thread for middle age to older Christian women.
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Shoulda seen their faces last summer after a trip to a "Christian" town on the water. We went down and had lunch then listened to a Christian comic on the boardwalk, walked through a grassy area that some vendors had set up. It was a one-hour drive and I drove the van. Didn't tell them until we got back that it was the first time I had ever driven a bus!!!! Thankfully it was only a 15 passenger bus so it really was easy to handle. LOL
But yes, some of our seniors although "pew warmers" still need to be included in fellowship. As a single myself I know what it's like to be left out, even though it's not intentional on other's part.
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Patoo, what wonderfu ministries and so needed. After we get our church in better repair maybe we can start something like that here. God has been placing it on my heart to start a food ministry, something like cook a huge pot of stew or chili and invite all senior citizens for a free meal once a month at the church. Also maybe fix up a bag of groceries for a different poor family monthy. Right now my ministries are in building and updating the church web site and the newspaper articles each week.
I am studing Ephesians right now about Paul and Gods amazing grace and mercy.
Today I am watching a show on hoarders and am still in a state of shock that people could live like that.
Hope you all have a good evening, am so looking forward to getting to know you each better.
I would also like to know if you have any plans to try new things like parasailing or visiting a new place or learning a new craft.
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Going on a missions trip to Nicaragua in November. Not new because my first missions trip was there about 5 years ago but I'm excited anyway.
I did parasail in Mexico a hundred years ago. Actually, I would do it again if I thought the parasale could hold me. I was probably a hundred lbs lighter back then. JO, are you planning a vacation? Where?
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Patoo - here's a song for you: Jesus Take the Wheel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X3bHLRU-2I
I think it's about more than just driving a car (or a bus) don't you?
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Yes groundhog. It's one of my favorites since I'm behind the wheel so often. People have bumper stickers that say "Jesus is my co-pilot" but I know I'm the "co' and He's in charge.
You ladies are all so precious. Thanks.
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JO, LOL it would be a sight for sore eyes. You could take a vacation to see me and stay here and we could take you around okla to the parks and go canoeing, to the museums, Can you see I am talking like I am going to be healed which I still believe and very soon.
Patoo, is there a weight limit on parasailing? If there is that leaves me out. What an exciting mission trip to Nicaragra, can't even spell it LOL I have a friend named Jennifer Thomas that is on a mission trip for 2 years in vanatu, she is on facebook if anyone wants to look at her pictures there.
Groundhog very good song for Patoo. Love carrie underwood.
Here is a picture for Jackie.
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Adorable picture!
I am off to do my Bible reading this morning...I'm in Mark. I WAS in Psalms and read it through twice because I needed the comfort with all the cancer stuff. Also, I found Ecclesiastes comforting which is interesting.
Oh, btw, if you guys ever miss church and want to watch a live service, my church does it on Wed, Sat, and Sundays. My pastor...Lloyd Pulley...is a great verse-by-verse Bible teacher and church has been around for 25+ years (I've been there 20 years). Just go to www.ccob.org and click on the "service in progress" button or there's a button to the right.
Also...if you just want to watch good teaching, another great verse-by-verse Bible teacher is Jon Courson. www.joncourson.com. He has an OUTSTANDING series on Revelation, but he's done all the books of the Bible a couple times over, has lots of books, etc. He also lost his first wife years and years ago to a car accident, and then his daughter about 10 years ago (I remember that!) to another car accident! Very humble guy.
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I'm waxing nostalgic today. When I let the dogs out, even though raining, the air smelled so good and the temperature was just right. I wanted to leave the back door to the deck open. That is not a safe thing to do. Does anyone remember when you didn't lock your doors and windows. There were no latch-key kids ... you didn't need a key!
Spar ... the picture of all the kitties is too cute. Incidentally, that's how at one time I had 10 cats! I wish I could have a houseful of them and would except (1) not my house and (2) can't take care of them. We have a hoarder in our family and some blossoming hoarders. My grandmother's sister's daughter was one for sure. I think that makes her a first cousin once removed. She died in her thirties leaving a 12 year old son. My parents went to Philadelphia to clean up the house. She had unopened baby clothes she had bought for her son, newspapers stocked high in the bathtub (I guess they all took sponge baths). There was a path through the house. The rest of us are also somewhat hoarders. Certainly the sister I live with is just inside the fringe area, I like to buy stuff but I displayed it so I could enjoy it, my aunt is just inside the line!
Cake, thanks for those websites.
Groundhog ... sound not hooked up on our computer but when it is I will listen to the song.
Patoo ... that's exciting - Nicaragua. My sister decided to go to Africa for her mission trip and she is taking our two nieces. One is 20 and in college and the other is 17. Both have been on church missions - I think Rose went to Nicaragua too and Teresa went to an Indian reservation in Arizonia. Both of your missions sound like they are really needed. Bless you for reaching out!
