In my journey, there were times where I struggled to the point of wanting to give up. I moaned. I groaned. I complained. Yet, God reminds me, each and every time, to get back up. I could have a horrible morning and I'll open up scripture or a devotional only to find an encouraging word inside made just for that occasion.

 

On the kitchen table lie chocolate covered Easter eggs, staring up at me everytime I walk in the room. Yet, I resist. I have given up so much over the years in the hope of losing some of my weight. Not much, just some. It is a disappointment to me when I get on the scale. I just don't drop pounds like some people. Last ten days I lost 4 pounds and absolutely nothing this week. I want  to cry. What was all that misery for?

It is the same at work. I strive to a higher level of achievement and truly care how I do my job by being a team player and working hard. In the process, I am the one who ends up getting shortchanged by giving up prized vacation dates, or coming in as a replacement for someone else. During those times, I'll end up working with no computers, short staffed or inadequate tools to do my job.  everyone knows how unhappy I am at work.

 

 Why? Why do I continue bothering to do that to myself fully knowing it will be a horrible time of it? Why does my hand automatically rise up to volunteer when I know I will regret later? Why can't I say no? Why do I take on more than I can  chew?

 

All my misery these past few weeks have been my doing. I wish I could turn off my caring button, but I can't, because of who I am in Christ. Even now, as I write here frustrated and declaring to take a vacation day today, I know I won't. I know my duty and my responsibilities. I can feel the Holy Spirit inside of me saying: Get up! You have another event.

 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Day 23

Today, there is only One who deserves our praise and honor. Today, it's all about Jesus and His great sacrifice for us. By His death, we are born again. Happy Easter everyone.



The Potter's Hands

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior
I know for sure, all of my days are
held in Your hands
Crafted into Your  perfect plans

You gently call me into your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me Dear Lord
To live all of my life through Your eyes

I'm captured by Your Holy calling
Set me apart
I know You're drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray

Take me, Mold me
Use me, Fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hands
Hold me, Guide me
Lead me, Walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand.


And ..........

You're a springtime
kind of person,
and there's sunshine
in your smile.
There's warmth in all
the gladness you impart
And here's the special reason
you're so like
this lovely season
It's the Springtime
that you keep
within your heart.
Happy Easter , Happy Spring!

Day 26

I am so excited that this is my last week of this sugar challenge! I cannot wait to have a coffee, a real cup of coffee. Even Emily claims she will bust out baking when I'm done. I'm almost afraid at what she's planning, because she's been baking the whole time.

My mind has been preoccupied with a small decision that I need to make by the end of this week. It is an opportunity, but as I've found out last year, not all opportunities are good ones. More on this in the next few days.

Also, if you have missed the Cancer: Emperor of Maladies special on PBS, you can go on their website and watch it via the internet. I highly recommend this documentary if you are going through cancer or lost someone dear to you. It focuses on cancer through the ages, it's remedies and where we are now. A three part series that I'm watching in spurts. I'm on the prevention part.

Another busy week, but that's how we like it around here. A work associate is retiring and my soul is feeling nostalgic. The Ministry ladies are meeting this Saturday I've been writing up a storm outside of this blog. Lots of news, but we'll have to wait for details.

The following is thanks to grandma Barb!

The Cherokee Indian

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

 

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.

 

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays
of the morning sun shine through it.

 

He cannot cry out for help to anyone

 

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

 

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

 

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

 

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

 

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

 

He had been at watch the entire night,
protecting his son from harm.

 

We, too, are never alone.

 

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us.

 

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

 

Moral of the story:

 

Just because you can't see God,
Doesn't mean He is not there.

 

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Day 22

A smile costs nothing, but creates much good. It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who gave it away. It happens in a flash, but the memory  of it can last forever. No one is so rich that he can get along with out. No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and natures best anecdote for trouble. It cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.

I've had a wonderful day at work on Good Friday! For all the worry and stress that I dealt with this past week, it ended up being one of the best days ever. Why can't they all be like that?

On the other hand, it all turned out good, too. Emily ended up being incredibly busy with her Easter Egg Hunt preparation, spending her Good Friday stuffing the little buggers with candy. This morning she was up at 6 a.m. making croissants( a 3 day prep) and off she went to pass out fliers for Easter Service.

What am I doing? The usual cleaning, laundry and enjoying my mystery two day marathon. Today, I'm a very happy girl!

It's a great weekend, I'm thanking Jesus for all He has done. I am grateful for HIS sacrifice for my salvation. It's not the eggs or the outfit we're celebrating, but His great love for us.

