tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40379390651669267092024-02-06T20:07:46.141-06:00Unexpected Journey in 2011continued to presentIt's different now. I had written "I'm starting a new journey... a really unexpected one this year. It looks like the old breast cancer wants to come back in the bones! So how do I handle this?"Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-37583186405379636092015-08-22T22:10:00.000-05:002015-08-22T22:10:08.675-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am going to start a new chapter as the last posts were about my husband's and my son's unexpected journey to Heaven rather than continuation of my unexpected journey with this metastasized breast cancer. I hope to soon do a page on these last two weeks of radiation, that I hope will be an encouragement to some facing it.<br />
<br />
I will just say now that God gave me this verse in Malachi 4:2 "unto you that fear My Name will the Sun of Righteousness appear with healing in His wings."</div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-16397031979607348952014-12-11T09:30:00.002-06:002014-12-11T09:30:57.595-06:00Tears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Laying on my back<br />
In my bed<br />
"I will praise You"<br />
Is what I said.<br />
<br />
But then they came<br />
Salty tears<br />
Out from my eyes<br />
Into my ears!<br />
<br />
My heart it trusts<br />
My mind believes,<br />
But my emotions<br />
How they deceive!<br />
<br />
My heart it trusts<br />
My mind believes<br />
Now my emotions<br />
Help to relieve!<br />
<br />
Tears are healing<br />
Tears are good.;<br />
So why stop them?<br />
(As if I could!)<br />
<br />
Time they say<br />
Really will heal<br />
Not the memory,<br />
But the way I feel...<br />
<br />
Thank you, Lord<br />
For this thought,<br />
Emotions are part<br />
Of what You've wrought<br />
<br />
I wrote this poem yesterday. Time does have a way of dulling the sharp pain of loss, but emotions are the last one to know this, I think. It brings to mind the verse about our being "wonderfully made" Read Psalm 139. and verse 14 stands out, "I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well."</div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-42632220758964878702014-11-18T21:04:00.001-06:002014-11-18T21:04:38.263-06:00Thanksgiving in the midst of pain....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Okay, I find it hard to believe that it's <i>2 months</i> since my adult son went to be with our Lord. He had been diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer about 9 months previous to this...went through 3 surgeries and lots of chemo and radiation as well as a trial procedure trying to make his body fight the cancer. I've been so thankful for the way he and his wife took on this challenge of trusting God and even to be joyful in the midst of it. And I'm so proud of my two young grandsons, too!<br />
<br />
Last night, I saw a picture of him in the church he attended for the last time<i> less than 3 months ago. </i> <b>As I saw his face</b> with such a precious, calm demeanor, almost heavenly glow, <b>as he was praying</b> for families who were <i>dedicating their children to the Lord</i>, my heart almost burst...burst with sadness, and yet with gladness. How can both be there??? Tears welled up, and as I sobbed out to the Lord, I said, "Thank you, Lord, for giving such a wonderful son for the short 43 years he was here on earth. I don't know WHY he needed to leave us, but I thank You for the privilege of having him be my son." <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf0fyOmkx0PfOIsit8OwP8S069HSlT96AF0PzlbYj6t4XGg6C_z7ZsB6SUKobcNditSsrhshtoeYRBEg_MwDTgl4xNuvi9DjkDjG4oD3Cvx_G0-mXTYUGLiP9Wt7rqBxCp43zq2nrC0Jd/s1600/Joel's+last+day+in+church....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzf0fyOmkx0PfOIsit8OwP8S069HSlT96AF0PzlbYj6t4XGg6C_z7ZsB6SUKobcNditSsrhshtoeYRBEg_MwDTgl4xNuvi9DjkDjG4oD3Cvx_G0-mXTYUGLiP9Wt7rqBxCp43zq2nrC0Jd/s1600/Joel's+last+day+in+church....jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Another thing for which I am so grateful is for the woman that God brought into his life to be his wife, and who is the mother to my grandsons. I am going to copy what she wrote today as her status on her Facebook page...<br />
<div class="mtm _5pco" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
"Today
makes 2 calendar months since my soulmate, my love, my best friend has
gone to be with our Lord. Instead of being a Debbie downer like I do so
well I've decided to worship Jesus. I'm reading a book from a dear
friend called The Unquenchable Worshipper by Matt Redman and it is very
encouraging. Through this book the Lord is teaching me many things. One
of which is this; situations change for better and for worse, but
God's worth never changes. Today I choose to fill my heart with
contentment and praise. Don't get me wrong...I cry daily while my
broken heart literally physically aches but then daily I am choosing to
praise Him. How can I not with these 2 amazing boys He has given me? I
read about a young lady who was blind. When asked if she was bitter
and angry about not being able to see the blue sky or the green grass
her response was "Well the good thing about being blind is that the very
first face I will ever see will be the face of Jesus." I pray that I
have her heart of contentment and praise. So today through my heart
ache I will praise Jesus and be content with where He has placed me and
my boys. Although it is not easy I know that Jesus will be holding us
up as He has been. <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/choosejoyeventhroughthetears?source=feed_text&story_id=10152779353704694"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">ChooseJoyEvenThroughTheTears</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cancersucksbutgodisstillgood?source=feed_text&story_id=10152779353704694"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">CancerSucksButGodIsStillGood</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/happy2monthsinheavenmylove?source=feed_text&story_id=10152779353704694"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">Happy2MonthsInHeavenMyLove</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/missyoumorethanmynextbreath?source=feed_text&story_id=10152779353704694"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">MissYouMoreThanMyNextBreath" </span></a><br />
<span class="_58cm"></span><br /> I, too, am encouraged by her post, to praise God in the midst of such a loss to us down here.</div>
<span><span data-reactid=".17z"><a class="UFILikeLink accessible_elem" data-reactid=".17z.0" href="https://www.facebook.com/alice.hedlund.77/posts/10205311453526227?notif_t=like#" role="button" title="Like this"></a></span></span></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-52890419389823111932014-11-13T22:23:00.000-06:002014-11-13T23:41:35.193-06:00The Unexpected continues.....but this time, questions why<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The unexpected continues, but this time an unexpected turn is for <i>good news</i>. Well, I'm not sure that I'd say really unexpected, because I wasn't surprised when the PET scan came back this way. He said he saw <b>"no </b>convincing evidence to suggest any significant worsening in the scan." <i>My problem now is understanding why God would let me come to this good turn in my life, and yet, let my son pass on to eternity with his cancer.</i> I am almost twice his age, and have already raised my family. He has a wife and two young children. Yes, I know his was a much more aggressive type of cancer...but I and so many others were expecting God to raise him up, and heal him in this life. Yes, he is healed...but not down here...<u>and I don't know why!</u> <br />
