Celebrations

On Wednesday, November 9th, I finished my radiation. I must admit that it was a bittersweet ending because I loved the people there that took care of me, they were so nice and we actually had a lot of laughs together (who would've thought radiology could be so fun??). I don't think one could find a nicer little group of people to do the radiation. I received a diploma for finishing it, so that was pretty cool.
When Mommy and I left there we went to see my Aunt Nana at work so I could show her my diploma and stuff, so that was nice. We found out that Mommy's cousin, Della, took my Memaw & Grandpa and Great Aunt 'Bebo' & Great Uncle James to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner so decided to stop over there and surprise them so we could show them my diploma and stuff. Now, Della is really rather persuasive and won't take no for an answer, so we were forced (in a good way, of course) to stay and she would buy our dinner as well PLUS told us to pick out something for Daddy and Chris to take home to them. So, we stayed and we had a wonderful time together. It was so fun and so good to see Della, Bebo, and Uncle James as we don't see them near often enough. Our waitress was very sweet; Mommy asked her for a set of plastic utensils for me (I'm not using silverware because the radiation left a bit of a metallic taste in my mouth that will go away eventually and it's recommended that one uses plastic instead), so she remembered to give me a plastic spoon with my coffee and then again with my free dessert. Grandpa had told her that I had just finished radiation so she told me to pick out something for dessert and she would just say it's my Birthday so I would get it for free.
So, that was the first celebration...unplanned and unexpected, but a blessing.
On the Sabbath, November 13th, my Memaw & Grandpa took Mommy, Tommy, Chris, and me out for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. We had such a wonderful time together and it was such a blessing to be able to celebrate together. Daddy had to work but Grandpa insisted on buying him a meal that we could take home to him.
Those are the celebrations of my radiology being over.
God has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. To think that I felt the tumor when my radiologist said that there's like less than a 1% chance of anyone being able to feel it where I did. There was only one tumor and it was removed with the surgery. God is so good. His plans are perfect.
This disease could've killed me, but God didn't have that in His plan. Through all that we have gone these past few months, may He be praised and may we be more grateful for all that He has done. This has been a hard journey, but it's over and He has so graciously carried us through this for, without Him, we could not have faced it alone (and how other people do it, I have no idea).
Sometimes it's hard to find blessings in such terrible situations, but in mine, the tumor was placed where I could feel it, I had surgery to remove it, that was the only one, through all of this, God has blessed me with the most wonderful Dr.'s, nurses, etc. that one could ask for. Now that this is over, I hope to be able to do more with my life for the One who gives me strength and keeps my heart beating, in any way possible.


Today, I saw on Facebook another reason to celebrate: Starbucks has a deal where you buy one holiday beverage and get another free from 2-5 that ends tomorrow, you can imagine I raced downstairs to tell Mommy and within minutes we were on our way to get our favorite-Peppermint Mochas! We are now immensely enjoying them on this grey, somewhat chilly day.
I am sitting at a table in my room writing this, drinking my Peppermint Mocha, listening to Christmas music, and (you ready?)....covered up in my SNUGGIE! Haha! Grandpa bought it for Memaw, but she didn't really want to use it and since it's pink she gave it to me. It is quite warm for being a goofy looking little thing.


Mommy got a call from the ladies at the yarn shop and they said my chemo cap is ready, so Lord willing, we'll be going sometime next week to pick it up.
I do have a little bit of hair growing back, so that's pretty dang awesome.


That's not the only new cap I'll have though, one of my best friends, Meghan, sent me a cap that she made for me as well as one that her Mum made for me and they're both so adorable!
Thank you, Meghan and Mrs. G!! Love you, ladies!


I hope your day is blessed.


Grace be with you.

