Expecting Hope

God still does miracles......so why does it surprise me every time? We've been praying for it, and God made it happen! A new clinical trial opened up and I share all the amazing details. I'm still in the middle of happy dancing as I type this up! You want encouragement? You want hope? Listen up because this episode is full of it!!

Far too often I try to do things on my own. Lately, I'm learning what it means to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday, as I was teaching kids about the Holy Spirit I was reminded that it's only through the power of the Spirit that I'm able to do anything - let alone make it through the day. In today's episode I share a little of that teaching, but also challenge us all to surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to do His job and help us navigate life.

My terminal diagnosis is a blessing to me! I are reminded daily of the limited timeline I have. And that helps to make sure I pay attention to what's most important......most of the time. Jesus said, "What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?" I think too many of us might be losing our soul because we're so focused on day-to-day things and haven't zoomed out to examine the big picture.

I've got a trip to MD Anderson this week so I share with you the boring details of what that looks like. Pray for stability and new treatment options! I'll report back next week what we discover.

Easter Sunday is the ultimate celebration of hope. But sometime we find ourselves sitting in the darkness and confusion of Friday and Saturday not understanding that Sunday is coming. Easter reminds us of our ultimate hope and with the Holy Spirit, we get to celebrate that hope not just on Easter, but every day. Maybe you're sitting in the darkness and sadness of Friday and Saturday.....please know that Sunday is coming!

What do I want to do, where do I want to go before I kick the bucket? Bucket Lists aren't bad, as long as you're using them for the right reason. If you're checking things off your Bucket List in order to feel fulfilled, successful, or satisfied.......I've got news for you. That's not how that works!!

There are a few common questions I get and I thought I'd answer them for you. There's a few questions in there that I know people might be wondering about but have never asked - like "How much time do you have left?" I'm an open book, so always feel like you can ask me anything. If you have a question that I didn't answer, feel free to let me know and I can address it another time.

I share way too many details about the best thing that has happened through my cancer journey - my ostomy surgery. I share the story to give you a real-life example of James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds......" because the trial of my ostomy surgery has turned to pure joy and taught me so much that I never could have learned and experienced without it. Beware - there's A LOT of talk about poop. If that grosses you out, probably skip this episode. Honestly - there's a LOT of poop!

You wanted real and raw, well, you're getting it this week. I've been experiencing higher than usual pain levels which have given me an increased sense of urgency in life. And that is causing some frustration. I talk about trying to find a balance in all the details and how to find hope in the midst of it all.

What I wish I knew then to help me with the tough times now? In a word - Scripture. Honestly, memorizing more Scripture is one of the things that would drastically improve the current situation. So I'm challenging myself to memorize the entire book of Philippians. And I challenge you to memorize a few verses too!

Straight out of a doctor's appointment where we saw significant progression requiring a new treatment plan, I share my encouragement and confidence in what God is doing.

This week I tell you about the yes, no, yes, no that happened with getting started at MD Anderson Cancer Treatment and share a little about my upcoming visit. I also talk about how we can get back up when we get knocked down.....and be happy about it!

Have you ever looked at someone else's life and said, "I can't imagine how I'd react in that situation or circumstance." Truth is we have no idea because it's not the situation God has put us in. Each of us has a path that God has written for our lives and we're only responsible to walk our own path. But watching the faith of other people can help us to trust God in our own situations and help to grow our own faith.

I wanted to have a motivational quote or Scripture verse to help me along my journey. While I do plan to "rage, rage against the dying of the light" I really decided I needed a theme verse to remind me of God's hand in all of this. God eventually led me to Galatians 1:24 in The Message (which I clarify is not a translation but a paraphrase!). I challenge you to find a theme verse, or life verse, to help you look for hope in the tough times and inspiration in the good times.

Everything starts at the beginning. So we have to start with the idea of "Expecting Hope" and what that's all about. But it's also the beginning of my journey through the worst diagnosis ever - Stage IV cancer. But not in the way that will bum you out!! I promise this will be an encouraging and positive look at what God is doing in my life in the midst of this disease.

Come along with me on a journey through cancer treatment and life in general as we learn to live expecting hope, and ultimately meet the One who holds our hopes together.