Sunday Catch Up Blog ...

It's been a full week since I have had an opportunity to sit and write.  I've missed it ... there are so many things that have passed through my life this week that I wanted to share but fatigue set in about mid-week ... back at work after being off the previous week really did something to my energy level.  I was able to walk this week at work ... got in about 4 miles all total... Praise the Lord.  Of course I feel every single muscle that had not been used in a while ... they scream at me all the time when I try to get them going but I don't listen and keep moving.

I went back to see Helena at The Center for my one week follow-up from the pneumonia/inflammation in my lung.  She had gotten the official x-ray report and was reading it on the computer screen in the room with me ... for a long time she kept reading ... which was kinda freaking me out.  I'm thinking ... what is she looking at?  Then she said to me ... Did you know that you had had a broken rib on your right side?  Well ... nope!  She said ... this shows you did.  GREAT!  Just wait until I see my brother and sister and ask them ... which one of ya'll beat me up and broke my rib?  <laughing>  Growing up we were little scrappers!  <smile>  Glad I'm grown and don't have to do that anymore.  I was the middle child and the smallest in stature ... however ... I could hold my on!  <laughing>  OK, back to the x-ray report.  It officially showed a cloudy area at the bottom of my left lung, however, there was nothing definitive as to what it was.  All I know is the medicine cleared it up and I was released.

On Thursday I had my two week follow-up to the six week follow-up for my hysterectomy.
Dr. Kohlmorgen released me ... Praise the Lord.  I ask her if I could ride my bicycle and she said yes.  Now, I have to buy a bicycle.  <laughing>  I was just making sure I could ride it before I bought it.  I want an old fashion single speed bike.  Why, you ask?  I really just want an old single speed bike if I can find one.

The week was very busy at work ... so much so that I didn't feel like sitting in front of the computer when I got home.  I had so many things I wanted to write about but I was so tired.  When I woke up Saturday, I had a migraine that haunted me all day ... all because I was so tired from the week.  I know my energy level will build back up and I am trying so hard to be patient.  Praise the Lord, I slept all night last night and didn't wake up until 5:00am this morning.  That's good for me.

Thank you all for your prayers for Mandy.  It was posted on Facebook that she woke up and was responding well to everyone on August 6.  This is answered prayer.  She had to undergo surgery on her pelvis which was broken and also had to have a stomach surgery.  It is expected that she will be transferred to a rehab facility possibly early this week.  Thank you again for your prayers.

A few really neat quotes and scripture verses that was on Twitter this week.
*  Thinking hasn't gone out of style.
*  When you focus on God's promises instead of the problems, you’ll notice your thoughts will be healthier and filled with peace.
*  When we stay focused on our own process of refinement we will have little need to criticize or look down on others. {Psalm 66:10}
*  When you are trying not to interfere, pray for the person then they won't know you're interfering.
*  Everytime you forgive you disappoint the devil.

Yes, believe it or not, I'm on Twitter and I love it.  I follow many Christian women who speak and write blogs.  I get so much from reading their tweets throughout the day.  It is a neat way to stay connected and focused on what matters ... our awesome Lord ....  Sign up for Twitter and look me up.  I don't tweet much ... I retweet the good stuff though.

Everytime I have seen my new grand daughter, Brooklyn, I look at this baby and think to myself ... this baby looks just like my brothers baby pictures.   Below is my brother, Marvin and Brooklyn ...

Well as it turns out, Brooklyn looks just like my baby pictures.  My daughter, Bonnie (her Mommy), kept saying ... This is scarey that she looks so much like your baby pictures.  I'm thinking 'scarey' <laughing>  I thought I was a cute baby.  <laughing>  So I told Bonnie that ... she said ... no, it's that she looks so much like you and the Cagle family.  I love that my little grand daughter looks like her Grammy did at an early tender age and favors the Cagle family.  

