Thanks to all of you who lifted a prayer for me today. I spent five hours in the chemo chair {yes, five}, but every one of them was well worth the pause. Some old friends were there; some new. I’ve chronicled a bit of our fun and conversation on the video, finishing it with a word of encouragement just for you {there’s an obvious, running theme throughout–nourishment}! I realize these few minutes are a sacrifice of your time; if it’s not your thing, consider yourself excused and still loved by me. I’m doing these videos to chronicle my journey of chemotherapy–a touchstone of sorts for the road ahead. I, along with my family, will need the benefit of their witness in the days ahead as we move forward beyond my cancer.
Of this one thing I am certain… cancer has changed me; it will always be part of my story, and because I’m a woman prone to forget the faithfulness of my God, I need words and pictures to aid me in my remembrance and gratefulness. Blessings to each one of you for being here and for joining me on the road toward Peace. I love you more than you know. As always…
Peace for the journey,
“And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
{Ezekiel 48:35b}
PS: The winner of Leah’s Bible study, From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest, is Jeneil from Rhema’s Hope. I’ll have this to you very soon, friend. For the rest of you, leave a comment today in keeping with today’s video content, and I’ll draw a winner or two for a surprise gift with my next post. Shalom.
Elaine, Before I clicked over to your blog, I was in tears with how much I hate cancer. Another son (My friend, Gina's son, Britt)went to Heaven Sunday night after a year of battling brain cancer. This week I have heard of 2 more sons who were just diagnosed with cancer.
And the thing I KNOW to be true is God is There…Here and He Cares and He Sees.
Thank you for your vibrant word today!
Oh gracious me…I was meant to hear this one!
First, Elaine thank you for continuing to share your journey. While I can only guess that not all moments of this walk about you are taking are "Starbucks and friends", I am blessed to see your strength and your joy.
Secondly, I am once again gathering my belongings to take a trip. This time to Guatemala. Sweet friend, these words are what needed to be spoken over me…my God is there and here! My heart rests in that even when it knows it will soon be broken again by what I will experience.
Love to you my friend!
Denise
You're so precious Elaine! I love your enthusiasm for the LORD! Thank you for sharing your cancer journey with us. And yes, the LORD is "there". Praise HIS Holy name.
You are so precious!
Thanks for your constant witness and testimony of HIS GREAT LOVE!
Hugs to you!
Jill
Thank you again for sharing your journey with us. I just wanted to let you know I'm adding your badge to my blog.
So glad your day was a blessing..
prayers
Mary
Sending prayers your way.
This was wonderful. You sounded so strong and upbeat. Loved seeing what a blessing YOU are to the others in the chemo lab !! And I cried when I heard you call out my name telling me God is here with me !!!!
Love you!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Dear Elaine, Thank you for allowing us to gaze upon you and Jesus as you walk through this journey of cancer. When a doctor told my sister that cancer was a gift, I couldn't understand it all at and didn't like hearing that; however what the Lord teaches a person through this horrid disease is indeed a gift and it is one that we can't fathom if we haven't been through it. You are a bright and shining light for the Lord.
Blessings and prayers,
Noreen
Elaine,
Your energy is amazing! We had long chemo days, too – six hours in the chair and 4 hours round trip in the car. Wheh!
But I'm jealous. We had not snack tray or a Hank, but we did do chemo through christmas and had santa hats on top of the bags of poison.
A dear friend from our college ministry was just diagnosed with liver cancer in her 30s. She's been given 6-9 months. Thank you for reminding me that God is there.
May you feel as good on day two as you do on chemo day.
Peace and Grace to you, dear sis.
Dawn
I just love your love for the Lord, Elaine. You bless me so much, dear one! I am praying praying praying for you. Praise God that He is there and He is here!! I loved digging into this name of God as I wrote my Knowing God Through His Names study. I can't wait to get my hands on Leah's study…hopefully soon!:) Your reviews just make it all the sweeter! hugs to you, dear one!!
The Lord is there. Oh Hallelujah!! Elaine. It blows me away how you can reach out to us in the midst of this battle. Thank you for sharing Him and what He is doing in your life. I love you much.
Girl, you've got me smiling and tearing up at the same time! Love your message today — the Lord is there! What a blessed truth, and it touched my heart to hear today how the Lord is for me and has my best interest at heart. I needed that reminder.
Love your excitement and enthusiasm, love seeing you look and sound so good. I know every day is not like that. You are ever in my prayers! Love back at ya!
Two things I want to add…
Many of you have commented regarding my enthusiasm. I can sum it up for you in two words–Bible study. For a while now, I've been out of the habit of concentrated study. I'm now back in with a great deal of "intention" in my heart. It's making a difference; it will for you as well. Purchase any good study to either do alone or with a group. I love group study, but I think there's something holy and sacred about doing it with the Lord, alone.