<br />
I pray I'll use my time here on earth to bring Him joy...though even that thought seems strange, as I remember how my dear son and his wife, I'm sure, brought God much <i>more </i>joy because of their faithful trust, and their joyful acceptance of whatever the Lord brought into their lives. Joel said "and despite this crazy roller-coaster of emotions, of good news, bad news, worst case scenario, bad news, we made a choice from the get-go, that we were going to <b>choose joy</b> in this, that we were going to laugh, we were going to smile, and every time we got bad news, the thing that we say, is, 'we trust You.' We trust in the Lord and so, 2 weeks ago...when we.heard the bad news, our response is 'we trust You,' not that we are super human, but we have this deep confidence that God is doing something beautiful." (from the videohttp://vimeo.com/87591397 TeamHedlund, Feb. 25th)<br />
<br />
. But now, maybe my comparing these issues is not good either. God has a plan for each one of us, an individualized personal map that we must fit ourselves into... by listening hard and being obedient to the Lord, and asking Him for direction, and insight and His strength for each day. I confess my sin of laziness, of not loving God's Word more than I do, and of being very self-centered rather than Christ-centered. I need to "<b>choose joy</b>" in God's way in my life, even when I don't understand why He blesses <i>me</i> with renewed health, and<i> not</i> my son. Lord, may my mind and heart truly seek You first before anything else in this life. You answered Job by showing a little of Your magnificent knowledge beyond anything he could imagine, Also as Isaiah, I want to remember, as he says in Isaiah 40, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. <b>His understanding is unsearchable." </b><br />
<br />
<b> </b>God is sovereign, and sooooo much wiser than I, so when we get there, He
will show me the big picture. Just now, my little mind can't understand this at all. It is giving me another chance to grow in my faith. <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
</div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-41639181168334733112014-11-06T15:43:00.000-06:002014-11-06T16:00:07.637-06:00NOW with the ransomed in glory....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After my last blog about my husband going to be with Jesus, while <b>"I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene"</b> was being sung, I wanted to put the lyrics here. <i> That last verse, especially, brought tears of gratitude, </i>as I think of
Earl being there now, and praising Jesus for His wonderful love. While looking for the lyrics, I came across this youtube of it being sung.<b> Even Earl's favorite singer, George Beverly Shea is singing in it.</b>..with the camera on him quite often..<b> I can imagine he and Earl now harmonizing in unbelievably <i>"out of this world"</i> music for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!</b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMtCX7pTNJQ">Click here for this marvelous song...</a><br />
<br />
Listen and worship our marvelous Savior, and soon coming King!<br />
<br />
<br />
I see both text and music was written by Charles H. Gabriel...<br />
<br />
<pre>1. I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me,
a sinner, condemned, unclean.
Refrain:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful
is my Savior's love for me!
2. For me it was in the garden
he prayed: "Not my will, but thine."
He had no tears for his own griefs,
but sweat-drops of blood for mine.
(Refrain)
3. In pity angels beheld him,
and came from the world of light
to comfort him in the sorrows
he bore for my soul that night.
(Refrain)
4. He took my sins and my sorrows,
he made them his very own;
he bore the burden to Calvary,
and suffered and died alone.
(Refrain)
5. When with the ransomed in glory
his face I at last shall see,
'twill be my joy through the ages
to sing of his love for me.
(Refrain) </pre>
<pre> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMtCX7pTNJQ</pre>
<pre><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMtCX7pTNJQ">the YouTube I talked about....</a> </pre>
<pre> </pre>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UZ6d8QQksFr_Rg4YtXT8tMUm6ALI9AZEVd29IyCAGgkvgDbxUk_IUffe0OHDdRBRiaCWN0HwBDbZVK_YsQchZuNGXKZXtHy_ojdnpd5NyciCOkfUBDQIK3mcRyUPLaWOrWwtcR2cerEr/s1600/Earl+by+lake+Oct.+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UZ6d8QQksFr_Rg4YtXT8tMUm6ALI9AZEVd29IyCAGgkvgDbxUk_IUffe0OHDdRBRiaCWN0HwBDbZVK_YsQchZuNGXKZXtHy_ojdnpd5NyciCOkfUBDQIK3mcRyUPLaWOrWwtcR2cerEr/s1600/Earl+by+lake+Oct.+2013.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<pre> </pre>
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Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-19081805257820290772014-11-02T21:11:00.000-06:002014-11-03T22:04:19.371-06:00One year ago this coming Sunday....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One year ago this Sunday will forever be fixed in my mind... Who would have known that it was going to be "the day"!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYhsH-2Q0ltKkru2JwDqbyzm2ylfKXC89oa2K7ckQa-atUgISdfnBRpRluIjLMfg3YoXPjZW9OmxQolcy0m-CS7Wyj22B4Mb7yw04-nZEUmHW6LYkg4oLYG16Lq6gF3qWNyazcz96AVQp/s1600/Earl+and+i+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYhsH-2Q0ltKkru2JwDqbyzm2ylfKXC89oa2K7ckQa-atUgISdfnBRpRluIjLMfg3YoXPjZW9OmxQolcy0m-CS7Wyj22B4Mb7yw04-nZEUmHW6LYkg4oLYG16Lq6gF3qWNyazcz96AVQp/s1600/Earl+and+i+2013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We got up like normal on a Sunday morning....well, normal Sunday mornings meant that Earl would usually expectantly get out of bed before me, whereas throughout the rest of the week, I was the one to get up first. He<b><i> loved</i></b> preaching, and getting to church to fellowship with other believers. And this Sunday was no different, except in retrospect, his choosing the closing song of "God Will Take Care of You" made me wonder if he had any premonition and that he wanted me to remember that fact. It was Bro. Willie's turn to preach, but Earl led the singing, and prayer-time.<br />
<br />
The two of us came home after church to our usual Sunday "breakfast-brunch" meal of scrambled eggs, toast, etc. Then Earl reclined in his favorite chair in his "nest" with magazines and books all around his chair. He knew what was there, even though it looked a mess! His Bibles were there, and always also, his lists of people whom he prayed for, as well as the monthly prayer requests from several mission agencies. (I was so thankful my name was at the top of the prayer list...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaShpVXj4RWEb89h-riM3WhzPInfZqN2etrWSHGWWS2qEhaEG2KC9O38iK0DnXAdPbNKgOVmtWtGiucgpOkKOkLs0ppNvdw_-V47lRzo6c8LPchyphenhyphenX5yfrxnAlh5qVz-ZYhj-Oqlj8OCB2B/s1600/102_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaShpVXj4RWEb89h-riM3WhzPInfZqN2etrWSHGWWS2qEhaEG2KC9O38iK0DnXAdPbNKgOVmtWtGiucgpOkKOkLs0ppNvdw_-V47lRzo6c8LPchyphenhyphenX5yfrxnAlh5qVz-ZYhj-Oqlj8OCB2B/s1600/102_0109.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There had been a bad accident in the community with 3 young people being killed. At the Community Harvest Festival, it had been decided to have Sunday afternoon for a "Benefit Gospel Concert" to help these dear families with expenses. Earl had just gotten comfortable in his chair, so I almost didn't ask. But I reminded him of the program that afternoon and asked if he was up to going. (He was 93, and a Sunday morning service did take a lot out of him physically.) He got up, and said, "Yes, let's go." Neither he nor I knew that would be the last time he sat in that favorite chair or walk out the door!<br />
<br />
