Hmmmm, maybe that has something to do with it...

I was feeling run-down and energy-less for most of today, and couldn't figure out why. (btw, thanks for all your prayers and encouraging words, friends and family!) Earlier this evening, Rachel suggested I check my temperature. It was 101. I wasn't even feeling feverish! Rach is making me drink water. Guess I won't be getting into the oxygen/ozone sauna this evening...

Oh, yes, some good friends from Wichita Falls have loaned me an oxygen sauna to use on a daily basis. It is supposed to oxygenate my body. I am not very knowledgeable about it, but it does make me sweat! :)

Rachel has been making "ice cream" out of Rice Dream Organic Rice Milk, honey and stevia, a little bit of yogurt, and almond flavoring (we're out of vanilla, lol). It's really good! She makes a chocolate version, too; I don't know whether she uses cocoa powder or carob powder in it, but I liked it.

And my friend Joy from west of Lawton brought me a bunch of frozen jars of vegetable juices that she juiced herself - what a blessing! My doctor wants me to drink freshly-juiced vegetable juice daily.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for GOD the LORD is my strength and song; and He is become my salvation. " (  "He has become 'li-lishua'  " according to the Hebrew text: "Yeshua [Jesus] to me. ")  ~Isaiah 12:2 

It's hard sometimes not to be discouraged...

My blood cancer marker number has risen to 175, up from 73 in December. I need prayer. My next appointment with the oncologist is scheduled for Friday, April 8th, and I am apprehensive about seeing her, as she may push for more chemo and surgery.

On a more positive note, my doctor took me off some medications recently, and I have been able to lift my arms higher than I could in the past 6 months. Praise God!

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psa 30:2-5

Update

Just a note...been fighting a bad cold this past week, lots of coughing, gagging and nose-blowing, low energy and not much motivation to do anything. I finally called my doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic. I am also taking a strong solution of colloidal silver, as well as oregano oil capsules and zinc tablets.

Today I am feeling better; went for another bone treatment and had some blood drawn. I'll get the lab results either later this week or early next week. Adrienne is visiting from Colorado, and it has been so good to have her here. She and Rach made chicken-vegetable soup yesterday; it has helped greatly in my recovery. That, and plenty of rest.

A verse from today's Daily Light devotional reading really spoke to me:

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. ~Isa 41:10

Praying for rain.

Felinity & Felicity

                                          Herd of cats?
                         -- "Sure, I've heard of cats! Hasn't everyone?"


     Breakfast time for my gaggle of kitties, above. ~ In the past twenty years, we have had somewhere between 50-75 cats on our property. Many have come and gone; all have been outdoor dwellers. Some tame and some wild. A few of the tame kittens we allowed in the house on occasion to play and receive treats. We gave them names, such as Midianite, Woolybear, Yoda, Ashta and Zana. My favorite was one that showed up on our back deck one night. It was gray and white, skinny, with matted fur and a gash under its chin. We fed it and gave it attention and it got healthier and thrived. I wanted to call it Felix, but my daughter Adrienne, a Star Wars fan, wanted to call it Han. We went back and forth: "Han!" "Felix!" "Han!" "Felix!" Then one day Han/Felix had kittens and became Hannah. She stayed with us for a number of years, had multiple litters, and became the grande dame of the place, riding herd on all the other cats. We lost her a few years ago and have missed her much.

     Having outdoor cats has been very beneficial for us. We hardly ever see a mouse, and when we do, it's usually a dead one. We've enjoyed watching our cats go springing into the air after grasshoppers, or play soccer with a ping pong ball. One late spring day we were entertained by kittens using the slanted metal door of the storm cellar as a slide. When they reached the bottom, they'd scramble back to the top and go sliding down again. Wish I'd made a video; it really made us laugh.

     Speaking of laughter (and happiness), here's a verse:

                          אַֽשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיֲהוָה אֱלֹהָֽיו
               ashrei ha'am she'Yahweh elohav
          ...happy is the people whose God is the LORD.
                                            ~Psalm 144:15


     The word ashrei comes from the root ashar, which means "happy". It's where the biblical name Asher comes from. Am  is "people" (ha'am, "the people"), YHVH (Yahweh) is what is translated as "the LORD", and Elohav means "their God".

     Ashrei is also the first word of the book of Psalms (ashrei ha'ish, "happy [blessed] is the man...", Ps. 1:1) 

      Another form of the word appears in Proverbs 31:28, kamu baneyha vay'ashruha, "her children arise and call her happy (blessed)" - speaking of the woman of virtue.

