I’m gearing up for another 8 hour day at the infusion center tomorrow. The only thing I’m bummed about is that I won’t be able to do my morning walk! I made it a mile to Starbucks this morning…..and made it the mile uphill back! Flo Rida’s Good Feeling is my favorite walking song right now……seriously I become an Olympic-style speed walker and overdo it and have to rest periodically. It’s frustrating…but I know I have to be patient. All I could think was “I want to RUN UP this hill” and then I would envision myself passing out on the road and being found by a stranger.
From Jesus Calling today: Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me.
Yeah….bring it…..I walked 2 miles today.…and a few days ago I was an invalid.
So….as I’m dreading sitting for 8 hours and feeling nauseous and bored and plotting escape routes from chemotherapy…..I opened up Jesus Calling again to peek at tomorrow’s reading:
Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently for them to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.
Seriously? Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away. Limitations of a weakened body. Does anyone else’s book say that or just mine? Goosebumps.
Limitations can be liberating.
Awesome! God and all his little ways of getting to us. I am so glad you were able to walk 2 miles. Exercise is truly one of the best medicines. Praying for you tomorrow.
That book was definitely meant for you. It is chilling and awesome how timely and perfect each one seems to be for you. Jesus is definitely calling you, no doubt about that. Happy liberating tomorrow. I will be thinking lots of “0 tumor marker number” thoughts for you!!
I *love* this book so much. I swear every day, He is speaking to me. So glad you have it. Will be thinking of you tomorrow!
praise God for the grace that He is showering you with. may you continue to be open to His will and spread JOY in everything you do.
pax Christi, lena
Wow! What a powerful message and goosebumps is an understatement. You are amazing! I will be thinking and praying for you tomorrow.
thats Jesus. HE will carry you through, meditate in His word.
Hope it goes well for you tomorrow sweet mama. <3
go ash : ) we will be thinking of you all day.
Those lyrics share a great perspective.
That does it….I’m buying that book! Love you!
This just gave me goosebumps! Sending you strength. Thank you for sharing your journey! Xo
Sounds like it was meant just for you.. I am fairly new to your blog and find your courage, authenticity and strenght beyond inspiring.. blessings to you and sending a heap of healing thoughts and prayers your way.
Amazing! God works in wondrous ways! Enjoy your time tomorrow!
Megan
Isn’t God awesome?!!! I just love the way He reaches our hearts and minds. There are NO coincidences in the Lord. He knows all our needs. You are still my hero Ashley. I will be praying for you tomorrow. Interestingly, I have a very special friend who has her chemo on Thursdays too. Tomorrow will be number 23 in a row. Please pray for Jeanne Mason while you “sit quietly”. I know she will appreciate it. You are the perfect example of how God blesses “the lifted foot”.
Seriously, thank you for sharing your heart, your struggles and triumphs. I can’t even imagine the scope of people you are helping. May God continue to bless you and keep you strong.
Keep conquering those hurdles!!! You will be RUNNING up that hill before you know it!!! Hope all goes well tomorrow. 🙂
Seriously…I don’t read the teachings, but definately had goosebumps with you….I have found a rising star healer that believes just what your scripture/book/belief system has now given you…if you manifest it, it will be…so be still and enjoy…it will be a long time before you have to do it again!!!
Wow…almost a Twilight Zone moment but you are to young to remember that show,so I’ll say it sounds like a Devine God moment to me…he knows where you are you know! Reminds me of a friend of mine whose life was spared after a horrible motorcycle accident…long story short. He went to Vegas and had a fleeting thought about doing something that he knew he didn’t have any business doing..his bil, who was in Texas forwarded him an email that had come to his phone with this forward …”didn’t know if this was for you but thought I’d send it anyway.”This email came through on his phone at 2:30am just as he had gotten up to go to the restroom and and had that thought again, reasoning that hey…what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas, knowone knows me here, etc….well the email said this, “what goes on in Vegas, is revealed in heaven.”. Tell me God can’t get up close and personnel! I love that you even asked if anyone else’s book had that message in it! Girl, God has your number and is covering you in His perfect Love! May you baske in that Love all day tomorrow!
I will be covering you with prayer tomorrow and will be watching for your updates!
Love ya,
Beth
I believe God and the Universe speak to us through illness. Our bodies are always trying to teach us something, first it will whisper, tap you on the shoulder, until it has to scream at us to get the message across. After reading your post tonight, I wonder if maybe the message is for you to learn to be still, or maybe patient….learn to stop and smell the roses… just a thought. I loved reading about the passages from today and for tomorrow.
Hugs! I’ll be praying for your sweet self tomorrow. 😉
Get it 🙂 I have it (the app) and it’s awesome on my iPad! XO have a good day! Way to go on the walking btw!
