The waves seeping back into the sea through the rocks makes lovely music.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Counting Blessings with Pictures ~ Part I
So this past midsummer a trip was planned to visit Jennie's sister and brother-in-law in northern California. After learning that the cancer had returned, I debated for quite some time whether I should still go out. I decided to go although I did choose to shorten the trip by a few days.
It was a wonderful blessing! My heart was refreshed by walking through great quantities of God's inspiration. Some of the most stunning and ruggedly beautiful country I have ever seen. The next couple posts will be a small kaleidoscope of our trip together. Most all of the pictures were taken by Jennie - I was too busy wandering about or having wonderful conversations with dear friends.
~ Enjoy!
sisters :)
Bug's Beach
One of those rare sunny days along the coast!
Tidepool hopping - no pictures of the graceful blue-green anemones and lovely purple and gold starfish due to camera safety regulations.
The lights of San Francisco from Muir Beach overlook
Monday, September 3, 2012
Choosing Joy
"I don't have any good news for you today." My oncologist came - all slumped,
He explained the PET/CT results - metastasis to my lungs and multiple lymph nodes. We talked about treatment options and he printed out the information on the standard set of chemo therapy. Lots of questions.
"So with this level of metastasis how much time do you think I have?"
"6-12 months. . . it's hard to say." There were tears in his eyes.
The past couple of weeks have been a blur. I have been praying for wisdom for many complex decisions. Doing the research. Spending time with family.
The EBUS procedure to biopsy on one of the nodules in my lung was positive for cancer (The same type as last year).
The Echo was normal and showed a strong heart.
Sifting the research on clinical trials - made easier by amazing spreadsheets put together by friends.
A second opinion visit at Vanderbilt offered little new information
A trip to National Institute of Health for further insight into clinical trials.
After much prayer and thorough investigation into many options, I have decided not to pursue traditional medical treatment and have chosen instead an alternative therapy approach. Including lots of juicing and a mostly raw diet, charcoal and clay treatments, hydrotherapy, daily jogging, and lots of sun. So far energy is increasing and I feel more energetic than I have this entire year so far.
Each day God has been hugging my heart with the most beautiful blessings. Each day a journey of choosing joy.
So what is one to do when the doctor says you only have 6 months? Some would consider it a death sentence. How do you live with a deadline? If my days are numbered how shall my life count?
Some people have bucket lists to be filled up with souvenirs of experiences. But while life experiences are gifts, to make a gift a goal seems a narrow purpose. Should our focus be on pouring out rather than gathering in? Giving to others gifts of the heart. . . of eternal value?
As my friend Ann wrote;
On August 6, 2012 I remember that I wrote in my journal, "God, please teach me how to live like this. Poured out in free flowing gratitude to You."
Truly, the most ancient man has only lived a brief breath of history. And what takes our breath away - they are the moments worth counting. Moments measured in quality - not quantity.
Wealth is measured in joy. And I am the richest person on earth!
"Blessed is the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!" Psalm 68:19
He explained the PET/CT results - metastasis to my lungs and multiple lymph nodes. We talked about treatment options and he printed out the information on the standard set of chemo therapy. Lots of questions.
"So with this level of metastasis how much time do you think I have?"
"6-12 months. . . it's hard to say." There were tears in his eyes.
The past couple of weeks have been a blur. I have been praying for wisdom for many complex decisions. Doing the research. Spending time with family.
The EBUS procedure to biopsy on one of the nodules in my lung was positive for cancer (The same type as last year).
The Echo was normal and showed a strong heart.
Sifting the research on clinical trials - made easier by amazing spreadsheets put together by friends.
A second opinion visit at Vanderbilt offered little new information
A trip to National Institute of Health for further insight into clinical trials.
After much prayer and thorough investigation into many options, I have decided not to pursue traditional medical treatment and have chosen instead an alternative therapy approach. Including lots of juicing and a mostly raw diet, charcoal and clay treatments, hydrotherapy, daily jogging, and lots of sun. So far energy is increasing and I feel more energetic than I have this entire year so far.
Each day God has been hugging my heart with the most beautiful blessings. Each day a journey of choosing joy.