Happy, blessed, is the people whose God is he LORD.
Happy, blessed, is the man who[se]...delight is in the law of YHVH (the LORD).
Happy, blessed, is the woman of valor, whose children and husband proclaim her to be.


Our Messiah Yeshua/Jesus also made some proclamations about who is happy and blessed. Check out Matthew 5:3-12.


Have a happy day!

Sprucin' Up the Livingroom

My mother-in-law stayed with us one weekend last month, and she and Rachel made coverings out of plush blankets for two sofas in the livingroom.

Short sofa on the right, then orphan corner piece, and one end of long sofa on the left.

This is another view of the long sofa. It looks like a different color because of the light, but both sofas were done in a dark olive green.

Guidance Forever...

                                            My Little Corner                    


Happy 2nd day (Monday)! Today is called in Hebrew Yom Sheni, or "second day." This morning I was in my comfortable chair in my room, having a devotional time and preparing to start my day. I use an online devotional, Daily Light (http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light), each morning. It is comprised of Bible verses arranged topically into morning and evening readings for every day of the year. Regularly one or more verses seem to jump out and catch my attention, leading sometimes to prayer, or quiet meditation, or stimulating me to do some digging, looking up words in order to find more of the "flavor" of the context.

The topic of this morning's reading was God's guidance and teaching. One verse which stood out was Psalm 48:14,

... this is God, our God forever and ever.
He will guide us forever. (ESV)

In the past year the message of God guiding my life and footsteps has taken on greater meaning for me. There has always been a conceptual undercurrent in my life, the idea that I was responsible for the outcomes of situations in my day-to-day existence; when I was growing up, I was keenly aware of any real or perceived disappointment in my performance from parents, teachers and other authority figures. Although it is still there to some degree, that notion was seriously weakened last summer when I spent two weeks in the hospital Intensive Care Unit in a coma. Upon waking, I found I couldn't move my arms or legs; I couldn't even lift my hands or head off the hospital bed. Others had to do everything for me. I was no longer in control. But I learned something from that experience: God was there, and He was in charge, guiding every process and decision for my benefit. He still is, even though I don't always acknowledge it and have to be reminded from time to time. Now I am getting my strength back, little by little, and I'm learning that any amount of strength I have is a gift from אֵל עֶלְיֹֽון (El Elyon), the Most High God (Deuteronomy 8:11-18, Isaiah 41:10, 1 Corinthians 1:25).


So when I read Psalm 48:14 this morning and saw the declaration that He will guide us forever, I wanted to do some digging. -- Find out what the original language says. Here, then, is the Hebrew text of the verse, followed by my transliteration:     
     
כִּי זֶה אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֵינוּ עֹולָם וָעֶד הוּא יְנַהֲגֵנוּ עַל־מֽוּת׃          
Ki zeh Elohim Eloheynu olam va'ed hu y'nahageynu al-mut.


Ki zeh is translated "for this". Elohim Eloheynu means "God our God".
Olam va'ed is "forever and ever". Hu means "he". 
Y'nahageynu is translated "[he] will guide us".

What caught my attention was the phrase at the end of the verse, al-mut (pronounced "ahl-MOOT"), which is translated as "forever" in the English Standard Version Bible. In the King James translation it is "[even] unto death". The Jewish Publication Society Bible renders it "eternally", and so does the Schottenstein Edition of Tehillim (Psalms), both of them Jewish translations.

The Hebrew word עַל (al) is a preposition meaning, in general, "to" or "upon". מוּת (Mut) is "death". The KJV has a more literal translation of al-mut, "unto death".

But what does it mean that God will guide us "even unto death"? Perhaps the Hebrew translators have a handle on the figurative meaning of the phrase when they translate it as "eternally" - even after death - in the עֹולָם הַבָּא   (Olam Haba) - the World to Come; just my thought.
 
Then I considered that preposition al.

In English, prepositions are usually small words which drop quickly from the tongue, or which the reader zooms through on his way to the more meaningful parts of the text. We memorized the list of them in elementary or middle school. Some examples of prepositional phrases: Up a tree, down the hall; in a pickle; over the river and through the woods, etc. I have highlighted the prepositions, but they aren't necessarily the words that jump out at us when we read or hear these phrases. They are there to transport the reader or the hearer to the endpoint, or focal point, the subject of the phrase (tree, hall, pickle, river, woods).

