I spent my 40th hyperbaric oxygen treatment in silence. No movies. No music. Just two and a half hours of plain old prayer, meditation and dozing.
I never expected to get tired of movies because I’m a great fan of a good plot, but about the 30th flick in a row, Movieland became a bad sedative. Unable to sleep, I have grown adept at guessing plot endings.
Don’t get me wrong, I saw some great movies. Many of you suggested some terrific ones, from The Good Lie to Seven Pounds to Hugo. But enough is enough. Once in a while I need a break.
A few weeks ago, I meditated instead of watching a video. I was nervous at first. After all, two and a half hours is a long time to be immobile, barricaded in a small, clear cylinder with my own thoughts. But now I look forward to time alone with God. Although my thoughts wander, God is patient and brings me back to the conversation. So I’ve said it. My mind meanders. I’m unfocused. But God knows my scattered mind, and he patiently leads me to the lesson I need. Like reading Jude every day for a month, the book we studied at church. I learned a lot.
The treatments help. Cancer free for almost three years now, I do feel better. An unexpected benefit is that my chemo headaches are gone. I’m taking a break while insurance approves another twenty treatments. If that happens, I’ll reassess my list of unseen movies and look forward to a future once-a-week uninterrupted time with God.
Our week-long family mission trip to Nicaragua awed me: the time spent with my twin granddaughters, and the opportunity to see mission work in a beautiful country I had heard about for years. The 3 hour plane ride from Houston to Managua was not too bad (after our long trip to Japan.)
On the mountain of the village by the dumpBy the house made of pop bottles.Me and several children at the village
Children at Susuma VBSTwo sweet little girls at SusumaOne of the classrooms at the Susuma school.
One of the greatest blessings was the families who traveled with us. Five families represented, with 18 people – more kids than adults and all got along well. The team members all have exceptional hearts for God and people, and it was a joy to get to know each one of them!
I made it through the trip just fine and did not tire out – until after we returned. My health seems to be fine. And thank you for your prayers; it made a difference.We cried to leave these sweet children, they warmed our hearts so much!
Apprehensive about his first trip to Japan, my husband, Bill researched the cultural dos and don’ts online. He did not want to offend anyone. However, after a long 24 hour trip, friends greeted us as we stepped off the plane and made us feel welcome. Someone accompanied us everywhere we went and guided us through the cultural protocols until we returned a week later. Here are a few things we learned.
1) Tokyo is as crowded as we heard. Bill said he saw more people in a week than in all his years in Oklahoma.
2) If you want to do some luxurious shopping, Ginza is the place to go. We stayed in the old classic Hotel Monterrey where Miho’s beautiful wedding took place. Located in the central upscale area, we ate in restaurants nearby and walked down the awesome main street which is closed to traffic on Sunday afternoons. Not that I purchased anything at these stores!
Ginza
3) The Shinkansen, or Japanese Bullet Train, was so fast that the countryside whirled by. Going 170 or more miles per hour, we could hardly take pictures. Actually, the train system appeared to be twenty third century development. Thank you Reiko, for guiding us through the train mazes because we would still be lost if it wasn’t for your help.
By the Bullet Train
4) You will have luck if you see the yellow train (Doctor Train). It rarely appears. We saw it in Tokyo and everyone started taking pictures. Then again, we saw it in Osaka! We saw it twice on the first day we ever traveled in Japan, while the Japanese people we visited had never seen it before! Are we lucky or what?
5) Japanese Christian churches may be rare, but you can find one. We visited Saeko and Hide at their church in Osaka and had an Oklahoma reunion. What fun!
6) Japanese love to give gifts. We were showered with gifts every time we met someone new. Thank you, my Japanese friends, for all the kindnesses!
7) The little children were adorable! We fell in love with Meya, Noah, Mia, and the one month old baby Noah. So precious.
See his UCO hat!
8) Japanese people are warm and welcoming. Families welcomed us into their homes and they were the perfect hosts! Many others came from all around Japan to visit with us. Nao just happened to be there from Singapore, and brought her fiancé!
