Saturday, September 28, 2019

Saturday's Scribbles


Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where fall is showing off and bringing us a beautiful day.  Oh how I love fall.  I am in my living room sanctuary with the back door open just loving the sounds, smells, and sights of fall. 

It is nice to be back in the land of the living.  I am in the midst of jotting notes when I can to have a little "chemo chat" in the future as this past 5-6 days has been a test of my endurance.  The infusions went well but by Sunday I was sleeping off and on all day and waking every hour of the night.  Chemo hit me harder than the first time around and the next few days are a bit of a blur.  Times where I thought I was going to die and other times where I was thinking Heaven sounded sooo good.  I remember repeating often, " Lord have mercy".  Friday I woke thinking something feels different.  This morning I was strong enough to shower.  It took all my energy, but I did it!  I felt my brain could put a few words together so I picked up my laptop to do a little scribbling.

Our granddaughter Grace celebrated a birthday this week, along with our sister-in-law Betty.  Joel's brother has a birthday coming up and our oldest daughter Beth and son-in-law Kevin will soon celebrate their 25th Anniversary.  When I think about that beautiful fall day in Duluth, MN it makes me smile.  It was such a great celebration with family and friends.  I can still remember the two of us walking Beth down the aisle into the arms of a man who has loved her well.  So grateful.

Grateful.  So what are you grateful for this day?  I am grateful for a phone call, a bowl of cereal, a TV to get lost in, the sounds outside the door, a hubby who walks with me, the prayers of friends and family,  animal videos, silence, the laughter of children, and so much more.  Enjoy your Saturday.  Practice intentional gratitude. 




Thursday, September 19, 2019

I Love To Hear The Stories!





A couple of weeks ago I closed my eyes and quietly waited for God to show me anything He wished me to see.  I then saw myself sitting on a hillside looking down over bay and could see small boats and sailboats in the water.  On my left Jesus sat next to me and I linked arms with Him.  On my right was Holy Spirit, a swirl of colorful energy spinning around.  I felt heat against my leg and foot and when I looked the Lion of Judah was leaning against me.  I asked where God was and heard Him say, "I'm behind you.  I've got your back."

This was all I saw but it gave me great comfort.  Surrounded by the Trinity, protected as I move forward in this season of my life.  I liked knowing that Jesus, the Lamb is also the Lion.  He sacrificed His life for me, for us.  He also fights for us as the mighty Lion of Judah.  It was a good reminder for me.

Recently I reread the story of a couple who experienced an angel coming to the husband's need as he went through a terrible ordeal when a freak accident resulted in him being medivaced to Mayo Clinic.  Several people saw this guardian angel in men's clothing with unusual happenings affirming that it was an angel!  Such a beautiful story of how God shows up for His children.  Stories, or testimonies shared give God praise, but they also build up our faith. We realize how much God loves us and remember His goodness. 

When Joel was 16 years old he was outside one morning and looked up in the sky.  There he saw three crosses.  His thought was, "That is someone's cross..."  It was just a few days later that his dad died suddenly and unexpectedly.  He believes God spoke to him that morning with a visual of three crosses in the sky.  This event profoundly shaped Joel's faith.

My friend Linny Saunders and her hubby Dwight have so many stories to share of God's faithfulness that she even wrote a book called "The Memorial Box".  They have an actual large curio type box where they keep visual reminders of stories where God intervened in their lives.  With 14 children, and 9 still at home, they have many stories to share.  She keeps a memorial box because of what it says in the book of Joshua where God's instructions were that Joshua build a memorial so when future generations look at it and ask what it is for, they will hear the many stories of God's faithfulness as they ventured into the promised land.  We all have those stories to share too!

A few years ago when Joel was interim at a small church in a small Iowa town, he asked if people would share their "Faith stories"with the rest of the congregation.  They were willing to take 5 minutes during Sunday morning services to share and listen to how God has shown up for His children.  It was wonderful!  So many had great testimonies of how God intervened, spoke, or showed up in the lives of His children.  Those stories we heard benefited and blessed us all!

It is good to hear how God works in the lives of His children and it is good for us to look back and remember how He has blessed us during different seasons of our lives.  He is a good good Father. Someone today may need to hear your faith story.  We all have them.  I love to hear the stories~  I am sure you do too!

