MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012: 
Two metastatic breast cancer tumors removed from my head...hospitalized eight (plus) times....home water pipes burst, flooding the home in three places....car was totaled while I was in the ICU....purchased a lemon to replace the car that was totaled - dealt with that for weeks....business truck wrecked twice, including a hit & run....a family situation that was difficult for us all to say the least....mother-in-law passed. 

We will always refer to this year as the most challenging of years for our family. We were tested, tried and faced great tribulation but we can also say, God released provision and our greatest days are ahead of us. It is my prayer that 2013 will bring your family hope & healing and peace & prosperity....but most of all, 
love.

As a 'believer' and a 'friend of God,' I feel it is a responsibility to set this record straight. It's unacceptable to sit by quietly and continue to let these, well..the only word I can think of is - "FOOLISH" men speak such 

ignorance. 

Mr. Dobson,

Do you really believe the God Who knew we would all sin and fall short of His glory and yet sent Jesus anyway to die on a cross for us would pour out wrath on six year old children? We have been failing Him since day one and yet He loves us anyway and He sent His son to redeem us from an eternity without Him. We do not deserve grace but not only does He offer grace to us but He prepares every new day with new mercies for an imperfect people. I don't know the god you serve, Mr. Dobson.. I do, however know the God I serve and He, my friend..will never be the God in which you claim to speak of. It is my prayer that you have not been a stumbling block in your double minded comments. A double minded man is an unstable man. 

I would suggest before you speak - SEEK!

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/dobson-connecticut-shooting-was-god-allowing-judgment-fall-upon-us-turning-our-back-him

I'm home now and well. We are awaiting to hear from the discussions to be held next week where fifty plus specialist will be meeting concerning my "unusual case." 

I want to thank you all for your prayers 

"That's no mountain for a climber? I know what awaits at the peak? Jesus is waiting on me"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWhjefc8vHg&feature=related

I told someone today that just before the two brain tumors this year, after a nine year battle with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer to the bones and five years of stage 4 Vulva cancer...that just before this last tumor would be removed and the doctors would put me under once again..asking me to count backwards...my words to my God were all I could think about...that's all that mattered to me...that's when life comes down to moments, not five years plans or months or days.

What I said to Him would mean more to me and not because I was insecure about where I would go if I were not have awoken but because I want Him to understand how much I love Him here and now in this hard place. I said to my Creator, "God, I commit my body and my soul as I have my spirit...as I have my life...You have forever kept me and if I wake to see Your face, then so be it...all I desire is to be swept away for eternity in Your glory. Just continue to hold my family and friends until one day, they meet me there."

I know I will be with my Lord and Savior one day...maybe I won't have the opportunity to grow old but my opportunity is not the lesser. I have the chance to declare His goodness and I will proclaim that for the rest of my days. That said, I still and will always continue to walk in the healing of my precious Lord as He took those stripes on His back for me, for us...for every disease that we would come to know here in this sick and fallen world. 
I know that one day, I will climb a final mountain...we all will...there is a time and a season for us all...but when I reach the top, that peak, He will be there waiting on me. He is my source and my strength and He will not fail me. 

I wanted out of the house today for a while so my mom took me up town where I ran into a church family member. So many memories raced through my mind of teaching children's church and volunteering in Bible school with her so many years ago. My spirit leaped and it was if I was quickly reminded of how deep my walk had grown through the trials and tribulations that has tested my life and my service. See, it's easy to get caught up in all the "churchy" stuff we do and teach our kids but please understand that in this life, there will be great troubles, 'big mountains'...it's at that time, you will have to decide - will you trust Him? Will you roll over in fear as the enemy would hope or expect you to or would you pick up the sword of faith and swing? 
Understand that faith is built daily through His Word, through relationship with Him...the miracle of the Bible...which holds the truths for how we are to govern our lives and in turn what we can expect from Him and we can be sure of this one thing...that He is faithful, the One Who promised. But I want you to understand that there is nothing difficult about a relationship with the Father. God only wants you...all of you. He loves you and there will always be a peace you will find in Him that will surpass all the challenges of this life. I would suggest to you to hold to Him...there is no greater love...not just for your sake of survival but for Him. He paid the price of a son in exchange for you to freely live and freely receive. And He loved you this way before the day you were born into this world. 

