Hi, I haven't posted for a long while. I had have many thoughts. Recently we just celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving. At the most recent Women's Bible study, we were challenged to ponder our lives and the things we have received and how that has changed the way we are thankful.
      When asked at the Bible study what we were thankful for, I honestly could not think of anything, yet I have much to be thankful for.
      I have had an interesting late Spring and Summer and worry into the Fall. In January we (my husband and I) decided to buy a flight to Toronto to surprise his mom and brother. In May, my husband's brother passed away. My husband, seemingly a strong man emotionally, went back to help his mom with the funeral, the papers, and to help his mom get through this. He ended up being away for two weeks. During this whole time, my husband did not break down or get "emotional". He stayed strong for his mom. When he came back home, he was not the same. He had trouble being able to go back to work and ended up taking more time off work.  He still did not show signs of grieving for his brother. Instead, he showed signs of anger. He did eventually go back to work but for a short time until his vacation. We still had those tickets to go to Toronto to see his mom. That was at the end of July. We visited with my brother and his family and had a lovely time. When we went to see my husband's mom, we coped with her having had a fall and attempting to have some sort of a nice time with her. It was very difficult. She had fallen the Sunday before we came and had bruises under both eyes. I watched her carefully and noticed that she had forgotten her medication and would double up on it, causing her to become disorientated and fall. She couldn't go out for long periods of time nor eat much. While we were there, we managed to get a friend look in on her while we were here in BC. This friend has become very dear to our hearts and is a good friend of my mother-in-law. I am thankful for her. She and her husband spend time with my mother-in-law, go and get her groceries, and phone her to check in on her.
     When we got back from our "vacation", I had a couple of health appointments. One was a mammogram on my birthday! What a birthday present! Anyways, after the procedure, I was phoned the following week to come in for further tests. I went for further tests, which was another mammogram. They really need to come up with something as painful for men! Seriously! The second mammogram confirmed what they had found on the first one-I had calcifications on one of my breasts. The nurse explained everything to me. She explained that I would have to come for a biopsy. I walked away a little numb. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and I immediately prayed. I am also a worrier. I explained to God that I was a worrier and to take that away any worry this biopsy would cause. I have to say while I waited for the appointment, I was at peace and I did not worry. I went to the biopsy appointment. Everything was thoroughly explained to me before the procedure. I will not go into detail as to what the technicians exactly do and what the doctor does during this procedure. It is very invasive. I was able to go to a Women's conference that night and during the weekend post the biopsy. I was indeed surprised as to how much resilience I had! I was indeed thankful for the experience I had at the Women's conference. The singing lifted my soul, the speaker was excellent and her words (words from God) touched my heart. The women who came fellowshipped and it was great to connect with women I have met over the years. It was like a grand re-union! I was indeed blessed and very thankful! Well, this week I went to the doctor's office to find out the results only to find that they haven't come in. I was dismayed. While in the doctor's office, I became very nervous which was put to rest when there were no results to have. Today, I had pain under the area where I had the biopsy and so I went back to the doctor's. The doctor thinks the pain is in  the muscle tissue and will go away. I also did not feel well, I think it was from the anxiousness I have over this whole situation. Then the doctor told me he had phoned the pathologist. The doctor told me that the biopsy was benign! I at first said some glib remark as to going through this procedure for nothing but the doctor assured me I did not go through it for nothing but for prevention. The result was good, I should be happy! I did say that that was good news. The doctor agreed. It is good news. I am very thankful!
     We have so much to be thankful for. One thing I am thankful for is life! I am glad to be alive, well and able to continue on with life hopefully in God's will.
     I think we need to be thankful to God. He sustains us, gives us life. Yes, death is a part of life and there will be a day that we all go through that, but I think we should embrace life and all that it holds.
     "Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again, I say, be full of joy!" Phillipians 4:4 NLT