“Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control, let go of my own way, let go of my own fears...
Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy's fire.
Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love and whisper a surprised thanks...
This is the fuel for joy's flame. Fullness of joy is discovered only in the emptying of will.
The infamous bell I never thought I'd have the opportunity to ring.
Infusion today...
And I can empty. I can empty because counting His graces has awakened me to how He cherishes me, holds me, passionately values me. I can empty because I am full of His love. I can trust.”
― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are
Back soon...
Always thinking of you!! xoxo
ReplyDeletexxoo- I'm always thinking of you and all the kiddos too :)
DeleteMy dear,
ReplyDeleteI send you the best wishes and a very big kiss!!!
God bless you!!!
Hugs,
Barbara
Thank you Barbara- oh how I love seeing all your pretty crafts and handiwork! Thank you for blessing me with your friendship!! Hugs to you~
DeleteI think about you and pray for you literally every.single.day. Stay strong and beautiful inside and out.
ReplyDeleteMelissa~ I feel those prayers~ they keep just keep me going like I can't even articulate :)
DeleteAll my love for you, sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteBussals
Mimi
Bussals and hugs back to you sweetie!
DeletePraying. Hoping. Thinking of you all. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms supporting you and your family. I pray you feel his loving embrace, daily.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us, your "people" - from near and far - on this journey with you.
I love that image Susan- his Everlasting Arms- yes- thank you for so beautifully expressing that. I love that you are far but in a place that is near in my heart :)
DeleteI love that too :-)
DeleteThinking and praying for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHUGS!
Hugs to you Verna- thanks for always being faithfully by our sides praying!
DeleteYou are such an inspiration . . . Take care & know so many people love & support you. You will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI feel all of you with me Gale and am so grateful! Thank you friend!
DeleteI can't say it better than Gale... Ditto. XOXO
ReplyDeletexxoo- thankful for you Karen- so thankful :)
DeleteBeautiful post. Thought about you and said prayers for you every day. Gayle is right and you are a true inspiration. And also I may add... you look beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Katie- so sweet of you to say-I've been doing less and less with appearance and just hoping I pass muster- so thank you.
DeleteHope it all goes well for you and we continue to get good reports
ReplyDeleteand good progress towards health.
xoxoxoxo
Thanks Vic- hoping right along with you! xxoo
DeleteVicky-these pics have touched me more than any others. I want to reach out and hug you tight. I want to sit with you and hold your hand. You are in my thoughts all of the time. I am rooting for you. XO-Katie from NYC
ReplyDeleteOh Katie- thank you! So good to hear from you- I would hug you right back :) Thanks for cheering me on- it helps more than I can possibly say :)
DeletePrayers, Vicky. Your courage and strength are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThankful for those prayers~ and kind words~ I still look over my shoulder wondering who you all are talking about :)
DeleteVicky, you are grace ... in word and action. With you in spirit.
ReplyDeleteSusan- love this new profile pic of you- the green is stunning and look so pretty! Thank you for your ever kind and gracious words :)
DeleteVicky, that first photo, you are so adorable! You seem as at peace as anyone could be in that situation. I am so very proud of you, and the way you are able to empty and let God do his thing of love. You are more amazing than you realize, you know. Hugs from across the river, and with always, more prayers that God will continue to hold you in his palm, and that you will continue to allow him to. XXOO Roxane
ReplyDeleteI was definitely at peace- and I have to say Xanax helps with that too :) Ha! Thankful for you and all of your spiritual nurturing - you do my heart good :)
DeleteThinking of you and sending prayers xo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Anyes- love to you
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your bell to ring! Surgery today, prayers coveted, as you sleep away your rough day.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you Marcy- for strength and wisdom for your docs and peace and comfort for your family! God's blessings to you and yours!
DeleteThese are among my favorite photos....,
ReplyDeleteI was going through snail mail and cards a couple of days ago and found a card that you sent me not long after Mr. Willard went to be with The Lord. I think of him so many times during every week. Why is that? I never met him but I loved him. It's the same way with you. We have never met, but I think of you and love you my sister.
These are great photos!! They make my heart smile!!!
Jackie
Oh Jackie- yours words always have a way of touching me. I have no doubt you would have loved my Dad and he would have treasured you! One day- Jackie- one day :)
DeleteLove you sweet friend~
you amaze me - you bless me and you are prayed for - held close and lifted up! your grace and light are a gift!!
ReplyDeletehugs and more hugs
xoxo
Hugs to you honey- so thankful and filled by your sweet words of grace always :)
DeletePrayers and hugs to you daily...kneeling with you my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteSo honored Kay- truly honored to have you side by side with me :)
DeleteThinking and praying for you every day. Believe it or not, your courage sees me through so much in my own life. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteGenny- what a sweet thing for you to say- others have so encouraged me and if some thing I say helps you in the slightest way, I am so honored. Hugs to you!
DeleteI feel like I've missed something with the bell ringing??
ReplyDeleteUgh re that mask! I can certainly see why it is not your favorite thing to do! You look lovely as always.
Does your treatment center have a bell? I've heard other cancer patients speak of it. This is what is on the plaque above the bell:
Delete"Ring this bell
Three times well
Its toll to clearly say
My treatment's done
This course is run
And I am on my way!
Stage IV sort of indicates treatment may never be done- so it was a huge thrill to get asked to ring the bell.
Aha! What a great tradition. Because my treatment was just at a small doctors office, there was no bell for sure. I am in the process of changing oncologists (yikes) so maybe the new hospital will have it.
DeleteI thought of you so many times that day! I'm glad that part is behind you, and I will continue to pray for healing. Take care, Vicky!
ReplyDeleteSteph
Thanks Steph- so appreciated and helps more than I can truly express!
Deletethinking of you as you continue on this journey of amazing strength and faith.....xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth- so glad yo have you on this journey with me!
DeleteHow can we love a person we've never met and whom we correspond with infrequently, as if they were a part of our family? I don't know the answer but I feel that way about you. God has placed you deep within my heart and it is incredible how often you pop into my thoughts. I care so deeply about how you are doing---but seldom let you know (which is awful of me). I love how God has surrounded you with so many kind & caring people.
ReplyDeleteHugs dear Vicky---wish I could give you one in person.
TeresaL
Teresa- what heartfelt words that poured straight from your heart into my own. Thank you! I'm so touched that you think of me, and pray for me- its such an honor. Thank you for taking the time to drop in today and letting me know you are here too! Hugging you right back friend!
DeleteYour boundless goodness just reaches out to each of us so fully.
ReplyDeleteVicky, please know that I am so inspired by you.
Oh Kelly- such kind and generous words- I can't tell you how good it does my heart to see you here! I hope this is the first of more visits to come- I've so missed you :)
DeleteYou are adorable (really) ringing that bell and I was glad to read in the comments what it was about. What a cute shoulder squinch and beautiful smile. I loved seeing all the pictures and your heart showing through each one. How tired you must be and yet you keep on giving to US. Thank you for posting the video. It's like a little face-to-face visit with you. I'd love to see more. Maybe just you outside shooting your pictures, or poking around in your garden and telling us about your favorite plants. When you're feeling up to it I know we'd all love it, sweet girl. Bet I can think of a little guy who'd be glad to hold the camera while you talk to us. :)
ReplyDeleteTruly Robynn- its I who feels that I benefit from all of you! Its so therapeutic for me to be able to just "release" it here and then I breathe deep and go on. The icing on the cake is all of you so faithfully and so supportively showing up here honoring me with such kind and thoughtful reflections. I will have to give that some thought about the video- you never know :)
Delete