Philippians 1:30. Day 3, Gift 3 Tortilla Warmers

Philippians 1:30.

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Here is the last verse of chapter 1 and what a doosey it is!  Please note verses 29 and 30 are one sentence.  

To me, it’s 

important to read verses in context – at least the entire sentence!

Paul is pointing out that the Philippians are going through the same struggles he went through and continues to go through. 

The word “since” stops me in my tracks.  Let’s see what since means:

Definition of since

1.   1:  at a time in the past after or later than <has held two jobs since he graduated> :  from the time in the past when <ever since I was a child>

2.   2obsolete :  when

3.   3:  in view of the fact that :  because <since it was raining she took an umbrella>

Number three is the one that applies in this scripture.  Do you see the word “because”?  Let’s replace it in the verse and see how it sounds:

Thank God that Paul’s letter continues because Philippians 2:1 is encouraging indeed!

But, v. 30 is tough – you are suffering just as you saw I did – and still am. 

APPLICATION

You know, when I was at MD Anderson in Houston, I felt at home.  In our hotel, I was surrounded by people

who were very sick,

whom I would soon look like.

The same held true at Texas Oncology.  I was surrounded by those who looked like me and were going through the same journey as I – more or less. 

Whereas, when I was home,

I was the only one without

hair,

eyelashes,

eyebrows,

and with the look of sickness in my face.

There was no mistaking how sick I was because I looked different from everyone else.  (Mind you, I’m not complaining – just stating a fact.)

But, I felt more at home with those

who were suffering the same as I was.

What I glean from these verses, 

what I really understand in my heart

about what Paul is saying is this:

“We’ve walked the same journey

of suffering and pain,

we are united by this,

we can beat this,

there’s power in numbers –

we got this.”

And, my dear,

so do you.

Because

whatever you’re going through

someone else is too.

No man is an island.

Whatever you’re going through,

someone else is too. 

Nothing is new under the sun.

Whatever you’re going through,

someone else is too. 

You and God

got this.

Dear friend,

This is my truth.

PRAYER

God, sometimes

we feel so alone.

We mistakenly believe

that no one can possibly

understand

our pain

our sin

our hurt.

So, we isolate ourselves

from friends,

from family,

from You.

But, in You we have victory!

We are not alone!

Regardless of our individual situations,

someone

somewhere

has walked this path before us,

or

is walking this path with us,

or

will walk this path after us.

Either way,

help us remember

WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Amen.

Day 3, Gift 3:  Tortilla Warmers

OK, so I realized I can’t sew every day, so my day three is today!  J  I made these awesome tortilla warmers! 

They are so easy to make using this tutorial!  From what I’ve read, you put a stack (4) tortillas inside, microwave for 15 seconds, check the tortillas, add more time if needed, then enjoy! 

These two are finished and ready to go to their happy new homes!  This fabric was from Hobby Lobby.  I made my own binding tape.  Two more are on the way! 

Honestly, they are so easy to make that I’m making two more!  It took me less than an evening to make two!  I thought of more friends who would love them!  J

I'm linking up to:

Kathleen'sSharing Sundays

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt, Main Crush Mondays 

and 

Moving It Forward Monday 

at Em’s Scrapbag.

Update of Mind Map. To Do Tuesday. Giving Time, Time.

Hello There!

Thank you for visiting!  I'm so glad you're here! Whether this is your first visit or you're a regular reader, "Welcome!"

Update of Mind Map.

With the completion of Baby M2's hat,my percentages went up to 33%!  I'm a third way through my list!  Yea!

To Do Tuesday.
Here's my list from last week.  A lot got accomplished!

11/15/16

DONE!  Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-   Continue stitching

I used beads instead of buttons,

plus.....

there's a surprise twist to this one!

Oh Oh!  Quilting

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

DONE!  Christmas Sewing:

Add borders

Purchase batting and backing

Make backing

Hopefully, find a long arm quilter who can finish it by Christmas

Oh Oh!  Regular Sewing

Grey Hand warmers (make 5 more ) 

alter blouses

DONE! Crochet 

Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more green dots

DONE! BOM’s & QAL’s 

Dot Quilt – appliqué dots to foundation fabric

Quilty 365 – appliqué circles to foundation fabric

This week's list will be much shorter because I really want to meet my OMG goal of finishing the Advent tree for my son! 😍

To Do List for 11/22/16

Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-   Join back to front

Quilting - Advent Tree

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

Bind

Wash

Attach ribbons for the 25 decorations for Advent tree

Present to my son

I'm linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River and To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things.  

