Work Hard, Play Hard

"We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give."
— Winston Churchill

This past weekend, our local MP Environmental Services Inc. terminal hosted our annual “Family Summer Picnic” in Phoenix with over 180 in attendance. The weather was perfect, the kids were filled with joy...

...and the raffle prizes were aplenty!

We even had fresh grass-fed beef patties my father-in-law drove over from California!

Our picnic is a symbol of our love and appreciation for all that our employees do for MP. Our employees help us make a living and for that we are very thankful. They also allow us to make a life by giving to others and blessing those that come into our paths. The Lord has blessed us greatly with employees that are friends and every summer we get together to shower them with gratitude for all they have done to make MP a success!

Although we have earned our living by our work, our life has been defined by what we are able to bless others with.

I have been super-blessed to be raised by very hard working parents, as my dad has been at his job over 35 years. I have also married in to a very hard-working family.

My husband, Rex, is the third generation to work for the family MP business.

Rex and I moved from California to Arizona for him to manage the Phoenix terminal 10 years ago this month! A few months after the move, I began managing the office for him. The Lord has blessed our efforts tremendously and we have grown by leaps and bounds in the past 10 years.

MP Environmental is founded on hard working employees and managers/owners that get in and work right along-side their employees. After 40 years with MP, my father-in-law still works 60+ hours every week managing things company-wide.

MP is a company with employees that are a rare find and our turn-over rate is unheard of. Employees come on board and stay a lifetime.

On a side note...I can’t NOT mention that I am holding onto my title of “Hula Queen” since winning the hula-hoop contest for the fifth year in a row this year.

And my daughter, Tuesday, seems to be following in my footsteps. Or following in my hip-sways...?

We hope that our employees and their families left the picnic feeling full, happy and appreciated. Now we're looking forward to doing it again in December!

{photography credit: Roots & Wings Photography, Phoenix, AZ. Ask me for hiring details.}

It's a Celebration!

My neurosurgeon appointment was supposed to be Wednesday of this week but it got moved up—to today!! So, with sweaty hands and feet, I sat in the waiting room, itching to be called back…..and after 45 minutes, I was.

Rex and I travelled down the short hallway and into the fluorescent- lit room…where we waited even longer. Finally, the surgeon came in with a smile.

“Really?” I thought. “He’s smiling?? Sicko.”

I’d gotten preliminary information that my results were not great and Dr. K waltzes in, grinning like the Cheshire cat??

It turns out that the “growth” was so small that Dr. K is not overly concerned and he is not prescribing any treatment at this point. Hooray!! The only thing that has changed is that I will continue to be watched very closely—meaning every 6 months I’ll go in for an MRI. I didn’t get bumped to the 12-month MRI club…which I am thankful for. Believe it or not, I actually want to be monitored more closely.

So today has been a day of enormous blessing for me and my family as I was given another clean bill of health.

Just when I thought I was maintaining a pretty good perspective on things, two weeks of thinking some very bad news is on its way definitely led to an even greater perspective. The bottom line is, some things in life are important and other things are not. I am choosing to focus my time, efforts and talents on those things that are important. When it comes to the unimportant things, I don’t want to waste even one second on them (and yes, the issue of people driving under the speed limit still falls under the “important” category!).

Thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement. It was a long few weeks made easier with your love and support!

I Choose To...

I CHOOSE TO...

Be still and know that He is God.

Not fear death or my current diagnosis. Being fearful doesn’t change anything.

Fall at the feet of Jesus and pray for healing, because He is bigger than any diagnosis.

Remain hopeful that my MRI results will not be a precursor to diminishing health and/or to surgery.

Cling to the Word when times are tough, because the Word brings comfort.

Trust the Lord through adversity, because He holds the entire universe in His hands.

Love the blessings that have come from my diagnosis.

Remain confident in this: I have seen the goodness of the Lord.

Rest at night knowing His will is being done in my life.

Pray that the Lord be glorified, wherever my path leads.

