thread for middle age to older Christian women.
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Hi everyone, hoping you have the crock pot going if you are experiencing a blizzard as we are in Lancaster county PA. Praying for each of you that God gives you something gleeful in the midst of the storms....
My son in law and daughter are intentionally snowed in with us and it has been more work but I am enjoying their company. My daughter has always been the spark plug of the family and when she left it was not only quieter but definitely more sedate around here. I am working on my recertifications today for my nurse practitioner certifications, oh my it is a pain.
I am a nurse practitioner, Nancy, working in Internal Medicine. I teach adjunct at two universities too for nurse practitioner students. I am going for my doctorate in nursing practice online so it has been a challenging time. Inversely, it is on my "bucket list" so each semester I pray about whether to keep going with it all. I plan to hopefully find a teaching job in one way that is why I am adjunct teaching for the experience but on the other hand I love my job in the office and rounding in the nursing home.
Well that was certainly an autobiography (yawn) hahaha
My son is a choral music major. He loves working with middle school and elementary but no doubt he would take a high school job. Yes, you should hear the interviews of today. He has to sing for them. Sight read choral music both singing and playing accompaniment. Teach a class while being observed by superintendents, etc. Very competitive field, but I know God will bring the right thing along.
Well off to feed the troops, they just came in from snowplowing/playing in the snow.
Hugs and prayers to you all....0 -
Love this banner from S⬆️2C. Goes with the mantra I used during my treatment and now
Once or twice in our lives, we are given the chance to find out just how much inner strength we possess. Usually we find we have far more than we ever imagined.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!
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PS, finally added a real picture. I am very camera shy..lol. 😉
Nancy thanks for the continued prayers for the ministry. I agree with you on Anita. I continue to keep her and her family in prayer.
Lucy and Steve lifting each of you up for your treatment plans, and for these plans to be effective in Knocking out any existing tumors and ensuring no progression any where. Praying for pain relief and that God envelopes each of you in his peace.
Kath, so glad to hear the good news on being able to eat more. Praying that your appetite continues to increase and no more fluid build up.
Aurora, continued prayers for you my friend. Praying that your scan will show good results And the PT is offering relief and recovery.
Enjoy, I think I keep picking up that you are in school? Praying for you if you are and any silent prayer request you may have.
Jo and Nancy, love your wisdom and words. Means a lot to me that each of you take the time to pour back into each of us with support, encouragement and love. You are always in my prayers!
Those that I have not mentioned by name, I have read your post and prayed for your spoken and any silent prayer request.
I ask that all keep us covered as we have planted a church in an area that is hostile to the gospel -- very liberal. With this said Godtold us where to go and God has given us grace and the ministry /church continues to grow. Blessings all and continue prayers for my Sisters in Christ!
Have a blessed weekend. My God deposit a rich and changing word with each of you as you attend service, go before his throne or read His Word.
Love across the miles,
Angie
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Lady B, you are a beauty! Loved the saying. Hugs to you too! Cindy
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Enjoy, (Cindy) I didn't realize you are from PA. Here in the Chicago area we got flurries which amounted to nothing. Obviously you all got much more than that. Stay safe and warm and glad your have extra company to brighten your times being house bound. You sound like a go getter. I hope you can realize your dreams and get your doctorate. The interview system sounds pretty rigorous for choral music to say the least. I had some of that rigor getting my degree. I did have one interview where every dept head was there. I felt like I was going for the presidency! That is a story for another day.
Our recertification was pretty much a nightmare when they first implemented it and no one knew what or how we were to do all of the online requirements in proving all the courses we had to take. We somehow muddled through. Even in retirement i still have to keep up with it to keep my updated certification.
Angie, now we all get to see how beautiful you really are on the outside. I had seen your pic on another thread. We all knew you were beautiful on the inside. I will continue to pray for you and your ministry. How's the organic neighborhood gardening going? I think there is some magic that can happen in that arena. God's spirit magic! Love the banner. Thanks for your encouraging words. I hope you are feeling better each day and gaining strength and adapting to your cancer drug.
Kath, praying that you are getting lots of REST this weekend and able to eat every two hours. Prayers for you dear sis.
Lucy and Steve, continued prayers for you and praying that you have a new treatment in place now.
I hope all of you have a good weekend whether it be curled up with a good book or whatever gives you some r and r. I am going to wash the salt off of my car. BTW that is NOT by idea of r and r. That will come later!
