I am stronger.
I am more faithful.
I am more patient.
More importantly, my heart was prepared for a bigger battle.
I am now immersed in the cancer community.
I have signed up for heartbreak.
I have signed up for messy.
I am a warrior's warrior.
I am forever changed and there's no turning back.
Remember all the goals I set on my May 2011 post?
http://everyday-hollyday.blogspot.com/2013/05/here-and-now-moments.html
Well, I did them all!
And now, a year later, I face a new battle.
On Friday, a dear friend and sister in Christ was diagnosed with breast cancer. She stood by my side and now I will stand by hers. The timing is heart-wrenching. It's happening all over again. The initial flurry of doctors appointments. The waiting. The tests. The fear. The results. The scheduling. The unknown. It's all so surreal. The reminder that we only know what's behind us. The stark realization that our path is not in our control. Digging deep into His Word and focusing on the acceptance of Plan A. His will. His design. Deep breathes.
The Pink Line is open. And I am on the other end.
I met with my friend Susan today. She's the one that I gave my KC&CO bracelet to on my birthday. And although she has yet to finish all of her chemotherapy (August 12th, God willing, will be her last treatment), she wanted to pass the KC&CO bracelet to my newly diagnosed friend.
More importantly, my heart was prepared for a bigger battle.
I am now immersed in the cancer community.
I have signed up for heartbreak.
I have signed up for messy.
I am a warrior's warrior.
I am forever changed and there's no turning back.
Remember all the goals I set on my May 2011 post?
http://everyday-hollyday.blogspot.com/2013/05/here-and-now-moments.html
Well, I did them all!
- Casting for Recovery was an amazing experience. I met 13 other beautiful survivors, now life-long friends and I have taken up fly fishing on a near-addiction level. It quiets the soul and reminds me of the importance of patience.
- Relay for Life was a very surprising experience. It was my first "survivor experience" and yet I was overwhelmed with sadness and anger. I cried during the survivor lap and was furious that I was there as a survivor instead of a participant. I was shocked by my reaction. I had no idea that I would feel that way. Fortunately, I had my husband, kids and friends by my side...holding my hand and leading me through my tears. When we went to the survivor's luncheon, I had yet another surprise when 9-year-old brain tumor warrior Gabriella Miller asked me and my family to smash walnuts with her. Talk about a reset button. What an honor to know this amazing young fighter and be by her side smashing walnuts. I snapped out of my sadness and remembered the blessing I have - I SURVIVED and am THRIVING!
- The LoziLu Mud Run was another surprising event. I stood alongside a co-worker and friend and helped her to accomplish something she had never done before. I experienced the gifts of patience and teamwork and felt so wonderful that we crossed the finish line together. Beautiful. Messy. And together!
- And yes, I am now an official Board Member of For 3 Sisters, Inc. Diving deeper into the breast cancer community brings me a mixture of feelings. I am excited to bring resources and quality of life programs to fighters, survivors and caregivers. I am also scared of the heartache that this community endures. I am relying heavily on my personal faith in Christ to led me through this endeavor.
And now, a year later, I face a new battle.
On Friday, a dear friend and sister in Christ was diagnosed with breast cancer. She stood by my side and now I will stand by hers. The timing is heart-wrenching. It's happening all over again. The initial flurry of doctors appointments. The waiting. The tests. The fear. The results. The scheduling. The unknown. It's all so surreal. The reminder that we only know what's behind us. The stark realization that our path is not in our control. Digging deep into His Word and focusing on the acceptance of Plan A. His will. His design. Deep breathes.
The Pink Line is open. And I am on the other end.
I met with my friend Susan today. She's the one that I gave my KC&CO bracelet to on my birthday. And although she has yet to finish all of her chemotherapy (August 12th, God willing, will be her last treatment), she wanted to pass the KC&CO bracelet to my newly diagnosed friend.
And so I had the privilege of delivering the traveling bracelet to it's next survivor. A FAITHFUL WARRIOR.
May you Keep Calm & Carry On, my dear friend!
Never forgetting that the Armor must remain.
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV)
