Control- we do not have it

 As you have read in a previous post, I have a friend that has colon cancer. She is young, like many of the people I know that have gotten cancer. Let me remind you, cancer doesn't care how old you are or how rich you are. Cancer tries to take as many as it can down. I mean, I was 44 when cancer decided to attack me. And yes, to all you kids out there, 44 is young! I am 53 now and I am STILL young. 

With all decisions that you must make when you are diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming. Whatever decision you make, it isn't a wrong one. You have to decide what is best for you. Whether it is only the natural way ( vegan is not for me! trust me), use of medications (chemo, which caused me to learn to like a new way to wear my hair) or a combination of both-just eat healthy, exercise take your supplements and your medications- thats what I did. But medications can be a hard pill to swallow. I didn't want to take my meds and at times I was like a rebellious toddler to my doctor about them,(not a teenager because I did throw some good temper tantrums) I am really surprised that my doctor didn't fire me as a patient. I really tried him and questioned him. He was a good sport despite my attitude at times. 

I have seen God work his miracles in people throughout my life. I mean, I AM A MIRACLE! I have seen God take away a tumor on a CT and MRI just before surgery and the doctors cannot explain. But I can! I know who took it away. Anyone that is healed from this horrible parasite, is a miracle. But sometimes your miracle is not a healing but a no answer from God. He will use you and me throughout the yes and no answers he gives us. Is it hard to accept? HELL YES!! But whatever story you have, tell it, live it, share it. You may think it is not important, but it is. YOU ARE IMPORTANT!

I use to think, is this fight worth it? I am sure you are thinking this too. I want to say, yes it is. Your fight will encourage someone else who is starting their fight. This trip, you can't do it alone.  It's scary, frustrating and hard.  Once it starts, it is a fight you will have for the rest of your life. It may get a little easier, but it is always there.

I don't want to be a downer, but it is. YOU have to find a way to use this experience.  I use this blog to help me get through all the negative thoughts and feelings. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. I am reminded when I see others going through a similar diagnosis or treatment. Or when I have patients that are struggling with their cancer. I use my experience to help my patients that are going through something similar. Why? Because I understand their feelings and can show them that they will survive and get through this. 

We all have struggles. It may not be cancer. It may be just giving up the control you are trying to have on your life and let God have the control. This includes your family too! 

Isaiah 41:10; Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9; Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 19;26; But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I rock the "G.I. Jane" cut! 2012

2020

Love to all,

one month

 It has been one month since I have changed my medication dosage and started to wean off. And I feel great! I am so glad to be getting rid of this. I can now see what it was doing to my body and how I feel. I can only imagine how I will feel when I stop it all together!

Now to pay more attention to my self-care. I used to think people were crazy when they would say things like that. But now I realized they were on to something. When you take care of yourself and indulge in things that help you feel better, it gives you a new way to look at yourself and your life. It may be with a mani/pedi, or a massage, or just an afternoon by yourself at the park. Find what works for you and do it!

I think it's time for me to schedule that massage!

Ephesians 5:29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as the Messiah does the church.

Love to all,

8 years

 8 years.  A lot has happened in 8 years. But this is 8 years from my cancer and treatment. It has been a long road to recovery but I am here. I have passed a lot of milestones that the cancer world sets and I can say I am a survivor. 5 year milestone- which I was told that most cancer returns within 5 years of treatment. Every year is a milestone to be cancer free.

Next phase for me is weaning down my tamoxifen medication. I am so excited about this. I am so ready to come off this medication.  Maybe my hair will grow back (and stop thinning), and hopefully I will be able to lose weight easier. Not looking forward to my leg hair to start growing, but I will be ok with that!

This medication is just a reminder of what I have been through and so glad to start putting it behind me. Let me say, I never want to forget about my experience, because I learned a lot about myself and how strong I am. You see, during trials like this, you learn to have more confidence (you lose all your hair and have to go out in the public bald), work through feeling sick (chemo makes you sick and have nausea all the time), manage pain and stress (having a port is not fun, they have to access it everytime and it doesn't feel good!)

