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

There's Always A Rainbow After The Storm

What storms have you faced recently? Did you look for the Rainbow afterwards?

Nahum 1:3, 7

"The LORD is slow to anger and will at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Psalms 107:28-30

"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired heaven."

In reading these verses, we see how God has full control the storm. The Lord can calm the wildest storm and make everything peaceful and quiet. How can we apply this to our lives?

When a storm hits such as financial trouble, sickness, death, etc the Lord knows how to calm your sea of turmoil. He knows what you need, who  you need, and when you need the quiet, peaceful haven. Are you putting your trust in him to do that for you?

We have recently come through the storm and days of trouble as I'm sure many of you have as well. Let me say here, if you're thinking all is good for me and I'm going to be just fine. You need to step back and first be thankful the sea is calm, but beware of the calm before the storm. I would have never in a hundred years expected to have or get cancer. However, the rough seas came and I/we had to endure the storm of uncertainty, of doctors, of over 60 appointments from January of this year to June 4th. This is not counting all the appointments from May 9, 17 to December. I had to ride the rough sea of going through surgery, and radiation, BUT There was a quiet time coming a time of peacefulness, a time where my haven was calm and the waves weren't pounding at my door.

Friend when you go through a storm remember, there's a rainbow after the storm is gone. What is that rainbow? It's a promise from God that he knows and is with us. When you come through the storm and yes while in the storm you should Praise the Lord, trust in him and continually praise and trust in Him, during after the storm.

Psalms 34:1, 3-4, 8, 17-20, 22
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.


We should always praise the Lord. I know at times we may even feel he's not with us. However, he is and when he's quiet it is during the test or the trial you maybe going through. As we go through life there will be many afflictions and many storms that knock us down, we simply need to get up, dust ourselves off, thank the Lord that we have this minute, this hour, this day, month or year, and keep on praising God for all he's done and will do.

The topic "There's always a rainbow after the storm". Can be viewed in several ways. My thoughts are simply:
1. The storms of life will come
2. How you view it is up to you
3. Look for the rainbow after you come through the storm
4. Praise the Lord for what you learn during the storm and for allowing you to see the rainbow at the end.
5. Whatever you do, DON'T let Satan win by complaining, moaning and groaning over the storm.

No matter the size of your storm, God is in control and he knows your tomorrows. The greatest part is, He's already there!!! So, "Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say Rejoice". "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path".

The joy of the Lord is my strength - through the storm, through the valley, on the side of the mountain and on the mountain top.

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Amazing

Never Forsaken

I Chronicles 28:20 "And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage and do it; fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."

The last few days have been days that I felt I have not been able to do what I said I would do, or even be where I said or wanted to be. Is this my fault not totally when one stops and considers all that has happened the last year 14 months. I know for me I am one that wants to jump right into the middle of something and go for it. Well, though I had two really good weeks I was not anticipating a low day. I have been so thrilled to be a part of services, being in church for almost three weeks straight on Sunday and Wednesday with one week adding two extra church days.

However, Life after Cancer has it limitations but we can not let it discourage us. I was going to share some out Mrs. Evans book this entry but I believe this is what I am to share for now.

As I read this verse in I Chronicles I was thinking, lately the Lord seems to direct me to the scriptures that speak of being strong and of good courage. This passage is no different in that it speaks of that, as well as, not fearing, that He will not fail me, He will not forsake me.  Recently our Pastor preached a sermon, and he said something that I had noticed in my life and even just yesterday felt. That is when you are going through something sometimes we feel the Lord is not with us. We wonder where he is, not because we are not trusting in him or because we do not think he will care for us. Rather because when one is going through something we will sometimes feel as though God is not there at that moment even though he is.

I like the saying I heard once, "The teacher is quietest during the test" That is exactly how it is when we are going through a trial, a rough time, a time of not knowing. God is with you, he will never forsake you, He wants you to be strong and of good courage. He is there, just quiet through the test.

I have to be careful not to start feeling forsaken, for the fact I am home alone a lot. Saturday and Sunday was no exception this past week, except that I was not doing well health wise. I have made it past one month and still have a month to go where I could really feel bad at times and yet I still have a long time where my energy could be really low. However I choose not to focus on what could be but go day by day. I over extended myself the last two weeks being so excited to even feel like going and doing that I physically was forced to stop. As I messaged a lady in my church this evening I realized I was starting to feel sorry for myself. As I mentioned earlier over the weekend I honestly felt people would start thinking I was not dependable. Which is not the case they know and to a point understand. The sweet part of the texting with this lady, she did not focus on what I said about not being dependable, but rather on the positive and encouraged me by saying she has been and will continue to pray for me.