We sat in a row near the back. It was being held in the Community Center. Three sisters were singing beautifully, and both Earl and I were enjoying it as they sang, "<i>I'll Fly Away</i>". Then they began singing, "<b><i>I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene</i></b>." I was listening to them, and looking up to where they were when I felt a movement beside me, and heard this exclamation "Oh!" coming from Earl's lips, and he raised both his arms. I turned and looked at him, whispering, "What's the matter?" But as I looked into his eyes, he didn't look back into mine....his eyes were seeing something beyond me. And just as quickly, he slumped over onto me. I still can feel how the weight of his body got heavier on me. I think his spirit must have taken flight at that time...no heaviness for him!<br />
<br />
The rest is a blur in my mind, the mayor asking if she should call the ambulance and it seemed such a long time for them to come. The air ambulance came and I numbly watched as they tried to resuscitate him, and then off they flew in the helicopter.<br />
<br />
Later on, as I read the Bible reading in my scheduled "Read the Bible in a Year" for that day, I came to a verse, whcih stood out to me. It was as if the Lord was saying it to me personally. It was when the Lord was reminding Israel how they had become His, and the words, "<b>and you became mine</b>" jumped out at me. It wasn't like I had not been His before this, but it was a confirmation to me that I was His in the sense of His being my provider and leader, especially now since Earl was no longer here.<br />
<br />
I did not know how much I would need Him, because two months later, my son was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.. I've been learning to trust even though I had truly believed God would raise my son up from that bed of sickness, but He didn't. Now, please continue to pray for my two precious grandsons without their Dad, and my sweet daughter-in-law without her husband and soul-mate. Their story has brought much honor to Christ Jesus. People have committed their lives to Jesus, as they've seen these precious young people continue to trust and even be joyful in such situations as they were in. I think that's plenty for this time....thanks for reading and praying. </div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-12113769434039599742014-10-30T11:25:00.000-05:002014-10-30T11:25:32.754-05:00October 2014 update...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was wondering if I should update this, and say what has happened lately. I was going to do that yesterday, and didn't. Today, my sister and "out of the blue", said she had just gone and checked out this old blog for some reason, and I felt it was a nudge from the Lord telling me to go ahead. I don't know if I will continue this blog or begin a new one, or neither.....</div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>This past year has been one of many changes. The way the Lord took my precious husband home less than a year ago demands a full page! Then less than 2 months later, my son was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer. The blogs he and his wife wrote were truly marvelous, in their honoring Jesus Christ throughout the nine months God gave him, until he, too, was taken home to be with his Savior and Lord.</li>
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I, of course, am still going through periods of tears, but then,
wiping them away, and often begin laughing at some sweet remembrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do a good job of managing my
emotions, but I do have
peace….most of the time <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I have on my wall now</span> a
big picture of Joel, and my Earl, as they sat on the shore of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the lake here a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Ms8Qlg8gUg8fbA5wu5pliHC02tmDpbe9EuNwPjKcnSH3fKW7fgBgJBko1NESmAciYrEzzin7D-9HR2JUpRCYSo37s3iCHTMkyTW-1gXH2Gr3XJfbtBKs9uwFQEE6DwTItZsjHHA4nDe/s1600/Dad+and+Joel+on+90th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_Ms8Qlg8gUg8fbA5wu5pliHC02tmDpbe9EuNwPjKcnSH3fKW7fgBgJBko1NESmAciYrEzzin7D-9HR2JUpRCYSo37s3iCHTMkyTW-1gXH2Gr3XJfbtBKs9uwFQEE6DwTItZsjHHA4nDe/s1600/Dad+and+Joel+on+90th.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Lord gave me a great verse on the day that He took my
Earl to glory, saying in part, “And you became mine”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Earl was a wonderful provider, and loved
me deeply, (I really miss him!) yet the LORD has assured me that He will be that
“husband”, that “provider”, that “lover” to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know how much I would need Him to be
that for me in the days and months that followed. He has proved Himself over
and over to be so marvelously wonderful and true to His Word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joel’s glioblastoma brain cancer was
diagnosed less than 2 months after his dad’s homegoing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was blessed with getting to know my daughter-in-law's folks and their
wonderful care for my son and boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt honored to be with my daughter-in-law and see her and my son’s precious love,
loyalty and care for one another, even on those hardest days…and their living
up to their desire to be joyful in the Lord at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was blessed to see their care and provision
for their two boys,
and how these young grandsons are handling this great loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I cannot describe the amount of love and support from their friends in California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To God be the glory!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I am back home,
and as far as I know, I will not be “spreading my wings” for distant flights,
though many places are calling me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
do have tests to see if this over-hanging shadow of cancer has changed at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do feel well, and my strength seems
to be improving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good to be home again, and I do need to
do a major fall cleanup of my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing
the world with so many tears, terror and uncertainty in so many places, makes
me realize that I have too much “stuff” as well, and I want to be faithful in
what He provides. </div>
</div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-49870319535575829352013-07-29T11:46:00.001-05:002013-07-29T11:46:21.983-05:00...still here :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I'm still here, though the cancer has again been acting up, and I'm on a different medication, and fighting what I think may be side effects from it. But we're still thankful that God has His hand in our lives, and we praise Him that He is so good to us.<br />
<br />
If you want to see a great blog...a lady and her husband facing some of the same things we're facing, and who writes so beautifully about it, go to...<br />
<a href="http://abiblicalmarriage.com/author/shari-miller/">http://abiblicalmarriage.com/author/shari-miller/</a></div>
Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-17965295560660734032012-05-26T06:41:00.000-05:002012-05-26T06:41:41.717-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>This day...</b><br />
<br />
<br />
This day,<br /> Great or small<br /> I give it all<br /> To You, My King.<br /> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Cancer,<br />