With every trial we face, we learn something new about ourselves. It may be how to learn to be stronger or to reflect on how we reacted and how to learn to do it different the next time.

One of my Mission team mates is facing a battle of her own. She has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Her battle is different than what I had, but the battle is still with cancer and the battle of the mind. But she is strong. I ask for you to pray for her healing and strength through this battle. Stay positive my friend, you can get through this.

"I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Love to all,

Anniversaries

Anniversaries can either bring good memories or bring some memories that you want to forget.  Yesterday, on my facebook memories, was the picture of me getting my graduation certificate for finishing my chemo treatments. This was 7/23/2013.  Feels like a lifetime ago.  I don't want to forget. Why? you ask? because I don't ever want to go back through that again. I want to remember so I will continue to stay healthy, eat right and exercise. It is a drag and I have to be honest, (whisper) I haven't exercised this week at all. But that is ok. I just need to get back on the right track from this break I took. 

Stop focusing on the mirror, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Treatments will cause you to gain weight, that will go away. I know when I look in the mirror I think, "who is that person!" Love who you are. 

I will sometimes get in the negative thoughts and it is so easy to get caught up in them. They will bring you far away from your goals. Stay positive, keep positive notes on your mirror, on your desk, in your car, anywhere you need to see and hear them. I have them in my office and on my phone lock screen.

If you are going through treatment right now, there is an end. You can make it. You will get your "diploma" for finishing your chemo or get the honor to ring the bell when you finish your radiation treatments.  Some do not make it this far to finish and their bodies are overtaken with the disease. So take joy in your progress and in your victories!

Psalm 60:12;"with God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies."

Love to all,

A second blog!

I am starting a second blog. This is for those that have thought about going on mission trips and want to know what to expect. I will tell you stories and about my experiences of going to Honduras throughout all my trips. I will start from day one, 2011!

Go to my blog One Mission at a time at https://onemission4him.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Bendiciones (blessings)

Kicked in the gut

So have you ever experienced this? I am about to tell you a story that I bet you can relate to in one way or another.

I go get my physical checkup,  labs drawn, questions answered (both ways).

I get my results and my doctor wants to recheck some of it. My liver enzymes are elevated some, (must be the great wine! Thank you Hubers).

So I go back a month later, get it rechecked, and he calls me with my results...... they are still elevated. The problem with having a cancer diagnosis hanging over you is that you can never get away from it. They are elevated from my medication that I have to take because 1. for cancer, and 2. because the aromatase therapy that I was on decreased my bone density so much I had to come off of that and go back on tamoxifen.

Can I say that this sucks! OH,  it gets even better.

So the way to decrease my liver enzymes and improve fatty liver, my doctor told me to do more exercise and lose weight! WTH! (sorry, but this pisses me off). I know I have gained weight since cancer 8 years ago, and I have been exercising, trying all the diets and programs with no luck, but really! Lets have a little heart and give me the blow a little easier. I am on Noom now and have lost some weight since my check up, but did he ask me about that? NOOOOOO.

Ok my rant is over. But the struggle is real as you may know. You don't have to have a health issue to know if the struggle is real on weight loss and being healthy. But I have to tell you, KEEP A POSITIVE MIND AND SPIRIT. Don't let anyone tear you down with their words. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. The only person you have to impress is yourself. 

I keep pressing on, each day. I push myself because I know that I WILL reach my first small goal of losing 15 pounds and I am close. It just takes me a little longer. And I feel better and more confident of what I accomplish.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Love to all,

11Six

Romans 1:16,"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

It's possible to give without love, but IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE AND NOT GIVE.

Love to all,

All Clear

Another year, another time to go and get the girls squeezed. I hear you ask, "Autumn, what in the world are you talking about?" Well I am talking about my mammogram. I am happy to report another clean reading! Ever since 2012, every year this is due, it is a little tense, a little stressful going and doing this. It doesn't get easier with each visit, but it is something that must be done. So I pray for calmness and then I pray for a clean report. God is faithful!

