What Difference Does a Hamburger Make?

My oncology nurse friend is all about bringing sunshine into the world. What a joy it must be for her patients who face a riveting cancer diagnosis. Her bright light intersects their darkness with hope. In addition to her nursing job, she is also a volunteer at a charitable organization that is truly a "back-up resource" for families who have a loved one dealing with cancer, and if that's not enough.....she goes to hospice facilities to cheer up the families and their loved ones. I couldn't resist sharing the following story with you. It touched me so much.

Jodi was headed to a hospice facility to visit a patient there. As she approached the facility, a 93-year-old man was sitting on the porch. She greeted him with “How are you doing today?” He responded, "Good -- and I'm working on the pretty!" She remarked that he was a delight and just had to sit down and visit with him a while. They carried on a long conversation and he mentioned “I’d love a hamburger.” She didn’t hesitate to say: “I’ll be right back” and went to get that burger for him. There wasn't a question about whether it was good for him or not -- she knew her attention to him WAS good for him. She came back with the hamburger and a strawberry shake. The dear man had a chair pulled up right next to him for Jodi to sit by him. Jodi said he ate every bite and drank all the shake. She spent over two hours with him. Jodi was beaming as she told me this story. The dear man passed away a few days later.

What makes someone go the extra mile to bring a ray of sunshine into someone's life? Especially when that someone is close to leaving this world anyway. What difference does it make? Here's the difference: Jodi was serving a sweet man that was getting ready to leave this world. I told her she was his midwife -- giving him a sweet, comfortable and beautiful time as he was transitioning to "going home". But, more than the sacrifice of her time for this sweet man, this was about Jodi. She was so grateful for those two hours.

Helping others makes us see what we have.....and makes us even more grateful for it. Helping others makes us happy. There is so much joy in giving. She was grateful. When we help others, it makes us see what we have and makes us more thankful for it. Jodi's acts of kindness are seed planting times. She is already enjoying the harvest of her acts as she experiences such overflowing joy and happiness. “Give….and it shall be given back to you!” Luke 6:38

What difference does it make? Maybe our solution to complacency, boredom, loneliness and sadness is to find some-one or some-place where we can make a difference in someone's life today. It just might be the last act of kindness they will receive, but it will be an act of kindness that will change us FOREVER.

Recognizing a Holy Moment

It’s the first Sunday of the month and I am a Greeter at my church. This particular Sunday I can’t stay for my full shift because I need to leave about ten minutes early for a meeting. I ask my fellow greeter who is posted at a less-traffic door if she’d switch with me today because the door I typically “man” is the front door where much more traffic comes through. I know it will be easier for me to slip away early at the less-traffic door.

As I make my way to that door and open it, I see a “dressed to the nines” with perfectly coiffed hair, older woman on her cell phone. She is holding fast to the handrail that supports those who need help coming up the slight incline. Her conversation on her phone ends and I watch her hold tightly to the railing as she makes her way to me. I’m cheering her on from my vantage point. She comes to my opened door, beaming. I say “You made it! You are a winner!” I reach my arms out to give her a hug and say “Welcome, beautiful lady! Just look at you all dressed up and looking so beautiful for the King!” She breaks into conversation: “Thank you for making me feel so good. I was talking to my daughter. She wants me to live with her and she doesn’t like it when I go out alone like this, but I have to! I have cancer. It’s terminal. I don’t know how much longer I have but I do know I don’t want to stay home and feel sorry for myself. I want to come to church where I can praise my Lord and be with people. It takes my mind off myself. It’s the best place to be!” This sweet woman is preaching a sermon and doesn't even realize it. I compliment her huge “Vera Bradley” tote bag and she says “Oh, my daughter bought this for me! She got tired of seeing me carrying so many things. Just look in here. It holds my medicine, shawl, and all my stuff!" She welcomes it when I ask if I can say a little prayer for her. I pray a few words of God's love and His perfect timing for her race to end but in the meantime, I pray for her comfort and lots more Holy Moments like today.