I'm Not So Strong

Through all of my journey with Lymphoma and everything that I've gone through, people have told me I'm their hero, an inspiration, so strong. I'm not as strong as people think.
Yes, I know and have always believed that God has me on this journey for a reason, I know this is His plan for me, that has always stuck with me through all of this, that doesn't mean I've never been afraid.
Every time I had chemo, I felt so terrible, couldn't eat for several days, the smell of coffee (which I love) was horrendous to me, certain smells were too much, I was tired, I cried (the first time for no reason), but always felt that I shouldn't complain. There are so many people that have to go through so much chemo and so many other things that I thought it was wrong of me to complain because I only had to go through 3 rounds of chemo and only 17 days of radiation (I only have 7 more). Plus the fact that I didn't want to complain because everyone said I was so strong, I felt that I couldn't show the fear that hid in me, that it wouldn't do to complain, there was nothing that could be done about it, why not just go on pretending I'm so strong?
Finally, one night, just a little while ago, I broke down. I went to Mommy and told her that lately I feel very distant from God and that it scares me, it's something I've never, ever wanted, it's the worst feeling in the world. I was crying. I told her my inner fear; that when all of this is over and they do more scans, the cancer will have returned, that there will be more chemo treatments. I know the Lord is with me, that Jesus walks with me through all things, God's plans are perfect (that's what I've said from the beginning). Maybe I've been hiding my fear by joking about things, like my hair falling out, dressing up as a microwave for Halloween because of the radiation that's going in me (we don't celebrate Halloween, by the way), etc.
Even now I sometimes have the same fears; the cancer coming back, even the thought of more chemo is something I'd rather not think about, not because of the treatment itself, but what it does to me afterwards.
It just doesn't seem right for me to say such things or to feel this way because of all of the people that are going through much worse, that have to live in cancer hospitals, I hate that for all of those people. I would never wish this on anyone.
You see, I always knew it was hard for others, but until it happened to me, I didn't know just how hard it was.
In a way, I am grateful that the Lord put me on this journey so that maybe I can help others through it. I don't think I was ever once angry with God for putting me through this, I certainly wasn't happy with it or anything though, just always tried to rest in knowing that this is His plan for my life and He has a reason for it.
This has been a hard journey, but I do believe there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
My hair is gone, but that's ok, we're looking forward to seeing how it regrows. I do have cute caps, none too warm for the coming cold season, but I will have one soon: last Friday. Mommy and I went to a small yarn shop (I, of course, was wearing my face mask) and there were 2 ladies working (no other customers), well, we got to talking about my Lymphoma and one lady said that she had had cancer several years ago but is just fine, the other lady said her husband had cancer several years ago as well. Then, they told us that they're getting a group together to knit chemo caps and will donate them. I was then asked if I would like one, so the very first one will be made specially for me. She got my name and phone number and will let us know when it is finished. Now, Mommy and I have always wanted to learn how to knit, so the lady said she will give us one-on-one lessons for free, whereas they are usually $35. It's always a wonderful thing to meet friendly, sweet, compassionate people, which seems so rare nowadays, so sad.
So, November 8th will be my last day of radiation. We will pray that the chemo & radiation have done their job, if the Lord wills.
I pray that this journey through Lymphoma will be used to glorify God and, now that I've experienced it, I'll be able to sympathize with others and lift them up.I pray for all of my fellow cancer patients, know that I love you and know what you're going through and my heart hurts for you. I pray God's blessings upon all of you. It is very hard to go through this, I hope and pray someday there will be a cure. I hurt for you all. I hope we can lift each other up, no matter what.

I'd like to share these links:

Donate your hair for free wigs for women who lost their hair due to chemo treatments-click here. (This is what I did when I had hair and knew it was going to fall out ahead of time).


Reasonably priced products made specifically for people with cancer-click here.


Grace be with you all.

