thread for middle age to older Christian women.

Ade

Teka, glad your flowers are coming up. That always gives us a hopeful lift.

Nancy, Faith, Gumdoctor, Joanne, We have ALL been in that "dark place" and how miserable we are when down there. The thing we must remember is that we are not alone, as He will never EVER leave us or forsake us. Jesus knows every pain and worry and hurt we feel since He walked here among us - and He is at the Father's right hand ever living to intercede for US! That alone is hard to fathom isn't it. I think of WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER... you know the hymn. Keep your focus on the Lord and trust in His GOOD plan for you. He has you in His arms of love and NO ONE can snatch you from His hands. You are safe and secure and He would tell you FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU and LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.

I am praying for you all - including those not mentioned.

I felt led to reprint this as it has ministered to me so many times -

Sending hugs all the way from me to you,

Ade

~*~ When you're in Christ ~*~

You're secure even when your feelings tell you otherwise.

You don't have to feel well to be strong and courageous.

You don't have to feel bold to be brave.

You don't have to feel accepted to live loved.

You don't have to feel faith for your faith to be real.

And you don't have to feel God's presence for Him to be near.

He's closer than your next breath and He lives mightily in you!

He pulled out a chair and gave you a place at the table of grace.

God is always near and you are always loved no matter how you feel.

You've seen too much to turn back now.

Keep marching onward and have a faith-filled day!

bandwoman1234

Ellen, I sent you a PM but wanted to say that I know you wanted to be off the Tamoxifen but I pray those two more years will protect you from another recurrence. Praying that Sarah will bring this baby to term without any complications. I can't wait to see Cal be a big brother. Praying your skin issues can be dealt with without any complications. I worked many hours in the corn and bean fields without any sunscreen so I completely get it.

Faith, praying you can get through this high stress time and enjoy your time with your family.

Teka, thank you for sharing your crocuses popping up. I am afraid my daffodils croaked in the blizzard we had yesterday. Maybe they will spring back up. I never got to take any pics of them.

Joanne, thanks for sharing those lyrics. Thank you for your prayers and support. I hope there is some restoration in this valley.

Chris, I am glad your kitty is doing better. I have been praying for a good and easy solution to her problems. Praying for you as you face the dentist tomorrow. Hopefully you will not have any problems and can get in and out very quickly without too much stress. Praying that this pain you are experiencing is nothing serious.

Gumdoctor, thank you. I know you are currently going through so much so I appreciate you writing. Yes, God does know exactly what I am going through the same as He knows what you and all of us are going through. I do pray that you issues with the Army will work out much better than you are expecting.

Ade, I am glad to hear from you. I was concerned since I hadn't seen any posts for a while. Thank you for those words. I have posted many times that you can't base your faith on your feelings and thank goodness for that.

I am feeling extremely vulnerable right now because I don't know what is happening to me. I can't explain what I am feeling except I know I have been in a protracted state of high stress for a very long time with many different things and I think the cancer scare was that proverbial last straw. My social worker is a Christian and she knows that I am so I am trusting that God will give her wisdom when counseling me.

Thank you all for your support and your prayers and encouragement. My swimming is a Godsend and my photography which are both great stress relievers are helping. I will be going to my Mom's for three weeks in about three weeks and I just need to feel much stronger in all ways than I do now. I have some extremely important financial concerns that were not able to be addressed when I was sick for my planned three weeks at Christmas time downstate which have to be addressed now concerning my Mom. I know God will get me through this and I just pray it will be sooner than later. I have an oncology apt next week and the plan was to stop my AI at the end of July which would be my five years. Hopefully this recommendation will still hold. I know this drug has made all of my emotions exaggerated in these last almost five years and I know several of my friends could never understand why I didn't just stop taking it as it has been a real challenge.

I know many of you have been through so much more and are not sure what your future holds. I guess none of us knows what our next breath will hold but we do know WHO it is that allows us that next breath. We have a future far greater than what we can think or imagine.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

IntoLight

Joanne, those are indeed beautiful, special blessings. I am also thankful for Michelle's progress. Thank you for sharing. God is so good!

Our granddaughter was also preemie at 4 lbs. She is now almost 4 years old. Doctors told us at the time she will probably have developmental delays, but that did not happen. In fact, she is ahead in all areas, especially cognitive, except for size--she is at the lower 5% in weight. Chris

bandwoman1234

Joanne, what precious babies. Michelle is a miracle and I do pray that she will still be able to regain some of what has not come back. Easter blessings indeed.