Like clockwork, another older woman is coming through the door who is carrying an adorable purse with a big pink bow on it. I exclaim “Good Morning, beautiful! I love your purse!” She replies “Oh, my daughter gave it to me!” And my other friend says “Me, too! My daughter gave me my purse!” The second woman asks “What are your names? My name is Delores!” “I’m Sonya” and I say “Donna”! We get into a group hug and are sharing in a Holy Moment – a divine set-up for all three of us – women who need connections and warm embraces! If I were at the other door, I might have missed this Holy Moment!

Holy Moments are really attractive. They differentiate us from the world. Holy Moments are those we set aside self-interest, what we feel like doing, and we have a little conversation with God and we say: “Alright God, what do you want me to do in this moment?” Then we do exactly what we feel God is calling us to do in that moment. That's a Holy Moment and Holy Moments tend to be filled with kindness, generosity, patience, courage, love and thoughtfulness, so, they're incredibly attractive.

Holy Moments help us grow in character; they help become a better-version-of-ourselves; they help us become the person God created us to be. And when we create enough of them, people will say: “Wow, she's got something I don't have”; “I want what he's got.” That's how the first Christians did it. That's how they spread across the world at a breakneck pace. They used the very powerful force of attraction -- not promotion. Let’s be attractive today. Someone needs just a little bit of our time that makes them feel worth living! Lord, please use us today!

Whole Lotta' Infusion Going On

Whole Lotta' Infusion Going On

Infusion -- To fill or cause to be filled with something. That word resonated within me when I heard about a friend's husband’s recent cancer surgery. Infusion is a word that my Sweetheart and I became all too familiar with during the course of his battle against cancer. He had his share of I.V. infusions for hydration, nutrition, medication, blood transfusions, antibiotics and chemo. Thankfully, no more infusions, of that sort, needed. He’s healed, whole and cheering us all on from heaven’s grandstands.

During that season, so many people asked me, "How do you cope with the ups and downs of your faith journey?" I'll tell you how we continued to believe we were "winning" no matter what we faced. When Ron and I first talked about that word, infusion, we looked at it two-fold: one, in the medical sense, but then we started saying….."We are also being 'infused' by God's Word as we continue to trust in His many promises." Psalm 119:130 says "The entrance (infusion) of Your words give light." When we meditated on God's Word, it brought light and life. As everyone knew, that was the source of our strength, as we meditated, trusted in, and placed our hope upon the infallible Word of God. We believed it was crucial for our success.

Today, in my own journey of faith, I continue with daily “infusions” of God’s Word. Here’s a verse that explains my quest. "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction" Psalm 119:92. That is so true. It has been my lifeline. It has been my strength. Many times during the faith journey with my husband, and now as a widow, I’ve been literally squeezed, but that's why I want to be so filled with the Word of God that when I AM squeezed – when I am facing a challenge, or when I am at a loss for human understanding, or when I am faced with situations in life over which I have no control, I know that I MUST be so filled with the Word of God that I pour out faith and hope and trust in the midst of the storms. That was our mainstay and continues to be my "shelter in the time of storm" today.

In the Catholic Church, when scriptures from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is read, we do the sign of the cross on our foreheads (indicating "May this Word be in my mind"), on our lips (indicating "May this Word be in my mouth") and in my heart (indicating "May the Word be in my heart"). How do we actually get those words into our minds, our mouths and our spirits? By meditating on those words, 24/7, reading them and speaking them consistently over circumstances in our lives. Being as intentional with believing, trusting and speaking -- taking in God's words like medicine, as much as we would take prescribed medications given to us.

So whatever the “issue” is that you and I are facing today and whatever the outcome, we know God’s Word that says "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)! We are INFUSED with those words. That Word alone is in my mind, my mouth and in my heart. How did it get there? My daily “infusions”.

LOVE is Sharing the Journey

Many times in life, we find ourselves, hand-in-hand and side-by-side with others on similar faith journeys. This is a story about Shannon Brill Rziha, a precious friend, wife and mother of three young children who passed from this life to heaven five years ago February 11th. I am compelled to share about her because she was such a part of our own Faith Journey, and just maybe there's someone God is calling you to partner up and share faith journeys together.

Several years ago, Ron and I were drawn to Shannon, her husband, Wayne and, at that time, little daughter, Cecilia. Later, they were blessed with two precious sons, Daniel and Anthony. We always remarked “What a beautiful family!” They served God in word and action in so many ways. Ron, because he had such a passion for promoting and discerning vocations in the Church, naturally gravitated to Wayne who was the Vocations Director. We watched Shannon, as her love for children was obvious as she was a vital part of Children’s Christian Education, Vacation Bible School, Fall Festival, etc.

