#BunasHope

I have been battling Breast Cancer for nearly 4 years now, and I gotta tell ya, I get pretty tired of it. Sometimes, I have “words” for the Big Guy when I go to talk to Him. Sometimes, I get scared. Sometimes, I feeling like screaming. Other times, I cry. But my cries aren’t always because of the previously mentioned fears or angers. Naturally, I cry tears of fatigue and frustration of just not wanting to do this any more. However, at other moments, I’m overwhelmed by the blessings that seem to just pop up on that very day of the day after (literally), that I was melting down. God knows me. He gets my erratic prayers and emotions. He knows that, although I am extremely positive and seek Hope and signs of gratitude in as much as possible, I’m only human. And times are tough. He knows me, and He knows it comes in waves.

Much like the highs and lows of our relapses and great progress to each form of treatment… the waves come right at us, looking larger than life, then before we know it, they’ve disapated on the shore.

Isn’t that just life though?

I recently had the chance to sneak away to a weekend of prayer at the beach with a few other women and God was just speaking to my heart over and over again. He spoke through images, he spoke through our surroundings, He spoke through the “Bible roulette” game I like to play when I just say a little prayer and see where my finger lands in the Holy book. Over and over again, He reminded me that everything passes, He is always with me, and my main job is to continue to keep my gaze on him, trusting in Him always. So I spent my time that weekend, trying to be quiet (haha!) and just listen to the waves roll in and out, getting bigger, and then just slowly washing calmly over the shore. As each the waves appeared to rise faster and faster in the wind further out in the bay, getting bigger and cresting just feet off the shore, they always seemed to wear down to just a small rush of water gently washing over the sand once they reached shore. Mimicking much of what I feel of the waves in this season of my life, as I pray it’s only that. A season.

I also listened to the flicker of the candle the way it lit up the room with just the tiniest of flames, yet could be feared if I let the fire over take me. Instead, I felt it’s warmth. I felt God’s presence and thought over these past four years, recognizing the many blessings that have touched our lives amidst the many storms and typhoon size waves that seemed to be heading straight for us over and over again. But His answer? Stay in the gaze. I am watching over you like a shepherd keeps track of EVERY sheep. Fixate your eyes on me and you won’t lose your footing.

So I gaze at him.

I was given this picture by a dear spiritual leader and friend a few years back. She brought it up again over my weekend at the beach. I love the way Mary lays down on the uncomfortable hay, in the midst of her situation of discomfort and cold, having just delivered a baby, yet she’s so fixated on the gift of her son and the glory that’s coming in His life. She also knows the anguish that is to come, yet she says “Yes” and just gazes at him in love and awe.

Sometimes, I gaze at my kids when they sleep, praying I can always be here to gaze at the grandchildren just the same. I pray I can be here long enough to gaze at them as they walk down the aisle or see my son’s smiling face as he greets his bride at the altar. I make deals with God, begging for these moments. But for now, I am committed to this moment above. Resting in THIS moment. I know I’m still in the midst of the discomfort. I have a long road ahead. But I pray that I can always stay in the gaze and continue to trust in Him.

It’s never been MY STRENGTH that has gotten me this far. It’s always been HIS. It’s always been the grace from all of your prayers. Our prayers. All of the outstanding support of this village we call TEAM BUNA. I can’t thank you enough.

I know this isn’t a more mushy post of mine, but I don’t control what I write. I just write when I feel I can, and I write what’s there. And today, I’m writing what is on my heart.

I just have to thank you all. We still have so much ahead to get through. So much to navigate with my cancer to make it “go away and stay away!” while still figuring out this whole parenting thing and raising 5 kiddos in the midst of the chaos.

I always ask, pray for my family, pray for my kiddos.

This water bottle was given to me when I was first diagnosed. There’s a pic of all 5 of my kids on one side and This cool inspiration reminder on the other. I have had it with me for every infusion and surgery. It reminds me to keep going. They are my why! (And my hubby, of course!)

Just as our Buna’s Hope non-profit and ALL of YOU who got involved helped us to bless TWO FAMILIES to send them on trips of hope and memories with their families in time of struggle, a dear friend has stepped in to send our family on a trip of Hope ourselves! God shows up again!! (BUNA’S HOPE UPDATE: The Cards will be taking a Cruise to the Bahamas, while the Bayhii family will be heading to a DUDE RANCH! How cool is that?! Thank you, TEAM BUNA/BUNA’s HOPE!!)

Our family is being sent off to “the happiest place on Earth”, DisneyWorld, over Mardi Gras this year! The count down is on, fast passes booked, dinner reservations set, and kids practically holding their breath with excitement. I’m ready to go make some memories with my crew. Never want to miss a moment to see them smile and just be kids having fun!

Pray that I’m able to keep up for the trip. Pray that we can all stay healthy and well to make it happen. We just need a little pixie dust (Bibbity Bobbity Boo!) and whole lot of graces! 😉

And know that we keep you all in our hearts and thank you all for all of your support in prayer and love always.

God bless you and know I’m sending my love and graces and “BIBBITY BOBBITY BOO!” right back to you! Have a grace filled and magical day, as you get in the gaze with me.

