Because...

Not all storms come

to disrupt your life,

some come to

clear your path.

Sometimes God

calms the storm…

but sometimes He lets the

storm rage and

calms His child.

~ Leslie Gould

Throughout this journey, God has continued to demonstrate his great love, faithfulness, and provision for every need.

Because of a malignant tumor, with feelers, a decision was made to have a bilateral mastectomy.

Because of a 0.01mm margin of removed tissue, after the first surgery, a clear cancer diagnosis was not conclusive.

Because of an infection, even with a functioning drain tube, an additional surgery was needed to clean up the infected area and remove the expander.

Because of the needed additional surgery, the surgeon was able to extract the additional tissue needed for the biopsy.

Because of the additional two week growth of tissue, the doctor was able to cut to the dermis without any of the tissue being compromised or dying.

Because the additional tissue was retrieved, there was ample tissue to determine a clear margin.

Because I had a PICC line, the hospitalist prescribed blood thinner injections to keep the blood from clotting.

Because of too much blood I had to have an emergency procedure last Monday to remove pockets of excess blood.

Because of the choice to have a bilateral mastectomy, results from additional testing from California, and the biopsy reports, it has been determined that I will not need to have chemotherapy or radiation!

Because you are continuing to pray and share this journey, we are seeing and feeling God answer prayers in powerful and amazing ways.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

[Jesus] “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

Getting Rid of the Trash

The Vanderbilt baseball team won the national championship this year.  After sharing the victory with their fans, the Commodores moved their celebration into the locker room at the ballpark in Omaha.  With the stands almost completely empty, Vanderbilt Director of Baseball Operations Brooks Webb noticed a lone player still in the dugout.  Senior Stephen Scott, Vanderbilt’s OF/catcher, had just played in his last collegiate baseball game.  While his teammates were continuing to celebrate, Scott had remained in the dugout to clean up the trash that the players had left behind.

On Monday a teacher friend, Rhonda Munoz, took her daughter to an appointment.  On the way, they saw a huge mess in the road.  It was still there on their way home so Rhonda’s daughter took a video and sent it to her friend.  Within an hour of arriving home, Rhonda, her daughter and friend gathered trash bags and headed back to the site.  A box of copy paper was littering the roadside area.  The three began picking up the paper.  The UPS man stopped and thanked them for cleaning up the trash.  After running out of garbage bags, they had to stop and go and buy more.  Seeing the three working, a lady in a business suit stopped to help as well.  After completing the cleanup, the three were headed back to the car.  An administrator at the healthcare facility, across the street, came over and told the girls he had seen what they had accomplished and wanted to give them money for dinner.  He handed Rhonda a $100 bill.  Instead of buying dinner, the girls decided they want to use the money to do other good deeds this summer. 

On the way home Rhonda’s daughter thanked her for taking her to clean up.  She said, “I feel so good.  I really needed that.”  Rhonda responded in her note.  “The lessons learned today…listen to your kids.  They listened to you when you talked to them about doing the right thing.  They want to help others and do good things.  None of what I planned for the afternoon got done…and that is ok.  All of the laundry, dishes, and other chores were there when we finished.  I was in the billion degree Texas heat with these great kids helping them do exactly what we have tried to teach them.  I am amazed by their giving hearts and I can’t wait to see what they choose to do next.  It will be an honor to watch and help them.”

How commendable that people were willing to clean up messes that others had made.  These days, dugouts and messy roads aren’t the only places that need to be cleaned up.  In life, in order to make room for the new and what is best, we must be willing to get rid of the trash and things that make us less than we ought to be.  The New Testament writers include checklists to remind us.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4:31

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 3:21

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 2:1

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:5, 7-10

Gifts of Life

The tongue has the power of life and death,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

Ansley Roan, my cousin, posted questions she had been thinking about after hearing her pastor’s message at church.  They are worthy of repeating and pondering as well.

* What does the tone and intention of my message convey to my children?

* If someone else spoke to my kids or husband the way I speak to them, how would I feel about that?

* If the words that come out of my mouth were written into a novel, what would the story tell?

* What would change this week if I allowed Jesus to flow through me?

* Who will I speak life into today?  This week?

* Words have the power of life and of death.  Are the words I’m speaking giving life or bringing death?

May I, too, choose to be intentional about every word I speak, my tone of voice, and my message.  May every word bring pleasure and glory to God.  And may my words be a gift of encouragement and life to others.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Proverbs 10:20

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.                                                                                                                       

Proverbs 16:24

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:28

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 1:26

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

James 3:9-10.

When the Unexpected and Unlikely Bring Blessings

After Monday’s doctor’s visit I was admitted to the hospital due to an infection. My plastic surgeon has never had a patient develop an infection around or in the area where the surgery was performed when a drain is still in place and functioning.  What seems like an unfortunate event has had some unexpected blessings.

