I need a mentor

1…1415171920…27

Comments

  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited January 2009

    Continued prayers & hugs, held--come back & update us, please!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    Ahhhh the weekend.  I actually managed to find the bottom of the laundry pile!  It is a true miracle!! LOL!  And I have one more day off to enjoy.  You might be sorry you asked, but here is an update on some of the drama I have been dealing with.

    My FIL's CAT scan showed that the cancer has not reached his bones - praise God.  He is scheduled to have a colonoscopy too to see if it has spread to his colon before they begin radiation.  My SIL called yesterday to talk to my dh, but he would not answer the phone (chicken) - plus he was watching his beloved Steelers.  He better call her today (in case you are wondering, I was in the basement doing laundry when the phone rang).  I really do not know my place in this drama.  It is very awkward.

    The vet started my dog (who has the canine version of MS) on some steroids last week.  He is doing soooooo much better.  I was sure we had reached the end of our journey with him, but he is so much happier and is moving like we turned back the clock 6 months!  My dd is very happy too. 

    My db and sil have started IVF treatment again.  They have been trying for 9 years to have a baby.  EXTRA prayers needed here please.  Watching this is breaking my heart (and I am sure their wallets).

    I do have a biblical question wrapped up in all the drama:  If we are to treat or bodies as temples of the Lord, so we exercise and eat right and do other things to make ourselves look and feel good, at what point does it because a sin (of vanity)?  After a year of feeling like and looking like crap, I have started to wear make-up again and curling my hair.  I am also doing exercises to make my muscle and bones stronger, but also to make me look better.  I am trying to limit my junk food intact which will also make me healthier and look better.  So confusing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited January 2009

    Held. Thanks for checking in. Make the most of your day today as well.

    Congrats on getting to the bottom of the laundry pile!! We are to get our washer/dryer hooked up today. So I'll be right behind ya!

    I say LOTS of exercise, LESS junk food. Temple-time indeed. Use as much make-up as you want. I think our Creator likes a happy face. I can't imagine you're 'over-doing' it to the sinful stage. If you get an offer from Playboy to pose for them, perhaps you should check in with us again on the issue, but short of crossing those kind of boundaries I think making the most of who we are is a good thing. IMHO.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    Faith - you are BEAUTIFUL!!!  Thank you so much!Smile

    And I have to add, that it is a Wonderul thing to have the "Leaning Tower of Laundry" gone!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited January 2009

    awwwwwwwwww shucks. you're a sweetie.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    I thought I would share my "Daily Word" that I get e-mailed to me.  This was sent this morning.

    "He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones" (Proverbs 2:7-8, NIV).

    Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

    Are you facing a challenge or difficulty that seems overwhelming? When you stand strong and remain faithful to God, He promises to set your course for victory! And victory doesn´t necessarily mean everything is going to go our way all the time or work out the way we planned.

    The Bible says that the real battle we face isn´t in our circumstances, it´s in our minds. The enemy is after your thoughts. He´s after your peace and joy. He knows that when you have peace, it´s a sign that you are connected to the Father. When you hold on to your peace and choose to be joyful, you are walking in victory, and it´s just a matter of time before your circumstances line up!

    Remember, God knew every person who would wrong you, and He´s already laid out your vindication. God knew every disappointment, and He´s already laid out new opportunities. God knew everything that would be stolen, and He has already laid out your restoration. Rejoice today knowing that He has set your course for victory in every area of your life!

    A Prayer for Today

    Father in heaven, thank You for the victory You have in store for me. I choose to be faithful; I choose to walk humbly before You. I stand in faith knowing You are working all things together for my good because You love me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited January 2009

    Wow. Thanks for that message Held.

    The answers come to us in all manner of form: emails, posts on a thread, a friend's comments, the weekly sermon, reading a book, listening to a song......... then it's up to us to stitch it all together and make a personal faith from all that we learn.

    Hope that you've got your make-up on, are turning down the junk food and getting some exercise this morning. Cuz, I love it when you're taking care of that temple of yours!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Thanks for sharing that Held.  Where do you get that from?  That message was especially good for me today, hmm interesting how that happens.

