tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31714486351303571992024-02-20T05:09:28.563-05:00Living in the MomentMy breast cancer journey, plus a little bit morepreciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.comBlogger304125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-72919515695593136852022-09-21T15:14:00.006-04:002022-09-21T15:30:26.286-04:00Take Heart<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhMMujJ3a5lYLWiCvHACgxKK8LhNm2s-bI7lEhBE7-JLONmX0B3a__zMRD2EjgE117bP8SmLhnExbO2ty2WRTZp8Xis7KxKVcVTy8vPA_xjLIk-Z4jgCgNaEjSdyBuF4wq0Y7gpOBqYi7c8u-pbR4-bWSbl0_lrNvFKnBh5WLzuvO0xpFBUYGbAgUmw/s4007/Take%20Heart.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="4007" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhMMujJ3a5lYLWiCvHACgxKK8LhNm2s-bI7lEhBE7-JLONmX0B3a__zMRD2EjgE117bP8SmLhnExbO2ty2WRTZp8Xis7KxKVcVTy8vPA_xjLIk-Z4jgCgNaEjSdyBuF4wq0Y7gpOBqYi7c8u-pbR4-bWSbl0_lrNvFKnBh5WLzuvO0xpFBUYGbAgUmw/w640-h318/Take%20Heart.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">It seems my pen has been still these past 9 months. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>I
have been still... Reflecting. Healing.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Instead of writing, I have been in prayer & meditation.
God has comforted my soul and, in His mercy, He has met me in life’s storms and
held me up out of the depths of despair. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">My soul is lighter and I have been
made stronger.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3>Matthew 14:22-27</h3>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>22. Immediately he made the disciples get into the
boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23.
And after he dismissed the crowds, he went up in the mountain by himself to
pray. When evening came, he was there alone 24. But the boat by this time was
long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But
when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified and said “It
is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear 27. But immediately Jesus spoke to them
saying “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3>Consider This</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal">Could God be coming into your life in what appears to be a
storm? </p><p class="MsoNormal">The Lord works in the storms of our lives and thru those storms, <b>He
walks to us and with us</b>. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The very storm He meets you in is the same storm
you become strong in. He will uplift you and even bless you in these storms. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Take heart, child
of God. <br />Do not be afraid.<br />Lord, help us to
focus on <br />you and your power <br />instead of <br />our fear and our doubts.</i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3>Prayer<o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Dear Jesus,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Savior of my soul and king over my life. Be with me each
and every day, especially in this storm that is all around me. Take my hand and
walk with me; guide me to the other side. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">You have promised me peace that
passes all understanding. It is Your Holy grace and mercy with unconditional
love that draws me closer to You. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">If it is Your will that I go thru this storm,
I pray for the endurance and strength to withstand it. With You by my side,
fear can not overtake me for faith replaces fear. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">May this test of fire refine
and purify my faith and my soul. May I see the power of God in this storm and
His light that pierces the darkness and shatters all fear. I seek only You in times of trouble. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Lord, I pray my faith will continue to grow and mature so I
can never be swayed by the waves around me. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Help me to recognize Your favor over my life
and I ask for Your blessings and continued protection. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">My confidence rests in You,
the Savior of my soul, my redeemer, my Lord. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to “Be strong and courageous.” I pray this for you, my friend.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Take heart, child of God! Do not be afraid. ~</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-2396582568185593662021-12-20T11:20:00.000-05:002021-12-20T11:20:41.392-05:00December, A Month for Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI894X0wRNYPrUqLcBS3pxFd8xWpXbPb44HnmZ5-LXxbuhF2qOtiKLGqeUCNZhlJJR9t1a1mI739YMtWkeu9zVww0VzM0MHRd1Fz3dnQLzDZc1rRIymvVvgW0cdT5VlJFqH1hxzeLM6FBCaFRXd1wdRllmskN4x3HD35aWT-81w4u2W8RnViofaB3Gfg=s2048" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI894X0wRNYPrUqLcBS3pxFd8xWpXbPb44HnmZ5-LXxbuhF2qOtiKLGqeUCNZhlJJR9t1a1mI739YMtWkeu9zVww0VzM0MHRd1Fz3dnQLzDZc1rRIymvVvgW0cdT5VlJFqH1hxzeLM6FBCaFRXd1wdRllmskN4x3HD35aWT-81w4u2W8RnViofaB3Gfg=s2048" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI894X0wRNYPrUqLcBS3pxFd8xWpXbPb44HnmZ5-LXxbuhF2qOtiKLGqeUCNZhlJJR9t1a1mI739YMtWkeu9zVww0VzM0MHRd1Fz3dnQLzDZc1rRIymvVvgW0cdT5VlJFqH1hxzeLM6FBCaFRXd1wdRllmskN4x3HD35aWT-81w4u2W8RnViofaB3Gfg=w640-h427" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjI894X0wRNYPrUqLcBS3pxFd8xWpXbPb44HnmZ5-LXxbuhF2qOtiKLGqeUCNZhlJJR9t1a1mI739YMtWkeu9zVww0VzM0MHRd1Fz3dnQLzDZc1rRIymvVvgW0cdT5VlJFqH1hxzeLM6FBCaFRXd1wdRllmskN4x3HD35aWT-81w4u2W8RnViofaB3Gfg=s2048" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></a><p class="MsoNormal">December 20, 2012, I finished <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-year-anniversary.html" target="_blank">a year long</a> of <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/12/herceptin-17-and-last-one.html" target="_blank">treatments</a> and
was declared in remission. This now makes the 9<sup>th</sup> year of recovery
and a reason to celebrate. God has awakened me every morning and continues to
remind me that my time on this earth isn’t done yet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m here to see my youngest daughter turn 30 tomorrow. She,
too, has overcome obstacles and is looking forward to a new decade of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray for love and laughter for
both my girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to pray,
especially for them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Amazingly, I will be walking into my 60<sup>th</sup> year in
a few months. I’m not sure where time has gone and I wonder <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/01/why-i-am-where-i-am.html" target="_blank">what contributions </a>I have made in this world. Then I reflect on a <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-hint-of-heaven.html" target="_blank">few private moments</a>
shared with others that will stay in my heart for eternity. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our 15<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary is December 31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have grown as One with God in our marriage
and we have certainly grown as individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What God has brought together, let no man put asunder.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The true celebration this season is remembering the birth of
our Lord Jesus Christ. I need no gifts this year --- <b>Jesus is the gift</b>. <i>He is my everything.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjK1Mgy-25g" target="_blank">Emmanuel – God with us</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dallas Jenkins created a <a href="https://youtu.be/paOjgZZDads" target="_blank">beautiful nativity story</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you can spare 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very well worth it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peace be with you my friend ~<o:p></o:p></p><br /></div>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-46618576315827089812021-07-25T07:59:00.002-04:002023-07-22T22:54:42.857-04:00Memories<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQyJoYjry2-NFWEt0pGC6TYXKRor_Fnij1DqRH-sl4nIdC6oTGv0eeKAMF0DRykXAHF5StYzL2mNc3VbNU-sCumjqelFamdFv5KiOs_QntL7dXbb9z5o8N9T_iCU9UXOF-9Bp5SA_3BUU/s2048/DSC02631.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQyJoYjry2-NFWEt0pGC6TYXKRor_Fnij1DqRH-sl4nIdC6oTGv0eeKAMF0DRykXAHF5StYzL2mNc3VbNU-sCumjqelFamdFv5KiOs_QntL7dXbb9z5o8N9T_iCU9UXOF-9Bp5SA_3BUU/w640-h480/DSC02631.JPG" title="Dad's Backyard" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was a year ago this month the first time I had a
mini-stroke. I had lost over 15 years of memory. I had no idea who my husband was and I didn’t
realize my children were grown and out of the house. Complete amnesia. The second time, I couldn’t remember the last
few years. At least that time, I knew my
husband and he gently brought me back by helping me to remember. The other black out moments I was alone, but
I made my way back. It was just as
scary. The neurologist is setting up
more tests and working with my family doctor on a treatment plan. Trying to get my blood pressure spikes under
control. Next time, I might not be so
lucky. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have holes in my memory.