Love,
Nancy
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So many praises and prayer needs. I'm praying for all in the path of storms. We are missing it this year, so far. Maybe the Lord thought after last year we deserve a break. :-)
I get my labs Tues and head to FL on Weds. I am trusting that my labs will all be normal. I'm ready for some sunshine and a refreshing of my spirit. We haven't had much snow, but it's been cold. 20* this week feels like a heat wave after single number highs and below zero wind chills. It hurts my bones. I'm looking forward to the heat; although it's going down to 40* in Miami tonight. That's like below zero here.
I'm praying for all of you.
Blessings
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Thank you dear ladies for your faithful prayers for all of us. I know I feel them- I have been lifted up, and this puppy, while very physically draining, is a true joy and I know this phase won't last long. It's a tough time of year to take a pup out to pee here in the northern VT part of the country. We missed the snow which I guess this year from my standpoint is a good thing. Normally I'd love it.
I read with interest the posts about cancer and/or treatment aftermath- that is a real phenomenon that people deal with and it can be quite lonely. While having a core group of Christian sisters you can share with is vital, it also makes sense to see about survivorship classes or groups that are fun. I did that for many years. I feel now as though I am on this long, slog of every three week infusions, every 3 months scans as we watch the cancer creep back up- This is my 3rd recurrence, as I have dealt with Cancer since I was 38 years old, and this March marks the 6th year of the aforementioned 3 week/3month routine. It is wearing at me, I think, and it is hard to feel terribly useful either to the Lord or to those around me. It is a general depression I believe. Not new but perhaps a bit more enhanced right now. I do appreciate your prayers on that.
Time to put the puppy to bed, and me too.
God bless- Prayers for you.
Allison
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Joanne, This is the place to share. Your are in my prayers. Yes Christians do get depressed. We just have hope for the future and the knowledge that when we hit these times we have Jesus to walk next to us and carry us when we need it. It is still a hard journey at time.
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Lost In His Precious Love
How I cherish times like these,
When I can lay aside
The cares and worries of the day
And rest at eventide.
I sis alone and meditate
While twilight shadows fall.
Birds have hushed their cheerful songs;
Sweet peace lies over all.
Fireflies begin to glow
In meadows all around;
A patchy mist is hovering
Close to obscure ground.
In the darkening firmament,
countless stars appear.
Heaven is so far, and yet,
Gods presence seems so near.
How is the earth so beautiful,
So grand the skies above?
I think of God and find myself
Lost in His precious love. By Regina Weincek
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Oh my gosh, if I thought this board was someplace where everyone did nothing but quote scripture (although that is so encouraging) and pretended life was always grand on the Christian Express... I wouldn't be here. Joanne, thank you for sharing and Allison too. I am sending you both hugs.
Allison, we got a puppy too right when I started school in May and I will be honest I was kinda upset that my husband got that dog initially. Now it is my snuggle buddy, my study help, and even on rare occasions prompts me to exercise (sorry to bring up a bad word on this board) lol
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I am so thankful today that the storm missed us. Just a light dusting of snow. We are going to church. Yay! Prayed for all of you this morning. Enjoyeverymoment that puppy is just too cute.
Love, Jean
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Hi ladies, I am glad I found this board. I read several boards but some of the boards are not for me. I believe we all need to vent but I believe there is a constructive way to vent and share our feelings. I have been reading through the posts and love how much you use scripture.
I was dx in 2011 with ILC stage IIIb and in May 2015 it metastasized and moved to the ovaries. I am currently on Abraxane and will be starting Avastin on Feb 5. The tumors are pumping fluid into the peritoneum so each week I get a parenthesis and have 5-6 liters drained each week. The doctor and I are hoping the Avastin will stop the fluid from building.
Kath I totally understand how you feel. By the time I get to 7 days it is hard to walk, feel like I'm 9 months pregnant and just miserable. The Abraxane is keeping the tumors stable which Ibrance did not. I am thankful to God that I don't have nausea and vomiting with this just lot of acid reflux and losing weight. I try to eat smaller portions and more often and that seems to help.
If anyone is on Avastin, I would love to hear from you. Have you had any side effects and how long have you been on it.
I will be praying for each of you as I continue to read through the posts. We were in the blizzard so we didn't have church today. Gives me a chance to catch up on reading the posts.
Take care Christian sisters.
Charlotte
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Wow- thank you Joanne, for your post. Agreement all around. And nope it was not a rant! Sharing is a good thing. I also particularly appreciate the reminder of Satan vs Christs voice. Important to shine light on that. Hi-beams.
Enjoyevrymoment your pup is so sweet. I had to giggle at your comment about what you thought the topic thread was going to be like.
