Glorify God the Father

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 15:5-6 

God gives us endurance.

He encourages us.

May God give us the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had.

With one mind we glorify God.

With one voice we praise the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glory be to the God and Father of us all.

God Gives Endurance

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 15:5-6 

Lake Okoboji

God gives us endurance. 

He helps us persevere.

He encourages us throughout each day.

And He wants us to have the same mind as Jesus.

So we can glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And ao we can glorify Him with one mind and one voice.

Perseverence and Encouragement

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus. — Romans 15:5

God gives us perseverance to continue when we can't go any further.

He give us encouragement when we don't think we're up to the task.

He knows our thoughts.

The Lord can help us to be of the same mind with one another.

Through Christ Jesus, anything is possible.

For Our Instruction

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. — Romans 15:4

All things written in God's Word are for our edification.

They are written for our instruction.

God's Word is living and active.

Each time I read it He has something new to show me.

At the moment I'm reading the wisdom of Proverbs. 

Through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we have hope.

Today we discovered that Kirk's classmate and former neighbor Scott died in March.

He named one of his sons Kirk, after his good friend, my husband.

Scott served as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force, and lived in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

He was a firefighter and taught fire science.

We saw him at his 40th high school reunion a few years ago and had a chance to reconnect.

They will hold a memorial service for him at Fort Rosecrans sometime in the future.

We hope to be able to attend.  

Our hears go out to Scott's family in their loss.

My Joy Is Complete

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. — Philippians 2:1-2

Tonight the moon was orange as I drove home from work.

The photo I took doesn't begin to do it justice.

By the time I got home it was white, but still very full.

Happy Friday the 13th.

We are encouraged by being united in Christ.

We are comforted by His love.

It helps us to become one in spirit and of one mind in the Lord.

Streams in the Desert

Each person will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. — Isaiah 32:2

God gives us refuge from the storm, water when we're thirsty.

He gives us every good and perfect thing.

He surrounds us with strength, support and love.

Yesterday I received yet another encouraging card from our friends.

Every other week they remind me that they are praying for my complete healing.

We are so blessed.

The Lord Heals

Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. — Psalm 30:32

Thursday I completed my fifth chemo treatment. Just one more to go!

After that I'll start radiation.

And I'll continue Herceptin IVs every three weeks, but that should be closer to an hour instead of the four hours it takes now.

Our friends have been calling and texting their prayers and words of encouragement.

We feel covered in love and wrapped in God's loving arms.

And our garden is blooming.

God is healing, and we are thankful.

Words of Encouragement

He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people. — Acts 20:2

Gary with Mary and Richard

A few days ago, I was feeling great, having lost a few of the pounds that I'd managed to gain since Memorial Day.

I understand it's normal to gain weight while on chemo, but I still don't appreciate it!

So when I discovered I was a pound heavier yesterday, I got a bit discouraged, feeling that I looked flabby since I haven't been able to exercise as hard or often as I used to.

Walking in to our office building, I hopped on the elevator with two guys and a girl in her early 40s. When the guys got off, the girl turned to me and said, "I didn't want to say anything while the guys were here with us, but you have great-looking calves!"

I was shocked, but thanked her and explained that I jump rope. She said she had been doing it occasionally, too, and it was much more work that it appeared.

I agreed, we arrived at her floor, and we wished each other well.

Then I said a quick prayer of thanks to God for the word of encouragement just when I needed it most! Little did she know that she had made my day.

It made me think that I need to make sure I'm an encourager to others, too.

God, My Rock

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. — Psalm 61:1-3

Last week, Kirk's colleague and friend Julie gave me this book, and I just finished reading it on Saturday. 

What an encouragement it was to read the stories of others who have gone through this journey and even tougher ones, coming out stronger on the other side.

The subtitle is, "Surviving and Thriving During and After Your Diagnosis and Treatment." It gave some wonderful tips for how to thrive and take care of yourself.

The author suggested creating a worry box where you put all of your worries for the day, giving them up to the box. I like the idea of casting my cares on God so I don't need to worry.

She also encouraged setting aside time for meditation and prayer each day. Words of wisdom.

And she suggested surrounding myself with friends who will encourage and support me rather than people who will cause me to stress out. Check! My friends have rallied around me with support and encouragement.

I am so blessed to have a house full of food, cards and flowers. Kirk mentioned that our home seems like a florist shop. Love it!

Overwhelmed with Blessings

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.  
— Psalm 34: 19


I got 10 hours of rest last night. Kirk was up more often than I was. No surprise there. 

Still no nausea or pain — the ibuprofen is working! And so are your prayers. 

This morning the sun is shining and the lizards are enjoying the warmth. So am I. The warmth of your friendship and the love you have shown me and our family as well as God's love for each of His creations. 

We are overwhelmed with blessings.

A big shout-out to the docs and nurses and support staff at Kaiser who answered all my questions with a smile and were so encouraging and eager to help us. 

From the chauffeurs who wheeled me down the halls to the surgeon and other doctors who clearly explained what was happening and waiting patiently while I read all the forms before signing them! 

Thank you.

Home Again

Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. — Nehemiah 9:5

Surgery went well. I am home and it's not even 5:30 p.m. Everyone at Kaiser was wonderful.

While waiting for surgery I was cold so they gave me the heated blanket. Our neighbor calls it the NASA blanket. She had it after  her surgery, too. It kept me comfortable and warm.

My friend's husband took a photo, but I did not want to be photographed so here's a photo of a hike we did up Iron Mountain instead.

They used a short tube for the anesthesia so it didn't touch my vocal chords. I'm hoping to sing at our church program on Sunday night at 6:00. We'll be singing about Moses, Daniel, Joshua and Saul with dramatic readings in between. I'm looking forward to it!

I woke up ready to go home, no nausea and no pain. God is good and really had me covered with a deep sense of peace through the whole process. Kirk was by my side the whole time, such a wonderful source of calm and encouragement.

I still have no nausea, no pain, and no dizzyness. I've been nibbling on saltine crackers and apple juice. The nurse thought the numbness from the anesthesia will wear out in 24 hours so I have Motrin, Percaset, and anti-nausea meds in preparation.

You, my friends and family, have covered me in prayer and I am doing great. Thanks so much. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Living Under the Rainbow

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."

— 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Remember, you live under the rainbow!

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be a shock to the system. 

But the encouragement of family and friends can go a long way toward shoring up a wall of support around us. Giving us the strength to make it through the rough days.

We had rain last week, and a friend took this photo the next day. 

He sent it in an email with the caption, "You live under the rainbow!" What a wonderful way to start the day.