Oh wow, I had to go back and look at what my last blog post was because I honestly couldn't remember! I can't believe it's been since November!
November seems like ages ago!
In case you were wondering, the holidays were very special this year!
I was able to stand beside my childhood best friend as her Matron of Honor and celebrate her marriage to a great man!
I got to spend some wonderful, quality time with my parents and brothers!
I was able to see some of my extended family as well!
Christmas was wonderful! I returned to CA on Christmas Eve and spent Christmas and New Years with my wonderful husband and all of our relatives on his side!
Then the New Year came.
Little did we know that God was about to change everything in 2012.
To make a long story short (because I know a lot of my blog readers are already aware) on January 4th our sweet Mom was told by a Doctor that she had a huge mass of fluid in her abdomen.
From the minute he found it he told us that there was a big chance that it would be cancerous.
Two weeks later she was operated on to have the mass removed and the cancer was confirmed.
What do you do when out of no where your Mom who has spent the last 20+ years loving you and sacrificing for you is given this kind of news?
My very first thoughts were..why her?! Why the most selfless, loving person I know?
You know, I have known several people that have been diagnosed with cancer, actually our family has had two VERY close friends go through this, but even those situations can not compare to being told that its YOUR Mom!
I can truly say it is the most heart wrenching, earth shattering thing that has happened in our family.
I honestly DO NOT know how unbelievers handle hearing that a loved one has cancer.
What a hope we have that they don't.
Seriously, THE ONLY thing to hold on to is that God is in complete control.
God knew this was coming. God planned this out for our family.
God knows what is to come.
God knows.
What a comfort.
I am so thankful that God has provided this peace and comfort for our family and especially for Mom.
God has "wrapped His arms" around Mom since the moment she knew something was wrong and provided her with such a comfort and strength.
She and Dad have been such an example for us kids and everyone around them.
Two days before all of this happened. On January 2, my Dad wrote an email to my brothers and I, basically just encouraging us in the Lord as we started the new year. I would like to share a little portion of what he said in this email because I think it was COMPLETELY God using him to prepare us for this trial that was about to come...without even my Dad knowing.
"We also don't know what God has for us in 2012. He may have good things and great victories and He may, in His providence, have disappointments and sad things for us.
God may interupt our plans in 2012 - and He almost always does! This is always frustrating to me and sometimes you want to get mad at people or even mad at the Lord. But I have to remind myself, as every Christian that is right with God should, that the plan change or interuption may be precisely from God. I know that Romans 8:28 says, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." I believe that every Christian will have trials, but we know from reading the Bible that all trials for the Christian are designed by God. That has always been a Huge comfort to me. He allows just the right trial in our lives to help make us what He wants. "
Every time I read that it is a huge comfort to me. What a great set of parents God has given us.
So, it is only January 31st and God has given us some tough roads already in 2012 but just as my Dad said He will only allow exactly what we need in our lives to make us what He wants us to be!
We know, as of right now God has chosen to give the most important lady in our life cancer.
What has he chosen for you right now? Are you trusting in him?
I know it's almost a minute by minute battle some of the time with my flesh wanting to worry and not trust in Him.
A friend texted me this verse at the beginning of all of this and it is such a comfort.
Isaiah 43:2
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
God truly is our "refuge and strength"!
How amazing is that? We can completely rest in Him! He is always with us!!
I will try and keep you all posted on Mom as we go through this time!
I know so many of you are already praying and that means more than you will ever know!!
Prayer works!! Please don't stop!
We know there is a long road ahead for Mom.
It has already been and will continue to be a great time of spiritual growth and a time of each of us being drawn closer and closer to the Lord!!
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you!"