    Heres to make up and a juicy orange!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Held- are you near Scranton?  My daughter was accepted to U of Scranton and we are planning a trip to see the school. Faith- we are also heading to Athens to see OU, maybe we can get together for quick visit?  Not sure when the visit will be planned--right now she is on crutches and in the middle of PT, but soon I expect.

    Elaine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    EWB - I will check to see how far away Scranton is.  Where are you coming from?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    EWB - almost forgot - that is an e-mail from Joel Osteen.  Do you know who he is? I am glad it was a good message for you today.  It was for me too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited January 2009

    EWB: OU is a gorgous campus..... truly beautiful countryside. Easy to fall in love with the place. Does your daughter have a major in mind??

    My DIL is an OU graduate, she majored in Art. She loved the place.

    Let me know when you're planning to be there. We're a little less than 2 hours away -- depending on the weather of course. Right now we're in FL.

    Held: sending you hugs and prayers -- as always.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited January 2009

    HUGS all-I have been VERY busy! To make a long story short--one of my best friends was taken to the ER the other nite with abdominal pains......after a LONG evening of ER experiences she ended up in sx around 11PM with a ruptured appendix!!!! She coulda died!! I am exhausted physically & emotionally from this whole expereince & I'm not the one who had sx!!!!. Thank God she is on the mend----pray for Elise & her family, please! (I'll take a few if you have any to spare, too!)

    Prayers & faith-What amazing gifts! Be well & stay strong

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Held- not sure when we are doing visits, will let you know.

    Fifty- I am also OU grad -- loved it there. I was Phys Ed and Community Health major.  Caity is interested in Physical Therapy, sports training.

    Saint so sorry to hear about friend, but glad she is doing better, lucky you were there for her :D

    PRAYERS to all in need today.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Hi all.

    Held- yes I have heard of Joel Osteen--has some books out and Sunday am tv as I recall.  Didn't he/they buy an old football stadium and convert it to a church? I haven't read any of his books or anything.  What is his point of view (?), perspective (?), philosophy (?).

    I recently decided to work on incorporating more consciously, things like 10 commandments into my everyday living- really paying attention and actively working on it.  It seems like the basis for so much.

    Be well all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited January 2009

    He did buy a huge stadium that seats something like 10,000 people each Sunday.  Talk about intimidation!!  I do like to watch him on tv.  I think he basically preaches that God wants to give us his blessings.

    EWB - can you give me an example of what you are talking about in reference to your comment about incorporating thinks like the 10 commandments into everyday living?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    well, I thought I should think about what the the commandments are, what they mean, and keep them in mind- to be sure that I do honor my parents and help them with love and willingness- not oh crap here is something else I have to do. To be happy, really happy and pleased with all that I have, not look around the neighborhood and wish my house or yard looked like that, or that we had the money to this that and the other. Not to hurt others because I have been thoughtless, or didn't feel like putting in the effort. Not to just walk thru life on autopilot, unaware, not thinking.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited January 2009

    Hi & hugs all!

    EWB--we teach the 10 commandments to our confirmation class in an all-encompassing, different way from what I was taught! For example: Honor your Parents also means to honor ALL authority in your life (teacher, boss, gov leaders, police etc.) The guy who did this session always found ways to explain how the commandments actually overlap each other again & again: how, together, they give us the guidelines for all life situations!! I love how you are finding ways to apply them consciously to your everyday life!!

    Prayers for my friend who is now home from the hospital, but her white counts are extra-ordinarily low. They scared her by mentioning leukemia!! I believe when she goes back in a month we will come to learn that her "normal" is just very low on the scale.....

    Be well & stay strong 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Saint- its seems that we forget the basics, would love Sunday School for grownups (not bible study but sunday school).  You are right that they overlap, and I think are the best guidelines for life- cover it all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited January 2009

     We have a "continuing religious ed" program in our church. It is meant to include the entire family. They choose a theme & split the group into 3 age groups---it is beginning to take off!

    We also have "small groups" that meet in homes. Some of them have been VERY successful!

