My Faith Story

I was born into a home where my family regularly attended church and learned about God. I heard all of the Bible stories and knew about God’s love for me. During my teen years I had many opportunities to continue learning about God and how he desires a relationship with all of us. But mostly I just “knew” about God. From the outside I looked like someone who had a pretty good sense of morality. But looking back, I was quite selfish. I lived for myself and I “used” God when I needed him. I pulled him off the shelf so to speak when I had a big test, when I wanted to get the guy I was pinning for or when I hoped my parents would ok some request. Don’t get me wrong, God was important to me. But he just didn’t seem all that real or personal. I did well in school; I had good friends and loved my family. Something seemed to be missing in my life and sometimes we don’t even know what’s lacking until we find it.



After Kyle & I married we moved to Big Rapids, MI where we both attended Ferris State University. The wife of another Optometry student invited me to a women’s Bible study & to a campus Christian group. Taking her up on her offer was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. I very soon realized that I really had no idea about what it meant to be a Christian. I saw that these women & students had a relationship with God that was far greater than just my “knowing” about him. I wanted to have that relationship that I saw in the lives of these other women. I made a decision to stop living selfishly & committed myself to God and His plans for me. For the first time in my life I found pleasure in reading my Bible, praying and living in community with other Christians. I think that pleasure came from the fact that I was doing this on my own & of my own choice, not hanging on to the coattails of my parents’ faith. Through this time I learned how much God loves me & how my worth comes from Him and that He is all that I need. These lessons helped me overcome some insecurity issues that I had been struggling with. It’s always amazing to see how everything in life happens for a reason.



Back in our hometown, we found a church that teaches us to love God and help people, we added two beautiful babies to our family and we began living life. Through the years I have tried to align my priorities with Gods and try to be more like Jesus in my attitudes & actions. I am continually learning that it’s not all about me; it’s about God and His plan & purpose for my life. Most importantly I have learned that God isn’t something to be taken down off the shelf when times get tough. He is there with me through the good, the bad and the everyday “stuff” of life - He is my friend. I still struggle with selfishness & wanting to be in control of everything, but God loves me anyways. Through the struggles I am learning to follow Jesus, knowing that he has only good in store for me. I am not living a perfect life - I am living a blessed life!



Just after Labor Day weekend in 2012 I found a lump in my left breast. Figuring it was nothing, but wanting to make sure since there is a family history, I made an appointment with my doctor. After having a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy I found out that it was indeed cancer. At the age of 36, my simple little life was rocked by this news. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t scared or upset, because I was. But when life gets tough, you get to find out just how big the God you believe in really is. Immediately people began praying for our family and the result of those prayers was a peace in my life that I have never experienced before. Because of those prayers, knowing what the Bible says and remembering the teaching of our pastor over the years, I was able to put things into perspective. No matter what happens to me, God is with me. And even better than that, no matter what happens to me, I know that when my time is done here on earth I will live with Him forever in heaven. All that you know and believe about God becomes very real when you are faced with a trial such as cancer. He never promises us that we will go through this life without troubles, but He does promise that he will be there with us.

Ready for Radiation

Let's get this show on the road!!!  Radiation starts tomorrow...sort of.  I do start tomorrow but the first session is merely a trial run or simulation as they call it.  I will go through all of the motions but the radiation will not be delivered.  They have to make sure that they have everything all set up & programmed correctly.  Thursday will be my first of 33 treatments.
This morning after showering I reorganized my hygiene products as needed for radiation.  My regular Secret deodorant was replaced with Tom's Natural deodorant that contains no aluminum.  I put away my regular body wash and replaced that with a regular bar of Dove soap.  My yummy smelling Bath & Body lotion has been exchanged for Lubriderm Sensitive Skin lotion and Aquaphor Healing Ointment.  It was recommended to use the Lubriderm in the morning & afternoon and then using the Aquaphor at night before bed in the area that will be radiated.  The nurse said that the more you hydrate & care for your skin, the better it will handle the radiation.
Hair update...it is starting to grow a bit!  I am taking a vitamin called Biotin that promotes hair & nail growth.  My goal is to be able to unveil my new hair-do on or before my birthday on May 19th.  Preschool doesn't end until the 2nd week in May and so I know I will probably wait until after that, my preschoolers don't need anymore hair changes from me this year:)

Prayer requests as I begin this next chapter are:
*Safety driving back & forth to Battle Creek everyday of the week
*That the 2 main side effects of radiation (fatigue & skin issues) would be minimal