Spiritual/Christian Thread
Comments
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Caroltina is home from Mexico! What can I say? There is too much to say. It was a joy to be in our home in Mexico, to see everyone who had missed us greatly, and thought they would never see us again. We worked so hard while there, cleaning our place up, cleaning out our stuff, visiting people, working on our cars, etc. It was over 100 degrees most days, and 105 degrees in the shade a couple of days. It felt good to sweat, though, really did. We brought back all four pets, which is: our old calico cat, with a huge absess on her neck(I've put Bag Balm on it and expect that today it will open up and drain); our big, beautiful dustygray cat; our dachshund; and our big mix breed Mexican dog. God blessed us and kept all our animals very calm on our trip home. Our special needs boy, Marcos, enjoyed his time in Mexico, spent time in the water almost every day, in our little quickset pool there, and just seemed to enjoy being there, even though it was hot. We had two church services while there. I shared for both of them, and what I shared really touched the hearts of those present, which was 20 people the first Sunday, and 30 the next. From our little itsy bitsy community, that's a lot of people. I made people cry, as I shared about the sovereignty of God, and how that I had all but lost my faith in God, in heaven, in everything, until I put aside my own thoughts and feelings, and decided to give credibility to God's word, over my feelings and thoughts, and to cry out to Him, talk to Him, tell Him everything I was feeling, and trust Him to hear me. I told how that I had felt unacceptable to Him, because of the sense of my own sinful nature and unworthiness, should I die, to go to heaven. And that then I saw, that it isn't my worthiness that gives me the right of entrance into heaven, but because He paid the price for my sins, and my trust in Him as my savior, that is what gives me the right to a relationship with Him, and to join Him when I do die, for all eternity. It was good. I love those people down there, and they love us. I got so many hugs and kisses on my cheeks, real loving ones. People there were very worried about us, and so glad to see us both alive. We plan to go back in December and begin finishing what we've begun, and hopefully start on a project to build a building where eye surgeries can be done there.
My energy level went from having just a little, to really having super energy by the time we left. I am all suntanned, and have a white stripe across my foot, from where my sandals were. My arm swelled quite a bit, but no major crisis or anything. I went around much of the time without wearing a bra, just a tank top and shorts, and wasn't embarrassed. It was just too hot to worry about it, and the elastic in my bra made my arm swell worse in the heat. The kids there, who swam in our pool most every day, didn't act weird to me for not having boobs, and the people in the community didn't either. They are our friends, like family.
Anyway, it's good to be home, I think, to this home. We really feel like this is just one home, and that the other one is just as real, and the other family, too, just as real. I so praise God for allowing me to go there, as I feared I'd never be going back there. Now for the work, of doing what we need to here, and of making the contacts and connections we need to make in order to be able to move forward with new ideas for there in Mexico. My head feels a bit in a whirl. I am going to have to remind myself moment by moment to take one step at a time.
Anyway, I want to know what major things have happened since I've been gone, on the board here. Any real interesting happenings? New treatments, new discoveries on cancer, anything?
Guess I'd better go check my e-mail and answer them.
Caroltina -
God has allowed me to use the wisdom gained from my experience and use it to encourage others... wow, I am so awed by how He transforms our trials into treasure! Blessings!
Pat, it's the best part of the whole bc experience isn't it? There is so much good that can come from our bc, and it's so beautiful when we see it in action. It's like God has given me an overwhelming love for the cancer patients I see at work. It is clearly from God, and it makes me feel like I'm really alive, really have a purpose when I am filled with that love. I know when you were with your neighbor you could feel the Lord right there with you, the same way. It's amazing. How is your neighbor? and how are you after Dennis? Just hoping to hear from you soon.
Caroltina-great to hear from you and your trip to Mexico sounds wonderful. Did you notice what you typed? You went to help others, and came back tanned and with more energy than you'd had in awhile. God certainly blesses us when we least expect it. I'm so glad you are feeling better.