Happy Easter everyone! Give someone a smile this weekend!

Day 21

 If there is one thing I want to leave behind when I die, are pleasant memories for everyone in my life. I want a relationship instead of being just an acquaintance.

 

My Joey was the only boy in our family surrounded by all girls for over 17 years. In the last 13, I have been blessed to have Logan, Luke, Tim, Justin, Ashton, Kai and Lachlan as my nephews and grandson. There were also a few girls thrown in there, too.

 

Yesterday morning, I was honored to have spent some time with one of them. Luke, a bundle of energy ready to explode any minute and with a hint of a moustache, joined my mother and I on our weekly shopping spree. One would think that a boy of twelve would be bored doing so, but he was beaming the entire time.

He could not stop fidgeting as if he swallowed a spring exclaiming what's next?

 

He is also my little knitter who with his own  two large hands knitted a pair of slippers for himself. There was a small problem of one being larger than the other. He couldn't take his eyes off my hands amazed how fast I could crochet. When his father called to check up on him, inquiring what his son was doing at that time, Luke yelled out:

 I'm watching Lottie break a record!

 

My time spent with Luke has me grinning from ear to ear this morning just remembering everything. When I came home from work, he left me messages on my ministry page, making this Aunt feeling special.

 

I hope that on this Good Friday, each and every one of you will have an opportunity to make someone else smile or share a laugh. Making memories is a beautiful thing, folks!

 

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Day 20

Here's a throwback Thursday blog from 2011, featuring Linda. My dear Linda.

I believe that all of us who are battling a chronic disease have a checklist of some sort whether it is written down or imprinted permanently in our heads. This checklist includes a list of things we need to take care of before our next chemo infusion.

I would prepare the household by doing laundry and grocery shopping as well as paying bills. Anything that I could do ahead of time, I would get ready so I could devote my time to healing and resting.

Of course, there is that famous chemo bag of mine, filled with some of my basic needs to keep me occupied during the infusion. Right now, it sits in the closet waiting for that next time.

What is your checklist look like?



Checklist

  On Sunday , I usually run into my friend Linda . We compare notes on the different chemo treatments , side effects we are experiencing and any test results we are waiting on . It's good to know another cancer patient to share this road with . In my church  , there are three of us  going through cancer .
   I was very surprised to find we both have the same routine . We have a checklist we go through before our chemo . We already know what kind of side effects we will experience and how long they will last . We prepare ourselves for those days when we will be out of action .
  I get chemo every three weeks . My side effects usually last 2 weeks and then I get a week break before the next treatment . Being sick and out of commission makes life a little hard . My checklist includes doing groceries , paying any bills , getting all  my medications , doing laundry etc . We also buy whatever we need for our side effects . One of my big ones happens to be nausea .I 'll stock up on crackers  and fruit to help combat it .
   I depend on my checklist alot lately. I find that I stay home as much as possible . In fact , I can feel the difference in my body more now than before . It will only get worse as time goes on . If there is an event like a birthday or sunday school , I have to rest up all week for it . Being sick is a full time job .
  Then there is a checklist for the everyday life until I go in remission . My plastic gloves that I use when cleaning , atm machines and for pumping gas . The famous clorox wipes ....where do I begin ? I use them for everything ! For the steering wheel when I get inside the car and the bathroom ,oh yes , the bathroom . Especially , if that bathroom is not mine . Lastly , the mask , for those times when someone is sick and I have no choice but to be near them .
   My checklist begins tomorrow . So does Linda's . Next day is treatment ....for both of us . Yeah , it's good to have a friend that is experiencing the same thing at the same time .

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Day 19

I didn't want to get up this morning. The sun was streaming through my window invitingly and yet, I turned over to the other side blocking any view.

I haven't been sleeping well lately, my leg really bothering me, keeping me up at night. I end up tossing and turning, sleeping in small spurts.

It doesn't help that it happens to be  one of my busiest weeks. So what else is knew? So is everyone else. In all my moaning and groaning, my daughter always sets me straight. Isn't that funny how our roles have changed?

Mom, this is Holy week. Jesus was suffering all week and so must we.

She is so right. This is one of the most important weeks of the year. Are people even aware of the importance here? I hope so, but deep down inside I know that to many of them it's all about Easter Sunday and even then for the wrong reasons.

We become so engrossed in our own daily grind that we forget how incredibly lucky we really are to have a Father who continually has shown us Grace. I know I am guilty always complaining and feeling shortchanged.

This is Holy Week. Let's not forget the greatest gift ever bestowed to us by our Father, His Son Jesus.

Have a Blessed day everyone.