Chris, what an adorable miracle as well. Such a sweet pic.

Thank you both for sharing your little ones with us.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

As we enter the most Holy days of our Christian faith let us reflect on what all of these events means

to us personally and what Christ's death and resurrection means to the world and what is our part in this.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

Amen Joanne.

Jesus own disciples thought they had deserted him. In our period of trial and doubt and in the darkest hours just like the followers of Christ when they were at their darkest hour, God was working behind the scenes as He is for you and me and preparing an ending/beginning which no one expected. Hang on to Jesus because He has already paid the price for us in our sin, weakness and doubt.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

These words were spoken to Peter when he initially refused to have Jesus wash his feet, and that time before His impending death on the cross. These words as in many parts of the Bible relate on many levels. They certainly relate to each of us as we cannot at times fully understand why we have to suffer with cancer. Why does the world seem to be spinning out of control? Why do our own lives seem to be doing just that? If we can remain quiet and turn off the noise of the world and our own minds we can hear Jesus whispering to us "You don't understand now what I am doing but someday you will." That day before Sunday was a crucial time for Jesus followers. They were scared for their own lives and I am sure that they feared that they had wasted their time and energy following the wrong person. Their perceived King was now dead and what was to become of them. They were devastated and their faith was shattered I would imagine. Have we found ourselves in that same place when we could not see the Lord working in our situation? Where was He? Why am I going through this? Have you deserted me? We have the knowledge that the disciples did not have even though Jesus hinted at what was to happen but they did not understand. We have God's living word and promises from the New Testament that He will never leave or forsake us. Sometimes we know that in our minds but maybe not in our hearts. That is the beauty of what comes tomorrow.

Love,

Nancy

zjrosenthal

He is risen. Have a blessed Easter precious ladies. Love, Jean

bandwoman1234

We get to experience the resurrection of Jesus every day in our hearts. Praise the Lord for HE HAS RISEN!!!!

Ade

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Thank you ladies, for the beautiful words, scriptures and banners!

May the Lord bless your hearts as you remember what He did for us all.

Ade

Ade

Perfect, Joanne. Thank you!

bandwoman1234

Joanne, I love that verse 4.

Ade, how are things with you and James?

Have a good weekend dear sisters. We are getting snow soon. Yeah, I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Nancy

Ade

Joanne, that prayer is perfect - one for ALL of us! Thank you.

Sorry about your snow, Nancy. Will winter never give up? Are you feeling any better?

We had our ac on yesterday and it is to hit 91 today (in APRIL!) We finally got a GOOD rain plus a lot of pea sized hail the other night. Maggie always goes into panic mode at the least sign of lightning or thunder, which fortunately is not that often here. When we get back to Ohio again we're in for a LOT of sleepless nights I'm afraid. We have some natural "calmer-downer" pills but they aren't very effective. We finally closed her into the utility room with music on and the light on. It isn't just cat owners who have difficult animals. Maggie still has her heavy long winter coat and really needs groomed but she is just AWFUL when groomed! She screams like a banshee when you just LOOK at her toenails, let alone brush her! I am thinking we will have to get her a vet prescribed sedative to get her groomed this time, though I hate to drug her. Anyone have a better answer for us? Our friend says that "thunder shirts" don't work very well either.

Long story short, we are applying for a mortage for our house to pay off the credit cards we had to run up to just move into it after our first builder stole our money. The loan will also allow us to finally finish the work so we can put it on the market and relocate (return) to Ohio. The final hoop to jump through - and there were MANY - was to have photos taken of the house inside & out. For two days we worked like crazy to get it "presentable" enough for the pix. I mean deep cleaning that I had neglected, and organizing & pitching the 'stuff''. After the first day I was sore and SO exhausted I could hardly walk - literally! (Doesn't take much anymore!) Anyway I prayed for the Lord to strengthen me for the final day of work, as I didn't know HOW I could make it another day. Yesterday was a HARD day - but we DID it! The pix were taken by the bank and the lady complimented us on the house! We are to sign the closing on the loan Wednesday. I share this to testify of God's goodness in granting us the strength to do all we had to do. PRAISE THE LORD, for we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us!

I am praying for you all ("ALL-y'all" as they say here)

Have a blessed weekend.

