No One Can Serve, As An Empty Vessel

I was able to spend some time in the mountains a little over a week ago. It was my first time ever staying not just one, but two nights away from my little guy.

I have had a few hours sprinkled here and there since he has been born, that while my parents or in-laws have watched him, I have been able go grocery shopping, attend doctors appointments, or spend the day cleaning or resting in my home alone.

But never before an over night stay from him...

I was quite hesitant to begin with. And to be honest, the thought of traveling across the state and being away from him for 2 and half days made me want to cry.

But at the same time, a break sounded AMAZING.

So with my amazing hubby's encouragement, I decided to take the opportunity I was given, and allow myself a few days mental and physical rest.

And despite missing my baby and my hubby HORRIBLY, I enjoyed myself.

I was able to let go mentally of being "mama" for an extended period of time, and just be me.

And the result of that was coming back home eager and ready to give more to my little guy, than I had in awhile.

I have always had a difficult time letting go of being "mama" and just letting myself be "Angel", and not feeling guilty. Even when it is just for a few hours at a time.

But after giving birth to Flynn, and several months of giving, giving, and more giving to my family, and not putting back and replenishing my own stores, I burned out.

I had to learn the hard way, that NO one, not even so called super moms, can constantly give, without becoming drained themselves.

Motherhood is the BEST job I have ever had. But also the most difficult.

In order for me to continue to grow and become a better mama for my little guy, I have to take care of myself.

And sometimes that means taking a step back, breathing in the rest the LORD provides, and letting someone else step in and take over for a bit.

And you know what. That is Biblical. Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ did it Himself while living on this earth 2,000 years ago.

In Mark 4:35-41, we read about how after teaching the multitudes for days, he said to HIS disciples "Let us pass to the other side of the sea of Galilee."

And while Jesus was in the boat, HE laid down and went to sleep. HE rested. And HE prepared HIMSELF for the next task to be done.

And from time to time, I need to do just that as well. And not feel guilty.

To just take a small step away from job at hand, and REST.

"Rest and self care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."

~Eleanor Brown

 

How about you?

 

Does rest and letting go come naturally for you? Or do your seem to struggle and feel guilty about "letting go"?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

Celebrating the End of One Chapter, and the Beginning of Another

Flynn's "Why on earth are we taking selfies at 7am" face...

On this day two year ago, I completed 3 cycles of BEP chemo for a stage 1a, grade 3 immature teratoma (ovarian cancer).

Words can never convey how happy I was to be done with that chapter of my life. I had been through almost 3 months of the worst nausea, fatigue, and fear of the future you can imagine.

So of course, a celebration was in order for getting through it, right?

I remember that last day, and the same chemo nurse who had been there to administer the drugs to me that terrifying first day, asking me and Justin how we were going to celebrate.

Up to that point we had not talked of celebrating. We were in survival mode. As I knew I would still be sick for quite a while after that last day.

But I began to think about it. And after the nurse walked away, a place popped into my head. Bryson City, NC. The same town and cabin we had stayed at during our honey moon 2 years prior.

I told Justin about it, and said, I wanna go back.

And he said we would.

It took us almost 2 years later. And to be honest, it was a complete surprise when Justin came to me in July this year and asked if I wanted to know what my birthday present was. And then proceeded to tell me we were FINALLY going back to Bryson City. To stay in that little cabin called Acorn Bend.

And what a beautiful stay it was...



I could not help but think of how much has changed and how much has happened in our lives since that stay in April of 2013.

 The week we started our marriage.

We had gone through SOOO... much in those four years. Adjusting to marriage, a cancer battle, problems with depression, having a baby, and just LIFE.

Fontana Dam

Fontana Lake

It was the perfect way to not only celebrate the end of one chapter, but to rejoice in the beginning of another.

 








"May I never forget the good things HE has done for me."

Psalm 103:2

 

Have there been any exciting celebrations of the LORD's good work in your life? Whether they be a big bowl of ice cream or maybe a trip?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel

GOD's Goodness and Great News

Good day friends and family! I pray that you are all having a wonderfully blessed day in our LORD! The sun has been shining beautifully all day, and the temps have been in the lower 80's. PERFECT for this gal. :D

 

So how have you dear folks been? I have been doing very well. GOD has been so good! And I have been blessed with boat loads of energy upon finishing chemo in September. As a matter of fact, I think I feel more physically better than before my surgery. Praise GOD for that. :D

 

So what has life looked like since the end of chemo? A lot more on the calm and normal side. Daily housework, cooking, crafting, and spending time with family, and these girls...

 

 

Who have been very generous in their egg giving. With 5 eggs a day, we are currently swimming in them...



 

I had my first cup of regular coffee last week. I avoided regular coffee during chemo as it can cause dehydration, and works out the liver even more. Boy, was that caffeine kick nice! :D

 

 

I have also been enjoying a normal appetite. Although it has been a weird feeling to go from getting sick at the though of food, to wanting to eat everything in sight! :D So I am trying to replenish my body with all the nutrients it has been lacking in the last few months. I found this at Whole Foods last week, and have LOVED every crunchy, nutrient dense bite. :)

 

 

With the appetite I have, it's a good thing I am able to work out again. ;D I basically had to start over in my weight lifting (I was at 135 pounds in my deadlift prior to the surgery). You will never know how good it felt to lift that iron after 3 months of not touching them. Being sweaty never felt so good! :D

 

 

I recently discovered my favorite part of having no hair. No knots and tangles when riding with my Jeep top back. Oh yes.