Believe that His plan is perfect, even when it doesn’t match my plans.

Embrace all the learning opportunities God allows in my life.

Maintain perspective that this earthly life is temporary and my eternal home is in heaven.

Have faith that when my days on earth are done, I will rejoice in heaven.

The past few weeks have been filled with emotional ups and downs. The fact is, I am afraid. I have a doctor’s appointment in five days to discuss my most recent MRI. Once again, my future can change in a moment. All it takes is one conversation behind the closed doors of a small, uncomfortable doctor’s office and everything could be different.

I’m still learning complete dependence on the Lord but I am an A+ sinner so from time to time I fall into “fear mode” and lose perspective. All of my negative thinking revolves around FEAR.

Most of the time, I am too busy to fixate on the negative thoughts that creep in like a heavy wind and suck the life out of me. But once or twice a day, if I sit still long enough (like when I’m waiting at a red light), the thoughts take over.

“What am I going to do??? It can’t be growing back already! I am only two years out of surgery! I cannot have two brain surgeries before Tuesday even starts kindergarten. I just can’t! My head is still partially numb from the first surgery. I just can’t fathom going through it again, so soon. I was hoping I would have ten years or so in between surgeries. This just isn’t right.” My hearts sinks quickly when this thought process starts.

So I take advantage of that moment of stillness and remember that the Bible says “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

The application of this verse is simple. STOP what you are doing and focus on The Lord and His Word. How appropriate for us to be still in moments like those, to reverently honor Him and His power and His majesty! I have to remind myself to take time each day to be still and exalt God. He can provide strength in any circumstance. I know I can turn to Him for truth and encouragement in my life.

And then the red light changes to green and, like a soft breeze, the Holy Spirit has encouraged me.

Whatever you are going through, remember you have a choice in how you react to your situation. Life is all about the choices we make. The Lord can bless us tremendously when we choose to live life under His provision and direction. I know the Lord does not desire for me to spend the next five days fearing what news I will get or pondering all of the “what ifs” of my situation. He desires for me to trust Him and to allow Him to carry my burdens. He desires for me to fall at the feet of Jesus and pray.

Praying is not an easy thing to do. Human nature means that we’d rather worry than pray. As Ann Voskamp points out, “Worry is the façade of taking action when prayer really is.” I always want to take real action.
I pray that He would heal me and give me years on earth to raise my children. I pray that He would bring comfort to me when I am afraid. I pray that He would provide excellent medical care and give my doctors wisdom if a plan of action becomes necessary. I pray that He be glorified through my journey and that you may be encouraged.

Whatever your “struggle” in life is that you are going through, whether it be an unplanned pregnancy, unemployment, illness, marital strife or any of the other dozens of challenges life can throw at you, take it to the Lord! Don’t let fear take over.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Let me assure you—this does not come easy for me, a person who likes to control the things in my life! But I had to give my current situation over God. I know He is able to carry you through the fire, too. He created everything on this earth—the sun, the moon, the stars—and He knows the number of hairs on your head……and yet we don’t trust Him with our problems??? He is our redeemer and He alone can heal anything you are going through. IF you allow Him to, He will be your friend, your comforter, your answer and your calm in the storm. The Lord is ever-present, available day or night—all you have to do is call on Him.

Friends, there is no need to worry and no need to be fearful. The Lord’s plan for your life doesn’t involve worry or fear. Whatever your “struggle” in life is, take it to the Lord and He will care for you.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Two Years Later

This very week marks two years that have come and gone since my surgery and I am celebrating! Life is good! The Lord has continued to bless my family. The opportunity to embrace life with full health is amazing. After illness, believing for a short time that I was terminal and my days were scarcely numbered, then making the transition to health and freedom of fear…you know I am living it up!

