September 7, 2011
I have recently begun to reread "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. It is a wonderful allegory of God's Love for us as he leads us to the "High Places". Here is one excerpt that especially fit my circumstances this week"
"Shepherd", she said despairingly, "I can't understand this. The guides you sent me (Sorrow and Suffering) say that we must go down there into that desert, turning right away from the High Places altogether. You don't mean that, do you? You can't contradict yourself. Tell them we are not to go there, and show us another way. Make a way for us Shepherd, as you promised."
He looked at her and answered very gently, "This is the path, Much-Afraid, and you are to go down there."
"Oh, no," she cried. "You can't mean it. You said if I would trust you, you would bring me to the High Places, and that path leads right away from them. It contradicts all that you promised."
"No," said the Shepherd, 'it is not a contradiction, only postponement for the best to become possible."
Much-Afraid felt as though he has stabbed her in the heart. "You mean," she said incredulously, "you really mean that I am to follow that path down and down into that wilderness and then over to that desert, away from the mountains indefinitely? Why" (and there was a sob of anguish in her voice) "it may be months, even years, before that path leads back to the mountains again. O Shepherd, do you mean it is indefinite postponement?"
He bowed his head silently, and Much-Afraid sank on her knees at his feet, almost overwhelmed. He was leading her away from her heart's desire altogether and gave no promise at all as to when he would bring her back. As she looked out over what seemed like an endless desert, the only path she could see led farther and farther away from the High Places, and it was all desert.
Then he answered very quietly, "Much-Afraid, do you love me enough to accept the postponement and the apparent contradiction of the promise, and to go down there with me into the desert?"
She was still crouching at his feet, sobbing as if her heart would break, but now she looked up through her tears, caught his hand in hers, and said, trembling, "I do love you; you know that I love you. Oh, forgive me because I can't help my tears. I will go down with you into the wilderness, right away from the promise, if you really wish it. Even if you cannot tell me why it has to be, I will go with you, for you know I do love you, and you have the right to choose for me anything that you please."...
They reached the desert surprisingly quickly, because, although the path was very steep indeed, Much-Afraid was leaning on the Shepherd, and did not feel her weakness of all...
"Much-Afraid," he said, "all of my servants on their way to the High Places have had to make this detour through the desert. It is called "The furnace of Egypt, and an horror of great darkness" (Gen. 15:12.17) Here they have learned many things which otherwise they would have known nothing about...
"Fear not, Much-Afraid, to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation; I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again" (Gen. 46:3)...
The Shepherd said, "In Egypt, too, I fashion my fairest and finest vessels and bring forth instruments for my work, according as I see fit" (Jer. 18). Then he smiled and added, "Cannot I do with you, Much-Afraid, as this potter? Behold, as the clay is in the hand of the potter so are you in my hand" (Jer. 18:6)...
On the last morning she was walking...when in a lonely corner behind a wall she came upon a little golden-yellow flower, growing all alone...An old pipe was connected to a water tank. In the pipe was one tiny hole through which came an occasional drop of water. Where the drops fell one by one, there grew the little golden flower...She stopped over the lonely, lovely little golden face, lifted up so hopefully and so bravely to the feeble drip, and cried softly, "What is your name, little flower, for I never saw one like you before."
The tiny plant answered at once in a tone as golden as itself, "Behold me! My name is Acceptance-With-Joy."
Much-Afraid thought of the things which she had seen in the pyramid: the threshing-floor, and the whirring wheel and the fiery furnace. Somehow the answer of the little golden flower which grew all alone in the waste of the desert stole into her heart and echoed there faintly but sweetly, filling her with comfort. She said to herself, "He has brought me here when I did not want to come for his own purpose. I, too, will look up into his face and say, "Behold me! I am thy little handmaiden Acceptance with Joy."