So I will say it again, 8 years cancer free!! 

Here is my word for you today:

Are you reacting or are you responding to the interruptions in life. There are many distractions in life and how you handle them when they interrupt our normal life says a lot about you. My interruption this week was that dang mammogram and the anxiety it produced. But I just took a deep breath and pushed through. ( which was hard to do any breathing when they were getting squished so hard!!)

Jesus said, "come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." 

Look at it this way, you can put a lot of effort you put into being anxious or a lot effort into taking care of yourself, but this will determine your life and how you handle the little things thrown at you. When you let God help and let him take the wheel to guide you, you will see how much peace you will have and how everything will just fall into place. 

Let Jesus carry your burden and your soul will be at rest.

Matthew 11:28-29: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Love to all,

Adventure day

It's always scary to try something new. Today, me and my daughter got us some bikes and went out riding! I haven't been riding in a lot of years.  I mean, A LOT of years. But I was able to manage. She hasn't ridden since she was 6. She had a bike then and was going down a hill and couldn't stop, and CRASH! The results were a broken arm. She gave it up after that! Bike sold.

So you should have seen us out there today. First we walked our bikes about a quarter mile to the church parking lot in my neighborhood. Then in true parent fashion (like you do with your younger kids teaching them how to ride), I was trying to show her how to ride a bike and run along her trying to keep her from crashing. 

It was a site to see.  Me, 52 years old, running alongside my 23 year old daughter. But after 20 minutes, she was doing it.  I am so proud of her overcoming her fears and taking on a bike. 

And glad to say no crashes to report. Arms intact.

What have you been holding back to do because you are afraid? You could be missing out on a lot of fun and experience that can be gained. Push through. Overcome the fear. 

Girl, you are strong. 

Psalms 56:3; "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."

Love to all,

Many Scars

I recently saw a picture of a older lady showing her natural body and scars. It said "this is what beauty is". A lot of times, us ladies, define our beauty and self-worth by our bodies. I am far from perfect and I have a lot of scars.
Our scars are different from each other and how we react to them is different.
My scars bring me memories of good times and of some times I would like to not remember as much.
I have my C-section scar that gives me beautiful memories of my hard experiences of trying to get pregnant and of what going through all those tough times gave me, my family. It took me a lot of infertility treatments and tests over 5 years before I was able to actually get pregnant. More people saw me below the waist that I would ever want!
Scars can also bring back memories that were not so funny at the time but now everytime I see it and think about how I got it, I have to laugh. This scar is between my eyes. I got this when I was in the 5th grade playing in the corn pasture at my grandmas house. Me and my cousins were told to not play in the corn field but we never listened (like when they also told us to not play in the barn either!) and when we were running back to the house trying not to get caught, I ran into the barb-wire fence and it clothes hooked me between the eyes! Not a fun day for me.
I also have a scar to remind me of the year of treatment for cancer. I actually have 2 scars, one on my breast that reminds me of where my tumor was, and one on my chest to remind me of where my port was and the treatment I got.  This was not a good time in my life or my family, but I don't want to forget it because it showed me how strong of a woman I was and showed me no matter how strong I was, I still needed to depend on God and my family. Through all of this testing time, I have now a lopsided boob which makes it tricky when buying a bra! I have patchy hair and have to really pay attention when I am fixing my hair to cover up the bald spots and so many cow licks!
There also is the scars that we don't see. Those scars I think are the hardest. When we are mentally beat up and trying to overcome a fear or depression, this is the hardest. I have to try and not beat myself up every time I look at my hair, or my weight loss trials.  I just try to concentrate on what I have been blessed with and be content with my what I have and not concentrate on what others have or do. God made me the way I am. He made you the way you are.
We all have scars, some are more noticeable than others or may not be seen at all. And everyone manages and reacts differently to them. But we all need to realize that we do not know what others are going through or battling in their life. You know the old saying, don't judge until you have walked in their shoes.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Love to all,

My privilege to serve

It's my privilege as a nurse to:
~serve you
~pray with you
~pray over you
~listen to you
~laugh with you
~cry with you
~cry for you
~hold your hand
~comfort you
~be your family when they cannot be with you
~take your pain from you
~be with you when your life is ending
~help you go in peace

This is a nurse. I have many hats in my job, but caring for my patients is why I am a nurse.
I have many privileges as a nurse with my patients, but the hardest is watching them pass away.