He has loved me through it all and I will forever worship Him. What He has promised is a 'closedbook' and cannot and will not ever be undone. No man can add or take away from what He has faithfully promised us. Allow His promises to sweep over you and overtake you with blessings you could never contain on your own. There is nothing greater than the peace of God...over these years, I have learned more about my God and in it all, my life has become completely His...less of me and more of Him. 
He is the giver of life and I want Him to have my life back to do with it as He wills, I want to serve as His vessel, proclaiming His goodness until everyone I can reach even if it only be one, would ask Him to come into their heart and show them this peace, this love, this hope. 

I'm still here and I still have a work to do but it's only by His grace and His mercy that is sufficient and never-ending. 
Friends, There will come a day....will you climb trusting in the One who awaits at the top, the One who watches you to assure your every need? Do you know the One who awaits you faithfully? His name is Jesus. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise - He loves you no matter where you have been or what you have done. He knows you. He loves you. 

I love you, my friends.
Thank you for all you have done for me....I know that every single one of you were placed in my life for a reason by my God. I know you lift me up in prayer and there is no greater love than the love of a neighbor, a friend.
I pray for you, you pray for me and we all win.
God Bless You,

 Cup of Tea?

 Happy Livestrong Day

(I was at Whole Foods a while back when I ran into George Hincapie at the salad bar with his child. He's a regular guy and Lance is a regular guy - 'Human.' Everyone makes mistakes.. we all have at some point or another in our lives. I think we all agree as 'Livestrongers,' it's our turn to offer encouragement and hope. I am grateful to be a part of this yellow family that began through the passion

 of Lance Armstrong. Thank God for him and what he has done for us as cancer fighters. I don't know details and don't have to know.. I do know that LAF and the opportunities they have given me as a two time survivor of two different stage 4 cancers over the years to serve has empowered me and offered me solid ground in which to take a stand. This yellow family has only just begun. No, it's not about the bike but it is about a man on a bike who looked on 28 million people with compassion
and done something about it. Thank You, Lance and LAF.)

Visit 'The Grill Man' for the best meal of your life during the month of October. The Grill Man will be supporting 'Upstate for Livestrong' (Upstate's local group that supports/benefits The Lance Armstrong Foundation) and helping us raise awareness and funds. Livestrong Day being Tuesday, October 2nd, please remember to wear yellow ...also, visit me here on Facebook to place your bid for the limited Livestrong dishes by Chantal (8 place settings with tea set). At 'The Grill Man,' We will be raffling a yellow 10' Kayak (Old Town with flex seat and dry storage) - paddle and universal vest included (valued right around $475)...raffle tickets for the boat will be sold for $10 each. You will be able to purchase tee shirts for $7 each and wristbands for $1 or more "In-Care Donations," as well. Please remember to pick up our brochures or visit www.Livestrong.org to find out more about The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Thank you for joining us to raise awareness and funds for Livestrong Day 2012. This year we will use the funds raised to purchase toys for local children battling cancer and gift cards for the parents of those children. We thank you ahead of time as we know you will support our efforts as you always have.

'The Grill Man' address, phone and hours of operation:

1500 Providence Church Road, Anderson, SC 29626

Phone: (864) 222-2022

Hours: 

Mon-Thu Closed

Fri 5–9pm

Sat-Sun 12–9pm

The bid is now at $350 for the limited Livestrong Dish eight piece place setting and tea set by Chantal. We would like to inform those who are bidding on these dishes that we are asking the winner of this auction to agree to cover shipping as we hope to keep all funds raised for the beneficiaries. 

Thank you

https://www.standup2cancer.org/



I will never live life like I was dying.

Don't misunderstand me, I do understand the artist intent within the song but what I want is to live every day, every hour...moment by moment as if it were

the first breath I had ever taken, the first time I had opened my eyes to the beauty of this incredible creation called life. I understand why we make those bucket list but I prefer life list. My vision, my focus is living...breathing, until one day, it runs out and new breath fills my lungs -celestial air and it fills my soul to capacity and I see the face of my sweet Jesus standing before me and He takes me into this place where cancer does not exist. There is place, a time ...where we will no more worry about cancer, about sickness and disease, death. I pray you will allow the stories of this night and the hearts and spirits of these courageous people who I understand the hurts and pains so intimately with to move you into compassion and stir your hearts for the hurting. The suffering pulls you so far away to a place that dreams of sky diving and Rocky Mountain Climbing seems so great at this moment..but when asked how many more moments would we want, would we ask for if given the chance...is there indeed an answer to such a question?...when just to step from the bed to the bathroom is the conquering quest of the day. I know how that feels. i know the anticipation of another day full of new mercy but another day of pain so great that you long to die. But I also know the greatest Hope that ever walked the face of this earth and He makes my path straight. He brings joy that no check on a bucket list could ever offer me. My bucket list, my life list ..is to share Him with you..all the days of my life until they are fulfilled. I love you, my friends and I want to share the greatest joy I know..the only peace that is real, my life list - My God.

