Survivor AND Overcomer

I was honored to be invited to speak again for the ladies group at First Christian Church in Siloam Springs, AR like I did last year (HERE).  When thinking about my talk, I was drawn to the topic of being an OVERCOMER.

Mandisa’s song OVERCOMER really hits home – especially when watching her video that highlights cancer patients. And isn’t it fun to see how God cements things by repetition??? I just started reading the book of Revelation – which has always intimidated me. Yet God gave me encouragement to continue through the book when I read the OVERCOMER promises to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3.

2:7 – To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

2:11 – He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

2:17 – To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

2:16 – To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations... I will also give him the morning star.

3:5 – He who overcomes will... be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

3:12 – Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

3:21 – To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.

Wow! I want to be an overcomer and receive those blessings!

And more repetition on this theme... Last week Mandisa had this status on her Facebook page: When we walk by faith - not by sight - we are Overcomers. When we believe what our Heavenly Father says about us, what Jesus says we can do, and what the Holy Spirit Himself will do through us, we are Overcomers. We don’t have to rely on our strength alone. Our mighty Deliverer fights our battles. Our job is to stay close to Him and let Him do what only He can!

Then I saw this artwork with a quote by Wendy Blight from Proverbs 31 Ministries:  

 

I definitely want to be an OVERCOMER! In fact, I want to have a powerful testimony as an overcomer in addition to being a cancer survivor. Although I love my Leukemia and Lymphoma Society shirt that says SURVIVOR across that back, I think being an overcomer is so much more!!!

Not Your Typical Testimony

...at least not what I used to think was a typical testimony. I basically grew up in church. Seriously! I hardly remember missing a Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday, or any other day there was something at church. Even when we visited my grandparents' church, I got an attendance postcard to take back to my Sunday School class to get my perfect attendance sticker!

So, when I was at camp or other youth events (and even as an adult), I never felt like I had a real testimony. I didn't smoke, drink, or do drugs. I didn't think I had anything to talk about since I didn't have a big emotional then and now story. In fact, I almost hated listening to testimonies and was somewhat embarrassed about my goody-goody life.

Fast forward to now. My cancer journey has shown me I've had a testimony all along. I now have a better understanding and appreciation of God's gift of salvation. A testimony shouldn't have anything to do with how "bad" we were before accepting God's gift. We are ALL sinners and lost without Him (Romans 3:23). I was just as lost as those with "wow" testimonies. Thankfully, God made a way of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ! 

* * * * *

I had typed up this blog post weeks ago and forgot about it. I think it's fitting that I "found" it on Easter. Dealing with a potentially life-threatening illness puts things in perspective. My salvation and promise of heaven are far more precious to me now! I'm so thankful that death is defeated and JESUS IS ALIVE!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
~ Matthew 28:6

Vacation Videos

Our cruise was the BEST vacation ever! I would definitely recommend it - the food, the shows, the activities - everything was wonderful. I'm so glad the six of us cruising together took a lot of pictures and that my graphics guru husband put them together in fun videos. Please don't hold your breath for my scrapbook version...

NOTE: The Lego pictures are Jarod's guy who was lucky enough to go on vacation with us and have many photo ops! 

Just click on the links to watch the videos. 


DAYS 1-2 - Cruisin'

We had a delay before we could get on the ship due to fog closing the port earlier in the morning. We waited a couple of hours in a holding parking lot before we could park in the real parking lot. Then we found a restaurant and waited a couple more hours before getting in line to board the ship. Once we were on board, we were HAPPY!

Rock Climbing was a huge accomplishment! My goal was to make it to the half-way bell, and I DID IT!!! Daryl made it clear to the top several times! And can you believe I tried the boogie board?!?!?!


DAY 3 - Roatan, Honduras 

Honduras was our big zip line adventure. I was almost sick that morning just thinking about it. But once we got there and did our first looooong line, I decided it was awesome! Hiking in and zipping above the jungle was beautiful. Our guide was wonderful and took lots of pictures. I loved him calling me "mama." 

We had lunch by the sea - coconut shrimp and lobster - YUM! Then we met up with our friends and checked out some little shops.


