Hello Family and Friends,
It really has been quite awhile since I last posted something to you! Life is so good and I am enjoying every moment! This past year has been filled with fun, good memories and continual growth in my walk with Jesus! God is such an amazing God and continues to reveal His Faithfulness, power and might! I have found that great trials bring the potential for great praise. God has given me the opportunity to share my story with several people and provide hope, encouragement and for some break the chains of tormenting fear. Isn't God amazing how He can turn something so horrible into something so comforting to others. Not to mention how this whole experience with cancer has made me a new person physically, mentally and spiritually. It's in our toughest battles or weakest moments where we begin to learn of God's strength and faithfulness in our lives. If everything always went the way we wanted it to we may not feel we need God and then begin to do things are own way. That's the way I was living my life before the diagnosis. God has brought me through so much to reveal to me a life so much more fulfilling when I have put my full trust in Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is my everything and I give Him all the glory for His Grace and Mercy in my life. We are God's children and we are in the palm of His hands. He never leaves us or forsakes us and promises to bring us comfort, joy, peace and deliverance. I am finding that if I put my complete trust in my Heavenly Father I have rest! Rest in God is the best place to be. His rest frees me from my fears, doubts, worries and control. Life is so much more fun and enjoyabe when we live for Christ and not our problems!
God's richest blessings to you - Love U!
Dana
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving 2008!
Happy Thanksgiving!! We as God's children and Believers have so very much to be thankful for and praise God for! I hope that each one of you enjoyed your time with family and friends. This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Dunlap's here in Colorado and had a wonderful time and awesome meal!! It was fun to just eat and rest the whole day. We did absolutely nothing but just hang together and enjoy each other! This year I am so grateful to the Lord for breath and the ability to bring Him glory! I am thankful for all the "things" God has given me but also very thankful that I can give!! I look back on some of the photos last year at this time and just praise my God for all He has brought us through! Wow, isn't it something to go through such a horrific event but then get through it and look back and see all that God has done ?? That's the amazing thing about serving God - He promises to never leave us or forsake us and if we trust and rely in HIm He promises DELIVERANCE!! AND OH MY - WHAT TREMENDOUS DELIVERANCE HE BROUGHT! We can't possibly understand His ways at the time we are going through something very painful but in the end His ways are truly good and for His loved ones we are always rewarded and given victory! Just lately I have recently found out that my dear friend whom I job shared with at church has been diagnosed with breast cancer and just began her treatment. Her name is Sarah and I would love for you to pray for her healing and victory! I have also learned of another family friend in our church that just found out 5 days ago she has breast cancer. Sometimes do you wonder if the very reason your allowed to go through something so painful is just for the ability of being able minister healing and God's love to someone else going through the same thing??? Let me tell you, I do not for one second believe in coincidence! I am beginning to find out as time goes on how much of God's goodness is coming from my experience with cancer. It was not all in vain!! He is given me the ability to encourage these two special ladies with God's wisdom and knowledge. God spoke something to me several days ago - just 3 words: "Firm, Relying, Trust". Last year at this time just completing my last treatment I wouldn't have been able to thank God for this experience with cancer but as I continued on throughout the year in my healing He has shown me all that He is doing through this experience - AND IT'S AMAZING! I have learned and am learning that a Firm, Relying, Trust in our Savior Jesus brings great deliverance and blessings!! Do you want deliverance today from anything difficult you are facing in life? Just firmly rely on and trust in Jesus and with time ( sometimes longer than we want) He will bring great rewards of blessings and deliverance that you can't possibly imagine! So everyday can be a Thanksgiving because of all that God is doing in our lives!
Love you tons!
Dana
Love you tons!
Dana
Thursday, November 13, 2008
God Prepares Us!
