Just a note: My posts will be short and minus the Philippians Bible Study for a while. I'm recovering from cataract surgery and I'm finding the computer is hard on my eye! I'm trying my surgery sunglasses and they seem to be helping! :) I'm blessed to be recovering in the comfort of my home and oh so loving family and friends! Comfort
Well, I finished this scarf that I started last week. It's so pretty! I love it! Naturally, I lost the pattern on my Pinterest Board! But, I'll update this post when I find it! :)
He
prefaces his statement about being in chains with the fact that this trial has
a positive God-spin on it:
It serving to
advance the gospel!
My
dear brothers and sisters,
whatever we are going through, triumph or trial,
can
all be used to advance the gospel!
Application I
can honestly tell you that having Triple Negative Breast Cancer has been one of
the
biggest challenges,
yet also one of the
biggest blessings
of my life.
Even
the resulting fatigue and exacerbated fibromyalgia have been a blessing.
During
my trip to Houston, my treatments and now, my recovery, I have grown in Christ, been given countless opportunities to minister and be ministered to, made many
new friends and grown in compassion, empathy, love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Well, to be honest, I’m still
working on that last bit!). Sound familiar?
Now granted, I do have my difficult days. And that’s when I allow myself a pity party inviting
fear, frustration, anger and depression
as well as
God, my Father,
Jesus,
The Holy Spirit,
faith, joy, peace, and victory!
I learned this lesson from this book:
Praying Through Cancer:
Set Your Heart Free from Fear:
A 90-Day Devotional for Women
And guess what? It’s not just for women!
So, I strongly believe in stating the facts as they are.
So, I had a monthly goal and it got erased from my list of priorities when I remembered this charitable sewing opportunity: Covered in Love. When I read about it, I knew this was my God Wink, if you will.
Kat and her "cat" are the sweetest pair I have seen online! Kat is a nurse who saw a need for family members and patients who are dying in a hospital setting: a quilt. This quilt is delivered to the patient by a nurse or hospital chaplain.
Then, after the patient passes, the family can take it home as a memento or, as she called it, a transitional object. Kat linked to this site for more information on transitional objects.
I related to this. We had a special store bought blanket. As my mother-in-law grew increasingly ill, she would spend weekends with us. That blanket quickly became her favorite.
During her last hospital stay, we took it to her and it warmed her until her last breath. Now, a few years later, whenever my husband is sick, sad or just missing his mama, I cover him with it, and he is greatly comforted.
Slow Stitching I'm finishing up this binding on the ABC Quilt today. Hopefully, my embroidery machine and I will create and attach the label today as well to have another finish! Actually, my Brother is working on it as I type! Then, I will join my husband and stitch in front of the TV!
After the label is atached, I'm going to work on my Grandmother's Flower Garden.
Just 1 and a half more flowers to sew
and Row 1 is finished!
I'm linking up to Kathleen's Sharing Sundaysand Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. Fatigue, Pain + A Song I guess something upset my tummy. This led to discomfort and fatigue. Plus, Pain has been visiting me again. She hasn't visited me in a while. I didn't miss her at all.
Physical Issues I have been battling my second cold in one month. So, in an effort to rest, my posts may slow down for a bit....but maybe not...I so enjoy them.....but they may be more....simple....for now. Fatigue is again my companion - from what I hear fatigue will be around for a while - maybe even years. It's an "after chemotherapy, radiation and too many surgeries" effect. Or so they tell me. It's very frustrating. I really hate it. And I don't hate many things - not even boiled okra. I have heard that exercise helps. So, tonight I'm gonna try 5 minutes on the elliptical again. Tomorrow I'll walk for 10. There's something about the great outdoors....that's healing. http://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/happiness-fun/things-you-can-enjoy-doing-while-walking/
Bible Study
Being that energy is in short supply around here, I'm simply sharing a couple of encouraging songs. Be blessed!
I first heard this song when I was living in another city driving to my radiation appointment. It's so true, especially that first line. Just Be Held was written a year before his own cancer diagnosis. Here's the story. All you cancer patients and survivors, people with other illnesses, hurting people out there, we don't have to be strong - this is our time to just be held. I know it's hard. Let's do this together, yes? Crafty Stuff Isn't crafting the best? It's so healing!
Here's is Baby M2's baby afghan with the first border on it!
Here's is my go to book of patterns for choosing crocheted borders!
Here's the border I chose!
9/19/16
OMG Pink and Brown Baby Quilt:
Ray’s pjs
Baby M2’s crochet afghan
Embroider and attach label
Done!
Hem
Done!
Design and begin border
Done!
I met all my goals for last week - even the pajama pants! Funny thing is, when my husband tried them on for me to hem......they were already hemmed!
To Do List for 9/26/16
1) Hand
Sewing – binding ABC quilt
2) Quilting
- Secret Project
3) Regular
Sewing - Frankenstein
sew batting scraps
4) Crochet
- Baby M2’s crochet afghan, crochet
½ of the 42
Blue Dots for border
Mornings are wonderful - totally and absolutely wonderful - especially the first hour. There's minimal pain - I almost feel like I did before my cancer diagnosis!