Pants & Skirts

No, this is not one of those cliched blog posts about the over discussed issue of Christian women wearing skirts v. pants, which is obviously something to which no one will ever find the real answer and, upon which, there will never be a settled agreement.
Rather, it is simply something I wanted to write so that I would have a new blog post.
For a few years now, I've mostly worn skirts, simply because I feel more feminine in them, and like them better; however, because I will be starting my treatments next week I want to be comfy, Mommy and I plan to shop for a pair of jeans and a pair of comfy pants as, a skirt will not be so comfortable going through all of this. Mommy, too, purchased some pants for herself.
So, it isn't that I don't want to feel feminine in these coming few months, but I want to feel comfy, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Anyway, I'm not really sure why I wanted to write this, seeing as it's rather boring, just thought I'd point out that I don't think women wearing pants is wrong, if they do it in a modest, feminine fashion. It's highly possible that when all this is over I will go back to just skirts, but I don't know, we will see.

This, however, is how I would love to dress all the time:

Grace be with you.

God Is So Good!

Monday, we went to my Oncologist to find out the results of the scans and there are NO more tumors, praise the Lord!
So, next Tuesday we will see the Dr. that is going to put the port in me and then the next day or Thursday, he will perform the surgery and then we will go straight from there to the Cancer Center to have my chemo and will be there for 5 hours. It's kind of funny, the Dr. that is going to perform the surgery doesn't see patients on Tuesdays because that is his surgery day, but my Oncologist made sure he would see me.
I will have 3 rounds of chemo over a period of nine weeks and then 3 rounds of radiation, I don't remember how long though.

I have the best family in the world, so loving and caring: when we left the Oncologist, Mommy and I went to where my Aunt Nana works and I went in to tell her and she hugged me tight and we walked outside together to talk with Mommy (she waited in the car) and she was just so happy and stuff. She said that my Uncle (her hubby, of course) had called her like 3 times to ask if she heard anything. The appointment was at 2:30 and she said that he called at 2:45 to ask if she's heard anything and asked if she could call us, I'm thinking he kind of cares about me. When Mommy called Memaw, she started crying when Mommy told her, then when she called Mawmaw, she started bawling, and she called Tommy and could tell that he was trying to keep himself from crying, of course Chris was so thankful as well, when Mommy called him; my brothers are the best. Mawmaw told Daddy that when she called Great Uncle Bill (her brother), they were both crying. Yes, I have the best family in the world. God is so good.
Oh, also, when Mommy & I got home that day, Daddy had gotten me a dozen roses on his way home and had them waiting for me on the table, they're so pretty!


Because of the treatments, my hair will fall out, so the other night Mommy cut my hair real short (I cried) and we're donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. We would've gone with Locks of Love but I read up about it and those wigs are not free and are expensive, whereas Pantene Beautiful Lengths is for women who lost their hair due to cancer treatments and their wigs are free.
I do kind of like my hair now, but do plan on letting it grow out long again when it comes back.

My long hair:

Now:

 

So, that's what it's going to be for a couple more weeks before it falls out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Lord has blessed us with some rain, and there was a storm this morning. I was awakened by probably the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard, wow it was loud. It's still grey outside, and kinda windy, hopefully we have more storms coming our way, Lord willing.

Hope you are having a blessed day!

Grace be with you.

Today

Mommy, Daddy, and I went to my Oncologist today. He told us that the kind of lymphoma I have (can't remember the name of it, it's 3 long words) generally has only one tumor. Even if this was the only one, I will still have to go through radiation and chemo, but only about 6 rounds.
On Monday, we will go and get a ct scan and then a pet scan after that to see if there are anymore tumors. Of course, we're praying that was the only one; God's will be done.
My Oncologist wanted me to have blood work done so, one of the nurses had me sit in a chair and this really pretty, elderly, lady walked around the corner and she was wearing a really pretty outfit and I thought about telling her, but wasn't really sure. The nurse that was taking care of her had her sit in a chair next to me, so I said to her, "What a lovely outfit!" and she thanked me and told me it was very old and very inexpensive, so we talked whilst I was having my blood work done. When I got up to leave, I said to her, "Have a good day!" She said the same to me, and called me, "sweetheart" and said, "God bless you", so I said the same to her. Anyway, she was just a really sweet lady and I'm very grateful that God gave me that moment.
After we left there, we went to Starbucks, got some food from McDonald's, came home, and Mommy and I stayed for about half an hour or so, to eat, then had to leave again.
We went to my ENT Dr. so he could remove my stitches. He is SO nice! When he first told my Mommy over the phone that I had lymphoma, he started crying, too, and he said that he had already been on the phone talking to different Dr.s about me and he said that we're going to fight this and make me well. And, today, we kinda talked about it and he told us I would be in his prayers. He is just so sweet.
After leaving there, we went to Starbucks, took some of our supper from last night over to Tommy (we've been trying to save some of our meals for him lately, so he doesn't have to eat out so much), we then went to the grocery store (Mommy went in), and came home....and have STAYED home!


