Is this a sign...or is "Jesus Calling" ???

Well I have wanted to blog about this letter we had received months ago and it seems as though I have had many other "circumstances" that it comes right back to this little book...that was mentioned in "the" letter.

As most of you are aware...I lost my "Daddy" (yes forever a Daddy's girl) 10  years ago. Feb.5th, 2003 to be exact. He was the Chief of the Buckeye Valley Fire District at the time of his passing.  He was headed to home meet up with us for dinner...while riding his bright-red fire engine red "FF edition" Harley.  I don't think I have ever accepted the fact that he has gone...but then there are days that I remember he is ALWAYS with me. HE saved my life!!! (his white t-shirt...blood stain...=I find out I had breast cancer-remember that post?)

Well one year to the day of his passing...many members from his department drove up Vulture Mine Rd just south of Wickenburg, AZ to put up a tribute for ALL to see.  Mind you...for those of you that have not seen this road-side memorial...it is like NO other.  It is HUGE about 6 feet tall give or take Maltese-cross with a simple cross in the middle of it. It is red...it is beautiful and people from around the USA have either blogged about it...mentioned it to family members or have written us letters...

So here is where "the letter" comes into this blog...

For those of you that know about The Meadows in Wickenburg...it is a rehabilitation facility where many people have come for help. Many ordinary individuals to super-stars trying to get clean and off their addictions. 

So months ago...we were called to the fire station to pick up a letter that this gentleman tracked down the fire department address from my Dad's cross and wanted to share some touching information with us.   

We will call him Fred...He had been a patient at the Meadows...and had gone back to visit with old acquaintances that wanted to reunite and look at the progression they had made.  Fred had decided that he was going to go for a run or hike...didn't know exactly where...but knew he was going to accomplish that. 

So Fred set out and drove down Vulture Mine Rd...he had told his friends that he was going to run/hike I believe it was 6 miles.  As he got a few miles into it...something came over him and he turned into the opposite direction and started hiking up a hill...something kept pushing him...and he kept trekking on harder.  He then came to this beautiful "RED" cross.  He read my Daddy's name...and it was there that he prayed. 


Fred continued on to say that he hadn't been leading the best life...his wife and him weren't on the exact page...and it was there at "the" cross that he said his FIRST prayer ever!  He knew from that day forward that he had to change...turn his life around and do good.  He began to share God's word.  He then mentioned how he has passed out the devotional book "Jesus Calling" to lots of people.  He has a twitter account were he has shared his story/God's word with thousands. 

Now to some of you this may not seem like a BIG deal...to my family...it was just another reassurance that God is in control. My Daddy was a man of God...who touched so many peoples lives...he believed in making a difference and trusting in God...with his FAVORITE Bible verse being "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." So although he left 10 years ago...he is still making a BIG difference in complete random strangers lives...

So as my Mama read me this letter...we cried and we almost couldn't speak...for it was days earlier that I was dealing with some issues in life that she had gotten the girls each copies of  "Jesus Calling" and a sweet-dear neighbor had dropped a copy off for me at my Mama's house. 

Since that time...I have had SEVERAL others mention "Jesus Calling"...and most recently I just received a word of encouragement from another fellow Pan-Can fighter...she closed the letter by encouraging me to read "Jesus Calling"...

Is this all a sign...maybe?!  But I do believe Jesus is Calling me to not give-up...to remember who is in control.  "He" is only going to give me what I can handle...I've come this far and I look forward to see what "He" has in store for my future.
Until next time...here's to more days with trusting in HIM!

If you are wanting to know more info:
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884#_

My Daddy:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/46leg/1r/bills/hcr2035p.htm

http://www.local4371.org/Tribute.html

Today...We WILL fight

Today was like any ordinary day that I have had lately...take my girls to school...deal with a bit of nausea and the bone pain from Neulasta. But as like most days I am able to for the most part...ignore the minor glitches and look for the positives in my day.  So onto today...I must back up to yesterday. 

After I received my Neulasta injection...I headed to Sprouts to get some veggies, and such.  As I thought about leaving out of the "left" exit (which I was parked closet to)...I chose to walk out of the "right" exit. Something caught my eye...a FREE magazine for all to read that had Jessica Alba on the cover.  It wasn't just the fact that I enjoyed reading her story about "clean" eating...more so the article in there about a cancer SURVIVOR. He also blogs :)  I couldn't get enough of reading it...instead of napping before I got the girls...I jumped up and started juicing like a crazy girl.  I have been juicing as I have mentioned before...but WOW! I was on a roll.  I usually just juice enough for that particular moment...instead I juiced enough for a few days.