In the past two years the Lord has opened so many doors for me to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Rex and I had a rare opportunity to host a 10-month class on Systematic Theology in our home. Our class was amazing as it gave us the chance to grow and learn with other believers about what the Bible says about any given topic. The knowledge I took from that class inspired me to lead a women’s Bible study in our home in the fall. Again, the Lord opened many doors. We had over 20 women coming together on a weekly basis, growing, connecting, learning to pray and strengthening our walks with the Lord. It was such a great experience that I decided to lead another group this spring! Again, over 20 women attended.

If you are not in a small group, I would strongly suggest finding one. It will rock your world! Getting to know a core group of people that you’re able to connect and grow with on a spiritual level will change your everyday life. I firmly believe this is the ‘community’ the Lord desires for us in our earthly lives.

How am I doing physically, you ask? I still sit back and ponder my accomplishments of the past year and think, “Really, God? Really?!” How amazing is it that He not only restored my health so I can raise my kids, but gave me stellar health and the physical strength and stamina to hike the freaking Grand Canyon, rim to rim?!?! 26 miles in one day and alongside 18 of the most amazing people you could ever hope to meet.

It was through Project Athena, an organization one can only hope to aspire to be a part of. While on the Canyon trek, a dream arose. “If I can hike 26 miles in one day with 102-degree temperature and blisters, could I possibly do a marathon?” And then the dream accidentally crept out of my head and blurted out of my mouth! The Project Athena gals couldn’t have been more encouraging. They committed to me that if I wanted to do the PF Chang’s Phoenix Marathon, they would travel to Phoenix and do it with me. So they did! And I did! I ran my first full marathon this year, with wonderful friends, amazing women and with great ease. I did it! I did it! I never thought I could run a full marathon, and then the Lord encouraged me with friends and physical health, and He was with me the entire time. I’m convinced that He was encouraging me, protecting me and smiling upon me at every step. Another feather in my hat is that I’ve completed six half marathons this year as well. The Lord has blessed me greatly with physical health and while I have it, I’m certainly not going to waste it!

Emotionally, I grew to accept the fact that I had been diagnosed with a terminal tumor, that the diagnosis had been wrong and that I had to go on living. I had to let go of the thought that maybe the second doctor was wrong and the first doctor had been right. I had to reconcile to that reality and move on to a much happier, settled place and cling to the joy and blessings that I had been given through this rare journey. And so for months, the Lord kept whispering, “Write it down. I want you to share this with others. I want you to encourage others that are struggling. I want you and your story to be a light in this dark world.”

So. Ahem (that’s me clearing my throat). I have started writing a book. A book about my story. A book that the Lord has laid on my heart to write. I pray that my book is an encouragement to all who read it. I pray that my book conveys that the Lord’s will is perfect, that His timing is perfect, that prayer is powerful and that He is present in our lives! He is alive! And He cares for you and me. I pray that through the blessing of my racquet-ball sized brain tumor, people will read my story and desire to grow closer to the Lord.

So today, I am telling you that my unceasing prayer is that the Lord will bless my book and continue to give me the content He desires to be in it. I pray that the Lord will open doors throughout this process (as He already has) because, although I do have a formal education, it ain’t in English!

Can I challenge you today? What is the ‘book’ in your life? What is the thing you’re nervous about tackling because you don’t think you can do it on your own? Is it going back to school for a higher education, losing 20 pounds, running a 5K, seeking counseling for an addiction or joining a small group? Whatever your hurdle in life is, I can tell you that prayer is essential! Essential, my friend. The Bible says, "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself." Philippians 2:3-4

So, whatever your ‘book’ is in life, take it to the Lord and He will carry you through it!

Reflect
The ‘book’ in my life is _______________________________.
Through prayer and dialogue with other Christ followers, I am going to ______________________.