Yesterday I went to the first church service at Gateway (4:00pm) so this morning was free.  I got my grocery list together and headed to the Kroger.  Yes, KROGER ... I can get .10 off a gallon of gas for every $100 I spend.  Today I stayed on budget ... $80 or less and am headed to $100 for the gas discount.  AWESOME!  Bonnie told me Friday that she looked at her most recent Kroger receipt and was up to .70 off per gallon of gas.  I was commenting  ... Wow, Bonnie that's good, that makes your gas cheap AND she was saying ... Mom, do you realize that's $700 worth of groceries?   I guess it's all in how you look at it and besides it wasn't like she had spent $700 all at once.  <laughing>  The gas points accumulate.  <laughing>

Speaking of Gateway Church ... I love the worship there and plan to take the class to become a member.  I know God is calling me to do something at Gateway and I am following this call.  Pray for me that God reveals what it is when He is ready.

So after the grocery store, I can home and got the Italian Chicken recipe in the crock pot (not pictured) and put together the Chicken and Spinach Pasta bake casserole.  Both of these recipes make enough for two meals for us so I will freeze the other portion for a week I don't want to cook ... like probably next week.  <laughing>  Here's a picture of the Chicken and Spinach Pasta bake ...  it's supposed to have mozzarella cheese on it.  I will add that when we get ready to eat it.

I also splurged and bought a lemon bar mix.  After lunch, I threw the eggs, water and mix together and baked it.  

   As it was baking I decided I wanted a cup of coffee ... weird, I know.  The coffee was so good and so was the hot out of the oven lemon bars.  I ate way too much ... I don't want anymore.  <smile>  From the picture below, it looks like I ate a lot .. I heard Alicia in the kitchen getting her some ... I only ate the width of the pan about 3 inches over into it ... you see where she started her row ... why did she leave that little piece?  hmmmm I may need .... never mind, I'm sick of lemon bars.  

A couple of weeks ago, I went to my Walmart Neighborhood Store and as I was checking out, there was a lady and a young girl pull up behind me with their cart.  I heard the lady say ... Look at this, this is terrible.  My first thought was ... Is she talking to me?  In actuality ... she was.  <laughing>  Me and her daughter ... and this is what she was talking about.  Notice anything strange in the picture below?  OK, I confess ... it took me a minute to realize what she was talking about ... the .03 cent charge for the gift card to Walmart.  You have to pay .03 cents for the card now ... they used to be free.  I could not believe this.  Perhaps this has been happening for a while and I just never noticed but ... REALLY!  

I 

I am currently reading a wonderful book by Lysa TerKeurst ... Unglued.  It is awesome and Lysa is so upfront and personal about her own behaviors about coming unglued.

I think if we were all honest about it, we all come unglued at one point or another.  I personally have been 'unglued' most of my life ... now hold on before you judge me.  I don't remember God appointing any man-made judges here on earth.  <smile>   Try Amazon .. it's probably cheaper than on Lysa's website.

I am going to my first-ever Women of Faith Conference in Dallas in September.  I am so excited about this that I get giddy when I talk about it.  My sister and her friends have gone for years and always come back renewed and refreshed with lots of good books to read.  Is anyone else out there going?  If so, let me know, maybe we can get together there.  I have added the video from the website ... hoping it will play for you.  If not, here's the link ...   http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/dallas/

Guess what time it is ... Sonic Happy Hour ... first a good cup of coffee and now a Sonic ice tea (only .99 cents)  ... yep, I'm from the south ... I love them both ... tea and coffee and I love the cheap price during happy hour.

Please know that I pray for you daily.  While I may not know you specifically, please know I pray.  I know that is what God wants us all to do... Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

I would love to hear from you ... leave me a comment or send me an email and as always .. thank you for visiting and reading my blog.  It means so much to me and my prayer is that there is something you will come away with that lifts you up and lets you know that God is with us all.   Forgive my pictures being all over the place ... I'm learning.  <smile>

Blessed and praying blessings for you.

genam44@charter.net

It's Thursday Already ...

All is well ... Busy week ... See you Saturday !!!
Blessings!



genam44@charter.net

Joyful Mondays

I meant to post this yesterday but got busy and forgot.  Every Monday a sister blogger shares a segment on her blog called Joyful Monday. I was honored recently when I received an email from her asking me to share a Joyful Monday post. Take a few minutes and visit my blogger friend athttp://lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.com/   Scroll down to Joyful Monday ... 
Blessings!

genam44@charter.net

Praising God ...

