Last Spring, I was suffering from a mystery illness that left doctors scratching their heads as to what was wrong with me. I had all the symptoms of Lymphoma but all of my test results just showed inflammation. As I went through these challenges, I wondered how it would affect our upcoming family trip of a lifetime.

You see every year, I have the opportunity to earn a trip through my Stampin’ Up! business. Earning it has been one of my main goals over the past 20 years I’ve been a demonstrator. The next trip on our calendar was coming up in July and it was going to be extra special as all 6 of us in my family would be traveling together. It would be our first big family trip since the kids got married. We made plans to fly to New York, Paris, Florence, Rome and then board a cruise ship to Greece! We were all so excited, yet with my illness we didn’t know if we would have to cancel. Obviously, if I couldn’t breathe, getting on an airplane and flying to another country might not be the best idea!

Well, if you read my blog post from July 18, 2019 called, On To Adventure, you can see that we did go on that fabulous trip. That’s because, just a short time before our trip was scheduled to begin, I was miraculously healed. Test results showed my lungs were clear and I was able to get permission from my doctors to travel.

The trip was a gift from God. Even though I had to spend some time in a Rome Hospital after relapsing, I still look back upon this trip as one of the most special family times we have shared.

I am so grateful to God for blessing us with this opportunity to travel as a family even though it was right in the middle of my mystery illness. God’s timing is perfect. I know it was because of Him that we were able to create these special memories together.

One of the other blessings of that trip is that once I boarded the ship to Greece, i was surrounded by my wonderful Stampin’ Up! family!! One of the first to greet me was my friend Kim Williams who is a demonstrator from Pennsylvania and one of my closest friends, she calls me Hula Girl.

Kim and I have been really close friends from the day we met back in 2003 at a special Stampin’ Up! event..

A few years ago, Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer, so she has used wisdom from her own experience to be a constant source of encouragement to me. Since we speak so often, it sometimes feels like she lives in the house next door. I wish that were true! I am so grateful for all she has done for me, especially since I was diagnosed with cancer.

One of the things Kim and I have in common is our love of Pineapples. She however, is particularly fond of Pink Pineapples. So since her birthday was coming, I was really excited to create a card for her using one of the BRAND NEW products from ourTropical Oasis Suite. This suite is found in our new Handmade for You catalog that will be released in January.

For Kim’s card, I used these beautiful new dies called In The Tropics, because of the fabulous pineapple die in that set.

This card also features a new embossing folder that looks like a lauhala mat. It is called, Coastal Weave. The small flower is a new punch that is also being released in January, as a part of our Saleabration special. It is called, Small Bloom Punch.

On the final day of that special trip to Greece, Stampin’ Up! held an outdoor farewell party.

During that party, while we were all enjoying the sunset, Kim called me over to say she had something for me. Kim then handed me this tiny package. When I opened it, I found a pretty cross necklace that had sparkily crystals in two of my favorite colors, black and pink. I thought it was beautiful but when Kim shared the meaning behind it, I burst into tears. Kim said,” the pink stones in the cross represents your lungs and the belief that very soon they will be pink and healthy again”.

I am grateful that my daughter, who is a photographer was nearby taking sunset photos. Unbeknownst to Kim or I, she captured this moment that I will forever cherish.

Gosh, I’m tearing up again, just thinking about it.

You see in a moment of uncertainty of what was happening in my life, Kim was there to give me the biggest hug and assure me that she was fighting with me and believing with me for miracles. I feel SO blessed to have so many people in my life who are doing what Kim is, praying for me, encouraging me and surrounding me with so much love and support.

Today is Kim’s actual birthday. So along with the card I mailed last week, I also surprised her with a framed copy of this photo that I know she didn’t know existed.

I hope that when Kim receives this special gift and card she will know how much I cherish her and the friendship we share.

In that moment with Kim, all I felt was pure love, encouragement and support. It was like God was using her to prepare me for the battle that was just around the corner. He wanted me to keep my eyes on Him and the belief that my lungs will be pink and healthy again.

So when days later, I learned that I did have stage 4 Lymphoma and had to endure a very painful lung surgery, I was able to get through it with a great deal of peace. The peace comes from my confidence in God. I know that he loves me. I trust His purpose and plan for my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is NOTHING that is too difficult for Him. I also know that I am not alone. He is always with me and I feel his love from the army of people, like Kim, who have surrounded me with love, support and continued prayers.

Cancer is no picnic. I know some incredible people who have lost their lives because of it and I sometimes wonder, why? But I also know of others who have faced battles that seemed impossible, yet they are still here today because of a miraculous healing.

I don’t know what God’s plan is for me. But I do know that he loves me and he loves you too. Did you know that there is NOTHING that can take away his great love for you?

Romans 8: 37-39 says,

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God.

What an incredible gift to know you are loved with an everlasting love. My prayer for you today is that you would come to know how much God loves you. I pray that you would lean on Him daily and allow His spirit to fill your heart with peace and joy as you place your faith and trust in Him.

He is so good!

Well, I just got a text from the birthday girl! She is off to celebrate her birthday with dinner and a movie. If she did live next door, I’d put on a medical mask and head out to celebrate with her. But it’s probably good that I stay in since my immune system is so low. However, I can still celebrate her from afar with a heart full of love and gratefulness to God for blessing me with such a special friend.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Pink Pineapple Papercrafter.

Love you so much,

Hula Girl

Pink Pineapple

Hope for the Holidays

Sweet Birthday Wishes

Stamped With Aloha