I got the privilege today to help someone in the end. Hold their hand. Pray over them. It was the hardest, but I know they are not hurting or suffering anymore. And I would like to think that they are with the Lord now. I pray for their family through this difficult time.

I love my job, I love my career, I love being able to give love to those in need.
I will not stop. I will press on.

Romans 13:8; Owe nothing to anyone- except for your obligation to love one another.
Romans 8:21; Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
1 John 3:11; We should love one another.

Love to all,

losing control

Do you ever feel like you are not in control? I mean, it can be the smallest of things or the biggest of things. What is a big decision or task for me may be small to you. Sometimes, I think, just getting through life is difficult. Frustrations like trying to get my kids to help me clean the house or just do the dishes. Frustrations like not being able to see my family during this covid crisis. Frustrations like why haven't I won the lottery yet!

As I listened to my daily devotion this morning on my drive into work, I was reminded of a few things but one big thing that I heard is that I AM NOT IN CONTROL. We don't get to control our circumstances, but we CAN decide on how we react to them and it is our choice on how we handle them also. So when the kids won't help me clean the house, it isn't going to do me any good getting mad. All that will do will raise my BP and cause me to be mad and I still have to clean by myself. But if I give it and not react, I can put in my ear buds and clean away in my little music world. (And I can sing and not worry how I sound to them because in my mind I sound like Mariah Carey!)

We have to not focus on the problem. When we put all our energy into the problem, then all your focus is on that problem. We can change that by seeing the opportunity in every difficulty.
I know when I face a fear or difficult time in my life, I will pray to God and tell him my troubles. But a different way of looking at this is to stop telling God about your problems and tell your problems about God. God already knows your problems, insecurities, fears. See your potential to overcome your problems by facing the fears and not backing down but stepping into it. 

This is what being a hero, (or she-ro) is.

John 16:33 gives us a promise: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Love to all,

God only knows

Driving home today, the song from For King and Country, God only knows starts playing. I love this band and they can put on an amazing concert. Their songs always seem to touch me and my life. This song is no different.
"God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows"

Do you find yourself in a struggle? Not knowing if you can get through it? Well, I am hear to tell you that you can! I get through struggles a lot. It seems like my life is one big struggle at times then other times I think I got it too good. Do you have a fear of covid? Worried about your kids? Worried about a diagnosis? Wanting children but having a hard time right now?  Kids going off to college? Getting married? Your kids getting married!?
You can get through it!

I have had many struggles through out my 50+ years ( I will never tell!) of life and I have no doubt that I will have more.  It only makes me stronger and smarter.  What I have found is that I have to remain positive throughout the struggles.  I have to find the good in that struggle and imagine me coming out on the other side, a winner, a survivor.

One that stands out is with my kids. I have twins and they are now 23! I always wanted kids and it was a struggle for me to get pregnant. When I finally did, I was on top of the world! As they grew up, I got to experience so much as a mom. But the best was during high school and off to college. Growing with them and our relationship turning into a friendship has been the best.  From teaching them how to drive (that was very scary!), to watching them dress up for the prom (kinda expensive!), to going off to college (very expensive!). I always said I couldn't wait, couldn't wait for pregnancy, couldn't wait for them to grow up, couldn't wait for them to move out, then it happened. Then I would say, I can't wait for them to leave and go to college, and they did! It was hard but then I got use to it and when they returned home, well all I can say is that it was an eye opener.  Yes, I want them to move out and be on their own, but I am kinda glad they are still here. As you can tell, I have issues of letting go!