Like most of us, we forget why we walked into a room – “what did I come
in here for anyway?” This is a little more...like driving a familiar route and suddenly not remembering where you are. At least for today,
I remember my name! But I don’t want to
forget those memories that are so very precious to me. I have to focus really hard to remember my
sister’s voice. It’s been 14 years now
and I don’t want to forget. Ever.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today would have been Dad’s 84<sup>th</sup> birthday. I miss him so much it hurts. Both of my parents. They both had TIA's. Did it frighten them too? </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />
<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG8pqz0IakI8Wsbnpx0DgAiWBaVUZKwjobxQqNGx8PpTXvNrZmR6SgmaC3SNj-Awd-XoR73UmIsi0mOr1p-_vXVJXpaPHTK0QKGxqwl3yWSGIvPLWh1W1C2_A3nRRDZ5P8FRAk8wi9E7I/s2048/IMG_8014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG8pqz0IakI8Wsbnpx0DgAiWBaVUZKwjobxQqNGx8PpTXvNrZmR6SgmaC3SNj-Awd-XoR73UmIsi0mOr1p-_vXVJXpaPHTK0QKGxqwl3yWSGIvPLWh1W1C2_A3nRRDZ5P8FRAk8wi9E7I/w320-h213/IMG_8014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We lost our father <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2017/12/anniversary-5-whos-counting.html" target="_blank">October 19, 2017</a> from colon and pancreatic cancer. Just a few short months after his 80th birthday. The last birthday we celebrated with Dad, we had strung up photos to showcase his life. Photos help me remember.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o6LdMmCxUbgxuNOsKEpZLYdMUAcjxQoYo34g4WhPwKHb2BrsLcmnNqiXZMgBhAfT5y7KPmxpkl9bL0SYm0rr_YYP1egmpz9rLI-GxgANwaUwoh8r6HOrPTudS_PGf8lGS_64f01x4f-g/s2048/IMG_7999+%25282%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o6LdMmCxUbgxuNOsKEpZLYdMUAcjxQoYo34g4WhPwKHb2BrsLcmnNqiXZMgBhAfT5y7KPmxpkl9bL0SYm0rr_YYP1egmpz9rLI-GxgANwaUwoh8r6HOrPTudS_PGf8lGS_64f01x4f-g/s320/IMG_7999+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Time is precious. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3iob7eA0uU" target="_blank">Time matters.</a> Will you want to remember
the good and the bad? There should be an
urgency about time in our lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 90:2</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h3iob7eA0uU" width="320" youtube-src-id="h3iob7eA0uU"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">What are you doing with your life? <i><b>Make it count.</b></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-kid-sister.html" target="_blank">My Kid Sister</a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-beloved-sister.html" target="_blank"><i>Our Beloved Sister</i></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/01/chemo-brain-versus-something-else.html" target="_blank">Chemo Brain vs Something Else</a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-god-of-hope.html" target="_blank">The God of Hope</a></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Happy Heavenly Birthday, Dad, I love you ~</p><p><br /></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-86306040366962845722021-07-24T16:56:00.001-04:002021-07-24T16:56:28.516-04:00Prayer and Divine Appointments<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANYinJHe_Qe5dc75xlqVcf3vebZmvIgqpZXz8zXpqBsVuDI2RzbSThVYUaZ23ldBUmsl3YXoxELXeF7YIlfT1JmUWF8srVXZOjHVB5FjZkMDW_2zL-Bl6F3lZ6VHtiURVfQEh4G9vDqS0/s2048/Farm191c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANYinJHe_Qe5dc75xlqVcf3vebZmvIgqpZXz8zXpqBsVuDI2RzbSThVYUaZ23ldBUmsl3YXoxELXeF7YIlfT1JmUWF8srVXZOjHVB5FjZkMDW_2zL-Bl6F3lZ6VHtiURVfQEh4G9vDqS0/w640-h426/Farm191c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There is <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-fragrance-of-prayer.html" target="_blank">power in prayer</a> and I’ve often thought, “There is
nothing more powerful than a mother’s prayer for her child.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those precious prayers reach the throne room
of God with a special urgency that can only come from a parent’s whole
being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hurts when we see our children
hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is more profound than that . . . Our Father God hurts
when He sees His children hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
thing He asks of us is to communicate with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">This is what it means to Pray ~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Just. Talk. To. Him.</i></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prayer is the lifeline of a believer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer sets things in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, pay attention and watch not only what
happens, but how it happens.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever had that still, small voice in your heart that
prompts you into action? Perhaps it is seeing a homeless person and feeling
compelled to do something for someone in need. Or whether it is just waking up
in the morning to do your every day job and giving a helping hand just when it
was needed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is what I call divine appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you listen to God’s voice, His prompting,
you will be His hands and feet. It is simply doing God’s will. Simply obeying
His voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, oh, what a glorious
outcome when we do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Who have you helped lately?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may have just be an answered prayer in someone’s life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember to shine brightly in this broken world and <a href="https://youtu.be/LDtGDUdblxg" target="_blank">let people know God sent you.</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LDtGDUdblxg" width="320" youtube-src-id="LDtGDUdblxg"></iframe></div><br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-4317455009225721442021-07-10T19:56:00.002-04:002023-12-02T12:36:50.954-05:00Do You Put God in a Box?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLvFI8i1woQS9xI_Mr88prKsry3zcN1leY6_Ib6FsMW58mY0uJyENJLQ-PSNTR4k68hq2FZMnOXgRL6BCy0f0CoWVE7WhTmGmfErD5Cpx9uwLN3-8lmlwzw3CIZwJ2Zx5nJkou0Pz7BF_/s2048/1447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLvFI8i1woQS9xI_Mr88prKsry3zcN1leY6_Ib6FsMW58mY0uJyENJLQ-PSNTR4k68hq2FZMnOXgRL6BCy0f0CoWVE7WhTmGmfErD5Cpx9uwLN3-8lmlwzw3CIZwJ2Zx5nJkou0Pz7BF_/w640-h480/1447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Scriptures tell us that God created the <a href="https://youtu.be/Zy2AQlK6C5k" target="_blank">Heavens and the earth</a>. He spoke it into
existence and declared “It is good.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">What is mind-blowing is that <i>first</i> there is God, <i>then</i>
there was Heaven.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Heaven didn’t exist <i>before</i> God . . . Neither did
time.</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">God exists outside of time and space. </h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">Yet we seem to tuck
Him away in our finite minds and put God in a box. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></h3><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">When the bible says “With the<span style="font-variant: small-caps;"> Lord</span> a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years
are like a day,” it is speaking of God’s infinity. God created <i>us</i> to
live in time and space as finite creatures.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I often wonder what it would be like to see God’s face.
