This month, I received a couple large checks from Rozetta Baptist Church to help me with my chemo pills!! This gift to my family means that 6 months of pills are paid for!! I cannot express to you enough how much this means to us! THANK YOU all so much for your love, support, and prayers through this process! This gift has taken SO much stress off our chest and I feel like I can now breath easier knowing that I can continue these chemotherapy treatments without having to worry about the finances.
I feel so loved and blessed to live in this community! And I thank you all for your prayers and love! I just wanted you to know that I so appreciate this and feel very blessed!
February 27, 2014
February 25, 2014
One Year Mark
This Thursday marks one year since my surgery to remove the brain tumor (Trixie, we called her) and my later diagnosis of brain cancer! I can't believe we've hit the one year mark already! This past year has been an absolute whirlwind, but so many blessings have come out of it.
First of all, because of my realization that this life can so quickly be gone, I have refocused my priorities. Before my diagnosis, I was so focused on making money and on work that I often put my relationships with Christ, Travis, family, and friends on the back-burner. I worked so hard that I came home exhausted with no energy for the people who really mattered. Now, I recognize that work is still an important part of life, but it must be focused on leading people to Christ and I must have enough left after my workday for Travis and Lucas!
I have learned to rely on Christ alone and my relationship to Him has been radically deepened. I have recognized that I cannot do this life by my own strength. Life is too much to handle to do it alone. He is now in complete control of my life. I pray daily for direction and for His guidance in my decisions. I pray for the Holy Spirit to work in my life each day, leading me where He has planned.
Not only has my relationship with Christ grown stronger, but my relationships with friends and family have intensified. I have truly realized the importance of sticking together, serving one another, and putting others before my own needs. Before, I was so focused on our finances and goals that I often forgot how important it is to spend time with and uplift those around me. Now, I have been more purposeful in my friendships, setting aside time for those who matter; whether it be a lunch date, evening visit, quick phone call, facebook message, or letter, this year I have focused more on my friends and family than ever before. As a result, I see my friendships deepening and myself connecting on deeper level with family members. I pray this only continues as the years go by.
This year has also led me to long for Christ and my Heavenly Home! I have realized that this place is not my home. I will continue on Earth for only a short time, and I long for the days when all I do is sing praises to my Creator! In my final days on Earth, however long that may be, I will praise God through my actions, words, and thoughts. I know that my time is short, but I will use each hour I'm given in a purposeful way, in order to show people Christ through my life! I pray today, dear reader, that you have committed your life to Christ as well.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and encouragement as I live each day to the fullest. Remember, friends, the best is yet to come!
God bless you,
Alicia
First of all, because of my realization that this life can so quickly be gone, I have refocused my priorities. Before my diagnosis, I was so focused on making money and on work that I often put my relationships with Christ, Travis, family, and friends on the back-burner. I worked so hard that I came home exhausted with no energy for the people who really mattered. Now, I recognize that work is still an important part of life, but it must be focused on leading people to Christ and I must have enough left after my workday for Travis and Lucas!
I have learned to rely on Christ alone and my relationship to Him has been radically deepened. I have recognized that I cannot do this life by my own strength. Life is too much to handle to do it alone. He is now in complete control of my life. I pray daily for direction and for His guidance in my decisions. I pray for the Holy Spirit to work in my life each day, leading me where He has planned.
Not only has my relationship with Christ grown stronger, but my relationships with friends and family have intensified. I have truly realized the importance of sticking together, serving one another, and putting others before my own needs. Before, I was so focused on our finances and goals that I often forgot how important it is to spend time with and uplift those around me. Now, I have been more purposeful in my friendships, setting aside time for those who matter; whether it be a lunch date, evening visit, quick phone call, facebook message, or letter, this year I have focused more on my friends and family than ever before. As a result, I see my friendships deepening and myself connecting on deeper level with family members. I pray this only continues as the years go by.
This year has also led me to long for Christ and my Heavenly Home! I have realized that this place is not my home. I will continue on Earth for only a short time, and I long for the days when all I do is sing praises to my Creator! In my final days on Earth, however long that may be, I will praise God through my actions, words, and thoughts. I know that my time is short, but I will use each hour I'm given in a purposeful way, in order to show people Christ through my life! I pray today, dear reader, that you have committed your life to Christ as well.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and encouragement as I live each day to the fullest. Remember, friends, the best is yet to come!
God bless you,
Alicia
February 20, 2014
That's What Faith Can Do
This song is so perfect for today, as a friend also battling cancer was given terrible news about her prognosis and my Father-in-law is in the ICU with a medical condition. As I sat at my desk at work and this song came across Pandora, all I could do was cry and thank God for His faithfulness and gentle reminder that my big faith in Him can indeed move mountains, heal the sick, and cause miracles to happen. Please pray with me today for Sharri and Ed!
Please enjoy the following lyrics from Kutless' song "That's What Faith Can Do"
Everybody falls sometime
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes
And make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
Stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
Please enjoy the following lyrics from Kutless' song "That's What Faith Can Do"
Everybody falls sometime
From the ashes
And make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it's more than you can take
But you're stronger
Stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason
For someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can
I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
February 5, 2014
God is the Reason...
God is the reason why
even in pain, I smile;
in confusion, I understand;
and in fear, I continue to fight!
- Author Unknown
God truly is the reason. He's the reason I wake up each morning; I've taken a vow to represent Him each day and love people in His name. He's the reason I smile at people, hoping to be a ray of sunshine in a dark world. God's the reason I am able to understand that difficult situations only bring us closer to Him and each other. Honestly, God's the only reason that I'm able to continue this fight!