Happy Sunday-
Allison
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Good afternoon ladies,
Mini, I hope your labs are good and that you can have a great time in Florida. I know this winter for us has been on the mild side compared to others but I still long for spring.
Allison, I have been praying for you. I have not walked in your shoes to have a clue what you are experiencing but I do deal with the SAD and do struggle a bit in the dark days of winter. I do use a light and have for years. I do think it helps. I swim a half mile four times a week but I have had so many dr apts that seems to get in the way. I know for me exercise is key. When I was having a meltdown at my mom's over the holidays with all the stress of her flooded basement and going for three weeks without my swimming and my light box it really took a toll on me emotionally. I have found that there are things we can do that will help. Diet is key for me. Sugar can be a real downer emotionally even though it might give you a little high temporarily. I stopped eating sugar back in 2001. It is a long story and it was certainly not any heroics on my part but out of fear. Like I say a long story I won't go into now. After four days off sugar there was a fog that lifted in my brain which is really hard to explain but it was truly amazing. I don't eat desserts but sugar is in so many things that I still am consuming small amounts. I have to eat gluten free and sometimes there has to be a trade off there too. My photography which the Lord gave to me as an amazing gift while i was in treatments has been such a boost for me. I pray that the Lord will open up an avenue like that which will give you some excitement and joy in your routine. I do hope your cute little puppy will give you that boost that you need now to get out of your slump.
Joanne, I appreciate your honesty. The great thing about this thread is that we have other sisters here who are going through similar struggles that our family and friends may not get. They can be there for us and try to support us through the journey but in all honesty they just don't get it. I think that we have to be extremely wise and have our spiritual antenae (sp?) up to know if we are in a spiritual battle. I know you have seen War Room but i would highly suggest that to everyone if you have not seen it. The enemy would love to make us think that we are doomed to a life of depression if we have ongoing cancer or any challenge that seems unending. I refuse to believe that. I am not saying that we should all be immune to depression or being in a down time. As my banner said a few days ago I believe we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Not the other way around. We live in a fallen world and we will experience all the "stuff" that everyone else will. However we have a power in us as Christians that those of the world do not. I believe that we can live defeated lives as Christians because we fail to realize just how powerful we really are. We have to exercise that power. That is on us. We are the ones who have to take up the sword and get into the Word so that the truth of the scriptures are in our very being where we can quote scripture to the devil just as Jesus did when he was being tempted. We cannot be passive about that. That is just what the enemy would want from us. Sometimes it just takes us being sick and tired of being sick and tired to get riled up and start fighting against the enemy. I know that when I get to that point I am going to be okay. I also know that satan hates it when I get to that point! I love your banner of the two opposing voices. We have the power to chose which voice we will listen to.
Jean, refresh my memory. When is your hip surgery. I know it is in Feb but not sure of the date.
Debbie, (foots) thank your for you uplifting poems. Ladies continue to lift up Debbie. She is still battling a cold in her chest and she already has challenges with breathing so this is not a good combination for her at all.
Enjoy (Cindy), your little puppy is so cute. I must confess I am a little envious of you ladies and your new little puppies. I will live vicariously through you. My cat would definitely disown me if a puppy came on the scene. LOL Our thread is a Christian thread and we should be different than the others. I know some ladies in the past said that they would get very depressed hanging out on some of the threads because they were full of no hope and only a feeling of despair. I hope we can find a balance of honesty but one of power in the fact that Jesus resurrection power lives in us and we should be different from the others. We should be a light that will attract others to this place. We all know that there are some ladies who read our thread and never post. Sometimes they will eventually surface. We never know who is reading and watching us to see just who we are and if we are who we say we are. Does that make sense? I love to laugh and have fun and I think we need that here as well.
Capinva, welcome to our thread. I don't know if you know Kath but I am sure you two can eventually share. I will let Kath speak for herself but she is on Avastin now. I am sorry that you are going through this. I am glad you found our thread and I hope we can help you along this journey. This is a thread that prays for each other. I periodically put out a thorough prayer list for all of us but our thread got so large that I think it was a bit overwhelming. Hopefully Kath will see your post and respond.
I had a fabulous day yesterday of feeling better than I have in ages. Unfortunately that many times translates into insomnia and that is what happened last night. i woke up at 2 am and couldn't get back to sleep. So i did not go to church today. I don't think snoring would have been very beneficial to those around me.
Have a great evening everyone. I hope those who have weathered the big storm are safe and warm.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, I needed to hear these words. It is a constant battle within me. I know satan puts the doubts and fears in my mind and I need to be more in the Word of God who gives me strength. I will be praying for all of you as we are all in different places on this journey but a journey we can understand with each other.
God has painted a beautiful scenery with the fresh snow from the storm yesterday. I have a wonderful husband and children who have dug everything out. Thankfully no school tomorrow so I will have another day to rest and for that I am very grateful.
Charlotte
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I have not had to fight the fight that many of you women have but I have been thinking about the future more these days but in a different way. My mom died at 93 from complications of dementia. Two of my cousins from my moms side have/had dementia. One has died and one no longer knows anyone. They are older than me. One died in her late 70's and the other one is in her late 70's and has deteriorated medically since Christmas. My dad developed cancer in his mid 70's did well on hormone therapy until he was 80. Had one dose of chemo and became debilitate. He lingered for a year before he died. I have two aunts on my dads side. One is 100, the other is 97 and both are very sharp. I am one of the younger cousins and there is a much as 16 years between myself and many of my cousins. I am not ready to go home to be with Jesus but it makes me wonder if I had to chose a road in the fork which one would I want to take. For all I know the could be a twist or turn before I hit the fork. Just contemplating things at this point. Plan to be out and about tomorrow getting things done for work.
After about 25 inches of snow with lots of plowing, snow blowing and shoveling here was the beautiful view looking down my street this morning.
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Nancy, we always had cats and dogs growing up and I miss having a cat! We are in the same spot in that my husband doesn't think a cat is a good idea right now. So we will just enjoy each other's pet pictures
Agree with our postings: "You're the only Jesus, some will ever seeeeeeee..." Eeek I hope they do see HIM and not me, yikes! Brutersmom you must live someplace near me, I am in Lancaster county PA. it was quite the snowfall this weekend but you know what? God let me use it to slow down and do things that I had not been able to do recently: we finished finally painting that bathroom on Friday, and then today I cleaned the basement and bagged up 27 years worth of accumulated and I might add unusable junk. I think I would almost like another snowbound weekend again (sorry) since I had some time with my daughter and son in law and husband. Daughter made cinnamon rolls. Get thee behind me Satan.
Charlotte, nice to meet you here. Praying for you and your comfort and solutions to get that fluid to behave itself! Kathy thinking of you as well! I just found this board not long ago. Nice people who keep things real and love Jesus. Hugs to you all, back to reality tomorrow!
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Brutersmom,
Wow. 25 inches of snow. That is incredible. Thanks for sharing the picture. Are you back to working full time now. You are in real estate if i am trusting my memory. I know that these life interruptions tend to make all of us think about things differently. Drive safely. It looks like the snow crew was on the ball in that pic.
Love
Nancy
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Bandwoman, I never really stopped. I took mini vacations to rest and recover. I enjoy what I am doing so I miss it when I am not active. Also I work in an office with fantastic and supportive people. Many of them are like extended family. I miss them when I am away from the office for extended periods of time.
Enjoyeverymoment: I am in Brecknock Berks about a mile from the Lancaster county line near Maple Grove. I grew up in York and still have family there so I am back and forth a lot.
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Enjoy, we must have posted at the same time. I just now saw your post. I am in a throwing out mood as well after staying three weeks with my mom who has dementia and her basement flooded when I was there. I started throwing things out in her basement and it stuck when I came back to my home. I am throwing out years of tax returns and shredding up a storm. It is not fun going through all of it but it sure is a great feeling seeing what you have accomplished.
Charlotte. thankful that you have family that has dug you out. Kath checks in and posts when she is up to it. She is still working full time and is the CEO of her mental health agency so she is trying to divide her time and save her energy as I am sure you understand. I know when she is able she will probably be glad to talk to someone who is experiencing some similar side effects. I remember those snow days. I used to be a teacher! Actually for me I was usually panicked because it meant that I lost a band rehearsal and usually with a concert coming up. It was great fun for the kids. The neighbors would borrow some of my snow to build a snow forte. Take care and stay safe and warm. I think your state may have got hit the hardest but I know records were broken all up the coast for snowfall.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, thrilled to hear you felt good yesterday ! It is finally cooler here in Florida so I sat in the sun at home and then outside of Barnes with DH.
I too believe most struggle with depression, and I would encourage you to share it with your doc if it is interrupting your day.
I hope everyone here gets a good nights sleep (Jo, Jean, Nancy and others)
I realized today fear is still quite evident in my life, so am working on checking Satan out and turning it over completely to God.Was not able to get to church as I was sick, so watched on TV.
