Over The Top

My portacath was the last visible sign of my cancer treatment. Radiation acted on my internal organs in a way I’ll never see with my eyes. Chemotherapy traveling through my bloodstream accessed every cell in my body, targeting stray cancer cells wherever they tried to hide. Multiple scars on my abdomen are visual reminders of …

Faith With Feet

“Imagine a world where our beliefs weren’t just something that happened in our heads and hearts- but became something powerful we did with our hands and feet.” ~Jennifer Dukes Lee We all yearn for a life of significance. Truth be told, we want to matter. We long to leave our mark on the world, but …

I’m Listening

If you were to speak to me and I didn’t respond, depending on how well you know me, you’d either be worried or offended. If you know my penchant for offering individual, undivided attention, then you may wait patiently to be heard. You might repeat your request if you needed my help or attention urgently, …

Changed By The Word

K is for “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” (Psalm 34:13) I’ve memorized more scripture with my children than I ever have alone. The K verse comes from Susan Hunt’s “My ABC Bible Verses- Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts.” One year while my three kids were still in elementary …

God Can Be Trusted

My hematology oncologist, Expo marker in hand, began explaining my diagnosis while writing what looked like chemical symbols on a white board, alphanumeric with superscripts. His pronounced accent and the mind-numbing shock that comes with hearing you have advanced stage cancer made me feel like the proverbial deer in the headlights. I sat next to …

Insurance

When I was in 5th grade, the Gideons still came into public schools to distribute personal New Testaments to any child who wanted a copy of God’s Word free of charge. I don’t remember anyone in my class declining the offer and we each went home that day with God’s Word in hand, imitation leather …

Acknowledge

“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬https://www.bible.com/116/php.1.12.nlt I love to give gifts but I’m terrible at surprises! I put off shopping too far in advance because even if I find the perfect thing, (especially …

First

My husband and I are both firstborn of three children, so we share certain characteristics that make us good leaders but also lead to tension at times. We’re both “take charge” types who prefer to be in control of a situation. We both struggle with needing help or direction. We’re both avid protectors, zealously guarding …

Teacher

My daughter taught 5th grade through the pandemic, both virtually and in person, making her third year of teaching even more of a challenge. She has always been very conscientious, both as a student and as a teacher. She often sets unrealistic expectations for herself and judges herself more harshly than necessary, but she takes …