Next step

Well folks I've just had a little 'blog rest' for a few days but I'm back to report on my next step on this awesome journey. As previously anticipated I am for admission to City Hospital tomorrow Mon 27th am for chemotherapy to commence.

I'm not sure of the exact detail but praise God He knows every detail and so as I step into the strange land of chemotherapy it is with the confidence that my creator holds me in the palm of His mighty hand. God's demonstration of the detail has been beyond my wildest dreams as He affirms His healing touch on my body. I so love and praise Him in these circumstances.

I've just had such a lovely day today - it started with my church family in Ballydown - I so love you people, what you have taught me and what I see God doing in our lives. Thanks for the prayer time - such beautiful peace. We then had an awesome lunch with the family - my mother's cooking is always the best!!

So now my bag is packed and I look forward to some rest in God's word. Just feel to share

Jeremiah 29v11 with you tonight - it is probably one of my best loved verses in God's word - 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' This is my boundless hope - it does not mean I will be spared pain, suffering or hardship but that God will see me through to a glorious conclusion. Amen

Moving mountains

Isn't it just awesome how when we find ourselves in great need God's supply is even greater when we just ask. I've been following daily devotionals on the Joyce Meyer website (see link) now that I have a wee bit more time on my hands and pages that I am sure were written weeks ago are dropped into my life just when they are needed. I've typed below a poem which appeared about a week ago and speaks into my life and circumstances with a real measure of God's grace and peace. Now if you want a worship song to go with it try Hillsong United 'Mighty to Save'

I now anticipate admission to Belfast City Hospital on Mon 27th for chemotherapy unless God has other plans - I await His guidance and direction for all that lies ahead. I've just picked up a wonderful verse this evening from Psalm 50 v15 'call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.' Pray that verse into my life folks as you approach the throne of grace with confidence and that my dream will be fulfilled to honour Him.

Lots of love from the sunny side of Cranfield!!


I want you to face the mountain
so that you can see
when the mountain is out of the way
all there is left is Me.

Only I can move the mountain
Only I push it away
Only I can conquer the problems
that you face today.

Your only job is to believe
to listen to My voice
and when you hear what I command
obedience is your choice.

But I will not make it too difficult
for the victory is already Mine
and I will fill you with My spirit
and through you My grace will shine.

Not when you are perfect
like you think you need to be
but when your heart is willing
to become more and more like Me.

Purple Lotus Flower

I am so thankful for all the cards and texts I have received from wide and far. They carry messages of hope and encouragement with personal thoughts and prayers added. Among the many beautiful cards I have received one depicts a purple lotus flower. It is a special flower because it is rare and distinctive with a beautiful mild fragrance and found in many parts of India. The purple lotus flower germinates at the bottom of a muddy, filthy pond and is surrounded by muck. However with time the lotus blossoms and raises its beautiful pure head above all the filth. The lotus blooms as a beautiful flower away from the dirt turning its face towards the light.

I love it when God is speaking to me through the beauty of His creation. Each one of us is a unique and distinctive individual created by God. Through the cesspool of life our beauty is created as we turn towards the light of His son, Jesus.

I am aware this is the second posting to mention beauty from muck - not intentionally but then that is the business that God is in. It is an emerging picture that this situation of cancer can to the onlooker seem dirty and dark but when you focus on Jesus it creates His unique beauty within us.

As I approach the prospect of chemotherapy I have been focusing on His words regarding some of the signs that will accompany believers as spoken in Mark 16 v18 '...when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.' What an assurance that words spoken on earth 2,000 years ago are speaking to me from heaven tonight.

Breast Buddies

'A friend loves at all times' Proverbs 17 v17

This is just a short post to introduce my friend Judy. We've been having a chill out time at the caravan resting between surgery and chemo. Judy had surgery 5 days after me so somedays I lend her my slippers as she follows the same path. Girls you need to watch this space to see men jump when we click our fingers! Seriously now, I think we are both blessed to live with some of the best men on the planet - Judy has three and I have four and they have all showered us with love.

Doing life with great friends is good and I believe God has equipped me and will protect me in this my place of purpose.

F.R.O.G.

OK friends, here is another beautiful story. Two years ago I placed a little bracelet unto the wrist of a very special young man. It said simply F.R.O.G. He too was battling cancer. Those letters represented that we are Fully Reliant On God. That is of course how we should all be thinking every day but we often get caught up in the busyness of life and can become self reliant at times.

Last year I bought this frog cushion whilst on holiday in Italy - it is so totally un-cordinated in the colour scheme of my bedroom but is a daily reminder that I am fully reliant on God for all my needs.

Here are some interesting comparisons between the frog and me!

• When I looked at the frog I discovered that a group of frogs are an army. Now for me that means an army of prayer warriors who are also fully reliant on God on my behalf. Keep praying soldiers it is making such an impact.
• Frogs are noted for their call - well what can I say, I'm never short on the spoken word. The call of the frog can be heard far away - a bit like this blog which has the potential to be read all over the world!
• Frogs can breathe through their skin which enables them to hibernate for several months beneath piles of mud and decaying leaves underwater. Perhaps that is a message in season that under the mud of cancer and treament I will still be breathing in God's healing word.

I am now awaiting my appointment with the oncologist either next week or the following. I expect my treatment to commence the week after consultation. God's promise to me has been for the best of care (Ps 91: 14-16, the Message) and that is certainly my experience of the NHS as a user instead of a provider!

I am hoping to go off to the caravan for the weekend to have some quality time with my boys and catch up on my friend Judy who is on the same journey as myself. Please just keep pouring in God's word to my life by text. Your encouragements are all so uplifting and I think we all deserve shares in the mobile networks because of your vast usage. I would love to reply individually to everyone but will have blisters on my thumbs if I do, so please accept my blog as your personal message from me. Praise God for the amazing gift of friends.

Love to everyone

Jean xx