In December, 2008, after many months of increasing pain in her hip, Shannon was diagnosed with cancer.
We saw our church family, as a team, go into action. Our church’s prayer team, as well as prayer teams all around the country, stepped up in prayer for them. Our church’s women, not only provided meals for them, but many helped in housekeeping, child caring, and chauffeuring. There were fundraisers, prayer vigils, "red solidarity night" and other events held for them. And, we watched Shannon and Wayne do their part – determining to find and obtain the most qualified and skilled doctors, the best medical center, the most effective treatments and surgeries. They submitted to trips away from the children in order to have the best care. And, Shannon, exuded the grace of God as she submitted to her medical team’s recommendations. She lost her hair after chemo several times -- smiling her way through it! I loved it when she bravely played the role of Lucille Ball (wearing a red wig over her smooth, bald head and refusing to use her cane) in a play that I wrote for one of our women’s meetings. Rarely, did she ever miss attending church. She put those who have no physical issues to shame as she would make her way on crutches down the aisle for communion and to get “as close as possible” to the altar.

Right from the start of Shannon’s faith journey, Ron and I felt so drawn to stand in faith with this precious family. They were consistently in our thoughts and prayers. I, personally, felt compelled to be a regular e-mail correspondent with Shannon – applauding her faith, encouraging her to keep “standing” and to not give up. We shared with them about what God’s Word says about times like this. We quoted healing and faith scriptures to them. But, we were speaking to them about what we knew from God’s Word – not what we had personally experienced. We watched how they trusted God, stood in faith and enjoyed life as best they could with their three precious young children.

In January, 2010, my Honey began to have such tremendous pain in his back that continued to increase. In April, we received the doctor’s diagnosis of Stage 4 Kidney Cancer. An emergency surgery was performed to remove the tumor off of his spinal cord. Shannon and Wayne were in Houston at MD Anderson that week for one of Shannon’s treatments when they heard about Ron. I’ll never forget the night, after his very serious, almost fatal surgery. Coming through the hospital room door on her crutches, was Shannon, having just arrived back to Tulsa. She said, “I had to get here as soon as possible!” She came in and was quite perturbed that Ron, the man of faith and her faith coach, could possibly be in this condition, yet she was there with us to be OUR woman of faith and faith coach. It was then, that we knew what it meant to feel the pain, know the pain, and know the emotions that she had been experiencing for two years before us. Before now, we had head knowledge, and now, we had personal knowledge of this experience. We “identified” with her. And now, we really understood St. Paul and his words in II Corinthians 1:4 “That you may be comforted with the same comfort that I have been comforted with.” We had planted into Shannon, and now Shannon was there for pay-back. She was there to comfort us. That’s what teamwork is all about. That’s what the Body of Christ, the church of God, is about.

My Honey graduated to heaven almost three months before Shannon, but I’m sure it was a part of God's divine plan. They comforted one another in life, understood each other’s pains and now, they’re celebrating being home. They are where we all will continue to press toward. In the meantime, the journey continues for the rest of us – to be there for each other – to comfort one another – hand in hand – side by side. LOVE is sharing the journey!

Him I Will Keep in Perfect Peace Whose Mind is Stayed on Me

That's my sweetheart in the photo – so at peace during one of our Belize missions. I posted this message, 25 days after we received the Stage 4 Kidney Cancer diagnosis. I have friends encountering some major life storms, as we did, and I want to share how we made it through the rough waters.
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On this incredible faith journey, though we are confident in the good work God is doing in my sweetheart, I'll admit there are highs and lows in emotions. Ron is truly my hero, today, more than all of our yesterdays, as I watch him refuse to succumb to pain, and to the many voices he is hearing.

Last night was one of debilitating pain -- he said it felt like knives going into him -- the pain much worse than it was before the surgery. Trying to find a place of rest and comfort, he finally found his recliner to be that place, at 3 am. Thankfully, he woke several hours later with the pain much less intense.