The term “beatific vision” means the eternal and direct visual perception of
God. It means seeing God face to face. But we know in the book of Exodus, Moses
was prevented by God’s own hand from seeing His face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything or anybody who looks upon the face
of Our Father would not survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is
this?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A18-23&version=ASV" target="_blank">Exodus 33:18-23</a></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://youtu.be/l9vn5UvsHvM" target="_blank">God, the Father,is Holiness</a> - - powerful, almighty, gloriously pure holiness. If we are
honest with ourselves, we should acknowledge that it is <i>our own</i>
inability to fully grasp the awesome power and majesty of our Creator. The proverbial "box" mentality. It just makes Him too small and that is a sad way to think of God.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">God is so big, so vast, that if He were to be seen by His
creation, it would be obliterated because of sin. So, God had to send His Son,
in human form, in order to walk among us, “His Word”. God’s power and will is
shown to us thru the “Holy Spirit”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/eAvYmE2YYIU" target="_blank">God’s attributes</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It is simple. Evil cannot withstand the light of our good
and Holy God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether we want to accept
it or not, all of us have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. No
matter how much of a good person we think we are, even a speck of evil taints
us and, therefore, prevents us from entering the Holy of Holies. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here’s the spoiler-alert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something radical will happen to God’s resurrected people. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev+22%3A4&version=ASV" target="_blank">Rev 22:4</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is only because we will be fully righteous in Christ, standing in our
resurrected bodies, untainted by sin, that we will be able to see God and live
with Him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Can you imagine
looking into the eyes of our Creator?</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O8b_dIn_cHg" width="320" youtube-src-id="O8b_dIn_cHg"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>John Burke, a pastor and author who has studied and examined</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>over 1,000 accounts of near-death experiences, believes these reports</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>provide faith-building evidence of God and the Bible.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He asks, Do you put God in a box?</i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-56952080052307583242021-06-19T14:55:00.001-04:002021-12-11T11:08:24.724-05:00Just a note to say . . . <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz6nHIcLkbWz8YIHteJY6Wv8bAbhhOWjDPuDFhnm0RguGytE1BTALd2-Rl27qnB3D0CSvo6744m6KkgF4mJ5QKustbFEQfoqK3U3_FBjBQn8-gby8E2x8idqOld_fIMYi2syTGKe9-80n/s1164/Ro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="873" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz6nHIcLkbWz8YIHteJY6Wv8bAbhhOWjDPuDFhnm0RguGytE1BTALd2-Rl27qnB3D0CSvo6744m6KkgF4mJ5QKustbFEQfoqK3U3_FBjBQn8-gby8E2x8idqOld_fIMYi2syTGKe9-80n/w300-h400/Ro.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been marinating over this concept - “Do you put God in
a box?” As I contemplate this, the words and images are coming to mind just
like my previous posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this (I
hope) will be the next piece to share with you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, I’ve been quite busy learning a new job I
got in April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a year ½ in
semi-retirement, it has been a welcome challenge. I do miss the free time I had
to write and be creative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, I’ve
never mentioned this, but I have another website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have my name all over it and it’s not
monetized. I wanted to remain anonymous … until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite honestly, without the marketing aspect
to it, it’s hard to get it off the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s important stuff and something God laid on my heart in 2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The topic is uncomfortable for most people,
but the “subject matter” has got to be one of the closest things to God’s own
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Well, if you’re interested,
please visit it. Share it. Learn from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
<a href="https://www.warriorsfortheinnocent.com/">www.warriorsfortheinnocent.com</a> </span> For your viewing pleasure, use your pc to capture the
full website. A mobile device is just too small.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hey! On another note, I got my camera out for the first time
in well over a year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so very excited
to be behind the lens again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time,
I get to volunteer my services for VBS at a church we started to attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes! Can you see me do the happy dance???? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you think of it, keep me in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s keep all of us in prayer. When you do, <a href="https://youtu.be/aztTCjKS3lY" target="_blank">DECLARE it</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aztTCjKS3lY" width="320" youtube-src-id="aztTCjKS3lY"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Until next time,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peace be with you ~<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-63574343870860870312021-03-07T17:31:00.003-05:002021-03-08T11:55:53.528-05:00The God of Hope<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5R1cultNSSw2HDrVW8mrZBE5vwlaAw2d8Ip6Dmv5ZsbLbe-A2Yneyc5gLsv-Vj5otBjcAH3pa194AUWG7vLWjrVhXomb0G8UpPsxP4iykj5NWA0Xlg1lI8KNpDBXT33qu6JDwEzbPMKh/s2048/Psalm+121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5R1cultNSSw2HDrVW8mrZBE5vwlaAw2d8Ip6Dmv5ZsbLbe-A2Yneyc5gLsv-Vj5otBjcAH3pa194AUWG7vLWjrVhXomb0G8UpPsxP4iykj5NWA0Xlg1lI8KNpDBXT33qu6JDwEzbPMKh/w640-h480/Psalm+121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have a confession to make. I struggle with bouts of depression.
Like many, 2020 took me to my limits and has followed me thru late winter.
Before you judge me too harshly, let me explain a few factors.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One, there were two decisions made in the very early days of
my cancer treatment. The first was a script written for anti-depressants. I
didn’t really think twice about it. There were a lot of new instructions given
to me, tons of information to digest, along with the poking and prodding of tests and
needles. The second decision - - - well, perhaps we can save that for another
post.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The point to my lengthy explanation is that in July 2020, I
was fully weaned off of them. After watching the dosage increase over 8+ years,
I felt it was just time to stop. After all, by God’s helping hand, I had
overcome so much and I just wanted to continue the detox of so much toxic
garbage that had destroyed my good cells, along with the bad cells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took 3 months to calibrate the dosage down
to zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you, they aren’t
kidding when they <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-taper-off-your-antidepressant-1067626" target="_blank">describe the withdrawal side effects </a>(lightening jolts in the
brain, flu-like symptoms). I couldn’t get out of bed for almost a week. And, yes, I was under my doctor's supervision.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>But, I did it. I survived. Barely.</i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">About 2 weeks later, I experienced amnesia. In a flash, I
didn’t know who my husband was or the last dozen years of my life. I was
terrified. The word “confused” doesn’t do it justice either. For 15 minutes, I
knew nothing. It took another 15 minutes to slowly start remembering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really freaked out my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a pivotal moment in the year
2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading up to this point, I was
adjusting to a "new normal" of unemployment; a dream disappeared and was replaced
by a nightmare; and there was more [how raw should I get].<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was enough for evil forces to swoop in for the final
kill. By mid-August, our marriage was in trouble and I had moved out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then my mother died in September. Today, mom
would have been 80 years old. Instead, she left for her heavenly home to be
with my sister, my dad and so many more who wait for us to join them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My husband and I were separated for 4 long months while God refined
our souls. Individually, we were both crying out to God and went down the road to hell and back again--repeatedly. It was the hardest thing I ever experienced, including cancer
treatment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God remarkably restored our marriage one week before our
divorce court date, which was scheduled 10 days prior to our 14<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary. I
don’t believe that either of us can fully understand how the evil forces seeped into our lives and we are determined to never allow it to happen again. God has given us the grace to press forward and
heal under His guidance and mercy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">After all, He is the God of Hope</h4><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They say 20/20 is hindsight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps 2020 was just a purging within this vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purging of toxic waste, influences and
stinkin’ thinkin’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can now choose how we refill our vessel [the body, soul (mind) and spirit].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps this is true for many who have journeyed thru the isolation and
self-reflection of this unusual year (plus).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is so much I’ve learned about myself, but most of all,
I’ve learned more about the God I serve. In your time of grief, of difficulty,
<i>where does your help come from?</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0b5394;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/psa/121/1/s_599001">Psa 121:1-2 NIV</a>]
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0b5394;">1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the
mountains--where does my help come from? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0b5394;">2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and
earth.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the mountain doesn’t move, pray for the strength to
climb the mountain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the giant doesn’t move, pray for the power to defeat that
giant.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When your burdens are too big, cast them all upon the Lord.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What happens when God doesn’t remove your problem? The Bible
gives us an amazing account of the 3 Hebrew boys thrown into a fiery furnace.