DAY 4 - Belize City, Belize 

Cave tubing was another fun adventure. We took a bus ride through part of Belize City out to the river. Our guide gave us some history of the area and let us all try cashew wine! At the river we hiked to the starting point where we put our tubes in and floated through the caves. Beautiful vegetation along the river. Did you know all-spice comes from a tree? Our friends did a zip line while we enjoyed the surroundings. The tour provided yummy tamales for lunch, and we bought Coca Cola bottled in Belize with real cane sugar. We didn't have much time for shopping, and I only had a tiny small somewhat medium panic attack worrying about getting back in time to take the tender back to the ship. We made it!!!


DAY 5 - Cozumel, Mexico

Ahhhh, the beach! We paid for a taxi and entry to Playa Palancar Beach that also included snorkel gear and a kayak. So much fun! My first time in the ocean! My first time kayaking! My first time snorkeling! And my first pina colada! We could get used to being beach bums!


DAY 6 - Cruisin' Home

Our last day on the ship... We sat in on the Captain's Chat, walked a mile for the Make a Wish Foundation, and went ice skating! I got my picture taken with the handsome Texas Tenors, relaxed on the deck with my yogurt cone, and then sadly had to pack. Getting off the ship was an adventure of its own.

When we left Galveston, it was 74 degrees. By the time we got to Dallas, it was 24 degrees and icy. Thankfully our friends' daughter lives in Dallas and let us hibernate for TWO days before we could get home to Oklahoma. We managed to get to South Fork Ranch to see where Dallas was/is filmed. It's a lot smaller in person... Finally, we made it home to our kids!

Burn the Plows...

...and Eat the Cows!

No, I didn't come up with that, our pastor did. Clever, huh!

Sunday's sermon was an introduction to the life of Elisha. 2 Kings 19:19-21 tells how Elijah found Elisha and threw his cloak around him as his calling. Elisha was all in. He went home and threw a big good-bye party. He burned the plows and ate the cows! "Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant."

Elisha was ordinary, faithful, and obedient. He literally burned up his back-up plan (plow and cows) and followed Elijah. Total commitment. No turning back. A leap of faith.

This sermon went along with what I've been thinking concerning my own purpose in ministry. Part of me feels my cancer journey is the beginning of a new calling or ministry. Not necessarily a new vocation, but using my experience in a more organized way. I'm just not sure what. My oldest daughter has had some good ideas, and I've been praying that God will show me what He wants me to do.

The songs we sang Sunday also spoke to me... or more like they were my prayer to God. We sang a favorite hymn (I Surrender All) and a favorite contemporary song (The Stand). So, I'll keep doing what I'm doing now - with all my heart as unto the Lord - and stay ready and willing for however God wants to use me. That's a little bit scary, because the last time I prayed that way I ended up with cancer - HA! But He's made it all work together for good and for His glory!

I love this song!!!

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

~ The Stand recorded by Kristian Stanfill

What's the Point in Running???

Really. Tell me. What's the point in running? Especially when I can't be running in the Caribbean!

I was mostly excited when Daryl and I started our Couch to 5K last year. Even though it was tough, we stuck it out and participated in two 5K runs. I even managed to run the 2nd race with no walking. Then we had to "fall back" for daylight savings (or whatever you call it in the fall) and it was too dark to run after work...and too cold... So, we pretty much quit training.

A few weeks ago we registered for the Amazing Grace Run in our home town (college/early marriage) of Joplin, MO. It's in TWO weeks! We started back to the middle of our C25K training and hope to make it through the race. Which brings me to my question... What's the point???

I keep asking that question while I'm running and not really enjoying it. It's a scary conversation going on in my head! I originally wanted to run in 5K races to help with fundraising for cancer research or other worthy causes. But... I can register for a race, get a t-shirt, and STILL be contributing to the cause without actually running! And don't think I haven't thought about this.

Then I think how maybe the challenge is a good thing. You know, facing the obstacle and overcoming it. But I stinkin' survived cancer and chemo, so who cares about running?

So for the last part of my run today, I had a hard time talking myself into anything good about it. I even chanted out loud, "I don't like this!" Finally, I set a goal to run to the end of the road and pressed on. While walking back to the house, I was still trying to think of what's good about running!

