Pan Mass Challenge

http://www.pmc.org/about.asp?ArticleID=18

It has always been an idea (I won't say dream) of mine to ride this challenge.

Well, actually, Elisha has been bugging me about it since my first season of battling the ovarian cancer.

I am just sending out the link thinking perhaps some cyclists I know might want to be part of this great cause.

Family Covenant

Always be honest

_{Proverbs 12:22}

Count your blessings

_{Psalms 34:1-3}

Bear each other's burdens

_{Galatians 6:2}

Forgive and forget

_{Micah 7:18}

Be kind and tender hearted

_{Ephesians 4:32}

Comfort one another

_{I Thessalonians 4:18}

Keep your promises

_{Romans 4:21}

Be supportive of one another

_{Acts 20:35}

Be true to each other

_{Revelations 15:3}

Look after each other

_{Deuteronomy 15:11}

Treat each other like you treat your friends

_{Matthew 7:12}

But most important

Love One Another deeply from the heart

_{I Peter 1:22}

_{I thought about what I want to bring into this new year all day long as I prepared to journal my first entry with the "Writing Through Cancer" project. As I was eating dinner with Elisha tonight, and looked up at our funky kitchen wall pictures and sayings, I saw our family covenant. I typed this out the day we moved from the comfort of Abba's House to our new home here. I wanted so much to uphold these biblical principles. I fall way short, but want to bring these into the new year to continue to grow in these commitments to my family members much more deeply.}

_{That is what I want to bring into this new year.}

_{Also, I want to carry the rich and good memories from my lifetime, so far, and leave the bitter moments behind.}

_{I also leave in 2011 any unforgiveness in my heart towards anyone in my life that wounded me. No need to bring that in. Done.}

Writing Through Cancer

“I beg what I love/ and I leave to forgive me.” What in the years past do you want to leave behind? What do you want to retain in the coming year how will you shape the life you want out of the material of your past and present?

This is the writing prompt for the first week of January 2012.

I joined a online workshop with a writer in San Diego, CA, and this is the first prompt. Her website is called "Writing Through Cancer" When I signed onto her journal project, I was not fully aware of the impending physical situation of mine with the cells turning to tumors.

Perhaps between playing the harp with the music therapist at MGH, and writing with an unknown facilitator, I will begin a journey infused with creativity as I am infused with the drugs (once again) that will kill the cancer. (once again)

Intricate Snowflakes

It is the first day of a new year. No snow in New England, yet.

My morning began with everyday activities of getting out the door for church with an eight year old.

Today felt different.

I had a sense of deep longing this morning as Elisha and I made our way into the santuary at church.

I love the worship there.

I can get lost in the music unto God.

January 1, 2012 marks a very signifant journey for me as I come into it with the knowledge that chemo treatment (round # 2 in the ring) will begin before the month is over.

"You see sickness and impossibilty, where I see health and all things are possible through me" was brought forth in a profetic word of hope today. HealingHope.

I cling to that good word, and to the God who has made my body, and has set my feet upon the rock to endure this next storm.

Good Morning, It's God

This afternoon, as I pushed away the anxiety that my current health insurance dilemmas were causing, and the fears about seeing my oncologist tomorrow for what in my mind seems like a-well, the "it is time for chemo treatment" talk- a beloved colleague of mine walked into my classroom, and handed me a sheet of paper. She breezed in and out, as if on a compelling mission to make sure I had this unusual word of encouragement in my hand. It read in her daughters fun middle school aged script:

"Good Morning!

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I don't need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the things for Jesus to do box. It will be addressed in my time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box do not attempt to hold on to it, or attempt to remove it. Holding on or removing it will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is a proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away. I love you."

I was floored as I read this-quickly, and then again more carefully later, and now really deeply as I include it in my blog entry.

God never misses a beat of my panicked heart when it comes to this journey of cancer, and its treatments.

December is a time of joy.

My 50 something year old cousin died suddenly last week. Suddenly.

Life and death can be so abrupt. Well, perhaps that is not true. Life, we get 9 months or sometimes more to prepare for, and we live life daily...sometimes very purposefully or busily.

I have been attempting to live life more on purpose since overcoming the unspoken and jagged fear of cancer recurrence.

Since cancer reared its head again (last April) I am here to testify that fear doesn't really grip me any longer. Not knowing doesn't make me uneasy. Trusting in God places me in the comfort of His purpose and plan. Not a scary valley that I envisioned. In fact, I have these mini-mountaintop experiences spiritually since the confirmed recurrence.

I am living in it daily. Grateful. Joyful even.

Laughter, and time living helps feed the joy.

I wait, watch & live for God doing His great and mighty work in my life-even in my death-even if it comes suddenly.

In April 2009, I began to understand this saying I heard at a New Life weekend:

"If it is not one thing-it is another, and you just never know."

I find myself saying this to people in my life...it's become almost a commentary of my life since then...

Psalm 138: Verse 3 & 7 says:

When I called you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.3

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. 7

I have been reflecting on this scripture since coming home from the recent CT scan.

Today marks a significant day in my life.

God has made me stouthearted-BRAVE.

I wrote this letter below to many people today to tell of the wondrous thing God has done on my behalf.

My beloved family, dear friends near and far (geographically), my pastors, & my _______ Public School colleagues:

I am sorry for this mass email, but I know that you understand the communication is for all to read & comprehend, and I cannot possible send individual emails or call you all.:)

I am glad though that...

Some of you I was able to call (Mom, dad, Marlane, Cathy, Laurie, & Matt) to let you know the outcome of my meeting with the oncologist today at MGH.

Some I left voice mails (Teri and Ironce)

Some you I was able to see (Pastor Steve & Patti & Christina) and raise my hands to God in thankfulness, and then hug you to share in my news that:

I will NOT be going through chemotherapy treatments this summer!
This is why:

My recent CT scan (6.14) "looks good". I quote her. My oncologist and the team is finding that they would just like to monitor me.

I don't have to return to MGH until August 22nd for the "routine" CT scan and follow up!

As many of you know, I attended a healing service this past Monday.(6.13) (that's a long story-testimony- in itself) Many of you have been praying with me for a complete healing and restoration from ovarian cancer and any recurrence of the disease since hearing of the impending June/July chemo treatments because of the suspected recurrence. aka "crumbs in my pelvic area & a swollen lymph node"

I am here to say: I am in a process of that complete healing & restoration-I know that God is able. He is my Healer.

I am here to say: I know that I trust Jesus for all the details. He's my protocol.

I am here to say: I trust my chemo doctor and she is now saying: NO CHEMO.

I am here to say: I am going to live a life that has a hope and a future. Day by day.

I am here to say: Glory to God Almighty. He gets the credit always.

On the ride down to MGH today I listened to the Selah song "You are My Hiding Place" over and over again.

The lyrics describes best exactly where I am in regards to a cancer diagnosis and healing.

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
All lyrics www.allthelyrics.com
I will trust in You

Below is a you tube version of the song as it is sung by the group Selah...

cut and paste in your address bar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF5ieYJCqnw

Please continue to pray for and rejoice with me in this good news!

Mary-Margaret