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Bowl Full Of Prayers


I received a beautiful "prayer bowl" this past week in the mail.  What a delightful surprise! (Thank you Janelle)  One of my favorite verses is written on the outside and inside is a colorful bird.  A packet of cards came with the bowl where you can write the names of who you are praying for.  You place them in the bowl as a reminder to pray.  There is a verse in scripture that says our tears are collected in God's bottle or a bowl?  ...........and our prayers are too, I expect.

Recently I heard Kris Vallotton say we need to remember to  P.U.S.H in our prayers.  Pray Until Something Happens!  You may have prayed the same prayer over and over....for healing, for restoration in relationships, for finances.  So what do we do when you pray and nothing seems to change?  We keep praying.  We pray and we give thanks believing something will happen.  In the Bible it is called "fervent prayer".

On the large sofa table in front of where I rest is a plaque that says "You Got This" that was given to me by our oldest daughter.  Now on the other side of this table is the prayer bowl with this scripture...

"He will cover you with His feathers,
 and under His wings you will find refuge."  
Psalm 91:4

Both are reminders from God.  Whether we speak to the mountain, rebuke the enemy, use a prayer language from Holy, ask and seek, or give thanks for what is coming, a close relationship with God is the gift given to us when we pray.  And certainly it is not just about us, as there are so many in need of our prayers.  I am sure, like you,  I can easily fill up the prayer bowl.  Lord hear our prayers this day, and let us never forget............

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Saturday's Scribbles



Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where fall continues to make itself known.  I love fall, so I am taking in all the colors, sounds, and smells.  The other day we were sitting on the porch watching a squirrel try to maneuver an ear of corn from the neighbor's yard, across the street into our yard.  He tried carrying it in his mouth, but kept dropping it.  He actually pushed it with his nose rolling it on the street, before picking up one end and dragging it the rest of the way.  Determination.

Speaking of determination, I am mustering up what I can here, determined to walk through chemo to the other side.  Energy is sparse, nerve pain and tinnitus talking, and this week my hair started to fall out.  It was coming out in handfuls yesterday so I decided today was the day.  I cut off as much as I could, Joel took over and cut as much as he could, and then he shaved my head.  We have been through this long journey together and he wanted to be part of this too.  It was a bit shocking to look in the mirror, and emotional for both of us,  but it only made me more determined to ride this storm out.  I am blessed to have a good, loving soulmate to walk with me.

Speaking of blessings, we have enjoyed visiting with our friends, who came back to visit the place they lived for 30 years.  They have been willing to accommodate my need for "short" visits and we have been delighted to catch up on their new adventures. 

Another blessing ~ smart phones!  It has been such a blessing to have pics of the grands as they start their sports, get their awards, begin school.  Just doing life, and we are missing out on so much of it.  With smart phones photos are sent so quickly and we can keep up to date on what is going on.  I think my mom would have loved this!  I used to send her tons of pictures over the years, and she would come for a two week visit every year, but instant pics would have been a blessing! 

Hope you are experiencing your own blessings in life and treasuring each and every one.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Sprinkle Kindness


When I look out on the back deck I see a display of fall flowers.  Two different people, members of one of the churches where Joel is Interim, have given us mum plants.  One is covered in buds not yet blooming, the other is covered in a mass of bright yellow and gold flowers.  They sit next to a very large flower container we purchased in June that is still showing off it's beauty.  Every time I get up to head to the kitchen or bathroom, when I come back to my sanctuary my vision is brightened by color.  A good reminder of not only nature at it's best, but of the kindness of others.



I have not been able to go with Joel to church since last November.  I have missed out on getting to know the people in the two churches where Joel is an Interim.  They have been nothing but kind and caring in praying for their pastor and his wife.  This past Sunday someone sent home food for Joel that lasted for 3 meals. What a blessing!  We so appreciate their prayers, cards, food, and the mum plants!

Kindness.  It goes such a long way in this world.

I ended up at the dermatologist's office Monday due to severe reactions on my chest that were not healing with what I had been told to use.  Our Dr. whom we love, and his staff worked me in and he was able to diagnose the issues quickly....two separate ones.  An ointment is already healing up a chest wall full of nasty stuff.  What Joel and I like about this doctor, is not only his expertise, but the kindness and compassion that he and the staff show his patients.