    I love that some of the groups I have joined have fed my spirit so unexpectedly! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited January 2009

    (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HELD))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

    Sending hugs & prayers held. Wondering how you're holding up??

    Know that you continue in my prayers.

    Asking for strength, courage, and direction for all of your concerns & questions.

    xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Any one heard from Granny?

     Hope all are doing well- I am feeling funky and overwhelmed- not sure why or about what tho. Last night just started crying, was worse when ever I looked at my dd, a beautiful 17year old, or thought of my ds (in Savannah Ga, and turning 21 in March)

    Dh and DD are doing college visits this week end so I have a quiet weekend to snuggle in bed, staying safe from the world outside.

    Be well all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited January 2009

    Hi all! I've been absent from the boards again....I don't know; it's been hard for me to get back into the swing of things since the holidays. I do think of you all and pray for you all every day!  I was all set to get back into a routine the other day when........WHAM! I was hit with the awful news that our dear AlaskaDeb had passed. I have a churning storm of emotions about that...

    First, I feel so guilty. I remember when she was first dx'ed with mets. She was frightened and worried. I wrote her a very long post, telling her that she could do this--she would get through this. It's not that I didn't truly believe that, but.......gosh, I feel like I lied to her--misled her about the reality of mets. I feel like what I did, with the intention of being supportive and helpful, was hurtful to her. She was just so terribly frightened. I prayed for her so hard and requested prayer for her from others. I am so angry at the doctors who messed things up so badly for her and robbed her of the ability to communicate with those she loved at the end of her life.

    I honestly, truly believe that God indeed has a plan for all of us....I try to accept that calling Deb home when he did is for the best because He sees the big picture. I just think about her daughters and husband and family and feel so bad for them.

    And yes, I am selfish enough to allow this to cause me to worry about myself too. And then, I see what an impact Deb had on so many (me included), I have to wonder if I've been serving the Lord's purpose for myself....have I been a blessing to even a fraction of the souls that Deb was? I hate that I waste so much time feeling horrible in bed when I should be connecting with people--making a difference. When God calls me home, is He going to ask me, "Why didn't you.....?"

    I guess I'm feeling depressed for the first time since this bumpy ride began.

    ((((HUGS))) and prayers to you all!

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2009

    Goodness Diane.  Personally, I am very impressed that you have had the spiritual strength to remain depression-free thus far!  It speaks volumes!!!

    Even though I am a spiritual infant, I hope you will allow me to give you my 2 cents and feelings.  I am your typical type "A" personality, so I am going to number my thoughts - hope you don't mind! LOL

    1) You are NOT selfish!  You are a human, wonderfully made by God.

    2) You also have been a huge impact on many - ESPECIALLY me.  I hope you saw that with the  posts that we sent to you at Christmas time.  You are still here, blessing people everyday, so perhaps you have not fulfilled your purpose yet.  But that doesn't mean you aren't doing it now.  (that makes sense in my own brain, I hope it does to you - I think backwards sometimes)  :)  I can't speak for God, but my personal feeling is that it is not a contest.  It is not the number of people you are a blessing to.  Maybe God has a plan for us to be a blessing to not just "others",  but sometimes a particular person. I hope you don't mind me sharing a story about my own personal experience:  My parents are nearly 80, and VERY spiritual.  I tell people they may have a "bat phone" directly to God!!! LOL   My whole life I have had people tell me how wonderful they are and what a blessing they have been to them.  If I heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times.  They are still with us, blessing people every day.  The number of people they have blessed could easily be over 10 thousand (they have also done missions work). You could say they have not yet fulflled their purpose.  I think I have told you before that my sister was killed by a drunk driver when she was 18.  That jerk robbed our family of one of the most beautiful people God has ever made (inside and out).  Eileen had the MOST BEAUTIFUL smile the world has ever seen.  She lit up a room. 

    My mother is the strongest person I know.  I remember her offering my father, who was so grief-stricken he could barely move, words of comfort.  My mom told my father that Eileen had finished the job God had planned for her, and he wanted her home (my father told my mother "but I want her here".  I will never forget how that broke my heart). 