We heard thunder a couple or so hours ago and were hoping for a storm, but nothing came of it. This heat is a killer! I am so looking forward to Autumn!


Everyday is a gift from God!


Grace be with you.

Just Gonna Say It Once

Got the results back from the tumor and I have lymphoma. Going to the Dr. on Monday to talk about it.
This will be a rough road ahead of us, but I know I'm covered with prayer, which means the world to me. I don't want people to worry about me, instead, take up that worrying time and pray, because that's what helps. Worrying doesn't do anything.
As of right now, I'm not scared or worried. God knows what He's doing, even if we don't understand. God's plan is perfect.
I have love and support from all my family and friends, and many prayers.
No one knows what the future holds, but God wrote it so He knows it and is in control always.
For some reason, lately I feel stronger in my faith than, maybe, I ever have. What else can I do?  I can't sit around and worry about it, can't give up hope, won't feel sorry for myself, instead, I will pray for the Lord's strength for me and my family and friends to help us through this time.
God is Lord over all and He holds the universe in the palm of His hand. He knows the length of our days, for He wrote them.
God has given Dr.'s and scientists more and more wisdom with things like this. I pray someday there will be a cure, but I do not pray that only for myself.
I realize having a blog just out there in the world wide web doesn't mean much to people that don't even know you but, if you come across this post, will you send up at least one prayer for me? While you're at it, remember everyone else in the world with this disease, I know I'm not the only one, and pray for them. Thank you.


Grace be with you.

"Hide Away In The Love Of Jesus"

"Hide Away In The Love Of Jesus"

 Come, weary saints, though tired and weak
Hide away in the love of Jesus
Your strength will return by His quiet streams
Hide away in the love of Jesus

Come, wandering souls, and find your home
Hide away in the love of Jesus
He offers the rest that you yearn to know
Hide away in the love of Jesus

Hear Him calling your name
See the depths of His love
In the wounds of His grace
Hide away

Come, guilty ones weighed down with sin
Hide away in the love of Jesus
The freedom you long for is found in Him
Hide away in the love of Jesus

Come, hopeless hearts, do not despair
Hide away in the love of Jesus
For ten thousand joys await you there
Hide away in the love of Jesus

~Sovereign Grace Music~

Gonna get ready to go soon. These lyrics mean a lot to me and I wanted to share them with you. 

Grace be with you.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning at 6:00, we will leave to get to the hospital by 6:30, and at 7:45, I will be taken back for my surgery. Apparently, this is usually an outpatient surgery, but my Dr. wants me to stay overnight, in which case, Mommy is going to stay with me.
Because I'm strange, I'm looking at it this way: the surgery is going to leave a scar, but I'm ok with that, because scars are cool. I don't encourage people to go and injure themselves for a scar, but if one has to have a surgery that will leave a scar in a place where people will be able to see it, don't fret, just keep in mind the scars are awesome and they'll make you look even cooler than before. (Not that I think I look cool already, I'm just sayin' YOU will look cooler!).
Honestly, the thought of the surgery doesn't really scare me, however, probably if I just sit around and think about it, I could cry, but there would really be no reason because I know I'll be fine, I know Jesus will be there with me, I know people are praying for me and love me, that's what matters to me. As I've said in the past, knowing that people are praying for me is one of the greatest comforts in the world.
I just feel sorry for my fam because, as Chris said, they're the ones that have to wait for at least 3 hours thinking about me and stuff, whilst I'll just be asleep and the next thing I know, it'll be over...and I'll have an awesome scar.
Another reason I'm not really worried about it is because I really like and trust my Dr., so, it'll be fine.
 It does seem kind of surreal though, that I'm going to have surgery tomorrow morning, but that's life and this is God's plan for me. We'll see what He does with it.