 



I was able to go a road trip to West Virginia with my family (minus Justin) last weekend. It was such a blessing and joy to spend time enjoying some fall foliage... 

 

 

and some off roading with the Jeep.

 

Yes, GOD has been so good of late. So good, that on October 5th I was told there is no sign of cancer in my body...

 



Celebratory lunch at Outback with my love...

 

Yes my dear friends, GOD is good, ALL the time. :)

 



 

What goodness has been in your life of late?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel



I Cried, But Thankful I Went

Oh, how I love Mondays! I might be the only person in the world to think that thought, but it holds very true for me. Mondays around my house mean staying home, and cleaning, and did I mention staying at home? ;)

 

I especially feel grateful for this Monday, as it is the first day I have been at home all day in two weeks. I have either been at church, working, or out of town. There has not been the slightest need to rush around today. I even sat down a little while a go, and just sipped a glass of hot apple cider, put on the Sherlock Series 3 soundtrack, and stared out the window, at my chickens pecking and scratching around. :D

 

I mentioned a little while back that I was planning on going with my family to West Virginia to see my dad's branch of the family. While my mouth was saying I was going, my mind was screaming "no way".

 

I had never been away from my husband, since being married 18 months ago. And the thought of traveling over 400 miles away from him, didn't set well. (my family was even jokingly taking bets on whether I would actually go).

 

I went back and forth, and back and forth, on my decision. And trust me, there were quite a few tears shed trying to decide what to do... I knew I needed to visit some of my aging, and sick relatives, but I did NOT want to go without my sweet hubby. 

 

In the end, I decided on going. Thirty minutes before they planned on leaving. :P

 

Thankfully, I drove the whole trip. I think that if I had not, I would have cried the whole 8 hour ride there. The LORD worked that out perfectly. :D

 

Here are some picture of my journey in the mountains...

 

A lake me, my brother, and sister hiked around on Sunday...

 



 

The fall foliage was GORGEOUS!!!

 

There were some very tame dear living near this lake. I was quite killer to my brother and I to be so close to venison, and not be able to "harvest" it. :P

 

A state park overlook...

 

 

Brother, and sisters, being brother and sisters with grandma... :D

 

 

Left to right: Daddy, Mama, brother Noah, Moi, and sister Grace...

 

 

My walking path early Monday morning. I would be in such amazing shape if I lived up there...

 

 

I was able to take the Jeep off road, ad go up some pretty steep mountains. I got her good and muddy...

 

 

Another state park on Monday evening...

 

 

An old barn on our drive back home Tuesday afternoon...

 

I survived the trip, by calling Justin 3-4 times a day, and cuddling up to the stuffed frog he gave me on our first Valentine's day. :D

In the end, I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to travel, and visit family. I missed Justin terribly, and felt as if some part of me was missing quite a bit of the time, but the time I spent with my family is precious to me. :D

Have you ever spent time away from your hubby? How did you cope? Am I the only to cry about spending three days without their husband?

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
Angel

Busyness...

 “Busyness chokes deep thinking.”
― Todd Stocker

 

And that about sums up why I have not really blogged much of late. I have had so many blog ideas pop into my head, but have not had hardly anytime to sit and think them through. With usual housework, exercising, and quite a few church functions, life has been pretty non-stop here of late.

 

But it has been a good busy. One filled with fun, adventure, and yes even work...

 

Three weekends ago, our church went on a camping/ rafting trip. It was so nice to go up to the mountains, and view some different scenery...

 





 

Oh, and getting pretty cold and wet on the Nantahala River...

 

 

 

After we returned home, I was able to have some dear friends over for lunch. It was such a blessing talking with them. Friends are such a gift from GOD. :D

 

VBS was in our near future at that time. I was in charge of craft for all 5 days last week. So the week before was spent preparing and purchasing supplies.

 

Justin taught the 5th-6th grade class. I was commissioned to decorate his class. The theme was "Cross Canyon Trail". So western décor was essential...

The cacti are made from pool noodles and toothpicks.

I dressed like a cowgirl everyday...

 

 

And my hubby wore a matching hat...

 

It was a very good week. Attendance each night was good, and each child seemed to have fun, and I thank the LORD for that. But I am also thankful it is over. Every day was the same last week. Wake up, exercise, rush to clean the house, eat lunch, start preparing for the evening by 2, shower and be ready to leave by 4:30,  not get home until 8:30 or 9, then come home and cook supper for the hubby. Very exhausting for this homebody... 

 

Oh yeah! My handsome prince surprised me the last night. He took the top half way down on the jeep, and we rode to town, under an almost full moon, to enjoy some much needed quality time, and a Cookout milkshake. YUMMM!!! :D

 

 

My sister came for a visit today. I was quite surprised to hear a knock at my door and see her standing there. :D We spent 2hours talking and reminiscing about days gone by. Just like we used to every night before we went to sleep. :)

 

I hope to get some rest tonight. And maybe even read a chapter or two in the book I just ordered. It's "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin. I've been wanting to read this one for awhile now, and finally found it used on Amazon for only 5 bucks. Oh yes...

 

The rest of the week looks to be fairly easy going. Normal life stuff. Even a birthday on Thursday. I shalt be twentay fo'. Whew, I'm getting old. :D

 

What have you been up to of late?

 

Have a wonderfully blessed day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Angel