Please support Stand Up 2 Cancer....Shop, Give...Stand Up!

Stand Up, Upstate!

Woke up in the middle of the night in pain and doubled over from yesterday's chemo. I was told by the nurse yesterday that I only have one chemo left scheduled. 
Soon I will awaken from this midnight hour as morning is drawing near. My Lord has carried me once again through the valley of the shadow of death. 
Truth is, this has been one of the most difficult couple of years of any of the past years while in this dry and barren land. The enemy set his intentions on destroying my family in every way he thought he could and he doesn't fight fair.. he offers no mercy and incapable of compassion..he's callous and he desires only to destroy and devour the very soul of a man. 
Through it all, my God has been faithful..faithful and true. He reminded me over and over again that no one nor no thing in this world could ever pluck my family from His hand. We are free. Truth for us all is none of us are immune from the hurts of this life. Everyone has their 'cancers' and everyone has a devil to fight. We are all on the enemy's annihilation agenda. Seek the King and allow Him to serve you His living water and you will never thirst again..even in the driest of desert places. 
I haven't blogged or worked on my book for months as the distractions of my family's lives has consumed my every thought..however, over the past months during trials and tribulations as friends and my church family locked arms with me to charge the enemy's camp, I came to realize once again that the windows of Heaven had remained open through it all and all the time, in all of it, God had never moved. His eyes were on us and His arms were surrounding us. It was my focus that shifted to these things that are so temporal.. when my eyes should have remained on those eternal things. But in the presence of the King, my eyes were lifted back towards His amazing grace. I know in whom I have believed and He is the One who fights our battles for us. My life belongs to Him therefore, no man, no disease, no tribulation will ever take me or my family from the embrace of His almighty arms. I am in awe of Him and I have been showered with His favor and consumed by His love. He has kept my family, kept His promises and opened doors to my family that no man can shut and closed doors that no man could ever open. In His presence, there is fullness of joy..there is peace that surpasses all understanding. Lean on Him. The veil was torn and we can come to Him just as we are.. broken and battered. He never expects perfection..that's man's expectations. This is where I choose to live and will for the remainder of my days, which will be long and in divine health as He promised..nestled in His wings. 
Let's be honest..life is never easy and there are times..more so than not..that we don't know how we will find the strength to rise come morning to face yet another day. The only way I have been able to endure all of my adult life has been 'in the presence of The King.'

Remembering My 'Friend Dad'

I'll never forget watching my college best friend's dad teaching his daughter to change the oil in her car. I remember hearing him explain to her how he always wanted her to be independent and self-sufficient, confident. He understood the importance of a young girl's confidence in herself, her self-esteem.. and it was certain that he would instill that in his daughters. He was just one of "those dads." He knew when to listen and how to listen and the importance of both. He paid attention to the details of his family. He encouraged the dreams and hopes of his daughters and they felt secure and assurred of his support ..and the reassurance of his love, daily. I know for me, he has always been and will forever be "that dad." I was just the college buddy barging in on the family on weekends at meal time mostly but he always made me feel like one of his own.

Thank You, Lord
Thank you for the Godly impact this man, this father had on so many. He was a vessel, an example for that most valued roll as 'Father.' You blessed so many of us by the walk of this man. The footprints he has left behind will continue to bless those who knew him. Most would not think that a simple task such as changing the oil in a car would have such a meaninginful impact but I've never forgotten that day as I watched on as my friend's dad would take the time to teach her such a thing. It was way more than learning how to change the oil in a car, it was a father expressing to his daughter that how she thought about herself was of the greatest importance. It was a father gifting his daughter love. He loved his family and would move mountains on their behalf no matter the cost. He didn't display his love for his family for the world to see as to bring himself recognition. No, he expressed his love quietly and gently, thus showing the world around them.