I was able to go to church on Sunday. The message from Luke 8 was concerning faith: desperate, imperfect, and tried. Here is the link for the message: http://www.hamptonpark.org/blog/33-sunday-meetings/292-so-feeble-a-faith-so-great-a-savior
I began Tuesday with desperate faith. I fasted and waited to hear if the Lord would answer my prayer and allow my appointments to be changed so that I could get my port placed and begin my chemotherapy on Thursday as I had planned. After many phone calls, the end result was port placement on Thursday, chemo on Friday, and fluids on Saturday. I prayed that God would honor my desperate faith and on the surface, from a worldly standpoint, I felt He had not. I was little “Much-Afraid” seeing the desert before her and not understanding the postponing of a promise.
My faith needed to be tried. According to my limited understanding, I could see only one answer to that prayer: my answer. I had imperfect faith and God had to speak those same words to me as he did the bleeding woman, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Having my chemotherapy one or two days earlier is not what will heal me. It is my desperate, imperfect, and tried faith in a Sovereign God who never fails.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
"This Present Darkness"
September 3, 2011 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm...In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, and take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel...that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
Ephesians 6:10-13, 16-20
How true are these words in all of our lives? There are spiritual forces of evil at work in heavenly places, trying their best to thwart God's purposes in "this present darkness". But this passage reminds me to be strong in the power of His might, take up His shield of faith against these flaming darts, use the Sword of His word as a weapon, to persevere, to pray continually not only for myself but for all the saints, and to declare boldly the gospel of Christ as I ought to speak. There is another aspect for us as you pray for me and I pray for y0u..."that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel."As we entered the Cancer Center yesterday, we could immediately tell it was no normal day. It was Crazy Hat Day for the staff, one of their many efforts to bring humor into what could be a dismal environment. Somehow it made discussing chemotherapy a little easier when your doctor is wearing a multi-colored beanie with a propeller on top (Dr. Go loves airplanes and secretly desires to be a pilot)! Last week, the nurses were singing the theme from the Brady Bunch in the waiting area when we arrived. It truly is a special place there and I enjoy the mental and spiritual encouragement I receive from all who work there.
It was apparent by the end of the day that we were battling some "flaming darts" in the form of inadequacies within the medical staff at one office. Last week Joe and I sat in Dr. Go's office discussing ports. I already had an appointment with another surgeon but specifically asked for Dr. Young, who is a Christian and has prayed with me as he put in and removed my other port. Dr. Go's nurse called him immediately and set up an appointment to have the port installed yesterday at 3:20 in his office. I even called their office 2 times this week to verify that it would be office surgery-not outpatient. I thought this a little odd, since before they did it as out-patient, but she assured me I was scheduled. I even called someone from the Cancer Center to check on pre-authorization from my insurance company. So we waited 2 hours in Dr. Young's office after we finished at the Cancer Center, only to be told that Dr. Young only puts ports in during out-patient surgery. The only way you could explain such gross breakdown of communication is "spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places." I chose to have a Christian surgeon and there was a battle that followed. They felt horribly that the miscommunication had occurred and I proceeded with the necessary office visit to get ready for outpatient surgery next week. Dr. Young prayed with me using these very verses and prayed "in Jesus' Name" that the devil would be bound up and these cancer treatments would completely heal me. Due to the Labor Day holiday, he is slammed full Tuesday and Wednesday. My first chemotherapy is scheduled for Thursday. He told me he could put the port in on Thursday morning and I could be at the Cancer Center for chemo in the afternoon. If this is the Lord's will, He will give me strength and grace to do these in the same day. But I am asking all to pray that as I call Dr. Go's office at 8:00 on Tuesday; they will be able to convince Dr. Young to squeeze me into his Tuesday or Wednesday schedule. "We have not, because we ask not." Join our family as we ask the Lord for this to be worked out according to His will.I will begin my chemotherapy next Thursday, September 8. I will go back the next day for fluids to prevent dehydration and nausea. I will be using 2 new drugs, similar to the ones I've previously had, but a little different in case the cancer has built up immunity to them. And I will have Herceptin, which I have had 17 treatments of before, but never simultaneously with other chemo drugs. As always, there are risks of heart problems, lower blood counts, and other reactions, so I will appreciate your intense prayers for us all as I begin this journey and return to work on Monday, September 12. I will have chemo every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. Side effects should be fairly similar to before. I'll probably lose my hair around 2 or 3 weeks from next Thursday. Last time it was exactly 2 weeks to the day from my first treatment. I still have my "perfect hair day" "cranial prosthesis" (or in laymen's terms-my wig!) It is ready to go!