    Some months later my mother was cleaning out Eileen's room and found a letter a guy wrote to her before she died.  The guy had  gone to the same high school as my sister and had joined the army. He was sad, lonely and scared now living very far away from his family and friends  He wrote that when he was having a rough day, he would take out his pictures from high school, and when he would look at hers, he  would always smile and laugh thinking about how funny and beautiful she was.  He wrote that just looking at her smile would bring him comfort. Would it be a stretch to think my sister's purpose was to help that one young man and now that she had, it was time for her to come home? 

    3) Do you think you brought comfort and encouragment to AlaskaDeb with your loving words? I have no doubt you did, and that you gave her exactly what she needed. 

    4) It does suck for Deb's family.  There is not much I can add to that statement except it must be comforting to them to know how much she touched other people's lives and that she has gone home to be with our Father. 

    Ok, now that I have written a NOVEL at 6:30 in the morning, I am going to take my VERY sick self and lay back down before I cough up a lung!  I hope what I have said makes even a little bit of sense.

    Love and hugs to you

    PS - Hey Diane - "when you are down to nothing, God is up to something!"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009

    Held- you are amazing, put into words what I have been pondering lately (#2), we are here for a purpose, how do we know what it is?  This is a discussion all by its self.

    Diane- so sorry you've hit a rough patch; I suppose its bound to happen now and then. I think Held really said it all very well.   Deb's death, any death, brings a lot of stuff up..reminders of what any one of us might have to go thru. Scary stuff. Be kind and gentle to yourself.

    Hugs and prayers to all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EWB
    EWB Member Posts: 2,927
    edited January 2009
    I know this is off topic but...wanted to share info about an effort to send email/letters bringing attention to bc research/cure:

    In the "Commemorating Loved Ones" Forum, there is a thread with the title "In Honor of Alaska Deb-an idea"....Our email campaign is in full swing.....We are emailing Obama, Daschle and Palin on Feb 14th.....Please check it out and spread the word.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited February 2009

    Hugs all--F&F-how was the get to gether??

    Held---what wonderful words! You are no infant & that post proves it!! You hit the nail on the head!

    Bad---how could you possibly have lied to Deb??  Did you ever tell her anything with the intention of hurting her??  You gave hope & encouragement! She DID run the race! No one knows what is coming for us, but you were one who helped her reach the end with grace. HUGS--never underestimate what good intentions can do......you do make a difference!

    Be well & stay strong 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2009

    I've gotta get up @ 4:00 in the morning to make a long trek to the airport for an early flight.

    I can't tell you how much it means to me, to come here, before signing out & read the interactions above -- regarding everything: faith, Deb's passing, our purpose, depression, trust, friendship......... the whole enchilada.

    These boards can be mysteriously wack-doodle at times and the greatest comfort on this planet at other times.

    thanks pals.

    xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Held
    Held Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2009

    Diane - sending you hugs, love and prayers.  Please let us know how you are doing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited February 2009

    Held,

    I'm so glad you posted to the thread. I meant to reply earlier today and got sidetracked; I only just now remembered when I saw it at the top of "active topics"!

    Thank you so much for your post to me (and thank you everyone for your comments!). Boy, I had really hoped that 2009 would mark the turning point for so much crummy stuff to stop happening. The loss of our sisters here on the boards, possible progression for me (will be having more bloodwork this week and then scans if that's still wacky) and still struggling with trying to keep our house and find my dh a job......ouch! I can't say that 2009 has been much of an improvement over 2008 so far.

    What HAS improved is my attitude, in no small part because of your thoughtful and kind words to me. My world has gotten rather small lately...I spend way too much time in bed. Dh has taken up the slack for me since he's been out of work. That seemed like a good thing, but maybe it's just allowed me to be too lazy. I am not getting out of the house near enough and that does allow me to spend too much time "in my head". I could use prayers to help motivate me to get back into the world!

    You all have been a great blessing to me and I thank God for you every day.  I hope everyone's doing well!

    (((HUGS)))
    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories