Monday, May 6, 2013

life begins...



Clearly, I went way outside of mine, on Saturday.  Writing is one thing, but speaking to a large group of women?  A little daunting. 



But my mother, with her sister Carol on the left and her sister Marlene on the right, were there to help ground me and center me  as I shared my faith story.




As usual, my brain was running on the slow side... my beautiful cousin Pam also came and offered to shoot most of these lovely photos you see.  I, however, was not quick enough to turn the camera around on her- so let me just say how I honored I was to have her and the rest of my family show up.  



The theme for the women's brunch was blessed assurance.  The room was decorated in a springy and colorful way that shed some light on all the gray and cold outside.







Aimee, on the left was diagnosed last fall and shared about how she felt so covered in prayer and how that helped her through.  She shared witty stories of her journey and how a new normal is settling in.  And the young woman, Kylee, in the middle is just 16 years old.  When she was just 3 weeks old she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  Its propelled her into thinking she will go into medicine and wants to live a life of service.  She is planning a relay for life event on Saturday, May 11th at Moorhead High School.  



The beautiful plant we each received for speaking.




I think the sharing of my story went well.  I wove together bits and pieces of how it seemed to begin shortly after my father passed away in 2010.  I had chosen the word "Alive," to start off the new year, and was diagnosed with stage iv breast cancer 3 months later.  My faith grew exponentially after that and I shared a little about how that came about. 

I worked relentlessly last week on trying to cohesively explain the major bits of my journey.  While I accomplished some of it- I was surprised by how much of the story, seems to still be waiting for me to fully recognize it. 

Perhaps, I need to take the time to revisit this chapter again and see what else it is I need to discover- to know- to understand.  



While I was speaking, Nolan and his team, the Jr. Spuds were skating in a hockey tournament in St. Cloud.  They won first place again!  So proud of these boys- so bummed to not be there.  









So Colton and I hung out all weekend together.  We went to a movie, found out which baseball team he is on, and went to hockey practice.  We ended our weekend with one of our favorite things- breakfast for dinner.  

Speaking of "outside your comfort zone," I'm feeling the yucks again.  But, I am slowly incorporating yucky into every day life and its oddly starting to feel somewhat like normal.  

Blessings on your week everyone! 







35 comments:

  1. I'm proud of you for stepping outside your comfort zone. It looks like a lovely gathering.

    I'm praying that the words you shared will not be forgotten by those ladies who heard them, but that the truth of the hope you have, and the growing of your faith, will encourage their hearts.

    on another note, YAY for breakfast as dinner :-)

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    1. Thank you so much Susan- I too remain hopeful that somehow being given this gift to share my experiences will be a testimony to the power of God's love and provision for us all :)

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  2. You are an inspiring Christian lady and I thank you for that. I have been following your journey and will continue to pray.

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    1. How sweet of Nancy, thank you! I appreciate those prayers so much!

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  3. Hi there! So glad all went well with you speaking! I thought about you off and on all weekend!

    Sorry about the yucks and that they feel a part of your normal :( - I am praying that changes for your very very soon!

    The kids and I had breakfast for dinner last night too - we went to our neighborhood deli - was so good and clouds and windy were coming in so it seemed all the more appropriate somehow - a cozy dinner; while is was a bit blustery outside!

    Thank you for the update! Love to you!

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    1. Hi Tiffany- you know I have been thinking of you- and we must be kindred spirits as it was cloudy and windy here too yesterday when I Colton and I went to dinner :) Love you sweetie :)

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  4. You did it! Yay, Vicky! (and congratulations to Colton)

    (((HUGS))) Thoughts and prayers!

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    1. Oops, meant Nolan and the Jr. Spuds.

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    2. Hugs right back to you :) I pray you are doing well and that your son is healing more and more over the days!

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  5. Wow, Vicky, good for you. What a great experience and you look great in the pictures. Hope you're feeling better soon.

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    1. Thanks Katie- 7 more days and then its my week off :)

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  6. Robin~ thank sweet one~ it was such a gift to me to be asked to share :) So thankful for you friend!

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  7. Wow, I am so impressed Vicky. Speaking in front of a group is not easy. Wish I could have been there to hear your inspirational story. I hope you have a good week and enjoy that sunshine and warmer temperatures.

    Love all the pictures.