Have a blessed day!
Grace be with you.

I Have A Cold

So, I've just been sitting in my room, hanging out and stuff. Watched "Home Alone 2" on Netflix last night and might watch another movie on there today. Since last night, I've had my Hayley Westenra playlist on youtube playing, she's my very favorite female singer, y'all should check her out sometime, she's amazingly talented.
Oh, something fun: Chris now has "Words With Friends" on his iPod touch so he and I are playing that.
I'll share some of my favorite Hayley songs with you:

 

 

 

These are just a few.

Grace be with you.

Complaining

 "Why does a living man complain?" 

Lamentations 3:39

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You have no reason to complain, as long as you are
out of hell. Do you murmur, because you are under pain
and sickness? Nay, bless God, you are not there where
the worm never dies! Do you grudge, that you are not in
so good a condition in the world as some of your neighbors are? Be thankful, rather, that you are not in the condition of the damned! Is your money gone from you? Thank God that the fire of His wrath has not consumed you! Kiss the rod, O sinner! and acknowledge mercy!

~Thomas Boston~ 

Grace be with you.

I Am Loved

My Heavenly Father loves me (for reasons unknown to all, especially me). My family and friends love me.

My Mommy was talking to my Memaw on the phone and she said that Grandpa had walked in the house and said that he just kept thinking about me and wishing he could take this from me and go through it so that I wouldn't have to.
I know some of my family feel that way about me, and it really means a lot to me. Yet, for some reason, Grandpa saying this was something so special. I guess it's one of those things where, you know with all your heart that they feel that way but they don't have to say it so you never really expect them to: but he said it, and it really touched me.
This is something, though, that I would never wish upon anyone. I always say that I'm glad none of my peeps have to go through it.

I'm being covered in prayer and love.
I am loved. I am blessed.
God loves and blesses me far beyond what I deserve.
He is Almighty, Gracious, Merciful, Holy, Creator of the whole universe and all that lies therein, the One to be feared and reverenced....yet, He loves little me. He's in control of my life, I know He has a plan and I take great comfort in that.


Grace be with you.

In God's Hands

I'm in God's hands:
About 2 months ago, I noticed a bump on the side of my face, right in front of my ear. We went to the Dr. and she gave me an antibiotic to try to get rid of it. That didn't work so we went to an Ear, Nose, & Throat Dr. and he had me get a cat-scan.
It is a tumor. We are unsure if it is malignant or benign, but I will have to have surgery next month to get it removed. I'm a little nervous about it because it's right on an important gland (can't remember what it's called exactly) and other nerves that make everything on our face move.
My Dr. said the surgery will take at least 3 hours. Already, I just know that Jesus will be there with me, as He is with me always.
There is so much comfort in knowing that loved ones are praying for me. It's one of the very greatest things on earth, I am so thankful for that. How people are able to go through things with no prayer or trust in God, is beyond me. I can't imagine having to go through life without my Heavenly Father with me always.
My family and friends' love, prayers, and support mean the world to me. My Great Uncle sent me a card saying that a candle has been lit for me at a Church for 30 days. Plus, Daddy told us that my Great Uncle had a Mass said for me tonight (honestly, I'm not up on Catholicism, so I don't know if I said that the right way, but I assume you know what I mean anyway). We may not share all the same beliefs, but still, I am very touched by that and it means a lot to me.
Though I am kind of worried about the surgery, I just keep thinking of what so many young children are going through with leukemia and things like that, and my heart hurts for them. What I'm about to go through is minor compared to what they're going through. I can't stand to see anybody hurting, but especially a loved one or a child.