Friend or foe,<br /> Where I go, <br /> To God, I bring<br /> All my fears.<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> But in my ears<br /> May Your Word ring<br /> <br /> Gladly now<br /> To you I bow<br /> And of <b><u>You </u></b>I'll sing.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">Poem, I put together from thoughts for my daily life. Guess I'll add to my old 2011 blog now and then.... Have a happy joy-filled Memorial Day! </span></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-74036273227078596512012-05-14T16:54:00.001-05:002012-05-14T19:01:11.614-05:00Postscript<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After hearing some of David Jeremiah's messages, I felt I should include this poem....so fitting... as a postscript to my blog from last year regarding the unexpected journey. At least the end of it is fitting. I'm not sure I ever felt so bad that "we are sure that the song has ended". But being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer does make one think about possible death... However, I remembered that my life is in God's hands, and I commit to Him the timing of everything. Have you read this poem by Helen Steiner Rice? <br />
<blockquote>
<div class="searchBox">
"A Bend In The Road"</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
When we feel we have nothing left to give</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
and we are sure that the song has ended,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
When our day seems over and the shadows fall</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
and the darkness of night has descended,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
Where can we go to find the strength</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
to valiantly keep on trying?</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Where can we find the hand that will dry</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
the tears that the heart is crying?</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
There's but one place to go and that is to God,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
and dropping all pretense and pride,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
We can pour out our problems without restraint</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
and gain strength with Him at our side.</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
And together we stand at life's crossroads</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
and view what we think is the end,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
But God has a much bigger vision,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
and He tells us it's only a bend,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
For the road goes on and is smoother,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
and the pause in the song is a rest,</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
And the part that's unsung and unfinished</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
is the sweetest and richest and best.</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0;">
So rest and relax and grow stronger -</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
let go and let God share your load.</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;">
Your work is not finished or ended -</div>
<div class="searchBox" style="margin-top: 0;">
you've just come to a bend in the road.</div>
</blockquote>
</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-34900488860726895022012-01-01T16:09:00.004-06:002012-04-25T21:40:19.847-05:00Concluding the 2011 Unexpected Journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since today is January 1, 2012, I do believe I should conclude my "Unexpected Journey in 2011".<br />
The road took me on twists and turns, on highways and byways,<br />
On airways, taxi-ways, and even bus-ways ...<br />
<br />
The highway was the twisting beautiful highway 14 to Mountain Home to see the oncologist quite often.<br />
The byways were the lovely times, we could drive to see family and friends...or shop!<br />
The airways took us to Egypt and to Israel. <br />
The best taxi-ways were in Egypt (and even Lois drove).<br />
The busways took us to Sinai.<br />
And the car-ways, were to church, exercise class, Bible studies and even to Oklahoma several times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQLbecCAQ8dj7DEs7wbwe_lfKRxNrkByUwq64JzQ_raaO286zsjPO8lYoAH60IaklMfGPAWVfSediIEzawjELqFrRGc5jKTxu2fvRXz6N7vRNR8QNR5Z_sFQQOjTUI2e1MeaGpM6zwXv_/s1600/ladies+Bible+study+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQLbecCAQ8dj7DEs7wbwe_lfKRxNrkByUwq64JzQ_raaO286zsjPO8lYoAH60IaklMfGPAWVfSediIEzawjELqFrRGc5jKTxu2fvRXz6N7vRNR8QNR5Z_sFQQOjTUI2e1MeaGpM6zwXv_/s320/ladies+Bible+study+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This year taught me that I didn't need to fear the unknown....that "When He puts forth His sheep, He goes before them." I've learned to trust and love Jesus Christ more, and appreciate more than ever the privilege of being God's child, and knowing He has plans for my life.<br />
It showed me how loving and precious were both our natural family, and the divinely supernatural family (of God).<br />
I've also learned to not be so severely independent, and to accept the mercies of these friends as gifts from God.<br />
Tests show I now am free from active cancer, And my broken foot has mended (though still weak). I've also seen <u>many other prayers answered</u> as big unexpected problems arose, but God takes care of them!<br />
<br />
The message this morning in church encouraged me to seek to have plans and visions for 2012. Now whether I start a new blog on this, I'll pray and seek God's guidance..<br />
<br />
My prayer for this year is<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="table_bible" id="table_bible"><tbody>
<tr id="Psa_19_14_497014"><td align="left" class="td_bible_verse_heading" valign="top" width="68"><span class="nowrap"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=19&v=1&t=KJV#comm/14">Psa 19:14</a></span></td>
<td><br /></td>
<td class="td_bible_text" valign="top">Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. </td><td class="td_bible_text" valign="top"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thank you to all of you who have read, or commented on my blog. God bless you! May YOU have a wonderful 2012!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecL3-VDstCouOJ5OOH_D39dNOYEruN_j3AMF8HlX_-R20qIJ_xXiiv5l6uLzzkOK77E-snZrJezmgvMjTNZLxRoUIu0Oq1FsP2T_oBpbxJjzmICCLOSaaY5IXIrPv58itbHwkh29aAKcs/s1600/SUNRISE+taken+by+Mike+Simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecL3-VDstCouOJ5OOH_D39dNOYEruN_j3AMF8HlX_-R20qIJ_xXiiv5l6uLzzkOK77E-snZrJezmgvMjTNZLxRoUIu0Oq1FsP2T_oBpbxJjzmICCLOSaaY5IXIrPv58itbHwkh29aAKcs/s320/SUNRISE+taken+by+Mike+Simpson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Photo by Mike Simpson)</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-24975277350132767772011-11-14T13:11:00.001-06:002012-04-25T21:23:31.133-05:00loving His ways...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can hardly believe it's 3 months since I last posted! I think I kind of scared myself in beginning to write personally about my "love-story". It's easier for me to write about my love story with my Savior!<br />
<br />
