Tag: mercy

Mercy Me, March!

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In like a lion, out like a lamb? March, you arrived packing a punch with your paws! Are you feeling overlooked between winter’s chill and spring’s promise, acting out like a middle child just to be noticed? You’re smack dab in the middle of conflicts. March, we know you typically include madness (not just basketball). Will you please leave like a lamb with the promise of renewal? Mercy Me, March!

Life constantly presents me with its juxtapositions: the hybrid of hardness and happiness, sweetness tempered by sourness, the revealed modern life shadowed by melancholy, and stretches of calm that are suddenly interrupted by chaos. These contrasts shape my days and challenge my perspective, reminding me that life isn’t meant to be experienced in only one dimension.

Feeling minuscule, I praised my Maker as another full moon rose. One friend’s life was taken intentionally, while visiting another one struggling to survive. There was a time when I felt harnessed by hopelessness. Miracles, miniscule to massive, kept me orbiting. From hugs and kindness to the miracle of …surviving.❣️

In my own small world, I embrace hope and the promise of our Maker–no matter what!

“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Joshua 23:14

I can see the light!
STILL see the light!
The light WILL break through
Thank you, God, for another full moon!

As the moon continues rotating around the Earth I wonder what will “revolve” until I see it again? Mercy me! God, have mercy on us all!

You are loved, my friends. Please don’t lose hope. Keep the faith! 💚

A note from K.L.~
The world is still spinning, and many lives around me are facing unspeakable situations. While lives are lost in the war across the globe,there are those fighting wars right here (and in their minds & hearts). A young life is about to end with terminal cancer—and leaving two sons behind. Another family is mourning the loss of a friend who took her life. Meanwhile, I know someone in his late 80s who is ready to leave this world. We are all revolving and spinning—may love and hope ground us. Please be kind—you never know what someone is battling. I’ll request, please, that you not mention “I’m sorry for your loss”. I’m sorry for their families and closest friends! I don’t hurt for me, although I’m saddened by these situations. I’m okay with where I am in life. I’m blessed to STILL be here; even if life is challenging, I have a life. As I revolve, I’ll have future scans and a trip to D.C. More birthday celebrations—one of my sweet D.I.L.s and my precious mom. Another ladies’ fire where we share our lives and walks in Christ. THANK YOU for being HERE, praying for me, and being wonderful friends. I thank God for the gift of this wonderful community. I treasure you all and love you (so does Finn). Karla & Finley ❣️🐾

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My New Journey 🤍

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Staring at the pictures of my family taken these last several weeks gives me instant HUGE smiles. Giggles, tiny sweet voices, cries, yells, questions, and the words, “I love you!” echo through my home. Hearing “Mom” and “Grammy K” puts me over the moon! Trust me when I say they are the cutest families ever!

My mornings are filled with so much gratitude for a new day. With each new day I’m navigating my NEW LIFE.

Speaking of life…do you know how RARE YOU ARE? 💛

“I praise you for you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalms 139:14

Twins are rare, too. According to my parents there’s a 50% chance it could happen to you (SOME other sources might vary). Another rarity? Me trying to find words. Surreal is the only word I can use to describe the last 6 weeks (beginning with Covid). NOW? Sometimes the words leave me and last night they held me captive. Here’s a bit of my experience thus far. My oncologist? He’s a quirky smart man. He’s just a man. He’s human. Many years of training led him to my room. N.E.T.S? Yet another rarity. They’re not his specialty. There’s 3-4 of us he’s seen in TWENTY years. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are a “group of cancers that can occur in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas.” (Mayo Clinic, 2021). An article from Healthline, stated that “Neuroendocrine cells are found throughout your whole body. They receive messages from your nervous system and release hormones into your blood. It’s estimated that about 12,000 people are diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors each year in the United States.” STOP RIGHT HERE.

I began this post 3 days ago. That same night I was adding chemo pill #2 to my 14 day regimen. It was a rough night. Last night a new plan was in place. You should have heard the prayers. A grin has been plastered on my face all day. Glory to God! No matter the ups and downs I will continue the fight. Just as in writing this post and all future ones. A paragraph might form, an idea hits my heart, and then nausea might step in. Or fatigue. Will you hang in there with me?

Nothing is the same but this: my faith in God, healing, family, friends, and the good that is still in the world. I choose to replace fear with faith. Yes, I am scared at times. I refuse to allow cancer to hijack my peace.

There will be pain. All of us. There will be suffering. All of us. There will be victories. All of us. There will be setbacks. All of us. There will be sadness. All of us. There will be healing. All of us. It may not look the way we want or wish. What do you do? I literally don’t have the time to worry about the small stuff. Friends, please allow me to use my platform to update you, encourage you, love on you, laugh with you, cry with you, and learn with you. I’m still here. I’ll be making hay when the sun shines and joining you on your porches, trails, beaches, and offices. Should we have coffee or tea? Let’s talk about the goodness of God, grandkids, and giggles. Let’s let loose of lofty life lies and leap to why love is the only thing that remains. What are you victories? The small things you adore most? How are your families? Friends? Pets? In the meantime know that I love you, pray for you, and am elated and proud to know you.

