Another Surgery, biopsy, results

I just keep trusting my Lord,

As I walk along!

I just keep trusting my Lord,

And he gives a song.

Though the storm clouds darken the skies,

Or the heavenly trail,

I just keep trusting my Lord 

As I walk along....

He's a faithful friend,

Such a faithful friend

I can count on him

To the very end!

Though the storm clouds darken the skies

Or the heavenly trail.

I just keep trusting my Lord

As I walk along!!

Yes, that is what I have done for well over a year, and I had to once again, say, "Lord, if cancer is my life then I trust in you!"  I was waiting to say anything about this last surgery because there was a concern the cancer had returned just three months after finishing chemo. Praise the Lord, though even though located two cc from the original tumor, it was a very enlarged cyst that was irritated due to radiation/chemo. On Wednesday, 9/12 I had surgery/biopsy to have the cyst removed. Then on Thursday, 9/20 I got the results back, which was benign! We are praising the Lord for that!! Just because the road looks clear and the storm clouds seem to have settled don't stop trusting in the one, the only one that can and will take care of and heal you.

I am having some issues with the lymphoedema, and maintaining range of movement in my left arm, but God has given me the strength to do the daily exercises. Even if I don't regain full movement I'm very thankful for what I have.

Friend, God has purpose and time for everything we go through. Two of children and their families as well as my parents have gone through a huge valley with Hurricane Florence, and one of my children recently with their own health issues. Though I, was very stressed over this and at times worried a lot about them and the situation. God was always there. He has answered several prayers over the last two weeks and I know that my God will answer prayers in his time, and as we need them.

Don't give up praying! Prayer works and as the Bible says, "Pray without ceasing." It doesn't mean we're to pray all day and all night, but rather we are to pray daily, several times during the day. Somethings that you can us to look for and pray more than during your devotional time, or dinner time, or before bed. Have things that remind you of people, situations etc.
For example:
--When I come across a penny I now pray for all who have been affected by a Hurricane. This includes those that have already recovered because the heartache, pain, etc is still with them. I have a friend in Louisiana who lost everything and recently mentioned how the memories, the tears had come back.   My family and all those, who just come through and is still going through clean up and rebuilding from Florence. They have now been added to that list when I come across a penny.
--My wedding rings when I'm busy and I look down (or now feel them on the necklace) I pray for my husband.
--I see a prayer bulletin or something that reminds me of my church family. I pray for them, my pastor and his family.
These are just a sample of things I use to remind to pray for different ones. Do I always do it, no because I'm human and I forget or think I'll pray later. My goal is though to never let an opportunity pass by to pray for someone.

So, no matter your trial, or valley, or situation remember we have a God that answers prayers and will answer our prayers if we only ask.

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Ridiculously Amazing

Life after _________. What do you need to put in the blank?

Hello my dear friends, I am so sorry I've not kept up but as I have completed all my treatments and radiation I'm been trying to simply get things to a "new normal". If you have battled any sickness or had any life changing things take place in your life you will understand sometimes what was can no longer be the norm.

I have asked myself and others, in a teasing manner, what is normal? Hee hee I suppose it all depends on the person, doesn't it?! Oh well, I'm now working on a "new normal" for me. Of course in the last two months I have had a son get married, and a son go off to Bible college, my husband had surgery and tomorrow is my three month check-up so there's a lot of "new normal" going on. So I thought I'd share some of what I'm doing that is being a huge help in getting Life going again.

First is, I'm working on having a menu for our evening meals. Reason being some days I still don't feel up to cooking or some days I forget to plan for an evening meal. So for the last month I have had daily menus and it's amazing how not only do I save money on groceries but I know each day exactly what I need.

EX: Monday 9/3 Hot dogs (with all fixings) I have listed anything that we as family enjoy on hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, and salad.

Tuesday 9/4 Beef Stew (Rival Crock Pot Page 32) then I list items I need to purchase on my menu

Wednesday 9/5 Chicken (Rival Crock Pot Page 20) again Items I needed to purchase I listed and bought on this past Saturday when I went shopping.

Thursday 9/6 Subs, chips, baked beans

Friday 9/7 Left overs

Saturday 9/8 Pizza, chips

Sunday 9/10 varies

This just gives anyone who may be interested in doing a menu a general idea. Yes, some of these meals is what we're actually having :) this week. Now what happens if we don't have left overs or enough to feed everyone - that is where I have a stir-fry or something I can pull out of the freezer and ta-da dinner is served. :)

The Bible teaches that everything should be done decently and in order. In order for me to do that I must plan. Then not only do I plan but I follow that plan. Sometimes I have to be flexible when other times I can follow it to the T. The goal though is to do things decently and in order.

I also have a cleaning schedule because over the last year things were neglected and things were not always done. So to get a deep cleaning in and to make sure all things are done decently and in order I have a list that I follow.  EX: Monday - Laundry and work on Kitchen; Tuesday - Bathroom scrub the floor etc. and so on and so forth. Each day of the week gives me something to focus on.

Then on top of that I have things that get done daily:
Devotions - staying in Gods word and keeping him the center of my life
Piano - I need to practice daily to learn and get to where when I play for church it's for Gods glory and I know I've put forth my best effort to be prepared.
Dishes - who wants to walk into a dirty kitchen etc.

So as you see, things I use to just do or not do I now plan. I've heard a theory used in several ways and I use it and a friend shared how she uses it with her anxiety. It's the spoon theory this helps me to keep my "new normal" going in a decent and orderly fashion. I will say, I'm very thankful I have more good days than bad now and God has without a doubt blessed us beyond measure.

So friend, you may have a hidden illness, a visible illness, a heartache, or anything but remember to stay in God's word, stay before Lord in prayer, do what you can, and to the best of your ability with the Lords help you WILL get through each day. You may not accomplish every task you set for that day, but if you put your best foot forward and if you have only 5 spoonful's of energy do what you can, so you can be what you need to be for your family.

I know there's not been a lot of scripture but really there is life after __________________ and whatever you maybe going through. (fill in the blank) If today was bad, figure out what went wrong and change it to make tomorrow Absolutely Ridiculously Amazing! :)

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Ridiculously Amazing