Long story short...he had stage 3 colon cancer...was told he had to do chemo-he said NO!!! And instead changed his lifestyle and went to juicing and eating healthy.  That was 10 years ago...he is now healthy and happy-married with 2 kiddos.  What an inspiration! Check out his blog if you so wish to @: www.chrisbeatcancer.com  I hope that I inspire people...like he has me!

So onto TODAY- I passed on the info I read to not one...but 2 who have been recently diagnosed and are in a fight for their life.  One I got the opportunity to chat with via Face book...the other one is a VERY dear friend's cousin...hope I didn't talk your ear off M.

I don't claim to be a preacher, doctor, or expert...just a girl who has beat cancer once...and is beating it AGAIN!

My little tidbit...ATTITUDE...you MUST remain POSITIVE. If there is negativity...get rid of it! Your own mind has a LOT to do with your overall well being. 
FAITH...whether you believe in GOD or not...that is between you and yours...but have FAITH in YOURSELF too!!!
Keep FIGHTING...Don't give up...Don't think about tomorrow...live for TODAY! Yes...be "organized"(if you want to be proactive and your own advocate)...but don't worry about the little things...JUICE...LOVE...LAUGH...and remember what is IMPORTANT!

So here's wishing M and C the strength to FIGHT ON...YOU can and YOU will do this! Attitude is EVERYTHING! (or at least a BIG part of fighting the fight)

I'm seriously thinking about riding my bike up to the top of the "hill" here and shouting-
Here's to LOTS more juicing...and LESS "C"

Gemzar Number 4

Hello! Just woke up from about a 3 hour nap...ugh chemo!
Just wanted to say I HEART my week off of NO chemo...then days like today come around and I've got to remember I am FIGHTING...and beating this...one day at a time. Trying to keep my eye on the prize of being done with chemo and trying to live the "normal" life.  September will not get here fast enough...but that doesn't matter...we are enjoying every day to the fullest.

Last week was a busy week for the girls and I...besides the normal school routine, and trying to practice lines for a play for Taryn's class and working on Greek/Roman art for Maesyn's class...we had a day of "fittings" for a fashion show...a night of dress rehearsal...and then Saturday mid morning they had the honor of walking down the "runway" for the PANDA (excellent organization) Fashion Show Luncheon.  The money raised goes to research to treat childhood diseases and such. I was such a proud Mama to be able to watch my girls as they were the very 1st ones out of 64 models to come out and show the gigantic ballroom filled with people their outfits. Thank you to some VERY special people for making that day happen for not only my girls...but me too! They will NEVER forget that day or the experience that they had. Thank you PANDA for doing what you have done for I believe the last 14 years...




Then moving onto Saturday night...the girls along with cousins and friends took part in the 2nd Annual Neon Splash Dash. Thank you K for making that a reality also for my girls. They were some of the cutest dressed little girls there that ran their little hearts out with all that they had. The best/most special part of the whole "Dash" event...money raised goes to Camp Kesem. What is a this camp you may ask? Well it is a special camp for kids that have parent(s) going through or have gone through cancer. It doesn't "dwell" on cancer...instead gives kids the opportunity to meet others and have a week long escape away from the reality of what they are going through or have been through.  I am still debating on sending the girls this year...they are wanting to...but scared of not being with me for a whole week. We shall see...but I do know other kids in their coping class who are going...so I am grateful for those that participated in the race to give these kids this opportunity. 




Then yesterday was mother's day...no gifts, or fancy cards...just spent time with my girls.  That is all that I need!!! I am here to celebrate another "holiday" with them and that is all that matters. I love these 2 with all that I have and they are what keep me going. 

I was trying to add pictures to this post...but no luck right now...next time! :)

Until next time...I  am fightin' on! Keep the prayers coming!!!

For those of you that are wondering about my Mama...we are just waiting on scans/results still...until we know what the game plan will be. For those of you that have been through a "battle" know its the hurry up and wait game a lot of times...we have to remain patient as patients and know that God is in control!