To my family and friends here in SW MO: I can’t type this without tears in my eyes. The words and cards of comfort, the calls, texts, and the support make me shudder by all the shoulders in which I lean. In an effort to ease burdens of family trying to update everyone, I’ll use my blog. I’ve found my purpose again. To bring awareness to my disease is my focus. I’ve got my head in the game (hear that, Dad?) and my heart is healthy. And you? You are loved…no matter what. 🤍

“For God has not given (INSERT YOUR NAME HERE) a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

“Have you heard of N.E.T….yet?” This is my new phrase for my awareness campaign to whomever I can reach. There’s much misinformation regarding pancreatic cancer vs. pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Friends, can you share my journey? I do not want another person to go through this. Trust your gut. If you believe something is wrong investigate it-don’t stop. I’m empowered, I’m present, and I’m anchored. I’ve found my voice again. I’ll be singing until I can’t. May my words never leave me.

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Mercy Me!

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“Well, mercy me!”

Those three words carry a poignant pitch of my past. I’m transported back in time to hear my grandmothers, and other older folks who helped shape me, utter these three cute words out of shock and surprise! I’d like to say things shock and surprise me. But they don’t anymore. So, to that I say, “Well, mercy me!”

Speaking of mercy… aren’t we all “at the mercy” of something daily? When you travel, just as I have recently to love on family in Washington, you’re at the mercy of the weather (and EVERYTHING else associated with the big silver wings). When you’re young, you’re at the mercy of your parents. When you’re old, you’re at the mercy of every system and those around you. We’re all at the mercy of our health providers (and oh, what a month with that!). Individuals on trial are at the mercy of a jury. Businesses are at the mercy of suppliers. We’re at the mercy of our local, state, and federal government. Most times we are at the mercy of factors and things beyond our control. Some want to kick, scream, and cry for justice, not mercy.

Control? There are things we can control. Some do not like being at the mercy of others. And simply, some set themselves up for being controlled. Control can come from a sense of fear and anxiety. Past trauma or situations creep in. I read somewhere that the one out of 10 workers who doesn’t want to follow the rules or expectations is subconsciously inviting authority to come down on them. If you’re unsure of how you think or feel and don’t express it, others may do it for you. If you do not take care of yourself or obligations, you may be inviting the control into your life. It’s called self-sabotage!

I try to view things in all colors and angles. I don’t have the rights I think I do; and that’s ok. When I surrendered my life to Christ, I gave up my rights. By striving to follow the teachings of Jesus (ok, Jesus, this can be hard!) I no longer have the right to hate, judge, or condemn. I’m at HIS mercy. I’m not perfect. Well, mercy me! Perfection is not needed to experience a life filled with love and mercy. The teachings I have hidden in my heart and soul are a guide to help direct my path. I’m at the mercy of compassion, forgiveness, understanding, and joy. Self-sabotage may seem an excellent choice when you feel the entire world is out of control. Perhaps getting lost in media and creating our own world seems to be an easy out. For me, I long for hikes, mountains, rivers, and even the smell of an R.V. 😉. Kicking and screaming is exhausting and not an option for me!

During a layover at the airport Sunday many life lessons came to mind. Yes, like everyone else, I was at the mercy of the T.S.A. Also, the flow of a rushed crowd and making sure I had my ducks in a row and moved quicker than a snail. Many heads were down. Some of us connected by a smile. Or a kind gesture. I could see the worried looks on faces that felt at the mercy of things beyond their control. There were several that voiced what they wished to control. With my cup of coffee (much needed for a tired brain and body) I sat and relished memories of the week with my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter; just as the memories I had with my other son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids in August—this is all worth it). I prayed-us humans are impossible and exhausting at times, but there is goodness when we seek it, slow down, quiet ourselves, and listen.

“Thank you, God for your never-ending mercy and love. Thank you for loving us no matter what. Touch the lives of everyone walking in this airport. Heal the broken, love the unlovable, soothe the hurting souls, do whatever you have to for them to experience a supernatural control that gives hope; even if none is felt.”  His response, “You do it, too.”

“Mercy me!”

“May mercy and peace and love be yours in abundance.”-Jude 1:2

Have faith 🤍 If you don’t know how, why, or can’t, please reach out. You are loved.

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Growth is Optional

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Is life trying to kick you around? Do you feel the waves of change blowing? Are you irritable? Do you worry too much? Are the little things gaining ground on your grit? Yesterday was layer after layer of challenges. We all have them. But in my Red Sea moment, as the water seemed as if it was going to cave down, I stood still. The peace flooded. I took a deep breath-placed it in perspective-stopped.

Can we do ourselves a favor? Let’s raise the expectations for ourselves instead of others. Let’s just love them where they are; and where they aren’t. Find a way to let go of worry. And if you can’t, call me. Have I told you all how thankful I am for YOU?