Hello everyone!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend if you're here in the States with me, or just had a terrific weekend if you're in the big wide world. I had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with our family six. Saturday we drove up to Kansas City and had an afternoon of visiting with grandparents and Alabama football. We made a memory. Having memories and living in them are not the same though. I'm glad that God keeps us moving forward. I need to move forward.
A couple of weeks ago a man spoke at our church about Elijah and how he was physically and emotionally exhausted after the Mount Carmel confrontation with the prophets of Baal. It struck me, that's why I've made it this far strong, and suddenly I feel so tired from the fight. BUT GOD! He brought ravens with food for Elijah. He took care of Elijah when he was weak and tired. He will bring me through. He's been sending me people to show His love, His kindness, and who have blessed me with their time, with cleaning help, with meals, with a listening ear when I was crying through everything.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend if you're here in the States with me, or just had a terrific weekend if you're in the big wide world. I had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with our family six. Saturday we drove up to Kansas City and had an afternoon of visiting with grandparents and Alabama football. We made a memory. Having memories and living in them are not the same though. I'm glad that God keeps us moving forward. I need to move forward.
A couple of weeks ago a man spoke at our church about Elijah and how he was physically and emotionally exhausted after the Mount Carmel confrontation with the prophets of Baal. It struck me, that's why I've made it this far strong, and suddenly I feel so tired from the fight. BUT GOD! He brought ravens with food for Elijah. He took care of Elijah when he was weak and tired. He will bring me through. He's been sending me people to show His love, His kindness, and who have blessed me with their time, with cleaning help, with meals, with a listening ear when I was crying through everything.
Worn out is not a good place to be, but God is bringing me through. I'm feeling stronger thanks to the love and support of friends and family. I had not realized how isolated I'd been. Some people just didn't know how to help, some didn't want to impose or bother me, or they didn't want to make me sick, so most just kind of backed off. It took me reaching out to get the merry-go-round going in the other direction. He'll take care of you, too.
Last week, a dear saint in our church who is in her nineties told me that each morning when her feet hit the floor, she thanks God for a sound mind and a strong body. So in the mornings, I've been trying to do the same thing. If it works for this dear lady in her nineties, who looks like she could be in a fashion magazine when she comes to church, still sings and writes poetry for the LORD, and who has even delivered short messages from the pulpit, it must work!
Perhaps you're going through something right now—something hard. In fact, I'd be surprised if you're not. Maybe you feel isolated and tired. Don't be afraid to reach out to those around you. I just told a few people that I really need a friend right now. Find someone who you know is positive and compassionate and reach out. I think you'll be glad you did. I am.
Laura
Blessed to Be a Blessing
P.S. Christmas season is starting early this year. We're putting up our tree tonight. We've a very strict tree trimming tradition. The kids insist on it every year.
Share Your Cup
Perhaps you're going through something right now—something hard. In fact, I'd be surprised if you're not. Maybe you feel isolated and tired. Don't be afraid to reach out to those around you. I just told a few people that I really need a friend right now. Find someone who you know is positive and compassionate and reach out. I think you'll be glad you did. I am.
Laura
Blessed to Be a Blessing
P.S. Christmas season is starting early this year. We're putting up our tree tonight. We've a very strict tree trimming tradition. The kids insist on it every year.
Share Your Cup
I am glad to hear that you have reached out to others and they are helping you now. When my husband was in the hospital in the coma back in January I put a list on the kitchen table and hid a key outside. When others asked what they could do I told them about the list and the key and some days I came home to items crossed off and taken care of. It was so much help.
ReplyDeleteI will pray more specifically for you now that I know more. I know about the isolation since we are very much the same here. We decided to volunteer to deliver meals for Meals on Wheels starting in January. I think my husband's brain can handle that and we would be so much better off for getting out and doing for others. You are an encouragement to so many here on your blog and maybe you do not even realize that. So.....here is one reader saying it! Have a good week my friend. I hope your weather is nice and sunny because that is always a good thing!
Dear Lana,
DeleteI think the Meals on Wheels is a great idea! It's hard to be isolated. I know I am supposed to rest, but too much rest makes me melancholy. I am trying to do what I can around the house, and I feel better for it. I am also trying to get out of the house regularly. This coming week I begin treatments again. I'm not looking forward to it, but it will give me a chance to spread sunshine all over the place and put on a happy face!
May God bring continued healing in Jesus' name for your husband and for you, too!
Hugs,
Laura
P.S. Your encouragement lifts me up. Thank you for your prayers.
Hey Laura, God will provide rest and healing for you, too. I read your sentence about making memories and not living in them, several times. That's a strong message and I will remind my own self of that on my down days. I'm happy you spent Thanksgiving with family and made new memories. And look at you, putting your tree up already! I hope to do that this week!
