Yes, beauty is fleeting. I had to pause and think how much I invest in "beautifying" my exterior vs. the investment I make in to strengthen my relationship with the Lord or to grow spiritually, I cringe. But you know what? That is exactly what's so awesome about Bible study and growing in the LORD?
When He reveals something to us, perhaps something like this, it's not to condemn us! It's to point us on a new path, a new journey that will bring us even closer to Him!
Amazing. See! How amazing is this! He uses His Word, not to condemn, but to draw us nearer to Him! Now, what do you think about that? :) Dear Friend, this is my truth!
This scripture took me back quite of few years. When I was struggling with a problem, I would open my red letter Bible to the New Testament to one of the four Gospels.
I would begin to pray, then read Jesus' words. It would be as if we were actually conversing. Let me give you an example. As a new believer, I once had a ministry in which I gave Scripture Jars to encourage others. I called them "Jars of Hope". At one point I was unsure if I should continue with this ministry. So, naturally I went to my LORD in prayer. This was many years ago, so I will share my experience to the best of my ability and recollection. It went something like this: "LORD, do I continue with this ministry?" Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." Matthew 14:16 (In John 6:35 Jesus states He is the bread of life. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.) Again, I prayed, "How do I continue?" The next time he spoke after Matthew 14:16, He said, "Bring them here to Me." Matthew 14:18 I prayed, "But I'm afraid. How do I know I'm doing the right thing?" Again, the next time He spoke was in Matthew 14:27: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." You see? In this instance it was like conversing with Jesus! Now, I'm not saying it will always be like this. Nor am I saying this is the only way to pray or that it is for everyone. I am simply sharing what I did and what happened. It was amazing. It was life changing. It was real. Dear Friend, this is my truth.
So, I thought that after chemotherapy I would have neuropathy for a few months. My last chemo was in August 2015. Here we are, seven months later and neuropathy still plagues me. My doctor told me to be patient - and she quickly added that she understood it was easier said than done. She prescribed Metanx, which can be costly if not covered by insurance. I checked and, thank God, I believe it's covered by my insurance. I'm going to give it a go and keep you posted. A fellow cancer survivor told me she still has neuropathy pain almost 2 years post-treatment! Eeesh! Not very encouraging. I have to admit it feels weird complaining about post-treament complications. But, it's real and it happens. It's my reality and truth, so I share. Do you have any suggestions for neuropathy pain? Steppin' Along.
I am part of a 12 Step Program - it doesn't matter which one. The point is I'm finishing up Step 3 and moving to Step 4 - a big jump - believe me. There are 12 Steps in the Program. Steps 1-3 are the foundation to the rest of the Steps. Step 4 is not easy, or so I've heard. I had actually stopped working on passing the Steps when I was diagnosed. This means I wasn't doing the work my Sponsor and I agreed upon to pass to the next Step. She understood and I gave myself a pass. I was gentle with myself. Now that treatments are over, I want to continue the "Step Work" (follow the plan set up by my sponsor).My sponsor suggested I review my old journal entries from Step 3 before our "graduation meeting." As a refresher I did reread my old entries which dated back up to 2 years. I was truly shocked at the woman I saw. And I was able to praise God for the miraculous work He has done in my life over the last two years! It's amazing! Do you journal? I highly recommend you read over your journals and see how far you have come as well! It's enlightening! Proverb of the Day.
As soon as I read this verse, my heart started pounding! Immediately, I thought of the young faith-filled young ladies I know! They are strong and bold in their faith and in their lives! I am blessed to know them!
We, who are in Christ, can be bold as a lion because we are children of the one true King! He is our "apรก" - our dear Father. We can be bold in our faith, our testimony, our witness! We can be as bold as lions and as gentle as lambs as we reach out to others and share His love. I am so grateful that God has led me to the study in Proverbs so that I may minister to family and friends, especially my dear children and parents, with a word from the LORD. It's an extremely humbling experience! New Easter Basket Here is it, the new Easter Basket for Baby #4. Baby #3 took his home yesterday. Again, I used this tutorial as well as this one. I'm so amazed that God somehow played with the fabric and helped me make two baskets out of materials for only one. Hmmmm......makes me wonder......Does God have a fabric stash? :) Dear Friend, this is my truth!
