For everything there is a season, a time for every activity on this earth...
...a time to speak....
A year ago I was asked to do a workshop at WILD (Womens Institute for Leadership Development
in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. How could I resist? The sun! The sand! The
pounding surf! The salty air! The beach is one of my favorite places. I
said, "Yes! Sign me up!" The conference dates (October 16-18, 2009) have
been circled on my calendar for months now.
One of the first persons I told about this trip was my BFF,
Dee. I invited her to join me. We have been friends for 20+ years now
& while we have done just about everything together (including big
family vacations) we have never taken an entire weekend
just.for.the.2.of.us. We have been so excited to spend this time
together. In fact, we are flying down a day early, just to relax, hang
out & have fun.
...a time to grieve ...
Two weeks ago Dee was diagnosed with Grade 3 Endometrial
Cancer. This diagnosis has left us reeling. We are in shock, frightened
& trying to process what this means. She is scheduled for a
hysterectomy on November 3. The madness of all this is that she has
never had children and wants nothing more than to be a mother. To say
that I have cried a thousand tears could not possibly come close. And
she has cried thousands more. I have lived in a state of constant prayer
since she called me two weeks ago.
...a time to cry & a time to laugh...
I
cannot help but feel that the timing of this trip has been orchestrated
by God. I am hoping that our time together is peaceful, restful and
that in the midst of our sadness, we will experience pockets of great
joy. Some of my best memories in life have been spent with Dee. I am
anticipating moments of deep laughter. In fact, the last road trip we
took together, I laughed so much that I completely & totally lost my
voice.
...a time to build up....
I
am praying that throughout the weekend & the WILD worship services
God will use this time to strengthen Dee's heart. That He will bless her
socks off, giving her all that she needs in the days ahead. Having you
join your prayers with mine would be most welcomed.
EDITED TO ADD POSTSCRIPT, Tuesday 10/13/09 11:05 AM
....A TIME TO REJOICE!!......
Dee just called me. The Doctor she went to at OSU for a 2nd opinion
just called her. The pathologist at OSU diagnosed her cancer as GRADE
ONE. To say we are rejoicing is the understatement of the year. God is
so amazingly good. Her treatment will be much different (she'll have
an MRI & be treated with medication, not a hysterectomy!!) We are
so excited! So thankful! Much praise & rejoicing today!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Let the river flow
Last spring, my friend D.H. spoke with the Poppa about being baptized.
It was her dream to be baptized in the Cranberry River. A place where
she found much soul comfort & peace. It was where her family camped
every summer and she loved being there. We tentatively made plans to
join them on a camping trip and incorporate the baptism as part of our
time together. However, summertime came & D. was not feeling well at
all. She just couldn't shake her symptoms & as a breast cancer
survivor, her doctors ordered several tests. The camping trip never
materialized, although she spoke often of being baptized in this certain
spot in the Cranberry River.
Early September, it was determined that the cancer was back. This time she was given a timeline. She bravely faced treatment with boldness. She was a fighter; her husband & two teenage children were in the battle with her. It was fierce. It was terrible. And it was heartbreaking.
In December, while Hospice plans were being made. Her husband tearfully asked Chris to baptize her. John remembered her dreams of being baptized in the Cranberry River and his voice cracked with emotion when he realized this was one of many dreams they had dreamed together that were not going to come true.
My amazing brother-in-law and sister-in-law made arrangements/drove the 2 hour drive to pick up a gallon jug filled with water from the Cranberry River. (I am in awe of their selfless spirits to do this. They truly gave over & beyond of themselves.)
I was in the hospital, standing on one side of her bed, her sweet husband on the other, when Chris opened the jug of water and lovingly sprinkled her forehead with the Cranberry River. It was a holy moment as he whispered, "In the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, I baptize you."
Her breathing was labored, her smile weak.
Just a few days later she woke up in the arms of Jesus.
~~~~~~~
Two weeks ago, her two teenage children stood before our church family & declared themselves followers of Christ. They gave testimony to their desire to follow Him. As part of this testimony, they wanted to share in believers baptism. And so, my husband brought them before our baptistry pool to signify their commitment.