Kathy-thanks for your prayer during the last week. It made a huge difference, that I truly believe. -
Just checking in. Caroltina, I'm glad you are back from Mexico; sounds like you had a fabulous time. Looks like you actually have two homes and a difficult choice each time you leave one for the other.
Rachel, glad to hear that you are safe and sound. Have you heard from Pat? We got rain Friday night and today. Sure cooled things off and was a welcome relief!
God bless your day!
Kathy -
Kathy, I haven't heard from or seen Pat on the boards. I hope she's just real busy, which I'm sure she is. Is Waco on the West side of Texas?? I hope so, it looks like Emily is coming that way. And I'm praying it slows down some before it makes landfall, it's a catagory 4, and probably will increase while it goes across the gulf. Keeping everyone in that direction in my thoughts, especially Mexico. They aren't in much better shape than Cubans. So much poverty there, and probably no good shelters. Does the Red Cross go to Mexico? Caroltina do you know? Just curious about that, what kind of comfort stations they might have, that's what they call it here. Ice, cases of bottled water, tarps and MRE's. We thought we had hit Christmas last year, with the MRE's. They are amazing. Really. Like kids in a toy store, trying to figure out how they work, and looking to see how each one is different. LOL
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Rachel,
Waco is right in the middle of Texas - deep in the heart of Texas. We get rain if the hurricanes hit around Galveston, but nothing more. We do have tornadoes sometimes and hail and high winds. I was in our surburban several years ago with my kids when bad weather hit. The wind blew the traffic light arm around 90 degrees and a huge piece of corrugated sheet metal was flying around my windshield. I had the kids to get unbuckled and lie on the floor. My son said, "I think we need to pray!" and my daughter replied, "What do you think I've been doing?" They were 8 and 5 and I had a baby in the car seat. We had just a few blocks to get to the pizza place where we were going and we made it. I didn't notice that the back windows of the surburban were broken until I was taking them to school the next morning. We were caught in a downdraft and the pressure change shattered the glass. Was pretty scary, but exciting. That's my weather story.
My husband and I are home alone! My son turned 21 on the 12th and we had a party for him on Friday night. My daughter, Katie, came home for the weekend, too. Katie and her roommate left earlier this afternoon, Kinsey (16) went with friends to get ice cream, Kirsten (14) is spending the night with friend, and Keller (21) just left to go back to his house. Our life group just dismissed, too. The kitchen is cleaned and I'm on the boards, again! Busy weekend!
God bless your day!
Kathy -
Hi-I am new to this Spiritual/Christian thread but so grateful there is such. The Lord has so sustained me and kept me in peace through it all (masectomy; 13 positive lymph nodes; chemo (2 different times); radiation. Now am on Arimidex (for 7 months) and starting to enjoy life once again.
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Jeano,
Welcome. I also had lymph involvement, 14+ out of 14, stage 3, grade 3. Surgery September 13, 2004. I'm all done with everything, (bilateral mastectomy - no reconstruction, chemo, and radiation) and it's great to be alive, great to have learned from this, that God is God, and I am not, and that He is faithful to use everything that comes my way, for good - that I can trust Him. I had a rough time, at times, keeping perspective through treatment, but that's behind me. Now I'm energized and ready to go. No noticeable side effects from Arimidex. Have a goal to walk at least 30 minutes a day, but have been not keeping up to that goal very well recently. Nice to hear from you, and of the peace God has given you.
Caroltina -
Welcome, Jeano! It is good to have a place to talk freely about the goodness of God. He has been faithful to see me through this ordeal. His promise to prosper me and not to harm me and to give me a hope and a future are coming true everyday.
Hello, Caroltina; glad to have you back.
Has anyone heard from Hope? I haven't seen her post in a long time.
God bless your day!
Kathy -
Hi, sisters!
I have been doing well... just a bit busy. Was out of town when Dennis hit and came back to no electricity. All is well now. We were able to get a generator from Lowes and saved our refrigerated and frozen foods. We were especially busy at the office and did some work at home... so didn't get to post as often as I like.
