Thank you for stopping by today and for all of your prayers. It’s been a rough two weeks; the new drug, Taxol, has worked differently on my body from the first two drugs, Cytoxan and Adriamycin. In short, it has greatly affected my energy level (in conjunction with the cumulative effect of several chemos) and from the waist down, my body has experienced incredible, deep pain. Walking has been very difficult for me at times. Thank God for pain meds and for a husband who is willing to carry the heavy load of household chores and child management.
I am forever grateful for the energy I need to help my kids with their homework every night and to get the Christmas shopping, decorating, and card writing organized. Even though its been a struggle of my will at times, I’ve never experienced a more meaningful, peaceful Christmas. As it should be.
Below you will find my thoughts from today, in addition to a challenge to each one of you. I pray you take the time to watch it. I’m certain I’ll give you most of the week, as I won’t be posting for a few days. I have some wonderful thoughts that continue to brew in my underneath; one in particular about “chasing fires.” So bear with me, it’s coming. Blessed week to you all. As you walk it through, be mindful of the wonderful gift you’ve been given in Jesus Christ. He and his Truth are a sacred trust that we must endeavor to seed into the soil of our everyday lives.
Keep to it; I love you each one.
You always make Him interesting to me! May God find you a worthy servant, Elaine. You take His talents and multiply them well.
I will be praying for strength and relief from the pain in this leg of your chemo journey. Continue to keep at it!
All grace to you my friend,
Denise
Blessings Elaine…With tears in my eyes…after listening to your heartfelt message! Beautiful ambient and challenge! Wonderful sharing and even the heart breaking moments. Love the "talents" story and your change to TRUTH!… Want to be there creating "interest" for the kingdom.
You really do look great! I'm so sorry for the depletion of the switch of meds. and your pain. Hold on and press on, precious sister. May God give you continual relief, comfort and strength as you keep making such great deposits in our lives! I treasure each morsel you share from your journey of faith, hoping that I may also some day impart as you do… and entrust!
Entrust…what a great word! I will anxiously await what you have to share on this! I'm happy and thankful for my one talent too!
I try to invest each day in some one. God is everything to me so I love to encourage any one with God.
Thank you so much for that beautiful Christmas blessing and word! I am truly blessed by you and your walk (and your book "Peace for the Journey, which a dear blogger sent me for an early Christmas gift and it is indeed a blessing)! Walking to the manger… WOW! I love you and thank you and God for you (each read or day)! May your Christmas be filled with all the JOY and PEACE you have invested in us and may Jesus give you a double portion of His love, grace and JOY!
Merry CHRISTmas and a JOYFUL await,
Peace and love,
Peggy
Well, if speaking God's word to encourage another believer counts, then today was a good day! Oh, if only I could say that every day is that way.
I want to be a good steward of the talent God has given me, drawing interest to Him and His Truth!
Thank you for your inspiration and challenge. Pushing forward for Him…
Love you
P.S. Six down, two to go…woohoo!
WOW! What a message and challenge! I love – "The baby is crying loudly"!!!
You look wonderful! Keep on my friend!!!!
Merry, Merry Christmas! You are an inspiration to everyone! Much love and hugs!!!
From your one talent friend, it is so good to remind each other what this living business is really all about. While it's God's business who has 5, 3 or 1, it is my business to be faithful with what I'm handed. Never have I had such joy with so "little" to give.
You are looking wonderfully healthy, Elaine. How God must love irony. You also look radiant. How God loves to give good gifts to His beloved.
Wish I lived around the block,
Judith
Ahhh..the word! Finally! I was waiting to hear your word and it is so perfect for you!! Entrusted. What a powerful word and what an amazing journey you have ahead of you with this word. It is not too different from my word for 2011-intentional. It's all about what we are doing for our God and the eternal that awaits us. I plan to walk intentionally through this new year for Him!
Praying for you daily my friend. Love you too!! Have a blessed holiday with your family and friends!!!
Believing Him~Pamela
what a beautiful message, what a beautiful challenge. thank you. it still amazes me that God would entrust me with anything. but He does and i am honored. i will take my 'one' and invest it in the life of another this week.
thank you so much for my Bible study! i got it last week!
i am praying for you, my friend. so sorry for your pain and exhaustion. Emmanuel, God is with you.
Oh Elaine as always you have soo spoke to me. What a good message this was, and what an inspiration you are. You do speak my heart. It is soo my desire to have others WANT to know Him. I have definitely only been given the one talent. And I want soo much to use it wisely. To invest it in a way that will bring about the most results. Just recently I was able to take a blogging buddie to church with us to hear my son speak. You have no idea the road blocks the enemy threw out to try and keep this from happening. But it all worked out and she came and she has told me it is a turning point in her life. I can honestly tell you it is the first time in a VERY long time I felt that the Lord used me in such a way. How honored I felt, but honestly more how excited I was to think that she now might know Him better and her relationship can begin to grow. You have inspired me to want to do more and more. Invest and make a deposit every day.