Mandy woke up today.  Here is the Facebook post ...

Great news on Mandy! She is responding today! She recognizes/calls people by name; can associate things together. She will say random things and repeat herself, but she has come back to us! She will have surgery Wednesday to repair her diaphragm/stomach problems. Keep the prayers coming!!!! — 

We service an awesome God.  Thank you Father for Mandy's life and healing her.
Blessings.

genam44@charter.net

Great Weekend ...

Monday morning has rolled around ... I'm ready to face the world.  Feeling great  ... Praise the Lord.  I will have my recheck with Helena at The Center today.  Praying for a good report.

It was a good productive weekend.  I love weekends like that.  The heat is monstrous but I know fall is on the way.  BEWARE  ---  I went out last night to water a couple of pots of flowers on the patio, bent down to pick something out of the mulch in one of the pots and was bombed by the waiting grasshopper in the flower.  He hit me in my left eye and I have to tell you ... it hurt.  This morning my left eye is a little sore.  I guess I need to get my work goggles to go outside.  <smile>

Colossians 3:12-17

  

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one bodyyou were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdomthrough psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  Continue to pray for Mandy, please.

gkmorrison12@gmail.com

Prayers for Mandy ...

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.

I have a beautiful friend who needs our prayers.  Mandy is a lady I went to school with some 35+ years ago.  She is beautiful inside and out.  She was in a terrible car accident on Tuesday, presumably someone ran a red light and hit her.  She has a severe concussion and crushed pelvis.  She is in and out of consciousness.  The medical staff planned an MRI last night to see what was going on with her brain.  Please pray for Mandy and her family.  God will hear one and all.   Sweet story ... We were finishing up dinner last night and I had tears running down my face as I was thinking about Mandy ... my sweet grand daughter reached over and patted my arm with her lasagna covered hand and said "it's OK Grammy".  God sends us angels of all sorts especially with our grand babies.

Gabby Douglas, the young woman who won the gold last night praises her Lord.  What a blessing it was to hear her on national TV praising God for her success.  "It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling.  And I give all the glory to God. It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me," Douglas testified in the interview.  She tweeted: "Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me."  Gabby also mentioned that she lives one precious minute at a time.  Congratulations to the young woman who has a God given talent and stands up and praises Him for it.  

I am not sure what happened with me and sleep last night but it was not to be.  I turned the TV off at 11:00pm and was awake at 2:00am and ready to get up.  I turned the TV on and it was some more swimming so I turned it off.  I took many cleansing breaths and then I prayed.  If you needed prayer, I'm sure I covered you with it last night.  It may have been the build up of the steroids in my system that caused the insomnia.  I am on the count down ... two more today and one tomorrow and I am finished with them.

I am praising God for feeling so much better.  Yesterday the 'knife stabbing pain' was gone in my left lung.  I could take a deep breath and enjoy it.  Praise the Lord.

Today my prayers continue for my friend, Mandy and her family.  A difficult time for all.  Again, please join me.  God continues to listen ... He loves for us to call on Him.  Thank Him for you blessings.

Ephesians 1: 3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"

Blessed and praying blessings for you all.  Praying healing for Mandy and comfort and peace for her family.  

genam44@charter.net

What Happens When Frustration Sets In?

A new day has dawned and I am praising God for feeling so much better than Monday.  I can take a deep breath now without the feeling of a knife sticking in the bottom portion of my left lung ... this is a BIG ... Praise the Lord.  My energy level is coming back up.  My frustration, and I know so very well that it is temporary, comes when I must be careful.  Careful about getting too tired, careful about being around people who may be sick or have been sick in the last several days, trying to eat right even when I'm not hungry (well ok I try to do this all the time).  I'm frustrated with daytime TV ... while I love the Olympics, they are about to get on my last nerve.  I mean who knew that there were nine jillion swimming races and so many different types of strokes and they all have a different stroke (we called it paddling when I was growing up ... you know dog paddle or arm over shoulder paddle or whatever).  <smile>  I think it's time that we move on to synchronized swimming, pole vaulting ... whatever is next.  <laughing>

Another day at the Olympics

I know all my frustration stems from the set back of once again knowing that my body still may have issues from the breast cancer treatments.  I try hard not to complain because I am so thankful for where I am today as opposed to where I was 5 months ago ... which by the way was in the middle of chemo.  Those days are gone ... Praising.