God didn’t stop them from being thrown in, but He stood right there with them
and walked thru it with them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is with you in your battle. The battle belongs to God, so let Him fight for you. The only way to withstand the fiery furnace is by coming
to a place of total surrender and ask the Lord to go with you. He will bring
you thru it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">The God of Hope</h4><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0b5394;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/rom/15/13/s_1061013">Rom 15:13 NIV</a>]
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0b5394;">13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As for my amnesia, it happened again 6 months later. I have an EEG test next week and we’ll see
what else is in store. As for my bouts of depression, God continues with those
divine appointments that quickly gets me back to where I need to be -- body, mind & spirit.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice, my friend, that God’s mercy is new every day ~<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-56725192228504496952021-02-19T16:55:00.006-05:002021-03-03T20:46:08.124-05:00A Sense of Peace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC02CrNlC9mL9M2qnKimU-k5nDLFlt1iePMkqcwYCrfpHaUKRtxPJeofezMSY1sEPvh_qDqh9izXaMH0_KKQGgmHNFUtCs7hlwX46utjbz02BGGQsvA2UkY-uiuKOjFOjyMfNbtFepiPyM/s2048/Peace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC02CrNlC9mL9M2qnKimU-k5nDLFlt1iePMkqcwYCrfpHaUKRtxPJeofezMSY1sEPvh_qDqh9izXaMH0_KKQGgmHNFUtCs7hlwX46utjbz02BGGQsvA2UkY-uiuKOjFOjyMfNbtFepiPyM/w640-h480/Peace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was just 9 years and 2 months ago when <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2011/12/getting-news.html" target="_blank">I received the diagnosis</a> of breast cancer. I don’t think that anything can
prepare you for that kind of news. It’s a real punch in the gut and you can’t
help but lose a sense of peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Is your faith standing trial?</h3><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It takes a lot of <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-power-of-faith.html" target="_blank">faith</a>
to trust God’s will for your life, much <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/wisdom-job" target="_blank">like Job</a>, who lost
absolutely everything in his life, even his wife and children. It’s hard to
imagine that when most of us would feel like life wasn’t worth living anymore, Job
remained strong in his faith. But, like most human beings, Job did reach a point of questioning
and blaming God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had decided early on in my treatment that no matter what
happened, I wanted the level of Christian maturity & <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-speed-of-grace.html" target="_blank">grace</a> to be able to plant my feet
firmly in God’s promises. Oh! He has many promises, indeed!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our faith will always be tested throughout our life time.
The question is, will we still praise God in our “wilderness” just as much as
when we are on the mountain top? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Faith under fire</h3><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">When faced with a diagnosis, it is normal to think about our
own death and this is when Romans 8 spoke clearly to me. God has promised that
nothing can separate us from His love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">This is when I began to experience a sense of
peace. </span></i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/rom/8/38/s_1054038" target="_blank">Rom 8:38-39 NLT</a>]
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our
fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can
separate us from God's love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed,
nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/jhn/16/33/s_1013033" target="_blank">Jhn 16:33 NLT</a>]
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in
me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>What steals your sense of peace?</h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Bible tells us of many other ways we can lose peace in
our lives. Think about those times of stubbornness, foolishness and unforgiveness.
How many times can you get your peace back by just saying “I’m sorry”?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even our past can keep us chained and we can lose peace if
we hang on to those things that weigh us down. It steals our joy and peace;
just like worrying about tomorrow robs our joy of today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our attitudes, emotions and relationships with one another
greatly affects our sense of peace. <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/rom/12/1/s_1058001" target="_blank">Romans 12</a> is
a guide in learning God’s will for our lives and how to live in peace with one
another.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><o:p>Pray for a peace that will settle your troubled heart </o:p></h3><div><o:p><br /></o:p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>In God’s presence, there is a security and tranquility that removes all burdens. </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/phl/4/6/s_1107006" target="_blank">Phl 4:6-7 NLT</a>]
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about
everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds
anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you
live in Christ Jesus.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><o:p>Peace that Passes ALL understanding </o:p></h3>
<br />
<p class="MsoNormal">As my faith matured, even the fear of dying released its
grip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A supernatural and divine peace
that can only be found in Jesus Christ washed over me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/jhn/14/1/s_1011001" target="_blank">Heaven is my home</a>! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/1co/15/55/s_1077055" target="_blank">1Co 15:55 ESV</a>]
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is
your sting?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was during this journey that I would tell others, <i>"You have to walk thru it to get to the other side"</i>. This just means either you will get through the situation or you will come to your final destination. With God’s Holy peace, you will be able to press on in any storm and endure until the end.</p><p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/jhn/14/27/s_1011027" target="_blank">Jhn 14:27 NIV</a>]<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e06666;">27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Peace be with you, my friend ~<o:p></o:p></i></p><br /><p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-65898371666609831762021-02-12T14:34:00.000-05:002021-02-12T14:34:43.987-05:00The Fragrance of Prayer<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9oUqTMZrQjoWzuhsVgrNbeB9FtG2cgwSy5z64CpYu85d1O25DUomL8HnMFeHjp0AHbWzXl5CMFGEPZLT1lm4nuDSG7ZfRfEEWounfFYbK8XzFN93wS-KIduZtnwBD6nBVaEphWs_7rZX/s2048/DPP_621+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2048" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9oUqTMZrQjoWzuhsVgrNbeB9FtG2cgwSy5z64CpYu85d1O25DUomL8HnMFeHjp0AHbWzXl5CMFGEPZLT1lm4nuDSG7ZfRfEEWounfFYbK8XzFN93wS-KIduZtnwBD6nBVaEphWs_7rZX/w640-h390/DPP_621+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Prayer is one of the greatest privileges that we have! It is
a precious opportunity to express our love to and for God; to have the honor to
praise His name and to tell Him “thank you”.
Prayer strengthens your personal relationship with our <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/god-video">Father, our Lord Jesus
Christ and the Holy Spirit</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Bible tells us that as God’s children, our prayers are
like a sweet fragrance [incense] to God. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/rev/5/8/s_1172008"><span style="color: #173b5b; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #173B5B; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-style-textfill-fill-themeshade: 128; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Rev 5:8 NKJV</span></a>] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and
the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and
golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The golden incense-altar was the altar of prayer and the
altar of burnt-offering was the altar of <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/sacrifice-and-atonement">atonement
and consecration</a>. God gave detailed
instructions for the altar in the tabernacle [<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/30/1/s_80001">Exodus 30</a>] and gave
very specific spices for the incense. We
are told that aromas hold specific meanings for God, both pleasing and those
that makes Him recoil.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/2co/2/15/s_1080015"><span style="color: #173b5b; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #173B5B; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-style-textfill-fill-themeshade: 128; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">2Co 2:15-16 NKJV</span></a>] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are
being saved and among those who are perishing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">16 To the one [we are] the aroma of death [leading] to death, and
to the other the aroma of life [leading] to life. And who [is] sufficient for
these things?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Christ himself is the fragrance and it is through His righteousness
that His fragrance covers our prayers straight to the throne room of God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/eph/5/2/s_1102002"><span style="color: #173b5b; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #173B5B; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-style-textfill-fill-themeshade: 128; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Eph 5:2 ESV</span></a>] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jesus also encourages us to pray in unity. This is a beautiful
<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g4856">harmony</a>
of voices that reach God’s throne. Just think, He treasures all of our prayers
and keeps them forever. Prayer is so