After admission, I was sent to a room in record time.  This isn’t just any room.  It is a room with a view of Tallowood Baptist Church peeking above the trees!  We have enjoyed pointing out the church to our nurses, doctors, and visitors.  Seeing the church has helped keep things in perspective and has reminded me to whom I belong. 

We found out Wednesday morning that I was going to need additional surgery either Friday or Monday and I would not be able to consider going home until the surgery was completed.  After meeting with both doctors that morning, they were able to have me as an add on and perform the surgeries on Wednesday night. 

I quickly began preparing for the surgery.  I washed my hair, and Larry had just finished blowing it dry when there was a knock on the door that the people had arrived to take me to the surgery holding area.  It was 1:50 p.m.  Talk about great timing. 

Right before surgery, an IV caused a second vein to blow.  Since there was not time to install a PICC line before I needed to go for surgery, that meant the nurses in the pre-surgery area would need to do the task.  I have tiny, rolling veins so I am not always an easy stick.  I have learned to drink lots of fluids beforehand, but that was not an option because of the preparation for surgery.  It took 2 nurses 4 sticks, and still no IV.  I asked Larry to pray before they tried again.  The nurses both agreed.  The very next stick, the IV was in place.  There was instantly a vocal, “Thank you Jesus” celebration.  Both nurses were even dancing around. 

There was a miscommunication about getting me early since the surgery did not even occur until after 7:30 p.m.  If we would have arrived later, we would have missed out on the celebration since one of the nurses left to go home after helping insert the IV. 

Last week, when the pathology report was completed, one of the cancer markers was 0.01 mm from the margin.  That is too close to determine that there is no cancer.  Because of the infection, my surgeon had an opportunity to go back in, after the expander was taken out and the area cleaned, and take out an additional layer of tissue to be sent to the pathologist for analysis. 

After surgery, Dr. Lee told Larry that these two+ weeks since the previous surgery allowed the tissue to recover so she could remove what was needed and the remaining tissue survive.  God’s perfect timing once again. 

Both surgeons are pleased with the outcome of the second surgeries.  The infection is clearing up!  This week we have seen teamwork and cooperation at its best.  All four of my doctors are in constant communication about what will be most beneficial for me.  I am most grateful.  The nurses, at shift change, brief the one following them on each of their patients so there is not a gap in care.

 Through these days, we have treasured times with our sons and family.  The boys have made sure we had what was needed, as well as gifting us with their presence and prayers.

 Your prayers, thoughts, encouraging words, gifts, and cards have been and continue to be huge blessings during these days.  I know that the calmness of spirit before surgeries and my healing progress have been greatly enhanced due to your prayers on my behalf.  Thank you, thank you!  We have also shared with the medical personnel that you are praying for them.

God continues to provide and prove Himself faithful. 

 The LORD is my strength and my

             shield;

     my heart trusts in him, and he

             helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
     and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

     With him at my right hand, I
            will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my
            tongue rejoices;
     my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me
            to the realm of the dead,
     nor will you let your faithful one
            see decay.
You make known to me the path of
            life;
     you will fill me with joy in your
          presence,
     with eternal pleasures at your
           right hand.
Psalm 16:8-11

Responding to Responsibilities

Curtis Jenkins is a bus driver for Lake Highlands Elementary School in Dallas, Texas.  According to Principal Emily Gruninger, Jenkins goes over and above what is expected of a driver and treats the children on his bus “like a family.”   Curtis responded, “These are my children.  These are my community.  I love ‘em all.” Jenkins gives responsibilities to everyone.  One is an administrative assistant to the President, some are police officers, while others hold different positions.  He teaches the children to care for each other and love and respect each other.  Throughout the year he gives gifts to the students.  Each one is handpicked specifically for the receiving child.  He once gave a T-shirt to a girl with a picture from the book she had written.  “I’m hoping this T-shirt inspires her to keep on writing books.  Jenkins gives food, backpacks, bicycles, and anything else his kids might need.  When asked about Curtis, the students rarely mention the gifts.  Their main response is, “He really cares about us and he’s really kind.”  Ethan commented, “My mom got divorced when I was only 4.  He’s the father that I always wanted.  In some ways, I wish my dad could have been like that.”

Recently, a police officer in Kingsland, Georgia, was directing traffic for a high school graduation.  He noticed one of the graduates struggling to properly tie his tie on the way to the ceremony.  Between traffic stops, he helped the young man fix his tie.

Ryan Kirkpatrick is 9 years old and lives in Napa, California.  Towards the end of the school year Ryan was concerned about the third-grade students at West Park Elementary School who couldn’t afford school lunches.  Although the district policy states that all students will receive a hot lunch, no matter what they owe, Ryan asked his mother, Kylie, to find out how much was owed.  Ryan used his allowance money to pay the $74.50 debt.  He responded, “I want them to realize people actually think about them because you’re not just bragging about stuff.  I want them to feel happy someone cares about them.”

May we too williingly respond to the opportunities we are given this week.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

James 1:22

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16