I read this morning that no matter what is going on or where we are in our lives ... good or not so good ... God is still in His Holy Temple.  He will always know what is ahead for me, He always looks out for my best interest.   1 Peter 5:7 Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  What a great scripture.  He is watching out for everything that concerns me ... me ... little whiney Gena.  John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift --- peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid.  OK, that sews it up ... I'm jumping off now ... yes, jumping off the poor pitiful 'me' box and getting on with the day.  The day which God has given me ... He wants me to rest and take care of myself and be trouble free.  Who in the world am I to dispute Him?   Thank you for Father for letting me vent my frustrations and not turning your back on me.  I know You are looking out for my best interest and all I can do is say thank you and follow the instructions I have been given.  Amen 

Now let's talk about customer service reps on the telephone.  Anyone out there ever get so frustrated with those people ... those customer service reps ... who are by the way are just doing their jobs ... that you want to scream and shout ugly words?  I know you are out there, as well as, the person sitting here typing has been the same way.  Months ago when I was not able to work in the office due to my compromised immune system (chemo), I was blessed to get to work from home - Praising.  I was provided a laptop by my work and I think from the git-go that laptop did not like me.  It seemed I had more problems with that thing than you can shake a stick at.  Of course, it was not ME, the operator, it had to be that laptop.  There were log on issues, there were password issues (more than I can count), email issues ... ugghhh!  But I persevered, as well as, all the IT guys at work who I, it seemed, was in constant contact with ... almost daily.

This is how I felt that day and
probably looked except I
was completely bald at the time.

I was working at home one day and the internet decides to take a road trip ... packed it's bags and walked right out of my house.  Now I don't know about you but I have never understood how something can be working one minute and all of a sudden just decides it wants to pack it's bags and go south.  How and why?  That particular day my internet did.  I know just enough about all this to probably be very dangerous, however, I do not know enough.  A mild frustration settled in ... OK, maybe medium frustration.  I called my internet provider who I believe was probably in a foreign country.  It seemed she wanted me to disconnect the cord from the wall that is behind the heaviest file cabinet and chest of drawers that holds my TV.  I said ... Lady, I have had major surgery and you want me to disconnect this cord from there?  Why can't I disconnect the cord from the modem?  In her broken English, she said ... Oh no, won't work.  Must be disconnected at the wall.  Well GREAT!  I was able to wiggle the file cabinet out of it's indented home in the carpet and reach behind the very heavy chest of drawers and disconnect the stupid cable.  After leaving it disconnected about TWO minutes (really two minutes disconnected is going to fix my internet) she said ... Ok, now reconnect.  Duuuhhh!!!  Reconnecting was harder than disconnecting because I had that connection thingy with that needle like thing on the end of it that had to fit in the hole so it would let me screw it back on.  Uggghhh!  Can you see my frustration building?  I wanted to scream at her and tell her to come here and fix it.  And do it NOW!  I didn't feel like disconnecting and reconnected all these cords ... you know the scenario because you've probably faced something similar at one time or another.  To make the story a little shorter ... this did NOT fix my internet ... frustrated even more.  I ended up having to have a new cable run through the attic from the far side of the house to where I needed it.  A big blessing, they didn't charge me - Praise - and they did fix my internet.

I shared my story because something struck me while I was being 'mean' to the lady on the other end of the phone that day ... all because I was frustrated.  It wasn't her fault that my internet wasn't working.  She was doing her best to get it back up and running.  This was her job ... she was doing her job.  I was the one who was being mean and hateful and how sorry I am for doing that.  I realized that day that being mean never accomplishes anything.  I can only hope the lady on the other end of the phone that day will forgive me from afar and I know that I was the one in the wrong.  Since that time, I generally speak these words first when I make a call for something that has frustrated me ... I know this is not your fault so please forgive me if I seem a little short OR better yet ... I chose the higher road and am nice from the start to finish.  Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, Do not fret; it only causes harm.  

