It’s refreshing to the soul to get together with others who share the same purpose in life. Maria Beck hosted a MOPS cookie exchange last night. On one hand, I was hesitant to attend, as it would mean another night filled on my calendar. Still, Maria Beck is a woman of God whom I admire and an event hosted by her can be counted on to be worthwhile.
Last night, Maria lived up to my expectations and some. She really planned the night well. There was a purpose and she even sent us each home with a reminder of the purpose – a mug with hot chocolate. The reminder is to keep our eyes open for little reminders that God loves us. Maria did that last night simply by opening her home.
As I looked around at the room, I realized that almost every woman there was someone whom I have an extended relationship with outside of MOPS during some season of life. It was a good feeling to be reminded that so many care. Our seasons of life as well as the friends that go with them may change, but God’s love for us is constant. Friends are a reminder of His love for us.
Is your life too full to appreciate the gift of others God places in our lives? Is your schedule too jam-packed to stop and notice others in need of a reminder that God loves them? Are you running around crazy busy unable to stop and appreciate another human being God has placed in your life?
My perspective has changed this year. I’m learning to appreciate every moment I’m given with those I love. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Thanks, Maria, for the great reminder that if we just open our eyes we can experience God’s love… even in something as small as a cup of hot chocolate!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Breathe (Another Dad Update)
I was just reading in the Book of Amos this morning how God altered what was intended to happen in the future because of his pleading. So, why is it that we pray and pray and pray yet when something good happens that is really in direction correlation to our prayer, we hold our breath? At least that seems to be the situation with me here today.
Dad met with his doctor today. To the touch, there are no lumps to be found on his body! Dad is more hopeful than he has ever been since the start of this war with cancer. The word is that they will perform a bone marrow test at the end of the month. If there are no signs of the cancer, he will begin the stem cell procedure in the beginning of January. I don't know whether to cheer or cry or breathe. We've prayed and hoped and continue to thank God. All seems to be going exactly as hoped for.
We will get to celebrate Christmas like we do every year -- on Christmas Eve with my both my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. I will no longer have to tell Nikelle that we don't know what will happen every time she talks about celebrating Christmas at Grams' and Papa's. We'll be together for Christmas!
God is so good! He deserves and needs the credit here. Thank you for praying with me and please continue to pray that no obstacles will come as we wait. Pray that Dad can remain out of the hospital, infection free, and that the bone marrow test will be clear. There is still such a long and hard fight ahead of him. But today, I'm extremely grateful that this Christmas is one we can celebrate together!
Dad met with his doctor today. To the touch, there are no lumps to be found on his body! Dad is more hopeful than he has ever been since the start of this war with cancer. The word is that they will perform a bone marrow test at the end of the month. If there are no signs of the cancer, he will begin the stem cell procedure in the beginning of January. I don't know whether to cheer or cry or breathe. We've prayed and hoped and continue to thank God. All seems to be going exactly as hoped for.
We will get to celebrate Christmas like we do every year -- on Christmas Eve with my both my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. I will no longer have to tell Nikelle that we don't know what will happen every time she talks about celebrating Christmas at Grams' and Papa's. We'll be together for Christmas!
God is so good! He deserves and needs the credit here. Thank you for praying with me and please continue to pray that no obstacles will come as we wait. Pray that Dad can remain out of the hospital, infection free, and that the bone marrow test will be clear. There is still such a long and hard fight ahead of him. But today, I'm extremely grateful that this Christmas is one we can celebrate together!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Comfortable in my own skin
If you’ve never been to a Weight Watchers meeting, let me tell you, the first experience can be a little unsettling. You sit in a meeting room filled with people who celebrate a 0.2-pound weight loss. That’s right. If a person loses any kind of weight, even if it isn’t a full pound, we clap (and tell each other we’re burning calories at the same time). There are times I feel a little bit like standing up and saying, “Hi. My name is Tristi. I’m a food addict.” Even still, I’ve been attending meetings since 2003 and Weight Watchers has been highly effective in helping me maintain my weight loss.