Giving Time, Time
This week is a fabulous opportunity to be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to our LORD and Savior!  

To be sure, since 2014, it's a difficult week as well.  Because of this, I am a bit more emotional - to be honest - a lot more emotional.  

On Monday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

I had a mammogram.  

On Tuesday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

my doctor called in the early afternoon

to let me know that I had an 

abnormal mammogram.

I told my husband, 

sister-in-law 

and my sister.

On Wednesday

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

we noted that it was 7 years since my mother-in-law's passing.

She passed the day before Thanksgiving.

Also

On Wednesday

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

I had a diagnostic mammogram.

The radiologist told me

there was no doubt that I had a tumor

located right next to the chest wall,

deep inside my left breast.

Because of the location,

he highly recommended that we go to 

MD Anderson ASAP.

His kind technician 

prepared the CD's that I would need.

Late in the evening, 

on Wednesday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014,

my husband and I left his office broken. 

But, we had a Thanksgiving dinner 
to prepare as we welcomed 

our family into our home.
And then

for our journey ahead.

So, my dear reader, you may understand that this week I will taking a break from our Bible study of Philippians.  

I'll still blog about sewing and such, 

but our study will continue later.  

I need time 

to reflect,

to heal,

to praise God,

to give thanks.

And I know you understand.

And I love you for that.

Dear Friend, this is my truth.

Be Blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Falling Apart. A Tip to Chemo Patients. Lessons Learned.

Falling Apart
As many of you know, I quite fell apart last week - really I did.  Here's is exactly what happened. 

We received a phone call from my oncologist's nurse saying that there was an insurance issue.  Oh. Oh. Yup, my husband and I were concerned - especially after all we had been through with our insurance company approving our trip to MD Anderson.  So, I returned the call immediately and left a message.  He called me back and left a message.  I called him back and left a message.  I'm sure youre beginning to see the pattern.  We played tag for two weeks. 

Thankfully we received the hard copy insurance approval for the next 3 months of chemo.  We took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. 

But the phone calls continued, so we were concerned.  Was there another issue?  Perhaps the awful early appointment I was scheduled for had been scheduled for a more decent hour?  Yea!   Well, I was going to be in El Paso anyway, so my hubby suggested I stop by the office and see what's going on.  Eeesh. 

I was able to speak to the nurse.  He told me two things. 
1)  Our insurance company has provided a nurse who specializes in cancer to call me about every two weeks to see how I'm doing - or so I thought.  I had shared with her that I was always stressed out, anxious and somewhat depressed the day before treatment.  Duh.  Of course I am - perfectly normal reaction. 

I also shared that I was dealing with the issue by inviting friends over on Wednesday nights for dinner and a movie or just conversation.  I had also contacted my PCP to see what she would suggest. 

Well, our "insurance issue" was that our nurse called my oncologist and let him know what I said and asked him to take care of this issue.  WHAT?  Really?  So is this nurse there to help me or be a watch dog with my oncologist?  I know, Polly, I talk too much.  I know, my dear sister-in-law, I give too much information.  Obviously so.  Well thank God, that was the "insurance issue."   

2)  Now to deal with my appointment.  I had to keep the upber early doctor appointment because my session would be 6 - 7 hours long.  WHAT?  ARE YOU SERIOUS?  I have seen patients who have those long sessions and God bless and strengthen them!  Those sessions are tough, awful, terrible!  These poor patients are fighting for their lives and left in such a weakened state!  As one friend said, "Chemo takes you to the brink of death to save your life." 

http://emotion-focused.com.au/top-5-ways-help-anxiety/

Panic.  Terror.  Shock.   Confused.

My oncologist had said the worst was over, the next round of chemo wouldn't be easy, but would be easier!  I cried.  I texted my prayer warriors.  I had to rest behind their shields of faith because I was frightened.  I forgot the God I serve. 

A Tip to Chemo Patients.
Instead of falling apart, I should have asked my nurse a very important question:  Is the infusion or the entire appointment going to take 6 - 7 hours?

Let me explain what happens when I go to chemo therapy.

