Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Update

Seems like I'm having trouble finding a happy thought to post...I did think of something cute and clever about the dog peeing on the floor, but after I had to clean it up, my thoughts weren't too happy.

Is it sad that my work, usually a big stressor, is low on the list of stresses in my life right now? It slowly is becoming that way, even after I had to deal with ridiculously crazy junk with students and having to look in the handbook to see how to proceed with certain, ah, things. But it makes me so sad for them that they have to go through some of this stuff!! Our department is small, so we're closer to our students than most. And when I see them hurt and when they won't go get help...that hurts. However, those issues are growing smaller and smaller. I don't think they've necessarily gone away, but they're overshadowed by bigger issues.

At any rate, I think I've dallied long enough from the point. I'm quite good at that.

Aunt Betty has a very aggressive type of cancer, small cell cancer, I believe it's called. It's in her lung and her liver and her kidneys and her brain. There is no cure. There is a hope for remission, though, but God knows I can't feel that hope right now.

I mailed her a three-page letter yesterday with many of your names on it, people who commented saying they were praying for her. I wanted her to actually know names, not just nameless "oh, people said they were praying for you" types of things. I wanted her to see the names, to know the connections to me and other family members who have posted similar prayer requests on Facebook. And those who have verbally told me they were praying.

Now, I ask for your help again. Next Monday, I want to mail her a list of verses to help her during this time. I sent her 2 Chronicles 20:17, a verse a friend of mine posted recently, that has stuck with me lately. I know it's talking about getting ready for a physical battle, but she's going through a physical battle right now.

So if there's a verse that's gotten you through rough times, please post it here so I can send to her. I know she and her husband would greatly appreciate it.

My aunt's name is Betty Blanton. She is from Texas and is at the Cancer Treatment Center in Zion, Il. They have a sweet dog named Elmo, and she is battling against cancer for her life.

9 comments:

CR said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. I pray for your comfort and yours during such a difficult time!

Brooke said...

Jeremiah 29:11 is my life verse.
2 Timothy 1:7
Isaiah 40:31

I'm not sure if/how those are applicable to her, but I find them comforting

Meredith said...

Penny- can I email you a song to share with your Aunt? Justin's band wrote and sings a song called "Give Me Peace", and I find myself repeating the lyrics as a prayer when I'm feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or scared.

Let me know-- labuenavidablog [at] gmail.com

misti said...

2 Corinthians 12:10 (the whole chapter actually)

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Tara said...

Though in the end things may not always work out they way I think they should, I use Romans 8:18 and specifically verse 28.

There is always hope.

Amy Hogan said...

Philippians 4:13
Praying!!

septembermom said...

Isaiah 54:10

I'm praying for Betty. God bless you all. Sending my love and best wishes to all of you in your family -- Kelly

Mari said...

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3
I think these verses are so comforting in times of trial.

Anonymous said...

Praying for your Aunt Betty.

Some of my favorites are...

The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20


The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. Exodus 14:14 (AMP)


“But those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their STRENGTH. They will SOAR on wings like eagles; they will RUN and not grow weary, they will WALK and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you do not fear I will help you. Is. 41:13


Can you tell I have a list of encouraging verses in Evernote!? When I run across one that encourages my heart I clip it to evernote so I always have encouraging Word just a click away.

I hope this encourage your sweet Aunt and remind her how loved she is and how He is hold her in His palm right now.