And for all ... if God seems far away, who moved? Love you all!
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Good morning everyone!
It is a beautiful day in Lompoc CA, will be about 65 degrees today. Not bad for march 22. I am amazed at the posts I have been reading. This is a new experience for me. I love reading about your Christian journeys through life. I don't have much to report on that subject. I was saved as a child, but like many people I decided that I was super woman and did not need God. About 15 years ago the Holy Spirit began talking to me. I was working at a school that is about 50 miles from my home and it was during this commute that I began to hear the Spirit speaking to me. I was having problems with my youngest son and drug addiction. The Spirit reminded me that he was there to help me, that I could not deal with this problem on my own. I began to use that hour commute time to pray each morning and loved the comfort of knowing that ultimately God was in charge, that I could not fix it. During the next 3 years the Spirit repeatedly called me back to Him, but I was trying to walk the world's path and God's path. In Spring 2000 my recurrent back problem became severe. As time went on, although I saw Drs. it became worse. In fact I was on crutches and the next step was a wheel chair, as I was losing the feeling in my legs. As I was laying on the couch in severe pain I heard the Spirit telling me" If you will turn this over to me I will take care of you." I cried out to God and said I surrender. That same day things began to happen that people have trouble believing. I was referred to a renowned surgeon, who saw me on a Saturday! Within a week I had sugery. I was in the hospital one night and walked out of the hospital the next morning, PAIN FREE! I have read many times of people who say that God brought them to thier knees before they trusted them. In my case put me flat on my back. I have grown closer and closer to God since that time. I had a Christian primary care Dr. who prayed with with me and guided my bible study during those first few months, another miracle! My husband accepted Christ as his savior (big miracle). We have been attending Lompoc Foursquare Church where I teach sunday school to 1st and 2nd graders, the highlight of my week! God has been so good! When I was diagnosed with ILC I knew (from experience) that God would take care of me. I surrendered all of it to God. I am ready to go home to him anytime. My prayers were for my family, who were having a much more difficult time with the diagnosis that I was. The prayer team at church and support of friends sustained me. I truly feel that I am now healed. But the Drs. seem to have a set routine. I am not trying to be obstinate nor am I in denial. The experts have their opinions, but it is truly my choice as to the treatment that I receive, Radiation or further surgery. Mastectomy was never reccomended nor considered. The "mass" was small, less than 3/4 inches and no lymph node involvement. I am praying for guidance in making the decision. I have an appointment on 3/31 to see an onocologist (recommended by a friend a church). Please pray for me to make the right decision. I am sorry to write so much. You are all probably tired of reading this. I promise in the future to keep it short. I am praying for all of you. I will get to know you more as I read your posts. This forum seems full of strong Christian women. Praise God for you all!
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As for bumper stickers; my DH and I had motorcycles a looooong time ago but we put bumper stickers on our helmets!
"Angels, never leave home without them!"
"Never drive faster than your angel can fly!"
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Welcome treak! What an amazing story. So uplifting.
JO--I'm going to check out the links to your church soon...I bet it's AWESOME!
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LOL, JO, you crack me up!
Update on my daughter's friend, Allie. So they were going to specialists...ended up at NYU with the head of seizure department. She either has a cluster of brain cells which were from birth that are now causing seizures (some people have them and it never bothers them, some people have them and comes out in birth or sometime later, like now for Allie). Depending on the kind of seizure, she may or may not be able to be treated my medicine.
OR
she has a brain tumor. She is wearing a 3-day EEG monitor, and a whole bunch of other things. But if it's a tumor, the only way they will know is to recheck in 3 months.
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Cake so glad they are getting Allie checked out some more and not just wait and see. Am going to check out the sites you posted and cake, JO cracks me up real often.
Treak, so loved your story of coming back to the Lord. God is so good. I am praying for wisdom in your decision also.
JO, soon as I post this I am gonna listen to your music.
I think the new craft that I am gonna try is crewel embroidery. we will see how it goes. gonna watch dancing with the stars tonight.
I can't believe it was snowing yesterday and today I can sit on the deck without a jacket. The weather is crazy. I am also kind of scared of this healthcare bill that passed.
I can picture carol and rita playing golf today if it has warmed up where they are like it has here.
Everyone have a great evening. Sending hugs to everyone.
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JO, not only were the songs beautiful but the pictures in the videos are just awesome
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Cake...thanks for the update. Allie is in my prayers.
Treak...welcome and thanks for the story. It shows that with HIM all things are possible. Let us know what happens at your appointment. I pray He gives you the wisdom you need.