I praise the Lord for his providential work in circumstances surrounding my medical leave this week. I've recently been reading the Old Testament stories of Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah and others. In every story the Lord used His power and Spirit to influence the decisions of people in authority who in most cases did not even know or recognize Him as the One True God. I claimed this promise in my dealings with these trying situations this week and He marvelously answered my prayer. My paperwork has been approved to this point and I trust any issues that may arise from this point on will also be resolved. Thanks so much for all of the meals, gift cards, cards, and mostly, your prayers! We are truly blessed!
Ephesians 6:10-13, 16-20
How true are these words in all of our lives? There are spiritual forces of evil at work in heavenly places, trying their best to thwart God's purposes in "this present darkness". But this passage reminds me to be strong in the power of His might, take up His shield of faith against these flaming darts, use the Sword of His word as a weapon, to persevere, to pray continually not only for myself but for all the saints, and to declare boldly the gospel of Christ as I ought to speak. There is another aspect for us as you pray for me and I pray for y0u..."that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel."As we entered the Cancer Center yesterday, we could immediately tell it was no normal day. It was Crazy Hat Day for the staff, one of their many efforts to bring humor into what could be a dismal environment. Somehow it made discussing chemotherapy a little easier when your doctor is wearing a multi-colored beanie with a propeller on top (Dr. Go loves airplanes and secretly desires to be a pilot)! Last week, the nurses were singing the theme from the Brady Bunch in the waiting area when we arrived. It truly is a special place there and I enjoy the mental and spiritual encouragement I receive from all who work there.
It was apparent by the end of the day that we were battling some "flaming darts" in the form of inadequacies within the medical staff at one office. Last week Joe and I sat in Dr. Go's office discussing ports. I already had an appointment with another surgeon but specifically asked for Dr. Young, who is a Christian and has prayed with me as he put in and removed my other port. Dr. Go's nurse called him immediately and set up an appointment to have the port installed yesterday at 3:20 in his office. I even called their office 2 times this week to verify that it would be office surgery-not outpatient. I thought this a little odd, since before they did it as out-patient, but she assured me I was scheduled. I even called someone from the Cancer Center to check on pre-authorization from my insurance company. So we waited 2 hours in Dr. Young's office after we finished at the Cancer Center, only to be told that Dr. Young only puts ports in during out-patient surgery. The only way you could explain such gross breakdown of communication is "spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places." I chose to have a Christian surgeon and there was a battle that followed. They felt horribly that the miscommunication had occurred and I proceeded with the necessary office visit to get ready for outpatient surgery next week. Dr. Young prayed with me using these very verses and prayed "in Jesus' Name" that the devil would be bound up and these cancer treatments would completely heal me. Due to the Labor Day holiday, he is slammed full Tuesday and Wednesday. My first chemotherapy is scheduled for Thursday. He told me he could put the port in on Thursday morning and I could be at the Cancer Center for chemo in the afternoon. If this is the Lord's will, He will give me strength and grace to do these in the same day. But I am asking all to pray that as I call Dr. Go's office at 8:00 on Tuesday; they will be able to convince Dr. Young to squeeze me into his Tuesday or Wednesday schedule. "We have not, because we ask not." Join our family as we ask the Lord for this to be worked out according to His will.I will begin my chemotherapy next Thursday, September 8. I will go back the next day for fluids to prevent dehydration and nausea. I will be using 2 new drugs, similar to the ones I've previously had, but a little different in case the cancer has built up immunity to them. And I will have Herceptin, which I have had 17 treatments of before, but never simultaneously with other chemo drugs. As always, there are risks of heart problems, lower blood counts, and other reactions, so I will appreciate your intense prayers for us all as I begin this journey and return to work on Monday, September 12. I will have chemo every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. Side effects should be fairly similar to before. I'll probably lose my hair around 2 or 3 weeks from next Thursday. Last time it was exactly 2 weeks to the day from my first treatment. I still have my "perfect hair day" "cranial prosthesis" (or in laymen's terms-my wig!) It is ready to go!
