Philippians 1:27a - The Rest of The Story. To Do Tuesday Plans

Philippians 1:27a - The Rest of The Story.  
The first part of the story is here.  This post will make much more sense if you take just a few minutes to read the first part of the true story.  

When we thought the cancer may have spread to my bones, I did some online research, which scared me even more!  Apparently, according to my research, there is no cure for bone cancer.  It is considered a chronic condition that can be treated, but not cured.

I distinctly remember going for a walk by myself one dark night.  I just needed time with my LORD. 

I thought of

my husband,

my children,

my grandchildren,

my parents,

my sister,

my friends

and of leaving them,

of being sick

and of dying.

I faced those fears head on as I walked weeping, listening to praise and worship music and praying.

I was finally able to make peace with God’s will rather than my own. 

ONLY THEN

could I begin the fight of my life!

I had to be at peace with my LORD and Savior first.  Then the peace that passes all understanding surrounded me. 

I could go into my doctor’s office with courage and the knowledge that I was completely in God’s hands.  Sure, I still wept, I was still afraid – but I had the peace that passes all understanding.

11/21/16 UPDATE:  A reader asked a great question:  So, do I have bone cancer?  I am still fighting it?  

I'm so sorry I didn't clarify!
It turned out I don't have bone cancer,
there was only one lump in my left breast,
and I am now in remission!  :)
Thank you, Sharon, for your great question!  :)

PRAYER

Father, I am blessed.

I know this.

One family member had

a reoccurrence of breast cancer

after a 20 year remission.

At least four of my friends have had

metastasis or reoccurrence.

Thus far, I have been blessed,

I know this.

I praise You.

In Jesus’ precious name,

please be with

those who are facing our –

as survivors –

worst fears all over again.

Heal them I pray!

Encourage them.

Strengthen them.

Infuse them with

Your Joy

which is our strength.

Amen.

To Do Tuesday Goals

Hand Sewing

Done!

Wool jubilee leave mat

Cut out patterns

Begin stitching
My daughter gave me a great idea for this wool candle mat - the best is yet to be!  :)

Quilting

Done!  Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree, but not finished - yet!  :)

Regular Sewing

Done!  Grey Hand warmers - 
9 finished - one has been gifted already! 

X alter blouses - alternations are not fun - always put last.  

Christmas Sewing:

Sew blocks together

Oh Dear!  My blocks were prepared to be sewn together, then I discovered a mistake...my seam ripper and I are hanging out tonight watching a good movie.  :)

Done! Buy sashing fabric

Crochet 

X Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more green dots

Let's be honest:  Some time ago, crochet was my first love, but now, it seems sewing has taken over.  

BOM’s & QAL’s 

Done!  Dot Quilt – join dots

Done!  Quilty 365 – prep circles for applique

Here's this week's To Do Tuesday Plans. 

11/15

Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-   Continue stitching

Quilting

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

Christmas Sewing:

Add borders

Purchase batting and backing

Make backing

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

Regular Sewing

Grey Hand warmers (make 5 more ) 

alter blouses

Crochet 

Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more green dots

BOM’s & QAL’s 

Dot Quilt – appliqué dots to foundation fabric

Quilty 365 – appliqué circles to foundation fabric 

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

Philippians 1:27a. Quilty 365.

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 1:27

OBSERVATION

There is so much in this verse, that I’m sure it will be at least a 2-part study! 

Let’s look at Philippians 1:27a.  To me, “whatever happens” lends itself to saying, “either way”. 

“Whether I live or die.”

“Whether I see you or not.”

Whatever happens.

CONDUCT YOURSELVES

IN A MANNER

WORTHY

OF

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.

Philippians 1:27a

APPLICATION

I love this part of our study so far!  By verse 27, Paul has made peace by turning over his will to be with Christ and serving Christ instead.  He understands that by doing so, the Gospel would be preached and he would minister to the Philippians. 

Additionally, he knows Christ will be praised for his presence – a testimony that will far outlive him.  After all, don’t we have the book of Philippians as well as a major portion of the New Testament?    

In turning our will over to God’s during times of trials, we have a choice:

become better

or

become bitter.

