I had a great day today- can I tell you about my day?
9:15AM - We were invited to speak at our old Sunday School (small group of folks that meets before the main worship service) at First Baptist Dallas. We told Noah we were going to the BIG church downtown with the BIG buildings- he was really into it.
I almost made it through the whole talk without crying until someone asked, "What do you think about the possibility of meeting Jesus, very soon?" Which is funny. I always think about leaving this earth and being sad about leaving my family too soon, but I never think about what I would be moving towards in exchange.
My tearful answer to the question was, "I think it would be like meeting a pen pal for the very first time in the airport. That I would be really excited about finally laying eyes on this person that I've talked with on the phone, and written countless letters to, but had not actually met in person yet. It would be wonderful."
And it will be.
I loved this man's faith. It challenged me to not dwell so much on being sad about dying, and instead, be really excited about finally meeting Jesus face-to-face. That man, whose faith, much larger than my own, said that he was jealous that I had this opportunity to go home so soon and be with the Father. Wow- Lord, increase my faith to be like this man. Please increase my desire for the start of an eternity spent with you.
10:45AM - We pushed repeat on our little song and dance we've gotten used to doing, this time for my parent's Sunday School. The jokes seemed to fall a little flat at first. I'm not sure if they knew it was okay to laugh with us about having cancer. I often say if I didn't laugh about it, I would cry, and laughing is way more fun.
In this class, a woman came up to me afterwards and told me that her and another friend fasted for me for THREE DAYS. THREE DAYS!?!? for a STRANGER!! Don't you start to essentially die at that point?? I can barely fast for myself on the "fasting" days. How much spiritual and physical discipline does it take to fast (from food) for three days for a stranger?!! Props lady- you kinda rocked my world this morning.
The best part of talking with this woman though, was what she said was revealed to her during that experience. God had impressed on her (and her friend) that God was indeed going to heal me. That no matter how bad the odds got- even down to 0.0001% that He was ultimately going to cure me and that I would live to proclaim the great miracle done in my life and body. She is invited over to my house anytime! I want to hang around her more!!
12noon - Our old Sunday School class held a potluck in our (and another friend's) honor. My folks came to help corral the boys (thanks mom&dad!) so we could focus on hanging out and fellowship-ing (this is code in the Baptist world for eating, and talking, in that order).
2:30PM - Family nap time. 'nough said.
5:30PM - We were all hanging out in the front lawn (pulling weeds/playing) and a nice looking, smiling lady pulled up to our house. I didn't realize we were getting a "helper" tonight, but she walked right in and started fixing dinner, cleaning up our house, washing our dishes, folding clothes- you name it, she did it. The best part was she encouraged me to go back outside and continue enjoying the beautiful weather and spending time with the kids. Ah-mazing.
6:30PM - We were still outside playing and another nice looking, smiling couple drove up. They had been our "helpers" a couple weeks ago right after my surgery. They were dropping off a beautiful quilt a church ministry had made me, but stayed and played with Noah, held David, fed David, and ended up even bathing David. We had an army of helpful, enjoyable people at our house all evening!! (Admit it, you are a little jealous, right?) ;-)
8:00PM - Groceries magically appeared at my house from a middle-school friend. She had taken our grocery list and gotten everything we needed for the week at the store and brought them to us. She hung out, laughing, talking, and eating cheesecake. It was wonderful!
10:30PM - After a full 12 hours of talking with people, I am so encouraged, energized, and just simply content with my beautiful, full, and crazy life.
Thank you Jesus for giving me beauty for ashes- in a time that should be sorrowful, you give me joy. My cup runneth over- you've given me more than what I need to get through this time of trial. Thank you for filling my life Lord to the point where I fade away, and all that is left is you.
"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory." - Isaiah 61:3
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - Psalm 23:5
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:7
I almost made it through the whole talk without crying until someone asked, "What do you think about the possibility of meeting Jesus, very soon?" Which is funny. I always think about leaving this earth and being sad about leaving my family too soon, but I never think about what I would be moving towards in exchange.
My tearful answer to the question was, "I think it would be like meeting a pen pal for the very first time in the airport. That I would be really excited about finally laying eyes on this person that I've talked with on the phone, and written countless letters to, but had not actually met in person yet. It would be wonderful."
And it will be.
I loved this man's faith. It challenged me to not dwell so much on being sad about dying, and instead, be really excited about finally meeting Jesus face-to-face. That man, whose faith, much larger than my own, said that he was jealous that I had this opportunity to go home so soon and be with the Father. Wow- Lord, increase my faith to be like this man. Please increase my desire for the start of an eternity spent with you.
10:45AM - We pushed repeat on our little song and dance we've gotten used to doing, this time for my parent's Sunday School. The jokes seemed to fall a little flat at first. I'm not sure if they knew it was okay to laugh with us about having cancer. I often say if I didn't laugh about it, I would cry, and laughing is way more fun.
In this class, a woman came up to me afterwards and told me that her and another friend fasted for me for THREE DAYS. THREE DAYS!?!? for a STRANGER!! Don't you start to essentially die at that point?? I can barely fast for myself on the "fasting" days. How much spiritual and physical discipline does it take to fast (from food) for three days for a stranger?!! Props lady- you kinda rocked my world this morning.
The best part of talking with this woman though, was what she said was revealed to her during that experience. God had impressed on her (and her friend) that God was indeed going to heal me. That no matter how bad the odds got- even down to 0.0001% that He was ultimately going to cure me and that I would live to proclaim the great miracle done in my life and body. She is invited over to my house anytime! I want to hang around her more!!
12noon - Our old Sunday School class held a potluck in our (and another friend's) honor. My folks came to help corral the boys (thanks mom&dad!) so we could focus on hanging out and fellowship-ing (this is code in the Baptist world for eating, and talking, in that order).
2:30PM - Family nap time. 'nough said.
5:30PM - We were all hanging out in the front lawn (pulling weeds/playing) and a nice looking, smiling lady pulled up to our house. I didn't realize we were getting a "helper" tonight, but she walked right in and started fixing dinner, cleaning up our house, washing our dishes, folding clothes- you name it, she did it. The best part was she encouraged me to go back outside and continue enjoying the beautiful weather and spending time with the kids. Ah-mazing.
6:30PM - We were still outside playing and another nice looking, smiling couple drove up. They had been our "helpers" a couple weeks ago right after my surgery. They were dropping off a beautiful quilt a church ministry had made me, but stayed and played with Noah, held David, fed David, and ended up even bathing David. We had an army of helpful, enjoyable people at our house all evening!! (Admit it, you are a little jealous, right?) ;-)
8:00PM - Groceries magically appeared at my house from a middle-school friend. She had taken our grocery list and gotten everything we needed for the week at the store and brought them to us. She hung out, laughing, talking, and eating cheesecake. It was wonderful!
10:30PM - After a full 12 hours of talking with people, I am so encouraged, energized, and just simply content with my beautiful, full, and crazy life.
Thank you Jesus for giving me beauty for ashes- in a time that should be sorrowful, you give me joy. My cup runneth over- you've given me more than what I need to get through this time of trial. Thank you for filling my life Lord to the point where I fade away, and all that is left is you.
"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory." - Isaiah 61:3
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - Psalm 23:5
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:7
Ashleigh, I am in awe of you. You are truly an amazing person. It was wonderful meeting you and your husband at MDA with Rachel. Your faith, strength, and perseverance are inspiring. Your family is my prayers.
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