I praise God, especially on this Easter evening, that I serve a living God that has blessed me with such wonderful people in my life!
Aren't our friends and family precious? They are gifts from the LORD and I praise Him for each of them.
I have grown and learned so much as they have given me heartfelt counsel and encouragement.
Especially so since November 2014 when I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Just this month last year, I started chemo. What a difference a year makes!
I was blessed to experience such love and tenderness from my dear family and friends!
Life is good, in spite of the scars on my body that show the tough journey we have been on.
My husband took me for a massage and reflexology foot massage. I walked in leaning on a cane and walked out with my husband holding my cane! So nice!
Of course, today's celebration tired me out, but it was wonderful to be with family and friends. Afterwards, my husband and I enjoyed the rest of the evening on the patio swing listening to music. Romantic. Nice.
Pain and fatigue may be my companions, but they will not be my bullies!
Here is the fantastic blessing part of the story: I purchased exactly what Ayumi reccommends in her tutorial to make one basket. The only exception was that I purchased 1/4 yard more of the lining. Instead of cutting 2" squares for the main basket, I increased the size to 4 1/2" squares. Of course, the basket turned out way too big - but...by cutting my outer patchwork in half, I'm going to be able to make two baskets! Therefore, Grandson #3 gets his basket and I will already have a basket ready for next year for Grandson #4 - who is due this July! Two baskets out of enough fabric for only one. Double blessings. If you have ever wondered if God provides, He does. If you have ever wondered if God knows what He's doing, (Let's be honest, I'm pretty sure we have all been there at one time or another! :) ) He does. He's trustable. Dear Friend, this is my truth. By the way, I'll post pics of both baskets very soon - after all, they have to be done by Sunday!
I found it interesting that yesterday's Proverb of the Day and today's both say, "and your hope will not be cut off." I have to believe the LORD is encouraging me to continue in learning to live a quieter lifestyle, in learning to listen to His voice. I am becoming more serene every day and more hungry to spend time with Him. There is debate over the identity of wisdom in Proverbs. I am by no means a theologian, but here are my two cents. In this verse, I see wisdom as twofold: 1) I see it as literally as wisdom. Wisdom is sweet to our soul and with it, we do have a future. 2) Yet, I also see wisdom personified as my as my LORD, Jesus Christ - especially due to the reference to hope. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: Honey is sweet, some have told me it helps with their allergies and helps heal cuts or surgical incisions. Hmmm......sweet healing, like Jesus. If you find it, Both wisdom and honey are difficult to find. It takes tenacity and can be painful.
It's the same with our spiritual walk which also takes tenacity and, quite honestly, sometimes it is painful. But it is worth the effort. Today I was rereading some of my journals from a couple of years ago. I was shocked! I barely recognized that broken, insecure woman! I was blessed and praising God for the growth in my faith and persona. If you journal, I highly recommend you reread your journals to see the wonderful work God is doing in your life as well! there is a future hope for you, My future is in Him. My hope is in Him. and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 Our hope is never cut off. Ever. Cancer cannot cut it off. Abuse cannot cut it off. Anger cannot cut it off.
http://jesustotheworld.tumblr.com/page/4
So, yes, wisdom - Jesus - are sweet to the soul, well worth the search for it because we will then always have a future hope that will never be cut off!
What can I do for the LORD? Have you ever wondered what you can do for the LORD? As I've experienced with life after cancer, this question is my heart question. I want to serve Him. to minister to others. to bless others. to do this face to face. Of course, I try to be available to minister to my husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends. But I want to make a difference in my community as well. However, I now realize that He has other plans for me.
I'm definitely an extrovert. He has a work to accomplish in me that requires an introvert lifestyle. Of this I'm sure. Have you ever been in a similar experience in your own walk? I'd love to hear about it!