God, thank you for carrying me through this difficult season in my life. Thank you for my family, friends, mentors, and church. Lord, I give it all over to you; the burdens I carry are too heavy and you have offered to take them. Thank you. You are my strength and my hope, my joy and my reason for everything.
God, to you be the praise!
even in pain, I smile;
in confusion, I understand;
and in fear, I continue to fight!
- Author Unknown
God truly is the reason. He's the reason I wake up each morning; I've taken a vow to represent Him each day and love people in His name. He's the reason I smile at people, hoping to be a ray of sunshine in a dark world. God's the reason I am able to understand that difficult situations only bring us closer to Him and each other. Honestly, God's the only reason that I'm able to continue this fight!
God, thank you for carrying me through this difficult season in my life. Thank you for my family, friends, mentors, and church. Lord, I give it all over to you; the burdens I carry are too heavy and you have offered to take them. Thank you. You are my strength and my hope, my joy and my reason for everything.
God, to you be the praise!
February 4, 2014
Tonight, I Ask For Prayer
Tonight, I'm blogging to simply as you for prayer. You see, I had a rough visit to the doctor today and am kind of down tonight as a result. I am being heavily attacked by Satan and could really use your prayers for God's peace on my life.
My oncology doctor has been offered a position at Penn State as the Director of their cancer clinic. This is a wonderful opportunity for him and I am thankful for the time I was able to spend as his patient. In the period until they find a replacement, Dr. Carlisle, my former oncologist, who retired this year, is coming out of retirement to help care for Dr. Hohl's patients. I very much respect and trust my current doctor so it was hard news for me to take that yet again I will be switching.
Because of how much I respect him, I asked Dt. Hohl his opinion of what he would recommend if all continues to look good on my brain scans (my next scan is in March). He said that with my aggressive form of brain cancer, he would like to see me continue chemo for an extended time (potentially through next April), since my body is handling it well and if finances would allow. But he is concerned if I stop chemo too soon another tumor will resurface quickly. So, it seems as if I might be continuing chemo for awhile longer. Of course, this is not the course that I must definitely take and depends of many factors including my scan in March and Dr. Carlisle's opinion.
I am struggling tonight most of all due to the the stress of the financial burden that continuing chemo for another year would place on us. We are currently paying $300 out-of-pocket each month for my five nights of Chemo on top of a substantial insurance premium. We are simply not mathematically able to put $300 in our monthly budget for the next year. However, I MUST trust that God will provide every need, including this.
Although I'm just slightly overwhelmed this evening at all of this new information, I knew directly what to turn to: Godly Friends and God's Word. Right away after returning home from my appointment, I tore open my Bible and dug deep into the Word, as well as emailed some important Christian mentors asking them to pray for me. I know that I must fully turn this situation over to the Author of this story! Please pray for me to do just that.
In closing, I end with some verses that helped me through tonight:
"Submit to God and you will have peace; then things will go well for you." ~Job 22:21
"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." ~Psalm 29:11
"But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." ~Proverbs 1:33
"Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he's done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hears and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." ~1 Peter 4:12
January 9, 2014
Choosing to Be Joyful
A question I get very often is "how are you always so happy and smiling?" Let me tell you, and Travis could testify, I am absolutely not always happy. There are days where I'm simply tired and completely frustrated. There are people who frustrate me and moments that my patience is pushed to the max. Today is one of those days; my body is worn out, my mind is full of thoughts, I don't know what to do, and I just feel like crying. We all have those days, you know what I'm talking about. Everything that could go wrong does.
In those moments and on those days we have a couple choices. We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves, complain about our life and by our attitude cause our situation to get worse. Or we can choose joy. Choosing joy isn't easy and sometimes may even feel like you're being fake.
Honestly my friends, our feelings don't matter though. If they did, we would all be divorced and without jobs because I know we all have moments where we don't feel like going to work or don't feel in love with our spouse.
You may feel too tired to get into the Word; do it anyway and see how being connected with God gives you a lift. You might feel like crying; try smiling at a stranger instead and see the blessing you'll receive. You may feel like complaining about your situation; list all the goods things and blessings in your life instead.
Joy is something that each and everyday I make the conscious effort to choose. Joy isn't based on my situation. It's not even based on whether I'm happy or not. Actually joy and my happiness shouldn't be connected at all in my life.
You see, joy is something we're commanded to have: "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes 4:16) God's will is for me to be joyful simply because Christ is in my life! Wow!
When hard times comes, which they do to everyone, it's sometimes not easy to be joyful when life seems to be crumbling around you. But you can have joy in the fact that Christ is your friend and the Creator of the universe has your back. Friends, I pray that today we're all able to choose joy!
Good bless you,
Alicia
January 7, 2014
One Step Closer to Debt Free!
After closely reviewing our remaining debt, we realized that we were paying way too high of an interest rate on one of my student loans and the current mortgage interest rate was substantially less than we were currently paying. After meeting with our bank and spending some time in prayer and crunching numbers, we determined that a refinance would be a huge positive in our finances. In this refinance process, we took out an extra $10,000 to pay off my smallest but highest interest student loan.
As we make a $10,000 payment on Wednesday to payoff this student loan, that means we are one step closer to our goal of being debt free other than our house!!
This is such an exciting step in our lives and I know this hurdle will spur us on to continue with this long and tedious process!! As we look forward to the rest of 2014, I pray that we are able to make progress on the remaining $14,000 in order to be another step closer to our dream of adopting a child debt free! :-)
As we make a $10,000 payment on Wednesday to payoff this student loan, that means we are one step closer to our goal of being debt free other than our house!!
This is such an exciting step in our lives and I know this hurdle will spur us on to continue with this long and tedious process!! As we look forward to the rest of 2014, I pray that we are able to make progress on the remaining $14,000 in order to be another step closer to our dream of adopting a child debt free! :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)