I had another God Thang happen today. My husband and I were in a hospital waiting room with a friend whose husband was having surgery as a result of prostate cancer. In walks some former fellow church members who moved away because of a call to the ministry. After the initial greetings we discovered that he is a pastor in the small town to which our daughter and son-in-law just moved. Their son is a student at the university where our son-in-law will be teaching.... God is the God of details. He cares about every inch of our being... because He made us!
We have all been called to a ministry and I find it so exciting to discover how God confirms our calling when He reveals himself! While in the waiting room today, I heard fellow church members discuss what was going on in their lives... they were becoming guardian ad litems, doing "prayer walks" (visiting local schools, nursing homes, etc) and circling the buildings in prayer, beginning to step out in faith when the Lord prompted them, going on missionary trips... None of these individuals were employed in a ministry... many were retired and on a fixed income. The Pink Lady shared as she left that she had been watching our motley group interact and was reminded of the time her church gathered around her when her husband was ill and helped the time pass in the waiting room... he later died. We invited her to worship with us. She coyly said, "If I WERE a Methodist, I would definitely worship with you!" The truth is... we have come from varied backgrounds and have had a variety of life experiences... Our denominational ties are not the most important issue but our relationship with our Lord IS.
What a knack our God has in bringing us together... Look at this discussion board. We are so different... but together in the same family! If this were left up to man... it wouldn't happen!
I have rambled enough... I need to say, "Good night!" Be blessed this week!
Pat -
Welcome Jeano, glad you have found this thread, feel free to jump in, and talk away. We love reading whatever someone feels inspired to write. LOL
Pat, so glad you are just busy and not having a health problem or a Hurricane related problem. So, you were without power??? How far and wide Dennis stretches, I was without power too, and the people in Santa Rosa county were hit hard. You and I live 2 hours apart, at least, and we both were suffering the same effects of Dennis. Just think how wide spread it could have been, like Ivan, last year. We were blessed in this one, no doubt about it. I am thinking of those in the path of Emily and prayer that they will be safe, and the Hurricane will slow down drastically before landing in Mexico/Texas boarder. Caroltine, glad you're not traveling during this nasty weather. And it sounds like you were totally energized while you were in Mexico. Isn't it a blessing, when we are doing for others, we (unknowingly) gain so much in the process. Pat, God is all around you, that's for sure. He is faithfully providing for your family. -
Inspirations and/or prayers:
Thank you for openly expressing your faith in Jesus Christ. I am also a believer and I am facing a year of full-time teaching on the 16th of this month. I will pray for you and ask you to pray for me. I am new to the discussion boards, so if I mess up, help me out. I am used to the chat rooms, but they won't let me in for some reason today. Thanks for the encouragement! -
Olive2,
Glad you found us! My heart goes out to teachers! You have so many additional duties and family situations are so complex these days! You have the opportunity to be a daily testimony of God's love. There are so many kids out there that need an adult who is a role model. We are overcome with meth labs in this area and the number of children in the welfare system has skyrocketed. I was at the Salvation Army Thrift store today to see if they had a larger desk our son could use. It was packed with families getting school clothes. I must say... I thought, "Hmm, would MY children be as eager to hunt through these racks?" I had a sense of shame that I had so much and that I really needed to be more thankful. I could shop elsewhere if I wished... but many of the other customers couldn't. I am not a "label freak" and have tried to teach our children that the only label that really counts is the one on our heart... "Jesus".
Pat -
Roxwoood,
Have you read the book yet, "Red Sea Rules"?
Caroltina -
Hello, Roxwooood, are you there?
I read a very old entry you made, saying you need to start making the habit of walking. So, have you been walking? You know, I started that section on "walking moments" and it went pretty good for a while. Lots of people commented. Then stopped. And, I haven't been being faithful at all to walk. Oh, I do a little, maybe three times a week. Just want to know how you are doing with that, as it was something you thought you should do. And any others here. I'm feeling really fat right now. Have gained about 5 pounds recently. Ugh. No excuse! I have my dog now! Actually, two of them. Rrrr. Let's encourage one another.