Have a blessed day tomorrow everyone!
Hugs, Kath
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Hi, Nancy!! So glad you are feeling better, if only that awful insomnia would disappear forever!! I so appreciate your wise and spiritual words!! My husband and I watched the "War Room." Loved it! I went to a Bible Study, The Armor of God, which Phyllis Schirrer wrote !! We all learned how to protect ourselves from the influences of Satan!! He is a very real enemy and we need to stand firm against his insidious schemes!! Praying every day is essential!! We are always to be strong in the Lord and the power of his Might!! Praying to Our Lord and Savior makes Satan cringe !!
I too,have dealt with depression, and it is by faith, that I can keep it at bay!! I so understand how crippling depression can be!! Hang in there, wonderful ladies Our Lord and this wonderful thread will keep us strong!!
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Enjoy and Nancy, thank you so much for the complement. It means a lot coming from my sister prayer warriors!
Joanne, wow - just love the way you tell it like it 'Tis. Not a rant at all and I could not have said it any better. I too have dealt with depression during this journey and know that I will probably battle it again. It is only because of the refuge God gives me and his strength that sustains me that I am able to not live there and my trust and faith in Him.
Enjoy, your puppy is so cute. I too loved your comment!
Capinva/Charolette. Welcome! Iam glad You found this thread. Praying that the fluid build up stops with the Avistan and that your current treatment continues to keep you stable.
Continued prayers for all
Love across the miles,
Angie
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Up at 4am this morning. Grateful since I fell asleep about 9:30. Bible study tonight so a nap later is probably on the agenda. Jesus made me smile this morning a I thought about how beautiful His resurrection was as He emerged from the tomb in a burst of glorious light the 3rd day after the ugliness of the cross.
Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.
Love, Jean
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Morning beautiful ladies. We have a snow day today and I am very grateful for it.
Brutersmom, I understand what you mean about the fork in the road. I have been doing a lot of wondering late, what if this was my last Christmas, what if I don't see my son and his fiancé marry. I know satan is behind these thoughts and I just keep praying and giving it to Jesus. It is really hard.
We are in the Shenandoah Valley VA and yes we were close to the bulls eye. I think we were close to the 30 inch mark. I never went out to measure so I'm only going by totals close to us. God painted some beautiful pictures with the snow and the trees. Awesome scenes.
Nancy, I'm the school secretary and we are suppose to work regardless but the contractors didn't get the parking lots cleared so they gave us the day off. I understand what you meant by panic. I see the poor teachers preparing for concerts and musicals in the next few weeks and its highly possible that school will be closed all week. Really hurts with practice times.
Our dog had puppies 1 week ago. She had 3 adorable little pups. They are in our garage staying nice and warm. The mom is an outside border collie but she has done very well being in the garage.
Jean, I love the scripture you quoted. Thanks for sending that.
Kath I hope you are doing well today.
To anyone I missed I pray that everyone is well today.
Love and blessings
Charlotte
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Charlotte, I know that Satan is behind those thoughts because they started with the fall of Adam and Eve. We are human. Sometimes we need to share those thoughts and grieve them so that we can move on and allow Jesus to carry them for us. I wanted to hurt my pastors wife with some of the comments she made. I found there were times that I needed to allow those human emotions to express themselves so that Christ could pick them up and carry them for me. I feel like with people Christian and non Christian, if they have not walked in my shoes there understanding is limited. We can share or fears and hurts in an honest and biblical way to support each other and to help each one of us grow in faith and healing.
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Brutersmom
You are so right. If I try to talk to my husband about we both get emotional and I don't want him to be hurt or upset so I just keep praying and keep it bottled up. I know for certain it is satan and he attacks at my weakest moments. Thank you for sharing and understanding. I keep asking myself do other Christian women have these thoughts or am I the only one. I'm so glad I found this board.
I pray you are doing well today
Charlotte
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Charlotte, I still work. I sell Real Estate. There are two agents in my office that have had cancer. One is about my age and another is younger. One had throat cancer Stage 4 and he is doing really well and the other had a sarcoma in her arm. We don't talk about our situations much but we listen to each other when we need to. It helps to share with someone that has experienced CA. My husband just looks at me like a deer in headlights when I talk to him. Sharing with them especially over the holidays and expressing my concerns allowed me to realize I was not alone. I think the Lord has put these people in my life help me move beyond the disease and heal. I thank him for that.
I think sometime Satan likes to isolate us and keep us from reaching out to others. I hope you can find a way to meet some people to share with or we are here for you when you need to share. You are not alone.
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