Healthy.
Strong.
Pain free.
So, today, I did a bit of Slow Stitching, then I cleaned my house! Yup! It was great. My husband wanted to help, but I wanted to do it on my own. He has a great job, but sometimes works long tiring hours. And you know what? It felt great to be "normal" for a couple of hours.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/477522366713310927/
And then the pain hit. One day I will learn the above lesson.
This was my plan: finish attaching the green and red hexagons, then add the white ones. I was able to complete the green and red hexies, but not the white. It's ok, next Sunday is coming!
Here's what I finished, and I'm uber hopeful that I will finish the first row by the end of the month! Linking up to Kathy's Quilts Slow Stitching Sundays has really motivated me to sincerely work on my Grandmother's Flower Garden. Maybe it will actually be finished by the end of the year!
The row I'm looking to finish is the top row of white hexagons, and the Hello Kitty hexagon. Do you think it's possible?
We also enjoyed a Sunday Family Dinner at my daugther's home where I got to see my grandson riding "with no training wheels!" Yea! Finished this dishcloth as well.
My Mia is always close by me. The towel you see is what my husband lovingly placed under my legs before he rubbed a pain relieving creme on my feet and calves. He's so wonderful to me. I'm truly blessed. Hope
Consequently, I
achieved very little progress on my Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. But, I’m really trying to have a positive
attitude and be grateful for whatever progress I did make. Despite all this, I’m still linking up over
at Kathy’s Quilts Slow Stitching Sundays.
Hop on over and have a gander! In fact, my experience lines up perfectly with her message today!
These ladies are so talented! I'm definitely inspired! Pain and Meds Today was tough - pain.....but I think I'm realizing that I cannot skip not one dose - not one - of meds. I think if I remember to take them, I'll have more good days. I think. For pain, I'm taking Gabapentin (for fibromyalgia), Vitamin B Complex (recommended by my oncologist) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (recommended by a fellow cancer survivor). This website has some great ideas to help us remember to take our meds. For now, I'll add an alarm to my Smart Phone.
Again, I prayed and was actively looking for a verse that had never caught my attention. Boy, this one sure stood out to me! Observation: According to Elliot's Commentary, basically we should realize that it's God who provides for us, not coincedence or chance. Therefore this verse should be an encouragement to us. Matthew Henry's Commentary states that we are blessed to "give ourselves" to the will of God, for He knows what's best for us. I would like to see the Amplified version of this verse: So, the way I understand it, there are no coincidences, God determines our fate, our lives....everything....right? Application: So, let's look at this. And if our LORD is in charge, we should rejoice and trust in all circumstances......even in the face of cancer. Ouch...Yup...even in the face of cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation treatment, neuropathy, pain, fatigue, painful memories - in all circumstances.....
Eeesh....this is hard. I have tears in my throat as I write this.....but it does make sense....
https://benziher.wordpress.com/tag/my-strength/
This is precisely how I got through, how I continue to live victoriously in spite of all the aforementioned circumstances.....my faith leads me to joy of the LORD which leads me to strength..... Prayer LORD, God, my Abba Father, thank you...thank you...thank you.... Let me recall this lesson: nothing is coincidence, You are my Providence.... Breast cancer made me stronger, wiser, more humble. Breast cancer brought so much more unity in my family! Breast cancer introduced many wonderful people in my life. Breast cancer has indeed been a blessing. Thank you. On the same note, however:
http://quotesgram.com/cancer-motivational-quotes/
Happy Song During Praise and Worship I used to to sing along with songs along this theme with all my heart.... Now I sing along with the same heart, but now I have more clarity about the cost. I'm His work of art - scars and all - and - thank God, I'm still praising Him. Dear Friend, this is my truth!
Lately, I do feel like I’m going through the fire,
not necessarily, the fire of refinement, but a fire. The pain and fatigue have made me sad, not
depressed, just really sad. Especially
during the evenings, when I'm wanting a cup I find myself wondering if what I want is worth the walk
to obtain it…..is it worth the pain?This song continues to minister to me.
How does God test the heart? My little bit of research shows that He uses
pain, afflictions…well…fire to test our heart.
During chemo, when I could still walk, the LORD asked me to listen to
the book of Job, which I am did – three times.
Now, I’m going to try to read through it. They are definitly two different processes in which we are able to glean very different lessons. At one point, He asked me to simply focus on
Job’s words….he was
discouraged,
confused,
questioning God,
BUT
he never cursed God.
I’m looking forward to physically reading this book. I believe God will give me encouragement,
insights,
courage.
After all, in spite of my fiery trial,
I still love God.
I still have faith in Him.
I still trust Him.
Would you join me in doing the same? Would you please pray for me as I try to learn to
grasp His hand even more on this journey of a breast cancer survivor? I'm really needing prayer right now.