One of my pastors once told a story addressing this very topic. One day a pastor went to visit one of his elderly parishioners. She was washing dishes and weeping. When he asked what was wrong, she confessed that she felt she hadn't accomplished anything for the LORD. The pastor then asked how her children were doing. One was a pastor, another a missionary and yet anther was involved in ministry in their local church. The pastor gently pointed how much she had indeed accomplished in the LORD. Sometimes, we are blind to the work the LORD is achieving in our lives and how He works through us to bless others. Perhaps this very blindness is vital to keep us humble and leaning on Him and His everlasting arms. I realize all I simply need to do is follow His leading, trusting Him. Proverb of the Day.
So we walk in hope always. Dear Friend, this is my truth.
Proverb of the Day. You know, though my best intentions are to spend time with God on a daily basis, I am not always successful. Life gets in the way of my dates with God. However, I am pretty faithful to keep up (or catch up!) on my Proverb of the Day study. It's important to me. It feeds my soul. It encourages me. It teaches me. It enlightens me. It strengthens me. Here is my Proverb post on Instagram for today.
I'm amazed at how generous our LORD is with us. How can we please Him?
1) Pay attention.
2) Turn our ear to the wise.
3) Apply our hearts to His teachings.
Simple, no?
NO.
It takes effort, dedication, a teachable spirit and an open mind.
But it's worth it, dear friend, it's worth it!
Support Groups.
One place I found "the wise" today was in a breast cancer support group. It meets in a church whose rooms are filled with activity!
I was welcomed with warmth and love. They gave me a prayer shawl that the ladies in another room were crocheting and knitting. Each member shared their journey with cancer. Each member blessed me.
I'll always be grateful to the person who invited me!
One special characteristic about this group was that it is a small group - less than 10 members were in attendance. Very cozy and intimate.
Do you attend such a group? If so, invite someone to go with you!
Do you want to attend such a group? Ask around in your treatment center, doctor's office, local hospitals, check the internet for a local group. I was totally blessed and would love for you to have this support as well!
For Fun Before we had grand babies, our Easter celebration consisted of all grown-ups. So, I started the tradition of an adult Easter Egg Hunt to liven things up a bit. It was really cute seeing our parents with "aches and pains" suddenly recover to gather their eggs! :) Now, with three grand babies, it's all the more fun! A few years ago, I made two Easter baskets for my grand babies. Here's one of them:
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I used this tutorial and this one. So, this year my youngest grandson gets his basket as well! Why is it that I always find these "neat ideas for the kids" AND decide to make them four days before the event? I'm currently making these Easter bunnies for my grandbabies. Now, I know how to crochet waaaay better than I know how to knit, so I figured this was out of the question, until a friend said, "You could even crochet these! Duh! So I am!
I realize that Easter is definitely not just about Easter bunnies and Easter Egg Hunts. However, these were just too cute to pass up! The Future Today, I was thinking about the week I was waiting for the test results to see if the cancer had metastasized. It was tough. During one of my devotional times, I came across 1 Corinthians 13:7.
Here was my response in my second attempt at Bible Journaling. I didn't know the results, but God did. I didn't know what I would do if they were positive, but God did. I don't know, but God does.
My Surrender Someone I love deeply is experiencing physical pain in their body. They are realizing that they can't do all they used to. They have to rest. I get it, boy do I understand their frustration! As I've gone through my own journey of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, arthritis and neuropathy, I've learned some hard lessons in dealing with chronic pain. * asking for help * pain * tears * all of the above have taught me to listen to God, to lean on His everlasting arms, humbleness, compassion for those in emotional in physical pain, it's ok to feel how I feel, to cry, to rest, to be true to myself. More importantly, my faith has grown by leaps and bounds. This wasn't easy. Growth rarely is. Growing pains are real. In my helplessness, I had to learn to surrender.
Remember, like in the video, surrendering doesn't mean all our problems will poof! go away. My experience started in November of 2014 and I'm still learning. It's a process. It's a long process. It's a long, healing process. It's a long, healing process filled with hope, joy and faith. It's a long, healing process filled with hope, joy and faith that sometimes leaves me feeling worn.
And that's ok. Beauty. Today is the first day of Spring! I have spent several hours in Bible Study and writing this blog surrounded by beauty and the sounds of birds serenading me! But there's a bright side! Here's some beauty from ashes! (By the way, you're going to see a tree with it's branch hanging out - she's waving hello to you!)