So what is one to do when the doctor says you only have 6 months? Some would consider it a death sentence. How do you live with a deadline? If my days are numbered how shall my life count?
Some people have bucket lists to be filled up with souvenirs of experiences. But while life experiences are gifts, to make a gift a goal seems a narrow purpose. Should our focus be on pouring out rather than gathering in? Giving to others gifts of the heart. . . of eternal value?
As my friend Ann wrote;
"Because not only have we been given the most fantastic story of Grace to share, but the only thing worth gaining is the memory of the giving of yourself — and that will outlast time."
On August 6, 2012 I remember that I wrote in my journal, "God, please teach me how to live like this. Poured out in free flowing gratitude to You."
Truly, the most ancient man has only lived a brief breath of history. And what takes our breath away - they are the moments worth counting. Moments measured in quality - not quantity.
Wealth is measured in joy. And I am the richest person on earth!
"Blessed is the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!" Psalm 68:19
Monday, August 13, 2012
Completeness
In this fallen world -
Where drought crumbles all hope of fruitful harvest. . .
Where some would just as soon cruelly kill a life as save it. . .
Where epidemics eliminate entire populations. . .
Where orphan hearts ache. . .
Where everything is incomplete. . .
What does it mean to be complete in the middle of all of this?
Complete - Definition
How can a human live in completeness?
Where drought crumbles all hope of fruitful harvest. . .
Where some would just as soon cruelly kill a life as save it. . .
Where epidemics eliminate entire populations. . .
Where orphan hearts ache. . .
Where everything is incomplete. . .
What does it mean to be complete in the middle of all of this?
Complete - Definition
- Whole - having all the necessary parts, elements or steps - or everything that is wanted
- Having reached the normal or expected end, to be fully carried out - a complete period of time
- Absolute - being the greatest degree of something, highly proficient
- Perfect - having all the necessary qualities or abilities for a certain role
- Insect metamorphosis - characterized by the pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult
How can a human live in completeness?
And He said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Corinthians 12:9
". . . A life centered in God is a life of completeness."
p. 41 Education
Sunday, August 5, 2012
My Grandma
When I was little - I most strongly associated my grandma with good books. Mostly because she would always bring books for us grandkids every time she visited! Through the years I have learned more of the dimensions of her character and beautiful heart. And this is just a little glimpse of one of my favorite people. . .
(photo by my mom)
My grandma is adventurous, fun-loving, and the most practical and hard working person I know. I love listening to her incredible stories of God's provision in hard times. Some of my favorites coming from the years she and Papa worked in Brazil. This next picture is when we were walking down an old road out in the jungle together. A wonderful memory in which we walked with multiple Blue Morpho butterflies floating their iridescence down the trail.
Her name is Ardis Opal - and she is
an organizational genius.
Prepared for everything.
And can mend or fix anything!
And can mend or fix anything!
She really enjoys playing softball.
She really doesn't like broccoli.
She likes the color purple.
And she loves time with her family!
I love -
Her neatly written lists for everything and spotlessly scrubbed house.
Her marked up Sabbath school lessons filled with good notes.
How she underlines good magazine articles and cuts them out to share.
How much fun she and her siblings have when they get together!
How much fun she and her siblings have when they get together!
I love -
Listening to her sing - because her heart has walked the words.
Listening to her sing - because her heart has walked the words.
Meandering along footpaths as she points out different bird calls.
Listening to her chattering along in Portuguese with an English accent.
And her little intonations of delight when she sees something she likes.
I love -
That she would rather finish a meal with something salty than sweet.
I love -
That she would rather finish a meal with something salty than sweet.
Her canoe camping pictures from Canadian wilderness treks.
Our relatives in Brazil - who are family because of her big heart.
Our relatives in Brazil - who are family because of her big heart.
Her steady faith through each stage of life - even widowhood.
I love -
That God bloomed surprise for her in an unexpected place and my grandma fell in love - head over heels in love! And that this past April she married a wonderful man. Their journey together this year has spilled beauty over into the lives of all around them.
I love -
That God bloomed surprise for her in an unexpected place and my grandma fell in love - head over heels in love! And that this past April she married a wonderful man. Their journey together this year has spilled beauty over into the lives of all around them.
I love you Grandma!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
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