Just like Peter, when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus, it wasn’t until he took his eyes off of him that He sank. May we all have the strength to keep our eyes fixated on HIM no matter the waves that are crashing around us so our feet can keep firmly planted wherever He asks us to stand. And HIS STRENGTH will keep us upright, standing strong. I have no more strength in this body, but God continues to provide. There is no other explanation.

#GodsGotThis

#Waves

#GonnaBeAlright

It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to post, merely because I, like everyone else in this world, have barely had a moment to myself to sit and write. Who knows if I’ll finish this in one sitting?

However, I did want to take a sec during this week of Thanksgiving to just say how truly OBSESSIVELY GRATEFUL I am right now. And sure, this isn’t exactly my favorite turn of events for my Thanksgiving week, as it is the week of my 4th round of chemo (meaning that I’m just hitting the nausea and over all “yucks”) and probably won’t be joining my family for Thanksgiving feasting this week. Yet, even in the midst of all of the storms stirring around us, I can’t deny how good and how present God not only in His very own spirit, but through the hands and feet of so many around us.

Because (forgive me if this next meme offends ya, but just toss it off to my bizarre humor), normally in my life, I forget to lean on others and truly trust on God. Instead, I impulsively attempt to take matters in my own hands like a lil’ control freak without even realizing it! All the time, I think I’m being so helpful when really I’m scary as hell, kinda like this. Haha!

(cue my girl, Madea)

Since that obviously wouldn’t work out too well, Jesus ever so kindly surrounds me with a whole village to keep my crazy self in check. ‘Cuz clearly the Big Guy upstairs is never too busy. No matter how big or how small our needs. For real though!

I just couldn’t pass that one up. As Uncle Jesse on Full House would say, “Have mercy!”

BAHAHAHAHA!

Anywho…if no one has gone off and called the cops and is still reading, I’ll continue.

All in good fun, my friends. If ya can’t laugh, whatcha gonna do?

The reality of my gratitude, and my Madea humor stems from a place much more like this:

Shouldn’t that alone be enough? I’m not just talking about myself, but for all of us.

Each morning, I pray with my kids,

“Thank you, Lord, for waking us up again today.

Thank you for another beautiful day to be together again.

May we be a light of Christ to all we meet.

And may we see that light of Christ in all we meet,

Especially in our own family, in one another.

Amen.”

No matter what’s going on in our lives; no matter how overwhelmed we can be with our own crud; what’s going on in the world around us; or what can start to weigh us down when we start reciting all of the many, many prayer intentions that we hold in our hearts for so many people… we have to LET GO AND LET GOD. Letting go of each of our intentions and giving it to HIM, allows Him to do what He can with it. He can’t if we’re still holding on. Besides, it only keeps us focused on what’s wrong.

Rather than let our intentions bog us down, we need to let it all lift us up so that we can be that light in the world. Starting each day with a prayer of thanksgiving and looking through a lens of gratitude of what’s right in our lives helps our family remember that there truly is ALWAYS something to be thankful for and sets us on course to be lights in the world! At least, we try. (Haha! That is, before I have to tell someone to stop pinching someone during prayer time. I mean, we do have 5 young kiddos, ya know.)

My Gratitude List:

-My family (of course!!! They keep me going every day!)

-my AMAZING friends (I love you all!)

-This community who continues to pray for us, FEED us, keep us stocked with donations or gift cards for food and fun, and always let’s us know we ARE NOT ALONE!!! We could never properly thank this community enough. So we promise instead to pray for you all in return and pay it forward always.

-The many other warriors I continue to meet at the MARY BIRD PERKINS CANCER CENTER, or through my blog, Facebook, etc. that are such inspiration to me!

-My You Night Sisters and family who are such tremendous support

-Families out there facing such varieties of challenges of all sorts that we pray can share the graces and blessings that we receive in prayer, so that we can all be united in our common thread for HOPE!!

-My DOCTORS, NURSES, MEDICAL TEAM who continue to take stellar care of me and I know will stick with me to kick this thing! Y’all are amazing!

– The BUNA’s HOPE/TEAM BUNA crew who’ve come together to pack 100+ boxes (all on donations of supplies and service), delivered over 50 boxes to various missions so far, over 35 boxes to individual families in need, and they just keep going. We are blessing families in need all over, and the reward that this community who are all involved in the process (kids and adults alike) is even greater! SEE TEAM BUNA FB PAGE FOR PICS

…………………

I’M GRATEFUL BECAUSE EVEN IN OUR WEAKNESSES, WE ARE ALL STRONG TOGETHER. WE ARE STILL:

–FIGHTING TOGETHER FOR POSITIVE CHANGES, NOT ONLY IN OUR BODIES, BUT IN OUR FAMILIES, & FOR EACH OTHER

-REACHING OUT TO ONE ANOTHER TO SHARE HOPE, LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND FAITH

-IN OUR OWN BROKENNESS, WE ARE FINDING HEALING IN WORKING AND PRAYING TOGETHER.

-WE’RE MAKING WHAT WOULD SEEM IMPOSSIBLE… POSSIBLE!!!

I’m FOREVER GRATEFUL to all of you for being on this journey with me… AGAIN, and for sticking with me. It’s been one long and crazy roller coaster ride, and it just keeps going.

But, we’re making every moment count, and I promise, I’ll make sure you’ll appreciate every moment with us. Not because I’ve got this, but because…

#GodsGotThis

#EveryLittleThingIsGonnaBeAlright