Once again, God has blessed us with a gorgeous day, sometimes I feel that these days are a promise and a reminder of His love. The lovely breezes, the sun hiding behind the clouds and then coming out every now and again to shed some light. Today the breeze is almost chilly, I love it. Just sitting up here in my room, on the floor, with all three of my windows and blinds open, listening to Barlow Girl again-it's wonderful.
On Mommy's and my way home today, I saw 3 more clouds that looked like dragons breathing fire-this is very interesting. 2 of them looked like they were fighting; I pointed them out to Mommy so she saw them too.


Later....
After several hours of not being able to finish my post, I will now finish it at around 2:0o-ish in the morning (just about bedtime around here).


Side-note:
I am now listening to Celtic Thunder's album, "Heritage." My iPod is on shuffle, and, "The Dutchman" just started-this makes me happy.


Goodnight.
Grace be with you.

"For The Beauty of The Earth"

There are two reasons for the title of this post:

1. I'm listening to the lovely hymn by Barlow Girl.

2. It is truly how I feel right now.

God has blessed us with an absolutely beautiful day. We have the windows open and there is an exceptional lovely breeze blowing through this house! God is so good!

The sky is beautiful with white fluff here and there and everything is so gorgeous and green! Oh my Kentucky! Though I've said I would love to move to England someday, at the same time, I just love Kentucky! Everything about it is beautiful: to me, I don't think any States are as beautiful as this one. My Mommy, who has been to a couple more States than I, has always said Kentucky is the most beautiful, I can't help but believe this is true. However, I will, of course, go wherever my Lord leads me.

Right now, I'm sitting in the kitchen listening to Barlow Girl (which is something that is interesting) and making supper for my little family which is: pork steaks, peas & carrots, stuffing, and salad. (I always have to take some frozen peas out of the package and eat them just as they are!).

Wow, I honestly cannot tell you how lovely this breeze is!

I have a friend who is in NYC right now and I told him that I'm not sure I'd ever want to go there. I used to kind of dream about going there just for a visit but, it's days like these that make me think, "How could anyone rather be in the city than the country?" We aren't totally in the country but, as close as we can be for right now, I guess (we live in a subdivision). I'm really just a country girl at heart.

There's only one reason I would want to go to NYC: on September 15th, my favorite singer, Andrea Bocelli, will be performing there, in Central Park. But, oh well, perhaps someday I will see him perform, Lord willing.

Funny: I see a cloud that looks like a dragon breathing fire, that's the third cloud I've seen over a few days that looks like a dragon, cool.

Another thing about Kentucky is that so often the sky seems like it's just right there, like you could reach up and touch it-lovely.

It appears supper is ready. It's slightly possible you will hear from me again tonight, but we'll see.

Grace be with you.

Another Blessed Day Spent With My Brothers

This last Sabbath, God blessed my brothers and me with another day to spend together.
Tommy came and picked up Chris and me and we took a nice long drive. He showed us the different places he has to go for work sometimes and it was just a really nice drive. He'd turn on some country music and start singing to it in a funny voice (as he always does with us), he also went through the radio stations to find the one that plays German music on Sunday afternoons, because Chris greatly dislikes it, lol.
A funny part of the day was when the sole of Chris' shoe came off and Tommy later told Mommy how Chris "lost his soul." My brothers are hilarious.
On our way back to his place, we stopped at a little store and the two of them went in and got some Smirnoff's stuff and, even though I said I didn't want anything, Tommy just had to get me something anyway, it wasn't bad. He rented a couple movies from a Redbox and then we got to his place and he ordered a couple pizzas, Chris and I helped him clean up his apartment a little bit and then, when the delivery dude came, we ate and watched, "The Voyage of The Dawn Treader" and then, "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows." Harry was good, but the boys were greatly disappointed in Narnia, and so was I because they expressed their disappointment throughout the whole movie, lol. I mean, I've never read the books, but the boys told me about them and, it really is ridiculous how many things were added to the movie and how many things didn't happen at the right time and stuff. I hate when movies based on books are so far off the story, it really is annoying.
Anyway, we just had a really nice day together and it was such a blessing to be able to do that. God is so good! I am so thankful that He blessed my family with such closeness, it's wonderful. My family are literally my best friends and I cherish every minute God blesses me with them.