Update: When I was diagnosed two years ago, it was urgent. At the very moment I was told I had a brain tumor, it was the size of a racquetball. This means that no one will ever know how long I lived with this tumor. They are typically slow growing, so the thought is that I had it for many years. Now I routinely go every six months for MRI’s to monitor whether it’s growing back. I went in for my routine scan a little over a week ago. Three days later, I received a phone call from my surgeon’s office while volunteering in my son’s first grade class. I was looking forward to taking the call to hear that all was well but the call took a dramatically different turn from what I was expecting.
”Dr. K needs to see you to review your scans. He said you need to make an appointment.”
“What!?” I exclaimed. “Why??”
“Ma’am, I’m just making the call, he said he needs to talk to you about them.”
My heart was racing because I knew something was wrong. The surgeon doesn’t require an appointment if there is no change. In fact, I hadn’t seen him for a year.
It turned out that the next available appointment was three weeks away. Doesn’t it seem inhumane to give a patient enough information to know there’s something wrong, but postpone seeing them for three weeks??

Whatever is happening, it is the Lord’s plan.

I spoke to a friend I went to high school with (who is now a doctor) and, upon her suggestion, called to get a copy of the radiology report. The report was simple. ‘Post surgical change. Mild thickening of the surgical region.’
“Really, God?!? I thought this was behind me!”
Apparently it is not completely behind me. In layman’s terms, without hearing it from the surgeon, it sounds as if the tumor is growing back.
The tumor was completely removed during my surgery, but my skull is thicker on one side where the tumor imbedded itself in my skull. The area was cauterized well in surgery, but I was never guaranteed that it wouldn’t grow back. No one guaranteed me that I wouldn’t have to face those steel surgical doors—and a ridiculously difficult surgery—again.

Pray
Will you find a fellow believer to band together with and join me in prayer? It would be so powerful if you could pray with your spouse, child or friend for me. Pray that it is not tumor growth. And if it is, that it has not grown much and that I would be given years and years before it would need to be removed. I am so grateful for your prayers and eager to see how God’s plan unfolds as I learn to trust Him more.

One Year Anniversary

{I wrote and posted this on Facebook in May 2010, one year after my surgery}

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Phil 4:4-7

This is the passage I clung to in the early months of 2009 as I was ill, and it's the passage that brought me great comfort one year ago today as I went in for neurosurgery. I had been diagnosed two days earlier with a large brain mass (racquetball size) behind my right eye. The first hospital I was sent to diagnosed it as a glioblastoma (100% terminal). Due to a neurosurgical conference on the east coast, there were no surgeons available and they transported me to the Barrows where they had a few neurosurgeons that stayed behind from the conference. They began immediate testing. By 4 am the following morning, there was Hope. They wouldn't know for sure until the biopsy was done, but their preliminary diagnosis was a meningioma tumor (non-benign). Real HOPE.

The following day was surgery. All went well and the mass was benign. What a blessing! Today, May 7, I am a year out and I have my health. The Lord has been good to me.

My friends, I faced death and the Lord delivered me. His perfect plan allowed me health and a renewed reliance on Him.

In my moment of terror (the phone call from my neurologist), the Lord brought so much good- my amazing family flew in from California within a few hours and our amazing church family, Palm Valley, was by our side- immediately. The peace of God was all around us.

I am so very grateful for my experience: to be chosen by God to walk the plank and gain perspective I wouldn't have had otherwise. The truth is, aside from my kids' salvation, nothing really mattered the night I was told I was going to die.

As Rex and I sat completely silent in the first ER room, I vividly remember the few words spoken over the hours of silence.

"Promise me you'll raise our kids in church," I said.

"I will," he replied.

"That's all that matters. I can live with the thought of you raising them without me on earth, but I cannot live with the thought of not spending eternity with them," I responded.

He said, "I will raise them in church, knowing the Lord, I promise." And that was it. That's all that mattered.

And in those moments of painful silence, the Lord brought great comfort to us through our family, our church family and our friends. I've learned that you can trust God right now to supply all your needs for today. And if your needs are more for tomorrow, His supply will be greater also. The Lord gave me what I needed every second of every day from illness to diagnosis to surgery, and now recovery.

"No eye has seen nor ear has heard and no mind has imagined what God prepared for those who love Him" I Cor. 2:9

So that's my story. The Lord has blessed me greatly & today is my 1 year anniversary from my surgery blessing.