Well everyone....last night was the big night! The reception was lovely.....lovely but sad. The dresses, the beautiful tables, the wonderful food and 6 foot high chocolate fondue fountain was dreamy for any bride, but for my friend the most important thing there was good friends and family. It was a surreal night. For those who don't know, I met my friend the day after I walked my 3rd 60-mile walk for Breast Cancer. She was on my 8 y.o son's football field walking with her fanny pack and I had asked her if she had done "the walk. She said no, because she just finished her last round of chemo as she was recovering from breast cancer and I knew in my spirit that we were meant to be in each other's life for a reason. Our friendship took off fast and furious and I began a team to walk the 60-mile in Lisa's honor for 2007 when shortly thereafter she was rediagnosed, this time 4th stage.
This dream of hers to have this church wedding and remarry her husband touched everyone there. All she wanted was to "dance" once more with her husband, though it was not to be. Her tears were streaming as the bridal dance started. Her husband did his best to dance with his beloved in the wheelchair. They had her only daughter dance the "Daddy's Little Girl" dance because she knew she would not be here for her wedding.
I was struck by how precious our lives and our marriages are. Why do we sweat the small stuff on any given day when you see a beautiful testimony of marriage "till death do us part" and a young woman who lived life always to the fullest, gave to her friends, was always there for family, was The most patient and loving woman with a daycare in her home to countless children and babies that she could not help but have impacted them by her love. Although sad. how wonderful for all of us to have the chance to hug, kiss, say I love you's. Many people experience the loss of loved ones without that chance! I didn't get to spend too much time with her as everyone wanted their little piece of her last night, but I'm bringing her some pictures later today and I'm going to tell her that I look forward to seeing her dance "at the cafe"!
Thank you all for your prayers.....Her doctor and nurse were there last night...they do not think she will be here too long. I'm leaving with my family Tuesday for Florida for a week....I have refundable tickets should I need to come home. I hope not. Because I still want a little more time with her. Love one another. O.K.?
17 comments:
Forgiven Daughter (Sue),
What beautiful lives, what a beautiful story, and the realization that only love survives throughout eternity.
I know that this has been a struggle for you, physically and emotionally. But you will treasure these memories. And, if the Lord decides to take Lisa to himself, the knowledge that you and everyone else who loves her will see her again will bind the wounds that are occurring at this time.
I have been praying that her husband would experience a new birth in Jesus, so the Comforter would be able to help him through all of this. I can't imagine how anyone could survive this ordeal without the Love of Jesus and the Comforter's work.
But, we are going to pray that the Father's will be done in every life that surrounds Lisa's. He is that perfect love.
I love you more each day. My prayers will continue to flow for you.
Forgiven Daughter,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful friend with all of us. I read Joel's blog daily and sometimes post.
God has blessed her with you and you must feel so honored to be apart of her life.
I'm praying for all of you. Our Heavenly Father's Comfort, peace and joy - no more suffering - some of God's wonderful gifts.
Give Lisa a hug from me and tell her I look forward to meeting her someday!
A fellow sister in Christ,
Sheri C.
NC
Forgiven Daughter,
What LOVELY photos you've posted, of your friend, in her exquisite wedding gown. Although she appears to be very fragile in the photo, there was NO DENYING the absolute RADIANCE of the Lord's love shining in her eyes! Thank you for sharing these precious photos with all of us!
I can only imagine how very bittersweet this evening was for everyone.
The BLESSING, however, is that all of you will have a lasting memory of your friends beautiful dream to re-commit her eternal love to her sweetheart, fullfilled.
I will keep you, your dear friend and your families in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi Sweetheart!
How BEAUTIFUL!! Lisa looked absolutely radiant! God blessed her with you as such a wonderful friend! She looks so happy! We will hold on to that, should she go home to the Lord before the rest of us, and we will see her radiant face again! With His! I am so happy for you all!
I haven't posted much on Joel's site. I try and keep a low profile, because I don't want to sound too stupid amid all of those great minds! Besides, most things are covered, and I find myself agreeing with them, nodding and saying "Amen" outloud as I read! Loved the mention from Dave about being Benevolent Dictator of the World, tho. I keep in touch with you and Child, and Sherylann, Marge, via personal blogs...
We have been physically challenged here lately. Not only the sinus infections, Boo with the stomach virus, Michael had a sinus (AGAIN: 2 Z paks, and now on Omnicef...) then Michael broke his foot on Sat. The insurance company is going to hate us this month! The people at the Med Point recognize us at the door anymore! Sheesh, I know the Lord doesn't give us more than we can handle, I just wish He didn't have such a sense of humor about it sometimes!
I worked this weekend. Some days you start thinking that an aersolized version of Haldol isn't such a bad idea. (HEHEHE! I had some DOOZIES this weeekend!)
Got to go, check on my kids, etc...I will talk to you soon! Thanks so much for posting those gorgeous pictures! Give Lisa a hug from us all!
We love you both!!!
God Bless,
Love,
Faith
Hi honey!
Have a great time on your vacation! We will continue to hold down the fort here, with our prayer!
So you truly DID get that whole Haldol ref!!! (HEHEHEHE!)
God bless you sweetie, we will keep talking on blog, and LIVE in the cafe SOON!!!
Love,
Faith
Hey Girl!
It is so good to hear from you! I am glad that you are enjoying the wonderful Fla weather! I really hope you all are having a greeat time!
Thanks for the encouragement. It is good to hear from others in similar situations, and garnering support from them. I could use all the prayers I get! I worry over Kurtis so much, I love him as my own, and it pains me to think of the pulling in different directions he must feel at times. But, with the Lord's grace, we will get through! I think that blending families is one of the most difficult things to do. Always a challenge to raise kids, yours, his, ours, etc!
How long are you going to be able to stay with your mom? I hope she also is doing well! Have a great time, and I will talk to you soon! The weather back here is getting warmer, 40' for the weekend! Time to break out the pool gear! (hahaha!)
God Bless!
Love,
Faith
Hi again!
I just got caught up on the news of Lisa on Child's blog. I am sorry, Can I pray something for you and her? I will.
I love you!
Faith
Hey Sweetheart,
I just caught up on the blog,
I'm sorry to hear of the decline. I will certainly pray for all in this rough time. For you too, my dear sister, as you are needing strength from those around you, near and far. Know that Lisa is in the Lord's hands and He loves her so very much, and whether we can see it or not, He knows what is best. His plan is way better than anything we can imagine. And I KNOW he is surrounding you and Lisa with his love and glory. And it isn't the end...remember, we all get to meet up soon. (Probably VERY soon)
I love you. I am praying for you all thru my tears as I am typing now!
God Bless you!
Love,
Faith
Forgiven Daughter,
I hope you are feeling better by now.
I may be wrong, (and believe me, it wouldn't be the first time :) but I sensed you wanted me to pray, for Lisa, (along with others, of course) because I believe in healing. You know, when Jesus came the first time, people believed he had the power to heal, but not to forgive sins, (for the most part, that is) And now, it's the opposite way around, or so it seems. God can and does heal, as He hasn't changed.