This morning my frustration is minor.  The devil continues to try to get his ugly foot in the door and take me down but it is not going to work.  God has brought me this far and I am not turning back ... I'm moving forward with Him.  The devil can pack his bags and head south ... maybe he will find the internet connection that packed and left a few months ago.  They deserve each other.  <laughing>  So when you feel frustrated and we all do, remember 1 Peter 5:7 Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.  

God is using this time that I am off allowing my body to heal ... to grow me.  He is growing me in many ways.  While I say that my life will have a new normal and it does ... my life will have a new walk ... a much closer walk with my precious Savior.  Thank you Father for this time of slowing down and learning and hearing you.  There are hidden gifts in the tough stuff.  There is grace and honor to be gained.  I will only see those gifts when I stop and realize they are gifts.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  Let's never forget to praise God for all He is doing and pray for all who need our prayers.


 genam44@charter.net

Texas Heat and Other Ramblings ...

The steroids have kicked in full force attacking the inflammation in my lung and also causing my face to be firey red and burn.  I am so thankful to be feeling better this morning and am thankful that I can take in a deep breath without as much pain in my lung.  Praise the Lord.  I know this latest hurdle is temporary and I am so thankful for that.  I believe that while I continue to build my body up physically there are still things I must keep in check.  Stress … honestly there is nothing good that can come from stress.  It affects our bodies in such a negative way.  I promised myself when I returned to work after my surgery and treatments that I would not allow my job to stress me out.  I will be promising myself that once again.  I, like you reading this, want good health and the ability to feel good and my plan is to stay healthy.  This in no way means I will not care about my job, it means I chose to take care of me.  We all have that option whether it is work stress or personal life stress … we make the choice.  I chose life … how about you? 

Since I am homebound for the week and resting, I have a lot of time on my hands.  The steroids kept me awake yesterday but I continued to rest a lot. The ePad (you read that right … Asus ePad not iPad)  I bought while I was taking chemo got a work out yesterday.  Yeppers, caught up on all my blogs that I read, searched various other blog sites and added those to the collection, checked Facebook a jillion times along with Twitter all the while watching the Olympics.  I decided about 12:45pm that I needed some lunch, even though I was not hungry due to the steroids, so I popped one of those single serving bags of popcorn and drank a 7-up and finished it off with the last two steroids for the day.  Good meal I would say. 

The heat is up outside and consequently my blinds and doors are closed.  I feel like I am sitting in a dungeon or cave.  In an effort to conserve air conditioning and electricity, we open the blinds in the morning before the heat rises to 100+ and before mid-day try to ensure all the blinds are closed.  I really dislike being in the darkened house, however, being in a cool house right now is more important.  It is a temporary darkness and I know we will make it through.  I would much rather be in the dark physically while I am keeping the Texas heat out than to be in the darkness and not know our awesome God. 

After watching the U.S. gymnast, Jordyn Weiber, there was a lesson that can be learned.  Jordyn’s minor bobble on the balance beam combined with a small misstep out of bounds on her floor exercise cost her a spot in the individual all around competition for a gold.  It makes one stop and think about how many bobbles that happen to me daily yet I am still on God’s team.  My daily bobbles do not affect my standing with God and how thankful I am about that.  When our days on earth are over, Jesus will be standing at the finish line when we arrive … clapping and singing and saying welcome home my child. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  

gkmorrison12@gmail.com

I Will Continue to Praise the Lord ... no matter what!

Making this post before the energy level bottoms out ...

The devil has no place in my life.  Honestly, sometimes I feel he continues to try drive me in the ground.  I will not allow it.  No sir-re!  Monday morning found be writhing in pain at 2:15am in my back around my shoulder blade.  It hurt so bad I could not lay in the bed.  I got up to get an ice pack and the heating pad - all the while thinking I had over done it on Sunday with some menial tasks around the house.  I went to the den with the ice and the heat and sat down in my recliner and tried to lean back to use the 'cures' I had gathered.  The pain was not having any part of the 'cures'.  I got up after about five minutes and hit the medicine cabinet to take two Advil.  I tried getting back in bed to get comfortable ... not happening.  Finally at 3:00am I called my sister who lives across the street and as you know is a nurse (by the way she was up watching the Olympics - sleep is not of great importance in her life).  She came over and I explained my issues and she rubbed the affected muscle (or so we thought) and got it to ease up.  Then I told her that I couldn't breath very well so she brought me my inhaler.  That opened up my bronchial tubes.  She went back home about 4:15am which was now time for me to get up and get ready for work.  Now my day is started.