Caroltina -
Dear Sisters in Jesus,
I was just on the edge of my seat reading about how you look to the Lord for strength and comfort! Where can one go when life looks dark and health is going downhill? Doctors cannot cure you, money is of no help, friends have no time, but we have one who is closer than a brother to us-Jesus! Oh what a comfort we have in Him. When we call out to Him He hears us and sends us His peace. He has helped me down pills when my throat was dry as a bone and fight when I was down and out with treatment. We must keep our eyes fixed on Him and our minds on Him. Yes, He will give you a song in the night. A song when the days are dark. And one day s song that will praise Him forever
Love and prayers for you! Sandy -
Hi! I just found this thread--have been visiting this board for a few *fun-filled* weeks now.
Glad to find you! -
Hello All,
I am just checking in to catch up with you guys. I am not on the boards as much as I used to be. Are any of you involved with the Katrina evacuees? Our SS class took a collection and I volunteered to coordinate food for a family of 12 that is in Waco. Our teenagers got involved and we had 8 teens in our kitchen this afternoon making cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad, broccoli-rice casserole, rolls, and getting the brisket marinating. They really worked well and had fun, too. Some of them made cookies in another home yesterday as well. It is so good to see your kids getting involved with spreading God's love. My husband has been teaching recently that what makes God's love perfect is when we receive it and pass it around to the rest of His children.
Just to check in - I have lost a total of 30 pounds! I have been walking and continuing to work out some. I am so excited to be wearing shorts and dresses that I have not worn in YEARS! Just gave away the "fat" clothes tonight to a sister who can wear them.
How are you Rachel, Pat, Caroltina, Sandy, Inspie and the other new ones? Let's not let this thread die.
God bless your day!
Kathy -
Hi, I am a survivor!! Yippee!! It has been a challenging month. My elderly parents live with us (83 and 92). Mom has been hospitalized twice, our daughter had our first grandbaby and the office has been very busy.... plus a lot of other issues. However, God is in control and I am learning more and more to listen to His voice as I am prompted by the Holy Spirit. If only I had learned to listen sooner... anyway. Breast cancer has a way of rearranging priorities. I am doing well... all my check-ups were good and this trial has certainly given me more wisdom. I love ya'all.
Pat -
Congratulations Pat! on the new baby and being a survivor of bc, as well as the other stuff you've been slammed with! It's so hard to remember our lessons, from one time to the next. I know what you mean, it's like whew! I get it! I get it! I get it! and the light bulb goes off over our heads, and we realize we've been relearning the same lesson over and over. God sure is patient with us! Once you climb over that mountain, and see the other side, it's so beautiful, and you feel so blessed. Glad to hear from you.
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I've brought this back to the top because I'm thinking of bluekitten/Kathy. I was looking for some of her old posts from this site, I don't know why . I guess I miss reading her wisdom and faith. I am thinking of copying and saving a bunch of her old posts that meant so much to me. They will soon disappear, since we are limited to how long we can go back in time. (wish they'd fix that option, I don't care how much it would slow down my search results). If anyone else would like me to PM them a copy of Kathy's posts that I found the most touching, let me know, I'll be glad to do so. I remember not long before Kathy was found to have mets, she told me she missed my postings in the spiritual/christian thread, asked me if I had any more God stories. You know, I had some, just too busy, too lazy to post them for her. I didn't call Kathy when I should have, before she died. I regret how much I procrastinated before she died. Her life and death was not in vain, she touched so many of us, and will touch so many more.
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Sweet Rachel
have no regrets
Kathy knew
she was in your heart
and always with you in
spirit....
I would love
to have a copy of her notes
It would
be an honor to have some
of Kathys words of wisdom
and inspirational prayers
to add to my list...
I gather inspriation
and prayers
from many
sources...
Sending you
a gentle hug
along with
vibes of comfort
May your day be blessed
with all that is good
and kind
xoxo
Patti
xoxo
Patti
For Kathy/BlueKitten
My friend Carrie sent these special candles to me...They burn in memory of our sweet sister Kathy...Our sweet angel... This candle burns brightly for all of us and our future...