You know, the truth is none of us really know what others are going through. We have to stop and really look to see the full picture....and then there are still some things about us, our struggles, that God only knows.
So whatever your struggle is, no matter how big or small you may think it is, God only knows...and he LOVES YOU.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Love to all,

purpose

"Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created." Esther 4:14

Have you ever asked, "What is my purpose? Why am I here?" I have asked this question throughout my life many times. But as in the scripture above, Esther asked this also. She questioned God when she was placed in situations that she was afraid of and scared to move forward. But God placed her exactly where she needed to be at that time.
Throughout my life, I have been placed in situations that I have questioned at that time, but looking back, it was the right place, right time.  I have had that scared feeling where you want to vomit from your nerves (and it isn't good when a little comes in your mouth!)
         When Robby and I were trying to get pregnant and nothing would work. We went through all the infertility treatments and then decided on IVF. With the wait and trust, we were blessed with 2 amazing kids. The right time was 6 years later!
          When I got cancer. That road was a scary, long road (and it still is) but I survived and learned a lot. I learned how strong I can be. I had to. There was a lot of nausea, pooping, crying (and not pretty cries, the ugly ones) all the while trying to work and keep my life as normal as I could. It not only affected me but my family, my kids. I didn't find out how much until much later after I started recovery. But it brought us even closer as a family.
          The challenges of being a mom to adult children. Yes my kids are 23 now and it is hard to believe that at their age I was married! I couldn't imagine them being married right now! My kids are still little in my mind. And I don't want to think about them getting older, because that means that I am old too!
          COVID-19; I don't think I need to say more.  This is difficult times for all the front line workers and all the essential workers.  People think that only nursing is essential, but there are many parts to essential to keep our world surviving this crisis.
So what does all this mean? It means, that these moments in my life and many more to come is what I was created for. All our experiences in life are just that, experiences and we survived. And others may be going through them and you have experience to help them through it.  My experiences can help someone with struggles with infertility or cancer because I lived it, I know their emotions they are going through.  Covid-19, I know and see the stress and anxiety of nurses and other staff working in the hospital. I can help them through it.
So when you start to question the trial or struggle you are going through. Do not fear. You are right where you need to be. This is what you were created for. Be strong. Be courageous.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. (Zig Ziglar)

Love to all,

Be the Ativan

Be the Ativan. I bet you are all wondering what that means.
Well let me tell you. 
It means: to be the calm, Be the light, To be someone's person.
Well, during all this covid stuff, someone I work with said to me, "Autumn, be the ativan" and it just stuck with me. You see, as a nurse, I sometimes give ativan to my patient's to help them when they are anxious or need some help being calm. This is what we should be doing to those around us that are anxious about what is happening in our country and our world. We need to be the calm amidst the storm.
So when you are feeling anxious, think "Be the ativan". When you see someone freaking out, be their person, be their ativan! I know sometimes I feel like freaking out when I have to wear this mask all day!  Or when I feel down because I have to tell another family member that they are not allowed to visit.
But I am the calm and help find other ways to help the families be with their loved one that is in the hospital. This is how to be the ativan!

So, we believe this slogan so much, that we had shirts made to shout it out to everyone!

We are all in this together. Support each other and we will survive.
Here are my people that help me through these times. (I circled myself)

1 Peter 5:7; Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Love to all,

the times of CV19

The Coronavirus.  It is scary and I am being told that our surge hasn't come yet. That is scary.
But I will not let my fear or anxiety of this virus take a hold of me.
It's sad that throughout all of this, we are asked to distance ourselves from others, no hugging, no visiting our family and neighbors, no going to parties or church worship. We are asked to tell families they cannot be with their loved one in the hospital. We are asked to be the person with our patient while they are critically ill and hold their hand in the place of their family. We are constantly having to be the person to try to comfort the family and give them confidence in a complete stranger that we will care for their loved one the way we care for our families. I think this is what satan wants, us to be in our house, feeling all alone. Us to be scared and give into our fears. This was shown when people went out and bought a ton of cleaners and toilet paper!
But I am here to remind you.  God said FEAR NOT.  He said it 365 times in the Bible.
I see everyday as I go out to go to work. I have to be strong for those who fear. I see confidence and amazing love EVERYDAY when I go to work. The people I work with put aside their fears to care for your family and loved one. They care for them as if their patient was their mother, brother, grandmother. The shed tears before the day begins because they know what the day will hold. They are strong everyday and shed tears after work as they take off their mask they had to wear all day to relieve the pressure from the day. These people get it all together before they go home to their family so they can be strong for their spouse, their kids.
We get asked all the time, how are you doing through this? We manage. WE get through it together. You see.  There is nothing like a family like my work family. We encourage each other, we sit next to each other when we need to cry, we listen when we need to let off steam.  We support each other, and without my work family and team, I would not be able to survive.