I felt I needed to be my Hero's She-ro, so first thing, this morning, I called doctors' offices to voice my concern about this new-found pain in his body. Then all the voices increased in volume in our ears -- one saying, "it might be this"; "do that"; "take this medication"; "don't take that medication"; "eat this"; "don't eat that" and on and on! Before long, we were both, a bundle of nerves. So, what do I do in times like this.....even before I call on God? Call my daughter! With always the just the right words, she immediately began to pray words of peace over us..."Jehovah Shalom (God our Peace), be very present with Mom and Dad!" "Mom & Dad, breathe in Jesus; breathe in peace!"

Almost immediately, the scripture, "Him I will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Me" (Isaiah 26:3) came to us, and we welcomed Father God, Jesus, our Prince of Peace, and sweet Holy Spirit into our home and day. We put on praise and worship music, and the atmosphere that was prevalent with anxiety, concern and distractions, was replaced with calm peace and assurance that God had us, and all our cares, in His control and we have nothing to be concerned about. God knows about this journey we are on, and has known about it long before we did.....He even knows the outcome! So why should we worry, fret or be concerned?

In a locked room, afraid about what the future would hold without Him, Jesus appeared to His disciples, and said....."Peace, be with you!" And, He says to you and me today, “Peace, be with you!”

Our Chief Surgeon!!!

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Those are the words (God's words) that rang in my heart many times in the last 2-1/2 months since first receiving the news and diagnosis that Ron, my precious husband of 43 years, has renal cell carcinoma cancer and that he was facing the risk of paralysis if we did not immediately have a tumor that was compressing his spinal cord removed. That surgery, on April 12th, was very successful! Then we learned of another tumor that was in another vertebrae and, subsequently, had cyber knife radiation to destroy that tumor. Of course, the main tumor culprit was in his kidney, so this week, that surgery took place.

Ron's sister, Karen, gave us this beautiful picture of Jesus guiding the surgeon's hands. That is the mindset we've maintained throughout this journey. Prior to each of these surgeries, Ron has held the hands of the surgeons and prayed that God, our Chief Surgeon's hands, would be directing our surgeons' hands. And with each surgery and procedure, we believe we are moving one step closer to total healing. As I said at the beginning of this blog, finding that place of peace -- not fearing the path that laid before us, but trusting God for His unfailing plan to be in place in our lives has been our focus. That has been our coping mechanism during these times of uncertainty and turning to that place of peace and rest only found in trusting God and His unfailing Word. That peace is really….undescribable, but explained best in scripture…..Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." And Jesus Christ said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

Today, June 24th, we're still in the hospital as Ron recovers from the surgery on Tuesday (June 22, 2010). Two surgeons removed his gall bladder, right kidney and adrenal gland. Two immediate prayers were answered for us as all this was done laproscopically -- 4 small incisions instead of open surgery -- which means a shorter recuperation period. And we are at the new Oklahoma Heart Institute -- a division of Hillcrest Hospital -- not because of a heart issue, but because of God's favor to have a beautiful, new, private room and receiving excellent care. The pain from the surgery is gradually dissipating, dear friends are bringing us communion daily, and the prayers and encouragement of our faithful and loving family and friends are what is giving us the extra boost to "finish strong"!!!

Words we heard today: "Adversity causes some to break....and others to break records!" We're going for the gold and expect to break a lot of records!!

Fighting the Good Fight of Faith!!!

Our faith journey continues to keep us on our toes – endeavoring to be good soldiers with our combat boots on, armored with God’s Word, and completely surrendered to our Commander’s orders. We know there is tremendous value in “fighting cancer” with a good positive attitude and being nutrition-conscious! And we’re definitely doing that. But, most important, we are doing what St. Paul told young Timothy to do in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of FAITH!” We are convinced that God is using our “great adventure” to not only cause our faith to be strong and unwavering, but we have a lot of friends, family members, medical team and acquaintances taking this journey of faith with us who are also fighting this good fight of faith with and for us!

Ron successfully completed the 3-days of cyberknife treatments to kill the second tumor that was on his lumbar-2 vertabrae. We’re still working on the pain in his lower back to diminish, but he is a brave, courageous soldier. There are days when we think about how “routine” our lives once were…..waking up, getting dressed, having devotion, eating breakfast, going to work, etc. etc. And then, this “suddenly” happened that certainly caused a totally new life perspective. Rarely do we take the time to focus on how green the grass is, how blue the sky is, how bright the sun is, and how precious are the days when we are pain-free and strong. Now, each day is one to be cherished!