My favorite quote of the day with my brothers would probably be:
[as we are driving by a lake]
Tommy: "Fun fact: a man drowned in that lake."
Yep, that's our Tommy!


Hope everyone is having a blessed day!
Grace be with you.

Poem

"Increase My Faith"

Father, You are almighty, good, and holy

No matter what happens; on You I stand solely

You are loving, kind, in control of all things

Guard me, protect me, under the shadow of your wings

In this time of uncertainty, I try not to worry

Yet these thoughts fill my mind: rid me of them in a hurry

I know I can trust You, no matter what comes

Increase my faith in You; make me strong

All things I can do, through You who gives me strength

You are in control, Lord, increase my faith

I've nothing to fear

You are with me here

Please help me to, that, remember

Lord, when doubts arise, from them, me, deliver

Keep my eyes on the cross

Help me count all as loss

You are the only reason to live

Nothing counts, that this world can give

Father, keep my eyes fixed on Your beautiful face

Jesus Christ, I plead: please increase my faith

~Katie Bekah

Grace be with you.

"I Have A Shelter"

 "I Have A Shelter"

I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You'll bring me home to heaven

O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven

~Sovereign Grace Music~ 

Grace be with you.

Happenings

A few weeks ago, Chris and I were taking a walk and I stepped on an uneven place in the road and my foot bent in a way it shouldn't and, so, I sprained my ankle. Ever since then, I haven't been able to do anything but lay down with my ankle up (I can't tell you how much it hurt!). We didn't go to the ER or Dr. so I had to hop around on my left leg, which also killed. Anyway, what I've done is go from my bed to Mommy and Daddy's bed, always having my lap-top. Chris would bring down my lap-top, a stuffed bear that I named 'Nani' (after my favorite footballer who plays for Manchester United), and my cell phone.
I shan't say what I've done everyday this whole time because it's embarrassing when I could've spent my time more wisely. One of the fun parts is always getting to tweet some of my buddies or chat on Facebook with one. Plus, Mommy and Chris went out one day and got me an iPod touch so I have been playing "Words With Friends" with one of my buddies :) It's great fun! In my opinion, he's better than I, but no matter, it's still fun and we both enjoy it, so that's good. Yesterday was his Birthday, not that that has anything to do with what I'm writing, but it's important, so I shall mention it.
Another of my buddies is coming over to the States to work for 3 months, he has a blog about his "American Adventure", you should check it out.
Also, check out another buddy's new blog. Both of them are massive Man United fans and they're pretty dang cool (as is my "Words With Friends" buddy).
Anyway, moving on:
I am able to limp around now, so I am thankful to God for that. I sat at the dining room table today and made some tuna salad for Mommy and me, plus put together some laundry detergent, can't wait to see how that works! Also made some Espresso for Mommy and me, which is quite tasty.
Yesterday, Chris and I watched United lift the Premier League trophy, it was their 19th, which is a new record, beating Liverpool, who have won it 18 times (so, eat it!), would've been awesome to be there. Hopefully someday we can go over to England and see them play at home.
I'm in the midst of writing a new story, but haven't picked it up for awhile. It's set in Ireland because I love Ireland.
While not being able to do anything for so long but time-wasting stuff, I have thought about how there are things that I would love to be doing, but can't really do right now, so hopefully when I am able to be up and doing stuff, I can get going on some projects and stuff, including a Christmas gift that I really, REALLY want to make for a friend of mine, that will probably take awhile but I am looking forward to it. I ask myself, "Why?", why didn't I start them before, when I thought about it? I thought about doing them so often, but never got around to starting them for some reason. There's a list in my mind of things/projects I would like to do/start and, Lord willing, when I'm able to move around, I can, by His strength, achieve them. It really is sad, when I think about things I could've done before but never did, this time of not being able to do anything has really been an eye-opener, I think. It's time for me to change. Time for me to start being the homemaker that I desire to be someday, to a man, for whom, in my eyes, I will not be worthy.
It's really sweet, the way my family have been taking care of me, letting me lean on them as I have to hop around, Chris even carried me on his back a few times so I wouldn't have to hop, lol. I am so thankful for my family, no daughter/sister has a more protective family than I. I'm sure plenty of people find that ridiculous and disgusting and think that I could never be on my own or anything, but that's so not true, if the time comes that I will have to be on my own, all of my family have instilled in me the knowledge and skills I would need, plus, as my Mommy says, there are still some things that you never really know how to do until you do it.
No matter what, I know God is always with me and guiding me and there's no greater comfort than knowing the God of the universe is in control of your life and is with you always.


