Many of you have been blessed when you have called Rest Ministries to speak to my volunteer assistant, Kara. Her sweet southern voice and compassion is a comfort to us all, and she keeps the ministry running smoothly and me (relatively) sane.

A couple of weeks ago she let me know she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer and last week she had a lumpectomy. I briefly posted on Facebook this week as she was in surgery, but I asked her permission to share it publicly and she said it would be fine (and prayers appreciated).

Wednesday following surgery Kara posted the following:

I’m already home from the hospital after the lumpectomy and lymph node sampling and praise the Lord that’s all for now, depending on what the lymph node status is. I’ll have an apptointment with the surgeon in a week and find out the status of the nodes then, but I’m hoping they would call me sooner–who knows?

They may have to sample more nodes or need more extensive surgery, depending on the results, but the plan right now is to heal for 3-4 weeks, meeting with the oncologist meanwhile and starting 6 weeks of 5 day/wk. radiation therapy; hopefully I won’t need chemo, but I may have to do some hormone treatment since the biopsy results showed the tumor was estrogen-fed–some people take those anti-estrogen meds for 5 yrs. or indefinitely, evidently, and they’re apparently no fun. I’ll be doing some natural stuff too in addition to traditional medical therapy.

Everything went as well as could be expected at the hospital–I was pretty nervous and felt like getting teary sometimes, but it helped knowing that I was being prayed for so much and I also tried to think of my mom and my sister Barbara Goodson facing even more scary diagnoses and surgical procedures and ultimately death at such young ages with so much grace and far less medical knowledge. They must have been so frightened–I just thought of their strength and faith and it helped me to think, “They did it so well and I can do it too.” I’m not being morbid–hopefully my outcome is good and I pray that God will allow me more yrs. to enjoy my sons, grandson and future grandkids.

If not, the Lord and I are on good terms and I have faith that I would be in heaven having a reunion w/ so many loved ones. But right now I’m not thinking that–I’m really hopeful and so thankful that everything is good so far. Thanks so much for all the prayers! Hopefully I can get some rest soon!

Please continue to keep Kara in your prayers. This path is never easy, as many of you know, and she has little support in the town where she has recently moved. She is truly feeling them. If you would like to send her an encouraging message, please post it in the comments below and she will see it!

Also, last fall I posted our web site about our ministry sister Jenni Saake who had suffered a stroke (and then a few more). She updated her blog the other day with the following status report.

“It is about 3 months since my first strokes now. I still see blurry and double so have trouble reading. Can’t use my left hand so typing is challenging. Need a walker or wheel chair and doctor say extent of my injuries is profound but hopefully I will mostly rebuild mental connections within two years. Thank you for prayers. Circumstances are hard but God is faithful and good. “

Prayers for her are needed and appreciated as well. So much pain here on earth, huh?
Relying on God one day (or minute!) at a time,

Lisa

It is the second week in January. According to the world, it is time to “get busy.” But I feel like molasses is a world of energy drinks. I still have much I want to give, but it is not bubbling just below the surface like it usually does.

Despite all the hype about doing, I am just concentrating on being. Well, the word “concentrating” is over-stating the reality. Honestly, I am just wandering around, resting in not having a to-do list of items that “must be done today or else,” and yet, still feeling like I am wasting time by just resting.

There is a long list of things I should be doing for this ministry. I feel my presence has not been what protocol dictates. Yet, I don’t like to fake it. I want to be real with you. I want to be authentic. And who says I all of these ideas should turn into more “should”–really? What shoulds have you put upon yourself and then felt the stress because you didn’t do it?

I am too depleted to give of myself, so I have just been hibernating for awhile. And waiting. Sometimes the waiting may come across to you as me being unorganized, uncaring, distracted. But it is just self-preservation. It is getting rid of the noise in my life, so if God speaks –I can hear Him.

Most ministries have many employees. While the founder takes a needed sabbatical, the program leaders start up a new Bible study. While the founder stays home to get over a cold, the web designer updates the site to reflect the new year. I am very blessed to have volunteers that help us in so many ways, and yet, I still feel as though I am dropping the ball. I am here. but, right now, I don’t have anything I can give.

There is much God wants to do with Rest Ministries. There is also much I want to do. But I need some time to determine what He wants to build–without my plans getting in the way.

I am soaking, marinating, spending time regrouping. I am not depressed. Discouraged perhaps, because I have stuff I want to do but no energy. I am discouraged because I know that the new year often feels this way to me and yet, for some reason, I am still surprised when I am not a ball of fire on January 1st like the rest of the world.

For now, I am just maintaining the coals beneath the surface. The fire is still there, but it is simmering, not producing flames.

So know this. . . I have not forgotten you, my precious friends of Rest Ministries. I have faith that you understand. And during times like this it is always amazing for me to sit back and watch you minister to each other in ways that I cannot even imagine. Out of your own pain comes so much unbelievable joy. And I know that there is no possible way joy can come from pain unless you are rooted in God’s loving hand.

These are the times that humble me. I am reminded that this ministry is not about me or what I can do. It is God’s ministry and I am leaving it in His hands as I rest.

Lisa Copen

FOR YOUR SITE:

We chose Teresa who shared about putting her children’s artwork around the house from when they were young. She shares, “I know someday we won’t always get to be together on Christmas Day, or even decorating day, but I still have the memories and the actual artwork and ornaments to bring my children back home to me, whether in body or spirit. It’s the greatest gift ever besides the birth of Jesus!”

We know not everyone has kids–and if you do, you may have long ago lost the artwork, but remember to put up whatever it is that brings you joy. It can be a paper chain, set out a few cards you’ve received in the past, the music from your favorite Christmas song, whatever.

Thanks for all of your fabulous ideas to bring more coziness into our lives.

We are so excited that over 20 people have already signed up for our Fall Bible Study! We will be conquering the topics of:

• I Can’t Do it Alone – Discover how to feel more comfortable accepting help from others.
• I Feel So Guilty - Learn how to overcome feelings of guilt, moving towards acceptance of God’s grace.
• Everything Is So Out of Control – Find out how to surrender over to God your attempts to control your life.
• My Body Image Is Hurting – Chronic illness often affects one’s body image. Recognize how to base your self-image on how God sees you.
• How Do I Cope With This Depression? – Understand why even Christians become depressed and how to move on to feeling better.

Sue Ellen

Sue Ellen, who led the Summer Study says. . .

I cannot believe it is already Autumn, my favorite time of the year! Especially since the weather gets cooler and it has been a long hot summer here in Florida.

I really am excited to have the blessing of hosting another study! Everyone blessed me so much in the previous study by the way they shared their hearts and how they ministered to each other on the calls. I was amazed how God used each person, it was such a blessing and I was so blessed to be a part of it! I cannot wait to see what God reveals in this next study, and to meet new people.

What I like most about these Bible studies is that they have been geared to our unique journeys with chronic illness, and take into account how illness affects our whole life, and most important,our relationship with the Lord and His will for our life. Hope to see you there!

Interested? ALL THE DETAILS ARE HERE (when, where,  how, and link to get the study!)