powerful because Jesus tells us that He is among us while we pray!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/mat/18/19/s_947019"><span style="color: #173b5b; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #173B5B; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-style-textfill-fill-themeshade: 128; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mat 18:19-20 NLT</span></a>] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">19 "I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth
concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am
there among them."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jesus gave us instruction and the perfect template (pattern)
to help us communicate with our Creator. He certainly doesn’t want us to repeat
ritualistic words or to speak mindlessly, but He does want us to pray
specifically and boldly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/mat/6/5/s_935005">Mat 6:5-15 NIV</a>]
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to
your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,
will reward you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they
think they will be heard because of their many words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before
you ask him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Important factors</h3><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Just what are the key factors that are important as you
speak to your Heavenly Father?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name, </span>- How beautiful to give a declaration of
praise, acknowledging that <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/holiness">God is Holy</a> and to
be revered. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He is our Creator and our Heavenly
Father. His name is never to be taken lightly. How often have we put God inside
a box to fit Him inside our minimal understanding of who He is? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. </span>– Pray for His will to rule and reign in our world. His power
and presence will enter our lives here on earth as He wills it in heaven. There
is a very distinct connection between <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/heaven-and-earth">earth and the
heavenly realm</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">11 Give us today our daily bread. </span>– This declaration of
dependence upon God as our provider acknowledges that everything we need is
provided by His gracious hand.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. </span>–
We are indebted to God because He forgave our sins. We must willingly forgive
those who have sinned against us. This is where we must ask for <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-speed-of-grace.html">grace</a>
to do so. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one.' </span>– We have an enemy of our souls. As we go thru difficulties and
times of temptation, we need divine deliverance. We have power over the <a href="https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/satan-demons">evil one</a> because
Jesus paid an enormous price. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some manuscripts include <span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">“For yours is the kingdom
and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”</span> – All that God is and all
that God does lives forever. There has never been and never will be anything
greater than God in all the universe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jesus continues by telling us:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will
not forgive your sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thankfully, when we do not know what to pray, the Holy
Spirit intercedes for us by searching our hearts and praying for us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nlt/rom/8/26/s_1054026"><span style="color: #173b5b; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #173B5B; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-style-textfill-fill-themeshade: 128; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Rom 8:26-27 NLT</span></a>] <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we
don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with
groanings that cannot be expressed in words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2e75b6; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2E75B6; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is
saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There is nothing that you can’t talk to God about. He is
interested in every tiny thing going on in your life. You can pray your way through
the day by allowing prayer to become like breathing. Don’t worry if you pray in a whisper, out
loud or silently. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Just….pray ~</h3><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Resources:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Power of a Praying Woman Bible – by <a href="https://www.stormieomartian.com/">Stormie Omartian</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bibleproject.com/">The BibleProject</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/">Blue Letter Bible</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p><br /></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-24545224587148006452021-02-04T11:27:00.001-05:002021-03-12T14:34:27.051-05:00The Power of Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNMRIVdrx7r7xp4AAK26Bx2m4SSlBsLlauVpUQvxT6dapLIDa_tH_c06QBPqJ4Cbs92upC5POXIO0ST4CPTMa4veiSQV-4cJ5Yf1luSvl5-hitWbLThleyJ2jn9IKgZn9SjNKoW_qk7Vm/s1920/IMG_0546_Moment.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNMRIVdrx7r7xp4AAK26Bx2m4SSlBsLlauVpUQvxT6dapLIDa_tH_c06QBPqJ4Cbs92upC5POXIO0ST4CPTMa4veiSQV-4cJ5Yf1luSvl5-hitWbLThleyJ2jn9IKgZn9SjNKoW_qk7Vm/w640-h360/IMG_0546_Moment.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
There are many things that we already have “faith” in; such as a chair will keep you lifted up right off that floor and we have faith that it will continue to do so and not break apart. <div><br /></div><div>Faith is so much more and as we dive deeper into the heart of Christianity, we find the <a href="http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/faith" target="_blank">definition</a> “Faith is a firm, cordial belief in the veracity of God, in all the declarations of His word; or a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because He has declared them.” </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[Heb 11:1 NIV] </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[2Co 5:7 NIV] </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>7 For we live by faith, not by sight. </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>People of this world have a hard time believing in God.
If there were a good God, why is there so much suffering?” Why didn’t God create a world without suffering? Well, He did! Man messed it up….God didn’t. </div><div><br /></div><div>The word “suffer” means to “stay under”. To suffer means to finish your goal even when you experience adversity. This is a very interesting concept – to “finish your goal” even thru suffering. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: center;">You have to walk thru it to get to the other side. </h3></div><div><br /></div><div>We demand to understand why everything happens in our lives but sometimes suffering can seem pretty random. There are a lot of mysteries hidden in God and He is not going to give you all the answers.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>[1Co 13:12-13 NLT] </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i> 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
13 Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love. </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>God doesn’t want to hear all the “whys”, but instead, He wants to hear “I trust you, God. Even when I don’t understand what is happening, I trust you to work it out for my good. I will keep my eyes on you.”</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">[Prov 3:5-6 NIV] </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"> 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.</span></i> </div><div><br /></div><div>As we learn to trust God, the power of our faith grows and we can see God’s will in our lives more clearly. The <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-sound-of-wisdom.html" target="_blank">decisions and consequences</a> we make daily will always be a teaching moment for God, whether we suffer the consequences, or turn and seek God’s will in our lives. When we place our trust in God and seek His will in our lives, we also learn a great deal about who we are in Christ. And when bad things happen, God doesn’t always get you out of it, but He will give you <a href="https://livinginthemoment-carol.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-speed-of-grace.html" target="_blank">grace</a> to get through it. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">[2Co 12:9 NIV] </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"> 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>During hard times, you can either give in and give up, or you can allow your faith and trust in God to grow stronger. Our love and compassion for others takes on a whole new meaning when we face life issues. God will allow us to go thru things that He could deliver us from, just so He could use you to deliver other people from that same thing. Do not give up when it’s hard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Half of the scriptures are about God delivering us from suffering and not one of those says “when”. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">[Psa 34:19 NIV] </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"> 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Faith dispels fear and worry. Fear is a liar and it leads you to forget all that God has done in your life. Fear makes you think that you are all alone and the oppressive spirit of fear seems to be the dominate emotion of this day and age. The Bible tells us that fear is not just an emotion or feeling, but an actual spirit that manipulates and operates in many people’s lives <span style="color: #990000;"><i>[<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/2ti/1/7/s_1126007" target="_blank">2 Timothy 1:7</a>]</i></span>. This is why you find so many people constantly worried. We need to be guarded so we do not allow fear to creep into our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPKwIzme2LGMqKLY9hy5uhdSGK066R-EybIVGu1hO2wo1Y-yCCnxqybJlLVGpVU_kQz-N2Va5YrNb2Rcc_aP_Kpb2dwtc-ejfVBTCALc5C2aOqKMeSTj0CVYeaRkN7TXMlTUmj3lCKJUq/s1920/IMG_0445+copy_Moment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPKwIzme2LGMqKLY9hy5uhdSGK066R-EybIVGu1hO2wo1Y-yCCnxqybJlLVGpVU_kQz-N2Va5YrNb2Rcc_aP_Kpb2dwtc-ejfVBTCALc5C2aOqKMeSTj0CVYeaRkN7TXMlTUmj3lCKJUq/w400-h225/IMG_0445+copy_Moment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anxiety and stress are both the children of fear and it destroys our bodies, our soul and our minds. The power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we do not need to fear. We have not been given a spirit of fear for our hope rests in Jesus Christ, our defender and our sustainer. He is sovereign and He is always in control. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">[Jhn 16:33 NIV] </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." </span></i></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">We don’t know our future, but God is already there. </h3><div><br /></div><div>As the world continues to groan and the nearness of Jesus’ return comes closer, others are looking at Christians. How are they responding? Remember how Paul’s faith touched others during his suffering in prison <span style="color: #990000;">[</span><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/act/16/25/s_1034025" target="_blank">Acts 16:25</a> <span style="color: #990000;">]</span>. The world needs to see something other than cowards. They need to see people that will stand up and not run away from every hard place in life, but will say that in the midst of all their trouble, </div><div><br /></div><div>God is good & I trust Him & I love Him & He will bring me out of this & I will have victory in my life. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;">[Rom 5:1-2 NIV] </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #990000;"> 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. </span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>God knows what you are going thru today. He knows your pain and every tear He holds in His hand. You just need to invite Him into your situation. </div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U8A1YwM_jWc" width="320" youtube-src-id="U8A1YwM_jWc"></iframe></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings to you my friend ~</div>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-43216361294650636512021-01-25T18:34:00.001-05:002021-03-08T12:04:44.291-05:00Chemo Brain versus Something Else<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYKNPJ1yGTx9L0CkIvhc9FyE94_Wfq6v-gJJoVlsVhlfdkGVL5y5DcWfGI7EVpHIK2b0M1tXnFxkLNNt4ESxw1P4pukM-Xc0_4te7RlnAOtetpMtHquyU8xGJ5iuPWDvoNT8AilC8C9l/s2048/DSCN0088.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYKNPJ1yGTx9L0CkIvhc9FyE94_Wfq6v-gJJoVlsVhlfdkGVL5y5DcWfGI7EVpHIK2b0M1tXnFxkLNNt4ESxw1P4pukM-Xc0_4te7RlnAOtetpMtHquyU8xGJ5iuPWDvoNT8AilC8C9l/w640-h480/DSCN0088.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We’ve all experienced a minor hiccup when it comes to our
memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laugh about it and even make
up <a href="https://youtu.be/9nndS22Qda0" target="_blank">silly songs</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9nndS22Qda0" width="320" youtube-src-id="9nndS22Qda0"></iframe></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The chemo cocktails are toxic. It kills cancer and it also
kills good cells. I’m not sure how long the effects last or how age can tamper
with our memory, but this is the next battle I’m facing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s a little more than forgetting why I walked into a room
to do something. The first time it
happened, I forgot who my husband was and I lost a decade of memories. It finally came back, but man, oh man, it
really blind-sided both of us. When it
happened again 6 months later, I made a doctor’s appointment. Again, my memories returned, except the last several
moments when it happened. Those moments
are gone. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My doctor wrote amnesia. Hmm, sounds like a better description than
black outs. Oh, I’m fully awake when it
happens and alcohol is not involved (which evokes the connotation of the word “black
out”). I haven’t decided how much I’ll
share or how raw, but this issue almost cost me my marriage. By the grace of God, our marriage is whole
again and better than before. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Insurance denied a CTscan, so an EEG has been scheduled in
February. Until then, no driving allowed
and just trying to keep tranquility all around me and “be still”.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Don’t fear for the future, God is already there ~</h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-55435092520025469992021-01-24T14:24:00.001-05:002021-03-28T17:47:35.307-04:00The Sound of Wisdom<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTAxjdbGGZC9SREIlBNy4YNs6IHEeN5pfDQhaK1_qoA5jpwXjLrY55oWlvAjmSbwhk7tb1PdIdleW2lRcJmJ3ZeO3Ws7Z84bKXpx24hlByzifjFiivJK-jddZN79tYoZRsbqUybCMp3Rt/s930/Proverbs+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="930" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTAxjdbGGZC9SREIlBNy4YNs6IHEeN5pfDQhaK1_qoA5jpwXjLrY55oWlvAjmSbwhk7tb1PdIdleW2lRcJmJ3ZeO3Ws7Z84bKXpx24hlByzifjFiivJK-jddZN79tYoZRsbqUybCMp3Rt/w640-h432/Proverbs+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are seasons in my life when I experience major
transitions. Some come out of left field and some were choices that I needed to
make. Decisions should never be made lightly because they always come with
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we peel away the layers of each decision we
ever made, we can see both the blessings and the losses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The unintentional <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STmDyPMOyo0" target="_blank">consequence</a> can be your
biggest polishing stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As God refines us in the heat of the fire, that is when we mature
in our walk with Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the fire is
the hottest, is when He is the closest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Webster’s dictionary (1828) defines Wisdom as, “the right
use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best
means to accomplish them.” It is more
than “prudence”.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>either in avoiding evils or attempting good.</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Solomon was deemed the wisest man by having the power of
discerning and judging correctly. The mind is “sense and reason”, without the
Holy Spirit. Reasoning blocks discernment. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Proverbs </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span> The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span> for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span> for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span> for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span> let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span> for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7</span> the [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fall of man changed God’s original intention for us, but
our character is developed by the Word of God and in His commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unforgiveness
steals our peace, steals our joy and prevents answered prayer; it hinders God’s
presence in our life. Mercy prevents us from being self-centered. <o:p></o:p>Mercy triumphs over judgment. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Is your wisdom of sound judgment?</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How are the consequences stacking up against the decisions
you make in your life? What can you follow to ensure sound wisdom?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Ecclesiastes 12:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;"><b><sup>13 </sup></b>Now
all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:<br />
Fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">Knowing that He is
almighty God] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">and keep his commandments, </span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">for this is the duty of all mankind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">
<b><sup>14 </sup></b>For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,<br /></span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: helvetica;">whether it is good or evil.</span><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>It's that simple.<p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-21519339223292593772021-01-23T15:37:00.003-05:002021-01-24T14:24:58.761-05:00The Speed of Grace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpbgMvhgNqSvRw2LANrqzNFeVfu0voRiHmwoLYvPHAZDrkEXV4UWHZWGbF3x73k0_NboNFCRjniczMHHgsE-Lwhvz9MMH87r1Akjnl60yRuJxDNRTehZZ7nZeOto6YJRYALbmSOnmQ02/s1920/IMG_0541_Moment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpbgMvhgNqSvRw2LANrqzNFeVfu0voRiHmwoLYvPHAZDrkEXV4UWHZWGbF3x73k0_NboNFCRjniczMHHgsE-Lwhvz9MMH87r1Akjnl60yRuJxDNRTehZZ7nZeOto6YJRYALbmSOnmQ02/w400-h225/IMG_0541_Moment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As I turn the calendar to the year 2021, it occurs to me
that I am approaching the 10<sup>th</sup> year I began my battle with
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking, “I want to
walk thru this situation with as much grace as I’ve seen other woman do.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was important to keep HOPE alive and to give GLORY to God
with each step of my journey.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #990000;">And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote><p></p></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c;"></span></p><p></p></blockquote><p> </p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps I sugar-coated it too much and left out some raw
emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to find balance when
sharing personal life stories on the net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then the year 2020 came and played a major part in all of our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to stand on the mountain
top and declare all the injustices that were happening in my life. Loss of
parents, loss of a job, loss of friendships, the (near) loss of my
marriage and loss of memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Confusing and unreal stressful
situations became my every day battle ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was during this time that I held fast to what I knew to be true . . .