Hello My Sweet Family and Friends,
Hope this day brings you great joy and gratitude for all that God has given us! I must have put a spring cleaning pill into my orange juice this morning because I cleaned my house from top to bottom today and while I was doing it I just kept saying "Jesus, thank you so much for the ability, health and strength to clean for my family!" I can't even begin to tell you after facing something like cancer how somedays you just wake up and Praise God for your life and family! Today is one of those days. If felt good to clear out the clutter that had been stacked for about 1 year, layers of dust wiped away and floors that are now the right shade of white! In the midst of my cleaning frenzy I came across an old journal from 2005 that my dear friend Jod the Toad had given me. I just opened it up to an entry from December 1, 2005. It literally took my breath away at how God so prepares our hearts for things to come. I would like to share with you that entry from Dec. 1, 2005:
"My Precious Heavenly Father,
I love you so much and desire to serve you - You have placed a hugh desire and hunger to seek you and know you- You have placed an undescribable passion and urgency to learn your word and know you! I ask myself why??? Are you raising up this generation of Christians to do mighty things for you in these last days? Because if you are, just like Isaiah I say "Send Me". Prepare me Lord! Thank you for choosing me and calling me to be Holy and set apart. Please help me to be humble and obedient. Give me strength to fight the enemy!! Fill me and mold me to be your masterpiece. I hear your calling and I am ready for your change!"
Whewwwwww!!!! I can hardly read that without loosing a few breaths because I had no idea what would hit my life 2 years later. OH, HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT PREPARES OUR HEARTS FOR WHAT IS TO COME! I can remember that feeling of urgency in my spirt and it almost made me anxious. I kept feeling like I needed to get grounded in the Word of God and praying that God would help me have the strength to fight the enemy. My enemy came to destroy me 2 years later and as I look back over the last year and a half God so beautifully answered that journal entry from December 1, 2005. God not only gave me His strength but His courage, He humbled me and stripped me of all my pride, selfishness, and showed me compassion, He most certainly molded me and threw me into a burning furnace to be refined. And all of this for what??? I heard God calling me on December 1, 2005 for a specific purpose on this earth. I remember responding "Send Me" - Yikes!!! (Note to self: do not speak those words to God unless you are ready for something HUGE!!!!!!!!!!) I am changed person for all God has brought through. I am so excited to see how God will use my experience with cancer to minister to many!
This journal that my friend Jod theToad gave me has a bunch of little encouraging scriptures and sayings that she cut out and pasted through out the journal. It is such a treasure! THE most ironic thing about one of these inserts is the one that follows my entry from December 1, 2005! Here it is:
GOD WILL PREPARE US
When it is God's time to bring something into our lives, He will often do it after He has prepared us to receive it.
He may withhold a place of leadership until He has taught us how to serve.
He may withhold honor until He has taught us humility.
He may withhold possessions until He has taught us contentment.
He may withhold a relationship until He has taught us to be complete in Him.
He may withhold an overflow of finances until He has taught us how to give. He may withhold guidance until He has taught us what is pleasing to Him.
He may withhold an active ministry until He has taught us how to be still.
Author unknown
There is no such thing as a coincidence when you believe God is a Sovereign God!
Hope this day brings you great joy and gratitude for all that God has given us! I must have put a spring cleaning pill into my orange juice this morning because I cleaned my house from top to bottom today and while I was doing it I just kept saying "Jesus, thank you so much for the ability, health and strength to clean for my family!" I can't even begin to tell you after facing something like cancer how somedays you just wake up and Praise God for your life and family! Today is one of those days. If felt good to clear out the clutter that had been stacked for about 1 year, layers of dust wiped away and floors that are now the right shade of white! In the midst of my cleaning frenzy I came across an old journal from 2005 that my dear friend Jod the Toad had given me. I just opened it up to an entry from December 1, 2005. It literally took my breath away at how God so prepares our hearts for things to come. I would like to share with you that entry from Dec. 1, 2005:
"My Precious Heavenly Father,
I love you so much and desire to serve you - You have placed a hugh desire and hunger to seek you and know you- You have placed an undescribable passion and urgency to learn your word and know you! I ask myself why??? Are you raising up this generation of Christians to do mighty things for you in these last days? Because if you are, just like Isaiah I say "Send Me". Prepare me Lord! Thank you for choosing me and calling me to be Holy and set apart. Please help me to be humble and obedient. Give me strength to fight the enemy!! Fill me and mold me to be your masterpiece. I hear your calling and I am ready for your change!"