This is on the side of my home. I set up the bird feeder outside my sewing studio window so I can see the birds eat. My makeshift water feature is also in my line of vision. Do you see the branch waving "Hello" to you?
This is the basket I carry out to my yard.
Can you see the new bird's nest?! I'm so excited!
In spite of all of the above in the "My Surrender" section of this post, there is so very much to be thankful for!
Proverb of the Day
This month I'm focusing on the #PromisesfromProverbs. Here's today's with a comment. I post these on Instagram @miaismine22.
I guess the nest belongs to a family of robins! Ahhhhh!
Pain
Pain is been my constant companion today. I managed to be productive but I did pay for it.
I have to remember to stay on my regimen of 15 to 17 pills a day.
I don't like it.
I drink a ton of water - almost a gallon a day to protect my kidneys.
Baby Afghan
My husband took me to Hobby Lobby to help me choose yarn for my fourth grandbaby's first afghan. Oh it wore me out it was a happy time. I can hardly wait to greet this special little boy!
Faith
My daughter sent me this picture. I leave you with it. It's a short post today, I've been so tired and hurting all day. Neuropathy is no fun, but I know God is with me and letting me rest beside the still waters.
Hiding Place So, it's been a long, wonderful weekend. I spent two wonderful days with my three vivacious grandbabies! It was great! Today was a super busy and fun day as well. Can you feel the "but" coming? You're right! I'm so tired tonight. Even fun-filled days can be tiring. The fatigue and neuropathy resulting from chemotherapy are still my companions. Therefore, this acronym come to mind: H.A.L.T.
This means that if we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, we need to halt! Halt and take care of ourselves. Halt and stop reacting. Halt. I'm definitely tired. But, I definitely want to rise to the 30 Day Challenge! Hiding Place A few weeks ago, I began feeling pain and changes near the ancillary node dissection and lumpectomy sites. My surgeon is the best - he leaves no stone unturned. Though he couldn't feel anything out of the ordinary, he ordered X-Rays of my chest and ribs to check for metastasis. I wasn't too freaked out until I checked out the treatments and cures for bone cancer: no cure. No. Cure. I walked, praying and crying out to God. I felt peace. I felt turmoil. I felt fear. Then I heard this song:
I felt held by my Lord. Oh, and those test results? Clear. No metastasis. God has my back, my ribs, my lungs, me. He's got me. And you. Dear Friend, this is my truth.
Bloglandia There is so much to learn about blogging; the set up, the layout, the comments.....it's so easy to get caught up in the details of the blog! The real message can get lost. The real purpose can get lost. That happened to me last night. I'm so concerned about people not able to leave comments unless they have a Google account, that I was up until 2:00 a.m. looking for answers - in all the wrong places! I should have looked to my Lord FIRST. He gently reminded a bleary eyed me this morning that He didn't ask me to worry about comments, set up or layouts. All He asked me to do was to blog for 30 days straight! Eeeesh! Didn't I just post this picture yesterday?
Many years ago a friend of mine shared this awesome way to study the book of Proverbs.
Perhaps you've heard of it.
1. Proverbs is made up of 31 chapters, read a chapter a day.
2. As you read, pray and ask God to give you a verse to ponder for the day. I write this verse on a monthly calendar.
4. At the end of the month, review your verses and prayerfully pick one that speaks to you.
5. Display this verse in your home where you will see it often.
I've followed this plan over the years, but never with the consistency that I have this year. Cancer will do that to a person! :)
I've been curious about which daily verses I chose, so I also write the reference in a five year journal and the way that particular verse ministered to me. Because it's a five year journal, there's not a lot of room to write, therefore this doesn't take long.
I also highlight this verse in this app and then post it on my Instagram account (@miaismine22). The Bible app makes it easy peasy. #proverbs This month I've been focusing on the #promisesfromproverbs and it has been amazing!
Dare to Believe
How are you, really? Are you going through a rough time? Have you just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Please know, you are not alone - even if you are alone where ever you are. There is an entire international community of women who will listen to you. Their blogs are powerful, their hearts are big.
God is there as well. Yup, He is.
At times like these, it's so hard to believe in Him, to believe He cares, to believe at all. But, as one who has been there, I can say, "Believe."