I am sorry that the chemo is having much more difficult effects this time round. I will pray for strength. But just think, only 2 more to go….
Have a Merry and blessed Christmas Elaine. How blessed I am to have crossed paths with you.
Hugs, Debbie
oh elaine, that was beautiful. You make Jesus very interesting by what you write, what you say and your example as you witness through this journey which has been entrusted to you. The word "entrusted" has really hit home with me, too, lately…maybe because of my family's own trials this year through unemployment. I am really seeing more and more lately that trials are an entrustment from our Lord for those for whom He is desiring to make Himself known. He has given you this "platform" through blogging to make Him known. He has also given you the unique platform in the chemo lounge. You are so very faithful to use that talent, my friend, to bring your god much glory—more than that, you use it to encourage the rest of us to press on and make Him more fully known. For that, I am grateful and your God is pleased! Love to you!! May your Christmas be beautiful! I pray to meet you in the new year…we are too close not to meet 🙂
I'm amazed by you on so many levels. But today, the thing that strikes me most, is the passion you have to share Christ — right in the middle of your suffering.
Yes, that's what we're all "supposed" to do. And Ms. Elaine? You actually *do* it.
You are "walking the talk."
My Pastor has been challenging us to make Christ visible. So, visible and interesting…a good daily challenge. This morning, almost an hour ago, I already shot off an email to a friend saying that I was praying for her day, and last evening I shared a God-story with the mom sitting in front of me at a piano recital. Today I head to the airport to pick up my friend who is staying with us for Christmas…gracious, could be untold opportunities there.
Elaine, thank you for the way you use your talent(s) for the Lord. I believe you have several my friend because He multiplies those who invest wisely…and you have committed much to sharing His Word and there will be an eternal return, not only in your life, but in the ones to whom you have poured God's Truth.
Love ya friend, and pray that you and your family have a very blessed Christmas.
Hugs,
Joy
"Well done!" Your investment has already borne some interest in me, Elaine! Thank you for being faithful with the truth God has given you.
The shingles pain I've been experiencing recently (nothing compared to yours) just may be a "talent" in disguise that God has given me. I COULD HAVE BEEN reading more Scripture to finish reading the Bible through in 2010. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN using the time I've been "side-lined" to pray more. I WILL begin investing more intentionally THIS MORNING!
MERRY Christmas indeed – to YOU, faithful sister!
Elaine, your written words today pierce me with the humility I see between the lines.
I know these drugs so well (two of them at least) and their ability to steal energy and life from your days.
And then to see you so vibrant and passionate about our God on video. I know the effort it takes, that sheer love is what propels you to it.
What a gift you are.
The tears, the truth and the challenge… I get it from you every time these days as you share your one or 5 or whatever. It's for sure that whatever the amount, you are investing that talent wisely Elaine. Now I want to go out this week and do the same.
Love & prayers my friend, 6 down and shining bright all the way!
Hi Sweet friend. You have given me so much to think about. I am praying for you!
Blessings.
Jennifer
Hey Elaine,
My computer is so slow. I am going to come back and finish watching the last 6 minutes later today on the parable. I know you are a blessing in the chemo lab. 2 More…wow. Awesome. Hope today is a good one. hugs,B
Oh, Elaine. Thank you so much. This is the best message, best understanding I have ever heard of this parable. I am so blessed to hear it!
Much love and holy hugs to you and your family and yes, Merry, merry, blessed, holy Christmas.
Kathie
Loved the fireside chat with you Elaine! What a beautiful person you are….inside and out! And I,too, hope to help people to become "interested" in our Lord Jesus Christ!
God bless you my friend!
Marilyn
I'm so full today… of HIM… overflowing with HIS grace, mercy & love. Praise YOU Father God in the many ways YOU show yourself and give us Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.
Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us. I am praying for you as you walk this difficult path. May you feel God's strength and blessings each day as we anticipate the celebration of His birth.
Living for Him, Joan
A powerful message, Elaine. So glad that the Father is strengthening you to continue to make kingdom investments — like this one on video! — while you're struggling so physically. I pray that your week may go better this week! Christmas blessings to you, my friend!
What a beautiful message! How I desire to hear those words from my Father one day, "Well, done good and faithful servant." Yes, entrusted. To much is given much is required. One, Two, or five…..He has counted us all worthy.
You are a beautiful token of His grace, love and Truth. And His beauty pours out of you. Love seeing you on video, as if you are sitting here with me.
