Tomorrow is my cancerversary. January 27th. One year ago was my diagnosis date. In some ways it feels like 10 years ago. We've come through a long year. God has been with us every day of it. I thank many of you for coming along side us and physically helping us, and many around the world continually praying. I have mixed emotions about this anniversary. On one hand it brings up everything again. On the other hand I am a completely different person than I was a year ago. I'm not talking about my haircut either. God changed my way of thinking about the world and my place in it. I am excited to see how He uses my experience to show others His love, grace and mercy. I am excited to show others what He's done. I'm honored to be able to be used by Him. So, 2018 we shall see what God has in store.
What I Know God is good I see my surgeon on March 15th for my follow-up. I will have images taken again and then see my oncologist after picture day. I've signed up for an 8 mile race in February I've signed up for my first 1/2 Marathon on April 8th I need to make an emergency kit #hepushedthewrongbutton What I Don't Know We have a new juicer! I don't know what to make next. I've mastered carrot orange juice. #drinkyourveggies What Made Today Normal Scooters and chalk in the driveway Praises Praise HIM for the year the Lord has brought us through! We thank Him for all that he has done for our marriage, spiritual growth and for healing only Jehovah Rapha can bring. Praises for: energy levels are up, healed skin from radiation and lots of hair! Prayer Requests ~Allie girl is recovering from flu/pneumonia this week. She's in good spirits and today is fever free. Please pray she is well enough for her birthday party on Saturday. ~I still have neuropathy in my toes. Juli Update My freighbor (friend/neighbor) Juli had a double mastectomy just before Christmas. You can read her full update here http://nothingromans8.wordpress.com/ Aloha Much aloha~Nikki
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Many of you heard that on January 13th we all were sent an "Incoming Missle: Take Cover" message that turned out to be a false alarm. I looked at the message and asked Mike, "What do we do?!" He was a sceptic of it from the beginning but told me to pray. I took shelter with the kids in Allie's room which is the most central part of the house with only a very small window. She kept pestering me until I told her why we all had invaded her room. She was frightened but was mainly concerned about her lunch and TV program capabilities. Daniel announced, "I'm not scared!" 3 year old ignorance is a beautiful thing.
I prayed and prayed. Mike was able to find out from work fairly quickly it was a mistake. After it was over I was pretty shaken but went on a 5 mile walk. Lots of time to think and pray. When your life is threatened you realize very quickly what matters and what doesn't. I realized a few things. God is the Same God Wether you pray about cancer or incoming missiles He remains the same. It is so grounding to know that He remains the same in the midst of crisis. As I prayed during those tense 38 minutes I took comfort in the fact that I was praying to the same God that cured me. God is Always There Biopsies, divorce, or taking cover you don't have to go anywhere to reach out. He's available 24/7 in the smallest of spaces. God's Plan Often Doesn't Look Like Ours If we had the choice we would never choose to go through pain or suffering. Unfortunately they are apart of this world. Often we try really hard to prevent suffering for ourselves and those we love. I tried so hard to shelter Allie from the truth. However, she's a mini investigative reporter and asks questions all the life long day. I had to tell her the truth. She thought the 'bad guy' was going to come into the house. It was a moment for me to realize that God's plan will not be thwarted. We will have trial and suffering. Our goal should be 1 Thess 5: 16-18. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in ALL circumstances; hard but true! I am thankful for the Lord's protection and that this was a false alarm. I was thankful for a very level headed husband and an ignorant 3 year old. We don't know how much time we have on this earth. I am vowing not to waste mine. I ask you to do the same. Have you heard of the idea of a "Word for the Year?" It's the idea that you have one word as a for the year. This can be your theme of 2018 so to speak. You can use it to center your devotions, prayer and meditations. Friends of mine did this last year but I never have until now. I started praying about this and was asking God to give me my word for 2018. I first I came up with "renew" but then I went to yoga. My yoga instructor used an app called "Abide" for our meditation. I new that was it. So my word for 2018 is abide.
The English definition isn't what I'm talking about. AKA 'abide by the rules' is not what I'm referring to. John 15 is where it's at. Verse 4, "Abide in me, and I in you..." Abide is used 10 times in this chapter. The meaning of Abide here is from the Greek word "Meno." Which means, to stay, dwell, remain, be true to, persevere and remain beside or near (from http://www.make-my-christian-life-work.com/abide.html). This is what I want for 2018. To remain beside or near Christ as much as possible. 2017 I needed him so very much. I prayed a lot. I had daily prayer last fall during my radiation treatment. The more I read, prayed and listened the more I grew. I want this to continue. So abide here I come. Mary vs. Martha: Raise your hand if you're a Martha? I am raising both hands. From what it sounds like in Luke 10 Mary had an abiding heart. So what about us Marthas? vs. 41 "Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” My plan to look more Mary-ish: ~I am using the "First 5" app to read scripture every morning. This is how I plan to get myself in the Bible each day. They are studying 1-2 Kings now thru March. If you register on that app I have started a group called, "Indeed Only One." In the passage from Luke above Jesus tells Martha, "but few things are needed-indeed only one " (i.e. sitting at his feet). You can search for me by name and and then I can add you to the group. We can all study the same thing together! ~I also downloaded the app my yoga teacher used "Abide" and hope to use this daily. This is a Christian meditation app. There are several meditations short and long. My favorite part is that you select the category or topic of meditation for what you need that day. ~I will continue with both a small group study on Sunday nights and a Mom's study on Tuesday mornings ~I set an alarm on my phone for 12:20pm every week day. This is in remembrance of Praydiation. My daily prayer time during my radiation treatment. Force yourself to stop and pray! The hardest part is staying consistent and making all of this a habit. Some days will work and others won't. I pray that my desire is Abide. What about you? Do you have a word for 2018? I'd love to hear it! If not, pray about it and see what He gives you. Much aloha~Nikki |
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