Ade

This is my fuzzy-wuzzy Aire-bear

HersheyKiss

Ade, shaggy Maggie is adorable! And what a sweet, happy face! I wish I had some "calmer-downer" suggestions, but I'm at a loss on that one. Our pups just had to grin-and-bear-it when it came to shaving and/or grooming. Such was life in the "old days."

Joanne, I agree with Ade. The prayer is perfect!

Nancy, I pray you are feeling better and will be safe and warm during the spring storm.

Faith, I completely understand your need to pull back from the message boards. I've had to take a break myself.

My recent scan revealed scarring in my left lung, most likely from radiation. I'm feeling a bit discouraged, but my ONC doesn't seem too concerned about it. I see her in another 6 months for my regular check-up.

Prayers of comfort and strength to everyone.

bandwoman1234

Thank you Joanne for that banner. Praying for you and your reaction to the meds.

Ade, congratulations on getting your house nice and clean for the realtor pics. That HAS to feel good. I am slowing taking back my house from seeming chaos from all the stuff going on. Today is cleaning day for me. The weather is not good so I have no excuse. I know you have such a financial burden and I am glad to hear that things are falling into place to pay off debt.

I will post some pics later. My swimming and camera time are both gifts from God to me now more than ever.

My plan is to leave for my Mom's on May 9 for a three week visit. I would really covet your prayers that I can become much stronger emotionally before that time as I know lots of stress will be waiting for me there. My Mom's teeth are falling out at an alarming rate and I have NO idea what we are going to do at this point. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$????????????????????

Take care dear sisters. I know we are ALL going through stuff that is hard and my prayer for each of you is that God would shine His face on each of you as you walk in His purpose and plan for you. Seek His wisdom and guidance in all things.

Love,

Nancy

Isaiah 40:29-31 New International Version (NIV)

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

bandwoman1234

Ade, I could not see your post when I posted but I had read it earlier. I see it was the bank taking pics and not a realtor. Poor Maggie. She is a cutie. I have Cammie shaved because her hair gets in the way when she has to do #2. The vet has to sedate her and I hate but it is our reality. It is expensive and I am sure hard on her but I try to do it when she has to have her shots. I am probably going to have to do it soon before her shots. I use pheromone plug ins at home for Cammie and they really work for her as a sedation. I buy them on Amazon. I am willing to bet they have something like that for dogs as well. Hope you can rest up this weekend.

Hershey, I hope that scar tissue will not be anything serious. Believe me I DO understand your concern. My sister contracted this strange disease years ago from bird droppings and it effected her lungs. She has quite a bit of scar tissue and when her pcp (who didn't know this history) did a scan recently he thought it was cancer and was very relieved to find out it was only scar tissue. I have to have another mammogram in Sept due to the scar tissue and I do understand your concern. I think we all know that cancer is the gift that just keeps on giving.

I must get to my cleaning. Take care.

Love,

Nancy

bandwoman1234

Amen, Joanne.

Teka

H & I are still coughing with hard colds.

H took 2 quick pics of an old toad that was uncovered then recovered while raking.

bandwoman1234

Teka, I hope you both feel much better soon. Praying for you both. Love your toad pics. I will share some reptile pics I just got a few days ago. I have NEVER seen these at this place before. They were everywhere on these muskrat hills.

I wonder who does her nails????????????

Teka

Nancy,

Basking in the sunshine. Wish my nails looked as good.

In my evening prayers one and all.

gkbuser

Sorry for going AWOL ladies! I have just been super busy. My youngest daughter signed up for track. She is throwing shot-put and discus, so between practices and meets we have been pretty busy. I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday helping my husband lift the grill back onto the deck. So, trying to take it easy today, because I am scheduled to work tomorrow and it needs to get way better by then. I am toying with the idea of taking a sick day tomorrow, but they are always so short of nursing help I would feel guilty doing that.

Faith, I prayed for your friend Sue.

Bandwoman, did you get the ultrasound and results? I was trying to go back and read messages that I missed, but I couldn't see anything. I am so sorry you deal with chronic pain. Prayed for no recurrence and God's peace.

-Krista

IntoLight

Joanne, knowing God is walking with us in the valley provides strength and hope. When our view is blocked by the mountains that surround us, knowing He can see above them for us makes all the difference. Thank you for your post.

Ade, I continue to pray God moves this financial mountain for you. Our battle belongs to the Lord.

This is for us all...

1. He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
   He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
   To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
   To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
   
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
   When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
   When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
   Our Father's full giving is only begun.
   
3. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
   Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
   Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
   The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
   
4. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
   His power no boundary known unto men;
   For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
   He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. (Annie J. Flint)

Chris

bandwoman1234

Krista, I prayed for your back and I hope it is just a temporary muscle strain. Good luck to your daughter on her track team. I did that for one summer back in the horse and buggy days. lol

You asked about my results. I did have to have a biopsy and I am not sure why it took sixteen days from the mammogram to getting results but it did. The last several days of that process were NOT fun. When I found out it was benign I hung up the phone and bawled. Unfortunately the 5yr out celebration never took place because I ended up with an emotional downward spiral and have been on the verge of tears since April 3. I am seeing a social worker that works in the oncology dept and that has been helpful. So I am not good and I was very angry initially which is not my usual self. I don't claim to understand any of this but am trying to seek God in this awful journey and hopefully I will come out the other end much stronger.

Joanne, I posted that video for you since you told me you had tried several times and it didn't work. Hopefully this will. Interesting that one of the ushers at church who we have had a special connection and I have shared with him in the past said those very words to me about footprints in the sand. I finally was brutally honest with myself and God and have expressed it to some close friends. I asked God where was He those few days when fear had overtaken my whole being. I could not feel peace and I prayed and claimed verses. I KNEW He would never leave me or forsake me but I had a spiritual crises for a few days. I still don't quite understand what He is doing with me but I know that He is the potter and I am the clay and if He is going to use me I need to be pliable in His hands. I know He has told me He wants me to go deeper with Him. At church Sunday the sermon was as if it was written and preached to me. It was unbelievable some of the very words I spoke to this usher before the service came out in the sermon. The preacher used my special verse I print on my photo cards now of Romans 8:28. The whole sermon was on that verse. So if there are some days I don' t post it is because I am not in a place where I can pour into others when I need pouring into myself.

Chris I know you know what I mean and probably anyone reading this as well. God bless you dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mHL1nYWQBQ

gkbuser

Nancy, I'm so sorry about the emotional downward spiral darn it! This whole journey really stinks. But you're doing the right thing seeking out God. I sometimes feel that way too! I have to constantly remind myself that it is unlikely to return. And, if it does for some reason God's in control

Love and hugs

Vargadoll

I have many prayer rquest this morning if I could call on all you ladies. My FIL was moved to Hospice last week the time is drawing near. Please pray for a peaceful passing for him. He has suffered with Parkinson for many years and he fell 2 weeks ago and fractured his hip and this is just to much for his tired body to deal with. Pray for peace for my DH and his brother (brother flying in from Denver today) and FIL precious wife who has been his caregiver for many years now. Pray for strength for me I became very I'll Sunday night. I threw up nonstop from 10:30 Sunday night until 4:30 Monday morning. I either caught a stomach bug or food poisoning what ever it is it can leave as quickly as it came on! I have been to the doctor twice and now have a bacterial sinus infection from the reflux in my sinus cavity from throwing up so much. I have lost 6 pounds. My DD is having surgery tomorrow and I won't be able to help with the kids! Her BF and DH will gave to handle it all. I just want to cry nonstop! I have never been so sick in my entire life! Thank you for letting me unload here. I live a very private life in the real world and there's only a few people I can call on.

My God is good all the time no matter how big the storm

IntoLight

Vargadoll, praying for you this morning that your sickness will clear and that God will give you peace during your family struggles. Sometimes it feels overwhelming--that's why we are here for you.

bandwoman1234

Joanne, I am sorry for the loss of your cousin and sorry that another cousin is having a bad time with her bc dx. Thank you for the lyrics. The Peace Like a River gets me every time I hear it knowing it was written out of much personal tragedy. Thank you for the banner and your words. It is not easy being transparent with your life but that is the only way I know how to do it.

Chris, praying for your upcoming scans and for your back pain. Praying for peace in your wait time and relief from your pain.

Vargadoll, I have been praying for you since reading your post earlier. You are in a heavy storm right now with sickness when you want to be there for your DH and your DD. I pray that the Lord would rain down peace and healing on you so you can have the strength to deal with your heavy family issues now. God Bless you dear sister.

Love,

Nancy

gkbuser

Varga, So sorry you are going through all of that.

HersheyKiss

Joanne, your posts and banners are spot on. Thank you for writing and posting them.

Varga, I'm so sorry you are dealing with stomach illness. I hope things improve soon.

Nancy, I pray you are feeling better today and hope the sessions with the therapist continue to be beneficial.

Peace and comfort to you all.