Praying you through your next week, that God's strength rests upon you.
The finish line is in sight…..
Much love in Christ,
Stacy
Elaine, You are amazing. Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend. Keep on keeping on! You are doing Gods work in GRAND style. Love you!
So glad to know you are coming down the home stretch with the chemo treatments. I needed to hear the parable of the talents again and be reminded that I am only responsible (but I AM responsible) for what God has ENTRUSTED with me. I am so looking forward to the new year and what all that might mean regarding serving HIM better and being more useful for the Kingdom.
Sending lots of Christmas love your way Elaine…oh what a difficult season it is for you and your family…but our God who knows the end from the beginning is THERE with you every step of the way.
My life has been enriched since I have "met" you more than I can express. I have prayed more than ever, and that certainly is some interest you have produced!
Thank you for everything…and may the Lord bless you and keep you strong in Him.
I have some work to do beautiful Elaine, I have some work to do!!
Elaine, what a wonderful inspirational message you've shared with us… Thank you so much! I very much want to, and try to make an "Investment in the Kingdom" (what a great way to look at it) as often as possible, but I yearn to do more.
God Bless you and Keep you, and if I don't speak with you again before then have a Wondrous and Blessed Christmas wrapped in the Love of Christ.
Elaine – I cannot think of you other than a recipient of the 5 talents… and that you are not just banking it and earning interest… you are plowing this field that is full of rocks. You are making headway. When others would quit and curl up and take care of their own… and no one would blame them… you are on your blog challenging us with the truth.
Thank you for that new vision in my head of the 1 talent. How many women I encounter that have the one talent and do not have the strength to take it to the bank. But they do the things you speak of… investing it in others without fanfare or job title… and that they can know that they are truly earning interest at this time.
I hope my words make sense… you know my thought processes are not always coherent right now, but I am determined to take the talents I have been so lavishly given and reinvest them for the Kingdom.
You are a blessing to me. An inspiration. You are in my prayers daily. I love you and wish we were neighbors… but I know we are neighbors-at-heart!
I can't believe this is your sixth chemo, and only have two more to go. Wow, dear Elaine, I believe and that what you have been given for this season you have invested well.
And I am praying that I will take whatever it is my Master has entrusted me, be it big or little, and be faithful enough to invest it, for interest.
What a timely word you have given us, as always.
I love the ambience surrounding you in the video – a place of warmth and comfort…so meaningful!
Keeping you close,
Lidj
You're not only lookin good but you sound so spiritually healthy too. I have to say you made me cry.
Blessings and favor for this celebratory season.
Hugs,
Patrina <")>><
wifeforthejourney:
As we count our blessings over the whole of 2010, I will be able to say how you have kept God "interesting" for me, for our family and for a host of people both near and far.
You are a beaon, such a light in the darkness and I have watched that light shine time and again at the CFV Cancer Center. It has also been a blessing to see how your faith and your joy in the Lord has drawn the attention of others – both the sick and the caregivers. Truely you are a woman who has well invested the talent you have been given.
No one would begrudge you a choice to withdraw, to complain or to dispair – yet you have chosen to live your suffering and your faith with such grace. Another opportunity for us all to see you and say "Christ and Christ alone…!"
You are the best honey, and I love you!
~ Billy
You are a treasure Elaine! I am so glad that God has caused our paths to cross. You are in my prayers, constantly! I am praying specifically that your pain be relieved and continue to pray for healing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts of encouragement and writing with us!
Lorraine xo
What I most am thankful for is that the Hand of Christ remains with all of us in every situation and His Hand is clearly with you Elaine.
Keep pressing forward in Him. Keep to the faith that you profess for in that faith is all the blessed assurance and hope one can hold to — CHRIST, the HOPE OF GLORY.
Praying for you!!
Blessings and peace,
Lisa
Thinking of you this morning, and praying for a soon relief from all that hurts your body & soul. It's been such a long, tedious process; and I am amazed & blessed by the power in your testimony. I love what Billy wrote too.
Be blessed today, friend. You are penning some of your best ever words in the midst of all this; and I can hardly wait to see how the Lord will weave them, and those to follow into an even greater testimony (if such a thing exists).
Love you,
Kathleen
Elaine,
Thank you for this challenge. Thank you for being bold enough to make us feel uncomfortable as you invest your talent in us and spur us on to invest in others. Thank you for reaching out to us and caring so much about us when you are going through so much! We love you!
Debbie
Sweet Elaine!! This message is one my heart desperately needed to hear! God's truth and your passion for Him is overflowing into the empty cups that come to this blog. May the talent(s) we've been given multiply for our Father!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
p.s. I'm going to try the blog thing again. Pray that it will be what God wants–not what I want or think it needs to be.