His Power

Thank you. Everything in me thanks you. Andrew, my parents, and I have been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support these past days. It has made us laugh, and it has dropped us to our knees in tears. Please know that every thought, word, prayer and silly comment has filled us with peace knowing that you are there. So again, thank you. 

We left yesterday morning and took the train to Chicago for a weekend away with the girls. Coincidentally enough, or not, we had this trip planned before we even knew anything about my diagnosis. It has been wonderful to take this time away to absorb information, scripture, and just be quiet before the Lord with our family.

In those quiet times I feel more and more confident that this is a trial God has allowed to affect me for a greater purpose. I already feel His incredible love and reassuring voice asking me to trust Him and walk through this one day at a time, knowing He is by my side.

God’s truths are powerful and it is what I am leaning on daily. There is a song that coincidently, or not, began streaming into my headphones recently as I was listening to the my Christian music Pandora station. It was Jeremy Camp’s song “Same Power”. 

This cancer is physically “in” me, but guess what cancer! So is the Holy Spirit! There is a power that lives inside of me that will fight my battles for me. I need only to be still.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”. 1 John 4:4.

So, I’m SOOOO sorry to rain on your parade and spoil the ending for you cancer, but I BEAT YOU!

I have felt a strong leading to share this experience and will continue to be very open and honest about this journey. The good times, the crappy times, and how God is working through this with us. I promise to make it fun because even in serious and heavy times, I much prefer a good laugh than a good cry. 

So, with that said, let’s begin this new chapter of our lives which I lovingly like to call:

LET’S KICK CANCER’S A$#!

I’m the One in Eight

Well, this is me. I am the one in the eight. A few days ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this country one in eight women will be diagnosed with this disease. I am the typical, young, healthy woman who does not have a significant family history of breast cancer. I have annual mammograms and my most recent one this past November came back clean. However, about a month ago I felt a small lump in my breast. As most mothers do, I put off taking care of myself and I didn’t address it until last week when a friend told me she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After that conversation I immediately drove home and called my doctor. 

And here we are. 

Right now I am trusting Jesus every moment and taking things one step at a time. He has given me such PEACE and confirmation that He is walking right along side me through this trial that I WILL overcome. He continues to impress upon my heart that in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. (John 16:33). My prayer is that He will be glorified through this process, and that I may learn the true measure of trusting Him. I know He’s not through with me yet. l know He has a plan and a purpose for my life, as He does for all of us. He is my rock and my salvation, and in the end we WIN! 

Some have been asking how they can help. TRULY, the only thing we are asking for at this time is PRAYER. Prayer for healing, prayer for our girls, prayer for wisdom for the doctors, and prayer for strength through this process. 

Women, please be diligent about your manual breast exams, and if you find something that seems off, get it checked immediately. I can’t stress enough how important that is. Even if you think, “I’m healthy! I’m young! This could never happen to me!” It doesn’t matter. I thought the same thing. 

So, even though I felt that I had a pretty extensive life experience “resume” so far, I guess I will be adding this to this list…

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR

Let the fight begin. 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11