The Orange Butterfly

Shortly after receiving my stage 4 Lymphoma diagnosis, I attended a prayer and healing service at the Christ Centered Community Church (C4) in Kahala. I didn’t know a lot of the people there but they made me feel welcome and surrounded me with so much love. My spirits were high because I was happy to finally have a diagnosis after being sick and undiagnosed for so many months. My lungs, however, were really weak at that time, and I was extremely fatigued. It was early September of 2019, I had started that day in the hospital getting a spinal tap, which was just one of several procedures I had to do that week to prepare myself for chemotherapy.

I arrived at the church and my wonderful son-in-law, Brett, who is a Pastor at C4, led me to a place in the room where I could lay down.

C4 Prayer and Healing Service

It was a blessing to just be there and enjoy the time of worship. I loved being in that atmosphere. It had been awhile since I was able to attend a church service in person due to my health challenges.

After a time of worship, a group of passionate prayer warriors surrounded me and began to pray. I wish I had recorded their prayers because they were so beautiful. There was one woman who shared something after she prayed, that I will never forget. “As we prayed, I saw a vision of an orange butterfly land on your chest”, she said. “I believe this means that God is taking you through a transformation.”

The word “TRANSFORMATION” hit me like a lightening bolt. I was reminded that cancer was just a chapter in my life and not my whole story. Although I was experiencing a new and challenging journey, it helped to look at it as a process of growth and change. It helped me to stay positive and look at this challenge in a different way, a way that strengthened me and gave me hope.

Through my journey it seemed anytime I was struggling, God would send me a reminder that he was near.

One day when I was having a hard day, a card arrived from a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator named Robin Messenheimer of the Big Island. This is the card Robin sent.

Butterfly Card By Robin Messenheimer

Gosh, I’m tearing up just thinking about this. Robin, who is such a sweet friend, sent me cards so often during my journey. This card, however, is the one that I love the most. Robin has no idea of the significance of the orange butterfly to me but God knew that this was the card that I needed exactly when I needed it. When I saw the butterfly I was strengthened as I remembered that prayer said over me a couple months earlier. I was so grateful for the reminder that I was on a journey of transformation.

Another thing that really helped me during my battle was the book “Praying Through Cancer” by Susan Sorensen and Laura Geist. A Stampin’ Up! demonstrator friend Colleen Magnus, who lives in Virginia, sent me this book. Colleen heads a ministry at her church called Vessels of Hope and they did so much to encourage me during my cancer journey. I loved the book they sent me so much, I have purchased several copies of it to bless other women who are going through cancer.

This week, I found out about a few people I know who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. I quickly went and ordered a few more copies of the book and while I wait for them to arrive, I went to work on creating cards to send along with the books. I used the stamp set Positive Thoughts to create the card.

Positive Thoughts Card

Positive Thoughts is a perfect name for this beautiful stamp set. I also used a brand new embossing folder called, Meadow Moments, to create the embossed white background filled with butterflies and flowers.

After I designed this card, I went to cut more card stock so I could make a few more of these. As I was assembling the card, I realized that I had measured incorrectly. However, I am a firm believer that there is never a mistake in stamping. I like the second card even better than the first, can you see the difference?

Positive Thoughts Cards

The second card, pictured on the left has a smaller background where the sentiment sits. That means the butterfly hangs over the edge, rather than being more centered. I think either way, this is a beautiful card that I hope will bring encouragement to the ones I am sending it to.

The same day I was working on the cards above, I made a phone call to one of my favorite boutiques at Kahala Mall. The store is called 33 Butterflies. I had seen something on their instagram and I had a question. The person who answered the phone was so pleasant. As I talked with her, I shared how much I love the shop and I hope that their business will survive the pandemic. Our conversation was short but the customer service she gave me was outstanding, I knew I wanted to write her a card to say thank you. So I used the same colors of card stock and ink that I had out on the table but I changed the stamp set to one called Butterfly Wishes.

Here is the card I made.

Butterfly Wishes Card

I love the photorealistic images in this gorgeous stamp set. I hope when the person I send this card to receives it, she will be blessed knowing she made a difference. “It WAS a perfect day because of her”.

Well, speaking of perfect days and a perfect way to end todays post, I have to tell you what JUST happened.

As I was writing this post, with orange butterflies on my mind, my mail arrived. I saw that I had a card from the Vessels of Hope ministry. I smiled and thought, wouldn’t it be something if this card had a butterfly on it?

I opened the envelope and this is what the card looked like…

Card from Vessels of Hope

The message on this card says, “If God cares so wonderfully about wildflowers. He will certainly care for you!”

Do you see the 3 orange butterflies on this card?

Perhaps this is a reminder not just for me but for all of those who will be soon be receiving this book from me.

Praying Through Cancer Book with Positive Thoughts Card

And also for anyone who may be struggling through the changes this pandemic has brought to us all. May we take each day one at a time and embrace the changes we are facing with faith, hope and love.

I hope like me when you see an orange butterfly you will be reminded to embrace challenges in your life as opportunities for transformation! If you are weary in the midst of change, remember you are never alone. God is with you, he is your every present help in time of need.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

With a grateful heart,

Cindy