Friend, what are you facing that at times you may start to wonder if God is there? What trial are you going through that you feel forsaken? Let me remind you that God will never forsake you, you have no need to fear, be strong and of good courage. So, life after cancer is rough, God carried you through it he will also carry when you need it afterwards as well.

As you go through ___________________ you add what it is.
1. God knows our tomorrows
2. God Loves you and watches over you
3. God will never leave you

As you go through ___________________ you add what it is.
1. Be strong and of good courage
2. Fear not
3. Put your trust 199% in the Lord

As you go through __________________ you add what it is.
1. Remember you are Blessed Beyond Measure
2. You Can Make Today Amazing through Prayer and Bible Reading
3. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

As I read the passage in I Chronicles I was reminded God is LOVE, God gives me courage and strength, God gives me peace not fear, God is always there even when I feel forsaken.

Now if you are not saved you may not understand this. You may say how can this be? It is really quite simple, see God gave his only begotten son for you and for me. He did this because he Loves the world! Not just the white, or the black, or the Jew or the Gentile, He loved us ALL!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Whosoever is YOU my friend. You simple need to trust in the Lord asking him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart. That is all there is to it. You can not get to heaven by being good. You get to heaven by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ! If you want the peace that he will never forsake you, you can it. Would you say this prayer, keeping in mind the prayer does not save you, but having faith that Jesus will forgive you of all your wrong doing and come into your life.

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for dieing on the cross and raising up from the grave. Now dear Lord, I ask you to forgive me of my sins, I understand I am a sinner and can not get to heaven on my own, or by my works. Please dear Jesus come into my heart and take me heaven when it is my time to go. Thank you Jesus for saving me.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Friend if you prayed this prayer and meant it, I would love to be able to rejoice with you in your salvation...  Please feel free to leave a comment.

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Amazing

Life after cancer

Good evening, well, I thought I would jump on here and just do a small update of life after cancer.

I have wanted to hit life running just like I was doing before cancer. You know though that does not happen. You have to work back into the old way of life. This past week I was so excited to go to church Sunday all day, then make Monday and Tuesday Conference at church, then Wednesday night church, and yes I did not stop there. On thursday I went up North with my husband to drop a car off, then Friday ran errands. You guessed it, things did not slow down. On Saturday we drove to Vermont for a dear friends wedding, church on Sunday and then yet again today, another wedding though closer to home. Yes, I am beat. So though there is a ton of things I could be doing, want to do, possible need to do, I am slowing down until Wednesday morning.

See, though life does not slow down for me. I will need to pick and choose. Would I have not done any of these things the past nine days, probably not because these were important things but I would have rested a little more or said no to a few things that could have waited.  The only thing different now from a month ago is I am no longer on treatments, however I still have healing, recovering, staying healthy, watching blood counts etc. I have to change some things and be smart in what I do.

Being idle is not in my blood. Sitting around doing absolutely nothing, is not part of my make up. So, I just need to be careful and schedule. I am sharing this because there maybe one out there who thinks I have gone through this journey and I am afraid of doing this or that. Friend as you go through life there are things we can say, No to. There are things that we may need to say, I would love to be a part but I have already over extended myself, or this is a day I have scheduled to do very little. I will admit this is a hard thing for me but if we depend on the Lord and let him guide us and pray about each thing we want, would like or need to do, He will guide you in making the right decisions.

The things is we depended on the Lord through the journey and just because you have made it through does not mean we no longer seek his face. God is a God of love, support, wisdom, strength not just in the valley but on the mountian top as well. We must continue to serve, and do what our Heavenly Father has for us.

So as you/I go into the next phase of the journey remember His Eye Is On The Sparrow and I know He watches Me!

Life does continue after the trial/journey it just has to be at a different pace. Do not stop living, do not stop serving just learn your limits. I will be sharing a few things from Mrs. Marlene Evans boook titled Life After Cancer in the near future. So be looking for another blog post titled Life after Cancer.

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Amazing

Doing Well

Hello on this beautiful Saturday afternoon!

Today has been a busy day with my youngest son, Jason. He and I and together (he doing more than me) cleaned up the house. Doing some much needed cleaning that had been ignored or barely touched in the last six to nine months. It feels good to be able to go and do things again and be exhausted in just a few hours. I'm still adjusting though because I still have a day here and there where the energy level isn't 100% but God through his grace has and is giving me more and more energy for each day.