Secondly, you saw Roland in the video. Roland's cancer situation is dire. He has lymphoma and is need of a bone marrow transplant. He is the sole guardian of a 10 year old daughter and has had to move in with his precious sister in this season. He is unable to work, and unless something gives with this round of chemo, well, I don't have to tell you what is at stake. He is strong and seems to have a measure of peace. I don't know where he is regarding his faith, but I do know he needs our prayers. Throughout the treatment, Roland made his way around to others in the room to talk with them. I was impressed by his kindness and warmth. Thanks for adding his name to your list, alongside mine.
peace~elaine
Elaine, I want you to know that even if I haven't been blogging everyday, I HAVE been praying for you daily! I now have six people on my cancer prayer list. YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PRECIOUS SAINTS! I beg God to remove ALL cancer cells, and give all my precious friends a lifelong 'free' remission of cancer. I love you, and I will never stop praying for you.
May God give you an 'Extra' hug for Christmas, and may you be able to feel the depths and lengths and heights of His love towards you…
YOU ARE LOVED!
Elaine, you are an amazing woman responding to every single comment you get.
The Deeper Still conf is this coming weekend and I'm almost sad – I've had as much fun looking forward to it as I will probably have attending. Still chicken, though. Ha!
I'm a Precept girl, leader and student for 20 years. Lead two beth moore studies for our women who are wild about her, and went once to a Picilla conference in Charlotte a few years ago. I had just bought older Deeper Still material to use at a spring retreat with our women's ministry.
The highlight for me, though, will be meeting some of the bloggers I love. I just started blogging in February but it has revived my need to write. And so soon, I get to meet some of those I admire and whom have challenged me in my fiath and writing. I fear God may be up to something.
I love to study, just like you and am in the middle of a solo study of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs written by Kathleen Buswell Neilson. I just discovered her stuff and love it.
God is so good, Elaine. He is using you for his glory.
Be blessed,
Dawn
Thank you Elaine for sharing so intimately your journey. As I mentioned a while ago, I walked with my Mom throughout her trial. The chemo seat bay looked so familiar.
Praise GOD for the strength and peace HE is giving you to share with others in person and online.
I have wanted to share a short story I wrote during some of the frustrating days with my Mom, when her pain was out of control. Perhaps I'll email it to you.
Know that you are loved and prayed for! Shalom.
Oh Elaine I am so grateful that you do these video's and let us have a glimpse into your journey. You bless me soo much. He is THERE…is just so simple and yet soo true and profound. I am praying for you everyday and I will definitely add Roland to my prayers. HUGS to you, Debbie
Elaine:
I just love these videos, and to peek in on your journey means so much. I will add Roland to my prayers.
HE IS THERE! Nothing else could be more important than that knowledge… whever we are.
Thank you sweet friend for once again speaking both truth and hope 'in the midst of'.
Love you!
Elaine,
Can cancer be adorable? You are absolutely precious. You are. God is working through you my friend.
Thank you for this Word today. I need to know He is here tonight. I'm leading the couples study in our home tonight. I should be preparing…not catching up with a girlfriend! ;O)
Hugging you in my heart tonight.
(LOVE the hat!)
Cancer has a way of pointing to the one who is Life. This, I've learned a few times over now.
Friend, your spiritual beauty astounds me once more. I can't wait to hug you one day.
It is amazing to me that during this journey – when we are supposed to be encouraging you – that YOU are encouraging US! Thanks for your enthusiasm and inspiration…much needed today!
I shared this with you on FB, but wanted to share it here, too…we sing a praise song at our church called "More Than Enough". Here are the words to that song…I'm thinkin' they go well with your video!
"Jehovah Jireh, my provider,
You are more than enough for me.
Jehovah Rapha, you're my healer,
By your stripes I've been set free.
Jehovah Shammah, you are with me,
You supply all my needs.
You are more than enough,
more than enough,
You are more than enough for me!"
Love you…
Goodness Gracious Miss Elaine, you are on FIRE today! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this post. Like I said on your Facebook wall, only YOU could have such a good time at a chemo treatment. YOU are writing your cancer story, not the other way around and I love it! Keep on keepin' on my friend!
Love you much!
Elaine,
Thanks so much for sharing with us! The Lord has made you radiant with His Spirit through what you are going through:) Your video made me smile:)
Blessings,
katiegfromtennessee
Elaine-
You are such a treasure! Thank you for the encouragement. God is There! So Awesome!
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am adding Roland to the list.
You go Girl!
Marita
Do not pick me for the latest give-away since I just won the Chris Tomlin CD (and LOVE it)…but I want you to know that I with all the others am constantly lifiting your name before the Father. Thanks for telling us about the bible study…I think I'd like to do it alone with Jesus too…I'm in a season where I'm unable to attend the women's bible studies during the week at our church because of babysitting my grandchildren and taking care of my mom. This sounds like my answer to my need for disciplined, concentrated study. THANKS for your transparancy and your sharing. Oh, and I will be praying for Roland. I hope you will be able to keep us posted on him.