Kindness.  It goes a long way in this world.

Kindness makes us better people.  It opens our hearts to not only give, but to receive.  We have dear friends who are full time RV'ers in their retirement.  They also have a ministry to serve God where He guides and directs them.  Whether they are laying flooring, feeding the homeless, or working in shelters they are giving out of the kindness of their hearts and in obedience to God.  They combine their love for traveling and camping with their love for serving,  and the world is a better place for it.

Kindness.  It goes a long way in this world.

                                 Jesus was a good example for all of us to follow.  In Ephesians 4 we read.........

 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, 
forgiving one another as God in Christ forgives you."


Kindness.  It goes a long way in this world.








Saturday, September 7, 2019

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning here from our corner of Iowa where September has brought with it some beautiful weather.  I love listening to the trees rustle with drying leaves, and I have heard geese flying overhead more than once from my place on the sofa.  We had a small field just down the block which has provided for them yearly.  Sadly, change has come, new houses are being built and the farmer no longer comes to remind us of Joel's childhood.  It is called progress?

Speaking of progress, we have been marching through the first week of chemo.  Okay, not marching, more like managing and navigating through what is  indescribable  and unpredictable.   Last Friday I was given IV steroids and anti-nausea meds first and then a slow drip chemo drug to see what would present itself.  They did stop and flush the line once, but after things settled a bit and my blood pressure went down some we started again.  The second chemo caused heart palpitations which lasted off and on for three days.  BUT we got through, and were sent home,  I was given a computerized patch just like on TV commercials of Nulasta which injected a drug in me Saturday afternoon to go into bone marrow and help make white blood cells.  ( I think) Sunday afternoon and for 3-4 days the bone pain was intense,  I finally called the clinic and was told to take Claritin!  For some reason it helps.  I took it,  It is helping especially for night sleep.   I just need to keep remembering that help is available to minimize the symptoms.  I am not so good at asking for help in the medical world.  Some of mine have been eye migraine and visual light shows at night when trying to sleep (weird) nerve and bone pain, exhaustion, nightmares, visual and texture issues with food, some thinning of hair, brain fog. dizziness and balance issues, etc. etc etc.

Saturday I woke up to major rash on chest around port and neck incision.  It got worse and worse covering my left side of chest and neck with red welt like reactions.  Then Oral thrush appeared and rash on rt side so a visit to the doctor has me loaded up on steroid creams and anti fungal stuff.  I am calling my dermatologist Monday as no one knows for sure what this is.  It is a bit better now.  Phew.
Thursday's visit brought with it news that my white count is very low.  So I am to check temp. several times a day and head to ER if a fever arises (over 105.5)  Friday I woke up strong enough to shower and visit with our dear friends who are full time RV'ers.  After too short a visit Joel went with them out to eat.  Laughing with old friends was just what I needed....we both needed.  It is good medicine.

What we were told to look for such as nausea and vomiting has not happened..  Food textures keep me from eating much, but I get down what I can,, unfortunately having to stop eating my favorite food right now ~ watermelon, so as to not feed the yeast.  The yeast was a surprise...... so was the reactions on skin.   But remember, my body often does things it's own way,  I could go on, but seriously, enough said.

Chemo is not for the faint of heart and my heart goes out to all of you in the midst of it.  My sister Jo told me to remember what her oncologist told her over two decades ago.  The way the chemo goes after your white cells is also the way it is going after cancer cells!  Again thank you for your prayers.  A true blessing.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I found myself saying,  next year it will be better......next year.  But what about this year?  I am trying to grab hold of the small moments of fall I can enjoy now in the midst of this journey.  The sound of geese, rustling leaves, kids getting off the school bus, squirrels running across the roof.  I found a place on Facebook that shares nature in the northern Midwest, especially WI and I have enjoyed looking at fall flowers and even some trees turning color in the photos they post.

I love fall.  That has not changed.  I plan to embrace it, even if it is mostly from my sofa.  Welcome September!  Bring your beauty to our world!  We are ready for it.  I have only one request.....could you last a little longer?