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    1. Thank you Lisa- the warmer temps are here and we are glued to the outdoors! Its heavenly and I hope they are on their way to you as well :)

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  8. Like Lisa (tainterturtles) I, too, would have loved to have been there.
    Perhaps one day we will meet. Until then, know that I think of you and hug you from the deep South (Jawja)...and send additional get-to-feeling better hugs, also. I'm proud of you, Vicky. So very proud....
    Love,
    Jackie

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    1. I thought of you often Jackie, as we traveled the Southern roads this spring! I have so many blog friends I'd love to meet in person and I too believe one day that could truly happen for you and I :) Love to you!

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  9. How lovely for you to step out of your comfort zone to bless all those in attendance with your story. I am certain you made a positive impression as you have with us on your blog. Thank you for sharing your faith, hopes and anxieties,,,, helping each of us to not take our lives and loves for granted.
    Wish that I had a magic wand to wave all your ickies away----prayers must suffice!

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    1. Thank you Janay for your sweet and comforting words. The best medicine arrived in the form of sunshine and my spirits have lifted so- and the rest just fades a little more each day into the background! Blessings to you friend!

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  10. Lovely Vicky,

    wonderfull ... I knew you will do it very very good and you look so good!

    I see in the backround wonderfull quilts :) soooo nice because i sew at the moment also on a "Bayernquilt" (you know it) :-).

    "Life begins ..." ... very true words!

    Many bussals from the grey grey munich

    Mimi

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    1. So sorry sweet one, to hear it is grey in Munich :) I pray the sunshine comes soon- it helped so much to have it finally warm things up here and provide some good cheer :)

      xxoo,
      many bussals!
      Vicky

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  11. I'm sure you did a fantastic job... you have a way, so inspirational!

    I hope today is a better day for you, less of the yuck.

    PS.. You look wonderful, despite the yucky feeling. REALLY!

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    1. Thank you Karen- I feel blessed to be able to hide it well- I know many others do not have that ability and it does make me feel very lucky :)

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  12. Sounds like your presentation went really well. So happy for you -- I'm terrible at public speaking! I hope you have a good week and that you don't feel too yucky. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!

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    1. Genny- I feel like I am "terrible" at it too, but I am convinced all of your prayers helped see me through :)

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  13. So stinkin' proud of you! I can just tell--you did beautifully. Your yuck doesn't show!

    And congrats to Nolan on his championship. He and his mama are both champions. xoxoxo

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    1. Oh Julie- thank you! Blessings and love to you!

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  14. I have no doubt that you did a lovely job and that the women who were present could feel your genuine faith.

    I love that picture of the hockey team - way to go, Nolan!

    Hope that chemo feeling goes away a little more quickly each week.

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    1. Melissa- wish I had that chemo thing figured out- I just don't yet- even when I think I do. But overall, each week I just think it fades into the background a bit more all the time...

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  15. Vicky, you took the time to visit me this week on my blog, and I missed seeing this post when it was fresh. That's it. I'm heading over to your inbox. Love you! I hope the yucks go south for the rest of the week and weekend!

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    1. I never ponder too much what you might have going on- 5 kids says an awful lot to me about what your day to day is like :) I do always get a huge grin when you are here however~ xxoo

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  16. Sending hugs and prayers your way!

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    1. Steph!!!! Yayyyyy! I love it- I am grinning from ear to ear :)

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  17. What an inspiration you are for all these women Vicky :-) I would have loved to come and hear you speak.. Sending you prayers and love and soft hugs hoping you yucks vanishes away fast xo

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    1. Thank you Anyes~ I'm so touched by everyone who said they'd come listen to me~ it means a lot to me :) Hugging you right back :)

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  18. Wish I could have been in the audience. I think I asked you this before but did anyone record it and, if so, could it be uploaded to YouTube? That would sure be a treat for those of us far away. :)

    Glad for your time with Colton and just that "the-two-of-us" time. So precious with each one. Really sorry that the "yucks" are daily and hoping that goes away. Don't know if I ever told you but the health/pain issue that started over three years ago finally went away about six months ago. I still have other things but that one undid me for a long time because the pain was often not manageable. Thought it would NEVER leave. It did. So much for never. Let's pray that the "yucks" disappear, too, even though it may seem right now that you have to live with them and somehow make yourself function through them. May God give you strength for each moment, Vicky, and true rest when the strength just isn't there. Love you and so wishing I could make it all go away.

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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