I also didn't know a lot about breast cancer until I had it (actaully I knew almost nothing)....I think the only advantage I had being a nurse is that I knew how to look stuff up. Even though I was in Korea when I was diagnosised I had a great surgeon on base (I did not have to go downtown). He really went the "extra mile".
Hope eveyone has a great night.
Spar2 - stay warm
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For all of you dear ladies who have prayed for my niece, Allison, I want to report she had the bi lat mastectomy tonight and there was no node involvement. She had expanders placed in and is doing very well. God is sooo good.
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Hi Treak,
It's nice to meet you. I think anyone here would say -- you write as much as you need too -- a little or a lot, we will get through it together. We are never alone -- even when we think we might be. Isn't it wonderful especially when you have grown confused and weary -- worried in a hundred ways to know you are not alone and help is just a wish and a prayer away. God Bless.
Healing hugs,
Jackie
Spar...hope you get better soon. By the way....I loved the kitty picture you left for me. Fantastic.
Barbe -- loved those helmets with the sentiments. Wish no one would get on a motorcycle without a helmet.
Hope you all have a great night. Had a long day so I'm into my jammies and the recliner. See you all tomorrow some time,
Jackie
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Spar, I LOVE crewel embroidery! What a glorious craft to do! You will get a lot of joy in creating your art. I used to use a mad-house of colour and varigated threads and such. It will be so much fun.
When I was hospitalized for my bilat mast I had checked "religious" on a sheet somewhere so a priest showed up in my room. Imagine his surprise when I asked for a prayer of "Thanks"! I wanted him to helpl me thank God for getting me through the surgery. Last year in July, 8 months later, I was back in the hospital with a kidney defect. He came into my room because he recognized my name on an admit list! That time I asked him to help me pray for pain relief. I really needed the extra help!
I sometimes feel guilty asking for help from God because He is so busy everywhere, but then I realize that by asking Him, that lets Him know I am still with Him.
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Barbe, like JO, I believe nothing is too small or too big to ask our Lord. He is almighty. Hope everyone is having a good day. I stayed up too late reading last night and ended up sleeping too late so had lunch instead of breakfast. DH took the dogs to the vet for their last shots and worming, exam, and toe nails clipped. They are now running around on the deck like they are happy as can be. It is warm enough here today to leave the doors and windows open. Love this kind of weather.
Mary, praise God that Allyson had no node involvement, that is so wonderful
Jackie glad you like the kitty pictures. I am gonna meet you one way or the other and walk a day in your shoes. LOL
Cake still praying for Allie, hoping it is something that can be treated.
When my son was 16 and got his first car I bought him a car magnet that said never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly and he has kept that all these years and put it in every single automobile he has ever owned and he is in his late 30's now. You guys made me remember when you were talking about it earlier.
Hope everyone has a God blessed day.
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cheers
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Hello! My name is Sandra and I will be 67 next month on southern memorial day, kind of appropriate as Florida is my birth place. I was born into a Christian family the day after Easter and baptised as an infant. I was married for 30 yrs and now single for the last 10. I am mother to three beautiful talented smart adult children and two handsome smart grandsons. I have lived in Florida, Pennsylvania, Kansas and now New Hampshire.I was blessed with good health until Jan '09. Now I am learning to live with a stage IV metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Currently waiting for eye lashes, eyebrows and hair to grow back after seven months of chemo.
I usually hang out in the stage IV forum with an incredible group of strong caring women.I know God has a sense of humor. I had been over weight most of my adult life and had a prayer about ten years ago for help in losing weight . . . anything but cancer. Could God be deaf?
I know He has a plan . . . . .wondering what it is. Wish He would leave notes on my refrigerator regarding specifics of doing His will in my life. Upon dx asked to be His miracle. We shall see!I like quotations and poetry and have been writing since age 9.
BLESSED
How thankful I had wont to be
For all that God has shared with me.
A healthy life, a fam'ly loved
A Savior who looks down above.Who showers love upon this child,
Who is not meek and neither mild.
For I can only say to you
That I am blessed as very few
And cannot aswer why it's so
I guess that is for God to know.I see daily evidence of God's love in my life.
Hugs Sandra . . . . . "If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes."
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Spar -- I love that picture. Every prayer we ever say, any need expressed, and every thought we have is known and shared with our Creator. He didn't give us the breath of life and then walk away from us......though many chose -- right in the beginning to walk away from him. His love never lessens or vanishes, nor does it wear out. He is with us in so many ways including the angels that are assigned to each of us.
He knew long before we did the difficult path we might often have and he does not make any of us face the challenges alone -- even when it sometimes seems that way. After the shock of discovering that I really did have cancer -- and taking a couple of weeks to let it really set in, no matter how difficult the path, somewhere above that, I had a strange sort of comfort. Even though I had times when I was really sick, or had lots of pain.....I felt something bigger than me and I knew to trust that if I kept walking forward I would walk into wellness and that is where I am today.