In studying Hebrew, I've learned that prepositions, as well as other words, can contain deeper connotations, due to the fact that every letter of the Hebrew alphabet has a name and a meaning. For instance, the letter pey  means "mouth". And the letter shin means "tooth". 

- The letters that make up the word al are ayin, which means "eye", and lamed, which represents an oxgoad. Its name comes from the root lamad, which means "to learn".

Which makes me think of another verse from the KJV that I memorized years ago:
 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. ~Psalm 32:8

Here's the Scoop...

                                                     Flowers from my mom



The oncologist told me last Friday that my blood cancer marker number had gone up from 52 to 73; it's not high enough to warrant immediate treatment. She recommended waiting three months and running the tests again. She also said that I have multiple fractures in my back. That's probably why they are having me take monthly treatments of Zometa, a drug that is used for osteoporosis and bone mestastasis (just had one yesterday). I have started researching online the different medications I am taking, so I can be more informed and able to talk with my doctors and make decisions. Found a web site called MediGuard.com, which gives information about possible and known drug interactions.

Next subject of research: How to help strengthen and heal bones naturally.   :)

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.  ~Isa 41:10

Cold and dreary today...

Well, today I go to the oncologist to hear the results of all my tests the past week...I am a little apprehensive, please remember me in your prayers.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ~Psalm 56:3

A Quiet Sunday...

...sitting here in the comfortable chair in my room, checking email and Facebook, and looking out the door at the gold-and-brown tall grasses being blown by the wind...the National Weather Service says 41 degrees today and 17 for tonight. Ah, December in Oklahoma! Right now I am thankful for cuddly robes and warm blankets. :) If the current temperatures are any indication of what January will be like, I need to find a large cardboard box soon to put on the front porch for the cats to huddle in at night. Brrrrr!

Rachel and I picked Emily up and went to hear the Messiah Concert yesterday evening in Lawton; it was well-done, as usual. We were remembering taking part in it years ago; good times! Afterward, we took pizza to my mother-in-law Iva and had a short visit, then home again, home again.

Have CT and bone scans scheduled for tomorrow, then exercise on Tuesday, Rachel's last test and a tea party on Wednesday, and a visit with the oncologist on Friday. I will also find out the results of my bloodwork done last Friday. Busy week ahead.

We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. ~Romans 8:37-39

Day After Thanksgiving

Did you all have a nice Thanksgiving holiday? We went with my mother-in-law Iva, my sister-in-law Sherry and nephew Stace to a cousin's house in Cache for a big family get-together. Everyone brought something: besides the usual turkey, dressing, potatoes and pumpkin pie, we had, among other dishes, cranberry jello salad made by Iva, Israeli Salad made by Rach, and non-spinach dip made by Sherry (it was good, too!). Of course we all ate too much; so much food, so little stomach! Then, while most of the guys sat down to watch football, six of us sat down and played Phase 10. It was the longest and most grueling game of Phase 10 I've ever played, and it was fun! Four of Rachel's cousins played, and Iva and me. Rachel shuffled cards and kept score, until one cousin dropped out, then Rach sat in and ended up winning the game.

Another Update

Went in for my 4th monthly Zometa treatment. I found out Zometa is used to treat osteoporosis, and bones which have been affected by cancer and other diseases. Fortunately, it is a quick treatment, about 30  minutes. On the way home from Duncan, we tried to take pictures (through the windshield) of some of the trees lining the road. Now I either have to find the cord that connects my camera to my computer, or see if the jump drive will accommodate my memory card, so I can download pictures.

When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. ~Micah 7:8

Good News

Had a great visit with my friend Sally today! She came by and brought some things for the freezer, and we sat and talked for awhile. The Home Health nurse also came out; she said I am doing well. I called the oncologist's office to ask about the results from my blood test last Friday: my blood cancer marker number is down from 118 to 52! It was over 500 when I first saw the oncologist seven months ago, so praise the Lord! He is merciful!

I delight in the law (Torah) of God, in my inner being.  ~Romans 7:22

Rach and I volunteered at the Republican Party HQ in Duncan today. We also got to see our friends Jan Deeg and the Smiths. I am doing better being up and around, my back still gets tired, but it's so good to see improvements. I was off my oxygen for at least half the day. God is awesome!

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 
~Exodus 15:11

Warming again!

Summer does not want to let go. Don't know whether to run the A/C or the heater. But I have been tooling around the house in my electric wheelchair and doing some walking with my walker. Washed dishes today, and made pasta with pesto sauce. I tire easily and if I am up too long, my back gets sore. But it is getting better.

