Friday, August 28, 2009

Psalm 23

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD. Ps. 23




In his classic book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller gives a striking picture of the care and gentleness of a shepherd. In verse 3 when David says, “He restores my soul,” he uses language every shepherd would understand.
Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it is very difficult for them to get up again. They flail their legs in the air, bleat, and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off, and the sheep will eventually suffocate. This is referred to as a “cast down” position.




When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up, and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.




What a picture of what God wants to do for us! When we are on our backs, flailing because of guilt, grief, or grudges, our loving Shepherd reassures us with His grace, lifts us up, and holds us until we’ve gained our spiritual equilibrium.
If you’ve been cast down for any reason, God is the only one who can help you get on your feet again. He will restore your confidence, joy, and strength. — Marvin Williams




This Shepherd of mine knows each trial, each snare,And at just the right moment my Lord will be there,On His shoulders to carry each burden for me—Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd, and always shall be.




The weak and the helpless are in the Good Shepherd’s special care

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Teal Toes!


September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Help spread awareness of this silent killer by painting your toenails teal, the ovarian cancer awareness color. When people ask you about it, spread the word!
For more information, see
www.TealToes.org.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Summer almost over......

Today i went to work to help set up for the beginning of school next Monday. Hard to believe they are going back already. I'm hoping this will be a better year and I can work straight through.
Nicole's band recently had their picnic at the end of band camp and they gave a performance for the parents. They don't have their uniforms in yet but hopefully will before their first football game.













Norm's fire company recently had a vehicle accident class.





This past Saturday the fire company also had a Hook and Ladder fest which has been well attended. I wasn't feeling well that day so i didn't help. Not sure if it was the flu or what. They had the Philadelphia Phillies Fanatic there. Tyler was motioning to his dad to come and the Fanatic came over instead and sat down next to him.









Yesterday we went to a local air show.























Norm and Nicole watching the slies. I also hung around taking photos of clouds and other things to use as backgrounds for further projects.

Tyler and Lexi collected Locust shells.










Coby and I




Happy Dog!








As soon as I can get it completed I have another video I made for our church ladies upcoming program called Eve. They played it last Thursday. I need to finish converting the slides so I can upload it to Youtube.

On Friday I go to set up for an Ovarian cancer awareness display I will have at a local church. They have a clothing giveaway and a health faire. September is Ovarian cancer awareness month.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

More images from my garden


At least the bees and butterflies are enjoying my hummingbird feeder. I even had the pleasure of one butterfly landing on my shirt.

I had made a video of my journey to the right. I am hoping You-Tube does not have an issue with it. If so I will take it back down.

Tonight I go to Worship Team practice and see if the computer will crash on me. It's been doing it lately. Makes you learn to save stuff.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Answered prayer

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6



I have been praying for something that was partially related to the after effects of my cancer and yesterday, not only did He answer that prayer, but He answered it twice. The first time I was near tears when I realized He had given me what I asked for and the second time I was in complete awe. Thank you Jesus! You knew exactly what I needed! The balm for my soul.....

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

My Butterfly Garden














I've been trying to get a hummingbird in but haven't had much luck. Recently we were surprised to see another butterfly bush growing that we thought died a couple of years ago. It's a purple one. I want to try and encourage more limbs and blooms till next year.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Some good news!

The nurse from my oncologist called me back with my CT Scan. They did not see any cancer nor did they see what may be causing my stomach cramping when I eat. That last part was good and bad news because they would mostly see if cancer was causing that which they did not see any. My doctor did tell me if there is a gall bladdar issue, he would need a totally different test for that but at least we know there is no cancer there. He is on vacation so I probably won't get his take on it till next week.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Thankful

I am thankful for all of the new cancer survivor friends I have made that have provided encouragement. It's hard to to turn to those at church because most are still going through it and I want to lift them up and not bring them down with my emotions. I have found some of you on Facebook. :)




I went for my CT scan today and that was the easiest IV I have had in a very long time. He used a vein inside my right elbow and it hurt very little and he didn't have to stick me again like they usually do. I'm not sure when I will find out results but I am praying everything is clear.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Limbo

Lately I feel like my life is in limbo. I honestly don't know what I am waiting for to happen. I think it is partially motivated by fear....and partially a feeling of being let down. You suddenly have little/no health crisis and you don't know how to deal with it. I am still dealing with the after effects. Suddenly my teeth are no longer in excellant shape. Because of the hormone meds they had me on my weight shot back up in spite of walking several miles a week which has been depressing for me. I talked to him this week and he told me to try going off the hormone. He warned me there would be hot flashes but so far I have not experienced any of those. I know my aunt told me she never had any so maybe I won't either. Another effect of this has been increased panic attacks. At least I guess that is what they are. A lot of that rises from the lack of control I feel.

I've been trying to ask God where he wants me to go from here. Do we try and assist the cancer support group at church or do we continue the call we have felt toward family ministry? I need direction and focus. I signed up for a woman's conference coming up in October. It will be nice to have a time of refreshment as well as be among a fellowship of other women. I know that is part of my feeling of let down. During my illness I felt the friendship of others as I traveled through this but suddenly I don't. And I know there are others who need help and I'm glad there are people who can serve like this. We have gone through so much in the past year between my cancer, Norm's b/p last summer and health crisis over Christmas, Nicole having syncope issues last fall, Tyler having issues with coping with the stress of health issues at home and things not being stable at school for a little while and Lexi having some learning issues probably the result with me not being able to give her the time she needed because of my own health issues. It's like being stuck in traffic congestion for a long time, dealing with other travelers and road blocks, construction, noise and suddenly you find your self by a quiet lake and you are shocked by the silence. It's hard to put it into words.

Anyway, I've been trying to spend time in the Word and journaling to try and get those feelings out and deal with them.....giving my worries to God because I know He wants to carry them for me.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

In the good old summertime....

On Saturday our family went to a local amusement park. It's a smaller park designed more for children than adults which is fine with me. I want to have fun, not have a heart condition. LOL. We had rain for about an hour around 2-3:00 but otherwise had a great time.







Yesterday I returned to my oncologist although I wonder the necessity of it. All he did was listen to my heart and lungs and touched my tummy all of three whole seconds. He is pretty confident he got it all but he did order a CT scan more for my own peace of mind. I am still awaiting the arrangements for that appointment. I am to return to him in four months.



Nicole started band camp yesterday....Two whole weeks of blissful torture......or maybe that should be two whole weeks of blistered torture. LOL! Tyler goes to middle school transition camp in two weeks and I have a inservice for work that week as well. School starts on Monday, August 31 with kids in three different schools this year. My kids will never be in the same building again.



I've been journaling a lot lately which has been helping with the emotional issues. I need to get back to where I was. My oncologist has been adjusting some post-hyst. meds so I am hoping that helps me lose the weight I put back on which I am frustrated with.