Nice to meet you bygracealone -- and I do hope you will keep sharing your poems and writings.
Healing hugs, Jackie
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Good morning sisters, you are in my prayers, please keep me in yours. Today my hair is coming out from chemo. I didn't think I was vain but apparently I am. Really struggling with this, even though I know it's minor in the scheme of things and will grow back, it's still making me cry. Please help boost my GQ - grace quotient - through prayer. Thanks! {{hugs}}
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Hey, groundhog. So praying for you. It stinks like rat's poo that you or anyone has to lose their hair. I dont think it is a minor or vain thing. It's not fair that you have to lose your hair!!!! My mil is going through mets colon cancer...on her second round of chemo and they said her hair would not fall out, but it has. She is 67 and it is hard for her, and she didnt even like her hair, LOL! She has a really cool wig now, but no one wants to lose their hair.
Jesus be close to groundhog today and hide her tears in Your bottle. Help her to see Your face and Your love and use this somehow in her life to bring awesome things about from Your will. Thank You, Lord.
Go eat some cake
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Good morning ladies.
Groundhog ... praying for you. The other gals are right ... no one wants tro lose their hair - that's not vanity. When you look in the mirror now for every strand of hair loss think of it as more and more cancer being destroyed. (((((((HUGS)))))))))
ByGraceAlone: I really liked your poem and welcome!
Jackie: You are so awesome! You just seem to know what I need to hear. You have such a big and loving heart.
Spar: I will celebrate with you any time with a cup of kitties!
Jo: You are the "voice of reason" which keeps many of us grounded; Not to mention a great crafter and a loving soul.
It is so peaceful to go to this thread and hear the testimony of your faiths. It is strong and helps to hold me up. I don't know what God is up to but his knowledge is so much larger than mine and I trust Him to do what's best for me even if I don't have a clue.
I try to "Let Go and Let God." Then I try to take it back because He isn't working it out the way I would or taking too much time - Remember, I did say I need to learn, humility and patience!
In my case I think He is teaching me humility; trust, and patience. In religious reading His people are right there witih Him when times are tough but when they prosper and get all "puffed up - Iove that description - they enter into the "ways of the world" and forget about God. Not everyone does this, certainly but enough people do suddenly think when we prosper and get all content that somehow we did it all on our own. That's when He has to remind us again. I have done that so many times - that's why God needs a 2 x 4 upside the head to get my attention.
As for my knowledge of breast cancer. I knew almost nothing. Here's what I knew - breast cancer is one disease and it was all the same thing; chemo was required for all women diagnosed with breast cancer; and other people got it.
Here's what I thought would happen ... BMX with immediate tissues expanders so I would basically walk out of that hospital with something on my chest; I would get perky boobies and no one would be able to see that I had had breast cancer.
Here's what happened ... experienced a 'bleed' in the recovery room which necessitated a second trip to surgery; infected tissue expanders one month later and removal of tissue expanders, a seroma, a scarred up chest which is never going to look 'normal' again and a little humility!
Anyway, I have waxed on for too long. Just know I love you all.
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I like the saying:
Leap and the net will appear.
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Bygracealone, love the poem and I hope you give us more to read
JO, I did subscribe just now to our daily bread for an uplifting start to the day.
Groundhog, I do so remember the day my hair started coming out in handfuls and making a mess, my husband went ahead and buzzed my head with us both crying. then I decided to look at it as an adventure because I hoped never again to be bald, so I started wearing makeup and big earrings and using scarves in different ways, I got 2 wigs from the cancer society for free but they were itchy and hot. My grandkids started wearing doo rags with me and when I finally had a "crew cut" I started going bare and people would rub my head all the time which was a little irritating. You can do this and you can still be beautiful.
My daughters MIL just had surgery for colon cancer, small and large intestine because she waited too long, now she will start chemo. It seems there are just so many people going through so many trials. All of you guys are in my prayers.
I will be so glad to get my next scan on my leg to see if it is healing anymore, am just so sick of it all.
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In my prayers Groundhog. Losing our hair is sooooo hard. I agree with Spar, I wore lots of long dangly earrings and head scarves. Everyone loved them.
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Kathleen, hope you are doing good, can't help but worry a little about your foot.
Jackie, do you think you could handle us if me and dh came to see you around June?
Everyone have a wonderful evening. love you all and hugs all around
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Thanks for the prayers, sisters, I appreciate them and I appreciate you. Tonight I found Psalm 40:11-12 and will think of my hairs as sins falling away, and will find comfort and benefit in that. {{hugs}}
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