I'm Ba-ack!

So much has happened since my last post! I've been in the hospital and home again, spent 2 weeks in the ICU in an induced coma and another 2-3 weeks in a regular room before being released. I have had to learn how to feed my self and stand up, and am learning how to walk again.

Still spending much of my time in my bed, but I am starting to get around either with my walker or electric wheelchair, and doing a little cooking in the kitchen. Rachel and I went to the OKC Zoo this week with our friend Jan Deeg and had a great time.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  ~Psalm 34:8

I'm Blessed!

Blessing for today: no chemo treatment - hooray! It's actually next week.

Oh, give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good, and his mercy endures forever!
I Chron. 16:34, 2 Chron. 20:21, Ps. 106:1, Ps. 107:1, et. al.

A quick update: I've had 14 radiation treatments and two chemotherapy treatments so far; my third treatment is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8. For a long time, I slept all day, which was such a blessing! Now I can hardly sleep at all due to a dry cough that has been with me for several weeks, and has gotten progressively worse.Am going for a blood transfusion this morning

Counting to Pentecost...

I am counting. Counting the days to Pentecost, written about in Acts Chapter 2, in which the believers were all gathered in one place, there were tongues of fire seen, the sound of a rushing wind was heard, and men were confused about hearing others talking miraculously in their own languages.

Pentecost is also a Biblical Holiday, or Feast Day, a festival given by God ("...these are My appointed times,..." says the Lord in Leviticus 23:2). In Hebrew it is called Shavuot, or "Weeks".

Leviticus 23:15    And you shall count to you from the next day after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete.   :16  To the next day after the seventh sabbath you shall number fifty days.

The sabbath mentioned here is during the week of Passover, or the feast of Unleavened Bread. The counting of the fifty days to Pentecost / Shavuot starts there.

This year I am using a special calendar for counting to Pentecost (Shavuot):

It's from a great resource book for families by Sue Mortimer, A Complete Guide to Celebrating Our Messiah in the Festivals. 

The book is loaded with information, craft ideas, songs, games, family discussions, and in this section, a fun recipe for cheese blintzes - yum! Available from Eagle's Wings Educational Materials.

http://www.eagleswingsed.com/





Yesterday, April 17th, was my birthday, and I want to thank everyone for their birthday wishes and special gifts of love. I had a very special day!


Wow, the colors, fragrances and busyness of spring! Rachel says the pear trees have lots of fruit; the lilacs have bloomed, we had some in the house (the fragrance was wonderful!); the irises are starting to open and the peonies are coming up. Indian Paintbrush is everywhere, the spirea bush in front of my house looks like a bride's train, friends have planted raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and flowers in the front garden box; Rachel is planning vegetables in the boxes out back. We have had a gentle rain over the weekend, and the plants are all taking on a fresh vitality. I feel so blessed, to be able to experience it all. Thank you, Heavenly Father!

(Hos 6:3)  And let us know, eagerly strive to know the LORD, His going forth is sure as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.'

I am scheduled for a heart test this Friday the 23rd; chemotherapy is tentatively scheduled to begin the 27th.

Papaya

A friend sent me an article about Papaya fighting cancer. A University of Florida researcher and colleagues in Japan, in a report published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, documented papaya's anticancer effect against tumors of the cervix, breast, liver, lung, and pancreas. They are using an extract and a tea made from the dried leaves of the plant.

I enjoy having fresh papaya for breakfast. Fresh fruit, given by God.  And God said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed - to you it shall be for food; Gen 1:29 

"Don't Waste Your Cancer" by John Piper

A dear friend sent me this article, and it was an encouragement to me to keep my focus on what God is doing through and with cancer, and not on the odds; on seeing it as something that He has allowed for a purpose in my life. On facing and thinking about death, but also praying for healing and making a a decision to live each day; on treating sin casually. A link to the article online is here:

http://www.crosswalk.com/1383847/

Pink dianthus. I love flowers, herbs and plants, and a wonderful friend has given me some awesome ones for the garden.







The chemo oncologist says I have to begin some treatment by the end of this week. She wants to do a heart test first. My back is feeling stronger, although I'm still wearing the brace and using a walker. I can stand and walk some without the walker, though, just a little wobbly.   :-)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, in order that I might learn Thy statutes.
The law (instruction) of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Psalm 119: 71-72