One reason I wasn't writing was that I was thinking that I was doing so well, that I should hardly be writing as a person with cancer! I've been rejoicing even more now as I got word that my last PET scan showed that it was disappearing, and the radiologist would almost call it a normal reading!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzVUTb-uoW-034W1hDUXP8TVFARJXFvphbGuB9XJ2KT-Tkteyauf9LMKCUOhv8NUV5rlDFlJC0jwbo8Y1TCTiLe81DIMVb0deDO1NjhQ0lTwK4peOWwaa1QYyKK2jbJ4p1lQ0Xt536RSJ/s1600/Earl+and+I+in+Maplewood+C+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzVUTb-uoW-034W1hDUXP8TVFARJXFvphbGuB9XJ2KT-Tkteyauf9LMKCUOhv8NUV5rlDFlJC0jwbo8Y1TCTiLe81DIMVb0deDO1NjhQ0lTwK4peOWwaa1QYyKK2jbJ4p1lQ0Xt536RSJ/s320/Earl+and+I+in+Maplewood+C+2011.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Then, just days before I got that great news from the oncologist, I stepped out too hard off the patio slab on to a rock. I still don't know if it was because of stepping on the rock crooked, or if a bone broke from the sudden weight, or what!! Anyway, I went down with waves of nausea hitting me, and I knew instantly that I must have fractured something! . (I've had a broken arm near my wrist, and also a broken collar bone, but this total weakness and nausea that hit me was far worse than for those!) We went to the ER as it was the weekend. The doc there on viewing the xray thought I had two fractures, and wondered about something on the big bone, and asked if I had ever broken that, as it looked like an old break that had healed. I told him I had never fractured it as far as I could remember. Anyway, he said I'd have to see an orthopedist and get it set, and then they stabilized it for me, and sent me home on crutches.<br />
<br />
I'm still wondering if God did some special miracle for me. When I went to the orthopedist on Monday, he seemed to think only the side little bone beneath the ankle was fractured, and as my sister had an ortho-boot, said that would do, for holding it securely while it healed. It didn't seem nearly as bad as the doctor in the ER seemed to indicate. THEN, when talking to my daughter in Egypt, she told me that my grand-daughter had a strange but wonderful experience while at the IHOP praise and prayer gathering with thousands of others away over there in Egypt on that Saturday when I injured myself. She was praising and praying, and suddenly bent down and touched her LEFT foot, and prayed for healing for someone (she didn't know it was her own grandmother needing it!) With the seven hour time difference, she was probably praying for me, just as I was in the ER!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm doubly thanking God for healing....both for the cancer disappearing from the PET scans, and for my foot getting well so fast. I've had this ortho-boot on for 5 weeks, and am getting along without crutches now. I teased saying that maybe I was able to be a little like Paul in <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="table_bible"><tbody>
<tr id="2Cr_12_7_1090007"><td class="vRefa"><span class="nowrap;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Cr&c=12&t=KJV#7">2Cr 12:7</a></span></td>
<td class="vDispa">And <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2532&t=KJV">2532</a></sup> lest <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3363&t=KJV">3363</a></sup> I should be exalted above measure <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5229&t=KJV">5229</a></sup> through <span class="criteria">the</span> abundance <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5236&t=KJV">5236</a></sup> of <span class="criteria">the</span> revelations <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G602&t=KJV">602</a></sup>, there was given <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1325&t=KJV">1325</a></sup> to me <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3427&t=KJV">3427</a></sup> a <span class="criteria">thorn</span> <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4647&t=KJV">4647</a></sup> <span class="criteria">in</span> <span class="criteria">the</span> <span class="criteria">flesh</span> <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4561&t=KJV">4561</a></sup>, <span class="criteria">the</span> messenger <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G32&t=KJV">32</a></sup> of Satan <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4566&t=KJV">4566</a></sup> to <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2443&t=KJV">2443</a></sup> buffet <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2852&t=KJV">2852</a></sup> me <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3165&t=KJV">3165</a></sup>, lest <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3363&t=KJV">3363</a></sup> I should be exalted above measure <sup style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5229&t=KJV">5229</a></sup>.(from www.blueletterbible.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="table_bible"><tbody>
<tr id="2Cr_12_7_1090007"><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa">as it seemed like maybe God allowed this "accident" to my foot, so that I wouldn't be too exuberant over the results of the PET scan! Anyway, I'm praising the LORD for His love, and the way He works in my life....and thankful for grandchildren who pray believingly! I'm not sure where this blog will go from here! </td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td><td class="vDispa"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-61736405103081897442011-08-14T08:47:00.000-05:002012-01-14T11:36:46.747-06:00"clouds are the dust of His feet"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div closure_uid_1zsxbu="124">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3Nx6UaF2XMdUdSghVx-CEzwwTgZ5s7FkekhfUfLzrg0kYoYXZpRVoywYEWE8Trsc4bVslWab-3WKrHjT6LupQmSVr0bSj5-JY8tWV_zVzAUPzDt0fXlNOQAMnemGreCIDP8z7Hbglnrb/s1600/sunset+by+mike+simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3Nx6UaF2XMdUdSghVx-CEzwwTgZ5s7FkekhfUfLzrg0kYoYXZpRVoywYEWE8Trsc4bVslWab-3WKrHjT6LupQmSVr0bSj5-JY8tWV_zVzAUPzDt0fXlNOQAMnemGreCIDP8z7Hbglnrb/s1600/sunset+by+mike+simpson.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
(pic by Mike Simpson) <br />
"dark chariots of bright grace"....that phrase quoted from C.H. Spurgeon in Streams of the Desert jumped out at me. Yes! These dark clouds that come to us are bringing rain...refreshing, nourishing, growth producing rain! And He controls the clouds.</div>
<div closure_uid_1zsxbu="124">
<br /></div>
<div closure_uid_1zsxbu="124">
"... The LORD has His way <br />
In the whirlwind and in the storm, <br />
And the clouds <i>are</i> the dust of His feet. " from Nahum 1:3</div>
</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-10863132605493752612011-07-15T00:46:00.000-05:002011-07-15T00:46:23.433-05:00Rambling thoughts at midnight about me and cancer...It's a little after midnight and I'm wide awake....thinking.<br />
What do you say when people ask, "How are you?"<br />
Do they mean, "how is my life going?" or "how am I feeling?" or maybe even, "how is my spiritual life?"<br />
<br />
I started this blog mostly because my family wanted to know how I am doing...maybe in all of the ways above.<br />
<br />
A year or two ago, I was interested in reading a book by a man who knew he was dying. I wanted to see if he practiced what he preached to the end...and he did. (He had a marvelous faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and loved the Word!) I gave the book away to a man whose family felt he was going to die soon, and it was before I knew this breast cancer had come back in my spine. (I wish I had kept it--I think that man is going to outlive me!) I know we all live in a dying world, and so unless the Lord comes first, we will all be at death's door one day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHRsioDabzrDcLeUnDZD7O17gLAD0Jvp1iwNuqT7D0nDQ_k5PnvC1ZUvCjJV9dxSr0qmcdL1h6cgJZb52qzmoynuqHeRFX7u0MYkTg17xGTZPRT6-vfCB7nWHSspqJ4qRWjeVBsHdgzLR/s1600/storm+painting+5-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHRsioDabzrDcLeUnDZD7O17gLAD0Jvp1iwNuqT7D0nDQ_k5PnvC1ZUvCjJV9dxSr0qmcdL1h6cgJZb52qzmoynuqHeRFX7u0MYkTg17xGTZPRT6-vfCB7nWHSspqJ4qRWjeVBsHdgzLR/s320/storm+painting+5-08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Besides being an outlet for my emotional outbursts (have I published one of those yet?), this blog for me, was to show others who might be facing cancer in their lives, or things that they can't control, that <b>God really is there</b> in our deepest hour of trial.. So far, He has done above that...in giving me <i>peace</i>, and also I know He is there for me for the future. He heals me, too, so I wonder if this blog is even something I should continue to do! The unexpected journey could include joyous affirmation of <i>His care for me </i>(which really is NOT unexpected!) so, whether in healing physically this body of mine, or giving me grace for unexpected trials yet to come, I will rest in Him. I love Romans 8! <br />
