First Follow-up Appointment Results!

Okay, I know I haven't updated in a while. A few of you have brought it to my attention :-) I usually need to be inspired to write, but there are some good news updates to share! I had my first follow-up appointment with my oncologist. They took lab work and all my counts are great!! In fact, they are better than they have ever been. The doctor said I could go back to work part time to start. Yipee!! I must say that I was a bit nervous going. I really did not want to hear that it had returned. I'm thankful for another day. Praise God! I feel really good. I'm getting back some of my stamina and strength. My hair is slowly growing in, and yes, I have a little curl in the back. :-) hehehe. I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. However, I do have a new outlook on life; Don't take it for granted; enjoy each day, relationships are a priority, and follow God passionately.

In my last post, I mentioned being on a new leg to my journey. I think this leg is harder. I know that sounds odd, but there was some security in knowing that there was a plan for the next six months of my life. It might not have been the plan I would have chosen, but none the less my life was completely in God's hands and I was trusting in Him and knowing that he was at work in and through the doctors who were treating me, and for six months they had mapped out my life, so to speak. It seems that its easier for me to Trust God in the big things that seem completely out of my hands, but in the day to day things, in the what's next? things, the things I have a little control over well that's another story. I'm very impatient, controlling at times :-), and can be very passionate about stuff. (Okay, laugh now, those of you who know me well) I'm ready to begin my life again and God is reminding me to slow down. I have people in my life sitting on me to make sure I don't take on too much too soon. I want to know what God wants me to do with the rest of my life. When can I return to active ministry? How much should I work? I don't want to slack on being a good wife and mother. I want them to feel that I gave them my first fruits. I'm very concerned with how to live. I have a second lease on life and I'm not sure how long that lease will be so I want to make the most of it. I want to leave a legacy. I want them to feel I chose love over deeds, I want people to know that God is and my all in all. I hope that I have pointed others to Christ. Nicole Nordman wrote a song called "Legacy" , that's what I want to leave with my family and friends and those God has put in my path.
I think it was last Sunday, that my pastor Marty, was preaching on 1Kings 18 about Elijah having this great prayer battle with the baal prophets. They each made alters and were to call upon their god. The baal prophets had no luck. Their gods couldn't make the alter get fire under it. Elijah even mocked them asking if their god was taking a nap or perhaps going to the bathroom. Then Elijah prayed to the Lord of heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yes, God showed up, fire lit the alter even though it had been saturated with water, the people destroyed the baal idols and prophets and killed them. God did this amazing miracle and Elijah had the faith to ask and all were amazed and worshiped God. Here's the funny thing, in Chapter 19 Elijah is on the run because the King's wife Jezebel is so angry at what Elijah did that she sent word to him that she was going to have him killed and Elijah is afraid of this woman's power. What?? He just had faith to ask God to display his power and might before hundreds of baal prophets and city folk and then God answered his prayer and performed the miracle and then next thing we hear is he's on the run because he's scared of a woman. WOW! ... The cool thing is God was gracious to Elijah even though he feared and did not continue to be so bold. God fed him, gave him protection from the heat of the desert and then called him back to his next mission to anoint a couple of Kings and the next prophet for the purpose of destroying baal worship. Before sending him God asked Elijah what he was doing, not once but a couple of times. Like, Helllooo Elijah, what on earth are you doing? Why so afraid? Why so despondent? I just answered your prayer and performed a mighty miracle, did you forget?( that's my personal interpretation of his question- what are you doing?) LOL. That is me, I saw God do this great thing and He brought me through my treatments and I'm alive and well. How could I doubt God's love for me or his faithfulness or his ability to provide and work all things out for my good? Why would I fear about my future? Unfortunately I do sometimes. The keyword being sometimes. Even people of great faith like Elijah can get overwhelmed and wonder what next? Then there are times when I remember what God has done and stand firm and know God is at work and I need to keep on praying and watch and see His handy work in my life and my families. Prayer is the other keyword. The bible tells us we don't have because we don't ask. We don't see answers to prayers, because we are not praying!!! This week God has led me to pray about a few things that I had concerns about and guess what. He gave me clarity, peace, direction. Go figure :-)

Okay, enough for today. I will see the doctor again March 2nd. I hope to be back at work very soon, and as God leads me or updates in my health arise, I will update again. Hope to talk to you soon!

Love, Edie