But before they stepped into the pool, water from the same jug of Cranberry River water used in their mom's hospital room was mixed in.
And I cannot tell you how completely moving it was to hear the same words spoken over them, "In the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, I baptize you."
I was undone.
It all seem to swirl together, this life and the next. Life everlasting.
Joining with the church universal by giving witness to their new life in Christ by being washed in the water. The same water which also gave witness to their mother's commitment of following Jesus.
I witnessed their baptism while my arms were wrapped around my 4 year old son. And I prayed that just like my friend before me, my children would find relationship with the God I know & love. That this life will be joined by the next. Life everlasting.
Early September, it was determined that the cancer was back. This time she was given a timeline. She bravely faced treatment with boldness. She was a fighter; her husband & two teenage children were in the battle with her. It was fierce. It was terrible. And it was heartbreaking.
In December, while Hospice plans were being made. Her husband tearfully asked Chris to baptize her. John remembered her dreams of being baptized in the Cranberry River and his voice cracked with emotion when he realized this was one of many dreams they had dreamed together that were not going to come true.
My amazing brother-in-law and sister-in-law made arrangements/drove the 2 hour drive to pick up a gallon jug filled with water from the Cranberry River. (I am in awe of their selfless spirits to do this. They truly gave over & beyond of themselves.)
I was in the hospital, standing on one side of her bed, her sweet husband on the other, when Chris opened the jug of water and lovingly sprinkled her forehead with the Cranberry River. It was a holy moment as he whispered, "In the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, I baptize you."
Her breathing was labored, her smile weak.
Just a few days later she woke up in the arms of Jesus.
~~~~~~~
Two weeks ago, her two teenage children stood before our church family & declared themselves followers of Christ. They gave testimony to their desire to follow Him. As part of this testimony, they wanted to share in believers baptism. And so, my husband brought them before our baptistry pool to signify their commitment.
But before they stepped into the pool, water from the same jug of Cranberry River water used in their mom's hospital room was mixed in.
And I cannot tell you how completely moving it was to hear the same words spoken over them, "In the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, I baptize you."
I was undone.
It all seem to swirl together, this life and the next. Life everlasting.
Joining with the church universal by giving witness to their new life in Christ by being washed in the water. The same water which also gave witness to their mother's commitment of following Jesus.
I witnessed their baptism while my arms were wrapped around my 4 year old son. And I prayed that just like my friend before me, my children would find relationship with the God I know & love. That this life will be joined by the next. Life everlasting.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Boundaries. I haz them.
Boundaries. I haz them.
Because I respect & care for the people in my life very much, I am making this post as general as possible. When the time comes for me to share more about the situations, I will do so.
Two people whom I love with every part of who I am are experiencing serious medical issues.
Just writing that sentence is making me cry.
I've cried alot the past few days.
I feel like I am entering another season of my life in which I will be wrestling with God to understand the solid truth of "it rains on the just & the unjust." It's a slipperly slope, trying to figure out the question, "Why does God allow certain things to happen?" If you haven't asked it before, I don't know how honest you are being with your faith.
I am not afraid to ask God questions, after all, I believe He has the answers.
The past three nights, rest has eluded me. Much tossing & turning.
Thinking. Praying. Worrying. Stressing.
This morning, I found comfort & peace in the promises of Isaiah 41:10:
Because I respect & care for the people in my life very much, I am making this post as general as possible. When the time comes for me to share more about the situations, I will do so.
Two people whom I love with every part of who I am are experiencing serious medical issues.
Just writing that sentence is making me cry.
I've cried alot the past few days.
I feel like I am entering another season of my life in which I will be wrestling with God to understand the solid truth of "it rains on the just & the unjust." It's a slipperly slope, trying to figure out the question, "Why does God allow certain things to happen?" If you haven't asked it before, I don't know how honest you are being with your faith.
I am not afraid to ask God questions, after all, I believe He has the answers.
The past three nights, rest has eluded me. Much tossing & turning.
Thinking. Praying. Worrying. Stressing.
This morning, I found comfort & peace in the promises of Isaiah 41:10:
Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you & help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
And then I held as tight as I could to that hand all day long.
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