Allow me to introduce myself.
This was me then…
…and just 2 months later, this is me now. Both the same Elise. The same “Buna” (pronounced “Boo-Nuh“) to my friends and family. But, now, somehow, although battling for my life, I’m more free than ever.
Every doctor visit, every prayer, when I just couldn’t focus to pray anymore but wanted to rest in God’s arms, this song would pop in my head: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. I hear it everywhere. It’s in my heart, it’s on the radio, it’s on t.v. 3 little birds are always together in my backyard, or on my tree. Each time I’ve been in the hospital, I look outside and see 3 birds together on a branch near my window. Not 2, not 4, but 3…. and at my doorstep. God sings Rasta, Baby. God is beyond cool, and He’s got this all figured out. He’s got me and my family. So… please, pray with us. And when you wanna worry, cast it all back on God (Phillippians 4:6-7) and sing this song with me, it’s kinda become the TEAM BUNA mantra:
“3 Little Birds”… A tribute to my new muse, Bob Marley
“Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right! “
Rise up this mornin’,
Smile with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, (“This is my message to you-ou-ou: “)
Singin’: “Don’t worry ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singin’: “Don’t worry (don’t worry) ’bout a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right! “
Rise up this mornin’,
Smiled with the risin’ sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin’, “This is my message to you-ou-ou: “
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don’t worry! “
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing” – I won’t worry!
“‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right” – I won’t worry!
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right.”
Singin’: “Don’t worry about a thing, oh no!
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right!
#TeamBunaELT
(Team Buna Every Little Thing)
I might add to Marley’s words that I am not strong enough on my own.
But God is bigger than little ol’ me.
God is stronger and HE is all powerful. With God’s strength, and YOUR prayers, WE HAVE GOT THIS.
As some of my past students have coined the phrase:
“One Team, One fight”
………………..
Lord,
I give you my body. I give you my worries. I give you my family. I give you my kids, for they were never mine in the first place. I give you my cancer and all that it entails. I place my life and my family’s daily life struggles and joys in your hands.
Your will be done.
Amen
…………………………………………………….
****BLOG BASICS FOR BEGINNERS:***
1)To read more about my diagnosis with breast cancer, click the “MY JOURNEY” tab on the Home screen.
2)You can receive email updates by clicking the “FOLLOW” link on the Home page.
3)You can also Search old posts on the side bar of my Home screen, if that’s easier.
****THANK YOU:***
As always, I thank you from the top of my baby bald head to the bottom of my barefoot toes for coming to my blog, for praying for me, and for spreading the word to pray for my family through reading and sharing my blog. This way we can help others and they can then pray for my kiddos as well. It takes a village! I’d love to expand our village to help other people in their battles, whatever they may be, whether big or small. God is always bigger. He has more for us all…. It’s gonna be alright!
I LOVE YOUR WITTY SENSE OF HUMOR. YOU REALLY ARE AN INSPIRATION.THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
GOD IS LOVE
MARY GRACE
LikeLike
PRAYERS WARRIORS NEEDED…
For our friends, Theresa & Don Jacobsen who live in RiverOaks in Covington. My dear friend, Don Jacobsen, is now with Hospice at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. His mom, Janet, is a parishioner at MQP. It is rather surreal that she is planning the funeral Mass for her son.
Pray for GG ~ GOD’S GRACE ~ AMEN
julie shreve
LikeLike
Oh, Julie, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I will absolutely be praying for this fellow parishioner family. Please keep us updated.
LikeLike
Amazing how we ask for grace and God is always listening…
I sent u the prayer request and was gonna pray my Rosary. My friend then text me @3:45 :
“Don is with Jesus.”
Such a sweet man and as we prayed, I knew Jesus was holding him in his arms. Pray for Theresa and her family- elizabeth is 25 and evan is 22. When they were adopting Evan, I was pregnant with Kelsey. Both were due May 1st! So we went through that journey together and again the circle of life continues.
God bless angels are
watching over us
LikeLike
You are so inspirational to so many people and your faith is so much Stronger, God has blessed you so much I don’t think I could handle that I try to handle my own crosses of health daily , I’m so inspired by your faith and god knows what he is doing , I pray for you and your family I haven’t physically met you but your mom
And your brother fr beau I know and been to a will woods program . Keep fighting and stay strong and you will come out of this . God puts us through all sorts of unexpected things but in the end he knows what’s best and he’s in charge of everything, God love you !
LikeLike
You’re in our constant prayers!!
LikeLike
Pingback: Buna’s Top 10 Chemo Gratitude List | Team Buna
Hi, my name is Samantha Richardson. I’m a fellow mom of 5 whose husband has been battling brain cancer for 10 years now. I heard about your story from a gentleman I sat next to at the LSU/Troy game last night. My husband has done all the traditional therapies (surgery x4, chemo x2, radiation, Avastin–which have not been successful, unfortunately) and are looking at other options. We’ve found chrisbeatcancer.com to be very helpful as well as Dr. Joel Furhman’s “Eat to live” diet which we start tomorrow. I just thought I’d share in case you’re interested. We will add your beautiful family to our prayers. Cancer is no joke, but our Gracious Heavenly Father sustains us day by day.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your husband’s story and the valuable info!
I will take a look👍
Aaaaand I will absolutely keep your husband, his medical team, and your family in my prayers. The prayers won’t stop.
LikeLike