I got ready for work and by the time I got there at 6:15am, the left side of my chest began hurting really bad.  OK, now I'm thinking I really strained myself on Sunday.  At 8:30am I called The Center and ask to speak directly to my sista, Fred, who is one of the great ladies who takes care of me.  She told me to come on in so a co-worker took me (thank you again Mary Beth).  They roomed me right away and Helena was in there before long.  I gave her all the details from my weekend, especially Sunday and then she listened to my lungs.  She thought she was hearing a gurgle in the bottom part of my left lung and told me she needed x-rays to see what was going on.

Fred walked me over to the other corner of the building (she's such a blessing) and they got me right in for the x-rays.  The first x-rays were standing up and of course that's painless ... the third one however, was laying on that hard table on my left side (that's where the 'muscle' issue was). After she got me positioned, we had to wait for everything to settle for a minute.  The x-ray lady gave me my instruction for the third time - take a deep breath and hold it - I wanted to say lady - you take a deep breath and hold it a long time (not really but remember I was in excruciating pain).  She finally took that last x-ray and I was able to get up.  Oh and since I had on a blouse with little beads on it, I had to put on a scrub top for these x-rays.  Putting it on was not an issue but taking it off was another story.  I was hurting so bad, I had the x-ray lady to ... oh you know ... do skin the possum .. you know like you did with your kids, ok, well may be you didn't say that but I do.  You hold your arms up over your head and someone pulls the shirt off <smile>  She helped me get the scrub top off and I was able to get my blouse with the beads on by myself.  She took the x-rays, Mary Beth and I back over to the doctor office, once again Fred roomed me right away.

Helena and Dr. Young were doing a preliminary on the 'films' and determined I had either a touch of pneumonia or pneumonitis (inflammation in the lung tissue which sounds like the same thing as pneumonia to me) in the bottom part of my left lung where the radiation got it.  I was given a pack of steroids ... the gradual pack ... take six the first day, five the next, etc until you are down to one.  She also gave me a 10 day prescription for Levaquin antibiotic.  Praising the Lord this morning the steroids have started working on the inflammation and my pain level went from 49 (that was on a scale of 1 to 10) down to about 1 ... that's when I take a deep breath.  I was not able to lay flat yesterday at all due to the pain in my chest so I was sleeping sitting at an angle and I don't sleep real well that way but I took what I could get.

Fred kept telling me that they would 'fix me' and all would be OK.  She is one of the sweetest.  In the picture below, Fred aka Yvonne, is in the middle.

In the picture below, Helena is on the left.  She is the sweet lady I see when I don't see
Dr. Young at The Center.  Pam, on the right, also works at The Center in an administrative position.

I feel extremely blessed that God brought all these women in to my life during this journey.  They are amazing.

Thankful this morning that I am no longer having that horrible pain in my left chest and am able to get up more easily.  I am home for the remainder of the week, taking it easy and letting this thing clear up.

The devil thinks he can take me down, thinks he can make me not Praise my Lord but he is so wrong.  He is trying ... as he tries on all of us ... I am not going to let him.  Several people told me yesterday that it seemed I couldn't catch a break but I know it's the devil trying to break me and he will NOT win.  1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of somber mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  
I know that I will get over this hurdle and continue moving forward, even when the devil raises the hurdle, I may be short but I can overcome.

Before all this started, I was able to go to the 90th birthday party of a lady I have known for many years.  We played softball together back in the day.  I was blessed to be part of the celebration.

Above:  These were the ladies from our softball team years and years ago.
Great group of friends and Godly women.  The birthday girl
is in the middle on the front row.  Tootsie pitched for us for
many many years.  

