Consider the Lilies

November.  

It's a month that will always remind me to seize the day.  To be thankful.  It's the month of our favorite family tradition - Thanksgiving at Mt. Magazine. It’s a month of peace before the hustle and bustle. It’s a month of beautiful fall sunrises and sunsets, cool evenings, and nice hikes. It's football game playoffs, Christmas lights and trees going up, and lawnmowers being put up for the winter.

Mt. Magazine at Sunrise

It's also the month I saw my momma for the last time 15 years ago.

My sister, mom, Elise, and me spending our last Christmas together.

It's also the month in 2019 that will be remembered for the beginning of appointments that changed a few things for us.

For I know the plans that I have for you, 'declares the Lord, ' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Today, I walked into UAMS Oncology Building.  It was my appointment.  Never did I imagine that I would ever walk into this building.  Especially for an appointment where it would be me sitting on the table.  In fact, as I walked through these doors, I quickly became overwhelmed in my heart.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. 

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. 

Isaiah 43:2

About this time last year, I discovered a marble size growth on my inner leg. I dismissed it as a hernia or something not that important.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:30

But as the year progressed, the growth grew and so did my uneasiness about it.  I decided to make an appointment to get it checked out.

For He Himself knows our frame; 

He is mindful that we are but dust.

Psalms 103:14

At my initial appointment, the doctor felt it may be a cyst and tried draining it.  It was about the size of a lime.  Doctor said 5x4 cm.  So she began the draining procedure.  Nothing.  Not a drop.  I could see the concern on her face as she told the nurse she was going to take biopsies. Thanksgiving week.  2 open incisions.  Come back in a week for the results.  The wait was hard.

Sunset at Mt. Magazine as a storm rolled in.

Finally, we received results from the biopsy.  Not definitive results... but also not promising.  "We are referring you to an oncologist at UAMS."

The Lord is good, 

A stronghold in the day of trouble,

And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Nahum 1:7

Two weeks have passed since that appointment.  2 VERY long weeks.  And now we know a little more.  It's a tumor in a gland.  More than likely cancer.  They need more tissue to determine the type of cancer so they are looking at the material from the Conway biopsy.  We may have those results in the next day or so. However, they know the tumor needs to be removed.  Surgery has been set for Thursday at UAMS.  They will biopsy the tumor during surgery and we will know so much more. Once they know the type of cancer they will determine if more surgery or other treatment is necessary.

"casting all your anxiety on Him, 

because He cares for you."

I Peter 5:7

No need to be discouraged.  No need to be afraid.  He is strong.  He makes me courageous.  He is with me.  It’s time to fight.  And I'm not alone.  So thankful for our family and friends praying and seeking Him.  It's the game changer in life.

Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, 

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

Joshua 1:9

I know HE is in control.  I know HE knows.  It will all work out.
Pray that the cancer is best case scenario type.
Pray that the removal of the tumor will be the needed treatment.

Consider the Lilies.  Matthew 6:28.