Listening to Building 429 is good during my run! And the song All the Glory had me wondering how my running can be glorifying to God. I've never been big on physical discipline, but part of I Timothy 4:7 came to mind - discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. I realize this verse is about spiritual discipline, but I'll try to focus on how my physical discipline and running can be a way to glorify God!

It’s here I find you lift me up just to lift You high
It never was about me, You get all the glory
And if I stand it’s only that I am in Your hands
It never was about me, yea You get all the glory

~ All the Glory by Building 429

Terri's Top Travel Tips

We had a WONDERFUL cruise vacation! It was a great time with great friends doing great things! We enjoyed wonderful food and wonderful entertainment (broadway type shows, ice dancing show, Donovan and Rebecca, and The Texas Tenors! We were never bored and almost didn't have enough time to just sit on the deck doing nothing. We played miniature golf, climbed the rock wall, rode a boogie board, and went ice skating... on the ship! We also participated in a one mile walk for the Make A Wish Foundation... on the ship! We did a zip line adventure in Roatan, Honduras with Caribe Sky Canopy Tours, a cave-tubing adventure in Belize City, Belize with Butts Up Cave Tubing, and enjoyed kayaking and snorkeling on Palancar Beach in Cozumel, Mexico.

The best vacation!

A God-ordained moment was being in the boogie board line with a lady whose mother is a five time cancer survivor... four of those being non-Hodgkin lymphoma!!! After we finished the boogie board, her mother and I shared a survivor's hug! So special.

Here are my top travel tips for first time cruising...

• Travel with friends who are experienced cruisers! Not only did their knowledge ease our stress, they also got some nice perks!

• Carry-on bag actually means a bag with WHEELS! There is a lot of walking just to get from the van to the line... and a lot of walking through the line... and a lot of walking to find our stateroom... There's even more walking if the ship is late because of fog and you have to spend a couple of hours walking around town until you can get in line to board. Next time our carry-on bags will have wheels!!!

• Let the bank know you'll be out of the country so that your card will be accepted at the port cities. Oops! Thankfully the ship had an ATM!

• Have a no-frills hair style... like my post-chemo short curly hair... because it is WINDY on deck!

• Make sure your hat has some kind of under-the-chin strap/string... because it is WINDY on deck!

• Pack LESS! Now that we know what a cruise is all about with formal, smart casual, and casual nights for dinner, we will pack less next time!

• Book your excursions directly and save money! I was nervous about this because the ship will not wait for late groups unless they are on a ship-sponsored excursion. But we were in the same groups as the ship tours, so we finished when they finished. No worries!

• Don't pay full price for anything. The shops on the ship will have sales - like t-shirts for $10! At the ports - you can walk away from a "deal" and the shop owner will keep offering the item at a lower price. It's a weird system!

• Use a backpack that has more than nylon cording for the straps. Hauling a bunch of seashells from the ocean in a simple cinch sack can hurt your shoulders. Don't ask me how I know!

• Be brave and do new things. The only things I had already experienced were miniature golf and ice skating. Everything else (the boogie board, rock climbing, zip lining, cave tubing, kayaking, and snorkeling) was new... and FUN!  

• Be brave and eat new things. I didn't know what a lot of items were on the menu, but I made it a point to order the unexpected - escargots bourguignonne, chilled banana and rum soup, caprese salad, garlic tiger shrimp, smoked duck breast, creamed wild mushrooms, BBB creme brulee, tiramisu... YUM!

• Pack WARM clothes in the van for the trip home. It was 74 when we got off the ship in Galveston and 22 with ice by the time we got to Dallas. Brrrr!

• Start saving for the next cruise!!!
 

This is the life!

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
~Psalm 8:1 

I'm Such a Dork

I've been obsessing thinking about this hair thing all wrong. Throughout my journey I've prayed that God would be glorified, that He would use me, that I'd have opportunities to share with others. I proudly wear my lime green bracelets and my lime green Team Terri shirt. Well, DUH... why not think of my hair in the same way!

Soooo... I'm going to use my short, gray, messy curls as a testimony to what I've blogged about - being an overcomer, a survivor! A testimony to how God has been with me every step of the way. A testimony to how God loves me even when I'm such a dork.

Yes, it's taken me a long time to get to this point. And there will probably still be some tears. But I'm going to try to step out of my own way and let God work in spite of me!

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
~ Ephesians 2:10 NLT