This past weekend, my cousin Bonnie came and retrieved the
beautiful HOPE Box to pass along to yet another friend who is beginning her cancer
journey. It has become evident,
that even though my hair continues to fall out daily, I’m not going to be
bald. And I have made a few hat
purchases of my own along the way, so I think I’ll be fine, just a little thin.
What has been true, so far, about every one who has had the
HOPE Box (a box filled with wigs, little soft comfy hats, cute hats, scarves,
etc.) is that they didn’t die!
It’s about to go to #6, I believe.
That’s pretty good odds! :)
I can say with all certainty that Hope does come in a
Book! I have spent countless hours
pouring over God’s promises and what He expects from me. It seems that I have the easier of the
two jobs…well sometimes. :) At it’s simplest, love God, put
Him first; then love your neighbor as yourself…or rather deny yourself for the
good of others.
“Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and
with all your strength.’
The second is this: 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.'
There is no commandment
greater than these."
Mark 12:30-31
Then why are there days that I struggle to find hope? I know
where it is! I know what to do! I think not getting to hear that simple
word “remission” stole a thimble full of hope from me that day. But hope is not for the taking, it’s
for the giving. And I refuse to
give it up!
I saw a young woman bound
across a parking lot today much like I used to. I haven’t bounded in a while, and I’m not quite sure when I
will bound again. It made me cry. But I had to get myself together and
realize that I was out for only the second time without a mask! Baby steps! Be patient.
I’m not sure how things would be for me mentally without
Facebook. While I am thankful for
the simple, easy access means of communication, it has cost us the intimate
face-to-face communication of old.
I have so appreciated the prayers, the ability to update, the comments
and encouragements of older and newer friends from school, church and
family. For those who have never
had to isolate yourself, just know if you do, take your iPad! But for those looking for ways to
minister to people who are alone, stop by for a short visit. They’ll love it.
As soon as I am able, I am going back to MDA to be a
volunteer. I don’t have the energy
now, but every time I’m there I’m given the opportunity to share with someone
and encourage him or her in some way.
I do not believe that God is going to allow this disease to go to
waste. He allows us to endure
certain hardships so we can be a blessing to others.
He comforts us in all our
troubles so that we can comfort others.
When they are troubled, we
will be able to give them the
same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
I have spoken to you with
great frankness;
I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged;
in all our troubles my joy
knows no bounds.
2 Corinthians 7:4
And what’s that saying about stuff always coming in
3’s?! Sometimes it just feels so
overwhelming. Two steps forward,
three steps back.
“We are afflicted in every
way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not
forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
“In this you rejoice,
though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various
trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold
that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and
glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen
him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and
rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the
outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:6-9
And my God will supply
every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ
Jesus.
Phillippians 4:19
What’s in your box?
You are beautiful Tamara!
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