I praise the Lord for his providential work in circumstances surrounding my medical leave this week. I've recently been reading the Old Testament stories of Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah and others. In every story the Lord used His power and Spirit to influence the decisions of people in authority who in most cases did not even know or recognize Him as the One True God. I claimed this promise in my dealings with these trying situations this week and He marvelously answered my prayer. My paperwork has been approved to this point and I trust any issues that may arise from this point on will also be resolved. Thanks so much for all of the meals, gift cards, cards, and mostly, your prayers! We are truly blessed!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
"My peace I give unto you"
August 28, 2011
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." John 12:27
"There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever "spirit and life." Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "My peace I give unto you"-it is peace which comes from looking in His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren? Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him...Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a glorious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ, the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, hear Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled." Oswald Chambers
This was my devotion for August 26. I wrestled with the facts facing me that day and the truths of what it had to say about peace and then I rested and prepared to meet with my oncologist that afternoon.
The doctor's words to me as he came in to discuss my situation were, "What kind of chill pill are you on?!" Reflected peace from Jesus!
This is only one of many times the Lord has given me to bring glory to His name and to what He is doing in my life. I wish I could say that this peace is mine every minute of the day, but it is a struggle and I appreciate your continued and needed prayers more than you know.
In light of the fact that Dr. Rippon was not able to get "clear margins" (get all of the cancer) in the tissue and the skin, and because it was in the lymphatic’s system to some degree, there is a possibility that the cancer cells have traveled other places in my body. According to the PET scan, no large areas of accumulation have been found, which is a blessing. But there is no test to measure small traces spread out over large areas. So we have to aggressively treat this cancer. I will get a port installed on Friday, Sept. 2 and most likely begin chemotherapy on Sept. 7. Dr. Gococo is still deciding on which chemo meds to use, but they will “pack a punch” and be as hard as he can hit me without doing damage in other places. I will most likely try to start back to work the following Monday, Sept. 12 and work in between rounds of chemo like I did in 2009.
I have a few days this week to continue to heal from surgery, get Anna ready for the HPCS Jr. High trip to the Wilds Camp, get some things at school taken care of, and prepare for chemo.
Please pray for my body to be strong and my spirit to remain steadfast.
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." John 12:27
"There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever "spirit and life." Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "My peace I give unto you"-it is peace which comes from looking in His face and realizing His undisturbedness.
Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God's providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren? Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him...Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a glorious benediction of peace in and through you. But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Jesus Christ, the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, hear Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled." Oswald Chambers
This was my devotion for August 26. I wrestled with the facts facing me that day and the truths of what it had to say about peace and then I rested and prepared to meet with my oncologist that afternoon.
The doctor's words to me as he came in to discuss my situation were, "What kind of chill pill are you on?!" Reflected peace from Jesus!
This is only one of many times the Lord has given me to bring glory to His name and to what He is doing in my life. I wish I could say that this peace is mine every minute of the day, but it is a struggle and I appreciate your continued and needed prayers more than you know.
