Has God Put A Cancer Patient in Your Life or at Your Market?

https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Lord-Pass-Chemo-Response/dp/1945976012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540390079&sr=1-1&keywords=praise+the+lord+and+pass+the+chemo

Tears! Those are the drops I shed when I realize what God is doing with the work He placed in my heart. Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo has reached across the States and into El Salvador.

My friend from El Salvador ordered two copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality.

She writes:

Both copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo have been given away spontaneously. I'm glad I quickly read it before the second copy flew out of my hands about an hour ago— to a cancer patient. 

I have been watching her for a couple of years, now. She owns a little corner convenience store that sells fruit and vegetables. Our favorite goodies are the homemade Salvadorean sweet and savory breads and fresh bread. 

Obviously under treatment, I have occasionally asked how she was doing. Radiation markers and a port site have faded and her beautiful head scarves have been set aside as her hair is filling in. A puffy extremity is covered by a compression sleeve. 

A smile and a polite conversation led me to be forward... “Is there any chance you could read a book in English?” I was surprised at my lack of thought before those words escaped me. 

“I have something just for you!" I left my fresh bread and produce on the counter and went to the car to get the book.

 “Here! This is for you! It is nourishment for the soul!”  

I explained in Spanish that you are one of my dearest friends and a pastor’s wife. I also told her that your husband officiated at my wedding to my Salvadorean beloved, the very reason why I reside in El Salvador.

 I explained that your response to your diagnosis was, “For the glory of God” and that you released your book only a couple of weeks ago and that I wanted her to have it. An educated, middle class lady, she told me that she would try very hard to read the English. We clasped hands. So, off for the glory of God goes your book!

Wow! I love these God stories. Please pray this dear El Salvadorean cancer patient will be able to read the book and God would speak to her through it.

I'd love to hear your God stories and how Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo is impacting the world with hope. Has God put a cancer patient in your life or at your market? Perhaps you will be surprised how quickly God opens doors for a conversation and a gift of hope.

Bring a Splash of Serenity to a cancer patient in your life,

How I Felt When Heaven Was Near

Looking back at October birthday photos, I laughed and realized they were a picture of how I felt this past year when Heaven was so near.

A year ago my prospects of enjoying this birthday were slim. In November 2016 my leukemia went from stage 0 to stage 3 and was moving fast to stage 4. Doctors forewarned me that with my genetic make up the leukemia would be fast and fatal.

Dan and I decided to enjoy Christmas with our family and share the diagnosis after the New Year. But, bad news went away and good news arrived in mid December 2016. A new drug was approved by the FDA which effectively controlled my type of leukemia. The week before Christmas Dan and I stood at our bed and prayed as I took the first of my daily three pills (one in the Name of the Father, another in the Name of the Son, and the last in the Name of the Holy Spirit). Voila! In two days my leukemia was shrinking away. In a few months my blood count was normal, and remains so.

So, this year I celebrated the birthday I never expected to see. I feel wonderful and healthy and alive!

Looking back, I must give praise to God for the gift of life He is giving me and answer the question: 

How did I feel when Heaven was near? 

JOY!!! That's how I felt. I didn't choose joy. Joy filled my heart with no effort on my part. Certainly, I had no strength at that time to muster up some fake joy. No. This joy was a joy like I had never felt in my earthly life. Heavenly joy that comes from the Spirit came to me as though Jesus was assuring me that I had a lot to look forward to in Heaven where there would be even more joy! I could hardly wait!!!

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2 (NIV)

PEACE. Absolute peace in the knowledge that I was on a trip to Heaven, that Jesus loved me, and that He alone would carry me there. Peace knowing that when I left this earth, He would care for all those who love me and who grieve my death. Peace knowing Jesus loved my family too. He would not take me away unless my husband and children would be all right without me.

"And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in 

Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:7

Happiness!!! Bordering on hilarity!!!  If my days were numbered, I didn't want to spend them sad. I wanted to be happy and surround myself with happiness. I laughed at the days ahead, knowing I was and will always be in the Hands of the only One Who gives perfect delight on this earth and in Heaven. 

  "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at days to come."

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)

Thanksgiving. God tells us to thank Him for everything. So, I thanked Him for cancer. I thanked Him for the life lessons He would teach me on this journey, for the doors of ministry He would open, the hearts I might touch, the precious moments I had left with my family, the abundant life I had on earth, and the promise of eternal life in Heaven.  

And so I ask?

"Where, O death, is your victory? 

Where, O death, is your sting?" 

1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)

Death had no victory over me and it didn't even sting. God was so close I could touch Him. In God's Sovereignty, He allowed me to have cancer, and then He allowed me to be healthy again. Hallelujah! He has given me life. And you too. Let us determine to live our lives with joy, peace, happiness and thanksgiving. Let's fill the world with joy this Christmas season. Will you join me?

Splashing joyful, peaceful, happy, thankful serenity on your day today!

Merry Christmas!

Life Lessons Learned in a Cancer Center Waiting Room

I'm glad I have cancer. Here's why:

I've met the most amazing people in the world. Why amazing? Well, because they have cancer and cancer changes you from mundane to amazing.

Cancer patients  

Live life to the full. 

Treasure the moments. 

Love deeply. 

Don't worry about the small stuff. 

Don't complain about the lateness of their doctors appt because they know 

(1) the person ahead of them may have gotten awful news, or 

(2) cancer patients aren't eager to hear what could be their own awful news. 

Cancer patients smile and greet everyone. 

They play like little children with little children. 

Cancer patients make each moment a God moment. 

They work at blessing people wherever they go. 

They smile. 

They live in the reality that this day could be their last, so they live full, and well, and joyful. 

They give because they know there is no reason to keep. 

They purpose to bestow a kind word of encouragement to every human they see. 

They don't complain about head colds or hang nails. 

I have never heard a political discussion in a Cancer Center waiting room.

 Their eyes are on the King, not the president.

Cancer patients want to give back all the kindness people gave to them. 

They live each day full.

Splashes of Serenity in the midst of cancer! Thank You, God for this gift.