I just got a phone call from one of my favorite nurses at the cancer center. The call was a reminder that I had an appointment tomorrow for a blood draw. Although I have been really great about remembering all my appointments, I had totally forgotten this one. I don’t know what happens between Christmas and New Years Eve, but suddenly it seems I have no clue of what day it is.

Thankfully, now I know that tomorrow is Saturday, so I’ll be there.

It is kind of unreal how quickly my treatments went. After the first, I found myself weary and staring at the ceiling thinking that it was going to take forever to get through 5 more rounds! However, in a blink of an eye, here I am just days away from treatment number 6, which I hope will be my final treatment.

As I approached going through the holiday season while getting chemo treatments, I was concerned with how it would affect the traditions I have at this time of year. I referenced one of those traditions in my November 26th post called, So Thankful. In that post I shared about my annual “Home for the Holidays” craft fair and how being a part of it was really important to me. I was concerned that if I couldn’t be there, that they might cancel the fair. There was talk of doing that but only for a moment because I was blessed beyond measure when my friend Kim Williams, a demonstrator from Pennsylvania, organized a group to help me by sending me craft projects to sell. Also my daughter, Jessica, who has been a great help to me as I’ve been battling cancer, offered to step in and run my table. So, in a matter of minutes, a plan was formed so that I could still be a part of this special annual tradition whether I was physically there or not.

As the boxes from several demonstrator friends filled with craft items began to arrive at my doorstep, my heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude! These beautiful hand crafted items were such an incredible gift. I offered to send money, supplies, etc and each time I offered it, I was told no! These projects were simply a gift of love from one demonstrator to another. Gosh, that is what I love so much about Stampin’ Up! Although we have great products, its the people I’ve met through my association with this company who are truly amazing.

As the fair approached, I made a decision that I wasn’t going to keep any of the proceeds from the sale that day. I was so inspired by the generous gifts that were given to me that wanted to pay it forward and give the proceeds of those gifts to bless the Hope Lodge of Hawaii. Hope Lodge is a part of the American Cancer society. They help provide a place for people to stay who are going through cancer treatments here in Honolulu.

The day of the fair came and I was feeling great. I was blessed that I felt well enough to go and be a part. I brought a mask to wear, hand sanitizer to use and there was a bed nearby that I could escape to if I needed to rest. My daughter was there to help, as promised, and it was such a blessing to have her with me that day.

Jessica is very creative and artistic but stamping is not really her favorite thing to do. However, she jumped right in without being asked and assisted me in teaching the free make and take that day. She did a GREAT job and I enjoyed watching her as she gave instructions on how to put the make and take together.

It was fun to watch her in action and see how much fun everyone was having.

Since I had more beautiful projects to sell then ever before my table was quite busy all day.

One of the highlights of the day for me was watching a lady named Heide stamp for the first time. Heide couldn’t believe that she made her own tag. After she finished her project, she proudly turned to 4 or 5 people that were nearby to show each of them her creation!!! “Look what I made”, she said to one, “did you see this, I just made it”, she said happily to another”. I smiled when I heard her say that she would be gifting the tag to her husband. Her enthusiasm for her creation made me so happy!.

That’s another part of my job that I love, helping people discover that they have the ability to create something from ink and paper that will make them feel good about themselves and be used to bless someone else. Heide’s smile just brightened the whole room at that moment!

I was so grateful God blessed me not only with kind hearted friends who gave projects to help me that day but also that he gave me the strength to physically be there with the special family of friends who I have been blessed to do this fair with for the past 13 years.

I am also thankful for my friend Karin who opens the doors of her home to make this day possible. Besides being an incredible host, she is an amazing sister and friend to me.

The fair was a huge success. When the fair was over and my monthly sales calculated, I raised a total of $1,200 for Hope Lodge. It was a wonderful feeling to present them with a check for $800 and next month I will be giving them $400 worth of Stampin’ Up! supplies for their Arts and Crafts room.

When I toured Hope Lodge, I found that it was a beautiful facility filled with a caring staff who work hard to bring Hope to others. I know from personal experience that staying positive and surrounding myself with supportive people is important while going through treatments. I am glad to see that those staying at Hope Lodge have just that. A beautiful home, surrounded by people who work hard to make a difference through their love and encouragement.

As I approach, what I HOPE to be my final treatment, I am feeling great. I can’t tell you how joyous it was on Christmas morning to have our family over which included our first grandson, who was celebrating his first Christmas.

My eyes welled with tears when I saw him and felt such gratitude to God for answering our prayers and blessing us with the opportunity to all be together that day!

I am glad that these past few days, I’ve felt very hopeful that this season will be over soon. I know that I have to wait another month before scans will be taken to see if the treatments worked or not. Waiting patiently has not always been something that I’m good at. I am thankful however that in this season God has given me peace and increased my patience as I’ve learned to keep my eyes on Him.

When I was in the hospital several months ago, waiting on results and hoping for good news, my demonstrator friend Missy Shipman texted me a song from one of my favorite Christian artists, Lincoln Brewster. The song is called “While I Wait”. A couple weeks ago, my friend Karin said that her daughter wanted to share a song with me and it just happened to be the same song. This song so beautifully describes this season I have been in and how I’ve leaned on God to help me through it. Here are the lyrics.

Deep within my heart, I know You've won
I know You've overcome
And even in the dark, when I'm undone
I still believe it

I live by faith, and not by sight
Sometimes miracles take time

While I wait, I will worship
Lord, I'll worship Your name
While I wait, I will trust You
Lord, I'll trust You all the same

When I fall apart, You are my strength
Help me not forget
Seeing every scar, You make me whole
You're my healer

I live by faith, and not by sight
Sometimes miracles take time

While I wait, I will worship
Lord, I'll worship Your name
While I wait, I will trust You
Lord, I'll trust You all the same

You're faithful every day
Your promises remain

Though I don't understand it
I will worship with my pain
You are God, You are worthy
You are with me all the way

So while I wait, I will worship
Lord, I'll worship Your name
Though I don't have all the answers
Still I trust You all the same

This beautiful song reminds me that in this season of waiting, I will continue to worship God and trust in His ultimate plan for my life. I know that He is guiding me and helping me and I am at peace as I put my hope in Him.

If you are in need of some hope during this holiday season here are some scriptures to encourage you that have encouraged me.

God will guide you:

Psalm 25:5 - Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.

God will strengthen you:

Psalm 31:24 - Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

God will help you:

Psalm 33:20 - We wait in hope for the Lord, he is our help and our shield.

Thank you all for the love you have shown me in 2019. As I end this year I am so grateful for you and the part you have played encouraging me each step of my battle with cancer. I hope and pray that as we approach a new year you will know God’s great love for you and can look to him and experience His presence as never before.

With hope for a joyous and blessed new year!,

Cindy

Hope for the Holidays

Stamped With Aloha

Hope for the Holidays

Football and Faith

Pink Pineapple

Stamped With Aloha