The leader at last week’s meeting spoke about something that has stuck with me this week. She asked how many of us liked to eat when we were bored. So, I raised my hand. I like to eat for any reason possible. If boredom is an excuse, so be it. Then she followed up her question with another question. How many of you are the same people who say you don’t have enough time in the day to get things done? I could tell she was going somewhere with this and wasn’t so certain I wanted to hear what she had to say.
On numerous occasions this week, instead of eating, I chose to accomplish something. My Christmas cards are in the mail. Tomorrow morning, the plan is that Nikelle and I will begin baking cookies. I have a much cleaner, organized home than I have had in months. In general, I feel much better about myself as I go to weigh in this week.
I may not be at that magic number yet. (I’ve been yo-yoing for 2 years now.) That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I make healthy choices. What matters is that I am comfortable in my own skin.
The leader at last week’s meeting spoke about something that has stuck with me this week. She asked how many of us liked to eat when we were bored. So, I raised my hand. I like to eat for any reason possible. If boredom is an excuse, so be it. Then she followed up her question with another question. How many of you are the same people who say you don’t have enough time in the day to get things done? I could tell she was going somewhere with this and wasn’t so certain I wanted to hear what she had to say.
On numerous occasions this week, instead of eating, I chose to accomplish something. My Christmas cards are in the mail. Tomorrow morning, the plan is that Nikelle and I will begin baking cookies. I have a much cleaner, organized home than I have had in months. In general, I feel much better about myself as I go to weigh in this week.
I may not be at that magic number yet. (I’ve been yo-yoing for 2 years now.) That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I make healthy choices. What matters is that I am comfortable in my own skin.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Dad Update 12-10-07 and The Reindeer Run
When I called my parents' house this morning, Dad answered the phone. He was able to tell me he was feeling decent this morning and spoke with hope about the future. That was good for my heart to hear.
He went to the hospital today for another IV push of chemotherapy as well as lab work. They decided he needed another platelet transfusion but all else seems to be as it should. He will meet with his doctor on Wednesday and we look forward to hearing what the next step will be.
Dad's appetite is still strong. He is a skinny man these days so it's always encouraging to hear that he is eating. He has also been working to fight dehydration on a daily basis as well.
I completed the Reindeer Run on Sunday with appropriate weather for the month of December. Dad's words were in my head the entire run as though he were running right beside me. Reality is that Dad physically running a race is too far into the future to ponder. However, the race he is running every day is inspiration for my life.
He went to the hospital today for another IV push of chemotherapy as well as lab work. They decided he needed another platelet transfusion but all else seems to be as it should. He will meet with his doctor on Wednesday and we look forward to hearing what the next step will be.
Dad's appetite is still strong. He is a skinny man these days so it's always encouraging to hear that he is eating. He has also been working to fight dehydration on a daily basis as well.
I completed the Reindeer Run on Sunday with appropriate weather for the month of December. Dad's words were in my head the entire run as though he were running right beside me. Reality is that Dad physically running a race is too far into the future to ponder. However, the race he is running every day is inspiration for my life.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Dad Update 12-8-07
Dad was released to go home last night. I talked with my mom this morning and she said he fed the fires during the night (they heat their home with wood burning stoves) when he'd get up to use the bathroom. She said that he requested steak and potatoes for breakfast so he's definitely working on getting better. It always feels good to share a positive report.
Dad will go in Monday for another IV push of chemotherapy as well as some lab work. On Wednesday he will meet with his doctor and have more labs done. Looks like we are headed in the right direction once again.
As far as the internal bleeding is concerned, the two tests they performed revealed no signs. They could do one more for the upper intestines but seem to have decided that the blood and platelet transfusions corrected the situation.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
Dad will go in Monday for another IV push of chemotherapy as well as some lab work. On Wednesday he will meet with his doctor and have more labs done. Looks like we are headed in the right direction once again.
As far as the internal bleeding is concerned, the two tests they performed revealed no signs. They could do one more for the upper intestines but seem to have decided that the blood and platelet transfusions corrected the situation.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
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