• I check in and pay my co-pay.
• Then I go in for labs - blood work.
• After I see my friendly vampires - and they are quite kind and gentle - I wait to see my oncologist.
• After we visit, I go upstairs and wait to begin my chemo session.
• The chemo nurses and I visit about how I'm doing and discuss changes, coping strategies, and such. 
• Then I start my chemo.

Well, all of the above takes about 4 hours with the actual chemotherapy session taking about 2 1/2 hours. 

Being that I was going to start a new round of chemo, the doctor's visit and conversation with the nurses would be longer - obviously.  So, my entire appointment would be longer.  Again, I should have asked, "Is the infusion or the entire appointment going to take 6 - 7 hours?"  Or, the nurse should have explained that the entire appointment would be longer due to the changes in treatment.

Lesson I've learned?  

- Never assume anything!  Ask how long the entire appointment will be and how long the actual infusion will be.  Doing so would have saved myself and loved ones so much pain and drama. 

- Remember the God I serve.  Even if I would have had to go through an all day infusion treatment, I need to remember the God I serve tells me this: 






http://www.woodlandscounselingservices.com/#comment-199

 Those patients whom I have witnessed going through those day long  - even week long - treatments need so much prayer - as do their loved ones.  Please remember them.  And remember the God I serve is there for you as well.  One more thing, please remind me when I face Panic.  Terror.  Shock.   Confusion. of the God I serve. 

For today, this is my truth. 

It's Like the Last Week of Summer Vacation. Insurance Woes.......

Hello Everybody! 

In anticipation of my trip to Houston this last week my friends and family have given so much of their time and surrounded me with support, love, jokes, laughter, tissues as I cried, hugs...you name it.  Well, guess what ya'll?  You have more time to spoil me!  The appointment has been delayed for a few days!  So, if you thought you were out of town to pamper me - YOU STILL HAVE TIME!  So, all you procrastinators, I'm ready!

Yea, I know, cut the bull.  Today has been a frustrating day of highs and lows.   Elissa at MD Anderson is amazing.  I love her.  Jennifer from my insurance is an angel - a tenacious one who is my cheerleader.  I was ready to give up this afternoon and she kept fighting for me.  So, though we have been delayed, we have not been stopped. 

http://www.firstcovers.com/userquotes/89746/we+are+hard+pressed.html

I'm not a super hero, I'm not disgustingly cheerful all the time, but I do have the joy of the Lord.  The joy of the Lord is my strength.  Yes, I'm drained after dealing with my dear Elissa (will I ever meet you face to face?) and the insurance company. 

 

I am drained. 

But, I am also victorious.  

I am so tired.

But, today, I rested behind Elissa and Jennifer's shield of faith.

So, I carry on, praising God and loving my family.

The alternative is unacceptable to me.   

http://chasinggrace.org/2014/04/02/philippians-46-do-not-be-anxious-about-anything-but-in-everything-by-prayer-and-supplication-with-thanksgiving-let-your-requests-be-made-known-to-god/

So, since last week I've been having fun.  My son-in-law invited me to breakfast on Friday morning.  It was wonderful conversing with him.  I feel like I got to know him on a deeper level.  Awesome conversation and bonding.   On Saturday my daughter and I, along with Baby C. spent the day together at various craft shops in town, to include my beloved Bernina quilt shop, Hobby Lobby and Jo Ann's.  Then we had lunch at Olive Garden - just love their soup and salad! 

 

Sunday Polly and I saw Paddington Bear!  We had too much popcorn and chocolate!  Afterwards we had fish and chips at a local restaurant!  Then we had family dinner at my daughter's home to watch the Super Bowl!  Oh!  The food!  The excitement!  What a wonderful day.  

 

Monday was our wonderful tamalada with Polly, L, and her daughter and my daughter.  It was wonderful!  As L wrote, "There's something magical when we all get together!"  The atmosphere was warm, trusting, fun, and filled with laughter.  We also had a bit of a discussion about breast cancer.  It is indeed a topic that one must face making their own individual choices knowing all the while that they are loved and supported.  It was a very special night indeed! 