Above:  Friends for many years.  Left to right:
Susan, me, Mike (wife Karin not pictured but is one of the
kindest women I know) and Sherri.  

Praises:
*  Knowing and believing more than ever that God is in control.  He is always with me, no matter how hard the devil tries to knock me down.
*  Wonderful medical people who take such good care of me.
*  Family who always comes through for me, no matter what time of the night it is.  Thank you all.
*  My co-worker/friend, Mary Beth, who took her personal leave to take me to The Center and brought me home.  Mary Beth, again, thank you.
*  Thankful that when I was hurting so bad and thinking I was having a heart attack that it was merely an inflammed lung and this morning is much better.
*  An understanding group of folks I work with who want me to get better.  They are always there to pick up the pieces when I have to be out.  To all of you ... thank you.

Prayer Requests:
*  Continued prayers for my friends and all the people that I do not know personally but who are walking the cancer journey and in the throws of either surgery or chemo or radiation.  Keep praying for those.
*  My continued healing.

Jeremiah 29:11 ... "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".  

Blessed and praying blessings for you today.
gkmorrison12@gmail.com

Cup of Coffee and It Is 98 Degrees...

It's Friday afternoon and I'm home ... for the weekend ... yea, no work.  This week I thought and voiced my concerns over how things seemed to be going.  Everyone was having a bad week ... grumpy, grumpier and grumpiest seemed to all be in one place at once.  The Federal Building.  It was not just my agency but every time I got on an elevator someone was saying ... Oh, is it Friday yet? ... Oh, I'm so glad it's Friday?  .... What a week!!!  Well I gotta tell you ... it's been a week.  I said I wasn't going to complain when I got to go back to work and I tried not to but REALLY!  BUT now ... it's Friday, I'm home and of all things having a cup of coffee and it's 98 degree on my patio IN the SHADE.  Coffee sounded good so I loaded up the Keurig with my favorite blend and pushed the button.  Here I sit finally getting to write and have a cup of coffee with Channel 5 in the background filling me in on the Olympics.


I know I have been so bad about not blogging this week. In September 2011, when I started this blog, I forever wanted to Praise my Lord and pray that I could point others to my Lord and Saviour with all the little and big  issues of life thrown in for good measure. Somehow this past week somewhere along the way, I, like the weather here in Texas, have been dry lately~ like a juice box sucked in with no air left inside. I think all the life has been sucked right out of me. Do you ever feel like that?

I follow several blogs myself and on one of them this morning one posted exacting how I have been feeling ...  here's a snippet from her posting  ... I heard a message this morning and the teacher said sometimes God test His people to see if they are what they say they are. You know like when you go buy a new sofa and you sit on it and try it out. Sometimes it is easy when hard times come one at a time~ well not easy~ but do-able. Yet~ when trials and tests come right after another you can't do anything but realize that without God you are nothing. I am confessing~ I am nothing without God. I repeat what she said ... I am absolutely nothing without God.  When I lose communication with Him, I'm lost in every way.  I have not liked this feeling this week at all.  I have cried out and I haven't heard anything.  As I continued listening ... there He was in the midst of a bad evening one day this week.  Remember my recent post when I included the July 17 devotional ... Come walk with me for a while.  I guess somewhere along the path this week, we got separated and I can assure you that God didn't leave the path ... I did.  I allowed the busyness, grumpers, conference calls, countless emails drag me down the wrong path.  Hearing His words again at bedtime Wednesday night ... Come walk with me for a while ... I knew I had found my way back to where I needed to be.

I had allowed the busyness of my world to get in the way of where He wants me to be.  When all the meetings, conferences, grumps and gripes entered this week, I stepped off the path with my awesome Lord.  I fell in behind the 'busyness' ... big mistake.  I am writing today to say that I am thankful that I didn't get far from the path, realized what I had done and got back on the right path again.

I mentioned recently I was going to write a post titled ... There Will Come a Day ... I decided I am going to include it in this post.  There is a song sung by Jeremy Camp titled There Will Come A Day which is beautiful ... here's a link to listen ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TipLsmZgjI   This song is about a different 'day' than what I am speaking about BUT ... the day in the song will be a glorious day.

