Last Friday, I made the trek to my oncologist's office. As usual, I had to stop at the lab to get blood drawn. Before going, I prayed, prayed, prayed. Did not want anymore drama in the lab. To my surprise, the woman who had hurt my arm called my name. I could have fought her, but I felt like I should just go with her. I did.
I had made some White Christmas snack mix to give to the techs in the lab. I appreciate all that they do. I see them so often that I did want to show my appreciation to them-despite the hurtful incident mentioned above. This is the time of year that I try to thank all the hospital personnel that I see on a regular basis.
As the woman took me to the lab room, I gave her the snack mix for the techs. I also told her how much I appreciate them. She was really happy and took it to the back. She thanked me for thinking of them. In the end, she gave me a hug as I left the small lab room.
I had prayed that God would go ahead and prepare the way for me. He did. He took care of the situation. All that tension is now gone. I felt closure.
After the lab, I made the trek to Dr. K's office. I was checked in and escorted to one of the exam rooms. I kept praying as I waited for Dr. K to arrive with the CT results which would determine whether I would continue with the Xeloda or go back to hormone drugs.
When Dr. K came in, we talked about our children and our Christmas breaks. We talked for quite a while, and then, her facial expression changed. She told me that the CT results did not turn out as she had hoped. The spots on my liver had grown a bit and new spots had appeared. She told me that she would have to switch me to intravenous chemotherapy-what I had hoped we would never get to.
This Friday, I am scheduled to start my chemo. 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
We All Have a Story To Tell
After we came back from our mission trip to Panama (last August), our team took some time to share our experiences to the church. To be honest with you, I don't like speaking in front of adults. Yes, I am a former teacher. Yes, I had no problems speaking in front of students. But, something about speaking in front of adults, freaked me out. There have been times when I had felt like crying, gotten wobbly legs and shaky hands, didn't want to make eye contact, and had wanted to run away. Call me weird. My comfort was that other teachers felt the same way.
Last August, I was able to share something that I felt God had put strongly on my heart: we all have a story to tell.
We all have a story. We have all been through similar or different life experiences. We all have been through some type of trial or hardship. We all have experienced some type of deep joy or deep sorrow. Many of us have hit rock bottom.
A lot of people choose to keep their story bottled up inside. They don't want others to look at them differently. They don't want others to ask them questions. They don't want others to talk about them. They choose to keep quiet. Guarded. Alone in their pain.
Others choose to tell their story. It is about their life. Their experiences. Their trauma. It can make people feel happy for them, or it can make people feel sorry for them. It can make people go crazy - you know what I'm talking about. In the end, it is just another story. Another story of another person's experiences. A story that will soon be filed with all the other stories.
But...
When we tell our story and intertwine Jesus into it: there is power. Power to change lives. Power to give freedom. Power to bring peace where there was only turmoil.
Why?
Because of Jesus. He brings life into situations that seemed beyond repair. He brings hope into situations that were deemed hopeless. He can turn all of your worst experiences into something that brings glory to His name. He can turn the worst situation into one that is overflowing with grace. I can testify to that!
So don't be afraid to share your story with others. Just remember to add Jesus. He is there.
Last August, I was able to share something that I felt God had put strongly on my heart: we all have a story to tell.
We all have a story. We have all been through similar or different life experiences. We all have been through some type of trial or hardship. We all have experienced some type of deep joy or deep sorrow. Many of us have hit rock bottom.
A lot of people choose to keep their story bottled up inside. They don't want others to look at them differently. They don't want others to ask them questions. They don't want others to talk about them. They choose to keep quiet. Guarded. Alone in their pain.
Others choose to tell their story. It is about their life. Their experiences. Their trauma. It can make people feel happy for them, or it can make people feel sorry for them. It can make people go crazy - you know what I'm talking about. In the end, it is just another story. Another story of another person's experiences. A story that will soon be filed with all the other stories.
But...