 

Tuesday Polly, "I.", and I went to a neighboring town to see Paddington Bear again!  Well, "I." hadn't seen it yet, so we went.  Wow, this theater had a café!  We bought our tickets, ordered fancy coffees, and an entrée!  They were delivered right to our assigned seats in the theater on trays!  Wow!  I felt like royalty.  Then we just had to go to Michael's and check out their yarn and clearance items.  Eeeesh!  The three of us are dangerous!  I  Someone made a silly rule that one the merchandise was in the basket, it was going home with us!  BAD rule! 

 

Tuesday night  I got to babysit Baby I.  It was great having one on one time with her.  M. came over with gifts and concern for me.  Our visit was cut short as Baby I. had to get home to bed. 

 

Wednesday J., my parents and I went to see my surgeon, whom I love.  His office staff is amazing!  Another lunch at Olive Garden and back home for a nap.  My hubby and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Cattle Baron.   Love that salad bar! 

 

These wonderful days prepared me for the hectic day that today became.  I'll know tomorrow if the doctor from MD Anderson is approved.  But, for now, I'm off to my meeting and my quilting bee to enjoy the companionship of dear friends!   

http://lorraineortner-blake.com/postcard.html

Thank you for reading this little blog of mine!  I enjoy the comments and texts from you!  Take good care!

 

And for today, that's my truth!

update:  I'm not sure why the font is appearing in differnent sizes!  I'm sorry!

 

 

 

   

An appointment and a realization - new to me, but probably not to you.

 

Yea!  I finally have a tentative appointment to MD Anderson!  Can you believe it?!  Thank you for your prayers and support!

You know how I have been pretty calm for the most part?  Pretty upbeat?  Pretty positive?  Well, I realized something just now.......I'm pretty sure I'm in denial.  I really am.  Pretty sure that is.  I really don't think the fact that I have Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma has really hit me.  Yes, I've had the mammos, ultrasound, biopsy, scans of this and that, blood work, seen surgeons, oncologists, told friends and family...but.....I'm not sure my heart believes it.  It's not totally real. 

I wonder if other cancer survivors can understand how I feel.....this is so weird.  I wonder if you, those closest to me, have seen this coming?  I wonder..........this is really strange. 

I'm reading a fabulous book, How to Handle Trouble A guide to Peace of Mind, by John Carmody.  Now this man has truly known trouble!  I'm only on page 18, but wow!  What powerful 18 pages they are!  He refers to the famous Serenity Prayer:


http://theycallmegomer.tumblr.com/post/32866197658


I've accepted what I cannot change, - I have breast cancer.
I have made a conscious decision to change what I can - my attitude.
I think perhaps, for today at least, I know the difference. 

Some days, though, are totally unfocused and, well, I feel a bit lost.  One day I can read other's stories about their journey through breast cancer, other days I can barely read a word.  One day I'm focused and productive, the next I'm floundering to complete simple tasks.  Eeeeesh!

I have been listening to our pastor's sermons online (http://www.hftwchurch.org/component/preachit/audio/237-living-on-purpose.html) and he talked about Paul saying, "One thing I do...". 

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Philippians 3:12

 

And there is one thing I do every day regardless of the circumstances:  I praise God, I thank God and I pray.  I refuse to live, as Pastor stated, "doing well under the circumstances".  As he said, "I'm not living under the circumstances,", I'm living victorious in Christ Jesus! 

He also talked about living a purposeful life this year - knowing why we are doing what we are doing.  Almost immediately I thought of the white three ring binder I have with all my medical paperwork for MD Anderson.  I want to live a purposeful life this year by focusing on beating cancer.  My why?  Why for me of course, and my dear family and friends.  There are too many wonderful happenings in my life, loving family and friends to leave this world!  I WANT TO LIVE!  So, I plan to decorate the front of my notebook with a page of pictures of all my loved ones and myself, of course. 

So, perhaps I am in denial.  I probably am.  But, I'm realizing that is not important - it's simply my truth.  What is important is my purpose: to live and my "why":  me and you. 

I am creating beautiful things though.  It's fun. 

I made this cover for the notebook I carry to my appointments.

 

 


http://lovestitches.blogspot.com/2011/04/pattern-for-my-ridge-hat-with-brim.html

 
This crocheted hat will be for my sister-in-law!  Two more will be made, one for my aunt and another for me.  Of course they will be personalized with different flowers. If I'm possibly going to lose my hair, I'm going to wear, as my granddaughter would say, "pretties". 


For today, that is my truth. 