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION
YOU ARE CHOOSING JOY
YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS!
Wow. Goosebumps reading that. And, I can confirm that my book says the same thing. 🙂 For those reading this that want the book – our local Costco had stacks of them when I was there yesterday. I had already purchased the app for my iPhone and LOVE it, but picked up a copy of the book to share with a friend. As far as I’ve been able to tell – the only difference between the 2 is that the app has the text and the verse written out for each day where the book just has the verse and you have to look them up in your Bible. It’s nice that they are right there, but there is also something about holding the word of God in your hands and flipping thru the pages to find a specific verse. Either way the devotional is amazing!
I will be praying for you. May you find the patience and peace to be still with God tomorrow while you have your chemo. Good luck with your book.
Love and prayers,
Anne
Hm. I like it. Life is funny, huh?
I’m not one for horoscopes, daily affirmations etc, but I think that when they hit the nail so squarely on the head that we’re right where we’re supposed to be, even if it sucks.
Hugs, Ashley! You never cease to amaze me. I agree, that book is obviously perfect for you. And, you continue to be so inspirational. Choosing Joy despite circumstances that cause bitter anger and despair among the best of people, crafting through all the horrific side effects of chemo and now you tell us you’re writing a book? WOW! You really are Super Woman! I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow!
Way to go!!! 2 miles! Woop woop!! 😀 And isn’t it amazing how God makes sure we get the right words from Him everyday? 🙂
Just what I needed to hear today……I’m forced into one of those quiet/still days today and my outlook on it just changed, so thanks for sharing!! I can’t wait to email you with a note I got with a Choose Joy bracelet in the mail yesterday from a good friend! Hugs and kisses…..
Praying for a 0!!! Enjoy the quiet time. Don’t wish it away. Lots of good things can come from that time.
I love when I get loud and clear messages from God, you are a special lady I pray today isn’t as bad as last week, I will be thinking of you all the way from Texas and praying you have a blessed day. 🙂
God works in WONDERFUL and Mysterious ways…
May God bless your time in the Chemo Room, May the Joy that you Choose be so infectious that not only will others be blessed through you, but that Jesus will use them to bless you as well.
I still pray for Mr. LBB and ‘Lil Boo. You are an inspiration.
Paul
I’ve got goosebumps, too. I love it when God speaks just to me in a devotional or song.
It is totally amazing to me how words appear when you need them from Him most. Good luck today. We are all praying for you. I hope you gets lots done on your book! 😉
Sandi
Wow, I got goosebumps just reading your peak at today through Jesus Calling. I think He wants you to know He’s still here for you! I’m thinking about you today!!
You are taking up your Cross and following Jesus! The Lord desires us to get closer to Him always—and sometimes that happens during our hardest trials. It’s hard to understand that our crosses are actually blessings….but you are an example of how good things come from hard times.
I recently started reading this book: the power of pause by terry hershey, as i read your post i thought you might enjoy it too.
That is incredible. I have goosebumps too! Good luck in there…I’ll be praying for you!
Oh! How the Lord works! Listen to Him. There’s peace in the stillness. Bless you sweet girl! Praying for a good day today!!!!
Ashley, you ARE being carried through this by LOVE. The most amazing thing to me is that you are using your experience to help others. I’m so thankful that I accidentally found your blog. Because of you I am working hard at choosing joy everyday. You are a blessing.
goosebumps indeed – Always on my mind and prayers to you and your family and circle of friends
just bought the app! thanks for sharing. write on girl, write on.
Wow…that was powerful! Good reminder to all of us to be still once in awhile! Thank you!
Wowza– God definitely has something to say to YOU, doesn’t He??
Good for you! My favorite walking song is “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. Whenever that song comes on my ipod as I’m walking around, I immediately walk to the beat, stand taller and feel like other people can actually see that I’ve transformed into an energetic person again!
Thank you for sharing! My sister in law was just diagnosed w inflammatory breast cancer yesterday and starts chemo tomorrow….I plan on sharing your blog w her….I think she’ll find it support and inspiration
I read that too. I was having a bone marrow biopsy yesterday and was sooo nervous. This was so helpful to read. I made it through but did get a little queasy;) It actually didn’t hurt that bad it was just the thought of what was going on. Hope you are feeling good today!
it is like it was written for you!
God loves you soooo much and He still works miracles 🙂
OH man, I LOVE how God works. It’s incredible. Thank you for sharing that with us – I need to check that book out. Proud to be choosing joy with you Ashley – bless you!
xo
Christy.
I just love it how He uses all types of things to talk to us and get our attention. Congrats on the 2 mi. walk. You inspire me to keep on the path of my p.t. and rehab.