When we tell our story and intertwine Jesus into it: there is power. Power to change lives. Power to give freedom. Power to bring peace where there was only turmoil.
Why?
Because of Jesus. He brings life into situations that seemed beyond repair. He brings hope into situations that were deemed hopeless. He can turn all of your worst experiences into something that brings glory to His name. He can turn the worst situation into one that is overflowing with grace. I can testify to that!
So don't be afraid to share your story with others. Just remember to add Jesus. He is there.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Reading Through the Bible in 2014
I can't believe how quickly 2013 passed! It was a year of such blessing, chemo, and jubilee!
From Hawaii to home to Panama to home to LA and back home! It was quite a year of travel for me! In spite of the craziness of schedule, travel, and chemo, God helped me to go through the Bible again. I had a few setbacks, but He helped me to keep pressing forward in the commitment I had made to read through the Bible each year. After all, if I'm not reading it, how can I recommend that someone else read it?
In 2013, I made a checklist of all the books of the Bible. After I read each book, I would check it off. I did this because it fit our busy YWAM DTS schedule and all the reading we had to do for our lectures. This worked for our schedule there, but I realized that I missed writing down notes as I read.
Last year, I also had to listen to the Bible, part of the time, because my eyes were hurting from the chemo. They felt very strained and tired. They still do. The chemo side effects always manifested itself in my eyes first. Anyways, there are some awesome Bible apps that allow you to read and listen to the Bible.
This year, I got an ESV (English Standard Version) Bible and will read through this translation. I enjoy reading the rich wording in different translations. I also plan to write my notes/thoughts in a journal. I am finally using the Winnie-the-Pooh journal I had gotten in Korea many years ago!
So here I am encouraging all of you to read/study through the Bible again in 2014. I wrote the ABCs of reading through the Bible in 2012, but I am posting it again. If you need a Bible reading plan, email me, and I will send you the one I am using - it goes through the Bible chronologically.
Reading through the Bible...
From Hawaii to home to Panama to home to LA and back home! It was quite a year of travel for me! In spite of the craziness of schedule, travel, and chemo, God helped me to go through the Bible again. I had a few setbacks, but He helped me to keep pressing forward in the commitment I had made to read through the Bible each year. After all, if I'm not reading it, how can I recommend that someone else read it?
In 2013, I made a checklist of all the books of the Bible. After I read each book, I would check it off. I did this because it fit our busy YWAM DTS schedule and all the reading we had to do for our lectures. This worked for our schedule there, but I realized that I missed writing down notes as I read.
Last year, I also had to listen to the Bible, part of the time, because my eyes were hurting from the chemo. They felt very strained and tired. They still do. The chemo side effects always manifested itself in my eyes first. Anyways, there are some awesome Bible apps that allow you to read and listen to the Bible.
This year, I got an ESV (English Standard Version) Bible and will read through this translation. I enjoy reading the rich wording in different translations. I also plan to write my notes/thoughts in a journal. I am finally using the Winnie-the-Pooh journal I had gotten in Korea many years ago!
So here I am encouraging all of you to read/study through the Bible again in 2014. I wrote the ABCs of reading through the Bible in 2012, but I am posting it again. If you need a Bible reading plan, email me, and I will send you the one I am using - it goes through the Bible chronologically.
- alleviates our everyday worries
- balances our imperfections
- carries us when we feel no hope
- develops our character
- explains how we are to live
- flowers beauty in our lives
- gives us a picture of God's heart
- heals our inmost being
- invites us to a great adventure
- janitors our not-so-clean lives
- kicks us when we need it
- lowers our heads at His throne
- moves us to action
- navigates us through the storms
- opens our arms to others
- pierces the numbness in our hearts
- quantifies His character
- reminds us that we're not home yet
- showers us with courage and strength
- teaches us to love
- unites our heart to His
- verifies Jesus' claims
- watches over us
- x-rays our hearts
- yields an abundant harvest
- zippers us in His love
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