Did you ever hear the song, The Miracle? Kenneth Copeland used to sing it years ago, (and when I followed his ministry) Anyway, one of the lyrics, is: "A Miracle, a miracle, what kind would you like to see? You just shook hands with a Miracle, when you shook hands with me......." And that's pretty much my testimony. But, my mother, being a stubborn sort, and just new to the move of the Holy Spirit, stood in the gap for me, too. Or, I believe I would have passed away, in the 1980's. She had just heard, Kenneth Hagin's (Sr.) series of the Authority of the Believer, and stood in the gap for me. She was a "rebuker," LOL. She rebuked death, sickness, asthma, and told the devil that he had no place in our lives, and basically took him by the ear, and threw him out, and all his mess with him. Now, I had just come back to the Lord, at this time, and was totally new to this "rebuking thing." But, not being able to breath very well, and being out of it a lot of the time, I let her do her "thing." (hey, if nothing else, she was entertaining, hee, hee. I know, I'm BAD, lol) Because God can and does heal. But, it's like Smith Wigglesworth said, that if you're not built up in Faith for healing, it may not happen. God doesn't go against His Word, and I don't know what Lisa believes about healing, her Faith level, etc. But, not to dump cold water on anything, either. I just wanted to say, that I have no leading, either way, for her healing. We'll all keep praying for God to intervene, as remission happens quite frequently, too. And I wouldn't EVER want to be the one to dump cold water on anyone, believing for anything! Remember when I told you about my sister-in-law? Besides saying, that she thinks I'm only "thinking" that God talks to me? I didn't go on, on Joel's blog, to let you know, the rest of the story. It was, and if you're such a blessed Christian, where are YOUR blessings? I don't see you with a nice new home, new cars, and whatever.......Well, knock me down and call me silly, huh? WOW! I must have talked to myself for several hours after THAT one. And you want to know the funny (actually weird) part to that little incident? She STILL believes it. Oh well, huh? However, it was then that I remembered the book, The Midas Touch, by (who else, ha, ha!) Kenneth Hagin, Sr.. He said, being blessed, is having your needs met, in abundance. Well, we may live in a mobile home, but we've been able to raise our sons, with God's help, and even help our youngest son thru a private 4 year University.
Well, enough blabbering, but you get my point, right? God does, indeed heal. And as, child of the King, also mentioned. God may want to take Lisa home, too.
I certainly dunno, but I wanted to tell you what I believe, as you will be facing some difficult days ahead, with Lisa, and I wanted to be honest, and also encourage you, in the Lord. I do that all the time. Encourage myself in the Lord. It's a daily part of my life :)
I love you, and God's very best of everything, to you, and yours. Lisa, too :)
Marge,
I had mentioned on Faith's blogsite that I feel I may have overstepped my boundaries with Lisa's hubby. I was awoke last Monday night overcome that she should start on Can-Cell. ( It is a product engineered by someone here in Mich. that has healed many, many people including a good friend of my mom's...she was at deaths door, they could not do anymore chemo, radiation etc. She was told to go home and plan her funeral. She was grey and too weak for words. But she heard about the can-cell and went on it. That was about 16 years ago and she's in her 70's now!)
We talked about the Can-Cell in Nov. The docs were open to it(and they know it has healed alot of people inexplicably) but said she couldn't go on that and the chemo so they never followed up. Now chemo's not an option. but I dunno either, maybe he's resigned himself that its over. I think she's got alittle more fight in her. I think she'd believe anything to see her kids grow up. She's in ALOT of pain. And I know that does terrible things to people. Still not up to par myself but your right I do feel your prayers and believe in intercession. We might never know how that affected people until we are in heaven...intercession, I mean.
Love you sister. I'm SO tired and feeling cruddy.
Forgiven Daughter,
Your friend, Lisa, sounds a lot like what happened to my aunt. (my mother's only sister, and the baby of the Family) By the time my aunt wanted prayer for her healing, she had very little fight still in her, and her husband, chalked Divine Healing up to "quackery." I know it hurt my mom a lot to see her baby sister in pain, and close to death's door. But that was the only time God was factored into the equasion, even though my aunt was saved. (still a Presbyterian, though, and she'd not matured in the Faith, like my mother had, etc.) Anyway, my aunt passed away, and never received her earthly healing. But she glowed at her passing, and even the nurses that were present, remarked how peaceful her passing had been. A few years later, I was in the same Cancer Ward, visiting a friend, and the Nurses remembered Opal. They remembered her bright blue eyes, and her sweet smile, and of course, her peaceful passing.
I know it's hard. It's something that will take it's toll on everyone involved. But, it's up to you, (with prayer support from friends :) to stand tall, and follow the leading of the Lord.