I’ll admit we’ve had our share of crises, but I don’t think we’ve ever come to realize the preciousness of life like we do now! For many years I received those little e-mails from friends that talked about appreciating life…..and now I get it! Holding my Honey’s hand, kissing his sweet lips, smelling his wonderful smell (btw -- “Fierce by Abercrombie” -- LOL!), hearing his laughter when he’s watching the grandchildren, hearing him tell me once again “I love you” – all those things that were once “routine” are now so precious and dear to me!

The next phase of our journey will take place on June 22nd when he is scheduled for the surgery to remove the kidney that has the primary tumor (the real culprit of this whole deal) in it. The urologist is expecting to do a laparoscopic nephrectomy (much less invasive than standard kidney removal), which means smaller incisions and less recovery time. Please pray with us for that to be exactly what happens, that Ron will recover quickly and do great with just one kidney (thank God for this back-up system), and that this will bring much relief and wholeness to his body! We look forward to planting our flag of VICTORY very soon! We appreciate your prayers and support so much!

What's Your Family's Medical History?

We've been seeing a lot of medical doctors, filling out a lot of medical forms, completing questionaires with questions like "Does your family have history of illness: heart disease? diabetes? cancer? etc." And, as a matter of fact....there have been cases of those diseases in our family.

In a little family discussion last night, we were encouraging ourselves with God's Word -- faith, trust and hope, and then Staci said, "What if there was such a thing as a "Spiritual Doctor" who, rather than asking your family's disease history, asked, "Does your family have history of notable miracles?"

With that thought, we quickly shifted our thoughts to the Source of miracles. We thought about Ron's Dad, who at age 62, was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer. He had surgery, and was told he had just a short time to live, but, with his trust and faith in God, lived another 15 years. How's that for "FAMILY HISTORY" facts? And how's that for "good genes"? I think we'll stake our claim on those genetics. I Chronicles 16:12 "Remember the miracles He performed, the amazing things He did and the judgments He pronounced!" Really....with God all things are possible!

Our Great Faith Adventure Begins.....

This is Ron, my fit, strong, healthy, optimistic, husband, best friend and lover for over 43 years. And the other one in the photo is me, Donna (aka Mom and Nana -- to a wonderful son and daughter and six precious grandchildren).

Fast forward to April, 2010.....for the last few weeks our family has had the greatest faith opportunity of our lives -- one, we most certainly didn't expect! I won't go into great detail, but suffice it to say, after two months of steady, increasing, and eventually, excruciating pain in his back, and after x-rays, MRIs, bone biopsy, bone and CT scans, on Monday, April 5th, we were given the diagnosis that my husband, Ron, has renal cell carcinoma metastisized -- the primary tumor they saw is in his kidney, but the tumor of most concern was the tumor which had eaten away his #T-11 vertabrae and was now compressing and impinging his spinal cord. The tumor, itself, was what was supporting his spine and in order to prevent paralysis from his waist down, we were directed to a Neuro Surgeon who urged us to immediately have the tumor on his spinal cord removed surgically. That was on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

At this same time our son, Ryan, and his family were vacationing in Mexico, but the news caused Ryan to focus his attention on his Dad and he immediately began to contact his associates in the medical field at the University of Washington and at M.D. Anderson to find the most credible and experienced Nero Surgeon to do this very intense and critical surgery. We were told it was one of the three most serious and life-threatening surgeries.

Our daughter, Staci, and her family were already in the process of moving to Tulsa because of her husband's new business partnership here before this ever happened. They have been waiting for their home in Hot Springs to sell. Fortunately, this medical emergency came at a time when Staci could put her busy schedule, activities and appointments on hold and she was able to come and stand alongside us when going to the doctors, getting medical reports, and then, most importantly, with her expertise and contacts in the naturopathic industry, started Ron immediately on a wellness program to give him the nutrition he needs during this time. Then Ryan and Shawntel flew in to be with us while we were at the hospital and also assisted with Ron's nutrition plan by purchasing him an alkaline ionized purifying water system which is helping to reduce the acidity in his body.