Thursday, January 24, 2008

Blessed I Am!

Psalm 107:1-2a NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—


Oh How wonderful is our Mighty God. He is so gracious. The saving power of Jesus Christ!!

I just have to tell how blessed I am!!

To keep this brief, I had my first mammogram yesterday. Not because I’m old enough (j/k), but because I felt a lump the other night. My doctor ordered a mammogram for me last year, but I dismissed it. Thinking yeah-yeah, whatever. I intentionally avoid unnecessary pain. Just 411—it hurts more to put on a sports bra than to get a mammogram. Go get it done please!!

After recognizing the lump, I wake up early the next day, find the expired order and go to the radiology lab. Through a bunch of red tape, which I’ll spare the space, I got an appointment the next day and my doctor wrote a new order.

I felt strong—initially—but when the obstacles started arising, I felt the strength leave me. I contacted Annie as I have read on her blog about some of her experiences with similar situations. She immediately went into prayer on my behalf. Thank you Annie!! She shared encouraging words with me.

I went in for the exam yesterday feeling the peace of the Lord. No anxiety, no worries. Before Christ made me a knew creature, I would have been flipping. The films returned with no lumps, no tumors, no cysts! Then to confirm, I had a sonogram. Same thing—no lumps, no tumors, no cysts. Praise the Lord!!

The lump is a fybrocyst which is caused by changes in hormones and/or caffeine. So do I have to give up coffee? I don’t know for sure yet, but I’m sure I’ll be healthier if I do. Coffee and tea are the only caffeine products I consume on a regular basis. The hormone issue is a long story which I’m praying the Lord will work out.

So I received blessings yesterday.

God’s peace that passes all understanding!

No tumor or cyst! Good health!

I made a new friend in town—the tech & I remembered meeting as our husbands work together and we plan to have lunch.

Annie confirmed with me that blogging friends are real people, believers who will be there when in need.

A praise report from another blog friend – Karen.

To top it off, I received email from another blog friend, Leah, who gave me this award!! Thank you Leah!



Thanks!! I never expected these authentic friendships that developed from blogging! God is incredible how He weaves our lives together. Each one of you are special!!

Now I want to give this award back out. I don’t know how many, but I want you to know that everyone I have visited has been special and deserves this award. Please take it!

Annie—my bff for praying and encouraging me especially this recent situation!!

Karen—my bff as I’ve been so encouraged through you.

Marina—my bff that I’ve actually met. I look forward to worshipping the Lord with you in two weeks at WoF!!

Bev—my bff that has encouraged me to read the Bible through this year. I have not completely read the Bible through and I’m looking forward to this journey.

And Leah—my bff right back at you. Your words minister to me!!

Psalm 107:21 NIV

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

Blessings in Christ--

15 gracious comments:

annette said...

I hate to tell you but caffeine is a major culprit. When I was dealing with all of that, it helped tremendously to give up the caffeine--as I sit here with my third cup of real coffee. Now I don't have to worry about it, but fibrocystic disease definitely responds to it.

And THANK YOU for the award. As we said yesterday, I am still so amazed at blog friends who are so dear and I count you among one on my short list of BFFs. I'm so glad for your miracle--it was nothing short of that for them not to see anything on the mammogram or ultrasound--you were healed, dear friend, and I am thanking God this day for you. love, annie

Shonda said...

Annie,
I suppose I'll lay down the coffee to have the health benefits so I'll be fit to serve my King, Jesus. A small sacrifice compared to what HE did for me!

A miracle indeed!! Thank You Lord!

Blessings in Christ--

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the award Shonda. We have both been blessed by this friendship. Isn't it great how we can pray for one another, share with one another, rejoice in praises together and more....I am so absolutely tickled that everything is okay and that the tests came out fine! Praise the Lord!

I hope you have a wonderful day! I'll try to email in a little bit!
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog

MrsProverbs31 said...