Whewwwwww!!!! I can hardly read that without loosing a few breaths because I had no idea what would hit my life 2 years later. OH, HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT PREPARES OUR HEARTS FOR WHAT IS TO COME! I can remember that feeling of urgency in my spirt and it almost made me anxious. I kept feeling like I needed to get grounded in the Word of God and praying that God would help me have the strength to fight the enemy. My enemy came to destroy me 2 years later and as I look back over the last year and a half God so beautifully answered that journal entry from December 1, 2005. God not only gave me His strength but His courage, He humbled me and stripped me of all my pride, selfishness, and showed me compassion, He most certainly molded me and threw me into a burning furnace to be refined. And all of this for what??? I heard God calling me on December 1, 2005 for a specific purpose on this earth. I remember responding "Send Me" - Yikes!!! (Note to self: do not speak those words to God unless you are ready for something HUGE!!!!!!!!!!) I am changed person for all God has brought through. I am so excited to see how God will use my experience with cancer to minister to many!
This journal that my friend Jod theToad gave me has a bunch of little encouraging scriptures and sayings that she cut out and pasted through out the journal. It is such a treasure! THE most ironic thing about one of these inserts is the one that follows my entry from December 1, 2005! Here it is:
GOD WILL PREPARE US
When it is God's time to bring something into our lives, He will often do it after He has prepared us to receive it.
He may withhold a place of leadership until He has taught us how to serve.
He may withhold honor until He has taught us humility.
He may withhold possessions until He has taught us contentment.
He may withhold a relationship until He has taught us to be complete in Him.
He may withhold an overflow of finances until He has taught us how to give. He may withhold guidance until He has taught us what is pleasing to Him.
He may withhold an active ministry until He has taught us how to be still.
Author unknown
There is no such thing as a coincidence when you believe God is a Sovereign God!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Long Time No See!
Hello to all my Family and Friends!
Wow, it has been several months since I have last updated you on the happenings of my life! It has been on my heart for quite some time to get back to journaling and share with you all what God is doing in our lives. Here are some pics of me and my my awesome family. I have had several haircuts now and am loving trying to decide if I should go short or long - Oh, what wonderful decisions!!!! So much has happened since the last entry! All I want to say tonight is that God is an Awesome God and has brought my family and me through great trials with great victory and now we have great Praise! If it weren't for trials and difficulties what would we have to Praise our Creator for??? He likes to show His power and miracles through our trials and then our faith in Him grows leaps and bounds. May God's richest blessings be upon you and your families.
Love to all!
Dana
Monday, June 9, 2008
Relay For Life
Hello to all my Dear Loved Ones!!