In light of the fact that Dr. Rippon was not able to get "clear margins" (get all of the cancer) in the tissue and the skin, and because it was in the lymphatic’s system to some degree, there is a possibility that the cancer cells have traveled other places in my body. According to the PET scan, no large areas of accumulation have been found, which is a blessing. But there is no test to measure small traces spread out over large areas. So we have to aggressively treat this cancer. I will get a port installed on Friday, Sept. 2 and most likely begin chemotherapy on Sept. 7. Dr. Gococo is still deciding on which chemo meds to use, but they will “pack a punch” and be as hard as he can hit me without doing damage in other places. I will most likely try to start back to work the following Monday, Sept. 12 and work in between rounds of chemo like I did in 2009.
I have a few days this week to continue to heal from surgery, get Anna ready for the HPCS Jr. High trip to the Wilds Camp, get some things at school taken care of, and prepare for chemo.
Please pray for my body to be strong and my spirit to remain steadfast.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Going Home!
August 18, 2011
We are packing up and getting ready to go home. I'm to the point where my pain is manageable and I'm ready to be home! I will discuss treatment options with Dr. Rippon at my post-op appointment on Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers!
"There is a connection between the strange providences of God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Unless we can look the darkest, blackest fact full in the face without damaging God's character, we do not yet know Him." Oswald Chambers
We are packing up and getting ready to go home. I'm to the point where my pain is manageable and I'm ready to be home! I will discuss treatment options with Dr. Rippon at my post-op appointment on Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers!
"There is a connection between the strange providences of God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Unless we can look the darkest, blackest fact full in the face without damaging God's character, we do not yet know Him." Oswald Chambers
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Still, My Soul, Be Still
August 17, 2011
"Still, my soul, be still, and do not fear though winds of change may rage tomorrow. God is at your side; no longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.
(Chorus) God, You are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone, to rest in You alone.
Still, my soul, be still, do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows. Hold on to His ways, with shield of faith against temptation's flaming arrows.
Still, my soul, be still, do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning. Wait upon the Lord, and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming."
Surgery went well yesterday and Joe and I are settling in to our room at Greenville Memorial. I will stay one more night and hopefully come home tomorrow afternoon. They were able to remove everything except for some skin that tested positive for cancer. It could've required a skin graph to close it up, so she decided against taking all of it. Joe and I will speak with doctors next week. There is a chance they may want me to do some radiation on the skin and maybe some chemo (Herceptin). This is discouraging for me, but not to God!
Thank you so much for all the thoughts, prayers, food, cards, and kind words.
"Still, my soul, be still, and do not fear though winds of change may rage tomorrow. God is at your side; no longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow.
(Chorus) God, You are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in You alone, to rest in You alone.
Still, my soul, be still, do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows. Hold on to His ways, with shield of faith against temptation's flaming arrows.
Still, my soul, be still, do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning. Wait upon the Lord, and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming."
Surgery went well yesterday and Joe and I are settling in to our room at Greenville Memorial. I will stay one more night and hopefully come home tomorrow afternoon. They were able to remove everything except for some skin that tested positive for cancer. It could've required a skin graph to close it up, so she decided against taking all of it. Joe and I will speak with doctors next week. There is a chance they may want me to do some radiation on the skin and maybe some chemo (Herceptin). This is discouraging for me, but not to God!
Thank you so much for all the thoughts, prayers, food, cards, and kind words.
Monday, August 15, 2011
May This Journey Bring a Blessing
August 15, 2011
"Jesus, draw me ever nearer as I labor through the storm. You have called me to this passage, and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
(Chorus) May this journey bring a blessing, May I rise on wings of faith; And at the end of my heart's testing, with Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus, guide me through the tempest; keep my spirit staid and sure. When the midnight meets the morning, let me love you even more. (Chorus)
Let the treasures of the trial form within me as I go. And at the end of this long passage, let me leave them at Your throne."