My friend, Pat has been through the same cancer (same diagnosis) I have. She has battled for years such as I have.. we seem to have lived such a parallel life in so many ways. Pat is wise, strong, compassionate, and thanks to her father, one of the most resourceful and independent women I know. She is self-confident. She owns and runs adult day cares in a beautiful community in Georgia, as well as, raising her family now..and I see that same encouragement and quiet, gentle love that was given her being past down now to her son and her daughter.
He will be missed by so many as we carry on in this land of the living but we know we'll see and be with him again one day for an eternity with our Heavenly Father. I just wonder what Bill Powell will be waiting to teach us when we get there. 

I love you, Pat.

I want to sit at Your feet...drink from the cup in your hand...lay back against you and breathe...feel your heartbeat...this love is so deep...it's more than I can stand...I melt in Your peace...it's overwhelming.
(written by Zach Neese) 
(Book: "How To Worship A King")




The heart of a worshipper!


Lord, that we would give You all...
Lord, that we could surrender everything...
Lord, that we would know You like this...
Lord, that You would offer Yourself to us like this...
Thank You, Jesus
We love You, Jesus.
-Angie

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Happy Mom's Day

This is when we lived in Florida...Gainesville, Florida. I was teaching Caleb how to ride early. Fun!


Yes, they grow up so fast...but memories can never be taken from either of you. Hold on to the memories you have made together and never stop making them with your children. There is no greater blessing from God but that He would intrust us with these little ones; the blessing of children, to be a mom. He reminds us in His Word that our children are a heritage from Him. He gifted me Caleb and allowed me to raise this precious human being. I know I haven't been the perfect mom...not sure there is such a thing but I pray my failures will be to his favor. I know he will soar in life and whatever he puts his hands to will prosper. I pray for a hedge of protection around him.. that he would always walk in safety and protection. I also pray for a hedge of thorns to surround him.. that anyone who's intentions would be to bring him harm to him or interfere with the plan God has for his life would be stopped by the very hand of God. 


Fly, son...take your place in this world. 

Pressing On

I've been thinking a lot about the future, the past and what is going on right here in the moment. Things are not as I would have hoped they would be on May 5, 2012. I did have a good report from my oncologist this week and I give God the glory but there have been a number of personal situations that have been pressing down on my husband and myself the past few weeks and it's made our situation a great deal more difficult. Lately, it would seem that we just manage to come out of one problem or "drama" and another comes along.

You know how you walk out into the beach and when you're ready to come back to the shore, the waves overtake you from behind and your feet are swept out from under you?.. You can't seem to secure your feet in the constant moving sand below so you completely loose your footing and down you go again. The ocean waves are doing what they were created to do and they're unforgiven and unapologetic which is exactly how I feel our life has been as of late.

I have realized lately that life will continue to sweep over us but that most importantly, we must press on...and I give God the glory for this, as well.

We are to rejoice in loss as we do in gain. I know God will ultimately raise up His children and He will reward those who diligently seek Him. I am making my intentions known to my God....I am here for His purpose and His purpose alone.

Keep pressing on............ 

An Empty Tomb Brought Me, Us ...Life!

Me And Lana, The Mini Gets A Name

                                                   Hawaiian - 'Lana' means "Calm as still waters."

Time to take a fresh breath and allow God to renew my spirit.

Planning my escape!

I'm looking forward to heading up to the mountains next week for a 'personal spiritual retreat.'

I'm planning my escape for the day after Caleb's speaking engagement with TED Talks (which, by the way, will be presenting a television special on the Science channel this weekend in preparation for the new TED Talks' series, "TED Talks Science.") and me and God are gonna have us a time together.

He is taken me on a 'revelation' journey with Him next week and I can't wait to learn even more about Him. I will be surrounded by His beauty, creation and complete silence while in those mountains, therefore no distractions. We intend for the pen to hit the paper (or rather the fingers on the keyboard) as I continue working on the book. Even yesterday, God was revealing incredible truths to me as I was just going about my normal daily task. I'm telling you, He will speak to you anywhere, anytime and that's what He desires to do.

I was actually suppose to be headed to Texas today for a Livestrong Assembly but God had a different plan for me. I have missed a couple of important survivor conferences and speaking engagements this year already due to this battle season but I know in my spirit there is purpose in my absence of those events and if I've learned anything, it is to follow God's call, not my own agenda.
When you do go through storms (and you will), don't stay in the boat even though you will be with disciples, get out on top of the elements (putting them under your feet), on the water and you'll be with Jesus.
A well known pastor shared this with me a long time ago and though I do feel as if I went through a season where I had forgotten that revelation, I will not forget it again. I'll jump out of the boat even if  I have to "head first" (no pun intended) to be where He is.

