Thursday, August 30, 2018

Market Analysis

Have you ever House shopped? “It will be fun” they say! Fun? It’s crazy!

Buyers Market, Sellers Market. All I know is that if no one is buying, then you’re not selling!

Home warranties, inspections, earnest money, down payment, closing costs, market analysis, etc. - it’s exhausting!

Market Analysis: “Studies the attractiveness and dynamics of a special market within a special industry.” Wikipedia

“A phase of research conducted to determine factors, conditions and characteristics of a market.” Dictionary

I’m so thankful my life doesn’t depend on all these things!

I’m reminded of an old hymn.
“Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina Hall.

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe; ...

For nothing good have I ...

My ransomed soul shall rise,
Jesus died my soul to save, ...”

Ransom: The sum or price paid or demanded.

In the housing market, a house price can go up or down, houses can go into a bidding war if multiple people want the same place.

Jesus paid the ultimate, highest price for us! For my sin and yours!

Mark 10:45 (NLT) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 2:6a (TPT) “He gave himself as ransom-payment for everyone.”

Wherever you find yourself in this market—

New - not sure if your worth the purchase
Price Drop - devalued, uncertain
Price Increase - He will pay the highest price!
Pending - undecided, unresolved
Sold - bought by the blood of Jesus!

I pray that you will see that you are loved where you are at.

Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭(TPT) ‬‬“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!”






Thursday, July 26, 2018

New Norm ... Who’s Norm?

It’s so crazy how fast and how slow five years feels. 

It’s been said that cancer “cannot cripple love.” I was diagnosed seven months after our 20th anniversary. Ron has been rock solid! He loves me, encourages me and tells me I am beautiful! I have so many scars, my weight has gone up and down, I’ve been tired and had sleepless nights. He even buzzed my hair when I started to lose it after I started chemo, I am so thankful for him! He told me the other day, he’s glad I am still here! #Blessed

Cancer “cannot shatter hope.” “Hope is the anchor for the soul” Hebrews 6:19 
I believe you just have to have hope in the faith. They really go hand in hand. 

Cancer “cannot corrode faith.” My faith was the strongest it had ever been during this darkest hour. God gave me strength, and determination and grit! Don’t get me wrong, there were days that I cried, slept all day, and just didn’t want to do this anymore, but I knew I was going to get through it and that God would use my story. I knew that God was with me!

Cancer “cannot eat away peace.” The day of my bilateral mastectomy I had such peace. “God’s wonderful peace transcends human understanding” Philippians 4:7 I woke up that morning and did not have a worry about the surgery, the healing process or anything else. It was such a blessing to know that people around the globe were praying for me!

Cancer “cannot destroy confidence.” Not sure about this one ... You have to dig deep when you are a woman and completely bald. I gained confidence in some areas and struggled in others. I would say “rock what you got!”

Cancer “cannot kill friendship.” Oh man...am I thankful for Edie and Michelle! I have known Edie for over 30 years. She came and spent a week with me after surgery, called to check on me, sent cards, etc. I have known Michelle for over 20 years and she is my nurse friend (everyone needs one). She came to all my appointments (along with Ron), explained things, let me ask questions, was my advocate and sat with me during chemo. I am blessed by these two and many more that were in my corner during this journey.

Cancer “cannot shut out memories.” Hmmmm I have memories, some clearer than others. After chemo & chemo brain I couldn’t remember why I went downstairs or names of things or people, but I can remember each cancer date like its a loved ones birthday.

Cancer “cannot silence courage.” I was silent for about a year. I didn’t want to talk about it. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be “normal”. Fact is I am not the same. Cancer isn’t who I am, It’s what I went through. It doesn’t define me, but it has changed me.

Cancer “cannot reduce eternal life.” Thank you Jesus! He is the one that holds the key to my life everlasting! 

Cancer “cannot quench the Spirit.” Ha Thankful for this! Sometimes people are shocked that I can laugh at some of the things that happened or that I went through. That’s who I am ... Always have ... and always will be!

One of my favorite verses in this season and now is Isaiah 43:2MSG
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God...”


I am thankful for the people that I have met, and the things I have learned. I have seen the faithfulness of God, I am blessed by my family and friends. I am grateful that I am alive!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Joy ~ Unspeakable

Joy: “The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation” 
~Webster

When diagnosed with breast cancer we made a conscious effort and bold declaration to laugh at hard things. We didn’t do this as a mockery or to be offensive, but to decide to find humor and joy even during our trial. 
It’s an Unspeakable joy. One others don’t understand. 

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
1 Peter 1:8 KJV

To me this is part of faith. We have faith and believe that God exists even though we can’t see him in the flesh. With this in mind we choose to rejoice in and through our hardships believing that God is in control! 

This is not always easy...life is hard and trials seem to come and go like the waves in the ocean. There are days when I literally sat out loud “God if you love me ...” or “God do you hear me? Or even care?” I have to remember what the Bible says and some of my favorite verses. 

“I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
Isaiah 41:10 MSG

“I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:20 MSG

When you choose joy in spite of what your going through it makes life bearable. Being negative, sad or wallowing in your trial takes more time and energy. When you choose joy, people want to know why. This is a perfect opportunity to point them to Christ! 

My prayer for 2018 is that we continue to find joy in all things! My prayer for you is that no matter what you are going through that you would be able to find joy. Joy comes from remembering what you have been brought through, and understanding what can come out of what your going through. God is able to get you through your biggest trial and give you joy for the journey. 

Traditions - Change?