7... God's divine number for COMPLETION AND PERFECTION...

The enemy never stops!!! He roams around all day and all night looking to trip you up.... looking to cast doubt and fear in your mind. And believe me, I have felt and heard all the negative and scare-tactics he can throw my way, not just during this part of my journey, but all my life. The lies go on and on and on....

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour...

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy...

Any joy, any faith, any positive outlook on life - anything - he will destroy - he has one goal, destroy us - separate us from our Father's love.
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Three weeks after my surgery, we went in for my follow up appointment. My shoe-loving surgeon walks in with her upbeat happy self and asked the normal "how are you" questions. She told us about the pathology report which came back unclear as to whether or not I would need chemo-therapy. And I'm thinking, "I don't need chemo-therapy. What is she talking about?" She and my husband proceeded to talk medical jargon, and I hear the phrase "onco-type"... and I decided to check in and out of the conversation at this point.

I use a lot of word and picture association to lock things in to my memory for re-call later. I also use a lot of humor to not only receive information but also for memory purposes.

So I hear the word Onco and I immediately make a word association - Uncle. And I busted out laughing in my head thinking, "Uncle who? Who's uncle wants to test my breast tissue? And why?"

Then she walked out and I looked at my husband and said, you know this is a scare-tactic by the enemy. He is so upset at the news we received from the surgery, so upset at the celebration and the praise-report about the faithfulness of God, he has to distract us and yet try once again to instill fear in us. Then I said to him, whatever this test is, I will get the lowest score EVER!

My husband, who researches everything, said that anything over a score of 16 means I would need chemo.

Two weeks later I got the call with the score, and I got a 7! Per my surgeon, this is the second lowest score she has ever seen!!!

My response to the enemy: HA! TAKE THAT LOSER!!!

Not only did my score come in under 16, but I received a 7. What's the significance you ask?

7 is God's divine number for COMPLETION AND PERFECTION! I am perfect and complete in the eyes of my Father. He has set His seal upon me. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

I only gave you the first half of the John 10:10 scripture above.

...(Jesus said) I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

Christ came not just so that we will have life - He wants to give us a more abundant life. We don't have to listen to the enemy and the nonsense he spouts daily - We need to listen to what God is telling us -

We are perfectly created in His own image.

His love for us is an unconditional love. A love so pure that we can NEVER earn it on our own - not by our good works, not by any material possession we have, or how much we put in the offering plate, or how many times a week we are good to someone, or how many soup kitchens we volunteer at. God loved us first even with all our many faults, He did not want to be separated from us - so He allowed His one and only begotten son to die a horrible death so that I can sit here today and declare complete healing and restoration over my body.

We are overcomers. I can do all things through Christ... (Philippians 4:13)

His compassion fails not, His mercies are new every morning... (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We are the righteousness of God, through Christ Jesus.

I can go on and on...

I choose to listen to the soft, sweet whispers of my Heavenly Father. Every time I hear the enemy's lies and words of defeat, I immediately counter it with the promises of God. I wish I could say that this is how I have always been. Unfortunately, it is something I have had to learn. It's not easy, but it can be done. Oh and, it's an on-going process...

Now it is your turn - Who's voice do you choose to listen to?

God bless your day today and always,

Aloha!

WOW! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE???

It's been a little over a month since the surgery. My Father remains faithful and true to His Word. When I stop to think about His goodness and grace, I am overwhelmed and overcome with such gratitude. I cannot even express a proper THANK YOU.

Phillipians 4:19

And my God shall supply ALL your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

My recovery is going extremely well. At the hospital they gave me those stronger painkillers which I am not so sure I really needed. Since I have been home, (I was in for just one night), good ol' acetometaphine is all I took, and that was rarely. From the perspective of my finite human mind, that is crazy considering the procedure I had just gone through. In my heart I know what my God promised and His healing power continues to flow through every blood vessle and vein in my body. Hence, I was able to vacuum four days out, it took forever but I did it. :) I know... not too smart.

My biggest struggle was my energy level. I went from always being on the go to sitting around resting!

This past week, exactly one month from the surgery, one of my doctors told me he wanted me to start walking my fingers up the wall.

Actually, this is what he said verbatim, "I want you to start walking up the wall."

Me, in my head of course, "you want me to go crazy?"

He must have seen the look of confusion on my face, because he immediatedly demonstrated what he meant. He wanted me to start exercising my arms and stretching the muscle. Walk my fingers up a wall, while I am standing straight, and once I feel pain, take my fingers up two more step, hold it there a little.

Problem: I have already been raising my arms over my head for the past couple of weeks. So now what? :D

Not such a bad problem to have, right? :) reminds me of a scripture:

1 John 4:17... Because as HE IS, so are we in this world.

I love that!

He is healed from all the wounds they put on Him at the crucifixion. So as He is, (totally and completely healed), so are we, (so am I). PRAISE GOD!!!!

As Jesus is, at this very moment, seated at the right hand of our Father, interceding on our behalf, so are we in this world.

Jesus is NOT sitting around feeling sorry for Himself, having a pity party, saying, 'Oh, why did this happen to me? Why do things never go my way? This is just my luck! These things only happen to me. Or, my life sucks!

Why do we speak suck negativity into our lives? Worst yet, we speak these nonsense in front of our children, and so they start to speak the same negative outlook in their lives.

The power of life and death is in the tongue... (Proverbs).

God never promised us smooth sailing. He didn't because He knows the enemy rears his ugliness and his nastiness everyday. The enemy roams ready to kill, steal and destroy.

God promised He will be with us every step of the way - HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US, NOR FORSAKE US.

I have so often thought of Job during these past couple of months. Everytime I start to feel sorry for myself, I am reminded of Job's faith and trust in God. The enemy took EVERYTHING, except for Job's life, oh yeah, and as a gift, left Job with a gross disease. Job NEVER turned his back on God. He continued to trust God. And God blessed Job with a DOUBLE portion of EVERYTHING he lost!!

I think that is why I have never really allowed myself to have a pity party or be angry that I find myself where I am. People are suffering and hurting everyday - they find themselves in such dire circumstances, worst off than where I find myself. The cherry on the cake for them? They are going at it alone.

Me? Totally blessed! Supported by a husband and son who loves me, and surrounded by people who cannot seem to do enough to let me know how precious I am.

Every tear I have shed during this journey were and are tears of gratitude. I am overwhelmed by how much my Father in heaven loves me. So many people have, (continue to do so), become the hands and feet of Jesus during this time.

It is pure, unadulterated CRAZINESS!!! But you know what? It's because my Heavenly Father loves me like crazy!!

HE LOVES YOU LIKE CRAZY, too.

He continues to take care of me and my family. He wants to show you the same care. :)

Won't you let Him?

Until next time,

God bless  your day.

Aloha!!