Would you pray for me as I really need this quiet time alone next week (no doctors, no test, no couch). I'm so grateful to the generous lady/family who has offered this prayer closet to me as a gift and I am humbled by such a act of compassion. Gifting me time in my prayer closet in a beautiful quiet place is an amazing gift. 


I'm looking forward to God taken my family into a new season. I told the hub that I feel like it is so close now that at the next turn, we're coming out. I am believing God for that 'suddenly.'

Praise Report - Docs are NOT going to have to do the chemo straight to the head nor the radiation...PRAISES! 

Thank you for your prayers. I know without doubt that God flipped that circumstance around on my behalf!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend filled with lots of laughter and love.

                                                                  It's all good! My God is so good!

"Ah, the LUV of the Irish!"

What I'm Thinking Tonight

People have said they can't imagine how I must be feeling. I don't mind telling you exactly what I am thinking and feeling. "Peace" is what I feel and I am thinking about all of the times my God has kept me, too numerous to count. I think about the years I lived without Him and how I could have died in those years ...how I could have been separated from Him for eternity. I think about that and I'm too thankful and to joyful to be anxious about a little brain surgery. He is my creator - He knows me..He knows what every cell in my body is doing right now. He designed me for a purpose and His will is that I fulfill that purpose. Like Job, I will rise again. I will bless God and live. My life belongs to my God and I believe His promises over any report a doctor would give me. I accept healing just as I accepted salvation - through Faith. By Faith, I breathe..move and have my being. I understand now what Paul meant when he proclaimed, "To live is Christ and to die is gain." We win - ALWAYS!

I Never Lost My Praise

God has kept me and I never lost my praise.

Why and how could I?- He loves me..what else could I possibly need or want? If you don't know Jesus...I would plead with you - Please, just call His name tonight..ask Him to reveal Himself to you. You will not regret it..life will not suddenly be a bed of roses, in fact, it can get even more difficult but I promise you, if you'll trust Him and believe on Him, He will give you more grace than a lifetime even has need of...He will keep you and love you through every pain and heartache. I would not be a friend to you if I didn't take the time to talk to you about the Hope that I have - Jesus. Nothing you could have ever done means anything to Him ...once you call on Him and ask Him into your heart - you become a new creature in Christ and all your past is thrown into the sea of forgetfulness. Please, give your life to Him if you have never done so. Please, It will make my life worth it if you would accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior...all He wants is to love you and hang out with you. I know the church makes serving Him so difficult to understand but it's simple....it's all about love and grace. He offers you Grace in return for your love. 
Choose you this day - LIFE.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.

 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

-Psalm 27

In life's process, you will find purpose.

In life's pain, you will find God's plan for your life.

In life's persecutions, you will find peace. 

Ever had a day when up was down and down was up? ..Oh, that's the story of my life.
But my God has written this story, this story of my life and even though I don't know how it will end, I take great comfort in knowing, without doubt.. that I will be with Him in 'The End.' 
So...many of you have been calling and tweeting, texting, etc. ..all with the same question - What happened and how are you? 
I wanted to let you know that I am fine. I had a rough week on the chemo and a pain in the neck that felt much like having my head sawed off - I would grossly imagine. After the second day of this horror show, I decided to see the doc in hopes to hook up with a little liquid 'cure all,' Morphine... which I highly recommend when 'said head' is being sawed off. Doc is scheduling scans, the usual MRI and CT Scan...at least that was the last I heard.. however, the pain subsided after a quick little trip to my fav massage therapist. I did inform the good doc that I am no longer experiencing 'said pain' but I'm quite sure, being the persistent doc he is, I will be taking that little trip to the hopo (hospital) real soon. No worries...just another 'day in the life' - FOR NOW! I will overcome as I still wear my Armor of my God and He has already proclaimed me to be an Overcomer in Him. 

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE; LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

Question: Do you need anything? Can we do anything for you? 

Response: I need a personal assistant, a full time housekeeper, a personal chef, a physical therapist and trainer, a makeup artist, a full time animal walker, my own editor - no, my own publishing company, a creative team, a full time organizing committee, a fleet of dragon boats and kayaks, my very own Orchestra, a professional seamstress, a new wardrobe, a few million bucks, and a private jet....

...............but I'll settle for a kind word and a hug.




When someone is going through trouble and you feel as though there is nothing you can really do except offer to do something. 
There is something you can do. You can show them love. 


That old adage still rings true - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE; LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED. 


You will be demonstrating the author of love - God