I had to readjust my attitude and protect my heart from bitterness to take
root. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I again asked God to give me the grace </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[to forgive and ask for
forgiveness] to walk thru the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I watched as God’s hands worked as the Master potter against
the hardness of this old clay pot. The fire continues to refine and polish my
soul as I mature in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned that feelings
[emotions] are not truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emotions are
fickle and they change without any notice at all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mature and learn the fruit of self-control by learning
the Word of God.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember - Celebrate your progress and thank God for it!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p></p><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #990000; font-size: 10pt;">Ephesians 4</span></b><br /><i><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #990000; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ</span></i><br /><b style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif">4</span></sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"> </span></span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">As a prisoner for
the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you
have received. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love. <b><sup>3 </sup></b>Make
every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>There
is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when
you were called; <b><sup>5 </sup></b>one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; <b><sup>6 </sup></b>one God and Father of all, who is
over all and through all and in all. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+4&version=NIV" target="_blank">READ MORE....</a></span><br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">14 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;">Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by
the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>Instead,
speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the
mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>From
him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The speed of God’s grace, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in<i> <b>His patience</b> </i>with each one
of us, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">begs attention in everything He does for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How much time do we really have on this earth? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long will it take for you to come to the
Saving Grace that is in Our Lord Jesus Christ?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><b>2 Peter 3:9</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.4pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;">9 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;">The Lord is not slow in keeping his
promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Blessings to you my friend ~<p></p>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-39711677587727697322017-12-14T19:20:00.001-05:002017-12-14T19:20:43.357-05:00Anniversary #5 - Who's Counting?I guess I'm counting, or at least trying. I'm a little unclear on how you come up with "The 5 Year Anniversary". That's the so-called time frame when the stats are a little more favorable. <br />
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December 9, 2011 - Diagnosed<br />
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December 14, 2012 - Last chemo treatment<br />
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December 20, 2012 - Port removed<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do I feel out of the woods? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nope, just on the edge of the clearing</i></span></div>
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On a sad note, we lost our father October 19, 2017 from colon and pancreatic cancer. It took him quickly, although we "know" he probably had it long before he was diagnosed. </div>
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My sister and I took him to our oncologist. As we left, I noticed the photo that I gave Doc Esther a few years ago hanging in one of the rooms. [I really thought it was hidden in a back closet]</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lilies are from dad's front yard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been surreal the past few months. </span></div>
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I just keep plugging away. One day at a time and try to just live in the moment. The years just seem to pass by so fast! Do you ever just want to do a "do-over" ?! ugh....</div>
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I'm not sure what I'll do with this blog. I started it to just help me wrap my head around the diagnosis and to share with friends/family in a place other than facebook. Then it quickly became a place for me to remember dates during my year of treatment. I also wanted to help anyone who found my post or mention of resources. (although I'm sure there are mountains of better information). In the end, I find that writing helps me deal tremendously with life . . since I was 9 years old and kept a diary.</div>
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Perhaps this is my last post. At least for now. Perhaps I'll keep this blog floating in the clouds for awhile. Be well, Be safe, Be happy</div>
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Blessings to you, my friend ~</div>
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preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-89767773572594704082015-08-15T22:11:00.000-04:002015-08-15T22:11:15.204-04:00Not AgainNo, really, it's not happening again. Thank God! But, boy, did I have a scare. <br />
<br />
I found a new lump and finally called my oncologist and made an appointment. They got me in same day. This process (like last time) always happens incredibly fast. So, I left work early on Thursday and made my way thru the familiar building. I didn't tell family because I didn't want anyone to needlessly worry. <br />
<br />
It was the nurse who did the initial exam and then said that she wanted Doc to see for herself. <br />
<br />
Oh, Boy....<br />
<br />
I laid there waiting. Please, Lord, I don't want to go thru this again. <br />
<br />
Doc came in and was amazed that I even found the lump. She said it was "small". I told her there was pain associated to it too. I asked her "what do you think?" Doc looked me in the eyes and softened her tone. "You're original cancer was small and you've been taking Tamoxifen. Very unlikely this is cancer. I think it's scar tissue from the breast reduction. But, let's go ahead and make sure."<br />
<br />
So, I was scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound the next day.<br />
<br />
Man, what a flashback that was sitting in the waiting room wearing my "ball gown". The technician only smashed my left side (thankfully not a full mammogram). <br />
<br />
Then the ultrasound. I watched the screen as this technician meticulously measured the dark matter. Surprisingly, the tech said that she was giving the information to the radiologist who would give me the results before leaving the room. Good, it's Friday and I didn't want to wait over the weekend for an answer. <br />
<br />
So, after she was done, she left the room and again, I laid there remembering that first time (in the same room). This time, I hung onto the words my oncologist had said the day before. I wasn't going down that dark path in my mind.<br />
<br />
NO! Not again!<br />
<br />
And, sure enough, the radiologist confirmed that it was scar tissue that had balled itself up to make it feel like a pea-shaped hard lump. He said that I would be doing this again in 6 months to monitor the area.<br />
<br />
I don't think I can tell you how relieved I am. You see, this had been detected for a couple months before I finally got the nerve up to make the appointment. <br />
<br />
OK, OK, next time I won't wait as long. And, yes, I'll tell my family beforehand instead of trying to "protect them". <br />
<br />
PRAISE GOD! It's NOT back again!! PLEASE STAY THAT WAY!<br />
<br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-84310942929183711102014-12-09T12:49:00.001-05:002014-12-09T12:49:06.798-05:00# 3 - AnniversaryIt's hard to believe! <br />
<br /><br />
December 9, 2011 was the day I received my diagnosis.<br />
<br /><br />
December 14, 2012 was my last Herceptin drip and<br />
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December 20, 2012 my port was removed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How can time </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">feel like yesterday </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and also</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">feel like a life time ago </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">at the same time?</span></div>
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<br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-34414551282922721042014-02-20T19:41:00.001-05:002014-02-20T19:41:20.160-05:00I've "Graduated"On February 11, I had my 3 month visit with my oncologist, Doc Esther. She was running late and just as she was starting to take my information, a phone call from ICU pulled her back out. That is definitely more important than my check-up. So, I tried to occupy myself while waiting. <br />
<br />
During the exam, our small talk turned into who we were named after, other names of her siblings and "older" names that aren't used very much. How many children do you know with the name "Carol"? Esther is a good Biblical name.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I forgot to tell her the areas that were painful. I know, I know .... first time I didn't write a list for her. Who am I to try to remember the things I wanted to relay to her? If it is any consolation, I did remember to show her 2 moles and she said they were nothing to worry about.<br />
<br />
Right before she hurried off to the next patient, she said "You've now graduated from 3 month visits to every 6 months".<br />
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Progress.<br />
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<br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-90220879533768328682014-01-22T20:01:00.001-05:002014-01-22T20:01:44.208-05:00Annual Mammogram<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZmqmUk5pyvhyP8qONxml7PIKLMz4edFxOmU4XC9AB5HbIdNJj-m0KA34D79vgAMMdcBAaGweiDcb1uoqJQ0nz2QSHdLXTOSQbehlc1Gu153X_YovBygB6IFdxd8aiQO4xqkMwc4Ab_v5/s1600/mammo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZmqmUk5pyvhyP8qONxml7PIKLMz4edFxOmU4XC9AB5HbIdNJj-m0KA34D79vgAMMdcBAaGweiDcb1uoqJQ0nz2QSHdLXTOSQbehlc1Gu153X_YovBygB6IFdxd8aiQO4xqkMwc4Ab_v5/s1600/mammo.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a>On January 13, 2014, I had my "annual" mammogram. I went back to the place (Reflections) that had originally found my cancer in 2011 ... talk about deja vu! This would make the 2nd mammogram since my diagnosis. Surgery sites on both breasts and you might ask ... did it hurt?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Yes! Bloody hell it did!</b></i></div>
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The technician was great though and the intensity only lasted for a bit. After I left, my mind settled down and I placed all thoughts in a corner shelf in my mind. <br />
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On January 21, I received my results via US mail. I must admit that my hands were shaking a tad as I opened the envelope!<br />
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When I was diagnosed, I received a phone call a few short days after my mammogram. So this time, when a week passed, I was thinking positive thoughts. Piece of cake ~<br />
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<i><b>Thank you, God, for watching over me!</b></i></div>
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<br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-22958427991087898152014-01-16T20:40:00.000-05:002014-01-16T20:40:36.754-05:00Arimidex vs TamoxifenI have been taking Arimidex since August 2012. As the months go by, my pains are more extreme. My husband is the only one I really "show" just how bad. After all, I'm in remission. I should be "all better now". That is what most folks think. They don't understand that poison streamed through my body killing cancer cells AND my good cells. It takes time to repair, it takes time to get your strength back.<br />
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<i>I don't mean to sound so whiny</i></div>