So, let's agree, in prayer for your speedy recovery from this present "crud," and rise up, and tell the devil where to go, too :) I believe you need to do that, at this point. Because until we learn to take authority over the devil, we can't progress as far as we'd like, in our Faith walk. And.......
Keep the faith! And may God's healing be yours, this very min., too. Yes, there are some things we can, name and claim, lol.
Love you, and take good care of yourself, so you can continue to be one of God's chosen vessels :)
Also remember, that we're "all a work in progress, too."
Hi Sweetheart!
I feel your pain, sister, and I pray for you both. I think as health care professionals, we want to fix or help everyone. Suggesting the Can-cel, was probably your way of trying to help. It may be that just at this time, her husband is so overwhelmed with the possibility of his love passing, and he is already starting to grieve. That is one of the worst parts of someone dying of an illness, you can have a lot of time to think about it. I know you only meant to help, and comfort, and I am sure somewhere, he does too.
I find it so hard to leave things in the Lord's hands. I can turn it over to Him with no problem, but I always try to take it back...I need to leave it with Him! Especially when it someone we love!
I pray for Lisa and for the Lord to do His will, and to comfort her and her family. Know also that I pray for you, for the strength that you need, and to comfort you as well. You are becoming very run down, and susecptable to getting sick. All of us here on line as your other family in Christ Jesus are with you in spirit. And We love you!
I am here anytime you need. So is your Father.
Love you!
Faith
Dearest Sue,
I hope this finds you feeling physically and spiritually better.
I read the other posts and I have to say that I affirm and ditto everything they said.
I know that you don't think that you are very strong at this minute, and that's okay, because He is strong. He want's your burden and your cares. And He knew what He was doing when He gave you to Lisa for a friend. She couldn't have a better one.
Fauth's comments strengthened me too, so I know they strengthened you. It is really neat that you both are nurses. God made you guys unique, He really did.
So, just know that we all are sending our love to you and our prayers to the throne room for His will to be done and that all of you will feel His presence.
I love you mucho.
Forgiven Daughter,
I think it was in, Animal House, when those dummies (such a stupid movie, but I laughed my head off, when I saw it......when it came out, a long time ago) are in that Parade, and the Police are trying to get into the car, and they say....(it's taking a long time to get to the punch line, I know :)....."Sorry, you'll have to come back later, we're doing the dishes....." LOL. I know, you may not remember it, but it's one of my favorite lines, to friends, (when I'm in a goofy mood :) and it's always my favorite line to satan! (it took awhile to get here, but that's my point, lol)
When satan comes around, knocking at your door, tell him that, and don't "sign for anything, either " :) Only confess what the Bible says, and agree with God. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, kinda sorta :) The Bible does say, to fight the good fight of Faith, so we know there is a fight, but Jesus has already won the battle, and it's our responsibility to enforce that victory, in our lives. As Kenneth Hagin used to say, the promises of God don't just drop on us like ripe cherries from a tree. Drat! It'd be so much easier if they did, wouldn't it? LOL.
Well, this is only a refresher, as you alreay know these things :) But, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
We need one another, don't we?
Have a wonderful day, and I need to get going around here......and how :) Love you!
And thanks for your report on Lisa, on child of the King's blog, too. And love to you, child of the King, if you read this :)
Hi Sweetheart!
Just checking in... saw your news on Child's blog! That is awesome! And I am so happy that you have an opportunity to minister to her as an RN as well as a sister! Hopefully the Can-cel will help her out and since she had the epidural worked on she may be in a lot less pain. Praise the Lord!
By checking out the news, looks like we are getting closer everyday! See you soon!
God Bless you, and Lisa too!
Love,
Faith
I pray that God, the Father of Abraham, will heal her in the name of Jesus, and may he bless you, indeed.
I think we both received the same link. Anyway, God must have wanted me to have a look at your blog, so I did. And yes, I think you were what He had in mind when He created the world.
Post a Comment