Storm Clouds and Rainbows

These storm clouds passed over my home a couple of years ago.  It had been a sunny summer day and all of a sudden my house was overtaken by these ferocious-looking clouds.  I didn't have a basement to run to so I grabbed my camera and ran outside. The sky was so dark that the streetlights came on in the middle of the afternoon.  It was scary; however, these clouds were more threatening than the wind and rain that followed. 

As I look at this picture two years later I realize that it was an eerie foreshadowing of a stormy time coming in my life.  I really believed that cancer was a dimming memory and that a sunnier season was ahead.  However, dark clouds billowed in last summer when I found out that I was a carrier of the BRCA 2 gene.  That is a genetic mutation that causes breast and ovarian cancer.  I knew that I needed to be proactive and have my ovaries removed to avoid another cancer.  I went in for surgery on the morning of Nov. 21st and left later that day with the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  The dark cloud had developed into a raging storm that seemed to be stealing all my hopes, dreams, and joy. 

Cancer #2 is different than having it for the first time.  I knew that my hair would fall out again and that it would be a year before it would grow back.  I knew all the side effects of chemotherapy and that it would be a long time before I would feel normal.  I knew the feelings of sadness, fear, and loneliness that would overwhelm me. I knew..... and I couldn't comprehend going on that journey again.  But I did.  

God sends rainbows.  He did for Noah and He did for me.  I took this picture right after one of the most damaging storms we had two summers ago.  While the dark clouds were still in the sky, the sun peaked out and this double rainbow popped out on the horizon.

 I'm now four months out of chemo.  My hair has started to slowly reappear, my energy is returning, and moments of hope, dreams, and joy are increasing.  Even though there has been storm damage, there is a rainbow on the horizon.

Rainbows remind us that the sun never left.  The sun was hidden by the storm clouds but it was there all the time.  As I look back over the past six months, I know that the Son was there throughout my storm too.  The cancer clouds tried to shroud Him from my view but He was still there.  Thank You - Bright, Shining, Faithful One.  Thank You for always being still there.

My Favorite Things

'Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things'

Hmmmm.... What are some of my favorite things?

Towering thunderheads and lightning
Vivid sunsets, rainbows and spring flowers
Rain on a tin roof (in Guatemala)
Colorado -Majestic peaks, aspens in the wind, mountain streams, and the smell of pine trees and campfires
Walks around Lake Zorinsky and the Wabash Trace
Summer art fairs and concerts
Saturdays
Heart to heart chats with friends
Fun times with family
Orange, red and yellow leaves in October and crunchy leaves in November
Christmas- shopping malls, wrapped presents, tree and light displays, pageants and carols
Sitting next to a sunny window in winter

Snow days (yes, teachers love them too!) 

Canadian geese flying north and melting snow

Bald eagles and pelicans on Lake Manawa in early spring

Teachable, 'Aha' moments

Children's giggles and unconditional love

Starbuck's iced teas, Zio's chicken pesto pizza, chewy chocolate chip cookies

Music that touches the spirit- Misty Edwards, Rita Springer, Julie Meyers, Kathy Troccoli

Impromptu weekend road trips.

Hot air balloon night glows

Thinking about Heaven

Jesus!

What are your favorite things?

A Step Back Into Time

I went to a tractor parade a few weeks ago.  It was an hour of watching old green, yellow, orange and red and some really old brown tractors mosey by. Now, I know that they all have names but I have to admit that I am not a tractor connoisseur.  This is an annual celebration at the Carsten Centennial Farm in Shelby, Iowa.  My dad sets up his tool display in the barn, my uncles drive tractors and old cars in the parade, and my cousins and nieces join me in getting lost in the corn maze.  

It's a blast from the past- a welcome step back into a time that is no more.  A time that seemed slower and simpler in many ways.  A time without locked doors and security checks.  A time when stores were closed on Sundays, farmers stopped their work in the fields and spent the day going to church in the morning and visiting friends in the afternoon.  We left our phone attached to our kitchen wall and didn't have a clue who called when we were gone.  The only texting we did was with paper, pens, envelopes and stamps.

 Pies and cookies came out of an oven not a package and milk came straight from the cow.  Eggs were nabbed from the chickens' nests and you only hoped that a rooster wasn't there to protest.  We walked beans, detassled corn, made hay, and sowed oats (not the wild kind). 

Here's what I think, 'Back then, life was hard but simple.  Today it's easy but complicated.'  I'm not sure which I would prefer.  It would be hard for me to give up email, my cell phone or Ipod. I would never be on time without the microwave or my hair dryer. 

However, for one day a year, it's wonderful to leave the complications behind, slow down to a tractor's putt and enjoy the simple things of life- sitting with dad in the tool barn, eating homemade ice cream made by the church ladies, trying to keep up with my nieces in the corn maze, catching up with friends and family, and yes- even watching old green, yellow, orange and red tractors mosey by.

Three Year Old Teachers

I went to Guatemala the end of July for ten days with the hopes of helping as needed at the Home for Life in San Andres.  The days were full and purposeful; however, I felt that I received much more than I gave from three three-year olds.  Venancio, Luisito, and Hermalinda were my teachers for a week. They are teachers that I will never forget.

Venancio

Venancio taught me joy.  He jumps head first into each day determined to live it to the fullest.  Venancio  loves life amid difficulties.  He had a painful hernia when I was with him at the Home of Life; however, it didn't stop Venancio from enjoying each day.  He didn't let adverse circumstances rob him of his joy.   

Lord, thank you for my three- year old teacher, Venancio.  Bless him and continue to fill his life with abundant joy.  Lord, too often I have let circumstances rob the joy you have given me.  Forgive me, Lord.  Like Venancio, I want to freely receive your joy and jump head first into each day that you give me. 

 

Luisito

Luisito taught me about being a warrior.  He always had a stick in his hand ready to take care of whatever was in his way.  The stick in Luisito's hand seemed to get bigger and bigger as the week progressed.  One day he layed the stick down while he was coloring at the table.  When it started to rain, Luisito raced over to his stick, wrapped both hands around it and started beating the ground.  There was no doubt in his mind that he could stop the rain with that big stick.  Luisito lives with determination and courage; quick to pick up his weapons (sticks) and fight the enemy (rain).

Lord, thank you for my three-year old teacher, Luisito. What great plans you must have for his life!  May he continue to grow in your strength and courage.  May he be a mighty warrior in Your army.

In the past few years I haven't wanted to fight the enemy.  Luisito reminded me that we are in a battle and we are warriors.  You give me all that I need to stand strong.  I'll put on my armor, carry the big stick to advance Your Kingdom.

Hermalinda

Hermalinda taught me about receiving the Father's Love. In a few short weeks of her arrival at the Home she transformed from a scared, withdrawn little girl to a vibrant, irresistable three year old.  She has a heart melting smile that innocently lures others to pick her up and love her.  Life gave Hermalinda reason to withdraw from loving hands and hearts.  She had to leave her family to receive the nutrition she needed.  When she arrived at the Home, she didn't know Spanish and couldn't communicate.  However, Hermalinda was quick to trust and receive the love of others. I saw an amazing and beautiful transformation in a little girl who was brave enough to open her heart and receive love.

Father, Hermalinda is such a beautiful flower in your garden.  May she grow and continue to bloom. Send many gardeners in her life to nourish, care for, and love her.  Protect her from the weeds and thorns of life that would want to bring her harm. 

Thank you for bringing my three-year old teacher, Hermalinda into my life.  She gives me inspiration to open my heart to trust and receive your abundant love and the love of others.