I can’t help but look at the Word of God, at my very life, through the eyes of a cancer survivor, not to mention the other trials in my life.   

Let me tell you, I had to make this same decision:

God’s will
or

mine.

become

better

or

bitter.

During my journey with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, there were distinct times that threw me onto my knees:

1)    We learned the cancer had indeed spread to the lymph nodes.

2)    We thought I had a second tumor.

3)    We thought the cancer may have spread to my bones.

We waited two months for insurance authorization to go to MD Anderson in Houston.  By then, the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. 

When the MRI showed a second mass of some sort, I had to have another needle biopsy and wait for results.  


 

http://libreshot.com/tag/waiting/

In retrospect, the waiting seemed more difficult than the chemotherapy!

Again, this story is turning into a book.

I will continue the rest next time. 

Until we meet again, dear Friends, know that you are in my prayers.

QUILTY 365

I have no idea how all of you manage to stay on top of your Quilty 365 progress!  I can barely keep up choosing the colors, much less sewing them on the squares!  Oh and forget about  sewing them into rows and quilting them! 

Here is my stack of circles. 

But, to be honest, I’m not pressuring myself.  You wonderful ladies have taught me to listen to my own advice and be gentle with myself.  Thank you!

Here they are somewhat spread out.

You know, I’m having so much fun keeping a “fabric diary”.  I decided to also make it a sort of Mood Blanket.  Here’s a link about those.  They are really fun! 

I’ve had a few questions about Leader Ender Projects, so I’ll be posting about those this week!  I’ll be including progression pictures on my own Leader Ender project. 

You all take care!

I’m linking up to Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt, Main Crush Mondays and Moving It Forward Monday at Em’sScrapbag.

It's My Survivor Anniversary! Slow Stitching.Felt Food

Welcome!  
I'm so glad you're visiting - especially today!  

It's my first Survivor Anniversary!  November 13, 2015 

was the last day of treatment for 

Triple Negative Breast Cancer!  

No more needles.
No more pokes.
No more chemotherapy.
No more radiation.
No more skin burns.



It's My Survivor Anniversary!

For a bunch of different reasons, I ended up going to church by myself.  I wasn't sad about it, I was kind of glad.  

You see, many years ago I was celebrating beating back precancerous cells in my cervix.  

I was home alone - 

kids were at school and 

my husband was at work.

I check the mail box.

There's the letter with the test results.

I'm clear!  

Yea!

Who to call?  

Everyone was at work.

And then I heard it - 

God's still quiet voice.

"It's ok.  I'm here to celebrate with you!  Let's celebrate together!"

And we did.

Today, many years later,

during praise and worship, 

God reminded me of that day.

So this morning

we again

celebrated together.

Then, my family and friends met at a park.

We played.

We ate.

We laughed.

My granddaughter asked for her fingernails to be painted bright pink for 

breast cancer.  She's five.

I sat the children down with me and explained to them that the balloon represented breast cancer.

And we were going to release them and say, 

"Good bye breast cancer.  

Go away and don't come back!"

So we did.

And when I thanked my son-in-law for the video and pictures he responded with this message:

"You're welcome, many more balloon releases."

From his heart to God's ears.

Dear Friends, this is my truth.

Slow Stitching
Remember this felt food - really the sandwich and chips are made from felt!  I blogged about it here.  :)

Here's the bag for the chips!  I need to make three more!  In both pictures, everything is slow stitched except the vertical lines on the chips.  :)

My grandson made up my name - Ama - when he was but a babe.  It means love in Spanish.  
Pretty cool, huh?

I'm linking up to Kathleen's Sharing Sundays and Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.  

Philippians 1:25. Progress on Hand Warmers!

Philippians 1:25

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

I love this verse, because Paul has found his way, has found his peace.  Let’s look back at verse 24 to see what he is convinced of:

It   is more necessary for the Philippians that He remain on Earth to serve Christ for the sake of further ministry to the Philippians. 

And now that he is convinced of this, he no longer questions the coming hearings or God’s will.

He is convinced he will live.

