GRATEFUL!

Well, fellow bloggers, I am coming off a 10 day roller coaster ride--again. And, as I roll on into the peaceful "balance" again, I am thanking and praising God without ceasing! To make a long story short, (Jack's famous last words!) I went for my follow-up 6 months mammogram, and they didn't like what they saw, and sent me for a needle biopsy. I (only by the Grace of God) had surprising, comforting peace though out the entire waiting period. Well, I should clarify that, MOST of the time, I was at peace and without anxiety--unlike my first go-around. I meditated on 'my' verse again; Philippians 4:6-7, and Jeremiah 29:11 came to my heart often, as well. It wasn't until Jack was driving me to my appointment to meet with the medical oncologist and find out the test results, that I started to lose it. Each mile we drew closer to the clinic, I became a bit more upset and nervous, as I verbalized every "worst case scenario" I could think of! I then opened my iPad to catch up on a bit of my daily readings, starting with Jesus Calling. For those of you who haven't found this simple, little bound treasure; put it on your 'must have' list. I read the first sentence of the July 9 reading and sobbed. This little orange book so amazingly speaks to me at the most perfect times and places, it is overwhelmingly humbling. I'm sharing the entire reading that brought me right back to Him, that fearful afternoon last week. You can read for yourself:

Stop worrying long enough to hear My voice. I speak softly to you, in the depths of your being. Your mind shuttles back and forth, hither and yon, weaving webs of anxious confusion. As My thoughts rise up within you, they become entangled in those sticky webs of worry. Thus, My voice is muffled, and you hear only “white noise.”

Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts. This ability is an awesome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image. Do not be deafened by the noise of the world or that of your own thinking. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts reprogram your thinking.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2

Once again, my worrying and fretting was all in vain and a complete waste of time and energy! (wonder if I'll EVER learn???) The biopsy was benign, and God went one step further with His miracle that day; the suspicious tissue/spots that they biopsied were completely gone! No where to be found! So, here I am again, basking in the joys and thanksgiving of being cancer free and determined and more motivated than ever to continue to take the best care of this temple that God has given me, that I can. Green Smoothies, seaweed, 2+ mile walk/day, yoga, and kayaking….BRING IT ON! Not to mention the organic food, Juice Plus, filtered water, yada, yada, yada. I'm not as completely crazy as Crazy Sexy Kris Carr….but JUST ABOUT! :) Oh…I guess I've already confessed that attribute in earlier posts, so no news to you, right?!

I've done much reading and research in the past 4-5 years, the time span in which I have lost 60 pounds, embraced a much healthier eating plan, and survived breast cancer. In the many books, magazine articles, online gobblygoop read and both Medical and Naturopathic Doctors' whose brains I've picked, I've gleaned two basic words to live by: Prudent and Clean. I must be prudent in my life habits in every aspect; body, mind, and spirit. 

I must feed my body whole, pure, 'clean' foods at all times, (and if not ALL, at least as often as I can) Clean=organic whenever possible and affordable, utilize the "Dirty Dozen and Clean 15" list always.(app on my phone) NO, I repeat, NO refined sugars and flours, and filtered water, (we use the cerra). We drink green smoothies, at least once/day, and I continue to discover new recipes and important combinations of various foods to benefit many different body issues and good health. I'm not a vegan, but, when people see my lunch plate piled as high as possible with 16 ounces of greens and other veggies, and my 24 ounces for Supper/Dinner, they may beg to differ.

It is important that I exercise my body with stretching, weight bearing/strength training and aerobics activity. I do that with regular yoga practice, kayaking, and vigorous walking  at least 2 miles each day. 

The most important thing we can do for our bodies, is to take care of our minds and our spirits. If we don't feed them on a regular basis, everything else in our lives falls apart. I've had a few people, even family members, mock my yoga practice and meditation. You know what I mean; you're probably doing it right now: (folding hands in front of you humming the "oww-'oooohmmm" sound), right?? The best way that I can explain it is, I practice Christ-Centered yoga, and my meditation is ALL about Jesus. Like the old saying goes: 'Don't knock it until you've tried it'. Christ-Centered Yoga (or Holy Yoga), is actually quite addictive, and I find that most people who do try it, can't wait to come back for more. It is enriching, healing, and fulfilling, all through and by the Holy Spirit. My one year old grandson even loves it! Here he is doing a perfect Downward facing dog! 

I guess it's time to get off my soap box and wind down with this post. I've also moved on to another day! Had fun yesterday celebrating Jill's 31st birthday at the water park with Jack and the Nagle family. Today I took Tatum to Bible School, then spent the afternoon playing in the sprinkler and kayaking the lake. Now it's time for me to get some sleep so I can roll out and get her ready for the second day. It's pretty exciting at Redeemer Lutheran Church this week with 919 children attending today- an amazingly huge event! 

Prayer warriors please continue to pray for my Aunty Mona and my cousins as she declines and nears the end of her life here on Earth, for Mark Kartes and Steve Hammer; both battling cancer, Aunt Doris, healing and restoring strength away from her home, and all of my cousins who are supporting and loving her through this trial; and all others who are struggling with physical/mental illness, addiction, relationship problems, employment, and life. 

Bell Street Bridge in Glendive, MT - photographer unknown