Thursday, February 5, 2009

TGBD (Thank God for Blessed Days)

Hey friends and family! Tuesday was such a great day that yesterday I got a little overconfident and didn't take my nausea medicine until my stomach started to churn. Yesterday was rough but today (with a little better planning) was terrific. I got my hair cut short like GI Jane (Look out Demi Moore) :) and picked up my new wig. I spent the day with my Mom and my sister Mitzi and thanked God for every blessed moment.

A word to the wise: if you wake up tomorrow feeling good and you get to take your kids to school, go to work, do the laundry or (yes) even get to clean the toilet, consider it a blessed day. Even though I've only had a few yucky days, I feel like Snow White now, "whistling while I work" on those days when I feel good because all those little mundane things I so appreciate now. It means that you are alive, that you are in good health and that you can LIVE every minute. Tomorrow may be TGIF but I'm TGBD (thanking God for blessed days). Lots of love,

Kerry

9 comments:

  1. Dear Kerry,

    You are so right:-) Every day is a blessed day and we so often take so much for granted. I'll admit I had a new spring in my step today after the wonderful biopsy results yesterday!! What a difference prayer and wonderful, supportive friends and family can make. I was so touched to read on the blog the concern for me expressed so lovingly. Some of you don't even know me, but you cared and prayed anyway. THANK YOU!!! God is so GOOD to us, even when we don't ask and don't deserve it.

    On a lighter note,I admit to being frustrated that the message I typed in yesterday for this blog did not appear at all. I guess it is out there in cyber space somewhere :-) I wanted to let Kerry know that she shouldn't be too hard on herself for her initial reaction during the biopsy and afterwards. None of us would be able to take a shock like that and then act perfectly. That's why we all need God so much :-) Kerry, you already had a heart for God and a love for others. That's why God could work in your life so quickly. God has helped you to turn this trauma into a ministry and blessing to others :-) You have faced this with amazing honesty and courage. You go girl!!!

    I also wanted to put in my suggestion for the naming your nodules contest. I love the Bikini Bottom Bunch!!! I think that on days you feel well you should call them that. On the days you are struggling, why not call them "dead, deader, deadest and DEAD GONE!!" That is what they will all be when you are done with this journey :-) You continue to be such an inspiration to me and I love you dearly!!!

    Your big sis,
    Shannon Beal

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  2. Thank you for the sweet reminder to "consider it all joy" through the trials and the 'mundane' things of life. What a great reminder to have a thankful heart for ALL the Lord allows us to participate in...with Him. Blessings - Amy Denning

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  3. You are absolutely RIGHT! Love you. M.

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  4. Hey Kerry,

    I'm so glad you felt better today. I, like so many other people, pray for you everyday, many times during the day. Isn't it funny how we take everyday life for granted. We tell ourselves we aren't going to do it, but before we know it, we get complacent and we are doing it - it's just human nature. Then something happens (might be minor, might be major)and we have that wakeup call from Heaven reminding us how precious each moment of life is, how wonderful our family and home is, how privileged we are to have freedom and clean water to drink, and food to eat,& etc., & etc. I could go on forever. I love that song that mentions if you can't sleep to count your blessings instead of your sheep. I could never get through counting my blessings. Everyday when we wake up, we should thank God for seeing us through another night and giving us another day.

    Wow, Kerry, you've got me started. I just feel like you have inspired us all with your spirit, your courage, and your deep faith and trust in our Lord & Saviour. I'm eager to read your blog each day to see how you're doing, but it has become such a blessing to me, not just your messages to us but also all the messages to you. The blog has become such a wonderful ministry. You have become such a wonderful missionary, and we love you and feel so blessed to have you.

    I know how Shannon feels about sending you blogs that didn't take. I've sent a few of those to you too. Shannon, if you read my message, I am so thrilled that your biopsy turned out good! Yeah! Was praying for you!

    Kerry, you weren't being selfish on the day you had your biopsies. You were being human! I don't think you know how to be selfish!!!

    You hang in there, girl! Take your medicine and get plenty of rest. Can't wait to see you in your new wig. I bet you're a knockout!

    Love you,
    Aunt Linda

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  5. Kerry,
    Yesterday was a great day! I am so thankful we got to spend time together. Shannon was at work, but thought about constantly. I am so thankful for dad staying home with the kids so we could go.
    I think your wig looks fabulous! I am looking forward to seeing you at co-op and meeting all those wonderful ladies you talk about.
    I read once, Kerry, that fear paralyzes, but faith sustains. I have seen that in you. All of us have many fears and anxieties that we could focus on, but ultimately this keeps us from focusing on God and his purpose for our lives. Focusing on God and our faith allows us to see His presence and all the many blessings that have been laid out before us.
    I love you so much, Kerry. I am looking forward to another great day.
    Mitzi

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  6. Hi Kerry, so excited to read your blog each day. I was a little worried yesterday when I didn't see a posting, but glad to see one today. I pray for you each day, but like someone else said, sometimes several times a day. You certainly do have a ministry, and oh what a ministry it is. You are an angel in disguise, and a blessing to everyone who reads your blog. We all do indeed need to thank our
    Lord and Saviour everyday that we get up out of the bed, and can walk, see, and hear. What a mighty God we serve. "Cast all your cares upon him, for He careth for you". 1 Pet. 5-7.
    Another one of my favorite verses. God bless you again today.

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  7. KERRY,

    MY NAME IS SHELLY. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE IIIA BREAST CANCER ON SEPT.3 2008. I HAVE COMPLETED MY CHEMO TREATMENTS (6 OF THEM AT UT CANCER CENTER). I WILL HAVE A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY ON FEB. 10. PRAISE THE LORD MY TUMOR WAS GONE AFTER 3 CHEMO TREATMENTS. HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO MY FAMILY AND I. I ALSO HAVE A BLOG SHELLYSSONG@BLOGSOT.COM. I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU AND SHARE OUR STORIES. SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

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  8. Hi Kerry,
    Just checking in with you today to let you know that I am thinking about you. There was nothing wrong with what you were feeling on the day of your biospy. God used you that day as He has done throughout these many days. Look at the lives you have touched in just such a short time, people from all over sharing their stories with you.

    Kerry you are a wonderful Christian woman and God has great things in store for you. Remember you are loved even on the days when you feel down and discourged. There are so many people praying, and loving you from afar.

    As you go through these next days of chemo my prayer for you will be from Psalm 62:5-6
    "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

    I can't wait to see the wig, you will look marvelous.

    Love ya
    Lorrie

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  9. Kerry, we love you. We pray for a good day tomorrow. Also, we are thinking God that he is using you in such a powerful way. I know that I am looking at life differently. I am being thankful for things that I did not notice before. Also, I am seeing answered prayer. So many times my prayers are petitions without much notice of what God has done, but look at this past week at what He has accomplished. We are thankful for Shannon's good report; for the time you were able to spend with Mitzi and your Mom; for your Dad being able to enjoy the girls; for the nausea medicine; for your wig; for your writing this blog which influences us so much; and you see what I mean? We love you.
    Nana

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