Grace be with you.

He Is Risen

 Post from my previous blog:

When I wrote that entry last night, I didn't have time to write about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ because it was late and bedtime, so now I do.
I wrote about Him dying on the Cross for unworthy sinners (like myself).
John 19:31-42 ESV31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” 38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Three days later He rose from the grave. He defeated death so that God's elect would be saved from it and live eternally with Him. We no longer have to fear God's wrath which is Hell and eternal separation from Christ.
Oh, to think that God would choose me to be part of His elect, well I don't know why He would choose me, it's beyond me, but I am eternally grateful.
Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of God!!! Death cannot touch Him now!

Happy Easter.

Grace be with you.

"For I Dare Not Stand On My Righteousness..."

This is a post from my previous blog:

There is a song that I absolutely love called "I Come By The Blood", it's on a Sovereign Grace CD called "Songs for the Cross-Centered Life". In the chorus he sings, "I come by the Blood, I come by the Cross, where Your Mercy flows from Hands pierced for me, FOR I DARE NOT STAND ON MY RIGHTEOUSNESS, my every hope rests on what Christ has done, and I come by the Blood". I just think that is so beautiful.
Nothing any of has ever done could possibly get us even close to just talking with God, it doesn't matter how "good" it was in our own eyes we could never be in communion with God by OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, He is MUCH too HOLY and we are MUCH too UNHOLY to come into the presence of God. The only way we could do that is if God would send His Only Begotten Son to die for us, and.....He did.
Jesus Christ, born of a virgin knew from the moment He was born that He would die for God's elect someday. He lived a Perfect, Holy, sinless life.......NEVER ONCE, NEVER ONCE did He EVER go against God or sin against Him. Yes, He was tempted by Satan, but He never said yes to his evil ways. He knew what He was born to do, Satan knew it too, and did not want it to happen. None of us, not even Satan could even try the smallest attempt to stop God from having His Will be done.
A couple thousand years ago Jesus Christ came to this world, Perfect, Sinless, Spotless, Holy, to be mocked, beaten, crushed and nailed to a Cross to die for God's Elect. Why? Because, when each and every one of was conceived and born IN SIN God knew it before there was time (He knew and still knows EVERYTHING before it ever did or will happen) and there would be no way to save us unless He sent His Son to die for us. From what was He saving us? His wrath (Hellfire, not only would we have died bodily, but spiritually as well), our bodies would have died on earth and then our souls eternally burned and tormented in Hell, separating us from Him eternally in Heaven.
Ever since the fall of man (Adam and Eve eating from the tree, from which, God had told them not to eat), every generation is conceived and born in sin. God is so Holy that we could never enter His presence except by the Blood of the Lamb, which Jesus Christ shed for God's Elect on Calvary on the Cross. A death every single one of us deserved but He took so we wouldn't have to. How can those who trust in Him not be grateful?

No one is deserving of such love, not me, no one.....no one.

Grace be with you.