<br />
I am so blessed by love shown to me by many friends, brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, and by my family. Above even that, I have a husband, who at 90 years of age, still provides and cares for his "young" wife, and loves her! (Sometime I'll have to write about how God definitely led us to marry, even though he was 20 years my senior, and shorter than this tall one here!)<br />
<br />
Well, I'll quit rambling, and see if I can put into practice a verse I often quote to myself when laying down at night. It is from Psalm 4 and says, "I will both lay me down, and sleep, for Thou Lord only makest me to dwell in safety" (I learned it in the King James Version).Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-59895814112796028312011-07-02T12:31:00.002-05:002011-07-04T07:13:13.788-05:00"the Rising Sun"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hey, I was blessed today from Luke chapter 2. Aren't these verses marvelous? Think on each line and be blessed as I was!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6XP0UG0PrbZeWi2lY0xcVSxW4fJtBfrheTHL58X_wxWLoPyZpo3RmrDTegHLNvFl48D7fc1yj2DBcKK5kD16lm9091XPwamr2NXvsZo_sieBmQ0WRwARaQ_VWAUfcH5QiLl_g6dl-IRH/s1600/SUNRISE+taken+by+Mike+Simpson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6XP0UG0PrbZeWi2lY0xcVSxW4fJtBfrheTHL58X_wxWLoPyZpo3RmrDTegHLNvFl48D7fc1yj2DBcKK5kD16lm9091XPwamr2NXvsZo_sieBmQ0WRwARaQ_VWAUfcH5QiLl_g6dl-IRH/s1600/SUNRISE+taken+by+Mike+Simpson.jpg" /></a>"To give His people the knowledge of salvation (thank you JESUS)<br />
through the forgiveness of their sins, (Amen, how wonderful!)<br />
because of the tender mercy of our God, (All glory and thanks to Him!)<br />
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven (Our precious Rising Sun!)<br />
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death; (could having cancer be living in the shadow of death?)<br />
to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Sooooooo thankful for His provision of healing, whether immediate, or throughout my life, or final! So wonderful to have my feet guided in the path of PEACE! And to be rescued from darkness, present and eternal! Thank you, Rising Sun!<br />
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(picture by my friend Michael Johnson) <br />
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-78218839625964965582011-07-01T08:31:00.000-05:002011-07-01T08:31:35.706-05:00Gracious words are pure....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">"gracious words are pure..."<br />
<br />
Those words shined out at me when I read Proverbs 15. It made me think about purity. It also made me think of how some people stress legalism for purity, and others stress that truly knowing God's grace will keep them pure in gratitude to Him. I'm again seeing the tensions in life, and remembering dear Dr. Maxwell's famous quote, "Keep balanced!"<br />
<br />
I want my words to be pure as I post here, or on Facebook. And the thought comes from Psalm 119 about how can a young man (or woman) keep his ways pure? It's by the Word of God. Keeping in the Word. Oh, how we need to flood our mind with the Word! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoQpeJ79WDZcuxvbERbhrRTVL0jmarfTBlbJbtKp2T2_mRqoIYJRCdrsq2YgNUNvTJotOazqXfbenJyn89aJ8s07RFwWhRGpGhwnohZbYP9RRehI2Qha0ogDQIuxFpZLlfJaDcqQIB94I/s1600/LILY+IN+RAIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoQpeJ79WDZcuxvbERbhrRTVL0jmarfTBlbJbtKp2T2_mRqoIYJRCdrsq2YgNUNvTJotOazqXfbenJyn89aJ8s07RFwWhRGpGhwnohZbYP9RRehI2Qha0ogDQIuxFpZLlfJaDcqQIB94I/s320/LILY+IN+RAIN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I just read a book of a lady who went through the Holocaust. How precious the Word became to her when she didn't have it! How she yearned to have learned more, to have memorized more! <br />
<br />
May I encourage myself and you today....get in the Word every day. If you have trouble memorizing, go over it several times til at least the thoughts are in your mind. God can bring it back to your mind then when you need it. But to have the exact word of God to quote to somebody needing truth is even better.<br />
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Blessings today!<br />
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-48675827285895876632011-06-30T08:26:00.001-05:002011-06-30T08:31:36.834-05:00The Story (SpreadTruth.com)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Because of the message of "The Story", I look forward to each day, and am not afraid of the future. Today, I see my oncologist again, and have blood tests, etc., but I'm not fearful, because "I know Who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand". <br />
Just click on this... <br />
<a href="http://viewthestory.com/1000">The Story (SpreadTruth.com)</a><br />
May this STORY be shared! More and more!<br />
Have a blessed day!</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-5281750550726831912011-06-27T16:20:00.003-05:002011-06-29T10:07:25.869-05:00just having people like that...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> The vacuum is pretty heavy to pull out, and then by using it, muscles in my lower back for some reason notice it. It's not like huge pain, but it makes for a backache for several days. I first found that out with my weed-eating experience a little over a week ago. (Though I didn't feel like stopping, my daughter came and insisted on finishing the job---actually doing about ninety percent of a yard recovery act!) It was probably a good thing she did.<br />
<br />
I don't like this deterioration in my body! But friends are wonderful. They remind me that every ache or pain I have, does NOT mean that its the cancer growing! I'm thankful, too, that the Lord has a path planned for me, like my sister in her blog wrote. (www.esthersjoyinthemourning.blogspot.com for June 24th.)<br />
<br />
I guess one thing I'm learning from this unexpected journey is to let go of my pride. <br />
It's humbling to accept people doing things for you! Really, it's not so hard to let a <i>daughter</i> do it, : ) but friends???<br />
<br />
It's humbling to accept people doing things for you! But when friends come by and <b>insist</b>, it really <i>is wonderful! </i> My floors are vacuumed and even some of the bigger furniture was moved to get the dust removed where it hasn't been gotten for awhile! Thank you Lord for <i>just having people like that</i> in my life!<br />
<br />
Thankful that the Lord takes notice, too. "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12<br />
<br />
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-30894242326262330732011-06-25T12:13:00.000-05:002011-06-25T12:13:38.562-05:005 word poems... encouraging me...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A friend of mine loves making poems. She asked me to give her 5 words...a noun, an animal, a color, a verb and a "soul word" (emotion). Off the top of my head, I gave her tree-rabbit-rose-gallop and cry (this last word because at that moment we were in a waiting line of people at a viewing for a friend who died.) I thought I'd share this little poem which she blessed me with, within about 10 or 15 minutes. She named it, "Better than Food."<br />
