It has been a very long time since my last post. The summer was busy, a few of the highlights included having my sister-in-law Carol, 'sister' Ev and my niece Amanda here to meet Paisley - the visit facilitated the first meeting of Paisley and the great Grandma's. Paisley was definitely the 'queen of hearts' that day :)
Justin, Leah and kids arrived the week after for a vacation here which included the Spartans Obstacle course for Justin and Leah and a couple of their friends. I am very proud of all of them for entering, following through with their training and with the race. They had excellent results. During the time they were here we also celebrated Rod and Justin's birthdays and had a Meet and Greet so our friends could get to know Leisha and Paisley. I had a very special and very accomplished little helper Sunday morning in preparing for the Meet and Greet - Keiran really knows his way around the kitchen!
It was so nice to have the garden for both visits and good weather throughout. Lilly spent many hours outside in it and formally invited me (written invitations, no less) into her world there a few times. I will treasure the tea parties we had, complete with wonderful conversations and beautiful gap-toothed smiles. Speaking of beautiful smiles, when Forrest smiles it is like the sun comes out, they are that brilliant. I would also be remiss if I did not mention the first sweet Paisley smiles I have had the pleasure of receiving over the last month.
Life is good.
My hours at work are gradually increasing. My co-workers have been very patient with me. I enjoy going into work and feeling that, in some small way, I may be contributing. My energy levels continue to be a frustration for me though and I have had to re-read previous posts on this blog, especially those regarding resting.
For anyone who knows me well, asking for help is not my forte. Recently, I had to do just that and I was wonderfully blessed to have my sister Ev take on the 'daughter' role with my Mom for a week. I could rest easy knowing that Mom's physical and social needs were very well taken care of. What a blessing!
I now know why there are entire companies devoted to energy management and conservation ;) - it can be a huge undertaking, one that I appear to be a novice at given current energy stores - or lack thereof. I sincerely hope that once the Herceptin infusions are history that my energy levels bounce back a little more - until then, as my friend Robin reminds me 'It is what it is'.
It is not helpful at the moment to be told stories of other people who seem to have sailed through their treatments, whatever their treatments may have been and have now resumed their 'normal lives'. It seems we are all different in how our bodies respond/react and treatments can vary. I certainly never would have anticipated I would feel this way this far along in this journey.
Which brings me once again to today's reading in the book Jesus Calling -
Accept each day exactly as it comes to you. By that, I mean not only the circumstances of the day but the condition of your body. Your assignment is to trust Me absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness.
On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition seem out of balance: The demands on you seem far greater than your strength. Days like that present a choice between two alternatives - Giving up or relying on Me. Even if you wrongly choose the first alternative, I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point, and I will help you climb out of the mire of disappointment. I will
infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day. Trust Me, by relying on My empowering Presence.
Take care, everyone.