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Here's a PM Kathy sent me Oct. 7, 2005. You know what I take from this PM? Kathy's joy with life, and God's beautiful timing!! Kathy finished that quilt right before being diagnosed with mets. She completed her goal and entered it into a fair. It brings tears to my eyes when I re-read this. What an angel Kathy was, and continues to be in heaven.
"take some ibuprofen, you'll feel better"
From: bluekitten
Rachel,
I went to my FP for the fever thing because it happened this week. It was very frustrating because my DH was off work and we were going to work on the house. I'm getting a new kitchen and the cabinets are and needed staining and finishing. Well, I was puny and laid around and my sweetie stained the cabinets. I told the Dr. that I didn't think he would find anything wrong and I probably just came to whine. He did a CXR which was good and a sed rate, CBC, and UA. I don't have those results yet. Then he said he wanted me to take ibuprofen 3 X day for two weeks. I had to chuckle to myself because my daughter, Katie, the nurse, used to say, "That's all you ever say when I'm sick. 'Take some ibuprofen, you'll feel better.' I could be dying, and that's all you would say!"
Well she got a laugh when I told her what he said. I feel fine when I take it and we'll see what happens.
Sounds like you are WAY busy now. Do you have any more God stories? They were so encouraging.
I got the quilt finished that my mother started 50 years ago and entered it in our fair. We're going tonight and I'll see if I got a ribbon. I read the criteria VERY carefully and it did not say anything about when the quilt was started, just that it had to be finished in 2005 and quilted by the exhibitor. Anyway, that was a goal I made when I was first dx'd, and I am alive to tell it!
God bless your day!
Kathy -
Rachel,
Kathy knew your heart, at the end there was no talking to her. From the day I saw her on 12/17 till her death she went very quickly. She had Christmas with her kids, celebrated another anniversary and told her kids and her DH what she felt she needed to.
So take comfort that Kathy did the things that were so special to her! That quilt she was so proud of! She said she had closure on it. But there was no way to know how quickly Kathy would go down, and you can only blame this horrific disease for that!
Her kitchen is being finished by her family, she had already picked out everything she wanted to go in it. So they have that project together to do, which I think will help them.
Funny how her legacy was a mission. Her memorial was filled with people that knew her faith or were affected by her faith. She did not to do any activity to fulfill her mission but be her God Loving God Fearing self.
She was an angel among us, and as her friend take comfort that you knew her love and heart first hand. There is no greater gift than love!
Rest easy Rachel, He is in control! -
Thank you ladies, so much. Kathy knew I cared, that's true. Like you said Cowgirl, she went so incredibly fast! She lived fully, right til the very end. I am glad to hear they are working on the kitchen, doing it as she would have done. Her legacy will live forever, in us, her family and the "real time" friends. Thank you for your support, and kind words, they mean so much.
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I have decided to post this image here. I know that on this board we have many faiths, but this is our master!
So while we are in prayer for others let us remember who we pray through.
He is control! -
Amen and thank you Cowgirl
xoxo
Patti -
I'm so happy to have found this thread. I haven't had time to read all 7 pages of postings, but I will. I've been searching the internet for "Christian+women+breast+cancer"
I have an incredible testimony myself, but have been too emotional to write it up. I'm going to do it and do it soon.
God bless each of you -
Cowgirl,
Another big Amen!
bjalexandria, would love to hear your testimony , once you feel up to it!
Blessings to all Sharon F -
bj! So glad you found it! I have a heavy heart that this has not been more active! Bluekitten is on a lot of pages she passed away in Jan 06, but her posts are really wonderful!
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My oncotype test came back with a score of 13. Anything lower than an 18 means "low risk for recurrence." I had been praying for a 12, as was my church. (Should've prayed for a 0!!) Anyways, I thank Him for His mercy and grace.
Side note: I told DH that a 13 score (instead of the 12) was God's way of letting me know that the Lord is still in control.
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