Today I am writing about the 'day' ... a day when I started my breast cancer journey, I wasn't sure if it would ever come.  The 'day' and I'm not sure if it's really a day or week or month ... but there comes a day (or time)  that a person who has had cancer and been through treatments doesn't want the cancer and treatments to define them anymore.  I do not want to be - Gena with cancer - you know what I want?  I want to be - Gena, the vivacious, love of life, hyper Type A personality, make you laugh, make you cry (I hope not), fun loving - Gena.  I don't want to be labeled with cancer anymore.  I want to move on ... I want to be 'normal' however and whatever  my new normal will be ... I want that.  I am certainly not in denial about the cancer ... I mean after all I live with all that has gone on in my life for the last nine months ...  and it is a well known fact that cancer invaded my body.  Since October 18, 2011, I have held on to the words my Oncologist told me after my surgery  ... We consider you cancer free after your surgery.   Praise the Lord.

 I could never have gotten through these nine months without all my family and friends, old and new, supporting me every step of the way.  I am not sure I could have gotten through the months without my blog ... my outlet ... writing my blog allowed me to type the words on the screen ... let me spill my guts ... let me cry while I wrote ... let me laugh while I wrote.  I am so blessed that so many have read my blog over the last nine months ... I am truly humbled.  As of today, there have been 13,350 hits on my blog ... Praise the Lord.  It is truly my prayer that everyone who has read this blog knows that I have a love for the Lord like no other love.  I praise His name ... in the good and the not so good and in the down right bad times.  I want everyone to know Him.

So ... there you have it ... my 'day' has come ... my blog will take a different path now.  I know God has a plan for me and I pray that He opens many more doors for me to share my cancer journey but most of all that I will be able to share His love for me and you.  So once again, as I typed these words ... thanking all of you - I cried.  You mean more to me than my words can ever express.

Let me tell you now about my sister and my shopping trip last weekend.  My sister has lost over 30 pounds on Weight Watchers and needed new clothes ... yes, here she is ... (NOTE:  If I come up missing, call the police because she's probably going to kill me... <laughing>)  and by the way ... my sister is my hero.  She's awesome ... she's smart ... she has walked every step of this journey with me and I know has felt my pain deep in her soul.  She makes me laugh, she aggrivates me, she's OCD and works hard.  She's the friend YOU want to have.  The picture below was taken at Penney's after our first stop at Kohl's ... read on!

Our first stop was at our local Kohl's.  She pulled a pair of khaki capris out of the rack and showed me and I was appalled ... they had been worn ... literally it looked like someone had worn them and returned them.  Of course I couldn't let it go ... I was like REALLY!  Check them out for yourself below and please let me know what you think ... worn or not?  These are so worn ... I could not believe it.  Looking at these pictures reminds me again about how I could NOT believe it.  I guess, buy them, tuck the tag in the waste band, WEAR THEM and then take them back.  R-E-A-L-L-Y ???

You know when life is getting back to normal because I'm ready to get out to the antique shops/malls, etc.  I don't have any money to buy much (if anything), but oh boy, how I do like to look.  Last Sunday afternoon, my sister and I got our happy hour Sonic half and half ice tea and headed to the new antique store here in North Richland Hills.  There he was ... in a corner on a shelf with some of his chicken friends, all puffed out with his wings around the salt and pepper shakers ... I couldn't resist ... He said ... BUY ME, BUY ME, I will look good in your kitchen/dining area.  So I made a small purchase.... and here he is ..

The heat is ferocious as you all know if you live here in Texas.  I think I could live in a cooler temperature but I've been in Texas my entire 56 years and I ain't going anywhere now.  <smile>  I love my Texas.

So today I leave you with a faith filled heart and a praise on my lips for the many many people and opportunities that God has brought into my life during my cancer journey.  I will continue to update you on the doctor appointments ahead, as well as ... always have prayer requests for the many who have been and/or will be diagnosed with this dreadful disease and other dreadful diseases.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)  Now faith is the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  


Blessed and praying blessings for you today.  


gkmorrison12@gmail.com