So even though times are hard, and they are saying that times will get even harder, I have the support of my family, my work family and ALWAYS MY GOD.

Here is some promises from our God:
Joshua 1:5: No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (8)The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.


Love to all,

Crisis

It's a scary time right now. And even more scarier being a healthcare worker. In the beginning we all think that it won't happen to us. That the USA is invincible!  But we are not and illness happens to the best and worst of people. I have been working tirelessly over the last 3 weeks.  The stress is hard. I think my stress comes from trying to be strong for everyone.  There are changes happening everyday and as I try to keep up with them and understand them, I have to try to get them all out to the unit I work on.  Everyone is scared and anxious and rightly so.  This is new and we are learning about this virus. I think the hardest part for me right now is that we have to tell families that they cannot come and visit their loved one in the hospital. I know if I was told that, I would be quite upset. I am sure that as we start to get more busy in the next few weeks as predicted, it will get harder.
But all I can do is trust. First to trust in God. He will be right there with us all through this. His comfort will be with me and he will comfort me.
Second, trust in my leaders. They will not lead me or put me in harms way. Matter of fact, they are working tirelessly also in making sure I have what I need to be protected.
Thirdly, Trust me.  I will do everything in my power to care for my patients, work along side of my co-workers, and be the light for them. Be a support and leader for them.
Yes, I can't deny that I am not stressed, but I know that we will all get through this. Will it be easy? No it will not. And I am sure I will have times that I need to stop and pray or stop and cry. In times of high stress and crisis, there is high emotion.
But the trials that we go through, helps mold us and make us stronger.
I heard a sermon this week and the minister had a great analogy. He was talking about the different kinds of orange juice. There is the kind that you buy that may taste good, but there is the kind that is freshly squeezed and that tastes even better.  What is being squeezed out of you during trials is what you put into yourself. So if you are always putting in negative thoughts, negative words, then that is what will be squeezed out of you.
During this time of quarantine, self reflect and fill yourself with positive thoughts. Fill yourself with God's love and message so when you are stressed, you will be overflowing and able to give love and grace to others. Be a hero to others.

Joshua 1:9 says, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

In the Bible, Fear Not is said 365 times.  This is one command from God to fear not for every day.
I will not fear!

Love to all,

supplies...

     It has been so long since I have been on here.  Lots have happened, Christmas, Holidays, parties, celebrations and family get togethers in addition to work.  But I have also been busy meeting and planning my trip to Honduras for our medical/construction trip. I have been making lists, (and checking them twice! haha) and looking at what supplies we need.  I can say that I am so overwhelmed and my heart is full of all the love and support my family and friends have shown in the last month. I made an amazon registry for the supplies and equipment we will need and EVERYTHING has been purchased! Here is some of the items donated:
                                                                                                     God will always provide for the good of his plan. How could I ever doubt that it would not work!
I have a trip to SOS (supplies overseas) for some other supplies to take and then we should be ready.
     So a little about our trip.  We will be having 6 medical wellness clinics and planning on seeing 1200+ people.  Our team will not only meet their physical needs, but will give them emotional and spiritual support. They will be ministered about the love and hope in Jesus.
     Thank you to everyone that has supported me and the team. Please continue to pray for us as we prepared to leave in the next few months.
     As soon as I get back, fundraising for next year will begin.  So get ready, it will soon be pickle time!
Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Love to all,