ReplyDeleteHi Penny,
DeleteIt was a little chaotic tonight. Prior to my surgery, a friend brought me a frozen lasagna she made. I took it out of the freezer Friday thinking I'd serve it tonight for dinner. While the pecan pies were baking, I took the lasagna out of the fridge to let the glass pan warm a bit before putting it in the oven. It was still frozen solid! We ended up going out for Chinese. That made happy kids. Then we put the tree up and decorated it. We tried recording the stories from each year, but it was a bit chaotic. Oh well, that's life with four young adults! We were together enjoying a tradition. That's what mattered.
Bless you!
I am going to read that line again, too.
Hugs,
Laura
Laura, I'm so thankful you had a great holiday, and then felt up to visiting family.
ReplyDeleteBut, I just gotta say it, BAMA? OH NO!!!!!
Got an LSU girl here, I was cheering Auburn on! LOL!
But I'm truly glad you enjoyed yourself!
Smiling here Laurie,
DeleteI don't watch football, but my dad has been a Bama fan as long as I can remember. Glad someone was happy! Giggle
I do understand the struggles and asking for help is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but also very needed sometimes. I'm keeping you in my prayers, my heart goes out to you! I'm not sure if you already do this or not, but I journal to get out my thoughts and feelings in a safe place and find it helps a lot... perhaps it is something you may want to try? Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
Jill
Thank you for your prayers and your suggestion Jill. I have done some journaling through this. Happy Advent season!
DeleteThe description of that sweet, little lady at your church reminds me of my dear Mom. She was so strong and pushed against SO much pain in her body every day. So thankful for the older ladies we can look to who are Titus 2 women examples to us. They prove that it is better farther on and worth pressing forward. We got our tree up, too! SO exciting and wonderful..this time of year, in itself, is such an encouragement and uplift! I continue to pray for you, as always.
ReplyDeleteThere's something peaceful about sitting in the tree light. Glad you got yours up. Remember. Fear not what these next weeks will bring. God took care of our family for months. You were there.
DeleteHugs to you.
Laura
I'm glad you and your family made new memories together Laura, someday you will look back at this time and remember the mostly good things about it. You are right that most people want to help but do not know just how, and sometimes just stay away. How wonderful that you are reaching out to others to let them know what they could do to help or encourage you most. If we lived close by, we would have a tea party together :) I love having tea with dear friends of mine, it is such a beautiful time of fellowship with each other and our hearts always turn to praise and worship of the Lord for His goodness in our lives. I appreciate your sweet honesty and faith in the Lord. Life is real, and most of the time not pretty, but our trust in the Lord sustains us! Many blessings, hugs, and prayers for you today!
ReplyDeleteI'd love a tea party Marilyn. Maybe we should do one over the phone one of these days!
DeleteLaura, I too have a hard time being down. I also get a little depressed. So I fight and keep going. Nothing like your fight. I pray for you daily and I am so happy you are being well loved.
ReplyDeleteKim
May God strengthen you for the fight Kim!
DeleteSweet friend,
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration.
I always leave here feeling better than when I came!!!
That's one of the kindest things I've heard. Thank you so much Billie Jo. I love coming by your place, too. I haven't been doing much visiting the last several weeks. I do look forward to seeing your home ready for Christmas. Happy Advent! Laura
DeleteGood Morning Laura, I am so sorry to hear you are going through such a traumatic time. It puts the flu virus I have been suffering with into perspective.
ReplyDeleteAs people we all need warmth and understanding, so it's interesting to read that friends did not know how to help. That is a very English condition,as people are more reserved, they want to help, but are in fear of being perceived as a nuisance.
I am so pleased you had the courage to reach out to your friends and family for support and I have to say, your 90 year old friend, what a wonderful lady to impart such wisdom.
I send you my love and warmest wishes.
Daphne
Hi Daphne,
DeleteI think that fear of being a nuisance kept some friends away. I am so glad to hear from you Daphne. I hope we will become blog friends.
When you have the flu, it's miserable. May you feel better quickly.
Father God, I pray for Daphne that you will bring healing to her body, that this flu virus will die the death,and Daphne will be strong and healthy. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thanks so much for writing,
Laura
So glad you reached out to others/ I think many people want to help, but they just don't know how. Have you heard of chemo angels? I had the most wonderful angel who sent me little notes and gifts each week when I was going through chemo and radiation. Just knowing that someone was thinking of me and praying for me, helped so much.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs and prayers.
No Kathy, I haven't heard of chemo angels. That is so wonderful. Are you finished with your treatments now?
Deletehttp://chemoangels.wixsite.com/chemo-angels-1
DeleteYes, I am a 15 year survivor!
Praise God Kathy!
Delete