WOW!! What an incredible Relay For Life we had on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend! The Relay For Life is a community event which supports and raises money for the cure of cancer! It was truly amazing to see a multitude of survivors! That was soooo inspiring and encouraging. I was asked to be the Honorary Survivor speaker before the Luminary Ceremony. It was such a joy to be able to share my story and give My Jesus all the credit! He is the reason I am still standing here today and I want Him to get all the glory!! It was a memorable event and I just want to say thank you to all my family who supported me and stood by my side this weekend. Just having you there was such a comfort and so much fun! We will look forward to next years event! I will post some pictures as soon as I can figure that out and maybe I can post my speech too for those of you who want to hear it. Thank you all for your prayers - I actually made it through without being a total blubbering mess :) God is sooo good and I am thankful for the way He uses us! I hope you are enjoying your day today. Talk soon-
Love,
Dana
WOW!! What an incredible Relay For Life we had on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend! The Relay For Life is a community event which supports and raises money for the cure of cancer! It was truly amazing to see a multitude of survivors! That was soooo inspiring and encouraging. I was asked to be the Honorary Survivor speaker before the Luminary Ceremony. It was such a joy to be able to share my story and give My Jesus all the credit! He is the reason I am still standing here today and I want Him to get all the glory!! It was a memorable event and I just want to say thank you to all my family who supported me and stood by my side this weekend. Just having you there was such a comfort and so much fun! We will look forward to next years event! I will post some pictures as soon as I can figure that out and maybe I can post my speech too for those of you who want to hear it. Thank you all for your prayers - I actually made it through without being a total blubbering mess :) God is sooo good and I am thankful for the way He uses us! I hope you are enjoying your day today. Talk soon-
Love,
Dana
Monday, May 26, 2008
A Little Girl named Sydney
Hello to all my dear family and friends,
Happy Memorial Day and hope all is going well! Things are going good and enjoying Chaz being home now as school ended last Friday! It is a complete joy to think of all the things we want to do this summer as I missed out on the fun last summer. We went swimming yesterday for the first time this year and it was a blast. A little cool getting out but sooooo worth it - the kids loved having mommy swimming with them again. Thank you God for your grace and mercy!!! Mark is still with out a job so keep praying that God would provide and send employment quickly - thank you! He is such an amazing man- He has a heart after God and when faced with trials He continues to put his full trust in God to work it all out. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful example of Christ to lead this home!! I love you, honey! I have a prayer request for all prayer warriors. A little girl named Sydney who is 9 years old has just been diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor which is inoperable and is being flown to St. Jude's Hospital tomorrow. They will be giving her an experimental drug and have high hopes that it will shrink it. However, this little dolly is going to endure some serious sickness and pain. Please pray that God heal her and that the doctors have wisdom over her little body. God can do it and I am believing for a miracle. Please join me in praying for her and I will continue to keep you updated. Thanks so much.
Love to you all!
Dana
Happy Memorial Day and hope all is going well! Things are going good and enjoying Chaz being home now as school ended last Friday! It is a complete joy to think of all the things we want to do this summer as I missed out on the fun last summer. We went swimming yesterday for the first time this year and it was a blast. A little cool getting out but sooooo worth it - the kids loved having mommy swimming with them again. Thank you God for your grace and mercy!!! Mark is still with out a job so keep praying that God would provide and send employment quickly - thank you! He is such an amazing man- He has a heart after God and when faced with trials He continues to put his full trust in God to work it all out. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful example of Christ to lead this home!! I love you, honey! I have a prayer request for all prayer warriors. A little girl named Sydney who is 9 years old has just been diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor which is inoperable and is being flown to St. Jude's Hospital tomorrow. They will be giving her an experimental drug and have high hopes that it will shrink it. However, this little dolly is going to endure some serious sickness and pain. Please pray that God heal her and that the doctors have wisdom over her little body. God can do it and I am believing for a miracle. Please join me in praying for her and I will continue to keep you updated. Thanks so much.
Love to you all!
Dana
Monday, May 19, 2008
My Day of Victory!