FRUSTRATION. FRUSTRATION. FRUSTRATION. Is there a bright side? Yes.

Oh my God! 
So we have the medical clearance to go to MD Anderson.  All faxes have been sent and received, finally!

So we have the financial clearance to go to MD Anderson.  Except for one tiny complication. 

I received an authorization to a surgeon I had never even heard of.  Naturally I switched it my own surgeon.  BAD MOVE.  REALLY BAD MOVE.  THE WORST.  This unknown surgeon for some reason had the same authorization number as my authorization number to MD Anderson.  So guess what?  Yup, you guessed it.  My authorization number to MD Anderson was transferred to my local surgeon. 

You

have

GOT

to

be

kidding

me.

 

Seriously.

 

 

Oh, and as I am working with someone who is definitely smart and willing to send it to her supervisor and we were disconnected.  Disconnected.  Yup, that's how I'm feeling.  Do they even care? Well, I called back and the person I was talking to sent it up to the gurus, the powers that be.  The second lady added an "urgent" and maybe tomorrow at 7:30 am I'll know something. 

  

NOW I am so frustrated.

NOW I am writing an emotional post.

NOW I AM ANGRY. 

NOW.........I have again, no where else to turn but to God.  

 

Recently I was reading this sweet lady's blog (http://www.swtblessings.com/ ) and emailed her.  She responded with a kind note and a verse:  Isaiah 46:4.  As I was waiting on my insurance company, I looked it up.  Wow.

http://www.crosscards.com/cards/scripture-cards/isaiah-46-4.html

What was that I had written about control?  About doing everything and then standing?  And what about what Karen wrote about kneeling?  And aren't we strongest on our knees?

 

Then I went to my email to check out my daily promise from 365 Promises ( I was on the phone waiting for a while).  Look at this:

 



http://www.365promises.com/daily-promises/2015/1/28/promise-28-wednesday-january-28-2015.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+365promises+%28365promises.com%29

Wow.  So, God made me, He is carrying me, He will sustain me, He will rescue me from all these complications.  And because of that, I am more than a conqueror. 

 

Even in my anger.

Even in my frustration.

Even in my fear.

Even in....well, all things.

 

I love you, my friends and family.  Thank you for your cards, emails, notes and texts.  I don't open your cards when they get here.  I save them for times like these.  Gonna go and open me up some cards now.

 

For today, that is my truth.

 

 



 

Hugs. Heartbeats. Reality Came A Knockin'. Nails. Tears. Tenderness. Part 2

Well, here's Part 2. 

My sister-in-law, the one being treated for breast cancer FOR THE SECOND TIME recommended I remove my gel nails. Now most of you know I'm not really foo-foo and that I didn't want to begin getting "my nails done", but I did - at the request of my precious husband.  He makes such few requests, how could I deny him?

Anyway, I went to get them taken off and I cried.  I couldn't believe I was crying over gel nails!  But I was and, as Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true."  So I am.  I cried.....
realizing I could lose so much more than fancy fingernails. 
Realizing and wondering what else I may lose. 
Realizing that I'm blessed to have so many loving people surrounding me. 
Realizing that God is still good.

Afterwards my daughter, grandbabies and I spent time together.  As I cried with her ( yes, it was a crying day), she said, "Ok, I was saving this, but you need it now."  Look what she made for me!  This is called a Mondo Bag.  She and I took the class at our local Bernina quilt shop.  With everything going on, I asked her to finish it for me and wala!  She did!  Isn't it beautiful?!   And that's not all....

She made me this linen clutch!  With my favorite hexagons and her lovely Dresden plate!  It goes perfectly with the Mondo bag and will be great to keep me organized!  And there's more clutches to come!  I tried showing a picture of the back, but oh my!  My technological learning curve is somewhat vertical!

 



 

Well, as the kids napped, I ran to Jo Ann's for retail therapy to pick up some things we really needed.  I actually started tearing up at the register and broke down in my car.  But you know what?  It's ok.  I may have shared this before:

 

There is a sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.

They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.

They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.

Washington Irving

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/washington149294.html

 

 

My daughter and grandbabies showed me love and tenderness all afternoon, until I was ready to come home.  Life is good, real good.

 

Romans 8:31
What, then, shall we say in response to these things?

 If God is for us, who can be against us?

http://biblehub.com/romans/8-31.htm

 

And for today, that is my truth.