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I am very grateful that I have made it this far through "my journey". I do try to have a smile on my face, stay out of "my bubble" and focus on others (thank God for the type of job I have), and I get up every day to go to work. I have to. The mornings are the hardest .... that is when the pain is the worst.<br />
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So, Sept 12 I had a visit with my favorite oncologist to discuss my meds.<br />
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<b>Quality of Life VS Recurrence </b></div>
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Taking the estrogen blocker will give me a 40% chance of keeping cancer away .... at least this type of cancer. I'm HER2 protein positive and estrogen receptor positive. Just a little aggressive and mean-spirited.<br />
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Doc changed my meds to Tamoxifen, stating that I should start to feel better in about a month and the bone pain will not be a side effect. She said that the worry would be blood clots, uterus cancer (don't have one of those, so I should be good on that count). I came home and looked it up on WebMD to read the reviews from other patients. Looks like the same kind of complaints as Arimidex patients.<br />
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They don't call it "practicing medicine" for nothing!<br />
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I've given my life to God and I will give Him this too. My church family gave me a prayer cloth anointed with oil and their prayers. It is precious to me.<br />
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I'll be sure to keep you posted .... still living in the moment, each day at a time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What Rock do you stand on?</span></div>
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<b>Originally posted Saturday September 14, 2013</b></div>
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preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-50882460135372270302014-01-15T20:27:00.002-05:002014-01-15T20:27:38.125-05:002014 - The Year of AdventureIt has been a while since writing on the blog. I just moved some posts from <a href="http://inthistogetherbcs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">In This Together BCS</a> to my original blog .... so you will see about 7 of them that actually belong in the year 2013. I'm not sure if I'll continue writing (not sure if anyone is reading), but I wanted to combine my posts because I can turn my blog into a book. I thought this would be a nice keepsake.<br />
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I have to look at my timeline to really remember the "whens" and "whats" of the past 2-1/2 years. <br />
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December 2011 - Diagnosed</div>
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2012 - Treatment</div>
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2013 - Recovery</div>
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and now we come to 2014 .... I have decided to call it the year of adventure! I want to DO something! I want to explore! I want to take my camera and capture unique and beautiful things through my lens! I want to check off things from my bucket list! Even though my pain has returned (same as when I was on Arimidex), I want to do these things.<br />
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What do YOU want to do?<br />
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Oh, hey, check out my beautiful sister, Christie ~ A picture of health!</div>
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<br />preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-87976720099206260162014-01-15T19:58:00.000-05:002014-01-15T20:01:22.998-05:00Tamoxifen - Day 50It's a miracle! The effects of my last estrogen blocker, Arimidex, is practically out of my body. And, boy, do I feel so much better!<br />
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I don't think I will get to 100%, but 50 days into the change of meds, I sure am feeling like me again.<br />
Celebrated with a new cut, color and style!<br />
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<b>Originally Posted Thursday October 31, 2013</b>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-91389664982658586472014-01-15T19:53:00.004-05:002014-01-15T20:01:23.000-05:00Planning Our First EventChristie is a creative woman who has many, many wonderful ideas. When she feels a project coming on, the wheels start spinning, ideas start flying and thoughts are written down on anything handy.<br />
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See that book of notes? If you remember, you are lucky....(joke).....what I was going to say: If you remember, there is such a thing as chemo brain. It is hard to hold onto a thought. We just have to write down everything! One page has a sentence written on it, but it is upside down on the page. It was funny to watch her when she noticed it, "huh, wonder how that happened."<br />
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See that phone in hand? It has the latest technology, apps, internet connection and all. Constantly ready to keep the ideas rolling ... at all 24 hours of the day.<br />
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The current project is our very first event ~ A celebration of our win against breast cancer. I can guarantee that with Christie's ability as a public speaker and teacher, this will be informative with a flair of wit, laughter and thought-provoking revelations.<br />
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So, where do I come in?</div>
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Well, I'm the "sounding-board", the ying to her yang, and the organizer of these ideas. Not the planner, (not going to happen), the organizer. My hundred years of office work will come in handy as we begin to lift off the non-profit inthistogether.org<br />
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Oh, how I love Microsoft OneNote!!! (check it out if you haven't seen it). That is my job this weekend. Creating our notebook, sync it on sis's computer and teach her how to navigate.<br />
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She is going to LOVE it! </div>
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After this event, we will welcome feedback, collect more ideas, tweak it here and there and then .... take it on the road.<br />
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In between all of that, we are looking for our Board of Directors.<br />
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The divine appointments over the past few weeks have multiplied. We are both meeting women who want to get involved by using their God-given talents. As they tell us their stories of their own journey or of a loved one, an instant connection is made. And, of course, a hug is freely given ~<br />
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<b>Originally Posted Saturday September 28, 2013</b></div>
preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-16544375129510808122014-01-15T19:49:00.000-05:002014-01-15T20:01:22.990-05:00Tamoxifen - 1 WeekOne o'clock in the morning - after waking up ump-teen times, I decided to stay up for a bit. Took 2 more pain pills and logged on. I've had some inquiries about the effects of the Tamoxifen. Can't say it is any better than Arimidex ... yet, it's only been a week. <br />
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The pain is intense and I just wish I could describe it in a way to make myself understood. I'm trying not to let this show at work and when I come home in the evening, I collapse.<br />
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My bones feel like they have been smashed by a sledge-hammer. The shredded pieces like glass in my hands, arms, knees, legs, feet, ankles. Today, my left elbow feels like I hit it against something hard. I'm still bruising very easily. I'm hunched over like I'm 110 years old. It is worse in the morning, and now seems to carry throughout the day. I'm starting to have menstrual pains (I don't have a uterus and no cycles for 11 years). What's that about? My surgery sites (original surgery, plus nodes under my right arm, and reconstruction on my left side) all produce stabbing pain. Sometimes the pain hits unexpectedly that I "yelp" out loud. That can be embarrassing in public.<br />
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I tenderly hold my hands, softly rubbing to help ease the stiffness. My neck and back ache so much.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">So, this is the medicine to keep cancer away. It sucks.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I've completed year 1 of 5 ~ can I endure 4 more?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I'm falling apart</span></i></div>
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<b>Originally posted Saturday September 21, 2013</b>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-13669050146016669732014-01-15T19:38:00.002-05:002014-01-15T20:01:22.988-05:00Thrive!Tonight was a long time coming .... A celebration dinner with my good friend "M" and my sister, Christie. M & I had planned to get together after our treatments were done to celebrate coming through to the other side (M was diagnosed 2 days before I was). When Christie was diagnosed, we then decided to wait until the three of us could come together and make a toast to success!<br />
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Tonight was it! Panara's.... yummmmm</div>
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I was thrilled to introduce the 2 of them and tickled pink when we giggled like school girls as we shared our more humorous stories. And the conversation doesn't always have to be about cancer. We shared about our families, our learnings from our experiences and how it changed our outlook in life (ok, alot of it was "because of cancer") and just enjoyed each other's company. <br />
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Chemo brain was a huge part of our laughter as one of us would start a thought and then forget what we were going to say... and then the other 2 would have to try to remember key words of what was being said in order for the memory to jolt back into the moment. If you don't get it, don't worry about it! It truly is a memory loss that only a chemo cocktail can promote!<br />
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I thought it very interesting when M said she didn't think of herself as a survivor, but as a thriver. <br />
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No matter what your circumstance</div>
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Everyone should strive to thrive!</div>
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<b>Originally posted Monday August 19, 2013</b></div>
preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3171448635130357199.post-4732958866559996382014-01-15T19:36:00.000-05:002014-01-15T20:01:22.996-05:00Follow-up AppointmentsThe morning of July 23 was certainly busy. My follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon was 8:30 am. He announced that the tissue sent to pathology came back clear. All Right! The swelling has gone down some and he was pleased with the work he had done. He left the room and the nurse proceeded to remove the surgery tape with tweezers and small shears, and snip the long pieces of stitches. I left there feeling a little tender and raw.<br />
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No more appointments for the plastic surgeon! Yay!</div>
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I made my way to work and then had to leave again for my follow-up appointment with my oncologist. It has been awhile since being there and I walked into the place to see much change ... reconstruction.... the place had more room and organization. Doc was also impressed with the breast reduction. <br />
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"No more leaning to the left!" she said. Funny Doc! </div>
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We discussed my current state of being as she recorded it on the computer system. I saw my history of the last 18 months and we had a good chat. The smile on her face was enough for me!<br />
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I can remember her saying,</div>
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"You will be able to fire me in 5 years". </div>
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My next appointment isn't until November 2013. Nice!<br />
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I feel like I have come out of the depths of hell and am now renewed as my healing continues with each new day.<br />
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May peace be with you ~<br />
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<b>Originally posted Saturday July 27, 2013</b>preciousdittohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10206207840903137302noreply@blogger.com0