"What line does my thought take? Does it turn to what God says or to what I fear?..."I will in no wise fail thee:-not for all my sin and selfishness and stubbornness and waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never fail me? If I listened to this say-so of God's, then let me listen again...My say-so must be built on God's say-so. God says, "I will never leave thee" then I can with good courage say-"The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear". I will not be haunted by apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God's say-so. I will be full of courage, like a child "bucking himself up" to reach the standard his father wants...The only way to get the dread taken out of us is to listen to God's say-so. What are you dreading? You are not a coward about it, you are going to face it, but there is a feeling of dread. When there is nothing and no one to help you, say-"But the Lord is my Helper, this second, in my present outlook." When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God becomes a nonentity. Remember God's say-so-"I will in no wise fail you." Oswald Chambers
"Jesus, draw me ever nearer as I labor through the storm. You have called me to this passage, and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
(Chorus) May this journey bring a blessing, May I rise on wings of faith; And at the end of my heart's testing, with Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus, guide me through the tempest; keep my spirit staid and sure. When the midnight meets the morning, let me love you even more. (Chorus)
Let the treasures of the trial form within me as I go. And at the end of this long passage, let me leave them at Your throne."
"What line does my thought take? Does it turn to what God says or to what I fear?..."I will in no wise fail thee:-not for all my sin and selfishness and stubbornness and waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never fail me? If I listened to this say-so of God's, then let me listen again...My say-so must be built on God's say-so. God says, "I will never leave thee" then I can with good courage say-"The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear". I will not be haunted by apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God's say-so. I will be full of courage, like a child "bucking himself up" to reach the standard his father wants...The only way to get the dread taken out of us is to listen to God's say-so. What are you dreading? You are not a coward about it, you are going to face it, but there is a feeling of dread. When there is nothing and no one to help you, say-"But the Lord is my Helper, this second, in my present outlook." When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God becomes a nonentity. Remember God's say-so-"I will in no wise fail you." Oswald Chambers
Friday, August 5, 2011
Overcoming Life
Journal Entry-August 5, 2011
"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength...God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute." Oswald Chambers
I am praising the Lord today for giving me life as I overcome! I will have a mastectomy on Tuesday, August 16 with a delayed reconstruction surgery. I continue to be amazed at how the Lord answers prayers for wisdom and guidance. We felt led to get a second opinion with another plastic surgeon and I just stood back and watched as one thing after another confirmed that the Lord had already planned this road-I only had to walk down it! Dr. de Brux is very conservative concerning risk of infection. He is going to "sit in" with Dr. Rippon during my surgery on the 16th so he is involved with the process right from the start. The reconstruction surgery will follow approximately 3 months down the road. I am so thankful for faithful servants of God who are praying specific prayers with me. The Lord has truly answered in a clear and perfect way.
I will start work on Wednesday, August 10. I will have a "Meet the Teacher" on Thursday and Parent Conference Meetings on Friday and possibly Monday. Then I will have my surgery and trust my new little friends to my wonderful assistant, Phyllis and great substitutes!! Thanks for your continued prayers as I prepare my classroom and fill out the necessary paperwork for my absence.
"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength...God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute." Oswald Chambers
I am praising the Lord today for giving me life as I overcome! I will have a mastectomy on Tuesday, August 16 with a delayed reconstruction surgery. I continue to be amazed at how the Lord answers prayers for wisdom and guidance. We felt led to get a second opinion with another plastic surgeon and I just stood back and watched as one thing after another confirmed that the Lord had already planned this road-I only had to walk down it! Dr. de Brux is very conservative concerning risk of infection. He is going to "sit in" with Dr. Rippon during my surgery on the 16th so he is involved with the process right from the start. The reconstruction surgery will follow approximately 3 months down the road. I am so thankful for faithful servants of God who are praying specific prayers with me. The Lord has truly answered in a clear and perfect way.
I will start work on Wednesday, August 10. I will have a "Meet the Teacher" on Thursday and Parent Conference Meetings on Friday and possibly Monday. Then I will have my surgery and trust my new little friends to my wonderful assistant, Phyllis and great substitutes!! Thanks for your continued prayers as I prepare my classroom and fill out the necessary paperwork for my absence.
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