Wow! Is it awesome how God works miracles into our lives each and every day? Praise the Lord! He has been good to you. I've been living on the edge, trusting God to care for me. I have no health insurance and don't qualify for medicaid, but it has been that way for the last five years. God has been good to me too.

I'm so glad you're healthy and have many friends to support you in this journey we call-life. God bless you.

Julie said...

Shonda,
I had the same thing happen to me back in 2002. I was scared to death when I found the lump, as I had just that afternoon watched an Oprah special on breast cancer and the discovery of it. I wrestled with God until I had peace until the doctor's appointment date arrived and the it was confirmed they are cysts. God came and met me in a precious way.

I am peri-menopausal age and with the surges of hormones I've had several bouts with cysts.

They come and they go....

Blessings,
Julie

Julie said...

Oh, and one more thing.
My doctor has me on Evening Primrose Oil , 1500 mg. by Nature's Plus.

I had some REALLY big cysts last summer due to the hormonal surges with peri-menopause and both the gyn. and the Breast doctor told me they were good for breast cysts so I got on it. The cysts dissolved.

The cysts come and go so you may have them on and off. Just keep watch.

I am not a coffee drinker but I do like a cup of tea. Since I started taking the Evening primrose I still have my cup of tea.

Just thought I'd share.
Julie

Angela Baylis said...

Dearest Shonda,

This post gave me the chills! It really did. I lost my oldest sister to breast cancer and before I experienced it first hand I never had the compassion that I have today. I cannot imagine what you went through, but I know you now must have a renewed faith in God. My sister was honored that God was ready to take her. She was such an inspiration.
I'm so grateful that we all have this blog. You are right that we are real people here who are willing and honored to get down on our knees for each other! I'm one of those friends! I'm Praising God for all He's done in your life this week!
Much Love and Congratulations on your award!!!!!
Angie xoxo

Shonda said...

Angie,
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. I lost my father to cancer. I know you are a real person and so sweet that you're willing to be on your knees for me and other sisters in the Lord. I thank you for your kind heart and loving words. I hope we have the chance to meet and talk. I look forward to that day that I can give you a real hug from me. But until then {{{{HUGS}}}}!!
Love & blessings in Christ--

Shonda said...

Julie,
Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I'm entering into a new phase of life now. I like to use oils and I keep certain one on hand. I'll look into the Evening Primrose.

Love & blessings in Christ--

Fran said...

Hallelujah Jesus!! I praise Him with you Shonda!! He is faithful and true and you are completely blessed!

Thanks for another magnificent word. Thank you for sharing every bit of who you are.

I hope you have an awesome weekend!
And, congrats on the award. Don't you just love this crazy world of blog friendships?! We ARE NOT imaginary at all. :)

Big hugs~
Fran

jen said...

Praise God for the good report! I'm sorry about having to give up caffeine, but if it keeps you healthy and in the battle for Christ I say drop it! :) Hugs!

jennyhope said...

shonda I was just thinking about scheduling my yearly yesterday...i need to. anyway, i get the fibroid cysts and they are so annoying and can hurt. i always wonder how the dr knows that is it without a mammo. Anyway, praise God that is all it is!

Susan said...

Hi Shonda, I read your comment on Mrs. Proverbs31 and wanted to take a peak at your blog. I loved everything I saw especially the rainbow. I don't even know you but hte way you speak and see the Spirit of God doing a mighty work in you. I kove this verse you wrote on fear I have been speaking that everyday and night before I go to bed an disn't it amazing the power of God's Word when it is spoken. I am so glad to have found a site who understands how Good God is and that he wants Good for his Children.

Praise God on your mamogram he is a Good God!!

I really enjoyed this post.

Be Blessed Susan

Anonymous said...

Hi Shonda,

I just popped over from Bev's because I enjoyed reading your comments for this week's cover to cover...but I am so touched that I got to read your post about God's faithful care and His equally faithful saints lifting you up as well.

I am so glad that for the outcome and know that God will lead you in what health changes to make.

Peace to you,

Helen

Shari said...

Praise God for those blessings: Christian friends, no tumor, and feeling the peace of The Lord.