Elaine, I just watched today's video. What a spirit you have! You and the kids and Billy are in my thoughts and prayers. So much love to you, Jenna
our God is INDEED a THERE God…wonderful to see all your buddies during your treatment and so thankful there was no reaction…God bless you, sweetie…we'll be praying for you in our disciple class tomorrow…it is CHRISTIAN BELIEVER, a topical study, and tomorrow our topic is SAVIOR…Matthew 1:21 "you are to name himn Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Savior of the World, Mediator, Bearing our sins and punishment, His Plan of Salvation, He conquered death, He is our Deliverer…the triumph of the gospel around the world.
HE is THERE!
I do love this particular name of God – Jehovah Shammah… He is there, omnipresent God, never too early or too late…always on time.
You are in the best place to know this name in a very personal way, dear Elaine.
You do keep on encouraging us even in your difficult moments, just by being real, and never letting go of God.
Thank you!
Keeping you close,
Lidk
Elaine,
You are simply amazing and beautiful. To open your heart and share with us during your most trying moments is by far like nothing else I know. Thanks for allowing us a glimpse into your life on the cancer road. Love you bunches!
I was hugely blessed by this video! I loved seeing your interactions with everyone and I know your presence is making a difference there:)
Then there is today– I'm headed out for a second interview on a job that I'm not sure the Lord has in mind for me and I am praying he is there with me through the entire process. Thank you for this sweet awesome reminder that He hasn't forgotten our plight down here.
Someday, I have to meet you:)
Elaine, you continue to amaze me!! Your strength, fortitude…
Loved this video!! By the way, did I tell you I used to live in Fayetteville? Many, many years ago and my second child was born there!!
Blessings to you today…and praying for you! Yes, God is there!!
~Beth
Oh Elaine, as I turned to that passage of scripture, those were the only words underlined in my Bible in Ez.48. Yes, "The LORD Is There." I actually wrote a short blog post about that very verse in 2009 and added a song that fit so perfectly http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/2009/09/with-you.html
Thank you for reminding me today the Lord is with me…yes, even in Canada 🙂 Yesterday I had calls back from both the hospital and Dr's office that further tests are scheduled. Two different issues. One surrounding my mammogram results, the other concerning some other ultrasounds I had done. It would be so easy to withdraw in fear and discouragement, but, "The LORD Is There". As He is walking with you, He is walking with me, and I will choose to trust Him.
Love ya my friend…and you looked so pretty. Great to hear you laugh as well.
Sending hugs,
Joy
wifeforthejourney:
There is an abundance of strength and blessings that the Lord has supplied with the coming and going of Nov. 30, 2010.
For something that feels like it has been going on for a few years, you are finally over the half-way mark with your treatment. You continue to endure the miseries of breast cancer, without losing hope in your daily life. You remain a joy to so many and the best wife and mother a man could want.
May God's grace continue to abound in you and in the many opportunities you have been given to be a bright light in such a dark place. The Lord's "there" follows you!
Thanks for your comments (posted above) about Roland. His story is one that should capture our attention – so much more going on there than his cameo in this latest video. I'm joining you in prayer for him and his sister Norma today.
Love you, and love being your camera-man!
~ Billy
Thank goodness for benadryl!! I am glad that it wired you instead of put you to sleep! You are such a blessing! Our prayers are going up for you daily in Washington! Love to you and your sweet family from all of the Tanners'. We are blessed by your attitude and your sharing of yourself. Much Love, Sheila Tanner
Elaine,
What a beautiful woman your are-your grace and your spirit was so uplifting for me today.
I just happened to your blog, my thoughts are God led me to you.
I like Melanie lost my son, Joshua. He was in a car accident.
I wrestle with God each day as though I were Jacob.
You have lifted me up!
Is there anyway to join your blog other than email? For now my email is down.
Cindy
treasuresinmyheart.blogpsot.com
Thank you for your word Elaine. He is with me today and I can find peace and rejoice in that truth!
Elaine,
I have not wanted to watch these clips as it was too painful. But today I clicked on to this one. Wow, yes, I DID need to know "The Lord is There", but what struck me so deeply was how 'glorious' was His Presence in your word because of the working of it in and through your heart, your life. This trial has come about and you have fully embraced it as from God and you are determined to glorify His Name.
What a gift of prayer you have received from so many. Wow, I am in awe.
Thank you, sister.
Love, Sita
joyfully ministering to us on your way out of 5 hours of chemo. amazing, you are and awesome is our God. Jehovah Shamma. i believe you.
thank you for the study! (my address is still the same!)
