Giving Thanks Before the Surgery

Dear friends and family,

Tonight I asked Mama how she was feeling about tomorrow’s surgery (scheduled between 1 and 3 tomorrow afternoon). Instead of tell me in spoken words, she decided to journal her thoughts in writing. The following italics are her precious thoughts:

Here are my thoughts as I go into surgery tomorrow morning…

***I’m so glad God let Mom and Ken and I have our big international trip this past March. (Mama, Uncle Ken, and Grandma Lou had the opportunity to travel to Turkey, Rome, and Israel last March for three weeks. It was a dream come true for them!) Next March I will be in chemo/radiation and would not have been able to travel to the other side of the world. Thank you, Jesus!

***Sunday our church body surrounded me second service to pray for me. What a powerful time. When I closed my eyes people were still making their way to the front of the sanctuary to join in the prayer. When I opened my eyes, I literally was surrounded by hundreds of people encompassing me on all sides praying and showing their support. It absolutely overwhelmed my heart. My only response was “WOW!” God is so good to let us journey trials joined to one another as His body. I can’t imagine walking this path alone.

***On Sunday at church I had 5 breast cancer survivors come to me just to share their story, their victory and their support for me. Their radiance and love for Jesus blessed me to tears! I felt so honored that God would choose me to join their ranks. I want to come out of this with so much joy and hope it is unexplainable. I want to shine Jesus the way those beautiful women shone Jesus to me! One survivor gave me a beautiful “survivor” bracelet. It’s a sterling silver pendant bracelet with hope-filled phrases on charms and the breast cancer ribbon charm displayed. She let me know that many, many survivors have worn this bracelet before me and now it’s my turn to wear it. When I’m diagnosed as “cancer free” I get to pass this beautiful keepsake onto a precious woman who is beginning her own journey battling breast cancer. What an honor to wear it and know it represents the suffering, hope, tears and joy of so many women who have gone before me…

***On last thought, when I woke up this morning I thought about the journey ahead of me. I thanked the Lord that He didn’t reveal this tumor to me until after we were mostly settled into our home and lives here in the Northwest. I think if I would have discovered this lump back in June during the move I would have completely broke. He knew it was there. But it did not become “revealed” until we were connected and surround by an entire church body loving us and holding us up. Thank you, Father for your lovingkindness and tenderness in overseeing every detail of our lives! Not only that, but He has orchestrated an amazing team (surgeon, oncologists, doctors, etc.) to oversee my care and treatment. God will be glorified…

Isn’t she amazing?! My jaw continues to drop encountering Mama’s constant thanksgiving. I was also pondering the Lord’s perfection in this journey thus far and I have a few more points to add.

***Grandma Lou planned to visit long before any news of the tumor was revealed. She was here for the biopsy, the verdict of breast cancer, and she decided to delay her return flight until next Tuesday so that she can be with us tomorrow during the surgery and a few days after for the recovery. God knew that Mama would want her mother/close companion for the start of this journey and that Grandma Lou would want to comfort her baby girl as well.

***I was planning on attending University of Washington this fall. However, due to a delay in the processing of my transfer credits I decided to wait to enroll until the winter quarter. A week later we were informed of Mama’s diagnosis. God knew that I would need to be more available for Mama and the home during this time without the added responsibility and time commitment of classes.

***Aaron and his girlfriend planned to come visit this past weekend also long before any news of cancer. Mama is the core of our home and family. Therefore, having the entire family together for a few days helped to refresh and enliven her spirit even more! Going into this week of surgery she said, “Ah! My cup is so full!” God planned far in advance for Mama to celebrate before a physically exhausting week. It is another reminder that the Gospel allows us to dance through the rain!

I have to echo Mama’s appreciation for all of you! The perfect union with Christ that was granted us at His death upon the cross has allowed our family to no longer “evaluate others from a human point of view” (2 Cor. 5:16). “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). When we believe in Christ’s reconciliation to us,  He indwells our very being to live in and through us! Mama sees the beautiful face of Jesus clearly when she beholds the radiance of your smiles in the lobby of the church. She melts in His arms when your arms extend to her in a warm embrace. She feasts upon His goodness through the meals you bring her. She delights in His gifts when you offer her a thoughtful present. She soaks in heaven’s promises through the encouraging words you speak. Why? Because He is in you! Jesus is manifest to her through you—a member of His Body! It is beautiful for me to see every expression of love towards Mama so different yet entirely pure—a gift portraying elegance, a hug encompassing tenderness, a joke manifesting laughter, a card radiating creativity… each expression a unique portrayal of His very heart! We are captivated by the very entity that captivates the heart of God—His beautiful Bride, the Body of Christ, a great congregation that is not complete without YOU! So thank you for all your thoughtfulness towards Mama and our family! The indwelling presence of Jesus expressed through you  has expanded our admiration for our Beloved Christ! You are greatly honored and appreciated by our family!