<br />
BETTER THAN FOOD<br />
<br />
Rose-red sunset<br />
streaks through the trees<br />
as galloping horses<br />
lift high their knees;<br />
the cry of the hound<br />
makes rabbit flee...<br />
as I watch dusk settle,<br />
...supper will keep.<br />
RAV 6-23-11<br />
<br />
Another poem using her mother's 5 words "lamp-gazelle-white-gambol-love has a real depth of meaning. She named it "Loves Light"<br />
<br />
LOVES LIGHT<br />
<br />
lamp shining whitely through the gloom of night<br />
moths gamboling like gazelles in its glowing light<br />
midst heaven and earth love takes its flight<br />
surrendering to its compelling might<br />
<br />
like moths to the flame<br />
we seek out love<br />
finding its fullness<br />
in God above<br />
RAV6-23-11<br />
<br />
and truly whether cancer survivor, or cancer victor, or cancer the means to take me to heaven, I find "the fullness of love in God above" <br />
<br />
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-3763935805099473392011-06-17T16:01:00.002-05:002012-04-25T21:25:16.616-05:00My Dad had cancer, too...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg_u_0bJP3WhocpYs8hwIKntRgh3-17Q-jq-2tv6EHMw2rzP8kry5qHRhhnpjuor48ThwWmYVVhHo-9Vwfx12HiB08KV-O3giVkTvKui3B57IVXeSzMZW_BSES8dsCEcj9MhTJtoP62TF/s1600/Earl+with+Grampa+and+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg_u_0bJP3WhocpYs8hwIKntRgh3-17Q-jq-2tv6EHMw2rzP8kry5qHRhhnpjuor48ThwWmYVVhHo-9Vwfx12HiB08KV-O3giVkTvKui3B57IVXeSzMZW_BSES8dsCEcj9MhTJtoP62TF/s320/Earl+with+Grampa+and+fish.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
My dad had cancer, too.<br />
<br />
But he didn't make a big deal of it at all. I think he and Mom prayed together about the diagnosis, but either I was in my own little world or for some reason was not hearing it. Even way back then <b>the "C" word</b> was bad...probably worse than now. Dad had a portion of his bottom lip removed because of cancer... he also had some skin cancer in various spots. Mom would give his back an evening back wash and scrub, and cared lovingly for him, until her own malady (one with the same symptons of Alzheimer's but not diagnosed as that) made her the one who needed the care.<br />
<br />
On this Father's Day, I want to remember how he was an example of a Dad who would bring JOY into a home.. The <b>acrostic of J-O-Y</b> meaning Jesus first, Others next and Yourself last was truly exemplified by my Dad..<br />
<br />
<u>Jesus first..</u>... He loved God's Word, and had a lot memorized. He made sure we, as a family, had Bible reading and prayer before breakfast. He and Mom always prayed together before they settled in for the night. He had a burden for neighbors who didn't know the Lord. He started a Sunday School, and then helped get a church going where he would pastor. (How he found time to study, I don't know, but he would have his well worn Bible with him, even out in the fields, when he would take a little rest at noon with some lunch, and the warm jar of "ice" tea. that us kids would bring out to him.)<br />
<br />
<u>Others next...</u> One thing for sure was the way he cared <i>for his family</i>. He would put long hours in as he put up hay for the winter for the cows. I remember our farm in Canada had a little of everything...cows, pigs, horses, chickens, a wheat field, a barley field, (oh, those stickers on the barley!) and yes, we grew oats, too, as well as the hay field, and then there were the trees to cut and let dry out so they could saw them up for wood for the fire throughout the long Canadian winters. Then the huge garden was plowed, planted and tended...(though after the plowing, the rest was mainly Mom's job, which she found was good for kids to learn character in pulling weeds and helping with the canning!) That quarter section of land really produced!<br />
Others were the neighbors that he so willingly helped, and visited, too, despite his busy life. <br />
<br />
<u>Yourself last..</u>. Never did I see my Dad push himself forward. He was tall, quiet and loving. Just thinking of all this makes tears come to my eyes...I miss him!<br />
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<b>Thank you dear Heavenly Father, for a Dad who made learning to love a Heavenly Dad so easy!</b><br />
<br /></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-39289932941078738372011-06-12T23:34:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:38:45.698-05:00Learning from Bartimaeus today...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today we had the "little people" Nick and Lucyah Della Valle sharing their talents and love for the Lord in the gifted way God has given them. (Go to <br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL7gsV0Mw44 to get a taste of their story-telling).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IpMftvqGSuGtKTVJJrbP4L8zNRgwfSl1vw8XcEjTYDxvSQVGM59buWBZsfZsQxBDHIj3t9Rcz3DPF0cv0nEHCkY8k5cSo7PVL_sAio4ICrOj16q7NO-Zb9BVAA8J4wPRJhMAKCGHnFql/s1600/Nick+and+Lucy+2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IpMftvqGSuGtKTVJJrbP4L8zNRgwfSl1vw8XcEjTYDxvSQVGM59buWBZsfZsQxBDHIj3t9Rcz3DPF0cv0nEHCkY8k5cSo7PVL_sAio4ICrOj16q7NO-Zb9BVAA8J4wPRJhMAKCGHnFql/s320/Nick+and+Lucy+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a>As they told the story of Bartimaeus, they brought out in the end about his spiritual sight being more important than his physical sight, and how faith in the Lord even when you don't see Him, is what Jesus taught Thomas, when He told him, "Thomas, because you have seen me you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29)<br />
<br />
I think that is teaching me to continue on with life, and praising God each day, whether I see/feel things in my body that make me question whether the cancer is growing or not. Right now the only things that makes me question, are the nagging lower backache, and my often getting cramps in my legs throughout the night and particularly when I stretch in the morning. I praise the Lord that I feel normal...well, as normal as this lady can be!<br />
<br />
Thank you for those who pray for me. God is truly blessing me with His strength, peace and joy. I guess one thing I'm learning more and more, is that the future is His. I'm thankful He is there for me. Like Paul, I want to say, "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:19-21)<br />
<br />
I'll save the rest til next time... as I want to share with you some pictures of the time I enjoyed being in Israel, too. God is so good !<br />
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<br /></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-90778329702208775712011-05-29T16:19:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:26:29.676-05:00Still here....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, I'm still here, though I've been absent from this blog! <br />
Okay, it's Memorial Day weekend. I'm glad I can have memories, rather than being a memory. Specially today, there are memories of those who've given their lives for our freedom, as well as memories of loved ones--of those who are related, as well as those who became precious to me because of their input in my life. <br />
<br />
It's been over a month since I've blogged :(. Actually, I've wondered what I'm doing with this "unexpected journey" with cancer, when I've felt soooooooooo great...especially when I was in Egypt and Israel. It was like I was ten years younger. Now, sometimes, I get that nagging lower backache and wonder, 'are those spots growing?' and then, I pray and commit my life to the Lord again. But I also want to do the things that should not be left undone in case I don't have strength to do them later. I suppose we should feel that way, healthy or not--asking God what He wants of this day from/for me, as none of us knows when our last breath will be. I'm thinking of the 139 plus in Joplin, young and old. May our Lord be comforting the ones left behind.<br />