To back up a little bit earlier in the month, I had my last treatment and that same week I went to our Ladies Retreat which was amazing! I'm so thankful I was able to go and enjoy the relaxation, the fun, the fellowship, the time with church family and with one of our missionary wives who was in town at the time. Since then I've been a little under the weather, as I told my hubby, I believe the brick wall that hit me was 13 months of sickness that I hadn't had during chemo, surgery and radiation. Planning to be in my place tomorrow at church and do what needs to be done. Below are a few pictures from the Ladies Retreat I mentioned.

 Several of the ladies enjoying games, and the lake we looked out across from the cabin. Dunn's camp is a beautiful place!

As the last couple of weeks have passed I've thought a lot on certain days, what had happened that date just a year ago and you know, I've found that though we didn't and in some ways don't know why things happened the way they did, whether it was a year ago, two years ago or yesterday, God is still the same. He still loves me no matter what. He took care of me before I had cancer, while I had cancer and so far since being deemed cancer free. Of course I know he will continue to care for me. See, the Lord cares for the Sparrow, if he eats, where he fly's, where he sleeps, he even sees and knows when the sparrow falls. Since God cares that much for the sparrow I know he cares even more me! His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me!

So as I continue my journey, yes this journey continues even after being told I'm cancer free. See, there are still appointments, and an out patient surgery. There are still things that most be watched and things I must be careful of BUT I have a God in heaven who's brought me this far and he'll see me through the rest of this journey caused by cancer.

If you have a journey that you are going through, don't worry and fret about it. Turn it over to the Lord, he watches over you just as he does the Sparrow. The greatest thing you can do, in your journey, is stay close to God! Read your Bible, Pray, be in church as much as you can, go out soul winning and telling others about Christ. Share the gospel with your nurses, doctors, co-workers etc. Don't let your journey get you down.

Bill and I are doing great! We serve a might King that still reigns on high. So as you go through your day, do as we do, look for something to "Make Today Amazing!" 

Blessed Beyond Measure

Make Today Amazing

Cancer Free 5/23/18

Cancer Free giving God the glory!

Proverbs 8:32-35 "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise,  and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that hearth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

You are probably wondering what do these verses have to do with being cancer free. Well, I'm going to share several things and I think you'll see how it all ties together.

See back on May 9, 2017 when I heard, "you have stage 3 possibly stage 4 breast cancer I was devasted. I didn't really ask why, I was more in shock than anything. I could only think of my husband, children, grandchildren, future daughter in laws and my son in law as well as my dear parents. What was I to tell them? How was I going to get my youngest through his Senior yr? Just thousands of thoughts.

Well, we knew the key was to stay close to God and he would carry us through our journey. As I went through each stage of me having cancer, I had different verses, songs, sayings that I would strongly lean on.

This passage wasn't one of them, but today as I was reading it really spoke to me.

So I'm going to take a few thoughts of this passage and share my thoughts with you:

Vr 32 "....Blessed are they that keep my ways."
I personally believe that because we kept faithful, we didn't give up, we continued to love the Lord, serve him and do as he tells in His word: that is why I'm now Cancer free.
It would have been easy to say nope, I'm sick, I have to many appointments and to much to worry about to not keep His ways. I continued piano lessons until I had to stop. Which I hope to pick back up really soon. Every church service I could be in I was there, even some I probably should have been home.

Vr 33 "Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not."
As you sit in church take and heed the instruction your pastor gives. As you sit in ladies meetings take heed to the instruction the speaker gives. Don't refuse it, be wise and use it.

Vr. 35 "For whoso findeth me findeth life..." if you are saved you have the life that is mentioned here. If you aren't this is something God wants you to have life in Him.
John 3:16 " For For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Wow! Everlasting life! You not only find life in Christ but you receive everlasting life. Understanding that your a sinner, that God loves you so much he gave his son for you and he wants you to have eternal life. Salvation is plus nothing an minus nothing it's simply trusting in Christ not your good works. Friend if you are reading this back in May of 1988, I settled it, nailed it down that I was saved and going to heaven. Today, June 8, 2018 you can do the same!

I am Blessed Beyond Measure all because i trusted, I kept in the way, and God in return cured me of a very aggressive cancer. I'll to the best of my ability continue to do as I've been doing.

Blessed Beyond Measure
Make Today Amazing
Cancer Free 5/23/18