Phils Friends Dinner - Hope - November 16, 2012

In May of 2011 I was told I had two type of breast cancers. One was ductal carcinoma in situ which is family history. The other was Colloid Carcinoma related to chemicals I was exposed to during the Gulf war in 1991. I went for the best option for me and that was a double mastectomy. During this time, my aunt who lives in Wisconsin  went to a Lutheran Conference and while there saw a table with Phil's Friends at it. She stopped to inquire and they explained to her what they were about. She asked if she could put my name in for a care package. And this is how I was introduced to Phil's Friends. When I had my surgery, I called them and told them they could stop sending the cards from the kids as I know there were many other people out there who could use their services. They said it was OK. It wasn't gonna hurt to keep sending them. Little did I know a year later I would be told the Colloid Carcinoma had spread. As a result of me calling Phil's Friends to let them know what was going on, I was introduced to a woman named Lisa. She asked if she could call me weekly and journalize my journey with the cancer. Then I got an invitation to attend this Dinner, but I threw it out as I knew I could not make the trip financially. When Lisa called about two weeks ago I missed the call. Called her right back and Phil answered and asked if I was going to the dinner. I told him if it was meant to be, that the Lord would have to work it out. In two weeks the Lord provided the means for me to  be here. And I am honored to say that my aunt who started this whole thing, came to join me up here and be a part of this journey. I have been given less than a year to live in July of this year. When I head home, I am having an MRI done as they think it may have spread to my brain. My life verse is: Jeremiah 29:11 - I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for good and not evil; plans to give you a future and a hope. I have to say that the last 6-7 years of my journey with the Lord has been a great one. God has blessed my life in ways I cannot even begin to express. I was talking with a friend of mine a few weeks ago who went from a believer to an Atheist. He said Candy, I know your life verse. Can I ask you a question? Where is your future and your hope now? He wasn't being rude, but just did not get it. I said to him, that the verse applies to both here on earth as well as eternity with my Father and Savior. I still have a hope and a future. Last year when I went through cancer, I considered ending my life as I did not think I could deal with the pain. Today, God has given me a peace about it that even I do not understand. I have great friends who stand alongside of me and give me strength when I am weak. The Lord is using this affliction to bring others to his kingdom. It means so much to me that Phil and all of Phil's Friends are also taking this journey with me. Romans 12:12 says:   2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Am I serving the Lord for just when things are going right in my life? Or am I in it for the long haul? I choose to believe that the Lord is good no matter what storm I am facing. He is the anchor that holds me together when everything around me seems to be falling apart. I still hold on to Jeremiah 29:11 and cancer cannot take that hope from me. Thank you for the opportunity to share my journey with you tonight.