<br />
Yes, I was able to have a most wonderful month in Egypt and Israel. Regarding my health and strength, I guess the most trying time was when I thought I could hike up Mt. Sinai. Not sure yet if I chickened out too soon, or if I could have made it. It was so great having son Jon there, who walked back with me when I turned back. I then wished I would have accepted the camel rides proffered to me earlier. However, they had seen that I and others planned on walking all the way up, and had gone back with their camels. In turning back, (in retrospect) we were able to enjoy seeing more of the monastery there at St. Catherines in the daylight hours. (Later, Jon walked up with a few others who went up in the dark with flashlights, and waited for the sunrise while up there at the top.) I'll just post a few pictures from the journey that day (not in the right order though!)<br />
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<br /></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-32673421726319685762011-04-14T06:33:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:27:53.120-05:00failure.... or?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, I guess it's time for me to learn from <b>failure</b>. Yesterday, I thought I was prepared to share (with an interpreter) at a women's meeting, but it seemed to me like it<i> fell flat</i>. True, some of the ladies kindly came up afterward, and wanted to shake my hand, and some asked me to pray for them...but it seemed it all was without the power of Christ, or the preparation I really should have had. May the Lord forgive, and yet water the little bit of seed - the mixed up giving of my testimony, and especially the few verses I shared. I truly feel it was in weakness and trembling and nervousness.<br />
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But how does this fit into "Unexpected Journey in 2011"? I guess I wouldn't be here in Egypt if it wasn't that I was "pushed into it" by thinking that perhaps I wouldn't be able to enjoy making such a trip later IF this cancer continued to expand in my bones. Was this a <b>failure</b> in my belief in His touch? However, I believed God was at work in my body...there is such a wonderful array of ideas there. But God is not the author of confusion, so I'm resting again in Romans 8:28 concerning <b>God making all things work together for good</b>, because I DO love Him....<i>and I am enjoying being here!</i> He has already begun to make the "hot spots" in my PET scan disappear or get smaller in the last three months....Thank you JESUS!<br />
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He also is sooooooo wonderful to give us the desires of our hearts. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (from Psalm 37) He is granting two of those desires this month...being here in Egypt, and also getting to be in the Holy Land during Passover and Resurrection days. This is really an unexpected journey in my "Unexpected Journey in 2011"!<br />
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I don't know when the time for me is done, as far as opportunities to live for Jesus here on earth is. If for some reason, He decides my life has fulfilled the "three score and ten years", and I get to experience the joys of Heaven, then it will REALLY be an unexpected journey in 2011! <b>And the best of all!</b></div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-73786733967241108932011-04-13T05:57:00.001-05:002012-04-25T21:29:24.550-05:00Accidents? No! . . . Purposeful Happenings? Yes!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are no "accidents" to you and me when we belong to God's family. What about cancer? What about "unavoidable distresses"?<br />
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When we have become a child of God by trusting Jesus Christ's precious sacrifice for us "In His own body on the tree, He paid the penalty...to set me free" <i>(see 1 Peter 2:24)</i>...we're in the family of God. We immediately have a Father Who not only loves us dearly ...but a PERFECT Father who is able and does control the things that shape our lives.<br />
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And going on to <i>1 Pet. 2:25</i>, we see the Father is like a shepherd, who CARES for His sheep (John 10:10 "I am the Good Shepherd-the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.") He calls us by name and <b>then He leads us out.</b> vs. 3. This Shepherd is the perfect Father pic for us.<br />
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Maybe you didn't have a good father who was able to care for you. God blessed me with a daddy who was a wonderful example of a father who cared. Yet our earthly fathers are limited in how much they can control the situations around us. When we know the Omnipotent Father CARES and is in CONTROL,<b> we can enjoy life. </b>May we become more like little children "who don't have a care in the world" because they know their parents are responsible. How much more for us, <b>knowing our Father cares and is in control!</b><br />
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This leads to my favorite verses again...Romans 8:28 and 29, <i>"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren." </i> and I can't stop there <i>"Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?</i>" and who can stop there, when verse 32 says, <i>"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? </i><br />
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How can we not rejoice and be glad, knowing He is in control....or is He in control? ...and though He IS in control, He has allowed us the choice to fit into His plan for our lives by yielding control. </div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4037939065166926709.post-84202737896782982862011-04-06T21:32:00.000-05:002012-04-25T21:30:12.244-05:00on the road again...with prayers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I read this morning from Acts 12, and I noticed how Herod had John killed in verse 1. Then he had Peter arrested. In verse 5, it says..."but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." I wonder<b> if <i>the church hadn't prayed, would Peter still have been rescued?</i> </b> It seems that it was their prayer that freed God to work for Peter.<br />
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When traveling on the freeway yesterday, I was passing a big semi. Ahead of me, suddenly I saw a huge piece of truck tire in my lane. There was no time to slow down to get behind the semi, or to speed up and pass it. In that split second, I saw there was more room between the tire and the semi, then there was between it and the left edge of the pavement....and going at 65, or 70mph, I swung over close to the semi and back again, startling Earl and maybe giving him a few more grey hairs. But I thanked God for giving me the quickness of thought to see what to do, and for His angel holding my hand as I steered it so quickly. Afterward, I thought of the "prayers of the church". I wonder <b><i>if the church hadn't prayed, would we have been rescued? </i></b> Thank you for praying, church!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Makes me very thankful for those praying for me.</li>
<li>Makes me see the importance of my praying for others</li>
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</div>Alicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11186842459388415082noreply@blogger.com2