9) Bowing is just part of the culture. Japan is truly one of the most polite and respectful countries we know.
10) Japanese food is outstanding and healthy. Of course, we ate exotic dishes (exotic to us because we had never tried before) like eel, squid, octopus, raw tuna, and squid ink. It may be unusual but we really liked everything we ate! Thanks to those who broke bread, or sushi, with us!
11) Japanese temples are a magnificent sight to see. We loved going to Kamakura and Enoshima. We even saw Mt. Fuji from the distance! Some sweet friends took time to showcase their countries finest wonders.
Kamakura
12) Sumo wrestling is sumo wrestling. Not that the sport is new, but we had never seen a huge arena with seats on the ground yelling for monstrous contestants. We plan to research the rules to this serious event. Thank you for the opportunity.
Me and Mr. Sumo
13) Friends will always be friends. We were so happy to see many people after six, seven, eight years or more – those we met in Oklahoma. Our hearts were blessed, and we hope we blessed them too. God was good to let us visit Japan! (I have many more pictures to post later.)
If we offended anyone, we sincerely apologize, bowing with our face to the ground. The Japanese culture is beautiful and so are the people!
It has been two years since my last radiation or chemotherapy treatment! For two years now, I have been cancer free.
It hasn’t always been easy. I had some effects to deal with but that too, has subsided. Trying to eat healthy. And I am back up to my normal before-cancer weight! (I had hoped to keep off some excess fat but unfortunately, it came back too.)
My husband, Bill, read an internet article to me last night about aging, and how older people had done some amazing things. (Not that I’m old or anything!) What quote I remember most, is something like, I am the youngest today that I will ever be. Meaning, I will never be this young again, so I should make the most of it.
I recently realized that my life goal is not to live a long life, but to live a good life. One in which I can honor God and show his love to others, no matter how many days on this earth I live. Yes, there are still a lot of things I want to do, a lot of things I want to write, but God is in control of that. He will not take me to heaven until all my work is done. This verse helped me see that.
Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. I Chronicles 28:19-20
He promises that I will not leave this world until all my work has been accomplished. In the meantime, I have a lot of living to do! And a lot of people to share God’s love with! I am so thankful for the many people who supported me through the tough times. Mostly, I am grateful to God, my greatest encourager.
I am a recovering humbug; I always start the Christmas season as a scrooge. Right around Thanksgiving, I get the shakes, the tension, and the stressful headaches. Too much to do: shopping for presents for six kids, in-laws, distant relatives, and twelve remarkable grandkids, cards to address and mail to loved ones around the word, and my famous Shutterfly picture books to finish. Not to mention the decorating and the parties. Depression takes over. I’m so daunted by December 1st that my Christmas spirit is at an all-time low.
Then something happens in the middle of the season. I start to enjoy the Christmas lights, the trip to the Christmas tree farm, and the traditional hallowed music.
Then I get well-wishers sending me greetings from Japan, China, and Korea and well, how can a person stay down in the dumps with all these warm greetings? I love these international friends! They are so gracious and kind. And then I spent time with my mother and siblings—a treasure to remember.
And the food! I never eat this much sweet, tasty morsels any other time during the year. I save my sweet tooth for Christmas delicacies. Plus the honey-baked ham, smoked turkey, sweet potatoes….
Then my family gathering: my favorite people and the most awesome group ever found together in one room. We celebrated on Christmas Eve, and I could taste the joy, the excitement, the warmth and kindness. We talked about the many miracles in our family before reading the story of Christ’s birth, the greatest miracle of all. All the headaches were worth it.
My miracle, though, is the blessing of so many lovely people in my life. God has been so good. His mercy lifts my head far above the humbug status and leaves me breathless. I anticipate the great celebration when I see Jesus one day. I can’t stay in a funk when I look ahead to see the end of the season. I just tasted a sample. What a wonderful Christmas day we’ll have in heaven when we get together!
Merry Christmas to you! May you find joy through this season because you are loved!