Dearest Heart,
You continue to delight my heart and clearly the hearts of so many. As I enter a new phase, I have no doubts that God is There but it is so good to ground that in scripture. Can't wait to get my own copy of Lisa's Bible study. And I do know what you mean about the difficulties of remembering. (hard to believe in you – your ticking off of the names of God AND their scripture reference was pretty impressive!) I loved Joyful's story of turning to that passage and seeing that name already underlined. How many times has that happened to me?!
xoxo,
Judith
So thankful that today went well. I have thinking of you all week and praying for you that God would minister His truths to your heart in a fresh way. Yes, God is here with us, each step, each treatment, throughout the journey. He is faithful. In years to come, may you look back on His faithfulness as you read through and remember the ways He intimately touched your life and held your hand.
He is touching hearts for all eternity through you.
Knowing you were a day ahead of me….praising God that you tolerated Taxol and praying it is an easy road for you these next few days.
I had my last chemo today. It was truly a celebration like no other! You are almost there….press on and press in sweet friend. Call if you need to, anytime. Would love to pray with you.
Much love in Christ,
Stacy
This Spurgeon devo affirms Jehovah Shammah–God there–unmoved:
I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)
This is the way to live. With God always before us, we shall have the noblest companionship, the holiest example, the sweetest consolation, and the mightiest influence. This must be a resolute act of the mind. "I have set," and it must be maintained as a set and settled thing. Always to have an eye to the Lord's eye and an ear for the Lord's voice–this is the right state for the godly man. His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation. What vanities we should avoid, what sins we should overcome, what virtues we should exhibit, what joys we should experience if we did indeed set the Lord always before us! Why not?
This is the way to be safe. The Lord being ever in our minds, we come to feel safety and certainty because of His being so near. He is at our right hand to guide and aid us; and hence we are not moved by fear, nor force, nor fraud, nor fickleness. When God stands at a man's right hand, that man is himself sure to stand. Come on, then, ye foemen of the truth! Rush against me like a furious tempest, if ye will. God upholds me. God abides with me. Whom shall I fear?
I love that "hovering angel" in the clinic! I can see bunches of them; all commissioned to bear you up.
I hope and pray (with Roland) that these are the last of your treatments (and his). May health & vigor be your portion in the days to come.
Hugs,
Kathleen
My sweet Elaine,
I just love you. You are a blessing. God sent me to you today because He knew I needed to know He is a "there" God. I almost cried as I knew I needed that word. I just needed to know He is in Nebraska with me. He is whereever I am. Thank you my sweet friend for blessing my heart. I hope you know I pray for you daily. I don't make it by for tea as often I like, but you are never far.
love and hugs
Tammy (tealady)
This was such a right on word for me. I will not even go through what we are going through…we all have our journeys that He has allowed for our perfecting and His glory.
He has been showing me so much lately that He is here. When the "nights" grow dark and my heart wanted to faint and turn to despair….He hid me in the cleft of the rock and let me see where He had already been.
Thank you for this word…it just backs up what He has been showing me. Thank you for sharing your journey….praise His name.
Yes, I Lord is There, with You, with me, with us all! So grateful as we travel our path that we have confidence that The Lord Is There:)
Hi Elaine,
I've been out of the loop and not blogging for many months now. I just checked your blog and am so sorry to hear about your cancer. I just wanted to say that you are beautiful. God is good.
Thanks for posting and your ability to encourage others in the storm.
Lori
Thank you for this faithful chronicle. I am glad for this peek into your journey, as difficult and painful as it is. The Lord is indeed faithful and I am grateful for your humble witness to His sufficiency and His glory in the midst of struggle and sickness. He is worthy!
I've cried watching your video. Even when we don't necessarily think we're hurting/needing, just to hear to profess "the Lord is there" brings tears of joy! I haven't been on here for ages b/c of entirely TOO much going on in my life (which you can see on my blog), but Elaine, I want you to know that EVERY single day…I've prayed for you, that God will strengthen you for what you endure that day, that He will place the support around you that you need to pull from, and that He will hold you close. You are such a beautiful spirit of Christ & I adore you. I'm so glad to watch the video & get a truer sense of the person He created you to be. Fayetteville, huh? I'm originally from Salisbury & still have family there. I'm hoping to come down at some point this coming year to visit them & would love the chance to actually meet this sweet, gentle, fighter of Christ that He's blessed into our lives. Hugs & love ~ Merana
Elaine,
Praying for God's will to be done in you life, your healing,and your wonderful witness. Enjoyed your video. Chemo nurses are such a blessing and I saw Jesus in them.
Love and blessings,
Marcia Murphy
God bless you for sharing your journey and for your Godly testimony of faith. It's obvious that many are touched by your battle with cancer–there are so many on the same path with this common, but many different varieties of this disease.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
"Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round." ~James J. Corbett