Hello Family and Friends,
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis -WOW!!!!!! I call May 18th 2007 "My Day of Victory". I have come to realize looking back on this past year how much good has come from such a horrible event! It is my Day of Victory because I am a better person today! It took the cancer to help me see the miracles of God before me and all of God's beauty. I wake up each morning with an excitement to enjoy the day God has given me and to make a difference for HIm! My new favorite thing to do is wake up early when it's super quiet and peaceful outside and sit on our small back porch while the sun is hitting it and just listen to the birds! It is so amazing out there in the early morning hours. It's like God's presence is all around me. I sometimes like to think the birds are just singing praises to God! I enjoy a little prayer time and reading God's word and my day has begun on the right foot. I wanted to share with you what my daily devotional reading was about yesterday on my one year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis. It is titled "Our Confidence is in Jesus" and the scripture verse that goes with it is ( and this is no coincidence) Philipians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength". Isn't God amazing??? The very reason I got through the Hell that cancer put me through WAS BECAUSE OF GOD'S STRENGTH!! The first line of this devotional made me laugh it says " Satan does not want you to fulfill God's plan for your life because he knows that you are part of his ultimate defeat!" Isn't that the truth? Satan will do anything to us to try and destroy us so that we can't and don't bring glory to God. Well I am here to say that if if you are experiencing some very difficult times in your life right now trust in a God who understands everything you are going through! While Jesus was here on earth He endured every possible emotion and pain that we have AND MORE!!! He understands and promises in His word that he will give strength to the the weary and power to the weak( Isaiah 40:29) There is a person named Valerie that I have been praying for daily and I feel like God just wants me to tell her a few things. Valerie, God wants you to know that He loves you with a passion that is undescribable! He is the Rock that you need to stand and lean on! He wants to be there for you and heal ALL of your hurts! He sees everything that you have endured and He wants you to know that He is Faithful! Give your life to Christ (meaning trust Him for all things). Make Him the Savior of your life and watch the awesome blessings start to flow. Christ is the One person who will NEVER EVER let you down. I have not endured the things you have encountered this past year but I have endured my own pain and I can tell you from experience that if you trust in Jesus He will bring you through anything. His love healed ALL of my pain! I hope that encourages you and know that I will continue to pray for you!!
Enjoy your day!
Dana
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis -WOW!!!!!! I call May 18th 2007 "My Day of Victory". I have come to realize looking back on this past year how much good has come from such a horrible event! It is my Day of Victory because I am a better person today! It took the cancer to help me see the miracles of God before me and all of God's beauty. I wake up each morning with an excitement to enjoy the day God has given me and to make a difference for HIm! My new favorite thing to do is wake up early when it's super quiet and peaceful outside and sit on our small back porch while the sun is hitting it and just listen to the birds! It is so amazing out there in the early morning hours. It's like God's presence is all around me. I sometimes like to think the birds are just singing praises to God! I enjoy a little prayer time and reading God's word and my day has begun on the right foot. I wanted to share with you what my daily devotional reading was about yesterday on my one year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis. It is titled "Our Confidence is in Jesus" and the scripture verse that goes with it is ( and this is no coincidence) Philipians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength". Isn't God amazing??? The very reason I got through the Hell that cancer put me through WAS BECAUSE OF GOD'S STRENGTH!! The first line of this devotional made me laugh it says " Satan does not want you to fulfill God's plan for your life because he knows that you are part of his ultimate defeat!" Isn't that the truth? Satan will do anything to us to try and destroy us so that we can't and don't bring glory to God. Well I am here to say that if if you are experiencing some very difficult times in your life right now trust in a God who understands everything you are going through! While Jesus was here on earth He endured every possible emotion and pain that we have AND MORE!!! He understands and promises in His word that he will give strength to the the weary and power to the weak( Isaiah 40:29) There is a person named Valerie that I have been praying for daily and I feel like God just wants me to tell her a few things. Valerie, God wants you to know that He loves you with a passion that is undescribable! He is the Rock that you need to stand and lean on! He wants to be there for you and heal ALL of your hurts! He sees everything that you have endured and He wants you to know that He is Faithful! Give your life to Christ (meaning trust Him for all things). Make Him the Savior of your life and watch the awesome blessings start to flow. Christ is the One person who will NEVER EVER let you down. I have not endured the things you have encountered this past year but I have endured my own pain and I can tell you from experience that if you trust in Jesus He will bring you through anything. His love healed ALL of my pain! I hope that encourages you and know that I will continue to pray for you!!
Enjoy your day!
Dana
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