My husband and i started reading Jesus Calling every day a little over a year ago. We had found out he had lung cancer that had metastisized and was all over. He was given 80 days from the day of diagnosis until the day he went to his Heavenly home. We did Jesus calling every day and I’ve been doing it ever since. It is almost eerie how often the lesson applied directly to the day we were having. We did ours in the morning, so it wasn’t like we patterned our day to match what it said. It just fit. I’m praying for you, Ashley. You and your beautiful family. You are incredibly strong and completely inspirational. God bless you on this journey.
Thanks for sharing that Jo, and for sharing your husband with us…I really appreciate hearing this, and will pray for you. My next door neighbour has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer – he’s maybe 30 years old, and he and his wife of two years are expecting their first baby next month. Needless to say my heart is breaking for them and I am praying so hard for a miracle for them….and that they can come to a saving faith in Jesus…I don’t think they know him yet and we are so hopeful that there will be an opportunity to share the gospel with them, and to really demonstrate an outpouring of love to them in as tangible a way as we can – just to support them. I’m going to pick up this book, and I’m going to think of you and your husband while I pray about ways to share with them and support them. Thank you for this encouragement, and bless you!
Yep…that is exactly what my book said this morning! I have been so blessed iny my morning study time through the devotions in “Jesus Calling”. I have also been blessed by your courage and strength to share your story and allow us all to walk this journey with you. God is using you in powerful ways. Thank you for the encouraging reminders to always “choose joy” 🙂
I am a sometime crafter (with negligible skills) so I have occasionally cruised your site for some time. But since you started sharing your personal journey I’ve become obsessed. Your story in itself is compelling, but the way you share it– your positivity and humor and honesty…I’ve never read anything like it. I check in on you. I cry. I laugh. I lay in bed thinking about your posts. I pray about it. I’ve become some sort of benevolent cyber stalker. I’m sure writing about this is therapeutic in its own way but you are helping, inspiring and informing so many of us that I just had to thank you. You are doing good in the world just by sharing your journey in your voice and I pray that God, in his infinite wisdom, lets you do that for another 80 or so years.
love love love Jesus calling .. and love the app … makes it so timely in my life! and i always feel like my book must be written different from them all because i feel that most days it is speaking directly to me!
Hi,
This is Cagla from Turkey. Everyday i wake up and open your blog to hear something from you. I am always praying for you. You are doing a great job. If all the people can handle with their own problems like you, there won’t be a problem at all.
I read your Jesus calling phrases, and think “We all believing in same God. The God is only one. We are on the different ways to arrive him. But the destination is same”
There is a phrase in my religion, “No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of God: and if any one believes in God, God guides his heart aright : for God knows all things. (64:11)
“Yea, unto God belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and enough is God to carry through all affairs.”(3:132)
“And put thy trust in God, and enough is God as a disposer of affairs.”(33:3)
Don’t forget, there are lots of people, who are praying for you and your beautiful family. God is always by you.
Lots of love …Cagla
Was that book written just for you??? Crazy how God works–I think He’s definitely communicating with you! I pray for you, Ashley, that you will continue to allow Him to enter every area of your life! Love from Kansas!
What a joy to be cradled in His arms. You are an inspiration to so many, God is surely speaking through you. Blessings and prayers are coming to you from central Indiana.
I had the same thoughts while reading JC today…..it’s tough to let go….still haven’t figured it out just yet….but God willing….and I know He is….I will; and you will, too….
I think you’ll be hearing God a little clearer tomorrow while sitting for 8 hours. I also know that each time you are having chemo, Jesus is radiating thru you to others around you. He has placed you exactly in those people’s lives to show them who HE is. For some of those other patients, you will be the only “Jesus” they will ever come in contact with. What an honor he has bestowed on to you. His timing is perfect and so are his plans for your life!
Hugs and prayers,
Cindy
Been thinking of you today, Ashley, and hoping your infusion is going well…
Hugs!
Amazing!! God shows up when we need him the most!!
Been thinking of you today Ashley….I had my blood draw this a.m…..#12!! I still, 12 months later, am nervous when my nurse calls with the results. All was good. You are going to get that call very, very soon that you are negative!! I am buying this book!! thank you. love and hugs. amy
So thought of u when I read my Jesus Calling devotion for today……amazing! Many blessings!
LImitation are only opportunities to see life from a new perspective and adjust to where God is guiding us. “Be still and know that I am God”. It works. You are amazing and your ears are wide open. Blessings and gratitude for all you are showing the world and mostly yourself. Love you!
Downloading the app now! Thanks!
I read that this morning and immediately thought of you : )