And he knows why:

For the progress and joy in the faith

and

more importantly, knows he is God’s will. 

Application:

How can we become convinced of God’s will and find this peace,

even if what is happening

is not what we desire? 

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/176307/prayer-and-meditation

Prayer and -meditation. 

Prayer is talking to God.

Meditation is listening for His still small voice.

How do I pray –

Especially when I’m struggling?

Well, my prayers for myself are pretty simple,

“God, You see what’s going on. 

I need You to work this out.”

Then I might pray a few specifics,

but usually end with something like this:

“Please use me to bless others in this journey.

Have Your way in this situation,

give us the strength and grace to accept and live out your will,

and please work it out so that

You have the glory!

Let Your will be done!”

When I pray for others,

I do add more specifics,

but I try to end with a

prayer for His will.

That is most important to me.

His will is not always easy.

Because, my dear,

perhaps the situation at hand

was not His will to begin with.

But even in those situations,

He can work out His will

for His glory

and

our benefit.

Now, how do I pray when things are going so well that I have to pinch myself as I giggle?

With praise and worship music.

I dance in my living room.

I sing along –

as my poor dogs howl.

(I’ve been told I have a terrible voice!)

And I dance some more!

Music reaches a part of my heart and soul

That few other things can touch!

So, here’s another song for you! 

Be blessed!

Prayer

My Dear Lord and Savior,

Sometimes life is so hard, 

we feel lost in confusion and fear.

Sometimes life is so good,

we feel lost in love and praise for You!

Where ever we are,

Please remind us 

to pray,

to listen,

to praise You,

and

to trust You.

Amen. 

Progress! 

I'm making progress on the hand warmers.  I'm really pleased with how they're coming out!

You may recall that I blogged about them here and they were inspired by this post.  

I'm linking up to Needle and ThreadThursday at My Quilt Infatuation! 

Dear Friends, this is my truth!

Philippians 1:26. Leader Ender Project.

Philippians 1:26

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

Wow…a first glance this verse seems pretty arrogant – the Philippian's boasting in Christ Jesus will abound because Paul is with them?
Right? No, my dear friends, not at all!

What exactly does boasting mean?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boast?utm_campaign=sd&utm_medium=serp&utm_source=jsonld

Remember, they are praying for the founder of their church –

for his very life. 

So, should they be so blessed to receive him unto their midst,

naturally they will boast and praise God all the more –

because they have reason to do so!

And Paul knows this.

He knows that God

still has work for him

among the Philippians,

so naturally

his return to them would cause

great rejoicing!

APPLICATION

I recall the many times my husband and I were separated during his military service.  After I put the kiddos to bed, the nights were long and lonely.  Many times I would comfort myself by imagining our reunion….

those first few moments as he stepped off the plane…..

the joy,

the tears of gratitude,

the hugs,

praising God for his safe return.

Through him being with me again, my boasting in Christ did indeed abound because of my husband’s return.

And you know what?

I bet you my family boasted and praised God for me,

for beating cancer,

for living,

for being with them today.

So, yes, boast loved ones,

boast in the LORD  and

shower Him with your praise!

PRAYER

LORD, there are so many words that we have felt are “wrong” or “prideful”.  But to boast in You in correct.  

Help us to offer sincere praise and boast of 

Your wondrous works in our lives, 

for the presence of our loved ones,

in fact,

for everything in our lives,

good, bad or ugly.

Because it is Your will that will

come of all things.

I love you, LORD.

Thank you, for……You!

Amen!

DOTS!
Today I had a whole day to myself and it was great!  I've made great progress on a few projects - one of which is joining the dots on my "Dot Your I's" quilt inspired by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts!

I couldn't believe that the last time I finished some dots was back in September!  Wow!

I also made some progress on my Leader/Ender project!  I'm not sure if it's going to be a quilt or a table runner or...who knows?  :)

These leader/ender pics are pretty much unedited, but they came out ok, right?  I wonder if any of you are working on any leader/ender projects?

And there you have it!  

I'm linking up to Moving it Forward Monday at Em's Scrapbag, Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication and Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

Dear Friends, this  is my truth!